Student’s show tells of love and hardship in wartime

Laureen F. Guenther
Times Contributor

 

Geordie Cowan, a Rosebud School of the Arts graduating student, will perform his Final Project, Letters in Wartime by Kevin Brown and Stephen Scriver, May 27-29.
The play is the story of Allan, an RCAF pilot, and his girlfriend Moira, during World War II. Allan goes to war, Moira gets a truck-driving job at home in Alberta, and they stay in touch through letters. Moira writes about home, while Allan writes about war: the flights he takes, the challenges he faces, the buddies he loses.
Cowan said this performance is a departure from his usual roles, which recently included Dinosaur in Sarah and the Dinosaur with Fire Exit Theatre, and Malcolm in Sleeping Beauty at Rosebud Theatre.
“I’m a very comedic, physical actor,” he said. “I’m kind of a Jim Carey – Mr. Bean type.”
For this project, he wanted to challenge himself with something different – a Canadian historical romance with a strong story – but he brings his usual gifts to the role.
“I’m bringing forth the natural comedy that I have,” he said, “and it’s informing me and helping me grow as an actor.”
Cowan is producing this show as well as performing it, and that also pushes him to grow.
“You have to know all the questions that your crew that you’ve hired will ask,” he said. “You need to be three steps ahead, even though you’re a student and you have no idea what you’re doing.”
He has no doubt it’ll be worth it.
“I will come out of this project with more knowledge than I have out of any other project that I’ve done – about myself, about the world of theatre, about my peers,” he said. “And it’s an exhilarating experience.”
Cowan’s cast and crew support his growth. Moira is played by Cassandra Garbutt, who just finished her second year at RSA.
“She’s great. She’s already surpassed me (in acting skill),” Cowan said.
Paul F. Muir, RSA’s education director, is directing the show.
“He’s really been a guiding light and a challenger,” Cowan said. “It’s been really encouraging, really helpful.”
He hopes Letters in Wartime will help his audience grow too.
“It’s really important to remember what love is put through and the many meanings that love has. That’s a strong theme in this play,” he said. “You’ll walk away from this play with an appreciation of what your grandparents have done and what has happened and what the world has done to keep us alive.
“If you want to understand a wider range of life, you should come. If you want to educate yourself on the journey of an RCAF pilot through training, then you should come. If you want to understand love more, you should come.”
Letters in Wartime plays in Rosebud’s Akokiniskway Gallery, May 27 at 2 p.m., May 28 at 10 p.m., and May 29 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It’s recommended for mature audiences. Tickets are $15. To reserve, e-mail capeinthewind@gmail.com or post a request on the Facebook page, Letters in Wartime by Kenneth Brown and Stephen Scriver.