Neil Barclay: Actor

Neil Barclay has been acting at The Shaw Festival for over 20 years.

We recorded this conversation in 2014 when Neil was appearing in “Elf” at the Grand Theatre.

Neil and I first met in at John Abbott College, not far from Montreal. We were both studying theatre.

Neil went on to study at The National Theatre School and has had a long and successful career.

We discuss his early years while training as an actor. We also discuss the impact his father’s death had on his life as an only child.

Finally in discussing lengthy careers, Neil pays tribute to the legendary Shaw Festival actor Al Kozlik.

Links from the Podcast
Shaw Festival 2020 Season Cast with show dates and details.
Shaw Festival
John Abbott College Professional Theatre Program
Al Kozlik obituary
Avery’s Inn Next Door Startford
>National Theatre School of Canada

Johanna Stein: Writer, Comedian

Momhead, momhead, johanna stein, interview

Johanna Stein. momhead video, cbc, will arnett deal

Johanna’s YouTube, GoPro video “Momhead” was an overnight sensation, receiving 2,400,000 views in a few days. We discuss the steps that led to its success. The YouTube, GoPro video was featured on BuzzFeed, and subsequently Johanna was interviewed by major international news organizations.

Shortly after the video went viral Stein landed a deal to write a sitcom pilot for CBS.

The pilot is being produced with Will Arnett, and will be based on Stein’s book “How Not to Calm a Child on a Plane.”

I first met Johanna Stein when we were both performing at the Winnipeg Fringe Fetsival. We talk about how the Fringe was a launch pad for her career.

We also discuss the creative process that led her from doing stand up comedy to motherhood and then writing a book which served as the foundation for the viral video.

SHOW NOTES
Johann Stein’s website
Joahanna’s book “How Not to Calm a Child on a Plane” on Amazon.
The YouTube video that went viral.

Elyse Friedman: Author

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Elyse Friedman, author, screenwriter, The Answer to Everything

Elyse Friedman is a Toronto based writer. Her most recent book “The Answer to Everything” received great reviews. She’s won a Gold National Magazine Award and has been short-listed for the Trillium Book Award and the Toronto Book Award.

She’s also participated in Tarragon Theatre’s Playwrights Unit and has written two feature films, one of which premiered at TIFF, the other at the Sundance Film Festival.

Reviewing “The Answer to Everything” the National Post’s Sofi Papamarko wrote: “Tales about people searching for meaning in an empty culture and confusing universe aren’t new, but Friedman tackles hers in a fiercely funny and original way.”

The Toronto Star’s Safa Jinje wrote: “The Answer to Everything is tragicomedy at its best. The novel is packed with sadness, but readers will mostly laugh.”

Among other things we discuss why Elyse dropped out of high school at a time in her life when she was, in her words, “a crazy, hormonal, freaked out teenager.”

In the interview Elyse answers questions submitted by podcast listeners, including one about her favourite dark and funny writers.

Links from the Podcast
elysefriedman.com
The Answer to Everything
Ryeberg Curated Videos
Elyse Friedman, author, screenwriter, The Answer to Everything