10 questions: Brendan Gall

1) What the fuck is going on?
Man, I don’t know. I was heading down to the Westbound platform at Broadview Station and someone had left something inside a plastic bag on the stairs. I saw it and my heart just started pounding. I mean what is that about? And, okay, so we run out of oil in ten, fifteen years; no more cars, big deal. But no more plastic? Explain to me how that’s going to work… Last night I carved a pumpkin with my girlfriend, using only basic shapes (circles, triangles, squares), but somehow it still looked like a face. I don’t get it. Besides that? MySpace is taking up too much of my time. UnSpun’s having a FUNRAZOR! at Clinton’s Tavern on Friday, November 3rd. Comedy by The Remainders and Dinkus + Music by The Northwest Division and Sunparlour Players + supporting independent theatre = Awesome.

2) Most challenging role you’ve attempted?
‘Malvolio’ in Twelfth Night. As a preying mantis. With a German accent. In geisha-girl make-up. In Fayetteville, Arkansas. (In case you’re wondering, there is no terrifying like the terrifying of two thousand people all slowly chanting, “Soooooooooey Pig…” in unison. It was like the college football version of Lord of the Flies.)

3) Seen any good theatre lately?
Yeah, Spain by DIY Theatre. There were eight people in the audience and one of them was the playwright. But don’t worry, I hear they’re bringing Phantom back.

4) What’s the best thing to spend money on?
Investments. I’m sorry, I don’t know where that answer came from. Groceries and rent.

5) What should everyone stop doing?
Believing liars and ignoring their environment.

6) What’s the best thing about theatre in Toronto?
It refuses to give up.

7) Johnny Depp or Sean Penn?
Sean Penn by a nose. Although I hear that All The King’s Men is insufferable. Apparently it’s an exact reprisal of his role in I Am Sam only with more screaming.

8) Who would you most like to work with, but haven’t yet?
Would have said Daniel Brooks until last week. Ah screw it, Daniel Brooks. Two days doesn’t cut it.

9) Do you have any unifying theories when it comes to acting?
I think good stage-acting is more like good film-acting than people want to think, especially in smaller venues. Also, when you play a role I think you should use as much of yourself as possible, because you’ve had your whole life to work on the character and it’s probably going to be more interesting than a limp or a stutter. Unless you already do those things; then by all means, incorporate them.

10) What are you working on these days?
Co-creating and directing UnSpun Theatre’s Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, running from November 29th to December 16th at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.