HIS GREATNESS: A potentially true story about the playwright Tennessee Williams

(L-R) Greg Gale as the "Young Man," Richard Donat as the "Playwright" and Daniel MacIvor as the "Assistant" in HIS GREATNESS Photo Credit: Seán Baker

Daniel Nyman, intellect, lawyer and sometimes actor and theatre director, tells us the A,B,C's of Daniel MacIvor and his new work, HIS GREATNESS.

MacIvor is one of the country’s most prominent theatre creators. 
A writer and performer, MacIvor is known for his one man shows, in particular his collaborations with director Daniel Brooks, and his plays are often a collection of non-linear scenes, characters and moments intricately woven around a broad framework of themes and ideas.  
He takes an inverse approach with this show, however, this time sharing the stage with two additional cast members and intricately weaving his themes and ideas around a straightforward — yet compelling — narrative.  HIS GREATNESS tells the “potentially true story” of a 1981 encounter between Tennessee Williams (Richard Donat), his assistant (MacIvor) and a local hustler (Greg Gale) in a Vancouver hotel room. 
After seeing the show I couldn’t help but wonder how much of the story is historically true and how much of it falls into the column of historical fiction.  It’s true Williams spent some time during the early 1980’s in Vancouver and he is known to have had a penchant for rentboys and illicit substances; however, it’s unclear as to the accuracy of the rest of the story.  But that’s not the point.  In aptly true Williams style, HIS GREATNESS is an examination of aging, love, loneliness and loss.  And in true MacIvor fashion, the play is an exploration of the ego, identity and theatricality itself.
A lot more could probably be said about this play and its spot in the catalogue of one of Canada’s most eminent theatre auteurs, Daniel MacIvor.  But I’ll skip the academic analysis and simply say that this show is entertaining, sharp witted, thought-provoking and, frankly, moving.

HIS GREATNESS is on now until October 23 at the Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst St). 
Limited number of PWYC tickets available for Sunday matinee.  For tickets and more information call 416.504.9971 or visit www.factorytheatre.ca
Director:  Ed Roy; Written by: Daniel MacIvor; Cast:  Richard Donat, Daniel MacIvor & Greg Gale