There's nothing like hearing a story right from the horse's mouth. This weekend at the Brackendale Art Gallery, Antony Holland will use songs, poems and monologues to recount his experiences during the Second World War in a one-man show titled One Man In His Time.
The show tells of a period of time that Holland spent stationed in Africa during the war. He was enlisted in His Majesty's Armed Forces as a signalman at the beginning of the war, but the theatre was never far from his mind.
During his spare time, Holland put on a play in an abandoned theatre. From there he continued to produce shows throughout the course of the war. His works were featured throughout the North African Campaign, spotted the desert and eventually made it to the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo, Egypt. The shows were such a success that the military acquired stage materials specifically to allow for more complex productions.
Before he joined the army, Holland had completed his dramatic training at the Labour Stage in London, England. After the conclusion of his service Holland was the vice principal at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School for nearly a decade. In 1965, he founded a theatre arts program at Vancouver Community College, from which he retired as artistic director in 1985. More recently he established a new theatre company on Gabriola Island, where he now lives, and has returned to pursuing professional acting and writing.
Now, at 92, Holland is still touring, performing his one-man show across the province. You can catch him Saturday (Nov. 17) at the BAG. Tickets are $20 apiece. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and be entertained.
