Tag: interview

Q&A Interview with Patrick Brennan, Author and Director of The Family Creetin.

by Richard Young

by Richard Young

What follows is a Q&A Interview with Patrick Brennan, author and director of The Family Creetin, playing at the Procunier Hall at the Palace Theatre from April 16 to 25. The Interview was conducted by The Beat Magazine’s Publisher & Content Manager, Richard Young.

Q. Tell me about The Family Creetin – backstory, author, and performance history.

The Family Creetin was born out of a few places and ideas. I was always enamoured with the golden age of British detective fiction, particularly Lord Peter Whimsey in Dorothy Sayers string of novels and the ridiculousness of self-seriousness. I’ve been writing shows since 2012 for Banished by the King and have always skewed to the less serious, more character-driven work. I like finding the fun in how characters interact. For our theatre group, we were always looking for large, gender balanced shows and the prospect of a single set, big cast, whodunnit-type show was such a natural fit. I loved giving every character the spotlight through the show, and the range of the roles was a lot of fun to play with. Just a mass of ridiculous and self-important people that played on some tropes with some hopeful plot twists, and this show is a good, fun night out.

Q. Could you provide a brief plot synopsis?

In The Family Creetin, a group of six siblings and their significant others are called home by their father, a Duke that owns a massive food canning empire, for a mysterious reason. They fight, bicker, and snipe at each other before the Duke makes known his plans, and a frantic search for a thief begins!

(Pictured: Patrick Brennan, author and director of The Family Creetin.)

Q. Does the Family Creetin have any real-life counterpart?

I have heard it said that it is Downton Abbey-meets-Arrested Development, and that’s high praise! I began watching Downton Abbey weeks before the show originally opened in 2015, having written it a year before and was shocked by how many character names they stole from me!

Q. How would you best describe the play?

The play is a comedy, though I’ll leave that up to the audience. If there’s a message, I hope it is that a bit more kindness and empathy are never misplaced.

Q. I see that the play was performed at TAP back in 2015. Why are you reviving it in 2026? Any major revisions to the script?

We originally ran the show back in April of 2015 and thought eleven years was the perfect amount of time for people to forget the story and pay for another ticket to come see it again! This script is more polished and, as with the first, improved with rehearsals. We have had the advantage of two exceptionally creative, funny, and inventive casts running through this script, and, with complete control over the material, we have always encouraged and applied suggestions and adlibbing – if it’s funny, it stays! I couldn’t be more grateful to all of the moments, small and large, that these actors have put into making the show better, rehearsal after rehearsal.

Q. Why have you chosen Procunier Hall for this run?

The space is ideal for the single room, tight quarters, crucible of the show! And it was available.

(Pictured: Rachel Sherret, Luis Marin, Sophie Thompson, and Ben Kennes.)

Q. How would you describe the sets, props and costumes of the play?

The Palace Theatre has been exceptionally generous with its set pieces, props, and costumes to make a very immersive sitting/drawing room environment for interwar England. We also have incredibly talented cast members who stitch, sew, bring props, and put a full effort into making their characters look as good as they perform them.

Q. What can audiences expect?

I would hope audiences take away some laughs, a bit of an escape, and maybe a line or two that sticks with them! Our performers, whether in the spotlight or awaiting their next line, make it a veritable Where’s Waldo of moments, faces, and bits that make multiple viewings a must.

Q. Is there anything else you think readers should know about The Family Creetin?

The Family Creetin has been so incredibly special to me personally. Not only was it my second script for Banished by the King, allowing me to work with my brother, Sean, and so many others in the group, but it was also where I met my would-be wife, Amanda. I was a self-absorbed, wannabe industrialist with an embarrassing secret, and she was a strong-willed, opinionated, in-your-face American dancer from the silent film era. A match made in heaven, and one for which I absolutely love this show. Also, there’s a sequel!

(Pictured: The Family Creetin set in Procunier Hall.)

Cast and Crew of The Family Creetin:

Cast:
Patrick Hoffer – Archibald
Sophie Thompson – Victoria
Ben Kennes – Reginald
Sue Harrington – Gloria
Dylan Rock – Frederic
Kevin Avram – Bertrand
Jennifer Groulx – Sybil
Ryan Starkweather – Roger
Luis Marin – Raul
Rachel Sherret – Mary
Nicole McTeer – Ginger
Dustin Didham – Nigel

Crew:

Directed By: Patrick Brennan
Produced By: Dan Curtis
Stage Manager: Jeremy Hewitson
Lighting Design By: Mark Mooney
Sound Design By: Doug Deschenes
Costume Design By: Tannis Daoust.

IF YOU GO:

What: Banished By The King Productions presents The Family Creetin.

When: April 16 to 25, 2026.

Where: Procunier Hall at the Palace Theatre, 710 Dundas Street, London, ON.

Tickets: https://mytickets.palacetheatre.ca/eventperformances.asp?evt=527

About Banished By The King Productions:

Banished By The King Productions has been creating original and unique theatre in London, Ontario, since 2009. Since the initial banishment, Banished has produced eighteen original works, all written by local London, Ontario, playwrights.

It all started as a dream to continue to produce, write, and act in shows after graduating from university. Many of our original and founding members attended King’s University College, and thus, once our studies were over, we became Banished By The King. Over the years, the group has morphed and grown to include the talents of many members of London’s thriving community theatre scene.

In 2024, we became the Theatre Company in Residence at the Palace Theatre Arts Commons to continue to create new theatrical productions and promote original London-based work.

Website – www.banishedproductions.ca

Q&A Interview Conducted by Richard Young, Publisher & Content Manager of The Beat Magazine 2025.

Change is a fact of life.

by Richard Young

Most people reach a stage or point in their lives when circumstances, often beyond their control, necessitate major lifestyle changes.

In my case, it was a recent, unexpected diagnosis of Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease as a result of the Type 2 Diabetes I have lived with for over a decade. Although I have managed it reasonably well, keeping my A1C at 7.0 (3-month blood sugar average) or under, it has taken an unavoidable toll on my kidneys.

During a three-hour consultation at London’s Kidney Care Centre, I was informed that unless I make major changes to my diet, especially curtailing my intake of sodium (salt) and foods high in potassium and phosphorus, and adopting a more rigorous exercise regimen, I will be looking at the prospect of dialysis within two years.

Now, that is a sobering thought!

In addition to diet and exercise changes, they recommended that I avoid any undue stress in my life. Hmm….

Since retiring from my thirty-year high school teaching career in 2008, I have lived my life using the motto: “Retired, not Expired!”

Hence, I have pursued various activities and interests to keep myself active and engaged.

In 2009, a group of my fellow freelance writers and artists launched The Beat Magazine, a monthly independent arts and culture magazine. I assumed the combined roles of Publisher and Managing Editor, while my good friend, Nicole Laidler, became the Editor, responsible for gathering and editing the magazine’s content. Somewhat arrogantly, we called ourselves “London’s premier independent arts print magazine and leading source of informed local arts news.”

Despite bleeding money for most of our existence (publishing a profitable arts magazine in London is no easy task), it was a great ride, and we lasted until 2013 before the money finally ran out. Today, I maintain The Beat Magazine 2009 as a website and Facebook page.

After The Beat folded, I began freelance writing for other local publications, including, at one time or another, Lifestyle, Business London, London Inc., Scene, and the Villager Publications group of community magazines.

I also took on a casual part-time copywriting position at Marketing Strategies & Solutions, an advertising house that specialized in promoting heavy industrial equipment and services. Now, that was a learning curve!

In 2023, at the invitation of my former teaching colleague, Art Fidler, who had just founded Silver Spotlight Theatre, a community theatre group for people 55+, I agreed to put together a profitable performance Program for the group’s first production, Babes In Arms. The role expanded to publicizing the show in the local mainstream media and social media platforms.

I did the program and publicity for Silver Spotlight Theatre’s production of Into The Woods in November 2024.

I also publicized the highly successful variety show, Groovin’ for Good, a fundraiser for the London Food Bank in May 2025.

I had planned on doing the publicity and program for Silver Spotlight Theatre’s next production, Showtune, in December 2025. But the several factors that had caused me undue stress in my SST role, combined with my unexpected CKD diagnosis, prompted me to step away from the role late in July.

However, I’m not throwing in the towel altogether on my love of the local arts and culture scene, especially community theatre.

It’s the main reason I have reactivated The Beat Magazine 2009 website after an eleven-year hiatus!

It will give me the autonomy to do what I want, when I want, and how I want.

Please join me in this next step in my life journey at http://www.thebeatmagazine2009.ca

Thanks for reading this Blog post.