In A Word...Playwright Brad Fraser

(photo credit: G. Elliot Simpson)

The Voice...and when to use it

Brad Fraser is an internationally produced and mutli-award winning playwright, pundit, director and screenwriter, residing in Toronto.

CHARPO: You've been fairly vocal about situations both political (Harper, Ford) and theatrical/political (Healey, Gass), and now you have a column in Xtra - is this a playwright's prerogative (as opposed to other celebs we wish would just shut up)?

FRASER: I think it’s is the obligation of any person in society to speak out when they see something wrong being done. The only celebs people want to shut up are usually the stupid ones so I don't think it's just a celebrity thing. Also when the majority of people are towing an obvious immoral party line it's up to those with the strength to say so to do so regardless of their profession. A playwright is just one of the many things I am.

I'm sure my work would be just as carnal if I were straight.

CHARPO: Being an openly Gay playwright, do you feel you and your theatre are seen as less cerebral and more carnal and if so, how do you feel about that?

FRASER: My writing has little to do with my being out or gay and everything to do with the innate energies that drive me. I'm sure my work would be just as carnal if I were straight. If people see my work as less cerebral it's generally because they're accustomed to other playwrights making the arguments and possible resolutions very simple and obvious. That has nothing to do with sexuality and everything to do with lazy, simplistic writing which, sadly, is not confined to any particular group. I try to keep my writing challenging to the audience and to myself. I might get the courage to do that from being gay and an outsider.

CHARPO: What is your relationship with Toronto the city...?

FRASER: Mixed. Just like my relationship with any other city. For all of my sometime frustrations with it, it is my home and a great many of the people I love live here. I find it’s the people that make any city.

CHARPO: ...and the arts community?

FRASER: I find the term arts community a bit of a misnomer. There are many different kinds of art and many different communities. If you're talking about the theatre community in general it is, and always has been, a mixed relationship. On one hand I have great love and respect for certain of my fellow artists and greatly appreciate the challenges and support and a stimulating ongoing discussion of what we do, why we do it and what we hope it accomplishes. However, far too often, particularly in the theatre, the "community" is perceived as those theatre artists who socialize, fornicate and party together without including people from other disciplines and backgrounds. I’m not much of joiner at any time and tend to move through a lot of different communities. I feel this is important because it keeps me bringing new ideas and influences into my plays. I tend to be very partial to the playwriting community as we always have tons to talk about.

bradfraser.net