The Humans is ‘complex and unpretentious,’ co-star says
In the space of 30 minutes, actress Barbara Gordon stresses three times how lucky she considers herself to be.
Gordon started acting professionally in Vancouver in the early 1970s and, except for having to weather a few lean periods, has been a professional stage, film and television actress ever since.
“I really am one of the lucky ones. I’ve worked pretty consistently as an actor for more than 40 years,” says Gordon, who stars in Theatre Calgary’s ensemble comedy-drama The Humans that runs until March 31.
“There was once in Vancouver, I worked part time in a post office and in Toronto I was an acting coach. Otherwise, I’ve been on stage or in front of a camera.”
In Stephen Karam’s Tony Awardwinning and Pulitzer Prize-nominated drama, Gordon plays a 79-year-old grandmother coping with advanced Alzheimer’s.
When Gordon talks to people about The Humans, she shies away from mentioning its awards.
“Karam’s play is delicate, complex and completely unpretentious. As a writer, he has a sheer love and empathy for family life.
“I promise people that so many bells will go off in their heads as they watch the play because everything about the characters and the dialogue is so authentic.
“If we actors do our jobs properly, the whole evening will seem effortless. It will feel like a typical family gathering.”
It is the family in The Humans, as well as her own family, that has brought Gordon to Calgary.
She has called Toronto her home base for almost 40 years and worked at every major company in Canada, but has been actively looking for work in Calgary for the past six years.
“My daughter, who is a lawyer, moved to Calgary with her children so any chance I can get for a working visit in Calgary is a bonus.”
In 2016, Gordon starred in Downstage Theatre’s production of Matthew MacKenzie’s Benefit. She auditioned for the role without having to leave Toronto.
“Modern technology is a wonderful thing. I was able to audition for (director) Simon Mallett by Skyping with him. I did the same with (director) Vanessa Porteous for The Humans. I knew The Humans needed an old lady and that’s what I play these days, so I contacted her.”
Though she has played her share of older women, Gordon says she’s never had the kind of challenge this play requires.
“Karam has given my character precisely scripted gibberish.
“All of the characters at times talk over each other or interrupt and he has indicated exactly where they must come in. It’s what helps make the play so fascinating. It’s such real conversation.”
Gordon recalls with fondness how far she has come from her very first professional job with the Vancouver children’s touring company Holiday Playhouse.
“We did wacky children’s shows that we toured. We were all young hippies travelling around in a bus. I met my first husband on that tour.”
In 1974, shortly after she had moved to Toronto, Theatre Calgary’s then-artistic director Harold Baldridge brought Gordon into Calgary to star in the comedy 6 Rms Riv Vu. She has returned numerous times for various companies, but this is the first time she’s appeared on the Max Bell stage.
“I’ve never regretted making acting my life’s work. It’s such a great profession because one day is never like another. You’re always on your toes whether it’s waiting for the phone to ring to see if you got a role or preparing for that role and performing it.
“The wonderful, rewarding thing about acting is that when the play really works well you feel you are contributing to society by helping people understand what it means to be human.
“That potential is definitely in The Humans.”