The tragic life of Vincent Van Gogh is, for the most part, well documented. The artist who later succumbed to insanity, cut off his own ear and killed himself in 1890 only painted from his late twenties until his death. His mid-twenties is documented in Nicholas Wrights Vincent in Brixton at Alberta Theatre Projects.

Before he discovers his talent, young Vincent Van Gogh (Rylan Wilkie) must find himself. While working in London for his uncle as an art dealer, Vincent secures lodgings with Ursula (Laura Parkin), her lovely daughter Eugenie (Jamie Konchak), and fellow lodger and artist, Sam (Tyrell Crews) . Vincent is drawn to Eugenie, but soon develops a closer bond with Ursula whose life is shrouded in secrecy and sadness. As he pulls back the veils of sorrow, Vincent discovers a muse whose love transforms his life. Ursula’s grey world is in turn transformed by Vincent’s brilliant, colourful passion. Their relationship changes both their lives. Can they ignore social convention and family disapproval or will they be forced to part?

Basing his story on facts drawn from Vincent Van Gogh’s biography and letters, England’s Nicholas Wright weaves a passionate tale of self-discovery.

“I knew a year ago I was going to be cast in this show. Historical figures I do a lot of research for because there is so much available, so while I was doing other shows in between I read a lot of books and novels about his life. I looked at some letters he had sent to his brother and the Victorian period of London and what it was like at that time.” Rylan Wilkie told GayCalgary.com about preparing for his role as the artist, adding that the pressure of playing a real life character was minimal. “It really isn’t that much pressure because we work just with the script that is given to us, and it is a really well written script. It takes place before he became the artist that comes to mind when we think of Vincent Van Gogh – the crazy man who cut off his own ear. With it being a historical figure its not like playing JFK where it is documented what he sounded and looked like. I’ve done research on his life but in the end we really just have the play as our framework.”

Wilkie has mostly done contemporary work, and while Vincent in Brighton is set in Victorian London and has elaborate period costuming, it doesn’t have the same difficulties an actor experiences when doing pieces hundreds of years old.

”I would say that this show, being written only four or five years ago, is still pretty contemporary in the way it is written and the structure. It’s not like performing a piece by Shaw or Shakespeare that was written three hundred years ago. It’s a contemporary play set in the Victorian era. The challenges are the same as any other play.”

Wilkie feels that the show will appeal to many, even if you aren’t familiar with Vincent Van Gogh’s work the story itself is appealing. But it will stand out for those who have an interest in the arts.

“If you are a fan of Van Gogh’s work it is an interesting peek into a time of his life that nobody knows about. There is little documented about it so it is a fascinating period. He really did live a tragic life and was the archetypal ‘tortured artist.’ He didn’t start painting until he was twenty-eight and shot himself when he was thirty-seven. He only painted for around nine years but he did 900 pieces of work and only sold one. That is pretty tragic that someone can work that hard and have the determination to keep doing that for so long with no reward. If not for his brother, who basically paid him an allowance, who knows what would have happened?”

The story of Vincent in Brightion is one that speaks to anyone who is an artist – actor, writer, or visual artist. Balancing passion with the struggle can take its toll on anyone.

”Especially in visual art, some people aren’t appreciated until after they have passed away. There isn’t a reward, you do it because you have to do it and you love it. Acting and writing is the same way, you work long hours and you do it because you love it not because you want to be rich or famous. If you are doing it for those reasons you are in it for the wrong ones,” Wilkie concluded.

Alberta Theatre Projects presents
Vincent in Brixton
May 2nd–20th , 2006
Alberta Theatre Projects
215 – 8 Avenue SE
(403) 294-7402
www.atplive.com

Photo courtesy Trudie Lee.