Game On!
When
we last spoke with Nova Scotia playwright Mike Melski, his beloved Toronto
Maple Leafs were crushing the hearts and hopes of millions of disillusioned
fans yet again. On-ice enthusiasts won’t be disappointed with his latest
adaptation of Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad,
however, which takes the stage at Neptune Studio Theatre in Halifax until
October 27.
What inspired you to
write Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad?
MM:
Just
growing up in the Cape Breton minor hockey world, playing for about a dozen
years. Along with its long held Celtic traditions, hockey is a very big deal
back home, as it is in small towns across the country. My Uncle Ches was a big
hockey star and actually died as the result of an on-ice accident. So it's very
important in my family as well. It's a game about love and violence
intertwined. And the play flowed from that thematic concern.
Was it a difficult piece
to write?
MM:
Not as
difficult as some. I usually roll my eyes at the 'writer as channeler' stuff
that other authors speak about. To me writing is hard work and always has been.
But that said, this one flowed more quickly and clearly than most, and it did
feel that the story was out there and wanted to be written down. It was a lot
of crafting from there, but the basic relationship allowed the characters to
'speak' earlier than I was accustomed to.
How are you involved
with the Neptune production?
MM:
I'm
directing this production with an amazing cast and team, with the usual great
support of Neptune Theatre. We're having a lot of fun. Heather Rankin is just a
sweetheart to work with and an amazing acting talent. She's not just gifted
comedically but can really access the dark places the script needs her to go.
She's quite courageous. And Kevin Kincaid is playing the role for the second
time, he's a good pal and also a terrific actor; his Teddy is very dimensional.
The set design by Vicky Marston and the lighting by Brent Frison work
powerfully together. My concept for this production was 'the Church of Hockey'
and that definitely has been realized. Also, the show has an excellent sound
design courtesy of Jesse MacLean. So the right players are definitely on the
ice.
To what do you attribute
the work's success?
MM:
I would
guess it's that the audience has a connection to these characters because they
know that they are real people. It's not as much of a leap into a new world as
other stories. The connection becomes more instant and sympathetic and they can
just enjoy the ride, even though it takes them to some darker places than they
might think they're going.
What can audiences
expect from the Neptune performance?
MM:
Well,
for the first time the action has been reset to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in the
present day. It's the land and era of Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, and
the minor hockey environment is very heightened here now. When you see the
dream coming true for kids like that, it really has lit a fire for a lot of
parents and children that they can make it too. But that fire can get out of
control in ominous ways, as we've seen recently in the media. And the play
definitely explores what happens when obsession is carried to the extreme.
What's next on your
creative agenda?
MM:
I'm
back to the film world after this, starting the build toward production for two
new features - one thriller and one horror. A couple of other new features are
just starting development and I'm excited about that. Also I'm back into the
television world, with a comedy series in the works and also a docudrama. There
is one new play I'm working on, but it bears no resemblance to HMHD.
I've got to keep it interesting for myself, with new challenges, and my current
slate is definitely diverse.
October
15-27
Neptune
Studio Theatre, Halifax
www.neptunetheatre.com