Canadian Cornish Memories

BY ALEX HAWKINS, CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA
When I arrived at Tufts to start graduate school in September 1970, I was coming from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and in my naivete, I thought that at the age of 24, I was more or less sophisticated, having travelled in my youth at least to Montreal and Toronto and Vancouver. What I didn't know was that I was actually a hayseed from Hicksville, and Boston was both a rude and exhilarating cultural shock, and I found it difficult at first to find my way. Within the first few weeks, I tried out for a show that Tony was directing (After the Fall by Arthur Miller) and much to my amazement, I got a part. For the next five months, I spent much time being directed and guided and mentored by Tony, who was a much more talented and
capable director than I was an actor. I was very grateful and honored that he was willing to spend so much time with me, and expended so much patience on me. Although I didn't have him as a teacher in a class, I learned from him a great deal about the theatre, about directing, about acting, through the rehearsals and our discussions, both formal and informal. Then, once the show was over in mid-November, Tony generously agreed to supervise a Creative Project for my M.A. degree (which he certainly didn't have to do)based on my work in the show. So he and I spent more weeks through December 1970 and January 1971 with me writing and revising, and Tony suggesting, editing, commiserating, and guiding that project.

Tony and I worked together again in May-June 1971 on Pinter's The Homecoming, and I was so impressed by the specific knowledge and experience of England and London that Tony brought to his ensemble of American actors and one Canadian. Our production had an authenticity and a clarity of which we were proud, and it was entirely because of Tony.