One of the really good ones: Inside/Out—A curatorial statement by Norman Armour

January 16, 2018

Patrick Keating is a journeyman. In all senses of the term.

As a theatre artist, he has done his basic training. He has cut his teeth on both the somewhat easy and the somewhat more difficult tasks. He is well versed in the tricks in the trade. He has tackled a wide range of genres and styles, while remaining a dyed-in-the-wool, work-a-day, tried and true actor of the theatre.

Patrick has worked mostly on the smaller stages, in and around town. He is beloved by purveyors of Vancouver’s indie theatre scene. A trusted collaborator; one you can always count on in a pinch. He’s what’s lovingly referred to as a mainstay.

Patrick Keating is also a journeyman of another sort. And with the very same depth of qualifications, of training, skill, experience, team spirit and camaraderie, irrefutable reputation, and versatility with tackling a wide range of genre and style.

Patrick was a bank robber. The getaway driver to be precise. In Montreal to be exact. A graduate of the criminal justice system—versed in the all the ways and means of the Canadian penal code.

I have shared the stage with him as an actor, also directed him, and on countless occasions witnessed his superlative craft and steel-eyed wit. He is my kind of theatre artist. I now have the great fortune of presenting Inside/Out: a brave and articulate work written, performed—and, yes lived—by him.

The excellence of a given work for the stage can be sliced and diced in a variety of ways. Personally, relevance is of the upmost importance. With the veritable overload from a relentless onslaught of information, it’s what so many of us crave these days. It’s what I firmly believe Vancouver audiences are in the search for when attending a performance.

I also believe audiences are looking for rigour, voice and integrity. Patrick has these attributes in spades. He is one of the finest theatre artists to have arisen in this region in the past twenty years. He is also a friend, an old soul, and a beautiful human being—one of the really good ones, possessing a spirit and intellect of the highest order.

And if you find this curatorial statement something akin to overkill, prove me wrong. Go on… buy a ticket, or book your pass, and attend a performance of Inside/Out.

Patrick Keating has a tale to tell you, one that I can attest to: a story that will prove worthy of your undivided attention.

Norman Armour
Artistic & Executive Director
PuSh International Performing Arts Festival

This is Patrick Keating’s first work as a playwright. There will be  a post-show talkback every performance hosted by Pivot Legal Society with Prisoners’ Legal Services. Get tickets.