Runaway Future

Out of everything that I want to write, this is the one thing that touched me the most. I have been trying to write these words for well…almost two months now.

On September 18th, Peter Oliver died.

I can’t speak for his youth in Wales, his time in the Army, his work with Oval House in London, his tours of Europe acting or his social work in Toronto. But I can talk about what Peter meant to me. Quite frankly, it’s hard to even speak to that, to capture his influence in words alone.

I met Peter when I was in junior high, he was putting together what would eventually become Uranus Theatre, run out of Our House. I think I joined only because most of the girls that I hung around with were joining. But I stayed because of Peter.

Peter believed in youth, he really did. He believed in their potential and that they could realize that potential and capture it. He was huge on discovery of self and the inspiration that draws out of finding out what you’re really capable of.

If it wasn’t for Peter, I wouldn’t have my own ideas of self identity, my own confidence. If it wasn’t for Peter, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Peter was a muse, a mentor, a teacher, a thespian and a friend. And now, he’s no longer here.

Always with that mischevious, sly grin, a knowing wink and a wry sense of humour. Always throwing in social commentary even when it was lost on the audience, even when it was lost on the cast. Peter always challenged people to be better, to go past their comfort zones and see what was truly out there.

I’m going to miss him terribly, but I’m eternally grateful for being able to know him in the first place.

I’m not the only one who will miss him. Oval House, a theatre in London has a tribute page up for him now. It’s absolutely amazing with many people posting memories of him from his time in London. Carole Woddis wrote an amazing obituary that appeared in the Guardian. His passing was mentioned on the theatre site Rogues and Vagabonds. And finally, ten days before his passing, singer Maggie Nichols posted this small tribute to him.

Locally, the remnants of Basement Theatre both of today and years gone by and other Shelburne folk who crossed paths with Peter did a show at the beginning of the month. I understand that there’s going to be a scholarship of sorts named after him and available through SRHS.

I performed a monologue in the show, the first time I’ve done any sort of acting since my last time with Basement Theatre, five years ago in the Two and One Half Penny Opera. I didn’t know my lines well enough and had to refer to them once, but that energy is still there. It was so good to catch up with everyone.

Plus I got to visit with Joan, Peter’s wife prior to the show. He was in the process of writing a book, a history of sorts of Oval House. Now Joan and his daughter Odette are left with the remnants. I’ve offered my help and hopefully I can be of some use.

I still can’t believe he’s gone.

And so I throw my small tribute to Peter into the mix. It’s astonishing that a man could touch so many in a lifetime. It’s commendable and like a lot of what I picked up from my time knowing him, it’s a lesson to live by.

Bye Bye Peter.