The actor, writer and broadcaster Tetsuro Shigematsu discusses a new production of his theatre production Empire of the Son, playing at the Gateway Theatre (08-17 November 2018), with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

Tetsuro Shigematsu joins me again. He was last on in 2015 just before the world premiere of his show Empire of the Son. The show sold out its entire run, as did a 2016 remount. He’s even taken the show to Singapore recently. The show got great notices, and a new production is set to begin, 08-17 November 2018 at the Gateway Theatre’s Studio B. It is an autobiographical one-man show that tells the tale of his emotionally distant father, and how that bond extends beyond a lifetime, into his son. Akira Shigematsu had a distinguished radio career with the BBC World Service. It’s perhaps no wonder this might have influenced Tetsuro, who went into broadcasting himself. For two years near the end of his father’s life, Tetsuro interviewed his father. It was a way of understanding one another, and a way for them to connect. Portions of those interviews are in the show that I’ll get Tetsuro to tell us about now. It’s directed by Richard Wolfe. Tetsuro Shigematsu is a playwright, actor, scholar, broadcaster, author, filmmaker and theatre artist. He once wrote for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and was the host of The Roundup on CBC Radio. His recent theatre work 1 Hour Photo earned five Jessie nominations. The website for tickets and information is www.gatewaytheatre.com. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Tetsuro Shigematsu; Mr. Shigematsu, good morning.

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