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JIM MILLAN |
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Writer and Director
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Jim is a prominent and award-winning Canadian director and writer. In 1983 he founded the
acclaimed Crow’s Theatre Company in Toronto, where he produced/wrote or
directed more than 70 plays by new and recognized Canadian playwrights,
including his own original works. Outside Canada he has directed off
Broadway, in Las Vegas and internationally, from Korea to Australia to the
UK to Italy. A veteran of many touring shows, including several
productions of the noted comedy group Kids’ in the Hall, he directed
Scooby-Doo Live! On Stage and the first Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage show, both of which toured
internationally. Jim lives with his wife Kyra and their children in Toronto.
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Q: |
How
familiar were you with Thomas
& Friends™ before working on the live touring show? |
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"I
was very familiar with Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends –
the stories have been around for more than 60 years, and the television
show started back in 1984. The very first Thomas
& Friends narrator was Ringo Starr,
which I always thought was pretty cool." |
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Q: |
What
was the biggest challenge in creating Thomas
& Friends™ Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town? |
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"I think it was meeting a
child’s idea of what Sodor would be like, as well as of how Thomas and
the other engines would look. When we created these large trains to be the
lead characters in the show, we wanted to make sure their appearance would
far exceed everyone’s expectations. I think they certainly have -- the
way they look around and react and interact on the stage is wonderful.
When Thomas first appears on stage, there’s a huge reaction from the
audience -- it’s like a rock concert for preschoolers!" |
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