Speech by Joy Coghill to the Media Launch of PAL Vancouver

I BELONG TO THAT PROUD AND NEVER RICH COMMUNITY THAT HAS DEFINED OUR LIVES FOR HALF A CENTURY AND MORE. WE ARE THE PIONEERS.

We are not a group that grumbles and bitches (except among ourselves of course). We have never made huge demands. We just want to WORK and when we work we just want to perfect … to be better each time … what ever the job may be.

One of our number died two years ago. Died with such patience, such humour, such panache that we should have given her our highest honours if there were honours for dying. She was one of our most talented and we broke our hearts over this death. It was a tragedy of neglect which would not have happened if there had been a place like the PAL Vancouver that we propose today.

A short time later a group of passionate people (many here today) resolved to correct the situation and create a place where such a death would not happen again. We would look after our own.

We would bring this about in spite of downturns in the market and threats of war and famine. We had all worked in a business - an industry - where uncertainties, alienations and MIRACLES were part of our daily lives. We would use our ikntelligence, our imagination and our will power to bring PAL Vancouver into existence as soon as possible. This effort by that Steering Committee resulted in what is being reported to you today. Under this leadership, these patrons, this hardworking core, we are demanding that, as Linda Loman said: "Attention muyst be paid." And that our dream becomes a reality.

This is a community that has never asked for anything - except work and an audience - before. Now we challenge our city, our province, our audiences to join us. Bring about a bright, safe, inexpensive space (near doctors, shops and recreation) and we will fill it with creative people that will enhance and enliven the neighbourhood! We are in search of angels!

The need is urgent and can be heartbreaking. Here are three composite biographies:

ELIZABETH is one of our great Canadian actresses who is now in her 70's. You would recognize her real name instantly. She started among the true theatre pioneers who toured this country in bus and truck companies, playing in community halls, bringing Shakespeare and Shaw to people who had never seen a live performance of anything before. A commanding and formidable presence, she wnet on to play all the leading roles. She always said that "she would go on performing until they nailed down her coffin." …

Elizabeth had a stroke two years ago. Despite her own determination and intensive therapy her body and her wonderful voice do not work properly anymore. She continues to heal, she manages - but it is unlikely that she will ever perform again. Her incomes has shriveled and with it her soul. She is stuck in a small, depressing flat. She misses her work, she is battling a disability, she needs a community where she is supported and valued. She needs PAL.

Not all of PAL's potential clients are seniors. BRIAN is a stage manager just hitting his stride, professionally. After working steadily from one coast to the other, because that is the nature of work availability in Canada, Brian settled in Vancouver with his two school-aged kids. His reputation established, work opportunities seemed promising among our major theatres here. Last Spring, Brian was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. Although the prognosis is good, the treatment is long and debilitating. Brian cannot work. He can no longer afford the roof over his children's head. He needs a safe and affordable place tolive while he concentrates on getting better. He needs good neighbours. He needs PAL.

TONY and PAT are a film-making team and have been together as a couple for over 40 years. They saved for their retirment, they planned for the day when they would not be as active and as productive as they once were, but now Tony has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Pat is feeling very isolated in the little house in White Rock where they have lived for years. Most good friends are miles away. Pat is sure that she and Tony could have a few more good years together if she has some help. She needs PAL and our ' Supporting Cast' - and we need the years of experience and expertise she and Tony are still able to pass on to younger artists.

There are many people in our industry who have urgent needs that we can only begin to address, but a caring community is often what is needed the most for people struggling with misfortune in their lives. In PAL, we can be each other's angels. "Angel" is a term that has long been used in our business to mean silent 'backer' or supporter. It is time for us to become vocal and visible.

Then there is
… the dancer with MS
… the stuntman with an injured back
… the actor who can no longer retain lines
… the designer with AIDS

You know them all. They need angels. We are on the search for Angels.

I want to persuade of something that you really know. Our lives have been shaped by the performing arts community. Our city is defined by the cultural entities we have created. The vision of who we are has been captured in those extraordinary moments between the performer and the audience. For me, it was
… Dylan Thomas reading his "Do not go gently into that good night"
… Paul Robeson as Othello at the Lyric Theatre
… Joan Sutherland in "Lucia"
… Fonteyn and Nureyev in "Romeo and Juliet"
… Jean Louis Barrault in "Les Enfants du Paradis"

All our inspirations were imported.

And then there was a miraculous change:
… Norma MacMillan in "The Glass Menagerie"
… Chief Dan George in "The Ecstasy of Rita Joe"
… The Collectors playing the lead song in "Grass and Wild Strawberries" to 130% Playhouse audiences
… Ann Mortifee, Leon Bibb, Ruth Nichol and Pat Rose in "Jacques Brel"
… Evelyn Hart "being" the Dying Swan
… Ben Heppner singing Britten's "Peter Grimes
… Nicola Cavendish in Tremblay's "For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again"
… Gabrielle Rose and David Marr in "Elizabeth Rex"

Suddenly the defining moments that would influence our lives were our own. The community that made this possible must be acknowledged and it must be acknowledged before it is too late. It is time to say, THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES AND THE CONTINUING MIRACLES.