Bloor West actor brings hit play home

[attach]1687[/attach]Jeff Seymour is one versatile performer.

Working in both theatre and TV, the Bloor West actor has spent the better part of his life entertaining audiences.

He’s likely best known for leading roles on CTV’s Jeff Ltd., and The Eleventh Hour.

Theatre-wise, Seymour ran the Gnu Theatre in Los Angeles from 1984–1994 where he directed, produced and performed in over 30 works and won over 60 theatre awards.

Seymour is currently working on Cold Storage running from June 1–11 at the George Ignatieff Theatre downtown.

He is joined onstage by Len Lesser, best known for playing Uncle Leo on Seinfeld.

The play by Ronald Ribman follows a fine art investment advisor as he meets Armenian fruit and vegetable merchant (Lesser).

The Town Crier recently spoke with the Seymour on his career, his background in both TV and theatre and what he enjoys about what he does.

You have backgrounds in both TV and theatre. Do you love one more than the other?

JS: They are two very different disciplines. TV and film involve a lot of technical aspects and scenes rarely last over a minute or two before someone yells cut. In theatre you’re out there the whole time and the camera never cuts away. For pure acting, theatre would be my first love.

What is about theatre that you love so much?

JS: The presents and involvement of your audience. The reactions. The laughter. The tears. Those things the actor feels and hears while he’s working. Reactions that you would never feel while making film
or television.

How did the production of Cold Storage come about?

JS: I first produced and directed Cold Storage in 1993 at my theatre in Los Angeles. I revived it again in 1998 and now in 2010. All three times with Len Lesser. As far as how the script actually came to me, Len Lesser brought it to me in 1991 wondering if I’d be willing to do it in my theatre. As a side note, the first time Len read the show for me it was with his good friend James Cromwell who has gone on to have a magnificent career in movies.

Describe your character in Cold Storage?

JS: Very different from anything anyone has seen me do in recent memory. I’m an uptight art dealer who has pretty much shut himself off from the rest of the world because of his horrible child memories. I play the straight man to Len’s cantankerous and incredibly funny behaviour.

What do you like about acting? Why do you do it?

JS: I love entertaining, telling stories, holding a mirror to life and examining the human condition. And I certainly love hearing the laughter.