4th Line Theatre’s Robber Loves His Montreal Canadiens

 

Paul Braunstein's character has many weaknesses, one of which is cheering for the Montreal Canadiens.  Photo: Wayne Eardley Brookside Studio

Paul Braunstein’s character has many weaknesses, one of which is cheering for the Montreal Canadiens.
Photo: Wayne Eardley Brookside Studio

By Sarah Sobanski

Hockey fans will want to brush up on their hockey history before going to 4th Line Theatre’s The Bad Luck Bank Robbers.

For starters, the Leafs won their last Stanley Cup in 1967 and surprisingly, even after their 48-year drought, they hold the title for most cups won in the history of the NHL – after to the Montreal Canadiens.

Most importantly, in 1961, the year of the play, the Leafs and the Canadiens had a fierce rivalry. The Canadiens were ahead with 11 wins under their belts, while the Leafs trailed hot on their heels, or cold in an arena’s case, at nine.

With this in mind, Leaf fans might be able to stand Jean Claude Lalonde (Paul Braunstein) digs during the play.

“I’ve a confrontational relationship with the audience, because I’m constantly dissing the Maple Leafs,” laughs Braunstein. His character is the ‘muscle’ or‘most likely to be violent’ during the retelling of the robbery of Havelock’s Toronto Dominion bank. Braunstein also describes himself as having the ‘shortest fuse’ – he always wants to shoot people.

“So I’m going to be the bad guy but I have to prove I’m a redeeming character – don’t dismiss me right away – I can charm too,” says Braunstein. Luckily, no one was shot and killed during the actual robbery making it lighter for a comedic twist.

Braunstein loves the outdoor theatre. Between the beautiful location, which many of the actors describe as peaceful, the talented ensemble of community and professional actors, and the versatility of the set and stage, the theatre offers more of an ‘event’ than just simply a play.

“The beauty of the place, the comfort of the area, there’s a big comfy couch on a porch overlook where we can run lines,” says Braunstein.

Audience members can expect creative uses of space that they won’t find at other theatres. Braunstein says the robbers will be scrambling around, jumping over bushes, and creating a depth of field where the cast can have fun with their entrances and exits. The Bad Luck Bank Robbers play continues to run at 4th Line Theatre until the end of this month.

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