Photo Karen Graham.
Mark and Justin Hiscox take a moment to relax in their mother’s music studio in Peterborough.
In the spring of 1999, someone from the 4th Line Theatre entered a Crestwood music class and asked the music teacher if there was anyone in the class who could play the horn and compose a few small pieces for their upcoming theatre season.
The teacher instantly singled out Justin Hiscox, saying “He’s your man,” or words to that effect. This was the beginning of what would become a powerful collaboration between Justin and Mark Hiscox and the creative minds of Rob Winslow, Kim Blackwell and the many other playwrights and directors whose work has been instrumental in establishing the reputation and longevity of this beloved local theatre company.
When the Hiscox brothers first arrived at the 4th Line, music had a background role at the theatre. In their first season, they worked as volunteers, playing the Fanfare to call the audience to their seats before the action on stage began and singing in the choir in The Devil and Joseph Scriven. It didn’t take long for the theatre’s founder Rob Winslow to appreciate the potential of these talented musicians use their gifts to enhance the audience experience. Today music is a key ingredient in the on-stage action.
Both brothers are professional musicians with university music degrees. Mark studied performance at Western while Justin pursued his interest in composition and musical improvisation at York. Both were horn and tuba players, but eventually Justin leaned into playing the piano because of its versatility. Justin remembers the first lecture in his music studies at York where the professor announced to the students that there were two kinds of music: popular and unpopular. They would be studying the latter.
At the 4th Line Theatre, Justin is the resident composer, musical director and an occasional actor. During the year from September to June, he and Mark and conduct concert and swing bands with Peterborough’s New Horizons Band. (PNHB) This organization boasts 175 local members of all ages and musical ability who perform in five concert bands and eight smaller ensembles, performing a variety of music on brass, woodwind and percussion instruments.
This aligns well with their work at the 4th Line Theatre, which consumes the summer months. For the most part, Justin sticks to music- composing, performing and directing the sounds that set up and reinforce the drama, comedy and choreography on the stage. He had an acting role in the musical play Bloom, and will step into roles which allow him to explore unusual or oddball characters, whereas Mark embraces acting and has appeared in most plays since he joined the 4th Line Theatre. Mark usually portrays a strong character which sometimes verge on caricatures of good and evil. Whether his role is sinister, silly or saintly, his presence on stage always makes an impact. Mark always insists on having fun, and his enthusiasm, musical expertise and sense of humour is welcome on or off stage in the theatre or while leading n one of the musical groups he leads at PNHB.
Last summer, Justin suffered a severe infection in his leg that left him hospitalized for weeks. It resulted in the removal of all of the toes on his right foot, and Peterborough Regional Health Centre staff were able to prevent the amputation of his entire leg. His friends at the 4th Line stepped up to address his financial concerns so he could focus on his health by setting up a GoFundMe crowdfunding effort which quickly accumulated more than $40,000. Justin was blown away by the generosity of the community, indicating that the funds allowed him to purchase equipment and pay his bills during his five month recovery so he didn’t rush back to work before his body was ready. He is humbled by the support from friends and strangers alike, and would like the community to know he appreciates the help he received and how much it helped him get back on his feet. He is delighted to be back at work and is looking forward to the upcoming season.
His colleagues at the 4th Line Theatre feel the same way. Speaking about the contribution of the Hiscox brothers to the theatre, Founder Rob Winslow says, “Having a musical genius in your backyard is one thing. Having two is the rarest of the rare. Justin and Mark Hiscox have contributed priceless artistry to 4th Line for the past 25 years. I can’t believe I have been so lucky to call them colleagues and friends. May they continue to create for decades to come.” Amen to that. KG