London Free Press, January 08, 2004
A Beautiful Journey
By: Noel Gallagher
After starring in Stratford Festival's heavy drama The Adventures of Pericles, Jonathan Goad figured his current Strawberries in January role would be lightweight work. "I thought being in this nice, simple little play would be easier -- but I soon realized that acting is always hard," admits the 32-year-old performer cast in the Evelyne de la Cheneliere comedy, which launches its two-week Grand Theatre run tomorrow night.
Set in contemporary Quebec, the award-winning script profiles four single friends desperately seeking love.
"The story deals with different realities, the way things are in life as opposed to how you see them in your mind and heart," says Goad, who plays Francois, a young cafe employee who attempts to spice up his drab existence by writing exciting film scripts.
That role contrasts sharply with the actor's previous stage assignment as Shakespeare's Pericles, the virtuous prince who must flee a tyrant's wrath and spend many hard years in exile, separated from his beloved family.
The Adventures of Pericles was the major hit of Stratford's 2003 season and drew rave notices for Goad's performance, the first title role in his five years at the festival.
As one reviewer noted: "Jonathan Goad takes a firm grip on leading-man status, adding a refreshing intelligence to the macho swagger of the itchy-footed royal and his increasingly complicated search for a bride."
Despite its success, the production was a difficult time for its star, who was dealing with his father's death.
"We began working on the play a couple of months after I'd lost my dad and at first, I didn't want to be on a stage," recalls Goad, whose love for acting helped him overcome his grief.
The "small-town guy" from Bowmanville graduated in social work from the University of Waterloo, where he was active in the school's drama productions.
"There was never one specific moment where I said 'I'm going to be an actor!' Doing plays was a bit like social work because it's a way to explore the human condition and the human heart. And I discovered such joy in theatre," says Goad, who sometimes skipped his afternoon classes to attend Stratford Festival shows.
In 1999, after graduating from the elite National Theatre School in Montreal, he was one of 12 young performers chosen to launch the festival's Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training.
"We were sort of the guinea pigs, but it was such an amazing experience being around actors like Brian Bedford, William Hutt and all the great people in the company," says Goad of the intensive two-month training program. "It also paved the way for the things that have happened in my career."
Versatility is a key asset for the actor who, in addition to playing the heroic Pericles this season, was the witty Tranio in The Taming of the Shrew and Costard the clown in Love's Labour's Lost. He's already enthused about his 2004 Stratford roles, portraying Theseus/Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Philip the Bastard in King John.
"Doing Shakespeare is a remarkable thing for an actor. It demands every part of you and all you can bring to the stage."
Though he has received several film and TV acting offers, Goad remains loyal to the stage.
"Theatre is my greatest teacher, something I'm turned on by, which has provided me with a great life."
His immediate focus is on the Strawberries in January role offered to him by Grand artistic director Susan Ferley.
"Sue showed me this funky little script and what appealed to me was its sheer joy and optimism. Plus, I've always wanted to perform at the Grand. It's a wonderful space and the environment is so positive here."
The London assignment also offered Goad "a chance to stay close to home," the Stratford house he shares with his girlfriend, actor Adrienne Gould, and the couple's pet dogs, a pair of husky/chows named Tundra and Marco Polo.
One of the actor's offstage pursuits is participating in Stratford Festival's educational programs and counselling youngsters about theatre careers.
"The first thing I tell them is, 'Your reasons for doing it can't be the fame, fortune and applause because those things won't be enough.'
"Besides, this profession can't guarantee anyone a large salary. But what it does offer is a truly beautiful journey."