Superstorm Fiona may have played havoc with the penultimate performance of Walter Borden’s The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time at Neptune Theatre this past weekend. Still, it didn’t stop the theatre from dedicating its greenroom to the veteran actor.
“Walter’s words, stories and indeed his very breath are embedded in the foundation of Neptune Theatre,” Neptune’s artistic director Jeremy Webb in a media release. “This greenroom is now named after him in recognition of his valued place in our ongoing story.”
The greenroom a waiting room in theatres and other such venues for use by actors or musicians when they are offstage. The origin of the term is often ascribed to such rooms historically being painted green although the definitive origin of the term is lost to history.
Born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Borden’s story includes over 20 productions with the company since he first joined them in 1972. He went on to work at theatres across the country and in television and film.
A recipient of the Order of Canada and other awards and accolades during his career, Borden returned to Neptune to open the company’s diamond anniversary season with his solo play, a show he has been creating and living for forty years.
“With the premiere of this iteration [of The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time], Neptune has decided to seize the opportunity to celebrate not just Walter’s impact on the company, but on the theatre community of Canada as a whole,” says the media release.