An Evening with Jason Rip by J. Bruce Parker
Is the telling of Erik’s story cathartic for you and your siblings? Donald: As though I need another trip to hell, but yeah. Everyone asks me that so I guess it’s important that I say ‘yes’. And add, we are still a work in progress. In your book, there are two Donalds. Which one am I interviewing?
Old South resident Jason Rip is a renowned playwright, director and actor. He has written 100 plays, and although his last name by his own admission will eventually be his epitaph, there is much life, although strange and eccentric, in his new work. It was a with great delight and curiosity that I attended his event entitled Ripping Good Yarns – Fools, Ghouls, and Broken Rules , presented by AlvegoRoot Theatre to a sold out venue at Manor Park Memorial Hall. Behind his talents as a playwright is the mind and voice of a ‘raconteur’, aka a storyteller; bringing to life, local and regional legends, folklore, and strange historical figures. Mr. Rip was enthusiastic and engaging with his eleven tales of crooked mayors, creepy local criminals, and monstrous legends in his 90-minute performance. He was accompanied by local musicians Anne Moniz and Daniel Oniszeczko whose original music sustained the spirited mood of the event. This was ‘Volume 2’ in his performance of stories pertaining to the strange and macabre in our local history. These stories are part of his upcoming book Southwesto Noir , to be published in the near future.
Donald: Oh, you have read the book. Most people who interview me haven’t. Well, wouldn’t that be a spoiler for the book to answer your question? Stop the tape and I’ll tell you. Tell me about the event in September. Donald: It’s called Interpreting Erik – Through Words and Art. My event is inspired by finding a poem Erik wrote where the line “I need an interpreter in my own skin,” was like a cry out to me. You see, we have no videos of our brother, but I found over one thousand letters, some with prose or poems and over one hundred art pieces and drawings. I never knew I had them. I took care of my mom until she passed and we had our own ‘Grey Gardens’ going. Thank goodness I never listened to anyone as I never de-hoarded. While I was writing my memoir, I picked up what I thought was a date book my mother kept in an old box. Lo and behold it was a diary and there were more than twenty of them. I never knew she kept a diary. Then I went through scores of bags and found Erik’s letters and art. Some of these gems are in my memoir; we will be interpreting Erik together on September 14. Acclaimed actor Tylor Lional Paar will read Erik’s words and my siblings and I will read our own. Where does Donald D’haene go from here? Donald: Looking for investors for my short film on Erik, Interpreting Erik which I view as my life’s work. It is now, next and all I am focused on. No One Wants To Read That You’re Happy is available at Amazon.ca. The event Interpreting Erik – Though Words And Art, is a Donald D’Haene production in association with The Manor Park Memorial Hall and will be held September 14, 2 pm at The Manor Park Memorial Hall. Visit www.onstagedirect.com (and select London) for tickets. J. Bruce Parker is a local author who loves living in Old South. He is currently writing about his life and times with his friendship with poet/ painter bill bissett . Georgia Kortas,
Anne Moniz, Jason Rip and Daniel Oniszeczko. For updates, follow Jason on Facebook.
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Wortley Villager June 2024 • Page 7
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