Welcome back to our weekly interviews with cast and crew! Check back every week for another behind-the-scenes look at Romeo and Juliet and Mercutio and his Brother Valentine (RJMV)

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Who are you? – John Farant. Also known as Capulet. I’m from Ottawa and came here to practice law in 1991. I’ve been in the community since then, although I now live just north of Kingston in Yarker. I have a wife and three kids who are 19, 16 and 8. My eldest goes to Queen’s and is majoring in drama. I also love history, politics, and food.

What’s your theatre background?  – I got into it through my daughter. My first role was in a play called The Butler, back in 2008 – she was the stage director. Then 3 years later I heard about auditions for Oliver! and I tried out and they gave me the role of Bumble. Ever since then I’ve been consistently involved in theatre and have taken acting courses with Bottle Tree Productions. This past fall I was cast as Lazar Wolf in the Meistersingers production of Fiddler on the Roof and over the holiday break I was asked to be a Santa Claus. I just love it – I love acting and theatre. The only experience I had before then was in high school where I did some plays and musicals in secondary roles. This is the first time I’ve done Shakespeare and I’m very excited to play Capulet – he’s such a strong character.

How and why did you get involved with Impromptu Productions? – I heard about this production through my daughter. I went to the audition shortly after closing night of Fiddler on the Roof and they chose me as Capulet.

What has been the best part of RJMV so far? – Just seeing people react to things you’re doing, hearing people say their lines and seeing people reacting to your line. It’s so intense. Like nothing I’ve done yet. It’s very new and different and it has been wonderful. I really enjoy Matt’s direction.

What is something that most people don’t know about you? – Probably that I like war games. I’m into miniature toy soldiers, moving them around on a board, and painting them. I also love railroad modelling – I’m trying to rehabilitate a set my grandfather gave to me. I’m also a nut about American football! And I’m a good cook when I try.

Are you a big Shakespeare fan? What’s your favourite Shakespearean play? – Lately, I’ve been going to Stratford every year. I used to just take my daughter but last year I took my whole family. I have a collection of Shakespeare films that I’m always building on. I especially like the more unusual ones. I have the whole collection of BBC films and I just can’t get enough of them. I always liked Shakespeare and looked up to him, but since going to Stratford in 2008 for the first time, it’s really been an important part of my life. As for favourites, I will say the first play that came to my mind, which is Henry V. My favourite Shakespearean character of all is Falstaff.

What does your future hold? – I hope to do more acting and I’m even looking into getting an agent. I’m really excited about it! I’m also hoping to produce a production of Lion in Winter in the fall. It’s a dramady set in the late 1100’s about the last years of a king’s reign. My daughter may be the director.

Why should people come and see RJMV?­ – Because they will see a group of people who – besides acting in a premiere production – are also bringing a very original approach to Romeo and Juliet. The audience will get to see a fun and fresh version of it. I believe it really is something special and different. It will be lots of fun!