Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 06/00) - Acting may not be quite like riding a bike, but Christopher Foreman is getting back in the saddle.

Foreman, who is known for his directorial efforts in Yellowknife, will return to the stage, literally, for the first time in 12 years.

"It was a personal challenge to take a deep breath and say, 'I'm gonna give it one more whack.' Plus, it was a script that I loved, long before Hollywood ever got a hold of it," says Foreman.

The Hollywood version of On Golden Pond starred Katherine Hepburn as Ethel and Henry Fonda as Norman.

"I really liked what (Ernest) Thompson had written. It's a straight-ahead story, but it's certainly very funny. It's also very gentle and it speaks to me about how we relate to each other, and what's important and what's not.

"Plus, I'm at the age where I've lost one parent and I have another very enfeebled one. Aging, though I'm not obsessed with it, I'm very, very aware of it. And this play deals with it in a very lovely, unforced kind of way."

Foreman is aware many will wonder what the heck he's doing playing an octogenarian; a character at least 30 years his senior.

Well, he did approach older Yellowknife actors and none were able to take the role.

After reading through the play several times with his female star, Erica Tesar, the idea of tackling the role himself took shape.

"I knew that he was a good actor having seen him years and years ago," says Tesar.

"And it's been noticeable a number of times that he's directed. Sometimes he's jump up on stage ... and we'd say, 'Hey, this has got to happen.' We talked about if the right script came along, he'd probably do it with me. And, basically, this was the perfect script."

A few people who have seen Foreman in character as Norman say the role suits him perfectly.

Foreman agrees the role itself played a large part in drawing him back into the spotlight.

"Most of all, this character of Norman Thayer, who I think is this irrepressible octogenarian, who is flirting with senility ... he's so well written, that I couldn't resist it."

One thing Foreman learned over the past six weeks of rehearsal is he deeply respects all actors he's worked with in the past -- actors he has directed.

"I have, in all truth, in all honesty, developed a new-found appreciation for actors. Don't quote me on this, because I'm sure I'll forget, but I hope never to yell at an actor again. It's been a real struggle, but I've learned a lot about myself, and about playing on stage with others."

In fact, Foreman isn't simply tackling the role of Norman.

You might say he's tackling the whole darn thing -- he's also directing the six-character play.

"It's the first time, and the last, that I would ever direct and star. I've always wondered how they do it. Those are very separate functions. I keep having to switch hats."

How it's done will be a question we can all answer on Oct. 11.

On Golden Pond opens at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre on Wednesday and runs through Saturday.