Among the ups was the opening of the Stanley Theatre in 1998 with the big band production SWING featuring Michael Bublé in one of his earliest onstage performances, closely followed by the move to Granville Island in 1979.
Part of his job involved reading scripts that were being submitted to the company and working through them with Millerd. This behind-the-scenes experience imparted critical experience in understanding “the machine itself, and the soul, too.”“That atmosphere was the boost I needed to write my first play, The Matka King, and after Bill read it and gave me notes, he put me in touch with a magical being known as a dramaturge,” said Irani.
Author Anosh Irani credits the Arts Club playing an “extremely crucial” role in his development as a playwright.Irani is one of the many artists who have benefited from the Playwrights-In-Residence program at the Arts Club and other creative culture building initiatives the company has developed. Buffoon, which revolved around the character of Felix the Clown from Manja’s Circus, recently completed a run at the Arts Club, both performed live as well as made available as an online stream. Irani likens it to coming was a full circle back to his character’s original birthplace.