[Candrama] Robin Breon

[Day, Moira]

Dear Candrama,


I thought it was worthwhile forwarding this message from CTCA about the recent passing of writer, critic. playwright, and activist Robin Breon:


It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of longtime CTCA member and board member Robin Breon.


Robin’s history with the Canadian Theatre Critics Association goes back to the founding of its predecessor, the Toronto Drama Bench, in 1972. He was a member of its executive board for many years, most recently serving as its secretary.


“Robin was an invaluable member of the CTCA and a much-loved colleague,” said board member and former president Martin Morrow. “He was unfailingly enthusiastic and supportive of new initiatives and always ready to contribute entertaining and thoughtful essays to our newsletter, Critically Speaking. He brightened every board meeting, both with his wealth of knowledge about the CTCA and his eagerness to keep the organization fresh and vital.”


Over the years Robin’s work appeared in Canadian Theatre Review, Theatre History in Canada/Recherches théâtrales au Canada, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, American Theatre, Chronicle for Higher Education, TDR-Drama Review,  Muse, The Toronto Review, Our Times, Critically Speaking, Critical Stages, rabble.ca<http://rabble.ca/>, ArtsJournal, Common Dreams, Our Schools Our Selves, and others. He was also the longtime Toronto critic for Aisle Say<https://www.aislesaytoronto.ca/>, the online journal of theatre reviews.


Apart from his work as a critic, Robin was administrator and publicist for Black Theatre Canada (1981-1988). From 1988 to 2008, he was program administrator for the museum studies program at the University of Toronto, where he also taught arts journalism for the U of T’s School of Continuing Studies. As a playwright, he authored The African Roscius (Being the Life and Times of Ira Aldridge), produced by Black Theatre Canada at the Alumnae Theatre in 1986.


“Robin was a fighter for social justice throughout his career,” said former CTCA president Don Rubin. “As a critic, he always looked for what was best in a production even when that production was less than spectacular. He was a gentle giant in this field and will be missed.”


A celebration of life will be held for Robin in January; details to come.


Our sincerest condolences to Robin's family and his many friends in our organization.

Dr. MOIRA DAY
Professor Emerita
Department of Drama
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK
S7N 5E2

780 466 8957 (message)
moira.day at usask.ca
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