Toronto Hitting the Wall: Richard Rose, Howard Barker and The Europeans

During my preparation of this article about Necessary Angel Theatre’s world premiere production of The Europeans in Toronto (7-21 April 1990), some unexpected coincidences between the careers of Canadian director Richard Rose and English author Howard Barker emerged. Interviews with the two men revealed similarities in their attitudes to their work, perhaps shedding light on the continuing professional relationship which has seen Necessary Angel produce three Barker plays in the last four years. The premiere of The Europeans, which brought Rose and Barker together in person for the first time, provoked some interesting observations on their own condition and that of their art.