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This is the third time Strachan has played King. The Winnipeg-based actor describes the opportunity to play the legendary human rights advocate as “a blessing.”
“I don’t know any other way of describing it,” says Strachan. “As a black actor, to play such a monumental figure in my culture, and to play him as human … We don’t usually see him (that way). He’s always the guy doing the speeches. To explore his humanity is exciting.”
American playwright Katori Hall was determined to show a fully-rounded character in her award-winning portrayal of King. She paints him as a man with smelly feet who is prone to infidelity.
The day before his assassination, King was in Tennessee, supporting sanitation workers on strike to protest dangerous working conditions. During that visit, he delivered a famous speech titled I’ve Been to the Mountaintop. But as the play makes clear, people who have not aspired to those heights can also contribute to the civil rights movement.
The movement is not just about breaking legal ground, or marching on institutions of government. Strachan says it’s also about “being kind to people. Showing love to people around you.”
“It inspires people to see Martin as a human being, and see the amazing things he’s done, and to think ‘what can I do as a human being?’” says Strachan. “You don’t have to be iconic. You can still add your energy to the movement and take steps forward.”
Source: EdmontonJournal
