Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2006 > July > 14 > Entry
Robert Faires, actor
Theater: Honestly, we are not trying to pump up the Austin Chronicle staff in Out, but here’s another timely observation: Chron arts editor Robert Faires is an actor.
Scotty Roberts and Robert Faires in “In On It”
Oh, he’s been on the Austin stage since 1980, but in the past, he tended to “present” his characters, as if part of his consciousness observed the action.
Beginning with his smooth ensemble work in “The Compete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged),” Faires has relaxed inside this characters’ skins. Now, co-starring with the reliable and amiable Scotty Roberts in Daniel MacIvor’s “In On It,” Faires transcends previous performances; he really seems to live each scene of flirtation, argument, wonder, etc.
Frankly — and this comes with age for some actors — Faires could work in any medium in any market right now. We’ve joked for a long time about how he and wife, Barbara Chisholm, are Austin’s Lunt and Fontanne, but now they are both playing at the top of their games.
This complicates Faires role as a journalist, but not mine. Were this a formal review, I wouldn’t go on and on about his performance, but the blog format frees me up to state the obvious: Already an accomplished writer, editor and director, Faires can now firmly attach the appellation “actor” to his name.
Let’s toast Lowell Bartholomee of the Dirigo Group for producing this play about two participants in a car crash, which we first saw during the performance art festival at the University of Texas a few years ago.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: By Michael Barnes
Comments
By Jooley Ann
July 17, 2006 4:38 PM | Link to this
"Were this a formal review, I wouldn’t go on and on about his performance...."
Really? But it would be tempting, eh? I was mightily impressed with Faires work in this role. As much as we love to hate the critic (*wink*), there's no denying the man has really come into his own here. *Great* work. Rave worthy, if you ask me.
By Ann C.
July 14, 2006 5:06 PM | Link to this
Thanks Michael for helping us spead the word: "Get on board for all the bonds!" All the critical infrastructure our City so desparately needs in housing, parks, streets, drainage, city facitilites, libraries, and, yes, the ARTS, too, will need collaboration to Get the Vote Out for the Nov. City Bonds. Reps from ZACH, Austin Film Studios, the MACC, Mexic-Arte, the new African-American and Asian American facilities are looking for all sorts of folks to help. Everyone who sees the benefit of the cultural community is needed. As artists, we also know how rich any collaboration makes each of us, and how unexpected new ideas and action can emerge. We make art, so we know what hard work is, and what joy can be gained by working together on making Austin a better place to live in.
By Lowell
July 14, 2006 3:25 PM | Link to this
What a lovely tribute to our friend and colleague, Robert Faires. Robert is a wonderfully talented writer, director, and artist and I agree that his acting ab ilities are past due their moment in the spotlight. I have had the honor to work with Robert as a co-star, and actor under his direction, and his director and each one presents bounties. Thank you, Michael, for this beautiful tribute. And thank you for the toast. It's our pleasure as a company to bring this great play and these fine actors to the stage. In fact, if I can get a wish, I say we refill the glasses and send a toast up to my iron men of IN ON IT. They deserve that and so much more.