LOS ANGELES (KNX) – Tim Robbins is known for his roles in movies such as “Shawshank Redemption”, “Bull Durham” and “Mystic River” (for which he nabbed the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), but he’s also very active in the theater.
Robbins serves as the founding artist director for “The Actors’ Gang” in Los Angeles. The theater company, which was established in 1981, is back after two-year hiatus for their latest show “Can’t Pay? Don’t Pay!” at the company’s theater in Venice Boulevard.
For Robbins, the ability to have live theater back after the COVID-19 pandemic has been a treat.
“It’s so great to able to congregate again,” he told KNX In Depth. “That has been such a joy over the past couple weeks to do shows live and to hear people joining together in laughter.”
The play, according to “The Actors’ Gang” website is about “humble housewife Antonia joins a revolt of women at the local supermarket. Determined to live with dignity and rejecting an austerity diet of dog food and birdseed, the women's protest escalates and looting ensues.”
It was written in 1974 by Italian playwright Dario Fo, whom Robbins calls “an inspiration.”
“I met him years ago in Milan and got to know him and become friends with him and he became somewhat of a mentor to me,” Robbins said.
“He’s always been an inspiration to me. When I was in college, I read a play he wrote that we produced three years ago called ‘Accidental Death of an Anarchist.’ When I read it, I realized that I could write for the theater. It’s where I got inspired to become a creator…”
In addition to being a creator, Robbins is known for his political and social activism.
“When I came out against the Iraq war, I got warnings from people in the industry, ‘Don’t say anything. Don’t do anything’,” he recalled.
“I feel that…whether it had an effect on my career - maybe it did, I don’t know - the real question is, if I didn’t do what was in my heart, would it have an effect on my life and who I believe I am and the way I live my life and consequently on my children lives. So for me...it’s always been the celebration of living in a free country as being able to freely express yourself. I think that has gotten less and less – particularly over the last two years – a real intimidating environment that doesn’t allow for dissenting viewpoints and that is never healthy for democracy.”
Robbins said he believes the power of theater helps to unite people of all different walks of life.
“I am of the belief that theater should be a meeting place,” he said. “It shouldn’t be a politically rally. It shouldn’t be all like-minded people in the same room. The whole point of theater is to create a forum where you have people of different opinions come in and be able to share emotions together. That’s the whole purpose and function of theater and always has been…”
“Can’t Pay? Don’t Pay! Is playing now until April 30th at The Actors’ Gang Theater at the Ivy Substation. Tickets are $35 and every Thursday is pay-what-you can.
You can learn more by clicking here.
Listen to Tim Robbins full interview in the audio above.
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