The world needs more Brian Paisleys. My heart aches that now we have to make do with one less.

I say this knowing you were one of a kind.

You are loved. You are remembered. You are missed.

My heart is with you. And with all your loved ones.

Charles K. Pitts

Vancouver BC

"Clowning Around" as I recall was based around a simple call for peace; four innocent fools stumbling into conflict and resolution in a fragile world. Written during the latter years of the Cold War, and in the shadow of controversy around Regan's desire to undertake Cruise Missile testing in Northern Alberta, it was a timely and accessible piece for school audiences.

We had all met Brian and Ti in the summer of 1982 during the first ever Edmonton Fringe Festival. Michael and I were co-founders with others of Calgary's One Yellow Rabbit which had mounted its first ever production for the Fringe. Jan Henderson and Robert Astle were co-founders with Jan Miller of Edmonton's Small Change Theatre which had mounted its first ever production for the Fringe as well.

Our collaboration on "Clowning Around" led to years of creative intersections and collaborations. My interest in clown was piqued by this show and Jan Henderson soon became a mentor and co-creator. Michael and I later toured with Small Change Theatre, and One Yellow Rabbit engaged Jan Henderson to teach her stellar Baby Clown intensive to our ensemble. Michael and Brian collaborated and cavorted through many a project and visionary conversation over the decades that followed.

Without Brian and Ti generations of Canadian Artists might never have known the joys, challenges, and opportunities of becoming self-producing. The Fringe Festival opened doors to creative experimentation and innovation beyond anything we'd known in Canada. It was the start of a huge movement; the creative flare that lit the night for generations of creatives here and abroad.

I am comforted to know that Brian died a death "filled with love and dignity". Stuart and Erinne, may you find peace in knowing you did a beautiful job of caring for your Dad from near and far, and that his final days were held softly by the awareness that he was deeply loved by you.

Brian: thank you for your vision and energy. Rest in peace dear man.

In the 1980’s, Brian convinced me to return to Alberta and join his venture with Chinook Theatre. At the time, I had no idea how life changing a decision that would be.

I was cast in a touring production of Blondin! written by Brian and directed by Ti Hallas. I played Harry Colcord the sidekick manager, who rode across the Niagara River on the back of Charles Blondin. a French tightrope walker and dare devil. The r and image and metaphor I’ve attached is clearest description of my relationship with Brian Paisley I can think of.

Like Blondin, Brian was a showman, a risk taker, a fearless creative artist, and an impresario in every sense of the word . He also deeply understood that theatre could be created in almost any space, anywhere, and with a few resources to support theatrical creation. This belief led to the remarkable development of Fringe Theatre Adventures.

On a personal note, we were colleagues, and collaborators and along with Ti Hallas we also became close friends-and denizens of the Chinook’s rehearsal space in the basement of the Princess Theatre.

In 1982, in a conversation that took place at the Strathcona Hotel’s bar, I’ll never forget Brian’s exuberance, announcing that the company had been awarded a big grant to produce a variety of theatre shows on a shoestring. He asked me, " if you have any ideas for a show let me. know, because I’m going to build a festival like the Fringe in Edinburgh."

That was the launching pad for Small Change Theatre, with founders Jan Henderson, Jan Miller and Frank C. Turner, and myself performing a mask show. called One Beautiful Evening about two senior citizens who fall in love at the Bingo hall in a small Alberta community..

From that spark to a massive international Fringe circuit, Brian’s crazy idea launched thousands of careers in the arts.

Like Blondin, many others since have climbed on the back of this imaginative, irrepressible, generous, tightrope walker, then inched out onto to stages in front of sell out crowds in found spaces throughout Old Strathcona.

I have no doubt that Brian’s legacy will be perpetually honoured and celebrated by the thousands of theatre fans who discovered their passion for a summer theatre festival like no other.

God Speed Brian, “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam”. May he rest in peace

From Edmonton, Fringes can now be found across Canada thanks to Brian’s initiative and the city’s fantastic theatre community who supported and nurtured this first truly community-oriented Canadian summer theatre festival.

I was privileged to get to know Brian better while sitting on the Princess Theatre Society board which was another challenge taken on to save and preserve. I applauded his well-deserved recognition of an Order of Canada after moving to Victoria.

I hope the city will recognize and honour Brian by naming a park along 104th where it all started.