September 13, 1938 - October 14, 2023
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Walter Wood, a theatre and TV director, author, playwright and friend.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1938, John grew up during the Second World War and later attended Bishop's University, where he earned a B.A. in History and English in 1961. During these years he would discover a love for the theatre and develop lifelong friendships. He also served in the University Naval Training Division (UNTD), providing experiences and training that would resonate through his life’s work.
Following a stint working at CBC Radio, Toronto, John directed The Collected Works of Billy the Kid for the Manitoba Theatre Centre before he was named Artistic Director of the Neptune Theatre, Halifax. Today, his name is memorialized in the theatre’s lobby.
In 1977 John was introduced as the Artistic Director of the English Theatre of the National Arts Centre (NAC), Ottawa, and led the English theatre for seven years. He relocated to Stratford, Ontario, in 1984. In the following years, John, an advocate for regional theatre across Canada, directed at the Stratford Festival and in theatres across Canada. His work also took him to the U.K., Australia and the United States.
Some of John’s directing credits include: Hamlet, The Oresteia, Godspell, Henry V, Richard III, Macbeth, The Tempest, The Cherry Orchard, Walsh and One Tiger to a Hill. John’s TV directing credits include Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993).
In 1994, John directed Napoleon, a new large-scale musical in Toronto. John would later write, “although it had only a short life and took years away from mine, trying to figure out how to get the “little general” and his army across the Alps on the stage of the Elgin (theatre) was nothing compared to what was thrown at me on the late summer day three months after the musical folded”.
That 1994 challenge came when John enlisted with Stornoway Productions, a documentary company led by a former Bishop’s University classmate, kicking off a work relationship and collaboration that would endure for decades. Starting with directing duties for a sweeping documentary examination of Canada’s demographic institutions, John’s role evolved to editor on several books and then a passionate researcher and writer on General Sir Arthur William Currie and Canada’s role in the First World War.
Never straying far from his theatre roots, John shared a playwriting credit with Roger Forbes and directed Falstaff, that debuted at the NAC English Theatre in 2007. It was John's trademark humour when, after intermission, Falstaff walked out and demanded to know, "Who farted?"
In recent years, as his health declined, John continued pursuing his passion for the Currie project while mentoring and providing directing, writing and performance advice. His last engagement was advising Perley Health on the creation of a series of promotional videos set to the song What a Difference a Day Makes by Dinah Washington. John suggested the melding the song’s performances with personal testimonials, adding a new perspective to the song.
On a personal note, John was a son, brother, uncle, a great-uncle, friend and godfather. He was an accomplished chef who pursued training at the highest levels, he loved pets, his tomato garden, his piano and collecting ceramic frogs. John filled his life and home with a rainbow of colours, playbills, art and keepsakes from his full and adventurous life. His presence and his performances will be missed at the regular Wood family reunions in Rawdon, Nova Scotia. In the last year he wished he could have made one more visit to Nova Scotia and Scotland.
As exacting and unwavering to his high standards as John was in his work and his steadfast commitment to deliver the absolute best to the audience, he was just as passionate and loyal in his personal life. John’s charity was never publicized but his compassion and generosity will have lifelong impacts on some individuals; he lifted them up and shared his values and curiosity with them.
John is predeceased by his father, John Lloyd Wood, his mother Myrtle Alice Phippen and his brother-in law, James Innes. He is survived by his sister, Meredith Innes (Wood) (Caledonia, ON), his niece and goddaughter, Cheryl Innes (Liverpool, NS), his nephew, Jay Innes (Ottawa, ON). He is great uncle to Aaron Cotterill (Yellowknife, NWT), Chris Cotterill (Lucan, ON) and Julia Cotterill (Cambridge, ON) as well as Katharine Innes, Ashley Innes and Celia Innes (Ottawa, ON). There is a special place in John’s heart for Kirkland and family including Angela, McKenna, Destiny, Chloe. Cheyenne, Hunter and Landon.
An interment is planned for Centre Rawdon United Church cemetery at a later date with details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Perley Health Foundation (https://perleyhealthfoundation.ca) or to the Nova Scotia SPCA (https://www.novascotiaspca.ca) to honour John’s love of dogs and cats.
As a Director, John’s work was often behind the scenes, but he left us with a few souvenirs from his life and work. The details are below.
1. Interview: No Country For Young Men (Breakout Educational Network): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5K3hLiS2Wo
2. Peter Hinton chats with John Wood, noted Canadian theatre director and former artistic director of NAC English Theatre on the subject of his new work, Falstaff, based on the novel by Robert Nye. (https://nac-cna.ca/en/podcasts/episode/john-wood)
3. Author of the three Forewords to the trilogy Talking Heads, Talking Arms: Dundurn Group (2003)
John requested a quote from Camino Real by Tennessee Williams adorn his headstone.
Make voyages; attempt them
There’s nothing else.
Arrangements entrusted to W.G Young Funeral Home
