By Keith Tomasek, July 15, 2018

Every Sunday in The Shakespeare Actors’ Book Club you’ll discover a new book, selected by an actor performing Shakespeare.

It’s a chance to shine a light on three of our favourite things here at Stratford Festival Reviews: books, actors and Shakespeare!

Bookmark this site and visit every Sunday as a new actor shares the story of how their reading intersects with their production and everyday life.

Kayvon Khoshkam as Touchstone & Emma Slipp as Audrey
photo: Tim Matheson

Kayvon Khoshkam is acting at Bard on the Beach in Vancouver, BC. playing Touchstone, in “As You Like It,” and the roles of Sergeant/Seyton/Porter in “Macbeth.”

Khoshkam was born and raised in Saskatoon and studied at the Canadian College Of Performing Arts in Victoria, BC. He is the Artistic Director of SpeakEasy Theatre, and the founder of The Pull Festival: Vancouver’s 10 Minute Play Festival.

The book
The Talisman, by Stephen King and Peter Straub

How did you discover this book?
I’m currently on a big Stephen King bender, and have been making my way through his body of work. The Talisman has been out of print, so I had to acquire an old paperback via Amazon. My copy has certainly been “loved” in its life, and very often pieces of it are being left behind.
 

What drew you into the story?
King is one of the best world builders of our age, in my opinion, and it is very exciting to step into his stories. I know he has a lot of criticism and a reputation for not achieving the best endings, but his beginnings are the best.
 

If you could, would you like to inhabit the setting for a year? Why?
Absolutely not.

The Talisman is a very creepy and hateful depiction of The United States (perhaps just honest), as well as the equally bizarre mirror dimension.

I’m good where I am.
 

How does the book you’re reading relate to, or complement, the theatre piece you are currently working on?
It doesn’t. Pure escape.
 

How do you find time to read?
I just always have a book on my person so I can fill the empty spaces with reading, instead of on my phone.
 

Hardcover, paperback or e-reader?
Paperback. I especially love when a book will fit in my pocket and can go anywhere with me. That might sound like I would love an e-reader…I do not. Can’t do it, probably never will.
 

Is there a certain author whose work you follow loyally?
As I said, I am on a huge Stephen King kick at the moment.

I started by getting into the Dark Tower series and realized that so many of his novels are interconnected and effect each other, especially through the web of the Dark Tower. So, I went back to the beginning with his first novel Carrie and have been making my way through chronologically. I’m now in the 80’s and will hopefully be caught up before 2020!

Click to get The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub.

Follow Kayvon Khoshkam on Twitter
See Khoshkam’s work as the artistic director of Speakeasy Theatre, which received five nominations at the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards.

Details, Details:
Bard on the Beach
As You Like It: June 12 – September 22
Macbeth: June 6 – September 28
Tickets and details: Bard on the Beach
Call: 604-739-0559

ALL THE ACTORS IN THE SHAKESPEARE ACTORS’ BOOK CLUB
Jason Cadieux – Shakespeare in High Park, Toronto.
Kayvon Khoshkam – Bard on the Beach, Vancouver.
Skye Brandon – Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
Garry Williams – Shakespeare by the Sea, Halifax.
Heather Cant – Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
Ben Carlson – Bard on the Beach, Vancouver.
Sébastien Heins – Stratford Festival, Ontario
Come back next Sunday for another actor and another book.