Trudeau the man reflected in one-woman show

No Canadian prime minister in recent history has arguably had as much impact as Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

He espoused the “just society” and stood his ground deftly handling Canada’s first act of modern day terrorism — the kidnapping of British trade consul James Cross and murder of Quebec labour minister Pierre Laporte.

As prime minister, the Montreal-born and bred resident implemented official bilingualism, defeated a referendum on Quebec sovereignty and established the Charter of Rights and Freedoms under the Canadian Constitution. Those are mountainous accomplishments for a lifetime of public office, let alone 15 years.

Although Trudeaumania swept the country, not everyone revered his charismatic and passionate leadership. On the opposite side of the coin, he was equally despised in western Canada, and Alberta especially, for ramming through the National Energy Program.

But in Trudeau Stories, coming to the Arden Theatre on Wednesday, Feb. 9, audiences glimpse a more intimate, personal Pierre — a side that was invisible during the volatile media hype surrounding his high profile career.

Performed solo by Brooke Johnson, she tells of real-life experiences after Trudeau befriended her in 1985 while she was a 23-year-old student at the National Theatre School. It was six months after the 65-year-old prime minister tendered his resignation and returned to private life.

“The occasion was the 25th anniversary of the theatre school. It was a fundraising gala and Trudeau as honorary chairman was invited. I was a student representative on the board of governors,” reminisces Johnson.

For the black-tie event, the impoverished student borrowed a low-cut black dress and heels that were several sizes too big and stuffed with tissues. A keen eye for beautiful women, Trudeau spotted Johnson in the foyer and walked up to her.

“He asked a few questions and insisted I save a dance for him. I spent the dinner wondering if we would dance.”

It was the beginning of a companionable friendship that Johnson says remained platonic.

“We had lunches, shared walks and exchanged letters when I moved to Toronto. We connected in poetry and art. I wanted to know what it was like being a politician. He wanted to understand the life of an artist.”

Although the media painted Trudeau’s personality with contradictory descriptions — intellectual rebel, workaholic, playboy and distant husband — Johnson sets out to portray his softer side.

“He was gentle, curious, private and soft-spoken. He had an insatiable curiosity. We both loved the outdoors. I was a canoeist and we enjoyed hiking. My dad was a landscape architect and he lived in the famous Ernest Cormier house. We both like jazz. He was an extraordinary person.”

But Johnson stresses that this one-woman show is more about their unusual friendship than the great man himself.

“It’s also about grief. When he died [in 2000], I was affected by it. The last time I saw him in person was in 1994.”

The one-hour show is based on five letters Trudeau wrote to her and a journal of memories. “It’s insightful, a different side of Trudeau. It’s not political. To me it’s very funny. It’s meditative and human. It’s very personal and very laid bare.”