https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/montreal-qc/keith-turnbull-11847291
An extraordinary Canadian died last Sunday. Keith Turnbull, director, producer, translator, educator, was indefatigable in his support for theatre and opera, words and music. Read the obituary and marvel at the breadth of his accomplishments. And know what the obit does not even bother to mention — that for the last decades of his life, he was afflicted with an undiagnosed condition something like MS, that left him in a wheelchair.
When it says he directed an opera in Wales or Newfoundland, that means he had to fly with a power wheelchair. I was at a reunion with him and others in Toronto maybe ten years ago, after the opening of a chamber opera he’d directed, and listened to him describe what it’s like to fly without mobility — the disregard of airline staff, the endless waiting, shuffled off to a corner like a forgotten package. Laughing, he described navigating a wheelchair through the slushy, snowy streets of Montreal in winter. And yet he travelled the world for his work and never stopped. He didn’t let the limitations of his body impede him, not for a moment.
I met Keith at Neptune Theatre in 1970. I was 19, had taken a leave from university to act in a three-month-long professional tour, and afterward was a bit lost. I flew to Halifax, from which my family had moved four years before, for a brief visit with childhood friends. On the plane I ran into Christopher Banks, whom I’d met when I was a tour guide at the National Arts Centre. Christopher was now working at Neptune. “Come to the theatre,” he said. “We’ll find you a job.”
And he did, in the box office, and as an assistant to a fiery young director named Keith Turnbull. Keith was directing a quirky French farce and needed music for the entrances and exits; it was my job to find it. And eventually I did: Poulenc, perfect. As I did so, I fell madly in love with Keith, his energy, focus, dynamism, glee. I didn’t know he was gay. Nobody did. We spent so much time together, others in the company thought we were a couple. Only he and I knew that we weren’t.
Along with other brilliant, inspiring gay men whom I’ve been lucky enough to know, he remained one of the great loves of my life.
Keith went from Halifax to the Manitoba Theatre Centre and a stellar international career. A friend and I visited him once in Montreal, where he cooked a gourmet meal in an elegant kitchen specially set up for a chef in a wheelchair. His mind, as always, crackled with insight and ambition.
A devastating loss for our country and for the arts everywhere. One of a kind; a great, great soul. There will never be another Keith Turnbull.
9 Responses to “Keith Turnbull 1944-2024”
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so happy for you that you experienced such a wonderful working relationship and loving friendship, and are able to recall it in such detail. Both facts seem (are) such a gift. Thank you for sharing your testament to a life lived fully despite/with physical limitations and pain. As my condition deteriorates I am determined not to give up and find this duly inspiring. Not only was he an accomplished artist and giant behind the scenes but he also seems a fascinating/compelling “character and it occurs to me that he would be a wonderful subject for a theatrical piece as a “send off.”
Beth, this is lovely … when I lived in Cardiff, Wales, I was introduced to the vibrant opera scene there … I wonder if your friend was involved in any of the productions that I saw … his resilience in the face of his illness is inspiring
Thanks to you both. Keith was inspiring before his illness, but afterwards he was extraordinary, because he continued to accomplish as if nothing had changed. A force of nature. Glad he inspires you, Lesia. Perhaps he did direct in Wales, Kathy. There’s a celebration of his life soon in Stratford; there will be a stellar gathering of creative people, and I will learn more about his working life, I’m sure.
It was just a passing comment during a CBC interview that told me that Keith had died. I hadn’t thought of him in years. While you were working the box office at Neptune I was a member of the young Tritons group and just hanging out around the theatre. I ended up working at Second Stage after Keith had left and Michael Mawson took over as AD.
Thank you so much for this article, it has brought back some wonderful memories.
Lesleigh, glad we have shared memories of a wonderful man and time. Thanks for writing.
I came across this post by accident and would like to add that I knew Keith when he was in his teen years at LCCI in London, Ontario. He was most passionate about theatre then, too. We were both a part of the Drama Club throughout our time in high school.Even then he was starting to build his skills for his life plan with acting and directing …..and , in his free time building and painting backdrops for the Grand Theatre. I am happy to hear about the wonderful contribution he has made to the cultural art scene in Canada throughout his life’s work. Although I offer condolences for your personal loss, I am so pleased to read that he enjoyed a life of deep commitment to passion and thereby left us all a little better off by a life well lived. Thank you Keith. And, thank you for writing such a lovely memorial.
Hi Beth,
I also loved Keith. I got to know him in the 80’s in Banff, and then later, in Montréal, where I lived through the 90’s. I found your post only today, while reminiscing after reading “Free? Trade” in Carole Harmon’s Substack “Leaning Towards the Light”, where, among other things, she writes about her experience at the Neptune with Keith. Thank you for reminding me of his perfectly lovely man with the most wicked smile I have ever seen!
Thank you for bringing him close.
Barbara, good to hear from you. People talk about those who were “one of a kind,” but Keith really was, truly special. “Perfectly lovely” is true. Many adored him, including me. A great loss for us all.
Patty, just saw this. Thank you for writing. How wonderful that you knew Keith as a teen!