From the Citadel Theatre:
“…John’s history at the Citadel spans back to the early 80’s when he was in the company of CITADEL ON WHEELS. Perhaps most notably, John starred as the Ebenezer Scrooge alternate in A Christmas Carol, captivating thousands of audience members at matinee performances for ten seasons (2003-2012).
Other notable Citadel credits include August: Osage County (2011), West Side Story (2005), Hamlet (2002), Who Has Seen The Wind (2002), Fire (1986 and 2008), and Talk Radio (1989).
John’s legacy in Canadian theatre includes performances at Phoenix Theatre, Persephone Theatre, Theatre Network, Alberta Theatre Projects, Workshop West, Shadow Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Canadian Stage, and over fifty shows at the Freewill Shakespeare Festival.
John was also an avid gardener and visual artist, especially in photography and woodworking. He loved nature and all fur babies. John was renowned for being a generous actor and is the last sibling of the incomparable Wright acting family. He will be remembered for his dry wit, artistry and especially his big heart. John was married to Edmonton actor and director, Marianne Copithorne.”
From John Ullyatt during an interview for CBC Radio Active:
“Jessica NG: Edmonton’s theatre community is mourning the loss of John Wright. The 74 year old actor passed away in his sleep on Sunday. John worked in theatres across Canada and had many television and film credits to his name…
John Ullyatt: …When I first got to Edmonton, I didn’t know John. I got here 1990. But I quickly got to know him. He was one of the old guard in the theatre community and he was like a dad in so many ways. But I was thinking about it, he was also a real subversive guy and sure laughed a lot together. And I am going to miss him…
…John, I think about him as this creative monster. Anybody who knows him would have ended up at his house. If you had seen his backyard, in some many ways it kind of represented who he was. His backyard is like a jungle, it’s a crazy place. There is plants everywhere. There is hammocks hanging around… And he got into making birdhouses and clocks, and he was always making things. I think he put a lot of energy into that…”
If you have the means, we would like to invite you to contribute to the GoFundMe that seeks to support Marianne at this time:
