AS WE GET READY FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF ROBERT AT THE 2018 TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL, WE'RE INTRODUCING THE TALENTED INDIVIDUALS OF OUR CREATIVE TEAM.
Our incredible sound designer and composer is the multi-talented and multi-instrumental, Matthew Maaskant! We’re so lucky to have him on board for #RobertToFringe. We can’t wait for you to hear what Matthew’s got in store for you.
Name: Matthew Maaskant
What are you doing on Robert? Sound Design & Composition
Astrological Sign: Cancer
Special Skills: I also do videography and visual projection for theatres or clubs.
Do you have any siblings, if so how many? I’m one of seven.
How many Roberts do you know? I’ve known one Robert well, the rest have come and gone...
Something you and your parents have in common? We agree on most things, politics, music, movies, etc.
Do you play any musical instruments? I am adept at the basic instruments - piano, guitar, bass, drums, mandolin - but for a long time have focused on music production & mixing, mostly using vintage analog synths and old samplers.
Photo supplied by Mathew Maaskant
How do you feel about bagpipes? Well the first thing that comes to mind is the classic joke - what's the best use for a set of bagpipes? Kindling for an accordion fire. That being said, as a musician I love all instruments so I guess I like the bagpipes? Tom Waits says bagpipes sound like someone strangling a goose, which is accurate. Every aesthetic is needed at some point I guess, for example Peter Gabriel uses bagpipes in his track ‘Come Talk To Me’ and they sound awesome.
Are you good at keeping secrets? I’d rather not, if it can be helped.
What kind of grand gesture would you want someone to do at your funeral? Showing up is brave enough, after that you should interrupt as you see fit.
What’s the best thing about working on Robert? I love composing and recording with specific goals in mind. It’s fascinating to get familiar with a project, see what’s trying to be communicated, and then translate that into another language.
What’s your biggest challenge working on Robert? The mix of comedy and drama is a razor’s edge as far as composition goes. As of the last meeting it was agreed that the working goal is ‘the saddest music that can be made in a major key.’
Why should people come see Robert at the Toronto Fringe? It’s a comedy in a church, how perfect is that! Churches also make audio sound much better, so it should be a wonderful immersive experience on that level too!
For more information on Robert, please visit www.larkandwhimsytheatre.com/robert. For ticket purchases, click here.