Robert Winslow, Founder/Creative Director

​

As one of Canada’s leading theatre artists, Robert Winslow has written or co-written 17 of the original plays that have been presented environmentally at the 4th Line Theatre since 1992 and has directed several of the productions and performed in many of them.  An established theatre artist, he has been involved in theatre for 40 years as Playwright, Actor, Director and/or Artistic Director. Mr. Winslow has performed in theatres across Canada, the U.S. and Britain since 1982, including the Blyth Festival, Edmonton’s Theatre Network, Northern Lights, Citadel Theatre, Catalyst, Nexus Theatre and the Fringe Festival.  In 1988, he founded an improvisational theatre company, East City Productions, in Peterborough, Ontario and began directing and writing for the stage. His first full-length play, The Cavan Blazers, was staged as 4th Line Theatre’s first production and later published by Ordinary Press. The production has been mounted six times and continually performs to capacity audiences. Additional writing credits include Gimme That Prime Time Religion, Cavan Casanova, Two Rounds and a Square, Fair Play, The Bell of Batoche, The Orchard, Crow Hill: The Telephone Play, The Winslows of Derryvore, Doctor Barnardo’s Children, The Last Green Hill, Welcome Death, Wounded Soldiers, The History of Drinking in Cavan and Carmel, all for 4th Line. 

​

He is currently working on the fourth in the Barnardo play series, Eleanor, with longtime collaborator Ian McLachlan. 

Rob's Song of the Week

July 18, 2020

​

"Unchained Melody” by Willie Nelson.

“This song is on Willie Nelson’s amazing 1978 album “Stardust,” one of the best albums of the decade. “Unchained Melody” was also performed by the Righteous Brothers in the 1960s. Nelson’s version was one of two central songs at my wedding in 2000 along with Elton John’s “Your Song.” “Unchained Melody” is love and longing at its best, most hopeful and saddest.” – Rob, July 18, 2020.

Rob's Song of the Week

July 5, 2020

"“Concrete and Clay” by Unit Four plus Two. Live at the Barbican Theatre, 1965.

"“This is one of my favorite songs from the Sixties and the video is fun as the group lip-syncs energetically in the foundational structure of what is to be the famous Barbican Theatre in London. Timeless frivolity.” -Rob

Rob's Song of the Week

June 29, 2020

"Father and Son" (Live, 1971) - Cat Stevens

​This song reminds me of dad. I think it’s on the Tea for the Tillerman album, which came out in late 1970, the year I started university – my god, 50 years ago this fall. I think I played that album to death in my dorm room in Winter’s College at York University. I remember going to college residence parties dressed in a full-length blue kaftan with hair well below my shoulders. I think I weighed all of 120 pounds and was oh so serious.  I think I might start wearing a kaftan again if 4th Line gets up and running next year. In fact, I promise I will if the theatre rises again!

Rob's Song of the Week

June 19, 2020

"Shadow” by Chromatics. 

“At the end of the first episode of “Twin Peaks: The Return,” this song is played in the Bang Bang Bar. I loved it the first time I heard it and have ever since. When I was rehabbing from a broken wrist the year before last I did my strength and flexibility exercises while listening to the soundtrack from the series. I always looked forward to this song particularly.” -Rob

Rob's Song of the Week

June 12, 2020

"A Groovy Kind of Love” by The Mindbenders (1966). 
“Cool black and white footage with mono sound. The song was a hit when I was in grade 10. I bought the 45, one of about 500 I have, mostly from the years 1965 to 1969. I still have the record and it is always in the top ten singles I will play on my stereo when I (rarely) open the old cabinet and put on the tunes.” –Rob 

Rob's Song of the Week

June 4, 2020

"To Ostatnia Niedziela (The Last Sunday)" by Jerzy Peterburski with lyrics by Zenon Friedwald. The singer on this version is Marian DeMar.

This was a popular song in the 1930s in Poland. The song, sung in Polish, is about The Last Sunday of a couple together before they break up. The video features street scenes from Warsaw in the 1930s before it was destroyed by the Nazis.

 –Rob Winslow

Rob's Song of the Week

May 29, 2020

"Indian Love Call" ” by Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Macdonald from the movie “Rose Marie” (1936).

In my mom’s diary 1936 to 1940, she mentions seeing at least a dozen Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Macdonald musicals. I think he was her favorite singer (heartthrob). I imagine her sitting in the old Capitol Theatre on George Street with her boyfriend Eric Clarke, settling in for the dreamscape. I hope someday we can all go back to the movies. –Rob Winslow

Rob's Song of the Week

May 21, 2020

"Let the Mystery Be" by Iris Dement

Rob's Song of the Week

May 14, 2020

"I'll Never Find Another You" by The Seekers

July 7, 1968 at the BBC in London

Rob's Song of the Week

May 7, 2020

"Puff the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul &  Mary

Rob's Song of the Week

May 1, 2020

"You'll Never Walk Alone" by "Gerry & The Pacemakers 

​Rob's Song of the Week

April 23, 2020

"Go Where You Wanna Go"  by Jakob Dylan and Jade Castrinos. Originally by The Mamas and The Papas

Rob's Song of the Week

April 16, 2020

"Tender"  by Blur

Rob's Song of the Week

April 9, 2020

"The Weight"  featuring Robbie Robertson and Ringo Starr from Playing For Change - Song Around The World

​

Rob's Song of the Week

April 1, 2020

"I'm Alone Because I Love You"

by Joe Young and Ira Schuster (1930)

Performed by Tuba Skinny

Rob's Song of the Week

March 24, 2020

"Me and My Shadow"

by Johnny Marvin feat. Nat Shilkret & His Orchestra

Rob's Archives: Song of the Week

August 27, 2015

"Ashes"

by Lindi Ortega

Rob's BONUS Song of the Week

August 27, 2015

"My Sad Captains"

by Elbow

Rob's Song of the Week

August 20, 2015

"All Over the World"

by ELO (Electric Light Orchestra)  

Flash Mob Tribute

Rob's Song of the Week

August 13, 2015

"Spirit in the Sky"

by Norman Greenbaum

Rob's Song of the Week

August 6, 2015

"The End of the World"

by Skeeter Davis

Rob's Song of the Week

July 30, 2015

"Somehwhere Over the Rainbow"

by Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole

Rob's Song of the Week

July 23, 2015

"The Beatitudes"

by Kronos Quartet

Rob's Song of the Week

July 15, 2015

"Your Song"

by Elton John

Rob's Song of the Week

July 9, 2015

"Brilliant Disguise"

by Bruce Springsteen

Rob's Song of the Week

July 2, 2015

"Sea of Heartbreak"

by Roseanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen

Rob's Song of the Week

June 25, 2015

"Where Are We Now?" by David Bowie

Rob's Song of the Week

June 18, 2015

"Song for Zula" by Phosphorescent

Rob's Song of the Week

June 11, 2015

"Don't Give Up" by Feist featuring Timber Timbre

(Writen by Peter Gabriel, original recording featuring Kate Bush)

Rob's Song of the Week

June 5, 2015

"Madness" by Muse

Rob's Song of the Week

June 2, 2015

"Lookin' Out my Back Door"

by Creedence Clearwater Revival

(

Rob's Song of the Week

May 21, 2015

"Real Love" by Regina Spektor

(Written by John Lennon)

Rob's Song of the Week

May 15, 2015

"My Heart's in the Highlands" by Arvo Part

Rob's Song of the Week

May 8, 2015

"The Passenger" by The Jolly Boys

Rob's Song of the Week

April 20, 2015

"Overtime" by Lucinda Williams and Willie Nelson