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Being Frank

by G. Kim Blank

168 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); play; catalogue #07-0355; ISBN 1-4251-1948-4; US$17.39, C$20.00, EUR14.29, £10.00

This remarkable play captures the charisma and complexity of one of Canada's most famous and controversial community figures: Frank Ney, better known as "Black Frank" for his pirate and bathtub-racing persona.

About the Book

Soaring, scoring, and never boring: Frank Ney was an original. His public image, set in place by a long and extraordinary career as a civic leader, mayor, provincial politician, realtor and father of eleven children, was coloured by his legendary flamboyance, charisma, and non-stop energy. Famous for dressing up like a pirate to promote both real-estate ventures and community events, and especially the world-famous bathtub races, he was fondly known as "Black Frank." While celebrating his remarkable outward character and his irresistibly unique public persona, the play also explores an inward Frank - we see his creative energies momentarily sink as he wakes up to the possibility of change and loss in his business fortunes, political future, and private life.

Published in conjunction with TheatreOne

About the Author

Kim Blank was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and has studied and worked in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, New York, Wales, Southampton (England), and Namibia. His books, articles, chapters, reviews, and newspaper columns range over numerous disciplines and topics, from literary criticism and media studies to humour and conflict theory. He presently lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where he teaches literature and cultural studies at the University of Victoria.