The Canadian theatre community is in mourning following the death of well-known veteran actor Julien Arnold, who passed away on Sunday, November 24, during a performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta. Arnold suffered a medical problem on stage and despite efforts to revive him, he could not be saved.

Kerry Williamson, a representative of Alberta Health Services, said and reported that health workers were quickly on the scene after Julien’s incident, but could not revive him. So far, details about the specific causes of his death have not been revealed.

Who was Julien Arnold?

Julien Arnold died live last Sunday during a performance. The news was confirmed on Thursday, November 28, by the Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia (ECT).

Julien Arnold was 60 years old and a prominent figure in Canadian theatre in Edmonton, Alberta. His career spanned more than three decades, earning recognition as an actor, director and teacher, performing mainly comic roles in the city’s major theatres, becoming a key figure in the local theatre community.

Arnold was born into a British family, but lived in Tanzania until he was five years old before travelling to Edmonton. In Canada, he studied at Georges P. Vainer High School and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Alberta in 1989. Seventeen years later, he completed a master’s degree in theatre directing at the same university, something that led him to become one of the founders of the ‘Free Will Players’, the company behind the Freewill Shakespeare Festival, a unique event in the region.

In this way, Julien Arnold’s legacy in Canadian theatre will endure over the years, leaving an indelible mark on the world of theatre.