By The Book is a founding member company of Live Five.


By the Book Productions was created in 1993 by John D. Huston. Its mission: to bring theatre back to its storytelling roots. Its motto: "a good story - well told." The company travels across Canada, presenting stories and plays in a variety of theatres and non-traditional performing spaces.

Life After Hockey by Kenneth Brown, November 2006
Beaver Fever: Two Comedies about Canadians in Love, November 2005
Letters In Wartime by Kenneth E. Brown, January 2005
St.Nicholas by Conor McPherson, November 2004

Scroll down for company history and Past Press

Productions: (Dates refer to first production)

Solo Shows

Three Men In a Boat (1991)
- Adapted by John D. Huston from the book by Jerome K. Jerome
The Flying Bull and Other Tales (1992)
- Adapted by John D. Huston from the book by Watson Kirkconnel
A Christmas Carol (1992)
- Adapted by John D. Huston from Charles Dickens's script
- performed 300 times in five provinces over 12 years
- part of Theatre Aquarius's studio season 1999
- produced by Facetious Penguin Inquest, Theatre Passe Muraille 1999
- produced by Facetious Penguin Inquest, Robert Gill Theatre 2000
Murder He Wrote (1993)
- Adapted by John D. Huston from Charles Dickens's script
The Gospel of Mark (1998)
- Adapted by John D. Huston from the Bible, King James Version
Shylock, by Mark Leiren-Young (2000)
- Best of Fringe (Edmonton) Colin McLean, Edmonton Sun
St. Nicholas, by Conor McPherson (2002)
Creeping Murmur; Pouring Dark (2003)
- Ghost stories adapted by John D. Huston from various authors

Ensemble Shows

Violence In Velvet (1994)
- Adapted by John D. Huston from The London Merchant (G. Lillo, 1732)
- John D. Huston and two Equity actors
This Is a Play, by Daniel MacIvor (1995)
- John D. Huston and two Equity actors
Adultery Under Glass, (Through the WIndow) Feydeau, trans. David Edney (1995)
- John D. Huston and one Equity actor
- premiere of this translation

Other Plays by John D. Huston (Dates refer to first production)

Hard Times (1997)
- commissioned and produced by the University of Saskatchewan Drama Department
- Adapted by John D. Huston from the book by Charles Dickens
- directed by John D. Huston
The Second Shepherds' Play (1999)
- adapted by John D. Huston from the medieval mystery play
- contemporary Saskatchewan setting
- Equity Co-Op production
- directed by John D. Huston



Praise for Life After Hockey (with Bruce McKay)
Bruce McKay is highly engaging and personable as he deftly skates his way through time. He begins as a young boy on the prairies and grows into a sincere man with a few fine and abiding loves: his wife, his daughter and mother, and naturally, a big space reserved in his heart for "the game". Gliding effortlessly around on stage, Rink Rat brings the audience back to a nostalgic time of icy ponds and homemade rinks.
Linda Maehans, Thunder Bay Source

An innocent, enthusiastic celebration of Canada's national obsession. "Rink Rat" Brown is positively adorable in Bruce McKay's talented portrayal. Life After Hockey is a sweet, engaging show.
Elissa Barnard, Halifax Chronicle Herald

This was a monologue practically perfectly executed by Rink Rat Brown, played by Bruce McKay… a smart and exuberant monologue that illustrates the art of story telling.
Angie Valente, Lakehead University Argus

Bruce McKay pulled off a stunning performance...this play was incredible. It was inspiring, fun, and a true insight into the life of those who follow hockey.
Guthrie Prentice, Mount Allison Argosy

Selected Quotes
(By The Book)

Three Men In a Boat (1991)
"very funny" - Kingston Whig-Standard (1991)
"subtle, and timed impeccably" - Winnipeg Free Press (1992)
"Huston is a master storyteller" - Peterborough Examiner (1997)

The Flying Bull and Other Tales (1992)
"A real gem." C.B.C Radio Ottawa (1992)
"compelling" - Saskatoon Star-Phoenix (1993)
"Don't miss this one." - Ottawa Citizen (2002)

A Christmas Carol (1992)
"you'll be haunted if you miss it."Saskatoon Star-Phoenix (1994)
"powerful one-man theatre...in the hands of a master storyteller." National Post Toronto (1998)
"I loved this production and urge all to see it." The Ottawa Sun (2003)

Murder He Wrote (1993)
"brings all the glorious blood thirsty delights of Dickens to life." Edmonton Journal (1993) "…damn good…Huston will delight you." Edge New York City (1999)

The Gospel of Mark (1998)
"Huston is a marvel." Robert Enright - C.B.C. Winnipeg (1998)
"...an astonishing performance...a tour de force..." Winnipeg Free Press (1998)
"brings the scriptures to life using character and humour...heavenly entertainment." Vue Weekly Edmonton (1998)

Shylock, by Mark Leiren-Young (2000)
"Powerful and unforgettable." -Jennifer Webber, Saskatoon C.B.C. Radio (2000)
"Shylock shoves beliefs into the danger zone." - Edmonton Journal (2000)
"blunt, powerful" Vue Weekly, Edmonton (2003)

St. Nicholas, by Conor McPherson (2002)
"engaging...Huston performs St. Nicholas like he wrote it" Winnipeg Free Press (2002)
"Huston holds the audience in the palm of his hand." Winnipeg Sun (2002)

Creeping Murmur; Pouring Dark (2003)
"From his first words he has the audience spellbound." Ottawa Citizen (2003)
"I almost jumped out of my seat" CBC Winnipeg (2004)
"everybody who loves theatre should...see this" CBC Edmonton (2004)

Violence In Velvet (1994)
"hip, funny, smart," (Critic's Choice) Edmonton Journal (1994)
"a potent Fringe cocktail" Edmonton Sun (1994)

The Second Shepherds' Play (2000)
"effective and touching blend of the biblical with the contemporary" SaskatoonStar-Phoenix (2000)