The Globe and Mail have hailed Bermudian actor Daren Herbert’s latest role in a theatre production of Floyd Collins as “a life-affirming performance”.

Mr Herbert, who has landed past roles in movies like ‘Dreamgirls’, ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ and ‘This Means War, has been given glowing reviews from several Canadian media publications for his starring performance in the Vancouver based show.

Jo Ledingham, from the Vancouver Courier, described him as being “handsome and charismatic” and said he had “a powerful, confident voice that sets the standard immediately”. She went on to say it was a difficult musical that might not be liked by everyone, however, rated the overall show as “beautifully designed, superbly performed, masterfully directed and extremely polished”.

The Globe and Mail’s J. Kelly Nestruck also had some favourable things to say about Mr Herbert’s role, calling it a “life-affirming performance”.

“When Floyd Collins works, however, it works — and Jorgensen fills the York Theatre for the finale, as Herbert sells the hell out of a song titled How Glory Goes,” the writer said.

“But what echoes afterward is a sense of how the magnification of stories like his by the media (and that includes this musical itself) often creates a noise that drowns the tragedy itself.”

Michael Groberman from Canada’s Huffington Post also praised the singing by Mr Herbert and some of the other cast as being very good.

Directed by award winning director, Peter Jorgensen for Patrick Street Productions and Talk Is Free Theatre, Floyd Collins tells the real-life tale of an American cave explorer, looking for adventure, who was tragically stuck underground after getting his leg stuck under a rock in 1925.

Born in Bermuda, Mr Herbert began studying as a dancer in Philadelphia, before diving into musical theatre.

He has gone on to work on stages and sets in Canada, the US, Korea and Japan. His film and television credits include Dreamgirls, Stargate Universe, Human Target, This Means War and more.

When he was visiting the Island last summer, Mr Herbert paid a visit to Chewstick to speak on his career and give advice to other locals looking to find success in the acting field.

The limited-run production of Floyd Collins will be showing at the York Theatre, Vancouver, until Sunday.

Useful links:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/michael-groberman/floyd-collins-vancouver_b_4982510.html

http://www.vancourier.com/entertainment/theatre-review-the-cold-dark-caves-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-music-1.911239

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/theatre-reviews/floyd-collins-a-true-life-tale-of-hope-and-terror/article17564697/