Walter Learning's miracle: Show goes on despite sight loss

A well-known Fredericton actor is returning to his roots.

Walter Learning founded Theatre New Brunswick in 1968. His craft has taken him to the stages of Stratford, Vancouver and as far away as Australia.

Now the 75-year-old is back at The Playhouse in the lead role in TNB'sChristmas production Miracleon 34th Street.

Learning continues to write, direct and act in productions across Canada.

But his return to the stage as Kris Kringle in Fredericton is a small miracle of its own.

"A few years ago, I got struck with macular degeneration, so now I have no central vision, so I can't read anymore," says Learning.

When Learning looks at a script, he can't read the letters.

But he's found a way around it.

He uses acomputer program to scan the script. Itreads the words back to him aloud.

"I beg your pardon, sir, but you seem tohave gotten yourself slightly mixed up," the computer says as Learning demonstrates how it works.

An added pressure for Learning is he can't take the computer on stage to run his lines during rehearsals withthe other actors, so hehas to memorize his partsbefore the rest of the cast.

Learning uses his peripheral vision to navigate the set. He says he can see outlines just fine.

The play runs almost two hours long and Kris Kringle is in most of it.

Cast members say for Learningto memorize more than 15 scenes with limited vision is no small miracle.

The show startsat the Playhouse in Fredericton tonight as Miracle on 34thStreet begins a three-night run.