Shatner refutes Regina high school legend

It has long been rumoured that William Shatner, aka Captain Kirk, attended high school in Regina, but in an interview with CBC Radio's The Morning Edition, Shatner has settled the matter once and for all.

"I've never been to Regina," he told Morning Edition host Sheila Coles.

The internet abounds with tales that Shatner, who is known for roles in a number of television series, including the show Boston Legal and, decades earlier, the science fiction saga Star Trek, attended Regina's Balfour Collegiate during his high school years. Alas, said Shatner, it's not true.

'I would love to say that I grew up in Regina' —William Shatner

"I would love to say that I grew up in Regina in the confines of this wonderful city, filled with interesting people who are artistic enough to come to the centre and watch this one-man show," he said. "But the truth of the matter is I've never been here."

It's a claim Shatner will never be able to make again.

The 80-year-old actor, comedian, and musician was in the Queen City Friday for a performance of his show, How Time Flies.

The almost three-hour-long show recounts Shatner's life and anecdotes from his time as a student in Montreal — where he really did attend high school — through his many acting roles, his current documentary, book, and album projects.

Friday's performance at the Conexus Arts Centre is the only Saskatchewan stop on Shatner's cross-Canada tour, which got mixed reviews as being both 'interesting' and 'rambling' after his first performance in Vancouver on Oct. 19.

However one attendee obviously found the event held more excitement than he could handle. When asked about the story of an audience member having an 'accident' during the performance, Shatner responded, "No, he didn't have an accident. He laughed so hard he crapped in his pants. That was no accident."

"True story," Shatner deadpanned, "It's called 'the Shat heard round the world.'"

How Time Flies happens at the Conexus Arts Centre at 7:30 p.m. CST. As of Friday morning, there were still tickets available.