Desperately Seeking Samuel

We are recently back from a three month reprieve from what turned out to be a rather harsh winter at home. While away, I worked on my new play, learning lines but also doing fairly substantial revisions. I think the result is as I wished.

“Desperately Seeking Samuel” will be a difficult play to produce on stage, and also an equally difficult one to produce on film. This is not only because the production will be one with no budget, and one that is filmed with the most basic of equipment, and edited on the most basic of computer programmes, but also because it is a play that takes place in a confined space. Although memory shots would help to make the play more visually appealing, there is no money available for this purpose. So it will be a “make do” undertaking.

However, for me, it is the story that is the most important aspect of any production. If the story is engaging, one should not need flashy production tools.

Now, someone who has seen a draught of the film version has commented that it is very slow. It runs just under 80 minutes. He did not say it was too slow, but that may have been his intent. However, I make no apology for this. I am not one who is about high action, fast moving scenarios, despite the fact that today everything moves at a rapid pace with instant, succinct messaging, information at one’s fingertip, fast food, - flashy everything.

This story is about memory. It is like putting a puzzle together, trial and error, studying shapes and colours. It happens with forethought, at a relaxed pace. And I want the audience to slow down and take it in – to use its imagination, to listen and digest.

While I was away, I received notice that my last film, "One's Company", won an Exceptional Merit award at an independent film festival in the United States. It had just recently also been awarded Best Film in a category for films with a theme about covid-19 at another independent film festival in India. Not the Oscars, but for a humble effort, not too bad either.

Regardless, I may not enter the current film in any of these festivals. Time will tell. I will, nonetheless, post it to YouTube and let it filter as it will through cyberspace. Furthermore, I do plan to mount it as a stage play sometime this coming year, with a test run this summer.

Comments

Lighthouse Benefit a Huge Success

Congratulations to all who made the Schafner Point Lighthouse Benefit on Saturday evening an overwhelming success. The sold out crowd of over 70 enthusiastic people enjoyed an evening of spectacular entertainment by fiddler Steve Klein and actor Paul Rapsey. Steve played brilliantly throughout the evening. The audience engaged in energetic hand clapping and foot stomping to his music. Paul’s monologue was sprinkled with both delightful laughter and pin dropping silence from the audience, culminating in a prolonged and spontaneous standing ovation. The many volunteers of the Port Royal Lighthouse Association and of the Lower Granville Hall were the backbone of the evening. Bravo! Steve will be playing his fiddle again on Saturday, March 18 at the Granville Ferry Community Hall in the village starting at 7:00 p.m. He will be joined by Scott Henderson on pipes and flute. There are no tickets, but admission will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Doors open at 6:30. Entry fee is $1

Launch of Five Monologues a Success

Thank you to Holly Sanford and the Mad Hatter Bookstore and Wine Bar for hosting the book launch yesterday of Paul Rapsey's "Five Monologues" book. The packed room was treated to a selection of "readings", actually of recitals by Paul, of a section from each of the five plays. The audience was thoroughly engaged and gave Paul an enthusiastic reception. There was some concern that people would not be as interested in the launch of a book of plays as they had been for the launch two months ago of Paul's novel, "Murder on the Pony Express Way". However, this concern proved unfounded. The space was packed to overflowing. One person wrote of the event: " This was the best reading from a book launch I’ve ever attended. The difference, of course, is that Paul knew the material so well that he didn’t just read, but he acted wonderfully. What a delightful way to spend an hour. "

Fiddelity Screening to be held in Cobourg

A screening of the film "Fiddelity" is to take place at the Loft Cinema in Cobourg, Ontario on Tuesday, December 15, at 2:00 p.m. The three actors, now living in Nova Scotia, coincidently all have a long and strong connexion with this lovely town on Lake Ontario. Seating in this small theatre is restricted to 18 people by reason of Covid-19. The show, which was by open invitation, has quickly sold out and there is a waiting list pending any cancellations. Admission is by Goodwill offering to the local Food Bank. I have performed two shows in this lovely 50-seat theatre: Alan Bennett's "Bed Among the Lentils",. and Micheal macLiammoire's "The Importance of Being Oscar". Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend this event.

One Actor - Another Show

Search This Blog