Bed Among the Lentils - 2016 Performances

Paul Rapsey presented “Bed Among the Lentils”, the award winning script by British playwright Alan Bennett in various venues in Ontario, Nova Scotia and England in 2016. The performances were a resounding success.

Paul returned to his first passion of acting after retiring from a thirty-year career in social justice law in 2015. During the 1970s he performed in many genres including summer stock, childrens' theatre, avant garde, classical theatre and mime. He gave up his professional theatre memberships (ACTRA and Equity) in 1995 when law seemed to offer him all the theatrics he needed at the time. He has now chosen to only undertake roles that challenge his mind and his skills, and that also challenge society’s stereotypes. He prefers simple sets and relies on the power of a playwright’s words and the engagement of an audience’s imagination to create vital characters and mood.

The play is a one–hour monologue written by Mr. Bennett in 1987 as a screen play for the BBC series “Talking Heads”. It is the story in five acts of Susan, a disaffected Vicar’s wife in the north of England. Susan faces life with passive aggression. She is unhappy in her relationship with her ambitious and self-centred husband, with her role in the church community and the people who impose on her. She touches upon clandestine moments of passion and intellectual stimulation, but retreats to mediocrity, at least temporarily. The story touches on dysfunctional relationships, racism, sexism, religious faith, integrity, substance abuse and despair, but it does so with humour and poise.

Paul admits to having been too old for this role by 15 or more years, too heavy by 50 or more pounds, and being a man, also admits to various other obvious physiological shortcomings. However, although the audience would see a man walk onto the stage, he hoped they would soon perceive Susan. That is the actor’s art. Indeed, the accolades he received clearly indicate they did. This is a rehearsal video of Scenes 1 & 2 of the play: Lentils - Scenes 1 & 2.

“Bed Among the Lentils” was presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

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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

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