REVEREND S BLACK (Catholic Priest 1539-1604)

CREATING Rev S BLACK

In every Town, Village or City the Church had a very strong influential role in people's lives.

Seen as the soul of the people's spirituality and representative, they where given a unique lawful power over the masses, which was open to abuse and corruption fuelled by fear…the weapon the creation of the Devil himself.

In this Hamlet of Ludlow one particular family called the `Ace` family where particularly influential in this creation.

Several Aces entered the priesthood here around the 13thC, amongst the family members or relations one was accused of murder, one stole goods from ships in Southampton and another went on a pilgrimage to Compostella in Spain…

Many other unusual parsons did frequent this town but none in the same league as the Ace family.

The main inspiration overall with the Rev Black character has been what the church was hiding in its medieval representation and what it truly at that time represented

"Acting as the Reverend Black gives deep satisfaction as the character here is a complex one and there is a very big message to get across on many levels…(Far too much to go into here)

The feeling you get upon donning a cassock and the collar is the effect it has on others, with this character while your in costume you can never get out of it, because people wont LET you…

It amazes me how the public reacts to this its almost as if people give into complete trust in you having never met (I know why this is the favourite guise for con men)

People give you total respect and quickly become very humble in your presence wherever you are…

Ive even had fake blood on my face before a show and (even have a sandwich board saying The End of the Word is Nigh!) people still ask deep moralistic questions like "When should I get married? Can I do a funeral? When are you available for confession Father?"

The best one is when after or before a show sometimes I go into Tacos and get my 4 pack of beer in costume, as the public look on disdainfully…"

As told by Leon Bracelin who Plortrays The Reverend