FORKNI-L
Digest - 15 Apr 2013 to 18 Apr 2013 (#2013-46)
Thu, 18 Apr 2013
There are 2 messages totalling 423 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Part 1 of 2 - With Rat In Hand - An Interview with Greg Kramer
2. Part 2 of 2 - With Rat In Hand
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Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:20:22 -0700
From: "Libby A. Smith" <libratsie@s.......>
Subject: Part 1 of 2 - With Rat In Hand - An Interview with Greg Kramer
This is posted with McLisa's kind permission. This is an interview/article
from about 1999, originally conducted in 1996 as I recall, but updated.
Oh, how I miss Greg :-( It is hard knowing I'll never get another outrageous
message from him, or be able to update him on my adventures, especially in
theater and writing.
I've switched this to plain text, but if it comes through garbled, I'll try
again later.
--Libby
Libratsie@s.......
WITH RAT IN HAND:
an interview with greg kramer
By Libby
Smith Singleton
RAT: 1. A rodent similar, but larger than, a mouse. A member of the family
Rattus. Considered a pest and carrier of disease by some, a pet by others.
Often used for scientific research and food for pet reptiles. 2. One who
tattles, or rats, on his associates or friends. 3. The animal which
has cursed, or blessed, Greg Kramer throughout his acting career.
* * * * *
Greg Kramer's first role was as a narrating rat in Dick Whittington, a school
play, at the age of five or six. Years later, he actually appeared with a rat
on stage in Richard Lucas' production of Oliver! in which he played Fagin. It
was an experience he'll never forget. "If you've seen the film version
of Oliver, you'll know there's a scene where Fagin threatens the young
Oliver with a toasting fork, 'What didja see, boy? Eh?' Well, in our
production, we didn't have a toasting fork. We had Napoleon the rat. One night,
at the moment Napoleon got thrust into Oliver's face, he dropped his tail and
emptied his bladder. I don't know who was more aghast: me, Oliver, or the
rat!"
Perhaps Napoleon had a bit of stage fright. Or it very well could be the rat
was merely gazing into the future. After all, Greg became known to the scores
of Forever Knight fans as Screed, a rat-slurping carouche-vampire. The mere
thought of the popular character is enough to cause any rat to lose control of
all bodily functions.
* * * * *
When I asked about his true feelings toward the wee beasties, Greg described
rats as "sweet little things...." However, I'm quite sure he was referring to
his experiences performing with them. Licorice Allsorts, after all, are his
favorite snack, not rodents.
* * * * *
When he isn't acting, multi-talented Greg has plenty of other creative pursuits
to keep him occupied. He's a musician, magician, artist, playwright, novelist,
stage director, and can spew Jell-O out of his nose. He attributes this
diversity to his childhood: "I grew up without a television in the house. My
mother taught art; all of us kids -- there are seven of us siblings in all --
play a musical instrument. The house was full of books and we were never at a
loss for anything to do."
* * * * *
There may not have been a television in Greg's house, but he picked his
childhood chums by what they watched on television so he could follow his
favorite programs, Dr. Who andBatman.
* * * * *
How does he find time for all his various careers and activities? "It gets very
hairy sometimes! My daybook looks as if someone threw up in it. I try to keep
my priorities to the commitments that I've made to others ... but if there's
anything that takes priority, it'll be my sanity."
An early attempt to put his sanity at the forefront happened when he was six
years old and took up magic to try to make his big brother disappear. As early
as the late seventies, he was performing in nightclubs with the eighties being
jam-packed. "Magic is a tricky thing (every pun intended). The environment has
to be right for me to do it these days." He occasionally still performs as a
magician if he thinks the gig is worth doing. Greg's even taken this skill to
the big screen as a magic advisor for Disney's Earth Star Voyager and
has done special effects for the theater.
"If you can imagine it, it can be done," Greg explained.
* * * * *
Noting that everything Greg's done has been of the artistic persuasion, I
couldn't resist asking what career he'd choose if required to give up all
creative and performing options. "If I had to give up all creative pursuits, I
would not be a very happy bunny, and would probably turn into a serial killer
... or a government employee ... or...."
* * * * *
Greg's been scribbling ever since he's been able to hold a pencil in his fist.
This addiction has resulted in two novels: the pursemonger of fugu: a bathroom
mystery and Couchwarmer: a laundromat adventure. His most recent
addition to Canadian bookstore shelves is Hogtown BonBons, a collection of
short stories originally printed in the Toronto edition of the monthly
circular Xtra!.
He started writing the first after finishing directing Marat/Sade, a huge
theatrical production involving over fifty people. He never wanted to deal with
an actor again. "Obviously, I'm over that now. The novel was a way to gain
creative control over my life, instead of sitting by the phone waiting for
someone else to give me validation for my existence. (Heavy, huh?)"
To his surprise, Pursemonger was shortlisted for the 1996 City of Toronto
Book Awards. "It was a great accomplishment, and I got one-thousand
dollars and breakfast with the Mayor! It's very different to be lauded for
something by someone who hasn't met you or seen you on stage or TV. At least
excuses can't be made for my 'magnetic personality.' With the book it meant
that it was good enough to stand up on its own. That felt real special!"
Pursemonger stars Adelaide Simcoe as a housewife-type widow who has been left
well-to-do by her late husband, and the fact he is "late" means she's free to
pursue interests and ideas her spouse forbade. A strong, believable character,
Adelaide finds herself in the midst of a bizarre murder investigation stemming
from the death at an art exhibit focusing on bathrooms. Greg managed to create
a realistic woman when many male writers fail quite miserably. How did he do
it? "Let's just say I must be in touch with my inner matron...."
The inside cover to Pursemonger announced he was already busy with the second
novel featuring Adelaide. However, Greg's second book turned out to be the
story of Cherry Beach, a down-and-out character of "ambiguous gender." Born
with organs of both sexes, Cherry has spent his/her life being switched from
male to female and back again depending on the whims of her/his so-called
care-givers and doctors. As an adult his/herself s/he stays with whomever will
let Cherry sleep on their sofa as s/he makes his/her rounds through the
nightclub and party scene. Then one day in a laundromat, Cherry stumbles across
a bag full of lottery tickets which turns out to be a mixed blessing. After
all, s/he knows about the goddess Santa Calamity d'Oopsidaisy, patron saint to
the inattentive and clumsy, all too well!
* * * * *
Back in 1982, Greg was counting on winning the lottery himself so he could pay
his rent. Oopsidaisy, he didn't win. He hasn't played since.
* * * * *
Greg heavily researched his intersexed character Cherry. "Check out the
Intersex Society of North America on the web (hermaphrodites with attitude).
Be ready to have your mind thoroughly boggled." The url for the webpage
is: http://www.isna.org/.
But what of Adelaide and her promised future adventures? She turns up in
Hogtown Bonbons along with Cherry Beach and other Greg Kramer-created
characters. Adelaide may end up "resurfacing" on the big screen. Both
pursemonger and Couchwarmer have been optioned as possible movies. Greg asks
that his fans stay tuned for further developments!
* * * * *
Greg's favorite movies is Sante Sangre (Holy Blood). I was surprised to find
his favorite book is also one of mine: The Cat in the Hat. By the way,
Greg has a cat by the name of Cosmo. As far as I know Cosmo doesn't wear a hat,
but maybe this also is his favorite book.
* * * * *
Both of Greg's novels were written in first and third person styles, a
conscious effort on his part. In fact, they followed a strict formula of his
own invention concerning where each voice was used. "Basically the books are
based on tarot cards. Court cards (kings, queens, knight and jacks) are written
as monologues (first person) and the rest is done in third. For pursemonger,
which was based on the 22 cards of the major arcana (hence no court cards), I
used the first person for the voice of the murderer. There are slight
variations from this structure in both books, the reason for which are very
esoteric and best put down to 'artistic license!'"
Writers often observe the people around them, including friends and
acquaintances, in order to create believable characters. Greg was no different
when it came to his novels and short stories. "The characters are quite clearly
'amalgamations' of different acquaintances/fictional characters, etc. Anyone
who 'recognized' themselves in my pages quickly realized that there were way
too many differences for them to complain ... and that, ultimately, the story
takes over from reality. I have had people THINK they were included when they
WEREN'T. To which, I just smile quietly to myself...."
Besides novels and short stories, Greg is also a playwright. There are
definite differences between writing prose and writing for the theater. Not
only in the obvious format variations, but in dialogue and action as well. Most
writers have a preference; when it comes to Greg Kramer, emphasize MOST.
"Theatre is a COLLABORATIVE art form. Novel writing is a SOLITARY art form.
There are times and places for both in my life."
As for the differences between writing short stories vs. novels, Greg explained,
"When you've finished writing a novel, there's about 120,000 words or so.
At the end of the short story, there's only 5000! Other than that, it's the
same amount of energy that goes into both, the same amount of care and
consideration, etc. And much the same amount of time, truth be told. I have to
say I prefer novels. I like going in for the long haul, and the rewards feel
greater."
* * * * *
All three books are available off the shelf in Canada or via mail order the
world over. As of the writing of this article, the books are available from
Duthie Books in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In North America, call
1-800-663-1174, all others call 1-604-732-7631. Pursemonger is also available
in the United States from your local bookstore or through US-based web-based
booksellers such as amazon.com. The other two must be ordered through
Canadian stores at this time.
Ask for the pursemonger of fugu: a bathroom mystery (ISBN 1-896332-00-5),
Couchwarmer: a laundromat adventure (ISBN 1-896332-021), and Hogtown BonBons
(ISBN 1-896332-11-0) by Greg Kramer. Shipping is available to most countries.
* * * * *
(cont)
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:36:36 -0700
From: "Libby A. Smith" <libratsie@s.......>
Subject: Part 2 of 2 - With Rat In Hand
Since his mother taught art, it is no surprise that Greg is also an artist. His
illustrations grace Pursemonger and Hogtown BonBons. The cover of pursemonger
includes a globefish he drew as well, superimposed over La mort de Marat by
Jean Louis David. Greg's pen and ink illustrations precede each chapter in the
book, serving as a delightful montage announcement of what adventure Adelaide
will endure next, leaving his fans wondering if there's anything this man can't
do. Each piece manages to meld ordinary items with the bizarre; even an
ordinary plate of bacon and eggs becomes ominously intriguing. Talented Ian
Phillips provided the cover art for Couchwarmer when Greg didn't have time to
do it himself. He also believes in "spreading the wealth" to other artists who
need the work. Greg loves Ian's stuff, with obvious reason to all who gaze upon
the novel's cover.
* * * * *
How does one keep Greg occupied in the rare moments he's not busy with one
project or another? Put him in front of a piano -- he says you might not see
him again for days. He took piano through to Royal Conservatory Grade VIII. In
the early 80's, he was musical director for Incubus Theatre, a touring company
in Europe. He recently tickled the ivories for the on-stage musical tribute to
Patsy Cline, Patsy.
Back in London during the early punk days, he played with a couple of bands,
including The Ricky Wales Band. Now he prefers Jazz improv.
Music hasn't been a focus for Greg since the late 70s. Neither love nor money
could entice him back these days; however, this doesn't stop him from listening
to CDs, cassettes and vinyl records. When it comes to the radio, he enjoys
listening to the CBC, alternative and jungle.
* * * * *
Although Greg trained as an actor at the Mountview Theatre School in London,
England, he attributes much of what he's learned to his early days of touring
with the Incubus Theatre. After more than 100 shows, he claims he feels "like
a worn-out old dishrag...." While he enjoys the technical requirements of film
and television, Greg said that "the control of theatre is such a drug to me ...
there's no substitute for a live audience. It's so much more three dimensional.
Imagine turning up for work at the theatre one night and finding five million
people all sitting in one seat! That's film and TV. For those of you who don't
go to theatre, you're missing out!" Greg's experienced as a stage director.
He'd like to direct films or television. However, he thinks he'd need to learn
a bit more about lenses and lighting before taking that step.
His very long list of stage roles have included the Marquis deSade in A Hole in
My Heart As Big as My Heart, the title role in Shakespeare's Richard III, Ariel
in The Tempest, Mephistopheles in Faust, the Vampire in the Son of Incubus
Theatre's touring production of Lies of the Vampire, and the Ringmaster in
Barnum.
Greg's appeared as a guest star in many television series including Kung Fu:
The Legend Continues, Goosebumps, Bailey's Law, Airwolf, La Femme Nikita, Psi
Factor, Due South, the recurring character of Mr. Murphy in John Woo's Once a
Thief, and then, of course, there's his memorable performance as Screed in
five episodes of Forever Knight.
* * * * *
Baring the truth about his favorite role, a stage appearance, Greg told me it
was when he appeared as The Devil Dog in Peter Hinton's production of The Witch
of Edmonton. The cast consisted of 23 females, all wearing full Jacobean
costume, and Greg. He was naked, in a manner of speaking. He did wear a collar,
leather cuffs and head-to-toe body paint.
* * * * *
Forever Knight fans know Screed as a rat-sucking, uniquely speaking,
imaginatively mannered "carouche" vampire with a wonderful, total-lack of
fashion sense. Greg knew he'd won the part by the time he walked out of the
audition room although there were other actors up for the role. "In the words
of Bruce Beaton, a Toronto actor, when I arrived, he said, 'Oh-oh, Greg
Kramer's here. Everybody go home.'" Still, he was cast in the role fair and
square.
As for Screed's famous domed head, Greg already sported the lack of a
hair-style before the audition and had for about a year. The look was first
adopted by Greg for a role in which he portrayed "a young son whose hair falls
out due to a nuclear blast" in Incubus Theatre's touring production of The Old
Testament. Since that time, he's shaved his head for many roles throughout his
career. At the time he won the part of Screed, he was still bare-headed from
the role of the Marquis deSade in Jim Millan's production of A Hole In My
Heart. Luckily, the look also suited Renfield in Dracula, the part he'd played
right before his Forever Knight audition. Currently, his red hair is in a
#1 / #2 buzzcut.
* * * * *
Other Greg Kramer stats: 5'10", green eyes, and in his kitchen cabinet can be
found cornflakes, coffee and Echinacea. His favorite color used to be green,
now it's blue.
* * * * *
Greg's talent with accents also came in handy for Screed's colorful lingo. He
attributed this ability as a skill necessary for survival when you come from
the United Kingdom. "If you get in a taxicab with a posh accent, you'll be
overcharged. If you order a meal in a fancy restaurant in Cockney, you could
end up doing the dishes!" If he hasn't traveled to an area to learn the accent,
such as New Zealand, he's familiar enough with it through people he's known and
loved to pull it off.
* * * * *
Greg calls the nightclub scene "... the lifeblood of a city, a measurement of
anonymity (i.e., just a place to party)." If he were checking out a new
underground bar and chanced to run into Screed, Greg said he'd probably "buy
the poor sod a drink."
* * * * *
Screed's dialogue was written to the letter and Greg was required to stick to
the script exactly. Problem was, he often had no idea what Screed meant and
no one seemed to be able to help out. "What you see on screen is an actor
desperately trying to make sense out of gobbledigook." Fortunately, Greg said
that memorization, be it Screed-speak or Shakespeare, has never been a
problem.... "What did you say your name was?"
Anastasia Romanov.
* * * * *
As for his character's unique fashion sense, Greg supplied the boots and the
infamous leather skullcap. The latter was originally used by Greg in a
production of Shakespeare'sMidsummer Night's Dream at the Vancouver Playhouse.
Not, as one might suspect, for Puck, the "merry wanderer of the night," but
for Mustardseed. "I was fire-eating for the role (hot breath, mustardseed,
gettit?) and couldn't have any hair flying around to get burnt off." At
the time, Greg was as attached to his bleach-blond-blue locks as the hair was
attached to his head and didn't want to get it shaved. Everything always
seems to revert to the hair issue in his career. Or rats.
* * * * *
We now know the truth about his hair, but, uhr, what about, you know, THE
question.... Well, Greg prefers cotton Jockey midways beneath it all. I
couldn't bring myself to inquire about Screed. There's some things even I
don't want to know.
* * * * *
Screed was originally supposed to be some form of demented bicycle courier.
Greg has no idea where that one came from -- or went. Since no one was keeping
up with the character, Greg did invent his own character sketch of the "poor
lad," but information like Screed's 450-year age came in "Fever," the episode
in which he died, so was too late for Greg to do anything with those facts.
As a, what Greg terms, "plebe actor," there was only a limited amount of input
he could have on the television series. But he did have fun with the role, and
as the third season progressed, it was written more and more around his
portrayal.
* * * * *
Screed's fans call themselves Ratpackers, and usually list "Fever" among their
favorite episodes although the character dies of a sort of vampire-form of AIDS
during it. Greg found out Screed was dying prior to receiving the script, at
least about a half hour before. I asked if it was an emotional challenge to
portray Screed in "Fever" considering the messages of not judging an
entire community due to their lifestyle or illness.
"It was a privilege."
* * * * *
A point of debate for Forever Knight fans is whether or not Javier Vachon is
Screed's creator/master. Greg's opinion is the Spaniard vampire wasn't anything
of the sort: "And boy, is that ever a bone of contention!"
The following, in Greg's own words, is with HIS caveat that because they never
officially addressed the issue, it's all open to interpretation. If it had been
written into the series that Vachon's was Screed's master, then that's what it
would have been. No saying, "Greg Kramer said ... so it must be so," or "In
Libby's interview ... so that's the way it is...." Right.
Okay, this is Greg's opinion: "Firstly, get out yer encyclopediments an' look
up 'Conquistador.' The years are quite precise: 1540-50. If Screed is 450 years
old, then Vachon would have had to have brought Screed over when he was about
4 or 5 years old. Secondly, I don't think Screed would have stuck around to
help Vachon evade the Inca for all those years on the run if there had been
anything other than an equal-status thing happening between them. I don't think
that Vachon would have created a 'running crew' out of loneliness or moral
support (as has been suggested) ... viz 'Hearts of Darkness' with Urs ... I
think it much more likely that the ol' V-Man stumbled across Screed in his
travels and recognized him for what he was (yeah ... but what IS he? hehehe).
Lastly, there was a whole section of my text that didn't make it into the
final cut of 'Fever' that was about Screed's ship going down and the time when
he was brought across ... info that he was TELLING Vachon, I believe for the
first time and no mention of who his master was." When asked what would've
happened to Screed had the vampire not died and the series not been canceled,
Greg replied, "Um ... I think he would have gotten together with the
squeegee kids and started a whole gang of street urchin-like vampires who
approach waiting cars (i.e. victims) at stop lights and clean windshields in
return for ... a bite?"
* * * * *
Greg's favorite bit as Screed was in the flashback of "My Boyfriend is a
Vampire" when Screed, Vachon and Bourbon were busy with their wenches/evening
meal. "... The babes in the hayloft, dousing myself with water, avoiding the
back end of the horse, and spouting off on the subject of marriage and the
delights of being a vampire. Gotta love that, eh?"
The filming of the flashback sequence ended up to be a little more eventful
than even the scriptwriters had anticipated. In a bit not used, Screed and
Bourbon were chasing Vachon when Greg took an awkward step. He ended up
breaking a bone in his foot.
Vamping out also proved to be a challenge to Greg's agility. "The teeth make
you unintelligible and the contact lenses reduce your vision something akin to
peering down a long, hazy tube of Vaseline while being on Valium. My stupidity
level always took a jump to 'cretin' level and I'd continually be bumping into
furniture, etc."
He wishes that his character had been given the opportunity to interact with
LaCroix. He feels as though that side of the plot never really got explored --
how Urs ended up in the Raven, etc. "I think the 'gang' potential never got off
the ground."
Greg did have several scenes with Nick, played by Geraint Wyn Davies. However,
the most memorable moment concerning the two actors occurred when Ger was not
even in the scene. "... I was dying in Ben's arms in "Fever" and we were
fooling about, cracking some joke or other ... when from the other side of the
studio, Ger yells, 'Girls! Girls!'"
* * * * *
Most actors occasionally spout a profanity or two when a shot doesn't go
exactly as planned. Greg prefers "cor blimey" or "absofuknlutely" when
it comes to the art of cursing.
* * * * *
There were already many connections between Greg and other actors in the
Forever Knight series when he won the part of Screed. He'd worked with Geraint
Wyn Davies in an episode of Airwolf; Lisa Ryder he knew from the theater
scene, although he'd never actually worked with her before; he'd seen Blu
Mankuma work in Vancouver; and Nigel Bennett had worked with a good friend of
Greg's in England.
Greg's role as Mr. Murphy, a recurring character, in John Woo's Once A Thief
aired in Canada and forty-nine other countries, but not the United States.
However, the pilot (which Greg was not in) is available on video tape and also
aired in the US on the Showtime cable network. Four other episodes (which did
include Greg) were spliced together and aired on Showtime.
Mr. Murphy was one half of The Cleaners. The other half, Mr. Camier, was
portrayed by Julian Richings. The series is based on the feature film by the
same name, with the characters and premise being different. Basically, the
series involves a super-secret government shadowy-spy agency employing a couple
of ex-cons to help fight crime in North America.
Pairing Julian with Greg was, according to Greg, in many people's view an
inspired piece of casting as they are often up for the same roles. They've also
worked in theater together, most recently in Henry Knight's Ibrahim Pasha. A few
years ago, Greg did a Jell-O commercial with Julian, where they both played
knights of the Round Table.
Nigel Bennett and John Kapelos, both Forever Knight veterans, appeared together
in a Once A Thief episode entitled "Drive, She Said." Greg commented working
with them was excellent and brilliant. "Those guys know how to make a long day
last forever ... (!) Seriously, they lightened up the mood on set, came through
with their professionalism and managed to be human beings at the same time."
* * * * *
When all is said and done, Greg appreciates his fans. He's previously been a
guest at Toronto Trek and hopes to do further conventions in the future.
Meanwhile, he met several of his fans when a special gathering was held
following his performance in the play Red River. He was surprised and delighted
to find they not only were fans of his acting, but his writing as well. "People
never cease to amaze me," he explained, then added teasingly, "and to discover
that they can READ as well!"
* * * * *
As for what the future holds when it comes to Greg, "... a motorbike, a
pin-ball machine, and wide open horizons...." Along with big Halloween
celebrations, since it is his favorite holiday.
* * * * *
-- Libs
copyright 1997 and 1999 by Elizabeth (Libby) Smith Singleton.
------------------------------
End of FORKNI-L Digest - 15 Apr 2013 to 18 Apr 2013 (#2013-46)
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Knight graphics and parchment background created by Melissa Snell and may be found at http://historymedren.about.com/
