"Hello, this is Lisbet Bernard and today we are talking to Ramon Delacroix. Ramon is better known as the actor who plays the villanous and often amusing vampire 'Reynard' in Georg Balmain's play "The Black Fox", which will open in Paris later this month. Contrary to what you might think, Ramon is not at all scary or arrogant. He is most personable and down to earth. So, tell us Ramon - what did you think when you were first told you would play Reynard?" "I was overjoyed! I am very happy to play Reynard. He is outrageous, humorous and oh so very arrogant - completely unlike myself - at least the arrogant part! It is very easy for me though, because my father was very much like Reynard that way. His father - my grandfather - owned all the land around here and much of the town below. I grow up here in this 'fortress' on the mountain, but this is all that is left to the family...the mountain et la maison. So, you see they were aristocratic persons and very 'uppity' as they say." (Laughs). "I saw the play, of course. I thought you were marvelous in it. One scene that really sticks in my mind is when Reynard is coming out of Lady Perthwaite's house and the two young men there in the street make remarks about how he is dressed. This is in spite of the fact he is armed to the teeth and not a small man. You are what? Over two metres tall?" (Ramon nods). And he turns to them and says, "Is it my fault you are not as beautiful as me - that you do not know 'ow to dress!? 'Ow to accessorize and coordinate ze colors!! Sacre bleu!! Look at you standing zere in your rags and peasant garb, and you dare to make fun of ME!?" "I remember it because it just was not what I was expecting, and yet so typical of him, as you see his personality develop through the play. I thought he would pull his sword or his pistol or bare his fangs and chase them down. You really brought a new depth to the vampire genre. Not that there haven't been humorous vampires before, but for me Reynard is one of the better ones. I understand some of those lines in the play were originally your ad-libs." "Ehhhh, oui...they were (chuckles). They just sort of came out of my mouth when we were first rehearsing and Georg loved them, so he wrote them into the script. That was one of them. It was very similar to something my grandfather once said to a man who asked him why he did not cut his hair - that he looked like a woman. It is just something that runs in the family - the thing with the long hair. Reynard loves more than anything I think, to antagonize and provoke people. It gives him an excuse to be an absolute dog. No offense, Bruno. (laughs)" "So, when you play Reynard, that is really your hair?" "Oui, it is - painted black. This is my real hair color." "This is a wonderful place here - the house. I see you collect swords?" "Again, something my grandfather started. My father had no interest, but of course the little boy in me did. I learn how to fence when I am eight years old, so Reynard's sword-play is not choreographed. Not for me anyway. Georg insisted that I do what I do, and everyone else could follow. I think this is part of the reason I originally get the part." tbc ***** So, now you know what it was the vampire was saying in the last image :) This is 'Reynard' in his other skin and looking a little more human. Just have to take a break from the pirate story. I wish you all a wonderful and blessed Belatane/May Day. Thank you for your lovely comments dear friends! Cheers! Rayvn