Thank you for the music
Actor Discovers His Roots in Hunter River
Actor Paul Cowling is making his mark this summer at Watermark Theatre in North Rustico. Although it’s his first time on the Island, his roots that go back generations. “My mother’s family came to the Hunter River area from Scotland sometime in the mid-1800s, around 1839,” Cowling says. “My great-great grandfather, Farquhar Beaton, and his wife Flora settled in that area. A land lease shows he was given 100 acres on the Old Princetown Road. He had eight children, one of whom was Malcolm, my greatgrandfather. Malcolm in turn had 22 children, most of whom were also born in Hunter River. My grandfather, Bentley, was among them.” The talented actor/musician is performing in two shows at the Watermark Theatre this summer: “Dial M for Murder”, and “A Moon for The Misbegotten.” Cowling says that his mother’s family were all close, so he met many of his grandfather’s siblings while he was growing up. “The Beatons were, and still are, very close to each other. They are also very good musicians, and play fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. When my greatgrandfather moved his family to Saskatchewan, he became wellknown for his musicianship, winning “old time fiddle” contests around the region. “Growing up I remember many, many kitchen parties that would go on long into the night. So, I hope to have a chance to go to the ceilidhs on the Island, to listen to the music and relive those childhood memories.” Cowling is also a musician, learning the guitar in his early teens, inheriting the gene to play the instrument by ear. When he contracted Lyme disease several years ago, his ability to play guitar was ceased. Though he’s been busy with rehearsing two shows, Cowling has had some time to explore the Island. Prior to coming to the Island, Cowling had a limited idea of what the area was like. “People talk about how red the soil is, but until you see it, in the fields or on the beaches, you really can’t begin to describe it. I’ve taken quite a few photos of it since I’ve been here.” Once he is out of rehearsal, and the shows at Watermark are up and running, Cowling plans to make the trip out to Hunter River. He wants to see the area that marked the beginning of his family’s journey in Canada. “I want to pay my respects, and in some way thank him for coming to Canada and starting a life and a family that eventually led to my being here on the Island. Also, to thank him for passing down, in whatever way, the love of music and talent for entertaining that resulted in my becoming an actor.” Cowling says his experience on P.E.I has been a gift. “Here I am, in the home of my ancestors, working on two fantastic shows with an enormously talented and wonderful group of individuals. The Island itself is breathtakingly beautiful, the people are lovely and kind, and the whole area is alive with amazing music and musicians.” Tickets can be purchased via the company’s website www.watermarktheatre.com or by calling 902-963-3963. For more information, or to further interview Paul Cowling, please contact Andrea Surich at 902-963-3963 or generalmanager@watermarktheatre.com.