Actor Nigel Scott laid to rest

AN artist practises God’s grace. Artistic grace helps one become less violent, less cruel and live a compassionate and kind life. Fr Emmanuel Pierre encouraged all at Nigel Scott’s funeral to see grace in creativity like the late actor and businessman did.

The funeral was held on September 29 at St Mary’s RC Church, St James. A small group of family and friends were on site, while 470 people viewed it on a YouTube live stream.

“We are either creative or we give ourselves over to some kind of brutality. Become an artist or become a demon…. When we are creative, we get a bit of what God felt,” Pierre said.

People cannot will themselves to be good, but creative work gives people the avenues to overcome violence and outrage.

“We cannot just decide we are going to be happy or never again decide to be angry, bitter or jealous. Will power alone does not have that kind of power. Only an influx in the very bones…We call this grace.”

Pierre said artistic work is a vital source of grace and believed that's why Scott was known as a gentleman actor.

Scott, 73, was married to Minnie Gopaulchan. He had four children, Jason, Dominic, Crystal and Kimiko, and four grandchildren. His sister was radio announcer Celia Scott.

Standing next to his widow family friend Kamla Rampersad read part two of the eulogy. Scott suffered from cancer for 18 years but died from a perforated stomach. Covid19 hospital restrictions meant he waited hours outside to be tested for the virus before he was sent to a ward. His surgery was on September 18. He died two days later.

“It had all taken a toll on him. He was not ready to leave and we were not ready to lose him…We are thankful that the doctors at the Port of Spain General Hospital who took the time and diagnosed him properly.” Gopaulchan had wanted him to be home in his own bed so all his family could say goodbye.

“We are all grieving, because we would want more of him. I certainly wanted to have many more years. Nigel has been a major part of our life for the last 30 years. He was present at my wedding and each of our events.”

Scott was the love of Gopaulchan’s life. Years before they married, she would listen to him on Radio 610 as he read the daily horoscope. Little did she know they would be married in the future.

She first saw Scott in 1987, when he acted in The Joker of Seville on Boxing Day. She knew theatre was his passion and she was willing to share him with those who loved him on and off stage.

“His love for her encompassed the various facets of his personality, to be the dashing and handsome love of her life, the supportive and caring friend and provider. Theirs is a special love story which had faced many challenges but triumphed because of the unconditional love they shared.”

Rampersad said Scott’s best friend was his mother, Freda. He adored her and when she died, he did not want to say goodbye.

One of Scott’s first jobs was at the Singer Sewing Company.

Scott later became an entrepreneur, starting Scott’s Trading Company in 1977. He managed the company for 22 years and also set up Specialist Furniture.

Scott became a stakeholder in CTC Electronics, built a head office at the O'Meara Industrial Estate and was chairman of the company's board for years.

“Nigel was well respected. He always had a good word for everyone. The staff loved him. He would remember their names. Whenever he visited the store everyone would stop what they were doing to say hello,” Rampersad said.

In 2006 Scott and Dale Laughlin, who was CEO of CTC Electronics, founded Dante Consulting, offering training in leadership, customer service, sales and presentation skills. Fen Mohammed Stores, Lensyl Products, Reliable Appliance Parts and Service, Standard Distributors, American Stores, Century Eslon, Coffee Express Ltd, Nestle Caribbean, the Maritime Financial Group and East Port of Spain Development Company were among their customers.

Scott's oratory skills made him a popular master of ceremonies. He hosted weddings, anniversaries, staff events and read over 30 eulogies for friends and family.

Scott understood business and theatre, straddling and integrating both worlds.

The first time Rampersad saw Scott act was in The Sound of Music at Queen’s Hall.

“I was enraptured by the handsome actor who played Captain Von Trapp.”

One of his earliest roles was in a school production of Othello at St Mary’s in 1967. Scott joined the Trinidad Theatre Workshop after he left school, working with Nobel laureate Derek Walcott. Legend had it, Walcott trusted Scott’s acting instincts enough to tailor roles for him.

Rampersad said TTW member Albert Laveau recalled in the early days, roles for Scott were limited
because he was a white man in a predominantly black group.

“According to Albert, there was no great need for a young white actor, but whenever Nigel performed you would notice, because he was a beautiful man.”

At TTW Scott played seducer Don Juan in The Joker of Seville.

“Many brilliant actors did Joker of Seville…but Nigel was gentle and passionate at the same time. This was a part of his personality which was displayed when they went on tour.”

A review by Marilyn Jones said: “If the original Don Juan looks like, spoke like and smiled like Scott then we would not feel so much sympathy, so much as envy of the women who were his victims.”

He performed in Walcott’s last play, O Starry Starry Night, which opened in 2013 at Essex University, then played in St Lucia and at the Central Bank, Trinidad.

Scott toured with the TTW to Boston, St Croix, St Lucia and Jamaica with plays such as Joker of Seville, Dream on Monkey Mountain, Lover Lovers and
Steel. He played Don Juan for years until he was succeeded by Wendell Manwarren. He then played Don Juan’s father.

Scott served on the TTW board and invested his own money in several productions.

Rampersad said actor Eunice Alleyne, one of the oldest female TTW members, recalled Scott being one of her first theatre friends to reach out when her husband died. She described Scott as the perfect gentleman.

“Eunice said she treasured Nigel’s ability to express loving concern and care for others.”

While the theatre community was in conflict, Scott would act as peacemaker, trying to resolve disputes. He was always open to ideas.

“His language was impeccable, which no doubt helped to make him a great conciliator. This quality in Nigel added to his charm on the stage..He
was always protective – especially making sure the ladies were taken care of.”

Scott did a lot of commercial work, including radio and TV advertisements. One of his last productions was voicing one of the lead characters in Fruitville, a full-length animated film produced by Lallan Samaroo and Larry Horrel. In early 2020 he narrated the children’s book Sea Tales for Kerry Kitson. This was his last work.

He produced Dimanche Gras in 2010 with playwright Davlin Thomas, and worked with writer and director Mervyn de Goeas on Mantalk and Carnival Messiah.

When the National Drama Association (NDATT) was revitalised in 2017, Scott positioned himself as a mentor and trustee.

“He enjoyed the role of mentor, because, just as in business, he was willing to share of his skills and knowledge with everyone.

“He was a man who loved deeply and offered his friendship without reservation.”

His cousin Ronald Harford lamented that Scott should not have died during covid19 restrictions.

“He was so dearly loved and regarded that in a normal time, the church would have been overflowing with sympathisers who regret they could not be present today.”