An elderly bearded man in a wide-brimmed hat and dark coat holds a piece of paper in the foreground, standing before a dark wooded background.

Middletown Friends Meeting at Langhorne

General Admission

The Return of Benjamin Lay explores the irrepressible prophetic witness of an 18th-century Philadelphia Quaker. One of the earliest revolutionary abolitionists, Lay stood for values that continue to need our voices in 2026. Benjamin Lay, an Englishman with dwarfism, dedicated his life to abolishing slavery. His passions exploded in outrageous guerilla-theater-like tactics that resulted in him being physically removed from nearly every Meetinghouse he entered and eventually caused him to be banished from the Society of Friends. &nbsp;Yet, he never gave up the fight against slavery.&nbsp; Actor Mark Povinelli, as Benjamin, will do a dramatic reading of the original play The Return of Benjamin Lay. Following the performance, the audience will engage in a discussion with the actor, joined by historian/playwright Marcus Rediker. Light refreshments will be served. This event is supported by Middletown Friends Meeting and the African American Museum of Bucks County. &nbsp;There is no charge to attend, but a freewill donation online or at the door will be appreciated to help fund the actor&#39;s travel expenses from California.

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 196); overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for supporting this special dramatic reading of The Return of Benjamin Lay.&nbsp;&nbsp;Your donation will help defray the cost of the actor&#39;s transportation from California and accommodations while in Bucks County, We hope you enjoy the performance and invite you to come again to Middletown Friends Meeting for peaceful worship on Sundays at 11 AM and Wednesday evenings at 7 PM. &nbsp; We also invite you to explore the rich history in the African American Museum of Bucks County, 867 Langhorne-Newtown Road, Langhorne, PA. &nbsp;Benjamin Lay hangs out there! &nbsp;So should you! In peace,The Quakers of Middletown Friends Meeting

The Return of Benjamin Lay explores the irrepressible prophetic witness of an 18th-century Philadelphia Quaker. One of the earliest revolutionary abolitionists, Lay stood for values that continue to need our voices in 2026. Benjamin Lay, an Englishman with dwarfism, dedicated his life to abolishing slavery. His passions exploded in outrageous guerilla-theater-like tactics that resulted in him being physically removed from nearly every Meetinghouse he entered and eventually caused him to be banished from the Society of Friends.  Yet, he never gave up the fight against slavery.  Actor Mark Povinelli, as Benjamin, will do a dramatic reading of the original play The Return of Benjamin Lay. Following the performance, the audience will engage in a discussion with the actor, joined by historian/playwright Marcus Rediker. Light refreshments will be served. This event is supported by Middletown Friends Meeting and the African American Museum of Bucks County.  There is no charge to attend, but a freewill donation online or at the door will be appreciated to help fund the actor's travel expenses from California.

Middletown Friends Meeting at Langhorne

The Return of Benjamin Lay

453 W Maple Ave

General Admission

Free

Add a donation