Great fun--not an intense Atwood, more of a funny-with-a-bite Atwood. Parody of The Tempest set in a prison, where a fired Shakespeare Festival directGreat fun--not an intense Atwood, more of a funny-with-a-bite Atwood. Parody of The Tempest set in a prison, where a fired Shakespeare Festival director decides to use his convict actors as his magical instrument of revenge. This Prospero might just be more than a little crazy, and some of the roles are switched up. Follows the spirit and the craft of the original. ...more
I'm dazzled. Such poetry, frustration, love and boredom. The human condition. I gave it only 4 stars because it was not fun to read I'm dazzled. Such poetry, frustration, love and boredom. The human condition. I gave it only 4 stars because it was not fun to read ...more
I have seen this movie a couple of times, and loved it--if for nothing else than the actors involved. But what surprised me reading this was how diffeI have seen this movie a couple of times, and loved it--if for nothing else than the actors involved. But what surprised me reading this was how different the play was from the movie. The movie fleshes out the time, place and characters in velvet and brocade, heavy furniture and hautboys. The play, however, is spare and philosophical. I found myself remembering how different the two art forms are: literature and film, playwriting and performance. Today, we judge a film by how well it honors a written work, not how well it translates the work. Has the language changed so much in 50 years that we recognize only the performance aspect of the written play? This meditation on the workings of good and evil in man's heart and deeds made it hard for me to breathe as I read, enjoying it in a different way than I enjoyed watching the plot unfold. The spotlights lit and then extinguished by Bolt in the written scenarios slashed the superfluous aspects of the story, leaving the reader with only the core philosophical and spiritual debate to consider. Unforgettable....more
A great American drama. The writing is masterful, obviously, but what struck me most on this first reading is the complexity of responses that Wilson A great American drama. The writing is masterful, obviously, but what struck me most on this first reading is the complexity of responses that Wilson evokes from the reader/audience. I am a middle aged Caucasian AP Lit teacher, so while some might expect my reactions to center on the African American experience, what struck me first was the recognizable conflicts between father and son, husband and wife, man and woman. I felt a kinship to Troy, Cory and Rose, even while I watched the fruits (consequences?) of a life experience for which I had no frame of reference. I felt "it shouldn't be this way" while I acknowledged "isn't this the way it always is?" I did expect more plot, but Fences plays more as a reflection or observation of a life past than a trip through the life. Somewhat like Oedipus, the action happens offstage, yet the sting is just as painful. I already find myself placing it on a shelf with Williams and Miller. I will not be forgetting this any time soon, and I look forward to seeing it live. ...more
Eliot does it again: this might be more accessible to those unfamiliar with Eliot because it is a drama. But the genius still shines. It is modernist Eliot does it again: this might be more accessible to those unfamiliar with Eliot because it is a drama. But the genius still shines. It is modernist and medieval at the same time: Everyman and Godot sharing the page. I love the Greek tragedy conventions (chorus) side by side with the unnamed tempters/temptations, the turn at the sermon, even the tempters' different personalities. The tension between temporal and spiritual law/power is always a particular interest of mine, so I am happy. ...more
Each time I read Oedipus the King, I am dazzled...the story, the core trauma, the beauty of the poetry. I have never seen it performed live, and the fEach time I read Oedipus the King, I am dazzled...the story, the core trauma, the beauty of the poetry. I have never seen it performed live, and the films I have seen have been either odd or BAD. Why? My heart aches for him every time, I feel the catharsis, I want everyone else to love it too. I don't agree with the Chorus, who wishes they had never met him....more
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