Comments on: I live in the town that I used to hate

By: WolfieWolfgang

WolfieWolfgang — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Mercredi, thanks so much..I have been struggling with this ever since the thought escaped me as I was writing it last night.

Don't know how you guessed which one but you are absolutely right.

I find it so life affirming, so moving actually, that idea that "too good to be true" is the most unforgivable of blasphemies.

Also I can see that I am going to have to begin an obsessive Shaw reading project.

No pain there, I think.

By: Mercredi

Mercredi — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:57:00 +0000

Wolfie - I think the Waste quote you are referring to comes towards the end of the play when Trebell's sister suggests his dream of disestablishing the church of england has fallen apart.

She says: The best of it did seem to be too good to be true

He says: If I were God that's the one blasphemy I'd not forgive.

A brilliant piece of writing from HGB - probably the most influencial English theatre person of the first half of the 20th century...

I think Shaw is definitely back in vogue - I'm pretty sure the Royal Exchange in Manchester are about to do Widower's House.

Also. . . If you want a play that combines a bit of 'Importance of Being Ernest' with Shaw I recommend one of Shaw's first, 'The Philanderer', it has Wilde's wit with Shaw's depth and a great piss take out of Ibsen lovers!

By: WolfieWolfgang

WolfieWolfgang — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:18:00 +0000

Sorry about the typo!

Wilde's lesser lays probably did creak but I actually meant to type plays!

By: WolfieWolfgang

WolfieWolfgang — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:17:00 +0000

An Ideal Husband does work really well on the stage, we had a good production here in London a few years ago and it held its place impressively where some of Wilde's lesser lays can definitely creak.

I didn't know that Barker was guided into academia by his wife.

I wonder how many future playwrights have gone that way when their future should be back behind those lime lights.

By: Anatole

Anatole — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:31:00 +0000

Sorry, I don’t know Waste. Must read it now, though. I do know The Voysey Inheritance. I’ll never forgive Barker’s second wife for making him give up the theatre and become an academic.

I love An Ideal Husband. Plot’s a bit creaky but what wonderful characters. You’re right, it’s amazing how something so topical can become timeless in the right hands.

By: WolfieWolfgang

WolfieWolfgang — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:05:00 +0000

Well that is my memory of Waste - it was amazing to me that Granville Barker could write a piece superficially about the Disestablishment of the Church of England bu a Conservative government and yet grab us today with a ;piece about a man od liberal consience fighting to do some good within a world of political cynicism.

I saw the recent production at the Almeida which quite uncomlicatedly caught the spirit of the piece.

I also saw Barker's The Madras House about a year ago...another piece which would stand up well today with our current love affair with bankers.

By: Claudio

Claudio — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:49:00 +0000

One of my big regrets is that I missed the RSC’s “Waste” in the 1980’s with the Great Dame as Amy – a friend who saw it said it was an incredibly modern play. It’s odd how some old pieces retain their freshness – and can make contemporary pieces look dated.

“An Ideal Husband” seems so much more modern than many modern satires – perhaps reflecting the fact that so little has changed in the world of money and politics.

By: WolfieWolfgang

WolfieWolfgang — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:31:00 +0000

Now, please either Anatole or Claudio, do either of you know Waste?

The search through my damaged brain for that quote is driving me crazy!

I used to have a copy of it but my study is in total chaos and I don't know where to start looking.

It means I have found Heartbreak House though!

What should I do to distract myself? Oh yes, I suppose you are right!

By: Anatole

Anatole — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:25:00 +0000

Wow, Claudio, really? Now that’s frightening. Maybe I only read it in the past decade, although that’s also probably not true. Oh well. No other favorites since. Ayckbourn is fun, and much more cruel than Pinter, Beckett et al.

By: WolfieWolfgang

WolfieWolfgang — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:48:00 +0000

Absurd Person Singular is very funny..and wonderfully spiteful, I agree.

I always think he is more substantial a writer than he is given credit for..but what do I know!

How mean to challenge Anatole over a matter of a few years!

You are obviously, Claudio, a considerable force on this site....long may you post your thoughts.