It has been a long time between posts. Maybe just because it has been a long time between plays or maybe it has been a bit distracting dealing with chemo in the family. Whatever, I have learnt a lot in that time including: a more efficient way to learn to keep calm; transitioning from cricket to footy seasons; what it feels like to pass my driving instructor test; how difficult it is to stop parenting grown ups; and why I prefer AFL to rugby. I will start with a review of our latest play and see how the rest pans out.
Red resurrects reality
We attended the preview of John Logan’s “Red” at the Playhouse on Monday night. Most times we attend the play briefings before the play and have found these very interesting and informative. However, not this time and by opting for a hot chocolate instead of checking out the program, we sat blissfully unaware about the show. Our departure from the norm was heightened by Wesley Enoch’s introduction explaining how previews worked, a first for us.
The play is a two-hander based on a famous american artist Mark Rothko (played by Colin Fields). Tom Barton plays Rothko’s assistant Ken during a time when Rothko had been commissioned to provide the murals for a very flash restaurant under construction by very wealthy owners.
Much of the discussion between the actors gave me a glimpse into what an artist might go through in putting together a piece of work particularly the balance between the physical painting and in seeing what wants to be displayed and determining how best to accomplish that vision while leaving feeling emanating from the picture thus making that picture a little piece of the artist.
From the dialogue we get a reflection on life as well as the artist - a mixture of passion and order; lines and brightness and darkness; the “Red” of vitality coexists with the “black” of death with the end product reflecting the soul of the artist. These contrasts were exacerbated by the actors with Rothko the embodiment of eccentricity and Ken a purely passive stooge - the script seemed to dictate Ken’s blandness ( which Tom played excellently). It was only in the active painting scene that both characters came together as one enjoying the excitement of splashing colour on canvas.
Apparently sometimes plays are adjusted significantly between their preview and opening night. I wonder how much of the overt life commentary will be subdued in favour of a purer entertainment piece? Regardless, I enjoyed the philosophical reminders and glimpses into an artist’s world as well as feverish outbursts of frenzied energy.
Keeping calm
I have been reading a book, listening to a tape and trying as I might to be a calmer person. Despite my best efforts, I found that my recent experience with Jeff stuck for a couple of hours in the traffic on the way to a workshop was the the most effective lesson to date. It was a great reminder to me of the advantages of practical experience over theoretical swotting.
Cricket morphs into footy
Usually I find it difficult enough when the cricket season changes into the footy season - only being comfortable concentrating on one thing at a time. This year has been different as I come to grips with my last season as a school cricket dad. This has been accentuated by Andy not moving straight into footy. I might have been lost if not for Jeff’s footy team giving something apart from the regular AFL to signal the change of seasons.
Successful stint as driving instructor
I was amazed at the relief that came when Andy got his licence recently - three out of three and likely to be awhile before my services as a driver instructor will be required. Perhaps my nerves will be sufficiently recovered by then. I thought that with time I would have got better at it but my experience has been the opposite - more close calls the more jumpy I got. Luckily Andy was a more student.
How difficult is it to stop parenting grown ups?
I have been very grateful to have retired recently enabling me to spend time with Jeff on the numerous hospital visits. Try as I might, it is very difficult to give up being a parent and sticking my nose in unnecessarily at the wrong times. I am hoping to get better at keeping quiet in the upcoming months.
Rugby vs AFL
Recently I enjoyed a visit to Suncorp to watch the Reds have a good win over a very good other team. While it was very close game that ended with the right result, I was struck by how less exciting it was than watching a Lions game even these days when their playing standard is much lower than most of the other AFL teams. Looks like I have succumbed to the AFL addiction usually reserved for those in the southern states.
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