The reason we all do this thing called Theatre

I've been hugely inspired by the writings of one Gene David Kirk (check link to the right). Gene is already an MFA student, and judging by his eruditious writings, I'm really not surprised!!! He really has his (artistic) finger on the pulse. I can only step back, awe-struck!! Well done, Gene!!! Tonight for instance Gene has described the awesome thrill of watching a double-bill of old plays in a pub. I couldn't agree more!!! In fact, I'm nodding while I write this... You see, I too have had the exquisite pleasure of having my musical A MILLION DEFINITIONS (co-written with my good friend Colin Phelps, a truly misunderstood* musical genius, in my opinion) staged in a pub here in Tifton. Well, not so much a pub, more a takeaway, the Green Linnet Kebab House. What we discovered, through a time-consuming and occasionally really depressing fortnight's rehearsal, was that you actually don't need silence for a performance to work!! The noise of the arcade machine and Yitzhak (the owner) shouting his traditional abuse at the assorted drunkards who wanted a doner actually lent itself to the rough-house atmosphere we were (initially) trying to avoid!!! In other words, if everything goes wrong you can work it to your advantage!! I'm sure if Yitzhak hadn't closed his takeaway at 8pm each night we'd have got a healthy audience too. Or an unhealthy one (those kebabs look a bit dodgy, nudge nudge!!!) Still, at least there's the review in The Stage.

Gene has also been very critical of noisy theatregoers discussing their shopping. Encore!!! Encore, Gene!!! It's doubly worse in Tifton, because 87% of the local populace are illiterate and malnumeric (source, The Tifton Gazette) . So here, you get people screaming: "I bought a wubbly big jumper in Mardy's and in size 95 too!!!", which is so annoying, especially when it's during Colin's exquisite overture to A MILLION DEFINITIONS... And sweet wrappers, yes!!! I so agree with Gene there!! WHY DO ALL SWEET WRAPPERS COME IN ULTRA NOISY SWEET WRAPPING MATERIAL!!!???? It's beyond irritating. Me, I love a good Nutrageous bar, but I always unwrap it at home before venturing out for my evening's entertainment. If I can do something so simple, why can't others???? I'd rather have a melted Nutrageous and icky hands than annoy my fellow theatregoer - or even worse, thesp up on the stage.

What do you think? Am I right? Or maybe you think I'm wrong? As always, do feel free to leave your comments. This blog can only exist while it has an audience!!! Even a teeny tiny one.

*Thankyou, The Stage (not)