What's New

What's New? Term has just begun. My limp though pronounced is manageable - with painkillers. I'm excited about the academic year ahead. Excited and energised by Spank being scheduled for GFest in November. Eating Secret being launched in February though Mertle Merman is on holiday and not to be seen. Hope she brings back the petticoats. By my oldest friend near Frankfurt getting back in contact with me - after all these years. Stephanie. The joy of google. But. But.

I went to see The Outsiders - a series of three shorts at the White Bear in Oval. The acting was sturdy, actually by the theatre company The Sturdy Beggars. The writing was great. The Arts Council had plumped for a small handful of new writers - and these were three of them. Fair enough. Structurally the second on loneliness and one-nighters looked interesting though drifted off. The first was terrifically well crafted - and beautifully acted. The third; slightly whimsical but cute. But.

But.

I want to be dazzled. Isn't that what live work is about? I don't want to feel comfortable, chuckling away in the darkness. Happy with my lot. Leaving with a sigh and a smile. I want to feel distinctly uncomfortable, I want to feel challenged, pushed, played with, toyed, manipulated and tickled til I scream. That's not a nice feeling. Who wants nice? I don't want comfort. There are many people and I fear the Arts Council amongst those who opt for sturdiness and comfort as opposed to barefaced experimentation. Bums on seats as opposed to risk. Hearing coffers and the jingling of money as opposed to the silence of an audience who don't know whether it is right to clap or laugh so don't do anything. Experimentation need not be frayed at the edges but sturdy too, just in bold strokes. Experimentation doesn't have to mean rubbish or lacking in craft. Push, risk, challenge.

That's what I want. And I want it pushed out of kicking and screaming and then cradled by the Arts Council. Squeezed tight. Held. Raised. Why the hell not.