They brought a woman from the street And made her sit in the stalls By threats By bribes By flattery Obliging her to share a little of her life with actors
But I don't understand art
Sit still, they said
But I don't want to see sad things
Sit still, they said
And she listened to everything Understanding some things But not others Laughing rarely, and always without knowing why Sometimes suffering disgust Sometimes thoroughly amazed And in the light again, said
If that's art I think it is hard work It was beyond me So much beyond my actual life
But something troubled her Something gnawed her peace And she came a second time, armoured with friends
Sit still, she said
And again, she listened to everything This time understanding different things This time untroubled that some things Could not be understood Laughing rarely but now without shame Sometimes suffering disgust Sometimes thoroughly amazed And in the light again said
This is art, it is hard work And one friend said, too hard for me And the other said, if you will I will come again Because I found it hard I felt honoured
Yesterday's Washington DC morning show broadcast Let's Talk Live discussing Terrence McNally's Master Class at The Kennedy Center, Maria Callas herself, and this very blog with Doug Mckelway.
Great interview! I loved the fact that you were ready from the get-go to provide the quick-fire responses demanded by the context - you took the interview by the scruff of its neck and packed in observations of real interest. You really raised the bar!!
You looked so pretty in your yellow dress! Great interview, Al. I wish I could see your play. Greetings from this side of the pond!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I loved the fact that you were ready from the get-go to provide the quick-fire responses demanded by the context - you took the interview by the scruff of its neck and packed in observations of real interest. You really raised the bar!!
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