Bernard MacLaverty's play takes us to a place and puts us in a position where we don't want to be. It this a horror tale, a suspense? Perhaps it has elements of both. Yet it is about something as common as growing old. In this, it is growing old and powerless. It is confronting a powerlessness when Cassie still feels that she has power, and deserves autonomy. She is sharp and observant. It's just that she forgets things. She only wants to live in her own home with her own things rather than this or another institution. But really she is one of the fortunate ones. Her son has a good job in computers and always a new car so he can probably put her somewhere nice if that is what needs to happen after this evaluation at this place where the doors are never locked and anyone can come in. Yes it will be a nice place if necessary, but does that lessen the horror of it all? I think not.
This play is quite, and rather interior, very effective and sad. I enjoy plays that face up to the issues of the elderly head on. And whatever will happen to me. . .?
The Woman from the North can be found on The Afternoon Play BBC Radio 4 page and is available through Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007. On the The Afternoon Play page click on the Thursday button.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Fame and Fortune
Well, I listened to the first hour of this production. I never saw, " the television classic The Glittering Prizes" so I'm not revisiting my old friends from that show and didn't care about them enough when I met them while listening to Fame and Fortune.
I tried to care. I wanted to care. After all BBC Radio 4 is filling 12 hours of radio drama time and their two most interesting slots that often are occupied with adventurous drama, with this behemoth. I'm mostly a fan of anthology over serials so it makes me sad that we lose two very good anthology slots to this soap opera. It also causes concern about what the BBC has planned for the future of these two drama slots. Hopefully they will return to normal after this is over. I hope someone gets some joy out of all the time and effort put into producing Fame and Fortune. It's just not for me.
Apparently I'm not the only one in distress. Read the thread on the BBC Radio Four Message Board. There are several flames on Fame.
The Saturday Play
Fortunately I found alternative amusement watching The Who Amazing Journey movie last night on TV. It is worth a look for anyone remotely interested in that sort of thing.
I tried to care. I wanted to care. After all BBC Radio 4 is filling 12 hours of radio drama time and their two most interesting slots that often are occupied with adventurous drama, with this behemoth. I'm mostly a fan of anthology over serials so it makes me sad that we lose two very good anthology slots to this soap opera. It also causes concern about what the BBC has planned for the future of these two drama slots. Hopefully they will return to normal after this is over. I hope someone gets some joy out of all the time and effort put into producing Fame and Fortune. It's just not for me.
Apparently I'm not the only one in distress. Read the thread on the BBC Radio Four Message Board. There are several flames on Fame.
The Saturday Play
Fortunately I found alternative amusement watching The Who Amazing Journey movie last night on TV. It is worth a look for anyone remotely interested in that sort of thing.
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