What are you reading?

[Kenny]

Greg wrote: "I wonder what it could have been like in 1958 to see something so transgressive and strange?"

THE ZOO STORY is not an easy show to do; it takes two strong actors at the top of their game, and a focused director to guide them thru the maze. Albee went back years later & revised it into a two act with mixed results.

I understand what you mean when you speak of what would it have been like in 1958 to see this on stage. Can you imagine the thrill in 1949 to hear Blanche say, "Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers"? I know it is much mocked today, and anticipated by the audience, but back then, it must have been thrilling to hear this spoken aloud.

Have you read Williams' Vieux Carre ? It is a lesser known work, but it is wonderful. You should definitely read it.

[Greg]

Kenny wrote: "Greg wrote: "I wonder what it could have been like in 1958 to see something so transgressive and strange?"

THE ZOO STORY is not an easy show to do; it takes two strong actors at the top of their g..."

I can see that Kenny - perhaps "Zoo Story" reads better than it actually works on stage? I find some some plays are like that, just as others can be much better performed than read. The power of "Zoo Story" comes in what is suggested, in the metaphors. I can see that the oddity/intensity of the lines could be quite hard to capture & make real. On paper though, I had quite an intense reaction to it.

I'll check out Vieux Carré - thanks! I love all the suggestions!

[Kenny]

Greg wrote: "perhaps "Zoo Story" reads better than it actually works on stage?"

Just the opposite, Greg. It is a tremendously moving experience when done well.

[Brian]

I read O'Neil's LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT a little bit ago. A play that captures the ways in which life just happens and the ways in which we can hurt those we love the most. I won't rehash my GR review of it here, but wow!
Starting Shakespeare's CORIOLANUS this week, one of the few Shakespeare's I have yet to read.

[Gus]

I really want to read Anne Carson’s translations of Euripides as well as Euripides’ Andromache translated by Susan Stewart...read King Lear earlier this summer it was cute

[Kenny]

Gus wrote: "I really want to read Anne Carson’s translations of Euripides as well as Euripides’ Andromache translated by Susan Stewart...read King Lear earlier this summer it was cute"

I love Carson's translations. I've never heard Lear described as cute before. Glenda Jackson is bringing her Lear to Broadway.

[Kenny]

Brian wrote: "I read O'Neil's LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT a little bit ago. A play that captures the ways in which life just happens and the ways in which we can hurt those we love the most. I won't rehash my GR review of it here, but wow!
Starting Shakespeare's CORIOLANUS this week, one of the few Shakespeare's I have yet to read."

CORIOLANUS is vastly underrated. LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT is the greatest American play ever written in my opinion. It is amazing.

[Brian]

Just finished Timothy Findley's play "Elizabeth Rex". Anyone read it?

[Brian]

A big YES to both things you said Kenny!

Kenny wrote: "Brian wrote: "I read O'Neil's LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT a little bit ago. A play that captures the ways in which life just happens and the ways in which we can hurt those we love the most. I wo..."

[Mohamad]

Demian by hermann hesse. I really am loving it

[Anisha Inkspill]

I'm hoping read soon:

Long Day's Journey into Night

something by Euripides, maybe Iphegenia at Aulis (as I'm reading Iliad), but not sure which translation

something by Sophocles - not decided

but that's the plan, it's rough but would like to read all three

[Mark]

Long Day's Journey into Night

[Kenny]

Mark wrote: "Long Day's Journey into Night"
Brilliant.

[Mark]

Kenny wrote: "Mark wrote: "Long Day's Journey into Night"
Brilliant."
Thanks Kenny! - )

[Maram]

The raven boys and for my English class I am reading of mice and men