:: Encore Theatre Magazine ::

Encore Theatre Magazine

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::Encore Snapshots::

In the Encore snapshot thread, we want to quickly single out moments of fine acting, directing, writing, design of all kinds. This can be a starting point for the debate, a resource, a brief way of paying respect.


Encore snapshot # 1
Scenes from the Big Picture by Owen McCafferty
National: Cottesloe Theatre, now running

In the Encore snapshot thread, we want to quickly single out moments of fine acting, directing, writing, design of all kinds. This can be a starting point for the debate, a resource, a brief way of paying respect. There’s a terrific scene in Owen McCafferty's new play, which is worth pushing to the foreground as an example of the playwright's craft. Here, McCafferty wants to show us an extra-marital relationship changing and souring, the power shifting from mistress to wife; but rather than rely on a flaming row, he embodies it in a simple action, a man's refusal of a cigarette.

Present-day Belfast. Joe, a worker in the abattoir, is married to Maeve, but they don’t seem able to have children. One of their latest solution is for Joe to give up smoking, hoping that will increase his fertility. But Joe is having an affair with Helen, the landlady of a nearby pub. They have snatched another encounter, and Helen gives him a present: it’s a lighter.

JOE HYNES. i’ve stopped smokin – maeve’s idea – well we’ve both been talking about it
HELEN WOODS. you and her decided
JOE HYNES. aye – it’s her really
HELEN WOODS (lights a cigarette). ya never mentioned anythin about it
JOE HYNES. the lighter’s lovely – she read somewhere that smokin might damage your sperm
HELEN WOODS (offers him a cigarette). Ya haven’t stopped then – you’ve just told her you’ve stopped
JOE HYNES. no a have
HELEN WOODS. take it
JOE HYNES. i’ve stopped
HELEN WOODS. i like you smokin
JOE HYNES. there must be other things about me helen
HELEN WOODS. i like looking at ya smoke – the way ya smoke – i like it
JOE HYNES. well I’m sorry but what can a do
HELEN WOODS. tell her ya don’t want to stop
JOE HYNES. but a do
HELEN WOODS. a thought ya said it was her makin ya
JOE HYNES. it’s the right thing to do
HELEN WOODS. so it’s you – you want to do it
JOE HYNES. humpin meat all day – haven’t a fuckin breath left in me
HELEN WOODS. ya should’ve said
JOE HYNES. a didn’t know about the lighter
HELEN WOODS. that’s not it
JOE HYNES. what then
HELEN WOODS. we should’ve talked about it – not you an her you an me
JOE HYNES. I’ll keep the lighter in case a start up again – which the way things are goin could be soon
HELEN WOODS. I’ll bring it back
JOE HYNES. no a want to keep it

Scenes from the Big Picture is published by Nick Hern Books, and it's in the Cottesloe repertoire until June.

:: Theatre Worker 9:33 AM [^] ::
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