The Importance of Reading "Ernest"

First things first. . . let us all just agree that Oscar Wilde was the first "hipster." He probably wore vintage fake spectacles and rode a bike to work, too.

As far as literature is concerned, "The Importance of Being Ernest" is one of the most delightful reads that I have come across in the last little while. I have been wanting to read an Oscar Wilde play for some time ever since I read the prologue to "Dorian Gray." Wilde's aesthetic view of literature, that is, art for art's sake, always intrigued me and I thought, "What better way to learn more of drama and the aesthetic movement than to read 'The Importance of Being Ernest.'" I dare say, I have not enjoyed so completely two and a half hours of reading so much until now. And then it hit me: that realization of why the aesthetic movement was so appealing. Did I learn anything especially critical, helpful or pertinent to my life? No. But I felt really good after I read, as if the art had somehow released me from stress or worry or frustration. In this regard, I understand intimately how art and literature make life so much better. If it were me, I would require all students of literature to review the play as I deem it a masterpiece of aesthetic beauty and comical brilliance.

After reading the first scene of the first act, I endeavored to read the play in its entirety. After a quick trip to the Provo library, I was able to embark on the 73 page journey just as Tuesday night turned into Wednesday morning. The play made such an impression that I called home to ask my mother if she had read it, as I hoped a good literary conversation would come of it. She said that she had not read it, however, she had thoroughly enjoyed the theatrical version with Rupert Everett and Colin Firth. Remembering our previous conversation of seeing and experiencing theatre, I determined that I ought to watch the film. . . and I was not at all disappointed with the interpretation of the play as the film had me laughing throughout.

I honestly believe that Oscar Wilde was inspired to pen such a genius comedy that transcends decades of societal changes and paradigm shifts. The basic themes of triviality, ethics, fraud, fate, irony and unrequited love still ring true to a modern audience 120 years later. The ever-brilliant Algernon and Jack continue to captivate audiences with their witty banter and controversial schemes at being "Ernest." I solemnly swear before all who read this post that I will sieze the first opportunity to see the play performed live. . . whenever that may be.

Drama With Sasquatch

This weekend I will be attending a music festival in George, Washington called Sasquatch.  Yes that's correct, George Washington.  Last week we discussed poetry and this week we are discussing drama so why not talk about a medium that combines the best elements of both?  Maybe reading Death of a Salesman has corrupted my mind with nostalgia, but I cannot help but recall how the Flaming Lips utilized both lyrical and theatrical talent to create the best concert experience I have ever had.  I should mention this was part of the UFO show tour so props played a big part in the theatrics.  There were Teletubbies, giant robots, dragons, confetti shooters, glitter, a man in a bubble walking on top of the crowd (interaction), an large screen behind the band projecting an art-housesque image compilation  and oh so much more.  The venue itself creates a sense of awe for life and the world.  Sasquatch takes place in a gorge overlooking a scenic mountain landscape.  The sunset just as the band began to play. The lyrics are weird, even juvenille, but if you can get over yourself, they become so relatable. They convey all the fallacies and insecurities of the human experience.  Life is fantastic and should be enjoyed.  When people shed their prejudices and self-consciousness life is just more fun.  Obviously, I do not subscribe to the entire Flaming Lips theology, but I can honestly say that every venue, every show, every band that has stirred some emotion in my unreasonably cynical twenty two year-old heart has caused me to say "this is good, but not as good as the Flaming Lips at Sasquatch".

A Mid(Spring) Night's Dream

Drama is probably the one aspect of literature with which I am least familiar. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate drama so much, but I never really had the opportunity to relate. I always enjoyed acting and making movies, etc. but I never lived in a place that had a credible drama program, and I was always tied up in sports and music. Nevertheless, I remember the day when Shakespeare began to resonate with me and ceased being some sort of foreign jargon created solely to taunt my every attempt to comprehend it.

My grade twelve English class read "Macbeth" and, what I expect was an attempt to make the dialogue relatable to the class, my teacher, Bob Csongei, read out loud and performed the various voices of each character. Maybe it was just me paying more attention, but I had an epiphany of sorts and gained an appreciation for drama. I have attended a few plays and musicals since then and I even read Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" just for fun.

Even with my amateur status with regards to drama, I had never experienced quite anything like Shakespeare in the Park. After walking right past it several times without realizing and meandering through several baseball diamonds, I finally spotted Richard and a few other classmates right as the show's prologue concluded. I had previously seen "A Midsummer Night's Dream" done by a High School drama club, but this experience was unique.
The quality of the acting and the interpretation of the play exceeded my expectations. The characters of Puck and Nick Bottom were hilariously performed and the 2-hours-long play seemed to go by quickly as the sun set and cool shadows stretched out over the park. Overall, I think the experience has inspired me to go see the other plays from the list (Urinetown seems to be a big hit with everybody) and I have more motivation to read plays outside of class. I think I will read one of Oscar Wilde's plays as I have always had the curiosity, but never the drive to crack open the cover.

I am excited to learn more about drama and explore its significance within the literary world. I have a good feeling about it and can't wait to get started.

Urinetown--A Delight

At first I was dubious about the play Urinetown due to the name. I didn't want to take a break from my homework (I spent 2 hours reading for this class). However, when I got there I was so happy that I went! I was pleasantly surprised by the hilarity of the production--I was laughing out loud most of the time! I have seen a couple of plays before and the comedy was always excellent, I always end up being 'that person' who cackles loudly at everything but I really can't help it--plays are in the highest echelon of comedy for me. Both the wit and the slap-stick humor blend together to create the perfect comedic atmosphere. It just gets soo silly. There was this one scene in which the rag-tag towns people get together and sing this epic, intricate song that seems like a parody of Les Miserables and they get all riled up. It's sort of hard to explain, you literally have to be there to get the full impact of the hilarity, which is part of the magic that is theatre. But the play not only had humor but deep underlying questions and ideological conflicts as well. The play addresses issues such as the manipulation of the poor masses as well as the need for liberation in contrast with the need for control. The premise is that these people must pay to pee and if they don't they are sent to 'Urinetown' a.k.a. killed. They successfully rise up and kill their oppressor, but without him and their 'pee tax,' their water is depleted and they suffer from extreme thirst. What is so brilliant is that the play makes you acknowledge these deep questions through comedy. It doesn't force you to think one way or another about these issues, but lets you make your own conclusions. I think that is one indication of good art. My point to all of this is that I am obsessed with plays and find them extremely amusing and was delighted with Urinetown. Go see it! See Caitlyn's post for more information and tickets.

Fast Times at Brigham Young University

I decided to consume a little appetizer play before the main course of A Midsummer Night's Dream and actually found myself enjoying it more than Shakespeare.  It was a little one act comedy called Moby Dude, OR: The Three-Minute Whale by David Ives.  This weekend I spent a solid 8 hours reading and writing papers, so I was nice to have a little comic relief.  Since the play is only one act the action plays out pretty fast.  In the exposition the only character with lines, a seventeen year-old with Jeff Spicoli diction, must give a verbal book report to his teacher, Mrs. Podgorski, on Moby-Dick.  Conflict is immediately established as the he defends himself against Mrs. Podgorski's accusations that he did not read the novel.  The action rises as he alternates between surfer dude lingo and high brow literary commentary using phases like peerless alegorical saga and metaphysical ambiguity to describe the book.  Is there more depth to this narrator than meets the eye?  Do we judge others too quickly based on their appearance or delivery or words?  This protagonist, slang and homophobic inferences aside, sums up the plot and symbolism of Moby-Dick quite well.  His teacher appears to think so too.  His summary climaxes in triumphant fanfare and our Spicoli awaits Mrs. Podgorski's response. The play's denouement is brought about with him agreeing to go out to coffee with his teacher!  So is he just a Moby Dude?  Is this just some high school fantasy or is he really a whale?  Is he a verbose Hercules of literature who merely chooses to express himself as he pleases?  If anyone has ever seen Fast Times they will recognize the scene from which the photo above was taken and know what I think.  It's nice to dream, but the conclusion just seems too far-fetched to be real.

Coming around to drama

Maybe my pun is a cheap knock off of Dr. Burton's, but so what?  It will all makes sense.  Theater and I have an on again, of again relationship that has never quite reconciled.  It all started when I was 9 and I got rejected in an audition for Peter Pan... too melodramatic?  Nevertheless, I was excited to see Urinetown, everyone I had talked to about it said it was great.  I had also never been to a theater in a round.  In this sort of arrangement the crowd encircles the stage as opposed to the proscenium stage that I am used to.  I first want to discuss the cons of this form of seating.  There were a few times when characters would make a dramatic gesture or humorous face that I could not see because the actor was not facing my direction.  This also made it difficult to hear the actors at some points as their voices projected away from me.  On the other hand, this setting allowed the audience to be more involved in the play.  Those in the very front row got up-close and personal with the actors.  The play itself was witty, self-aware (the narrators frequently point out flaws and holes in the story), and not lacking moral substance.  The music was great and the story was entertainingly original.  There were a few refences to Les Mis too!  Urinetown combines elements from many genres: satire, comedic music with tragic scenes, and elements of high and low comedy.  Although there were numerous points when the actors fumbled with their lines, I came away very pleased with what I saw.

Let's Go Drama Week!

I absolutely love drama and the magic element of performance that it brings to art. It is much more interactive than film and more subject to the whims of reality. I adore the example one of my english professors gave about the unique atmosphere of a live performance. While at a play, he let out a massive sneeze during a crucial (and quiet) part. The actor responded by briefly pausing in the middle of his monologue to say "bless you," and then continued on amidst the laughter of the audience. It's priceless moments like those that you don't get in film or anywhere else. I can't wait to study this delightful and powerful mode of art!
Some things I want to do during the drama unit include:

Read a Shakespeare play, I think I want to read Much Ado about Nothing.

See Urinetown tonight and enjoy a good chuckle.

Watch some plays or good adaptations of plays. Not sure which   ones to watch, but am taking suggestions!