Lately

I’ve been putting a little more effort into answering the question “What did you think.” Into understanding the types of comparisons which may be useful in assessing the “worth” of a piece of art, whatever kind. After all, my life is dominated by the stuff, and recently I’ve yet again resolved to attempt to become more involved with the arts in Melbourne. What does this involve? Well, it involves seeing more plays – two weeks ago I sat down to a production of Chekhov’s "Three Sisters" by the VCA School of Drama company. I was initially inspired to attend as I knew the director, and, though I hadn’t seen or spoken to her for a few years, I was keen to support any projects Kirsten may be involved in. A few years ago I asked her if I should subscribe to the Melbourne Theatre Company the following year. Her answer? – “If you want to see the stars.” This year I bought, on behalf of my father, an MTC membership for my mother’s Christmas present. As a result I was taken to the first two plays of the year, feeling rather pleased to be getting this treatment, to find myself—underwhelmed. Enjoyable nights out, and as my mother often comments it’s good to see what’s “going on”—but the first play was overlong and predictable, the second was a “classic” given a boring production. Sure, it had David Wenham in it, and we all know I want to hug him—but I was more interested in my own proximity to the man than I was in the production.
So it was a beautiful surprise to find I was so engaged and inspired by the Chekhov production directed by Kirsten von Bibra—from a stunning white set (beautiful both for its visually striking nature, and for the symbolic touches added, such as flowers facing the same direction, and then later the flower heads falling off, to suggest the passing of time. I was worried how I would find a young Australian cast (they seemed so very young) in a century old Russian play about ideas and ideals… and they worked. They were beautiful.

So, lately I’ve decided to venture out more. I’m not much of one for staying out on the town, and in truth I’m an unpractised reviewer. But here I am again, with operas, theatre, art exhibitions, concerts, readings in my diary. There are movies to see and books to explore, and ideas to jot down.