Blog Called Em's Talkery About Emily Frankel and John Collum in New York

The other day I left a comment about Electronovision at Em's Talkery, a blog by Emily Frankel.  There are You Tube videos that show Emily Frankel and John Collum in short dialogues.

A Second Summer Reading Club Book Report: John Gielgud Directs Richard Burton in Hamlet: A Journal of Rehearsals by Richard Sterne

Before I read John Gielgud Directs Richard Burton in Hamlet:  A Journal of Rehearsals, by Richard Sterne, 1967, I watched excerpts on the internet.  (In the book, p. 149:  “Tuesday June 30 and Wednesday July 1 -  Production filmed during three successive stage performances by Electronovision, Inc. “)

The Electronovision version appeared nationally in theaters that September, 1964, and excerpts are on the internet, where  in the play’s last scene the actors make the fencing seem an immediate, genuine, vigorous, grim battle in this tragedy. 

The book includes a) The Complete Journal of Rehearsals and b) the play as performed, “The Prompt Script”.  There are also some beautiful photos,  two interviews, and an introduction that describes the making of the Journal, which is transcription from audio tape. 

Richard Sterne sometimes describes rehearsal events: “Burton…preferred that Hamlet…should simply walk up to Laertes and take the weapon from him deliberately,” (p. 61).  This action can be seen on the internet.

Much of the journal is direct quote:  about Hamlet struggling with the others in the ghost scene:   “Gielgud:  Save your energy.  It’s very important that you let them do the work in restraining you.  Otherwise you’ll tire too quickly.  It’s dark and the audience can only get a general impression of what’s going on, so fake your part of the struggle.”  (p. 63)

A good, guided way to read William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Faith Groups Believe The Plight of Children Brings Them Together

Right now - someone's child is crying at the public library.  The needs of children are unarguable.  They cannot take care of themselves, and it is considered inhumane to not recognize their difference from adults.  I think it becomes a true dilemma people face.  Having kids looks interesting to people who realize faith groups feel responsible for giving children favoritism.  Many of the "Dream" children were brought to the United States when their parents were sponsored by faith groups.  I wonder how true it can be that faith groups show favoritism to couples who have children.  A true dilemma - the children are helpless.  Yet those who do not miss the important point about limited natural resources and our ecology and definitely Not Favored.  My thoughts.

Poem I Read Yesterday Evening at King's Books

At King's books yesterday it was all-open-mike.  Next month the readings return to the format of featured reader and open-mike.  I read this poem, it has been thirty-five years since this poem was included in a chapbook from Porch publications, "The Story Makes Them Whole".  I wrote poems about a trip to Mansfield, Missouri, to see the Wilder Home and Museum. 

Chapbook from 1979

 BUS IN THE OZARKS – AUGUST

Through the wooded billows of the land

Where the cattle stood in wooded shelter

Where the cattle waded in the cow ponds,

Where the horses swept the flies from one

Another, tail to head, swept the bus.

These were the Missouri Ozarks, green

With unquenchable grass, green with windbreaks

Around each farmhouse, an occasional

Hawk of motionless wings above a barn. 

Passing the cattle truck, the bus brought

Cattle to us, neck and neck.  The cattle gazed

At us from their white faces, eyes like

Cordials of chocolate, so mild, so empty

Of understanding, so full of acceptance,

So full of our own equality. 

When it rains in the Ozarks they open

Their hearts and they say, “A nice little rain

We had, praise the Lord, it’s a blessing." 

We pass through Bolivar (rhymes with Oliver)

And the other small towns where the bus made

An elegant pause.  “The farther south

You go in the Ozarks,” said my neighbor,

“the more hilly and beautiful they are.”