Epistemysics

Saw Thyestes again today – still as good as the first time.  I was sitting the other side this time, and much closer to the stage, such that I noticed the blood covering Thyestes groin post-rape of Pelopia, as well as the blood smeared on Aerope’s head in the banquet scene.  Still no idea how they managed to get the piano on stage.  I assume they rolled it on from the walls.  The production photos from the Melbourne run show seams in the wall from where a segment must’ve been opened, but I couldn’t see any, no matter how hard I looked.  Or perhaps I did.  I couldn’t be sure.

Sitting near the end of the row (one seat away), and four people walked up the stairs and made like they wanted to get past me.  In a moment of chivalry I stood up and moved out of the row (usually I just twist my legs around).  The man in front promptly stepped into a gap between the chair of the row below and the stairs and fell forward onto the seats.  The woman behind him had thanked me for moving, to which I replied, after it was established that the man was okay, “lucky I moved”, to which she laughed.

Just felt you all might like to know about that.  Yeah.

I later learned that it was apparently an audio-described performance, the one I attended.  First for Belvoir ever.  Didn’t even notice.  Kudos, I say, kudos.

Also, the sign that was outside of Door 2 on Thursday night, that described the performance as having “course” language, has been changed to “coarse” language.  Mmhmm.

As such, with having seen Thyestes twice (so far – I may see it a third time if I go to the Sunday Forum for the play – why waste a trip for an hour long forum when you can see the play again after), I’ve been reading up on Greek myths and plays.  Must get around to reading Greek plays at some point.  Don’t think I’ve ever made it through a whole one yet.  Was having a chuckle at The Frogs tonight while watching the tennis.

Anyway, reading up on Greek myths I was, and stumbled upon Atlas (though I already knew about him) I did.  Interesting concept, yes.  There’s a play in that.  Sounds like something Beckett would have written if he had been crossed with Stoppard.  He had a meeting with Hercules (or Heracles) as well at one point.  There’s a play in that too.

Wrote nothing today.  Disgusted with myself.  Was fun to watch virtually a whole row of women on the other side of the stage in Thyestes bring their hands to their mouths when the curtains rolled up and everyone saw the feast set up (that is, everyone realises that we’re going to see Thyestes eating the food).  Saw a woman as well (what, a woman, at a theatre?  Good lord!), at least 70, laughing at the jokes in the strapon scene.  I wonder if she goes home and bakes cakes for children afterwards.