... featuring Picasso, Nureyev, and the Tyson-Douglas fight - and much more!
Since Maxine has brought up Christopher Fry in the comments, I thought it might be worthwhile to post a link to his obituary: Christian humanist playwright who brought a spiritual elan to the drab world of postwar theatre.
I enjoyed your review of Ludlow, Frank. It sounds ambitious, and kind of unfashionable, to write a verse novel. Christopher Fry is the only modern(ish) author I know who wrote them (I think). The excerpts you provide from Ludlow are lovely poetry.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maxine. I think you're right about Fry. And isn't it strange how little known he is now? A Phoenix Too Frequent and The Lady's Not for Burning were once famous (Margaret Thatcher's quip brought the latter some attention briefly, I guess). A Sleep of Prisoners was put on at my college when I was a student there - but we had a lively theater program. How many even know he co-scripted Ben Hur? Sic transit gloria mundi.
ReplyDeleteStrangely, I only recently read The Lady's Not For Burning at the recommendation of another blogger. I discovered it too late to include it on the syllabus of my course about medievalism in literature, but it will certainly be on there the next time that class rolls around. I suspect my students will enjoy it far more than they, er, "enjoyed" Murder in the Cathedral a few weeks back.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Elliott Clarke's exquisite Beatrice Chancy, I read in manuscript, abso-deffo gives Fry a run for the rulez (which in no way diminishes the latter's oeuvre).
ReplyDeleteIMO, the review of the week goes to the man who distinguished between the art of boxing and artlessness of fighting vis-à-vis Tyson, Ali, et.al. . . .
You, Frank, write beautifully all the time -- you must tire of hearing this? I dunno. I believe (in reference to commentarians who question your consistency in the departments of holiness and sin) you. Then again, I, too, believe, period.
Lard, off-the-cough, this hurts hard: "When I sit down to the piano, I don’t want any scuffling. I want it to be a love affair," said The Man avec élan. RIP, Mr. Peterson.
'Course, I'd be remiss to leave it at this: What were the thinking heads at The Times hoping to achieve slugging the appointee to England's FA thusly?
"Lord Triesman given head job at FA" and, for non-believers, it's still up and reeling 'em in:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3078725.ece
Seasonal pleasonables and sweet-greet treats to all what needs 'em. Let's hope all's great in 2008 (or else . . . g-r-r-r).