When the characters are really alive before their author, the latter does nothing but follow them in their action, in their words, in the situations which they suggest to him.
Pirandello says: "When the characters are really alive before their author, the latter does nothing but follow them in their action, in their words, in the situations which they suggest to him."
For a powerful example of this concept, readers are invited to consider Pirandello's SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR, a wonderful dramatic rendering of characters' singular authority over authors in literature. Many people view the play as a comment on the existential condition of humans, which is a fair assessment, but it more succinctly can be viewed simply as a tongue-in-cheek critique of fiction writes and their works.
Andy Griffith? If I were a director and doing the casting (and I know something about all of that because of my B.A. in theatre), never in a hundred years would I have imagined him any where near the play! Well, as Gomer would have said, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!"
On a related note, I remember falling asleep in a Los Angeles theatre where Rex Harrison was starring in Pirandello's HENRICO QUATRO. The people sitting around me didn't appreciate my reaction to Harrison, and I'm sure Harrison would not have appreciated, but then as now, I apologize to the people in the theater but not Harrison: He was awful!
Hi R.T., That was exactly my thought when I turned on the TV those many years ago and saw that Griffith was in the production. He is fabulous. We forget that he is in fact a great actor. Remember the film A Face in the Crowd?
I will accept the fact of his acting ability; however, I still would be expecting Barney, Aunt Bee, Opie, and the rest of the gang to emerge from the wings at any moment. Golly!
Pirandello says: "When the characters are really alive before their author, the latter does nothing but follow them in their action, in their words, in the situations which they suggest to him."
ReplyDeleteFor a powerful example of this concept, readers are invited to consider Pirandello's SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR, a wonderful dramatic rendering of characters' singular authority over authors in literature. Many people view the play as a comment on the existential condition of humans, which is a fair assessment, but it more succinctly can be viewed simply as a tongue-in-cheek critique of fiction writes and their works.
It is certainly a great play. There is video of a very good production starring Andy Griffith as the father.
ReplyDeleteAndy Griffith? If I were a director and doing the casting (and I know something about all of that because of my B.A. in theatre), never in a hundred years would I have imagined him any where near the play! Well, as Gomer would have said, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!"
ReplyDeleteOn a related note, I remember falling asleep in a Los Angeles theatre where Rex Harrison was starring in Pirandello's HENRICO QUATRO. The people sitting around me didn't appreciate my reaction to Harrison, and I'm sure Harrison would not have appreciated, but then as now, I apologize to the people in the theater but not Harrison: He was awful!
Hi R.T.,
ReplyDeleteThat was exactly my thought when I turned on the TV those many years ago and saw that Griffith was in the production. He is fabulous. We forget that he is in fact a great actor. Remember the film A Face in the Crowd?
I will accept the fact of his acting ability; however, I still would be expecting Barney, Aunt Bee, Opie, and the rest of the gang to emerge from the wings at any moment. Golly!
ReplyDeleteTrust me. You'll forget all of them soon enough in this production. He has the last line: "No, this is real."
ReplyDelete