THE CELTIC CONNECTION » NOVEMBER 1995
Page 9
THEATRE
The Accent is in the Rhythm
By MAURA McCAY
VANCOUVER — The Canadian premiere of Cutting a Rug, the second part of a trilogy written by well-known Scottish writer John Byrne, opens at Langara's Studio 58, on November 23.
The play is set in a carpet factory in 1957, in Glasgow, and is based on Byrne's own experience, as he worked there after leaving school. A slab boy was an apprentice designer who worked at a marble slab, grinding powdered pigments with gum ara-bic.
Born in Glasgow in 1940, Byrne was raised in Fergusile Park, a housing estate that the BBC once called the worst in Europe, and his attempt to marry sadness and elation mirrors his own experience of life.
The Studio 58 production features another first. Patrick MacDonald, the Artistic Director of Green Thumb Theatre for Young People, will be directing the fall production of Cutting a Rug.
PATRICK MACDONALD
"It's actually in the writing. If we can get the actors to
Each season, MacDonald under- /nrJL :n±n xL rLi;iLm takes a freelance assignment ei- tuc/t iniu ine rnyinm ther acting or directing outside of his work with Green Thumb and this year, Studio 58 receives the benefit of his considerable experience.
MacDonald discussed the upcoming production of Cutting a Rug with The Celtic Connection. He emphasized that each part of Byrne's trilogy is a self-contained unit and even if the audience are r
notfamiliarwiththestorylinein JSdS^SSSto to be ente
Slab Boys, it will make no differ- 58 in 1987P It's about a day Ke amusin8
life of the slab boys, who are all waiting for the season's event,
that the writer has provided, the musi-cality of the actual words, the accent is almost there. "
ence whatsoever to their appreciation of Cutting a Rug.
the Christmas dance later that same night.
The staff dance is the event of the season and the entire conversation revolves around who is going and what people will be wearing. There are some darker moments and human tragedy but ultimately the play is a comedy.
CuttingaRugis theactual Christmas party and the entire first act is performed in two separate washrooms, the women s and the men's and the characters never meet each other but spend the whole time discussing each other. The next act is on a terrace overlooking the town and the doors lead into the dance.
One of the biggest challenges facing the actors in this play will be trying to get the accents right. MacDonald said that students are being coached to connect as closely as possible with the vernacular of the writer.
"It's actually in the writing. If we can get the actors to lock into the rhythm that the writer has provided, the musicality of the actual words, the accent is almost there. If they try to fight the musicality of the rhythm, then they'll be trying to impose something else on top of it.
Certainly to the average Canadian, a Scottish accent is a Scottish accent but it will be interesting to see what the true Glaswegians will think of this brave undertaking. Will the students pass the test? Accents notwithstanding, the play promises
Saintly Journal Leaves Questions
PURE HEART ENLIGHTENED MIND
The Zen Journal and Letters of Maura 'Soshin' O'Halloran Publisher: Charles E. Tuttle Co. ISBN: 0-8048-1977-7
I'd be embarrassed to tell anyone, it sounds so wishy-washy, but now I have maybe 50 or 60 years (who knows?) of time, of a life, open, blank, ready to offer. I want to live it for other people. What else is there to do with it ? Not that I expect to change the world or even a blade of grass but it's as if to give myself is all I can do, as the flowers have no choice but to blossom.
-Maura "Sashin" O'Halloran
Reviewed by J. Wanamaker Here are the journal entries of an Irish-American woman, who was raised to the rank of the bod-hisattva Kannon, the Buddhist saint of compassion, upon her death in 1982 at the age of 27.
If we are looking for reasons as to why she chose Buddhism, chose to live in Japan, chose to do 'takuhatsu' (beg), the answers are not easily found. We have
THE AULD SCOTTISH LARDER
4022 East Hastings Street Burnaby, B.C. V5C 2H9 (604) 294-6616
Bakery In Store
1 Oatcakes • Biscuits • Scones • and a variety of pies
Smokehouse In Store
Large Selection of UK Food Items All other product made on the premises
Sausages
No additives, no preservatives, natural casing
Lome slices and bangers available Ham and Bacon
Ayrshire and Belfast • Smoked • Double Smoked Internationally Known Haggis
r—i—j—lj—i_n -i
For more information about Studio 58 call (604) 323-5227.
tantalizing hints from her mother's introduction and bits and pieces that Maura scatters throughout the journal, but for the most part we are left with more questions than answers.
Ironically, this journal may be the perfect Zen koan in itself. Her publisher acknowledges this difficulty by admitting, "Journals are inherently incomplete things..."
For all its mystery, Maura's inherent natural charm, wit, and keen observant eye (she studied photography) colour her entries. Here is her description of a rare night out from the monastery, visiting a couple with her friend Chiba-san:
"A huge square open hearth had no chimney, so the smoke curled up, up, towards the ceiling, but wearying on the journey, sifted downwards. Our eyes stung pleasantly.
"Then he carried in a huge pile of kindling bound with straw and fed the fire. His smile came straight from his hara. The woman twinkled, dimpled, wiping her hands on her apron, smoothing it across her sparse hips. She made mat-cha (tea) for us, a long ritual of wiping and whirling the universe into a bowl." Excerpt from June 22, journal entry.
At the conclusion of the journal, there is a small black and white photograph showing us the outer Maura, elfin smile, calm gaze. For her inner self, her journal entries and letters home will have to satisfy, giving us a glimpse (however brief) of a life well lived.
Quality Rentals
Complete Highland Dress
Contact
House of McLaren
The Best in Service and Choice For Your - Special Occasions -Wefctrmss - St AhM-cws BaR - Bum's "NigVit
• • •
125-131 Water SL(Gastown)Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1A7 Phone: (604) 681-5442 Fax: (604) 681-5847
Waterford
CRYSTAL
Waterford Stemware 30% Off
2415 Granville Street Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3G5 (604) 733-6682