Do3 15-02-15 "Macedonia" by David Rudkin

[aeolium]

A new radio play by David Rudkin for next Sunday's Do3, a welcome change from the usual repeats:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b052glwc

Here is some more background information about the play:

http://www.davidrudkin.com/index.php/ct-menu-item-65/macedonia

I think I will make an effort to listen to this on i-player during the following week.

[french frank]

Some fascinating aspects to this. From DR's website on 'The Haunting of Mahler' (1994): "A production by Philip Martin, diligent and definitive. It was the last he was ever to do for BBC - he was half out of the door as he did it [!!!???]; and it was to prove my last work for Radio 3."

Strange. And does sound more like it :smiley]

[french frank]

It must be down to your survey.....

Mind you, I had just this instant finished reading the love-in with Spiral 5 and was reflecting that the news of R3's shaky steps in the 'right direction' dramatically counted for little in light of the competition ...

I don't know about the survey, but I did mention the David Rudkin play in my accompanying letter (and the appearance of Lachenmann in the evening concert!) - which I have recorded but not yet listened to. In fact, I heard the opening which sounded a bit Shakspearean: I think it will need some concentration.

[eighthobstruction]

I gave the David Rudkin play 'Macedonia'....Hmmm....Difficult to say if it was worth listening to, it didn't have much depth and relied a great deal on the sound design....I found Michael Penningtons accent off putting (a touch of the Bernard Bradens) though of course his diction was perfect....

[french frank]

I had a feeling DR identified quite strongly with Euripides! Yes, I read the three clips on the R3 website and he mentioned 'the soundscape' and he seemed to be deliberately making the idea of place a 'character' in the play.

It was quite complicated and the theme didn't come over too clearly, but I might listen again for the idea that he was gaining inspiration and writing his (final?) play (The Bachae).

[Honoured Guest]

Difficult to say if it was worth listening to, it didn't have much depth and relied a great deal on the sound design....

It was quite complicated and the theme didn't come over too clearly,...

Play and production were labours of love. Some people would have relished Macedonia.

[french frank]

Some people would have relished Macedonia.

What was that comment supposed to mean? Oh, no - don't bother.

For the record, I thought the Rudkin play a very worthy Do3 - worthy of The Radio 3 Of Which I Am A Friend. It was never at all unusual to want a second listen to an R3 play to get to grips with subtleties which one misses first time. I have also done a bit more reading round the subject as a better preparation.

[eighthobstruction]

I claim superiority because I did my research before listening to the play ....and did not listen to the 3 snippets....I may listen to the last half hour to glean a little more understanding....

[eighthobstruction]

Play and production were labours of love. Some people would have relished Macedonia.

Some people this
Some people that
Some people come to the forum for to relish a little chat.

< labours of lovey >....I bet you've got all of Cliff Richards albums....

[french frank]

I claim superiority because I did my research before listening to the play ....and did not listen to the 3 snippets....I may listen to the last half hour to glean a little more understanding....

I am an humble person, and bow to thee, o Eighth.

I have the Greek text of Βάκχαι - I wonder if it would be helpful to go through this first?

[eighthobstruction]

I am an humble person, and bow to thee, o Eighth.

I have the Greek text of Βάκχαι - I wonder if it would be helpful to go through this first?

....What?!....not in ancient Welsh....shame on you.....

[french frank]

....What?!....not in ancient Welsh....shame on you.....

I'll leave it to Honoured Guest to do a thorough job (perhaps a crit will be forthcoming). I will stick with a quick glance at Βικιπαίδεια.

[Honoured Guest]

Also not in ancient welsh, and the theatrical antithesis of David Rudkin, but National Theatre Wales toured village halls with an uproarious show "loosely inspired by Euripedes' The Bacchae."

http://nationaltheatrewales.org/villagesocial

[eighthobstruction]

Yes, but what we really want to know is: did you listen to Macedonia?....and for that matter this NTW production (why you offer it, I am unsure at first glance) - did you see that play?

or were you just interested in "a clairvoyant who promised to put the villagers in touch with spirits from beyond the grave."....

[french frank]

or were you just interested in "a clairvoyant who promised to put the villagers in touch with spirits from beyond the grave."....

And 'and a depraved orgy of blood'?