We went to the theatre last week to see Middle at the National.
As the name suggests, it’s the middle play of three. We missed the Beginning or the Start or the Commencement (I’ve not checked) which didn’t seem to matter. It’s a challenge writing something in parts and making each part standalone yet echo and foreshadow the other elements without overdoing the catch up. This managed it ok.
In this case the setting was domestic, the middle section of a marriage that was at a tipping point. The wife has decided it had come to an end, the husband wanted to avoid considering anything beyond the pork roast he planned on cooking the next day and so the jeopardy of the drama was established.
Some of it was a little stereotypical, trite almost, a lot thoughtful discussion belying the inherent difficulties in determining something had ended and having a neat explanation of why when the whys comprised nothing nuclear. Incremental breakdowns have no defining features, no stopping point. Sometimes, as here it seems that the lack of an inciting incident made it harder to handle than the crushing car crash of an affair would be.
The couple tried to talk but there was no territory that held firm long enough. It was painful and funny, too.
At one point the confused Gary despaired at his wife’s attempts to keep everything civilised as if such a catastrophe could be handled with grace. ‘We’re from Essex,’ he sighed. ‘We don’t do conscious uncouplings in Essex’… he looked wistful. ‘A few unconscious couplings, sure…’
At the end, as with the marriage itself, nothing was clear. Was it over or could it be saved? I’m guessing, as this was the Middle, it was the latter. Maybe not. It’ll make the Ending interesting if a little short, if it all finished in the Middle. In truth it was excellent and it didn’t really matter. They were muddled and they would keep on muddling.
Like so much in life.
Coming out of a play like that leaves me a bit discombobulated. I’m not sure what to think, I need to process things and so am not really in the frame of mind to be confronted by a new electronic barrier to exit the car park. I sat starting at the stand, looking where to put my ticket and failing to ascertain a slot while the peeps behind me told me to stop bring so senile. It was only as I moved my gaze to the mirror to glare behind me that I caught a glimpse of an open barrier. I drove through feeling (a) foolish and (b) nervous in case my delay caused the barrier to get bored and close on the car roof.
I was back hanging quilts on Saturday. The Textiliste will be curating another show in September but, meanwhile a charity she has worked for – Fine Cell – who teach prisoners to quilt enjoyed their 25th anniversary and hired Bell House, the venue of the Quilt Show, for a celebration. Naturally, given her knowledge of what works Mrs LP was inveigled into the organising which meant me and a ladder were called upon. I rather hoped that the quilt she managed from conception to completion as part of a V&A commission for their first quilt exhibition some years ago might feature.
Apparently, despite being manhandled by goodness knows how many clammed fingered cons while it was being made, now it has joined the V&A collection it costs several £000s to hire, you need to give at least a year’s notice and amongst other conditions when hung, it must be behind a Perspex screen. I am sure it’s absence was toasted.
Temperatures here soared into the low 30sC. To some that will seem chickenfeed. To we Brits, it’s Death Valley and Mercury rolled into one. Dog just can’t get it.
TanGental 
The play sounds interesting and the quilt looks amazing! Dog …. bless!
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It was pretty good. And yes the quilt is a piece of work.
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It’s amazing, now did Dog take the photo as I can see four hands holding it up 👍
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He’s a bit too excited to hold long enough. I can’t remember who the holders are. Tall people anyway!
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I had to smile when I saw the hands .
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It’s a good thing the play was a stand-alone affair – or in this case, marriage. It sounds like it could be a comedy if it weren’t such a serious topic. Your flowers are looking gorgeous, and your wife’s quilt looks like a lot of work and is very beautiful. Congratulations on your high temperatures from warm Arizona.
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We spent an extraordinary August in Arizona about 12 years ago. We went to the botanic Gardens outsude Phoenix on Linda’s birthday in 120F and spent most of it in the missters to try and keep cool!!
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That’s a terrible temperature. We went to the Frank Lloyd Wright House in temps of about 100. I had to wear compression socks, and thought I was going to die. I spent most if the time fanning myself in the unairconditioned buildings.
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The best bit was happily sitting in the pool cooling off when a busboy came sprinting out to tell us to get the heck out of there as an electrical storm was approaching fast. We rarely get electrical storms with forked lighting so we’re more relaxed than was sensible. That’s and confronting a mountain lion on the way to breakfast one day! I’m not sure who was more surprised.
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Oh my, what an adventure! Our neighbor filmed one roaming just outside our front door the year before we moved here. There’ something to be said about that derisive Bible verse condemning people so slothful they won’t go outside for fear of running into a lion!
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It wasn’t in the hotel guide of things to do Any more than the tarantula by the path light on the way to diner one evening!!
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Are you ready to come back to Arizona to visit? It sounds like you had a fabulous time! LOL
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We did. Memorable certainly.
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When you want to come again, drop by and say hi. 🙂
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I’d love to.
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That looks like an excellent review
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I like a play that makes you think. The quilt is amazing, like everything Mrs. Le Pard does. Dog is being his awesome self as always.
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Thanks. Play was a teaser leading to a few discussions. The quilt, helping the prisoners design and makr it was a huge achievement as was negotiating her way through V&A politics.
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A lovely quilt. Sorry about the heat since I know you are definitely not equipped for it. It is due to be at 37.7C or higher for the next seven days here.
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Oh swoon….
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A perfect description of our demeanor
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We most definitely are not equipped with the heat tolerating gene in the UK. I don’t know why the weather genies insist on sending us such temperatures! I reckon you could probably get six prisoners escaping behind the cover of the quilt as you carry it out of Her Majesty’s establishment.
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It’s big enough for a wing..
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B wing?
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Other stingy insects are available
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We’re about to have our first ‘summer days’ descend upon us with great vigour and raising of temperatures into the 30’s. After battling colder-than-average temperatures, (whatever that means these days) since October of last year, I’m both looking forward to basking in the heat, and dreading it whilst living in a very small space. 😀
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May your aircon never expire and your breezes reman sweetly scented
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In that order. 🙂
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I love how prisoners are taught how to quilt. Some of the blocks were quite funny. Hats off to Mrs. Le Pard! Stay cool, Geoff. You aren’t used to such heat.
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It’s dropped into the mid twenties so Dog and I have emerged from the garage…
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Haha!
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