Back to the Theatre

Amongst some relaxation and rebooting as I prepare for the next case study and other projects, I did manage to catch a show this past week. My friend and collaborator Diana and I headed off to Trafalgar Studios on Thursday to catch Buried Child by Sam Shepard. Buried Child is a modern American classic that premiered in 1978 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1979.
The production we saw was imported from America and stars Ed Harris as Dodge and Amy Madigan as his wife, Halie. Harris and Madigan are a real life couple as well, having met on the film set of Places in the Heart and then marrying in 1983.

Dodge and Halie live in the corn belt of Illinois in the late 70s. They have suffered the loss of a son and have two others of questionable mental stability. Dodge was a farmer but his health is in decline and he doesn't move from the sofa. Halie is still active and much of her dialogue is focused on being a good Christian and concerns about her sons, including the deceased one. Reputation seems to be of great importance to her. After Halie heads out for the day, Dodge gets a surprise visit from his grandson Vince and his girlfriend, Shelly. And this is where the mystery really kicks in. Dodge doesn't seem to recognize Vince and neither does Vince's now mentally damaged father, Tilden. It is all extremely frustrating for young Vince and very uneasy for Shelly. During the course of the play, the history of the family starts to unravel. Secrets come out and old wounds reopened.

Buried Child is in every sense a drama and Shepard wrote the play to illustrate the demise of this kind American family. The kind of American family depicted by Norman Rockwell. The vision of the American family that is associated with middle-class white America during the 50s and 60s. Major socio-economic and political shifts came about in the late 60s and 70s that had a major impact on people like Dodge and Halie and their world was greatly changed. Shepard captures the sense of this in his play as a backdrop but the family's story is also its own. The play is about these particular people and their strained relationships with each other and themselves.

Diana and I were left with a lot to talk about at our post-show coffee chat. Frankly, I feel I need to study the play in more depth. Another watch or a read would be good because the material is very rich and dense. I'm sure I didn't get it all the first time around. It was wonderful to see the play on stage and with such an accomplished cast. I have long admired Ed Harris in his film and television work. It was a treat to see him on stage. The rest of the cast also did a fantastic job. There was a true sense of ensemble amongst them.

I hope to catch another show this week. Perhaps a comedy next time around. I'll keep you posted!
Take care!
-m