Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee

 Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee


 

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Well, I am.

In the sense that the title and the song played inside suggests the absurd, the Laughter In The Dark.

This is a troubling, albeit excellent play.

I felt unease, even when listening to it for the second time. The first time I became familiar with this grand play was the adaptation for the big screen, in which Richard Burton and his wife Elisabeth Taylor had the lead roles. The supporting role of the “house boy aka biology teacher was George Segal, another magnificent actor.

I have read that playing in the movie, Taylor and Burton managed to transfer the marital problems of the couple on screen into their private lives.

Richard Burton had one of the most extraordinary voices I know: deep, resounding and penetrating.

His and Elisabeth Taylor’s acting have been superb, in a play which otherwise seems unsuitable for a movie: there is a lot of witty dialogue, punctuated by dark humor, but this a play, with only four actors and a static atmosphere.

Somehow, it doesn’t seem to matter: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf is not only a wonderful play, but one of the best movies as well.

It won five Academy Awards and twenty two other prizes, including prestigious Golden Globes and BAFTAs.

I loved the play, which kept me connected for a second serving, even if I have to admit that at times I don’t get the characters and some of the message is completely lost on me.

Take the son, the little bugger – I could not understand the point of the game. Pretending to have a son might help soothe a pain, like the one of not being capable to have a baby. But then, it turns into a sadistic display and gets “killed” in the process of the two spouses hurting each other.

Their guests are no better, perhaps even worse: Nick is chasing after a career, willing to do all it takes to be promoted. If he has to sleep with older women- fine, if he needs to be a house boy for a while, grudgingly he obliges.

The “mousy little wife” seems to be a drunkard who cannot take her liquor. To get what she wants, she may fool someone into thinking she is pregnant.

But the most incredible aspect- incredible for those who are not and haven’t been married – is the lows to which a couple can sink. And not some no good vagrants and alcoholics, but educated, well read adult people.

How can they do that to each other? Well, I may have an idea:

Take the past couple days- my wife is off to some canine pageantry. I am left Home Alone, with our little Zoo- most of which she has decided to take on, against my express opposition.

Left own to take care of the babies, I have multiple lists and tasks: feed this much to the fish, put 8 ml form that syringe in that tank and so on…

This morning, she calls to see if I fulfill my duties well, did I miss anything…

I say:

-          Look, I had some trouble…

-          Hmm

-          On the field, the dogs attacked me again...

-          This is you, all over again…

 

Reminded me of anything?

Of course it did…

Who’s afraid of Virginia Wife

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