A friend of mine who recently died wrote a play called Apotheosis'.
Music dictated the 10 scenes in the play. The idea that music could suggest scenes in a play isn't a new idea. Arthur Miller was the first to set a play with music. Death of a Salesman, the music spoke, and Arthur Miller wrote.
Austin Wintery wrote the music Apotheosis about a journey. The idea of a play came to my friend at one of his famous dinner parties. However, the birth of the play was born at a Thanksgiving dinner party, after too much Jack Daniels, too much food and too much wine.
One of his charismatic guests had an outburst about his country, a small island where men ride roughshod through the countryside with shotguns ruling the political scene. Few women are in good jobs as it is the woman's vocation to stay at home. Even fewer in politics.
Le Bon Heur went through life as Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter playing classical music, and the role of women unfolded into seasons.
It is the power of stories that keeps us asking questions, learning, and relaying history and parables. It is the power of music that sometimes questions society. Yet we never appear to learn.
I was surprised that my friend was sensitive to the suffering of women and those manipulated by the rich and powerful into poverty and homelessness. I only met him briefly before my loss. However in researching his ideas, I came across new and old friends and acquaintances I thought lost. As I say, so many twists and turns unexpectedly in our lives.
In fact, the play predicted that a woman would be killed for uncovering corruption.
Indeed, two weeks before my journalist friend was murdered, I had been sitting in a coffee bar opposite her, thinking she had every reason to live, she was so happy and vibrant.
Then she was killed by a car bomb, blown to bits. This is a country that has car bombs, shootings and corruption. Everyone knows and no one does anything about it. It appears to be the norm.
The play was ‘The Right Man for the Country is a Woman’. The only female statue in this country is of Queen Victoria, all other statues are male, not a woman to be celebrated. This was a beautiful country, now destroyed by high-rise housing, little boxes for people to live in. Buildings and cranes are now everywhere. Previously, there were unspoilt beaches, countryside, and beautiful houses. Now it is overcrowded, and housing is unaffordable, except for the rich. Hope appears to be lost for so many young people. Some unscrupulous landlords rent out garages where people live in crowded conditions.
So let's celebrate women and men who made a difference against all odds.
What music has meant a lifeline to you or changed your thoughts or beliefs. Maybe some plays or films had that effect? When I was in Japan, I had two music cassettes from home, which I played over and over., as bombarded by a totally different culture, sounds, and language that was difficult to cope with.
So post powerful life-changing music, gifs, memes, and how you felt. Post trailers or plays, memes, gifs etc. What women have made a difference in your life?
Respect all commenters, no religion and brush lightly on life changes, politics etc.
Most of all, enjoy. Your friends are here….
Lian
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