approaches. it seems timely that Suspect (‘trlture. celebrating ten years ol high quality and challenging theatre. presents a reminder ol~ what it means to engage in contemporary relationships. l)ramatist Renato (iabrielli‘s account ol the relationship. t'ostered by a mysterious “Agench which dey‘elops between a shy and lonely middle-class British woman and a working-class Italian man. looks like haying a lot to say about the emotional alienation created by ideology in contemporary society.
This two—hander boasts a name Scottish audiences will greet with anticipation. London based. RSAMI) trained Selina Boyack. most recently seen in Habitats at the Tron. has become a welcome regular in Scottiin theatre. An astonishing performance as the girlt‘riend in Anthony Neilson‘s Milt-lime at the liringe ol 2(X)l. a commanding Amanda in l’l'll'tllt' Lil-us at the (‘it/. a relentless career-driwn actress in Hair Dogs and u Bone at the Arches. and an exceptionally strong-minded ice climber in last year's (\'()()()m. l)ay'id (ireig‘s recent piece l‘or Strspect (‘ultttre. all attest to a remarkable range. Boyack is a rarity in her capacity to attract praise from pretty well ey'ery critic in Scotland. And no wonder. t‘or as the daughter of an agent and an actress who met in Rep. there‘s theatre in her blood. ‘We had a theatre in the garage in the back yard. My brother would make the light. and my bossy big sister would direct. We did things like dance routines to "Stray (‘at Strut'T she says.
This role seems a little different from the strong and sell-assertiy'e women we‘y‘e seen Boy‘ack play recently. and it's a prospect she linds enthralling. ‘lt is dit’t‘erent than the other characters. and l‘y'e really enjoyed it. She‘s an awkward. awkward girl this one. who just tinds it difficult to be contident and low hersell‘. She‘s Vulnerable and weak. and that's not something you see on the stage y‘ery ol‘ten any more. People write plays like ('lost'r these days all those nasty people. who are cold and ambitions. I think it‘s nice to bring Vulnerability back.’ she say s.
Boy'ack and her co-star. the Italian theatre actor Sergio Romano. each play duel roles. with the world intruding on their intimacy in the t’orm of two ‘coaches‘ ady'ising on their position. ‘The idea ot‘ the coaches is about everything being homogenised in relationships these days. You answer certain questions on a questionnaire. and by answering them you restrict yourselt' to a particular protile. liy‘eryone has to be the same. so you turn yourself into someone you‘re not. It‘s about who we want to be ideally. and the reality ot‘ who we are. There‘s the ideal — I‘d like to be
Ay'a (iardner or Katharine Hepburn. ideally. then you babe the reality.'
And we impose the same things on our partners. she says. ‘()ur expectations ot' the other person can‘t be l'ultilled. and they're restricted anyway. You literally tick bo\es which ask you how much your potential partner should earn. what kind ol‘job you want him to do. it‘s kind ot' like designer babies. but it‘s designer partners. In going down that road you‘re missing w hat's essential. mystery and onc.‘ .-\t this point she laughs. So too do director (Iraham liatough and Renato (iabrielli in the background. .-\nd so do I. It's as it' we'y'e all been tatrght not to knock at our bosom as Shakespeare instructed. as it the
discussion of the pure. limitless experience ot‘
love. the nearest a secular society comes to
r ‘EVERYONE 1
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spirituality. has been drummed out ol‘ us as too cheesy to mention without adding qualifications about mortgages and salary rates.
(iabrielli speaks ol' the ideological content ol modern loy'e tor all ol tls. ‘lt‘s an interesting point ot‘ contact between the political and the priy‘ate. There's something ideological about the way we enter into relationships. This is something that should be explored in a critical way. but also in a sell-critical way. ’l‘echnology and consumerism answer certain emotional needs in a yer shallow way. Real intimacy is probably Very difficult to reach in these conditions.‘ he says.
He goes on to speak of the difference in economic class. an impediment to the two lovers. It‘s a reminder ol’ the great taboo of our culture: the lowest rate ot‘ sury'iyal in long-term relationships occurs not in marriages across religion or race. .\'o. the big killer these days is dil't'erent social classes. a taboo that remains unbroken in our wealth obsessed society. Now why don’t we hear more about I/Iul on telly'.’
A Different Language is at the Tron, Glasgow, Tue 22-Sat 26 Feb, and then touring.
DOOMED RELATIONSHIPS OF OUR TIME
The game of love may be one of two halves but it could leave you feeling sick as a parrot. Brian.
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1.3:, 2’. .‘C THE LIST 23