Sunday, December 21, 2008

Episode 90: Reading...

Finally finished reading Spin Control a couple of days ago, which I would regard as an improvement over its predecessor. The whole web of deception only begins to unravel close toward the end, and although it is somewhat dissatisfying as a narrative revelation, the ultimate denouement is an excellent way of leaving room open for exploring an intriguing sequel, not to mention bringing in new players into the conflict between humanity and its posthuman descendants. Also managed to finish reading Theatre Of Blood by Lee Simpson and Phelim McDermott, in between the two halves of yesterday's double doublebills. It was a good read, reworking excerpts from a range of Shakespearean plays within the larger framing plot of a theatre actor out for revenge on his critics. Managed to borrow a few of Neil LaBute's plays, whom I originally encountered through his collection of short stories, Seconds Of Pleasure. His acerbic wit certainly comes through in his plays too, so they're making for very satisfying reads. Have finished reading Bash: Latter-Day Plays, which got him disfellowshipped from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's a trio of one-act plays, in which Mormons commit murders that seem to lack sufficient motivation behind them, and the revelation of these murders just drops on the audience without any warning. Should be quite chilling to watch in performance, I should think. Am probably staying at home tomorrow to get some work done, at least before I have to go to rehearsal for the Christmas service at 7 pm.

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