"Epic Theatre in Intimate Spaces" ... the label is an irreverent tagline from Greg for Zeitgeist but it sort of reminded me of the breadth and depth of this story and its historical context. Epic in terms of all the social factors swirling around within it. Intimate in terms of the journey of personal discovery it aims to reveal.
What's up with 1989?
The publication date is 1989. It was commissioned in 1987. Rehearsals tonight covered a lot of character relationship territory for Eliza and Greg but it also unearthed a significant aspect of the historical context with regard to the story. Specifically, David highlighted and discussed with them how the birth of Bridget's baby and her decision to give it up for adoption, in light of Tim's desire to be a father, would affect their bond now.
Tim is gay. David said Colleen wrote the role with that in mind. Tim has come out to Bridget. Given the time of the play's setting, which Colleen successfully convinced David is worth leaving unchanged at 1989 and not updating to present day - despite (as David explained) all the fun with Jesus on eBay and whatnot that would have offered - the child would have been born in the early 1980's. That was not a friendly environment for single gay men to raise a child, even she were his own niece.
How would that factor into Bridget's decision? And into Tim's feelings towards her? Eliza and Greg began exploring a whole new layer of the character's attitude towards his sister's decision in light of this.
Where in the world is Westfalia?
A fictitious town, an initial search uncovered a myspace called westfaliasucks - it's actually a band labelled "boredom rock" in Edmunton Canada with a track that becomes audible after almost a minute and sounds like crickets. The band has a website of not much content at westfaliasucks.com ... the name choice is something Tim might have picked.
David concluded that Westfalia would be a few hours from the Ottawa area in Ontario Canada where Tim would work, making the siblings a weekend trip apart with not too terribly damaging phone bills. David emphasized how considering a job about 10,000 miles away in Australia (rhymes with Westfalia:) is a huge thing for Tim to drop on Bridget. Pivotal point that establishes the tactics Tim might use with his sister to make a point.
Next up: Thursday's rehearsal with Bridget and Evan!
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