B. Franklin’s Elocution (Press, 12 June 1982)
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Summary: B. Franklin’s Elocution (Press, 12 June 1982)
"The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin," written by Steve J. Spears and directed by Gerald Lascelles, was staged by the Alternative Theatre at the Southern Ballet Theatre from June 11 to June 26, 1982. The play features Mervyn Glue, a well-known raconteur in Christchurch, in a leading role as Robert O'Brien, an elocution teacher with a secret life as a transvestite. The performance, however, faced criticism due to its technical limitations, primarily stemming from its monologue structure that did not utilise supporting characters, which detracted from the overall impact. The storyline revolves around the central character, O'Brien, who encounters a young pupil who is openly homosexual, leading to complications and ultimately resulting in O'Brien's exposure at a transvestite party. This event leads to his arrest, declaration of insanity, and subsequent commitment to an asylum. The first hour and a half of the play comprises a series of short scenes that are burdened by lengthy costume changes, causing the pacing to suffer and become repetitive. While there are moments of humour and clever lines, the dialogue is laden with vulgar language, occasionally overwhelming the audience. The critic Gerrit Bahlman pointed out that Glue’s portrayal of the elocution teacher, marked by a coarse vocal quality, did not convincingly align with the character's sophistication. Despite these challenges, the second act marked a significant improvement. It presents a more cohesive narrative, exploring O'Brien's life post-asylum, allowing Glue's performance to shine through in a more poignant manner. The previously fragmented continuity is replaced by a more compelling and emotional portrayal, which ultimately redeemed the earlier shortcomings of the production.
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