H05038 APRIL 2005 NOTES AND QUERIES - 4/3/05 - HARDY FORUM ARCHIVES ____________________________________________________________________________
NEW INSIGHTS INTO RN DICE GAME
THE HARDY TREE NEWS
DORCHESTER HOMES QUERY (3)
PRONOUNCING "GOSSE" (4)
"HAP" AND "MEN IN BLACK"
THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE PRODUCTION
NEGATIVE CAPABILITY QUESTION
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From: Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu
Subject: New insights into the RN Dice Game
Date: April 3, 2005 6:24:46 AM PDT
Since I've had two enquiries about this Dice business I am re-posting the Forum info.
_____________________________
Remember last year that John Gould had a query - from his students -- about the dice game in *Return of the Native* and it's peculiar computing system?
Well - here's the latest - posted on News Update (for reasons of the attached image showing the game of Dorset dice).
http://www.yale.edu/hardysoc/updates.htm
All best,
Rosemarie
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From: Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu
Subject: The Hardy Tree
Date: April 5, 2005 6:17:55 AM PDT
Greetings -- I'm forwarding a letter received today from "The Hardy Tree" -- as follows:
(see also our previous posting at http://www.yale.edu/hardysoc/updates.htm)
Best
Rosemarie
_________________
Just a quick email to inform you that THE HARDY TREE has been given a development grant from the Arts Council of England. The project will be going ahead in late October and we would love to invite your members to the free performances (where their feedback will be essential) in the last week of October at the Old St. Pancras Churchyard, NW1 London.
I will send you further details around August 05. The script has been commissioned and the OtC Board are currently working toward finalising the project dates.
Many thanks for your help, support and guidance with this project.
OtC is building a website, it will be completed within the next few months, however you can currently view it at www.otctheatre.co.uk
Yours,
Paul Dubois
Off the Cuff Theatre Company
07786 917 330
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From: JOHN.SPAETH@highland.edu
Subject: Are there still homes in Dorchester where one may see through from front to back, like Hardy describes in MC
Date: April 6, 2005 6:46:32 PM PDT
Are there still homes in Dorchester where one may see through from front
to back, like Hardy described in the "Mayor of C."? I believe he
indicated that the doors had to be open, and one could see things such
as Henchard's place of business or the back gardens.
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From: Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu
Subject: Re: Are there still homes in Dorchester where one may see through from front to back, like Hardy descri
Date: April 9, 2005 6:07:57 AM PDT
Yes- John, there are. And all over Britain. This is especially common, in what Americans call "row" houses and Britons call "semi-detached." Passers-by can catch glimpses of the rear garden or yard through the front windows of the house. In Scotland, say the fishing villages of Pittenweem or Anstruther on the East Neuk of Fife, many householders leave their doors and windows open in summer so that glimpses of their pretty back yards (patio-style) can be seen from the street. These semi-detached dwellings are built on tiny acreage and often comprise a single room on 2, 3, 4 storeys so that the ground floor room has windows opening on to the street and, at the rear, to the back garden or yard.
Cheers,
Rosemarie
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From: JOHN.SPAETH@highland.edu
Subject: Re: Are there still homes in Dorchester where one may see through from front to back, like Hardy de
Date: April 9, 2005 2:06:26 PM PDT
Thank you Rosemarie. I hope to check it out in person one day.I'm
finishing Millgate right now and thoroughly enjoying it. John
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From: JOHN.SPAETH@highland.edu
Subject: Re: Are there still homes in Dorchester where one may see through from front to back, like Hardy descri
Date: April 7, 2005 2:34:58 PM PDT
How does one pronounce the last name of Edmund Gosse?
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From: harrybatt@mn.rr.com
Subject: Re: Are there still homes in Dorchester where one may see through from front to back, like Hardy descri
Date: April 7, 2005 4:26:17 PM PDT
Edmund Gosse:- En France on dit, "Gaws" The French love to diddle with
the double consonant. Cherchez la "famme." John Bridell, Minneapolis
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From: JOHN.SPAETH@highland.edu
Subject: Re: Are there still homes in Dorchester where one may see through from front to back, like Hardy de
Date: April 8, 2005 2:57:23 PM PDT
Thanks! I never would have suspected the French pronunciation. John
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From: Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu
Subject: Re: Are there still homes in Dorchester where one may see through from front to back, like Hardy descri
Date: April 8, 2005 6:54:26 PM PDT
As in Boss --
Rosemarie
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From: sschofi404@pickens.net
Subject: "Hap" and "Men in Black"
Date: April 9, 2005 1:05:34 PM PDT
Has anyone ever recognized the similarity between the ending of the movie "Men in Black" to the poem "Hap"?
In the last scene of the movie, you see "alien's" arms playing a game with the galaxies which are marbles. I think this would compare with "dicing Time" and the "purblind Doomsters" in Hardy's poem.
Jennifer Schofield
sschofi404@pickens.net
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From: michael@perceptivecreation.co.uk
Subject: Mayor of Casterbridge tour
Date: April 14, 2005 4:12:06 PM PDT
15 April, 2005
PRESS RELEASE
"THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE" SCHEDULED FOR SOUTH-WEST TOUR
"The Mayor of Casterbridge" is Philip Goulding's highly-praised adaptation of Thomas Hardy's famous plot-driven story showing the rise and fall of a proud and self-destructive man.
When 21 year-old hay-trusser Michael Henchard gets drunk and sells his wife and her baby for 5 guineas at Weydon-Priors Fair to a sailor, he reaches a turning-point in his life. He vows temperance, tries in vain to find his wife, applies himself to such an extent that he becomes a substantial businessman and Mayor of Casterbridge. But he never manages to escape his inner loneliness and his need to impose his will on others and command their total loyalty.
The rich pageant of characters who create impact on his life include amongst others the too-brilliant Scotsman, Donald Farfrae, and three women - his rediscovered wife, Susan, his mistress and intended wife, Lucetta, and the girl who may be his daughter, Elizabeth-Jane.
This powerful story confirmed Thomas Hardy as a major novelist.
The Wessex Actors Company has earned its reputation for quality Hardy adaptations over the years. "The Mayor of Casterbridge" will be the company's 6th production by this internationally acclaimed writer. The last was a second production of Hardy's own adaptation of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" in 2001, the company being the only producer of this script since Hardy himself.
The cast for this production includes Chris Walker (Weymouth) as Michael Henchard, Stuart Brennan (Barnstaple) as his nemesis, Farfrae, Angela Bell (Glastonbury) as Henchard's wife, Susan, Louise Leavey (Wincanton) as Lucetta, Henchard's past love, talented newcomer Paula Denning (Ilminster) as Elizabeth-Jane, his possible daughter, and Adrian Lynch (Taunton) who, along with the rest of the cast, plays a raft of very distinctive supporting characters.
The play is directed by Michael Barry, the company's founding artistic director, and the production coincides with the company's twelfth birthday.
A substantial tour covers 18 performances (as at 23/3/5). Dates follow (7.30 unless indicated), and tickets for the show are available from:
27/4 Taunton Thespians private preview: The Place, Taunton
29/4 Dumbleton Village Hall (01386 861478)
30/4 Wharf Theatre, Tavistock 8pm (01822 611166)
3/5 Weymouth Pavilion (Ocean Room) (01305 783225)
4/5 Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton (01823 414141)
5/5 Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis (01297 442138)
6/5 Rondo Theatre, Bath 8pm (01225 463362)
10/5 Grange School, Christchurch 1.20 pm (internal perf)
11/5 Bere Regis Village Hall (01929 471342)
14/5 Arc Theatre Trowbridge (01225 766241/ 756376)
18/5 Corn Exchange, Dorchester 8 pm (TIC:01305 267992)
19/5 The Space, Stroud (01453 764395 Riffs Music)
20/5 Quantock Lodge (01278 733100/ 732252) (outdoors if fine, indoors if not)
21/5 Puddletown Village Hall (01305 848646)
25/5 Barrington Theatre, Ferndown (01202 894858)
2/6 Digby Hall, Sherborne Festival 01935 815899)
3+4/6 Fyne Court, Taunton (SWF members 01823 652400); (Taunton TIC - public 01823 336344) (outdoor perfs if fine, indoor if not)
Director, Michael Barry, comments "We've always found Hardy's stories to be very popular on the stage. And I've no doubt that the fantastic twists and turns of this plot, 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' is not going to be an exception. 'What's going to happen next?' is a question that's in our mind throughout this story."
Contact: (Wessex Actors Co) Michael Barry 01278 733100/ 07906 364189
Philip Goulding's adaptation (originally for a production by Forest Forge and Salisbury Playhouse) was highly-praised:
"This excellent adaptation" (Bournemouth Echo)
"...quite extraordinary clarity" (The Guardian)
"...nicely follows the tragic curve of the fortunes of Michael Henchard" (Financial Times)
"...fine adaptation" (Interval Magazine)
"A gripping saga" (The Independent)
The Wessex Actors Company has earned its reputation for quality Hardy adaptations over the years. "The Mayor of Casterbridge" will be our 6th production by this internationally acclaimed writer. Our last was our 2nd production of Hardy's own adaptation of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" in 2001:
"The Wessex Actors Company with Michael Barry's sympathetic, uncluttered direction continues to give value... leaving the starring role to Thomas Hardy and his narrative."
"A magnificent week..."
"The Wessex Actors Company totally transfixed the audience from start to finish. The acting was superb."
"..performed by a highly talented group. This powerful production is not to be missed."
"...wonderfully captivating and moving..."
"Thank you for the wonderful performance."
"A compelling night's entertainment."
"Rep isn't dead, it's alive and well and producing mini-masterpieces like this all over the country"
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From: schweik@fredonia.edu
Subject: A Hardy Quizbook
Date: April 17, 2005 11:49:36 AM PDT
Members of the Forum might be amused to know that Oxford
University Press is bringing out, in its "Oxford Worlds Classics"
series, a book by the indefatigable John Sutherland titled
So You Think You Know Thomas Hardy? A Literary Quizbook.
The book is announced for publication in Oxford UP's electronic
catalogue for October of 2005.
It includes quizzes on FFMC, RofN, MofC, TW, Tess, and JO,
proceeding from simple factual questions to more abstruse and
probing ones, with Sutherland's answers provided in the back.
Bob Schweik
Robert Schweik
University Distinguished Teaching Professor, Emeritus
Department of English
State University College
Fredonia, NY 14063
USA
schweik@fredonia.edu
schweikr@localnet.com
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From: hardycor@owl.csusm.edu
Subject: Forwarded Posting
Date: April 20, 2005 12:54:41 PM PDT
Dear All,
I am copying this posting from the VICTORIA List. Please reply directly to
the writer, not to the Forum.
Many Thanks,
Betty
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 14:43:16 -0300
Reply-To: smaier@unbsj.ca
From: Sarah Maier <smaier@unbsj.ca>
Subject: Thomas Hardy's "Tess"
To: VICTORIA@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
Hello Everyone:
I am a quiet reader of all of the interesting postings on VICTORIA and am
finally sending my own posting.
I would welcome your comments and suggestions regarding my second edition
of Hardy's "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" on which I am currently working.
Quite a while has passed since I completed the first edition (1996) and I
now have more experience to bring to bear. While I corrected several
difficulties the 1998 reprinting, I now have the opportunity to add, change
or expand the volume in order to make it even more valuable to teachers,
students and scholars.
Thank you for your indulgence, and I look forward to your replies either on
or off list to smaier@unbsj.ca.
Sincerely,
Sarah
Sarah E. Maier, PhD
Associate Professor
English & Comparative Literature
University of New Brunswick
office telephone: 506 648 5647
email: smaier@unbsj.ca
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From: JOHN.SPAETH@highland.edu
Subject: Negative Capability
Date: April 9, 2005 2:27:52 PM PDT
If we read all of his works without knowing who wrote them, would he be
as hard to identify or decipher as a person, as Shakespeare is from his
works? Keats said Shakespeare was a genius because he could remove
himself from his work. His characters according to Bloom could just
walk off the stage as they were so unconnected to the author. In
Millgate Hardy says that once he came up with his characters they took
on their own lives and continued on their way. I never would have
thought that Hardy was negatively capable until I read this. Hardy seems
to imply his own concept of how his characters, once created, assume a
life of their own as far the creation process goes. His later need for
privacy as far as his personal life, as well as the fact that his main
characters were mostly women would throw someone off the scent of who
he was as a person. If their wasn't a lot of information publicly about
Hardy, such as if he had lived during Shakespeare's time, would he also
be a genius of Negative Capability? Keats defined Neg. Cap. as what
the artist needed to do to create. The removal of self would allow for
work free from the personal man. I'll elaborate on Monday, as they are
kicking me out of the library. Sincerely, John
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