Have questions about "Blithe Spirit"
Have any of you read or seen Noel Coward's play Blithe Spirit?
Did you find anything objectionable about the subject matter?
How about using it for a high school drama production?
Please answer only if you are truly familiar with the play, not just looking at Wikipedia, etc.
I will tell you why I need the info in a bit.
Replies
422
Skunky
bottom line the christian did prevail no matter what the vote was.....
the superintendent stated that the play will never be in any of her schools because of the language and content and the same thing was said by the principal of SoWal high school.
the main reason for this is copyright laws that prohibit them from changing any part of the script.
THUS, this play will never be seen on a stage at a walton county school but is will stay in the curriculum.
If you were at SoWal High tonight i hope you read the sign by the restrooms stating "Choices we make today, dictate the lives we lead."...just think about that.
They were actually making reference to scenes where the consumption of alcohol would be depicted as well as profanity. (I don't think anyone advocated anything other than alteration of these scenes.) They didn't object to mediums, ghosts and all that fanciful stuff that seemed to get the churches hot and bothered in the first place. I guess the outcome is in the eye of the beholder.
Beach Fanatic
Seems it was win-win...
The varying perspectives all seem to be finding some silver lining
The varying perspectives all seem to be finding some silver lining
Beach Lover
There is one thing one must understand about Mark Ewing.
The man is usually quite alright with the majority of things that his students do, so long as none of it is completely horrid.
However, when he is put on the spot, as to choosing between one thing or the other, one belief or the other, he'll talk in circles without answering the questions until people just walk away out of annoyance.
He actually made one of the board members roll his eyes at the lengthiness and lack of direction of one of his answers.
In my opinion, the whole thing was quite comedic.
At times, I wish that our system was more reminiscent of Fort Walton Beach High School's where they are allowed to display their creativity with the support of the outlying community. As previously stated, they were allowed to put on To Kill a Mockingbird, albeit with great difficulty, but after all that they went through, they were still capable of doing the play.
Unfortunately, we in SoWal High School do not have that privilege of going on about doing classical or just comedic plays (such as Yours Mine and Ourspace) without being censored and opposed at every other turn.
At the end of the day, it isn't about one religion winning out over evil heathens, or vise-versa, it is about societies tolerance the uncensored expression of creativity that both the writers of the plays, and the actors in said plays, unquestionably deserve.
ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! Mark Ewing is a PRIME example of what is WRONG with the people running our school system! Nothing but a "weather-vane". His motto ought to be "I'm Leaning which ever way the wind blows". To be more specific he originally APPROVED BOTH of the canceled plays. Until he had "second thoughts" put into his ear.
And be honest! If it were NOT for previous Supreme Court rulings to the contrary the vote VERY WELL might have gone the other way.
To all the students on this board, LISTEN UP! This is NOT the kind of leadership YOU want to bring to the next generation!
SoWal ExpertAuthor
Aye yi yi- we are beat.
First of all- my 6 year old daughter sat through 2 1/2 hours of school board meeting. WOw.
I am so proud of these kids!!
Dune-ah got the synopsis correct. However, people "in the know" (theater people) all agree that we will never hear anything from Noel Coward's estate regarding the copywright- because they really don't care about changes made to the play. As bdarg just told me, anybody that flubs their lines has changed the play from the way it was written and violated copywright. it is kind of a 'don't ask don't tell". It's the way theater rolls.
We had to endure a full 30 minutes of people telling the school board to read Biblical scripture to make their decision. This was really scary.
Even scarier? The number of parents who yelled out in protest of Halloween.
And scarier still- overheard by another SoWaller because she was sitting behind these people "Honey, why are we here?" Husband- "Because our minister told us to come".
They didn't have a clue, but were told to show up, and like sheep, they shuffled in.
We had a some tears (very theatrical- especially by a youth minister who was pathetic and sad.)
In the end Mark Davis, the Board of Ed chairman, spoke about when he grew up, religion was not worn on a sleeve, and as an English major, had read the play several times and found no issue with it. Thanks to Mr. Davis- he is intelligent and has a lot of common sense.
So the vote 3 Ayes- Mark Davis, William Laird, and one of the 2 women (the African American lady, but I didn't catch her name).
The Nays? Our own Darrell Barnhill, who was one of the most unimpressive elected officials I have ever run across- his command of the English language was impressive (I am being sarcastic), and the other woman who clearly was all about chucking the play when she arrived. We discounted her immediately just from her pursed lips.
Many many thank yous to all of you- tonight, Skunky, Kevin from the Seaside Rep, Shallowsnole, Kase, and a few others really went out on a limb and made great speeches. I love you guys- you did important work tonight.
And Dune-ah, Rapunzel, Grayton Girl, Questor, and many others were there in support-
Unfortunately, our principal, Mark Ewing, has stated that he can't allow the play to be performed without changes ("sanitizing"), which means we won't be doing the play at SoWal High. That's OK- we have other and better plans. Stay tuned.;-)
Oh, Hi Truethespian!
Funny, your camp didn't look so happy tonight! And it is true that the "Choices you make today dictate the lives we lead". I think you may need to reevaluate, pal.
First of all- my 6 year old daughter sat through 2 1/2 hours of school board meeting. WOw.
I am so proud of these kids!!
Dune-ah got the synopsis correct. However, people "in the know" (theater people) all agree that we will never hear anything from Noel Coward's estate regarding the copywright- because they really don't care about changes made to the play. As bdarg just told me, anybody that flubs their lines has changed the play from the way it was written and violated copywright. it is kind of a 'don't ask don't tell". It's the way theater rolls.
We had to endure a full 30 minutes of people telling the school board to read Biblical scripture to make their decision. This was really scary.
Even scarier? The number of parents who yelled out in protest of Halloween.
And scarier still- overheard by another SoWaller because she was sitting behind these people "Honey, why are we here?" Husband- "Because our minister told us to come".
They didn't have a clue, but were told to show up, and like sheep, they shuffled in.We had a some tears (very theatrical- especially by a youth minister who was pathetic and sad.)
In the end Mark Davis, the Board of Ed chairman, spoke about when he grew up, religion was not worn on a sleeve, and as an English major, had read the play several times and found no issue with it. Thanks to Mr. Davis- he is intelligent and has a lot of common sense.
So the vote 3 Ayes- Mark Davis, William Laird, and one of the 2 women (the African American lady, but I didn't catch her name).
The Nays? Our own Darrell Barnhill, who was one of the most unimpressive elected officials I have ever run across- his command of the English language was impressive (I am being sarcastic), and the other woman who clearly was all about chucking the play when she arrived. We discounted her immediately just from her pursed lips.
Many many thank yous to all of you- tonight, Skunky, Kevin from the Seaside Rep, Shallowsnole, Kase, and a few others really went out on a limb and made great speeches. I love you guys- you did important work tonight.
And Dune-ah, Rapunzel, Grayton Girl, Questor, and many others were there in support-
Unfortunately, our principal, Mark Ewing, has stated that he can't allow the play to be performed without changes ("sanitizing"), which means we won't be doing the play at SoWal High. That's OK- we have other and better plans. Stay tuned.;-)
Oh, Hi Truethespian!
Funny, your camp didn't look so happy tonight! And it is true that the "Choices you make today dictate the lives we lead". I think you may need to reevaluate, pal.Beach Comber
personally it was a win-win situation for both sides...
1) it will stay in the curriculum and in the schools
2) but it will never be performed in a walton county school
1) it will stay in the curriculum and in the schools
2) but it will never be performed in a walton county school
Beach Comber
i dont think i need to reevaluate that statement, i think the administration and the ones for blithe spirit need to...but hey each side did win in a way but you know the battle is not over so just get over it jdarg our time will come
master of the darg side
A big thank you to my fellow classmates and actors who stood up for SWHS Drama. In the end common sense and intelligence won the day.
"But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
And we'll not fail."
Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7
"But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
And we'll not fail."
Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7
SoWal ExpertAuthor
personally it was a win-win situation for both sides...
1) it will stay in the curriculum and in the schools
2) but it will never be performed in a walton county school
really?
Beach Lover
Methinks Truethespian went to a different meeting than we attended. All we have to do now is get rid of the principal and administrator and THEN SWHS can move into the 21st century!
SoWal ExpertAuthor
i dont think i need to reevaluate that statement, i think the administration and the ones for blithe spirit need to...but hey each side did win in a way but you know the battle is not over so just get over it jdarg our time will come
Wow- I love it when Christians issue threats. So Christ-like.
Beach Lover
Take it easy, Jdarg. Have a little sympathy. MOST of those others have a LONG drive back to Okaloosa County. Where they LOST that battle TOO!
SoWal ExpertAuthor
Take it easy, Jdarg. Have a little sympathy. MOST of those others have a LONG drive back to Okaloosa County. Where they LOST that battle TOO!
True. But there were many Walton county residents in the crowd that clearly believed that it should be God's Way or the highway when it comes to our public schools. It was embarrassing and appalling at the same time.
In a bigger city or community, this issue never would have made it to board level. They dealt with this sort of thing and squashed it 10 to 20 years ago.
Beach Comber
Personally that is not a threat. You just have a problem with people you have different oppions than yourself. Also some other things that surprised me was that the thespian president did not even defend her troupe and something even more surprising the drama teacher did not defend his department. I mean even Jake Lehman defended his size. I think it is time that the drama department stepped up to the plate. And i was at the same meeting so apparently you were not paying attention to the superintendent when she made her comment and when ewing made his. But, yes i do agree with the people you critized ewing. He really does need a slap upside the head...im just saying.
SoWal ExpertAuthor
Personally that is not a threat. You just have a problem with people you have different oppions than yourself. Also some other things that surprised me was that the thespian president did not even defend her troupe and something even more surprising the drama teacher did not defend his department. I mean even Jake Lehman defended his size. I think it is time that the drama department stepped up to the plate. And i was at the same meeting so apparently you were not paying attention to the superintendent when she made her comment and when ewing made his. But, yes i do agree with the people you critized ewing. He really does need a slap upside the head...im just saying.
The drama teacher was advised by the admin not to speak. Since Jake Lehman brought the challenge, he was supposed to speak.
Beach Comber
Oh and just by the way i dont live in Okaloosa county and i dont see a battle in Okaloosa county but that is even beside the point. But i do want to mention the hatred in the drama department that i have seen personally to myself and friends and it did not just start with blithe spirit. So i dont really understand why people are just in awe of the drama department people when you dont know them personally but dont get me wrong not all of them are this way.
Beach Lover
...I mean even Jake Lehman defended his size....
"I didn't think he looked so big!"
.....not paying attention to the superintendent when she made her comment and when ewing made his.
...........But, yes i do agree with the people you critized ewing. He really does need a slap upside the head...im just saying.
Typos aside the Last Part needs no comment even when made by the other side. It stands on it's on merits.
Beach Comber
Why must this be made into a battle of Christians vs. the infidels? I like to think I am flexible and open-minded enough that I can support Blithe Spirit AND be a practicing Methodist without too much strain on my beliefs. So as to the "Christians prevailing" tonight, I think truethespian should remember that he was one of a very small group of Christians in that auditorium tonight, and that he does not represent us all.
Edited
SoWal ExpertAuthor
Oh and just by the way i dont live in Okaloosa county and i dont see a battle in Okaloosa county but that is even beside the point. But i do want to mention the hatred in the drama department that i have seen personally to myself and friends and it did not just start with blithe spirit. So i dont really understand why people are just in awe of the drama department people when you dont know them personally but dont get me wrong not all of them are this way.
I do know many of them personally ( and they know you too
) but I am not going to include them in a spitting match with a very unevolved teen. These kids were intelligent enough to understand that religious involvement was wrong and they were savvy enough to see that they were going to be screwed if they didn't speak up. Kudos to them for acting like maturing and evolving adults.If you can read and follow the local news, there was a protest in the Ft. Walton High School drama department regarding To Kill A Mockingbird. Happily it is being performed this weekend, and I hear it is wonderful.
I am going to bed now since we have covered all we need to cover. Carry on, little thespian, and good luck to you.
Beach Lover
Why must this be made into a battle of Christians vs. the infidels? I like to think I am flexible and open-minded enough that I can support Blithe Spirit AND be a practicing Methodist without too much strain on my beliefs. So as to the "Christians prevailing" tonight, I think truethespian should remember that he was one of a very small group of Christians in that auditorium tonight, and that he does not represent us all.
HERE HERE!! TRUTH SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS CAN SAY!
Beach Fanatic
Personally that is not a threat. You just have a problem with people you have different oppions than yourself. Also some other things that surprised me was that the thespian president did not even defend her troupe and something even more surprising the drama teacher did not defend his department. I mean even Jake Lehman defended his size. I think it is time that the drama department stepped up to the plate. And i was at the same meeting so apparently you were not paying attention to the superintendent when she made her comment and when ewing made his. But, yes i do agree with the people you critized ewing. He really does need a slap upside the head...im just saying.
Seriously, isn't some nascent command of English and grammar necessary to declare oneself a true thespian, or any other kind of thespian? Drama is a language art, after all.
Of all the things I saw tonight that bothered me, the appalling level of grammar used by not just many of the speakers but also the board left me feeling really sad. Further, there was no intellectual discussion of the work and it's actual content beyond "it's a farce." I doubt many in attendance knew the word farce. The level of discourse in determining the curriculum for educating the children of our community just isn't acceptable.
And when I heard that there was a similar fight in a neighboring county opposing the production of To Kill a Mockingbird by the NAACP....I mean, one of the most important works that helped galvanize the civil rights movement? It's like intellectual and liberal are dirty words or foreign concepts. Will I have to send my children off to boarding school at the age of twelve to make sure they're equipped to succeed in the world outside NW Florida?
Edited
SoWal ExpertAuthor
Bdarg has a great idea. Since such a fuss was made over this play, you KNOW every kid at SWHS will want read it and I am sure the library only has 1 or 2 copies. If lots of people donated a copy to the library, there would be plenty of copies to satisfy the kids' curiosity. And boy will they be disappointed when it's not the sex and boozefest that they they were anticipating!
Beach Fanatic
Why has no one named this church yet? Is it "the-church-who-shall-not-be-named?"
SoWal ExpertAuthor
Why has no one named this church yet? Is it "the-church-who-shall-not-be-named?"
I know! Turns out there were several represented, and one Baptist pastor did say his name, but I got the feeling he was from a small congregation, not one of the mega churches. The youth minister that cried tears over the moral decay of our youth didn't identify his church as far as I could tell. Many of these had not read the play, but were "alerted" to the meeting by the ministers, and asked to attend to "protect our children".
SoWal ExpertAuthor
Beach Fanatic
It was the Cult International on 98 ? 
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.