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Uncle Dave Lewis lives in a hole in the back of his brain, filled with useless trivia about 78 rpm records, silent movies, unfinished symphonies, broken up punk bands from the 80s and other old stuff no one cares about. This is where he goes to let off a little steam- perhaps you will find it useful, perhaps not. Who knows?

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Tuesday, October 21, 2003

Alls Well That Ends Well

I gave my talk at the Student Activities Building tonight under the aegis of WCBN's "Perspectives in Free Form." It went really well, I worked very hard on it and had to cut about a third of it out; as it was it ran 90 minutes which is what I was shooting for. Got a late start though.

Some interesting points raised: I stumped once again for the idea that what the DJs are doing really is not as original as they think it is, although I didn't really come out and baldly state it that way. If I were to do it again I think I would have to get rid of the historical part of the program that attempts to cover the history of noise in music back to the age of the Russolos. As a result of time lost to that I wasn't really able to cover anything of Art Damage past, perhaps, 1986 (!)

I really wish I had something lovely and intelligent to say, but I'm wiped out. Here's the text of "No Play" which I promised some weeks ago.

NO PLAY

A Sintesi by David N. Lewis

Dramatis Personae
A: female
B: male

A: No No No No No No No No No

B: I won’t be your wife

A: No No No No No No No No No No No No No

B: I don’t believe in Noh plays

A: No No No No No No No No No

B: It’s incidental, you hear? I’ve had nothing to do with it.

A: No No No No No No No No No No No No No

B: I’ve understood the basic precept of this episode. You’re going to say “no” to whatever I say.

A: No No No No No No No No No

B: Be that way. I have no desire to become anything like you, you peasant. Die in the worst way possible. I hope you’re torn apart by horses.

A: No No No No No No No No No No No No No

B: 13. If I live to be 13, I’d be pretty righteous. I wouldn’t give up my righteousness for anything in the world. Then I’d become a Zionist, and get everyone in the world to follow me! From a common man to a god.

(Heavy object falls on B, reducing him to a pulp.)

A: No No No No No No No No No

Written: 05/29/1987
Premiere: at C.A.G.E. Gallery, Cincinnati sometime before 08/07/1987. Cast: A: Lala Allan. B: David N. Lewis
Copyright 1987, 2003 David N. Lewis

NOTE: A Heavy object need not necessarily fall on B. In performance, I told the audience what was happening and mimed the action. Better still to hold up a printed card spelling out the direction and mime the action.

Of course, if you have a heavy object to drop on B, by all means go forward. But drop it in front of the actor so he is not hurt.

Uncle Dave Lewis
UncleDave41@comcast.net
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