Scott Ramsey Reviews "The Memory Book" by Jack Dyville
On Monday night, Ten Grand Productions held another meeting of their Cold Cuts play reading series. I was excited to attend as this production company was new to me. And I knew Jack Dyville was one of the featured playwrights for the night which also grabbed my interest.
Tex in the City has tried several times to find the right fit for Dyville's work, whether it be a play reading or actually producing one of his pieces. Through this process I have read one of his full length plays and loved it. So I was thrilled to know that he would be a part of Cold Cuts and I could hear even more of his work.
This particular play reading series is very unique. The goal is not to direct or rehearse these readings but truly have them be "cold" so the writer has an opportunity to hear the words as they are written. Ten Grand Productions really believes in the journey of developing new work and this reading series provides some of the beginning elements of that process. It's a great approach and, after witnessing on Monday, one that is very productive.
Three plays were read on Monday. "Dealt" by Joshua Ess, "Perverted Roberta" by Mira Gibson and "The Memory Book" by Jack Dyville. All three were unique in their own way and it was interesting to see them read in the setting.
Ten Grand produces this reading series at the Actors' Chapel at St. Malachy's Church so it's instantly a very unique environment.
Dyville's play in this atmosphere (and so many others I'm certain) was beautiful. It was at once touching, very sweet, and like so much of his work, infused with a sensitivty that was empathetic and kind.
"The Memory Book" is a one-act that reminisces the lives of two inseparable friends and chorus boys who made a promise to meet up again at age 65. One has constructed a book highlighting all of the memories and experiences they shared together. By flipping through the Memory Book, their regroupingunfolds as they remember, heal old wounds, and discover what lies ahead. Sometimes humurous, sometimes emotional and always compassionate, Dyville leaves the audience with a new perspective on life well lived and what that truly means.
In talking with Jack afterwards, he was very excited to have seen his work in this light. Bringing life to a piece in this way can provide a world of information for the playwright and I know Jack especially was thrilled to have been a part. I left Ten Grand Productions' Cold Cuts play reading series on Monday with a new found enthusiasm for the process of finding new work. And I especially look forward to hearing much more from Jack Dyville.
Tex in the City has tried several times to find the right fit for Dyville's work, whether it be a play reading or actually producing one of his pieces. Through this process I have read one of his full length plays and loved it. So I was thrilled to know that he would be a part of Cold Cuts and I could hear even more of his work.
This particular play reading series is very unique. The goal is not to direct or rehearse these readings but truly have them be "cold" so the writer has an opportunity to hear the words as they are written. Ten Grand Productions really believes in the journey of developing new work and this reading series provides some of the beginning elements of that process. It's a great approach and, after witnessing on Monday, one that is very productive.
Three plays were read on Monday. "Dealt" by Joshua Ess, "Perverted Roberta" by Mira Gibson and "The Memory Book" by Jack Dyville. All three were unique in their own way and it was interesting to see them read in the setting.
Ten Grand produces this reading series at the Actors' Chapel at St. Malachy's Church so it's instantly a very unique environment.
Dyville's play in this atmosphere (and so many others I'm certain) was beautiful. It was at once touching, very sweet, and like so much of his work, infused with a sensitivty that was empathetic and kind.
"The Memory Book" is a one-act that reminisces the lives of two inseparable friends and chorus boys who made a promise to meet up again at age 65. One has constructed a book highlighting all of the memories and experiences they shared together. By flipping through the Memory Book, their regroupingunfolds as they remember, heal old wounds, and discover what lies ahead. Sometimes humurous, sometimes emotional and always compassionate, Dyville leaves the audience with a new perspective on life well lived and what that truly means.
In talking with Jack afterwards, he was very excited to have seen his work in this light. Bringing life to a piece in this way can provide a world of information for the playwright and I know Jack especially was thrilled to have been a part. I left Ten Grand Productions' Cold Cuts play reading series on Monday with a new found enthusiasm for the process of finding new work. And I especially look forward to hearing much more from Jack Dyville.
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