All That Chat - re: Any early word on "A Man's A Man" at CSC or "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" at Atlantic?

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re: Any early word on "A Man's A Man" at CSC or "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" at Atlantic?

Posted by:	writerkev 07:22 pm EST 01/14/14
In reply to:	Any early word on "A Man's A Man" at CSC or "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner&q ... - ksd 06:15 pm EST 01/14/14

I had never seen the movie or read the story of "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" before seeing the play. I found it interesting and mainly well-done (with the exception of some awkward staging, a bit of obviousness in its Big Scene, and one actress I didn't like). I can see why it was a touchstone for so many in the 60s, but I think the sentiments are a bit of that time--even though the story's been moved to contemporary times and set against the backdrop of the London riots of a few years ago. It reminded me of other stories from that general period like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" where non-conformity is held to be the highest virtue. An outsider or "crazy" person is pitted against The Man, and it's all about keeping that individuality, dude. All well and good, but I'm not quite sure I bought into "Long Distance Runner's" belief in this petty criminal of a protagonist. In order to feel triumph when the non-conformist beats The Man, I think you have to think he has something better going on than what society makes available. I think you have to want to be him, in a way. Not sure I could feel the exhilaration that's probably intended. Anyway, there's my odd, less-than-fully-formed reaction.

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Previous:	Anyone see "A Man's A Man"? - bwaydiva1 11:39 am EST 01/15/14
Next:	re: Any early word on "A Man's A Man" at CSC or "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runn ... - lowwriter 07:33 pm EST 01/14/14

Thread:	re: Any early word on "A Man's A Man" at CSC or "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runn ... - lowwriter 07:33 pm EST 01/14/14 (2) Usually I HAVEN'T read the book- but Long Dist. is a really good + funny novella nm - thtrgoer 10:12 pm EST 01/14/14 (1) thanks for your comments - ksd 09:42 am EST 01/15/14

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