When the CD of Act V of Robert Wilson’s epic the CIVIL warS: a tree is best measured when it is down came out while I was at Dartington I became immediately obsessed by it. I listened to it all the time. And many of the lines in Laurie Anderson’s monologue entered my consciousness and rattled around for years. But only today, having not heard or thought about it for years have I found the empty CD case and spent all day rummaging around on the internet for the scarce details about the production. I re-read the libretto in the CD booklet and found myself remembering the intonation of each line. Only today have I realised that Act V encompasses Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, and all kinds of references and techniques that relate to Hugger-Mugger, or whatever this project will become. I am very happy to revisit this old friend.
Here are some of the things that I watched:
the CIVIL warS documentary
David Byrne Knee Play 9
These little ‘knee plays’ for brass band were created for connecting sections of The Civil Wars during big scene changes. Some are better than others. I like the business one (5) too.