W. S. Graham - Out Of His head
There are a few scattered chairs and other sticks of furniture on the Big Belly stage; a man wearing pyjamas shambles on. This interpretation of W. S. Graham by Kenneth Price (pictured) takes us through his life from near its end, through his youth and manhood to leave us with the mature poet, whose work T.S Eliot considered "may be among the most important" of his time.
Graham was born in Greenock to a father who originated in Galway and a mother who was a native Gaelic speaker. Price's voice for Graham fully exploits the cadences of such roots.
The life of a poet such as Graham makes for a difficult choice of subject matter. Graham lived for much of his life in Cornwall, often in extreme poverty. He often survived by poaching or living off his friends, and had a fondness for the bottle when it could be afforded, but also a sharp sensitivity for both himself and others, which invites satiric treatment. Price resists, however, offering instead a carefully structured portrait which captures a person of both dignity and passion.
Sadly, Graham is (still) little known or regarded today, despite enthusiastic endorsement of his work by writers such as T. S. Eliot and Harold Pinter. In part, Graham was a victim of time and fashion, being initially regarded as a 'neo-romantic' along with figures such as Dylan Thomas. His work fell from favour once 'The Movement' of Phillip Larkin, Elizabeth Jennings and others took poetic taste in a different direction. It was only in the latter part of his life, and with his last two collections of poetry - 'Malcolm Mooney's Land' and 'Implements In Their Places', that Graham's justified reputation began to build.
Much of Price's one-person play focuses on Graham's personal life in Cornwall, his friendships with painters such as Alfred Wallis, whose work became the touchstone for 'The Voyages of Alfred Wallis', his poaching and other activities to stave off penury and above all his abiding love for Nessie Dunsmuir, whom he met whilst a student at Newbattle Abbey College, and who became his wife.
Although quotation from Graham is amply sprinkled throughout Price's play, it is brought to a close with 'Loch Thom', a remarkable meditation on mortality and the fragility of our recollection and re-interpretation of our pasts. Possibly not Graham's finest work, it nevertheless leaves us with an impression of the integrity and genuine humanity of both man and poet.One person plays, like the creation of poetry, are singular, difficult work. Kenneth Price has clearly put considerable effort into 'W. S. Graham - Out of His Head', and does not disappoint.
Times: 4-26 August, 1.30-2.30pm
Copyright: Bill Dunlop 2007, published on Edinburghguide.com August 2007
