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