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A small piece of green paper
Six Degrees of Separation is a play, and film written by John Guare
about the conjecture that are all linked by five intermediaries..
Six Degrees of Separation is standard theatre fare. Most people have
seen it once but probably don’ t go out of their way to see it twice.
I recall the play introduced me to Kandinsky ‘s paintings.
One afternoon , not far from the Sea Bus terminal, in North Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada, per chance my eye doctor mentioned he was visiting London
for a short holiday. Since I attended the English equivalent of high school
in Chiswick, I mentioned some not so well known visiting destinations. One
being Hampton Court where I was born.
The Dr became interested and made notes on a yellow note pad,
adding that he often visited London as his daughter lived there. Since
he was clearly not writing a prescription, I relaxed and mused as to
what would entice a Canadian girl to live in London. An actress, a gothic
cathedral researcher or a druid fan? The Dr quickly solved my puzzle.
His daughter was an actress appearing at the Old Vic in a play
called Six Degrees of Separation.
I knew of the theatre and once or twice visited it with an older cousin.
I must have been about twelve and recall it was here I was first addressed
as ‘Sir’ by the usher. A memorial event for any twelve year, old signifying
the then welcome marching of time. In recent years, there have been other age
milestones not welcomed including these eye appointments. The Dr. wrote
something more on a small piece of green paper and handed it to me, saying
he wanted me back in four months. I exited through the large waiting room
I saw no one I knew. There used to be paintings of mountains and
war canoes hanging on the light green walls plus one Tony Onley work.
In recent months, these have been replaced by enlarged psychedelic
photographs of the eye, some what Kandinsky-like.
Later that day I Googled the production. In the cast
were Anthony Head and the Dr’s daughter, Sarah Goldberg.
Anthony Head was the name on which I froze, since
I had gone to school in Chiswick with his elder brother,
Murray Head. Murray was a year older than me.
In those days everyone was at least one year older.
Now of course everyone tends to be younger than me On
leaving school Murray went on to short term fame
as a singer and actor I went on to university to study electrical
engineering. I see that he is singing in France these days and
we both are not famous but linked by a green piece of paper.
John Joyce was born at Hampton Court, in England. He held school records for running the mile.
He was educated in London and Salford, Lancashire where he gained an honours degree in electrical
engineering. Subsequent studies have been at Dalhousie University, University of British Columbia
and Capilano College. John Joyce started writing philosophy at school and has been extensively published.
Moniques's Interview was his first short play and Going Standby is his latest.
He departed England for Montreal to go around the world,
living at different times in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Dartmouth.He resides in Vancouver,
Canada with his wife Diane. Altus Arts Agency promotes his works worldwide.
Email: John Joyce
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