Preview

The Odds Against Evan—written and directed by Anthony Taylor, commencing April 6 at Downstage,'Latenite.'

Anthony Taylor has long been one of the notable contributors to the country's repertoire of indigenous radio plays. This is in fact the circumstances of the conception and birth of Odds against Evan. In the next series of Downstage latenight shows at Halfway Up (following Finnegan's Wake and. Pas de Dada dada—see Salient March 28,) Anthony Taylor is to transform his script into flesh and blood (and from a perusal of the script, probably much paint as well!)

Mr Taylor provides [unclear: nsis of] his play.

"Day dawns like any other for our artist hero' Evan; out of work—out of food—out of sorts. Life would be easier hidden underneath the blankets—obliterated by sleep.

"But people intrude—James, James the Righteous, suddenly also out of work and seeking assistance, descends from his upstairs flat to pick and niggle at Evan's life and art—a random preacher confirms the morning with the information that "Jesus saves. "

"Forced, finally, to establish himself anew in this new day, Evan moves toward the creation of a great art work. Spurred on by the miracles of our modern consumer society and an unassailable belief in himself he shapes and distorts friends and events to bring about an extraordinary climax. "

It is difficult to say more about the play without revealing exactly what is the extraordinary climax.' While such a revelation would not seriously damage the dramatic effectiveness of the play, there is a certain element of surprise in the bizarreness of the ending. So suffice to say that in my opinion the play should prove extremely interesting theatre. Much better, in fact, than the depouillee form it was originally aired in.' Its easy and flowing style lends itself to an interesting stage presentation. Yet the very bizarreness of the ending poses no mean directorial challenge. It will indeed be interesting to see how Taylor the director rises to the challenge of Taylor the playwright. In fact to mark the occasion, Richard Mays has agreed to doff his coxcomb and take his critics hat out of mothballs. Watch for his review in next week's Salient.

Allan Smith.