Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 5. March 30 1981
Death of a Conformist
Death of a Conformist
Less obviously, but also importantly, the play is about individualism, and its defeat. The team ethos is at the expense of the individual, so that Ken is expected to play for the sake of the team regardless of his injuries, and his eventual death is the sacrifice of an individual to the idea of the team. Foreskin loses in both the academic world where he finds it has all been said before ("What could I possibly say that was original"), and the rugby world where he is told he is too much of an individual and must conform. (This rugby phenomena has been satirically elevated to myth in Vincent O'Sullivans novel. Miracle). Also, the language and attitudes of the rugby world work against individuals in its terms of abuse against minorities, especially women, foreigners, and homosexuals, and its inability to see these people as people.
It is a pity that there are not more parts for women in Foreskin's Lament, but it is an excellent play which is funny as well as stimulating, and will be well worth seeing in its Wellington season. Hopefully the quality of its writing and content will provide a model for more and better New Zealand plays which are not afraid to deal with ideas.
Gay Cusack