Mae West: Thematic Bedrock

Starring Australian actress Melita Jurisic as the American icon MAE WEST, a new play “Arbus and West” was onstage in Melbourne until March 30th. Naturally, Mae would have stipulated that her name was placed first in the title. Let’s enjoy a spirited review by drama critic Robert Reid. This is Part 14.
• • “Arbus and West” — — A one-way gladiatorial battle • •
• • The text glides instead of drilling down into thematic bedrock • •
• • Robert Reid wrote: There’s so much here that might be more fully explored. The text glides over much of this territory, failing to drill down into thematic bedrock. The interpersonal politics of two very different generations are given light treatment (one wonders how well that might be handled by Sewell anyway; perhaps he’s right to avoid mansplaining two such striking women).
• • Robert Reid wrote: Likewise, he barely touches on how we carve the facades of our identities out of our pasts, our relationships, our fears and our egos.
• • “Well, it is very verbose.” • • . . .
• • To be concluded on the next post.
• • Source: Witness, stage review; published on Wednesday, 6 March 2019.
• • On Tuesday, 19 April 1927 • •

• • The sentencing of Mae West, Jim Timony, and the cast of "Sex" took place on Tuesday, 19 April 1927 in Jefferson Market Court (General Sessions). That trial and the dramatic guilty verdict end Act I of the full-length stage play "Courting Mae West: Sex, Censorship, and Secrets," a serious-minded comedy set during 1926 — 1932. Watch a scene on YouTube.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • Tea came in a silver service on a tray and was served by Paul Novak: English tea and shop-bought shortbread, which I hogged much more of than she did.  Though Mae West was known for her curves, I got the impression she wasn't much interested in food, and certainly not in cooking it.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: "I have an extra thyroid gland. It gives me twice the energy and twice, the, you know, everything else I guess."
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Brooklyn Daily Eagle mentioned Mae West.
• • “Rumor of a New Play” • •
• • Jack Linder, who is one of the "big boys" in vaudeville, will play in "Chatham Square," by and with Mae West. It will open for a week in Brooklyn, April 2nd, prior to its Manhattan showing on April 9th . . .
• • Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle; published on Thursday, 15 March 1928
• • The evolution of 2 Mae West plays that keep her memory alive • • 
• • A discussion with Mae West playwright LindaAnn LoSchiavo — — 
• • http://lideamagazine.com/renaissance-woman-new-york-city-interview-lindaann-loschiavo/

• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 14th anniversary • •  

• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past fourteen years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 4,100 blog posts. Wow!  

• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started fourteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 4195th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.

• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo: • • Mae West • • "Sex" in 1926 • •
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