Recently finished Richard's 'The Friends of Meager Fortune.' At times, cheeky and self referential. Also, a poignant description of a lost way of life. The Shanty Boys. The original Teamsters. Lumber barons. Log Rollers. Men who literally danced upon the water. The mythology surrounding these men fascinates me. Songs first heard on ships and then passed on to the forests with a few phrase changes speak of heroic deeds against impossible odds. The work was hard but much less romantic.
I see a similar mentality in the technical theatre world. Groups of guys and gals working in the trenches in order to help create something larger then themselves for which they will be given little if any credit. So they create a mythology for themselves. Riggers pit against audiophiles and electricians all looking down at the lowly box pusher. These folks are the last? of the independents. Working when called to complete the impossible in record time then off to the next gig. Freelancers. Bosses are short term. Loyalty is important...for as long as the run. Many a beer is drunk while stories over 20years old are told as if they happened yesterday to/about people well-known. The oral tradition continues.
Although new technologies are moving in on theatres world wide, there are those who hold on to the old ways-craft- much like the characters Richard's describes. Unions too are becoming more common. The Teamsters are cited as being partially to blame for the end of the lumber industry as it was once known. Are technical unions doing the same to theatre? Is it inevitable? Where will this type of industry be found once more?
My thoughts are scattered. I'm going to have to think about this some more. And sing me some shanty boy songs!
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