2007/04/03 Dublin
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Without artistic result

Meissner and the pope

An author should not only brag about his awards, his successes, his less fortunate investments and his amante, from time to time he should be open about a devastating defeat, an extremely unpleasant knuckle sandwich.
I spent the month of February in Wroclaw to write a play for Teatr Wspolczesny.
Yesterday Krystyna Meissner, director of the theater, sent me a letter in which she stated that my play “Our Pope” (specially written for Krystyna Meissner) is not going to be staged.
The language Mrs. Meissner uses in her letter is rather strong. I will quote her: “The text is very irregular, especially on the level of dramatic construction and language. It looks like it was written in haste, in a slipshod way. The action is pushed forward by sketches and gags, interconnected weakly and unskilfully, matching a gross cabaret reflection better than a stage analysis. Commonplaces follow one another, without artistic result, unfortunately.” No further explanation is needed to point out that the letter by Mrs. Meissner is a metaphysical knuckle sandwich and I’m on the receiving end.
Without artistic result. These three words hunt me since yesterday. A play without artistic result is like a Catholic without the pope.
But I decided to turn this metaphysical knuckle sandwich into something positive.

Within the next few months both Mrs. Meissner’s letter and my answer will be published in a limited edition of 49 copies. Pictures of Mrs. Meissner, Mrs. Meissner’s dog and me will be added to this collector’s item titled: “Without artistic result : Meissner and the pope.”
Proceeds will be used to help victims of child abuse inside and outside the Catholic Church.
Unless Mrs. Meissner insists on receiving royalties, but I assume that she is more than grateful for the opportunity to help victims of Catholic child abuse.



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11 comments Last_comment
There really is a positive spin on everything, isn't there. :-D
said Dens Powells 03/04/2007 23:20 • x
This is not the first time a director has problems with a play of yours. Was't there a series of fall-outs with the director of "You are also very attractive when you are dead " ?

And I believe you once have written a letter (published in Humo) to the director of "Het veertiende kippetje" to remind him of the way he managed to misunderstand your screenplay.

Perhaps it is fair to say you tend to have a turbulent relationship with les maîtres du théâtre.
said Pjötr Nembkow 04/04/2007 10:07 • x
The good thing about your work is that there are phraises and sentences that forces you to think, which may take some time. The dialoques are often very realistic (and therefore funny). Because of this your work , I think, is not suited for theatre, which requires simple (unrealistic) dialoques.
said Herman Hartmann 04/04/2007 14:09 (Updated 17:19) • x
They always hurt you where you are the weakest, were you do care (cfr. you remarkable text in Humo, this week). That is why they insist on ‘Without artistic result’.
Your words gave me courage to fight the moral blackmail or judgment, as would say captain Kurtz. Fight back, Mr. Grunberg, you surely can do it!
said Jan Thys 04/04/2007 19:32 • x
You're work to me is most valuable because of the observations you make about mothern life. Often these remarks forces ypu to think for a few minutes. Furthermore you're dialogues are very funny, simply because they describe how they often go in reality. Both of these aspects make it that the theatre is not the best place for you're work.

Please let us now how we can purchase your conversation. It is always good to help people that were abused by the catholic church, although I am afraid that counts for most people that were raised catholic :-).
said Herman Hartmann 04/04/2007 20:24 (Updated 17:19) • x
Dens
As I said a few blogs earlier I can do the negavtive spin without problems, but sometimes I'm good at the positive spin as well.
said Arnon Grunberg 04/04/2007 21:52 • x
spin
I have never thought you are a gymnast was well, Mr. Grunberg.
said Vera M. 04/04/2007 22:33 • x
Maybe it is worthwhile asking ms meissner what is the artistic result of a very well constructed train track (made of heavy iron rails and authentic gravel) when it is placed horizontally between two walls of a theater stage, in an age when the magic of theatrical realism has been almost completely eclipsed by cinema? My answer would be: An old track which leads nowhere.

www.wteatrw.pl is the correct link to the theater
Orkiestra Titanic, directed by Krystyna Meissner 2007
for the above mentioned railroad.
said black eye 05/04/2007 16:33 (Updated 07:27) • x
Herman
Please, contact my assistant Johannes about the limited edition.
said Arnon Grunberg 06/04/2007 03:53 • x
Johannes ?
Arnon,

Which Johannes do you mean ?. Does het work at your publisher.

Nice Catholic name though, the same as my fathers. I just spent Easter at my mothers ; can't be a coincidence !.
said Herman Hartmann 10/04/2007 00:06 • x
Mr. Hartmann
My assistant is names Johannes, he can be reached at johannes@arnongrunberg.com and he is reliable, intelligent end fast.
In case you are still interested in the collector's item containing Mrs. Meissner's letter, my answer to her, some pictures of Mrs. Meissner, and my play in Polish translation you can contact Johannes, but please know that this collector's item won't be ready before the summer of 2007.
said Arnon Grunberg 10/04/2007 01:22 • x
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