Please sir, no more
I have just been to the excellent production of the well-known musical Oliver by the Albatross Musical Theatre Company at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre. Today I was affected more than ever by the beautiful, haunting singing of As Long As He Needs Me by the character Nancy, later to be bludgeoned to death by her partner, Bill Sykes. The lyrics of this song include the words:
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But all the same
I’ll play this game
His way
These words capture how some women, tragically, are locked into and unable to escape abusive and co-dependent relationships. No doubt this song and the relationship of Nancy and Bill Sykes have been analysed before, and warnings given about the lessons to be learned.
However, on balance I do not think that the potential for learning here outweighs the emotionally negative impact of this song and the associated violent segment of the musical on both the audience and performers, especially the children watching or participating.
My wife later made the unsolicited remark that she was sickened by such a beautiful song seemingly justifying remaining in a destructive relationship (and that is a comment on this aspect of the musical, not the production).
So, given the current drive to eliminate domestic violence, especially against women, from our society, I think that the musical Oliver should be archived, available for those who wish to study violence against women as portrayed in the theatre. Whatever its future, it is not suitable for children.
P. Casey, Callala Bay
Provide evidence for ban
Kiama MP Gareth Ward’s strident defence of our state government’s decision to close down the the state`s Greyhound Racing Industry, begs some questions.
In an article in the SCR he is quoted as saying "The inquiry found up to 20 per cent of greyhound trainers were involved in live baiting". Could he say whether this statement was evidence based and if so provide the number of charges laid and against whom in support of his statement.
He should also include the number of criminal convictions and punishments handed down to the convicted parties. This I feel will be Mr Ward’s Achilles heel because there have been very limited prosecutions in respect of the alleged actions he describes.
Greyhound racing is heavily regulated but poorly administered and to simply consider the banning of this industry without evidence based statistics is pure folly.
B. Cumberland, North Nowra
Handout has merit
I see our illustrious mayor is having a squabble with ratepayers over the handout calling for her to go. I received a copy of that circular and agree with its sentiment. I think it may have left a couple of items off the list.
The first is the proposed eviction of the people on Cambewarra Road for the huge proposed sporting complex. I am not so sure the council can usurp private land for a pork barrelling exercise. I thought this sort of bully behaviour could happen in relation to vital infrastructure - and sporting complexes are certainly not vital infrastructure. Then there’s the space already available - acres and acres on both sides of the road.
I think we should all stand behind the victims of Gash’s slash gang.
The second, I saw a story on TV about Shoalhaven City Council wanting to ban farmers from offering camping sites to tourists. It seems they are forcing tourists to use the council owned parks. I think our mayor is a control freak pandering to the CBD and business.
Every time I visit the CBD there’s another council project on the move. We as constituents cannot afford it.
The obvious solution is to remove Joanna Gash.
