I remember discovering the Orton diaries in my twenties. It was incredibly eye opening then . Now in my fifties it’s been there, done that. But I feel privileged to be married - not possible as a gay man in Orton’s day - as in my fifties now I dread to think what the dating scene is like. I’m not a disgusting old man but I sense a lot of prejudice out there.
"Hello Aging" I said to my old friend, "can't say I'd ever thought of you as a classical Fate. That is until S J chose to write and post on double cruelties of being young and missing the lessons of youth. Makes wonder, if you Age are a Fate, was my Youth a Fate also?"
Orton and Halliwell, a prime example of a damaged (and damaging) relationship; both harmful to each other, both clinging on to each other through a combination of need and guilt. Halliwell forced to live with the daily humiliation of his own failure and the knowledge that his former prodigy had achieved the success he'd always dreamed of. Perhaps it's no wonder he finally snapped like an emotionally brittle twig...
I remember with some fondness being a callow youth (of twenty-something...) hanging round the gay bars of Soho, watching the older men with a wary eye, being half aware that one day I would be that older man. But as you say, with age comes confidence and a contentment with who and what we are. And I'd take that over the suppleness of youth any day.
This is a society that doesn't value wisdom and experience so no wonder it keeps making the same infantile, self-destructive mistakes. You'd never know the west claims roots in Plato and Socrates from its behaviour.
I read the Lahr biography of Joe Orton in my teens and saw every play and film. I was greatly influenced by the rebellion and outrageous wit - not so impressed with the casual exploitation of youth, poverty and race in Tangiers.
I lived up the road from their West End Lane flat in West Hampstead, and always thought of Orton when passing the bridge club opposite them on the 139 bus. That post-war era was a gigantic crucible stewing up a wide range of talents. Hmm, not so much now.
I have been meaning to reread the Diaries, I used to reread them every few years or so. It's just been a while, life got busy. What I appreciate about your introspection is the aging sexual being. I am nearing 50 and lost my libido! But my playwriting career is going fairly well; though I am not going to quit my day job anytime soon lol I would have loved seeing an "older Joe" and see if he would have slowed down. I am guessing Not.
I remember discovering the Orton diaries in my twenties. It was incredibly eye opening then . Now in my fifties it’s been there, done that. But I feel privileged to be married - not possible as a gay man in Orton’s day - as in my fifties now I dread to think what the dating scene is like. I’m not a disgusting old man but I sense a lot of prejudice out there.
"Hello Aging" I said to my old friend, "can't say I'd ever thought of you as a classical Fate. That is until S J chose to write and post on double cruelties of being young and missing the lessons of youth. Makes wonder, if you Age are a Fate, was my Youth a Fate also?"
I enjoyed reading this
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
Orton and Halliwell, a prime example of a damaged (and damaging) relationship; both harmful to each other, both clinging on to each other through a combination of need and guilt. Halliwell forced to live with the daily humiliation of his own failure and the knowledge that his former prodigy had achieved the success he'd always dreamed of. Perhaps it's no wonder he finally snapped like an emotionally brittle twig...
I remember with some fondness being a callow youth (of twenty-something...) hanging round the gay bars of Soho, watching the older men with a wary eye, being half aware that one day I would be that older man. But as you say, with age comes confidence and a contentment with who and what we are. And I'd take that over the suppleness of youth any day.
This is a society that doesn't value wisdom and experience so no wonder it keeps making the same infantile, self-destructive mistakes. You'd never know the west claims roots in Plato and Socrates from its behaviour.
I read the Lahr biography of Joe Orton in my teens and saw every play and film. I was greatly influenced by the rebellion and outrageous wit - not so impressed with the casual exploitation of youth, poverty and race in Tangiers.
I lived up the road from their West End Lane flat in West Hampstead, and always thought of Orton when passing the bridge club opposite them on the 139 bus. That post-war era was a gigantic crucible stewing up a wide range of talents. Hmm, not so much now.
I felt invested while reading this. I haven't read Orton and I appreciate the points you raised about aging making you more calm and intelligent.
I believe there's one thing you haven't touched on, that comes with aging, that boosts your sexual ranking.
I texted it inbox since it's polarizing, you can check it out and maybe we can have a discussion about it.
I have been meaning to reread the Diaries, I used to reread them every few years or so. It's just been a while, life got busy. What I appreciate about your introspection is the aging sexual being. I am nearing 50 and lost my libido! But my playwriting career is going fairly well; though I am not going to quit my day job anytime soon lol I would have loved seeing an "older Joe" and see if he would have slowed down. I am guessing Not.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Many of my (straight) female friends describe similar experiences. It’s brutal.