**NOTE: The following discussion has been pulled out from another topic to begin this 'stand-alone' discussion topic.**

I'm right there with you because I am 99% sure that I know what Steven meant by 'I've made a decission.' :cry:

Oh dear, I missed the "I made a decision" line (guess I was getting all verklempt over his "Shall I give you a kiss" line. Think I'll have to read the play to figure out what I missed! What do you think Steven meant?

I think...I think Steven planned to commit suicide. He decided he wanted to be free of the ghost of Jamey and the only way he could do that was to join him. That's why he kissed his father goodbye and asked Mrs Burnett to keep an eye on them. :cry:

Oh my God....that's terrible, I hadn't thought at this possibility.....poor Steven! That scene of the final his is so moving!

That's actually what I thought as well. I wondered if the play might end with that. I think the real genius of this work is that all these things are alluded to (Andrew's borderline incestuous feelings toward his mom, for example), but nothing is spelled out.

Very affecting performance by our lad. Now I'm feeling really sad for poor Steven (not to mention his poor father who knew something was very wrong, but didn't have the education to comprehend the gravity of the situation. He only knew he loved his son.) Wow, this play really grows in complexity and emotional heft the more you think about it. :cry:

I agree, it is very cleverly written.

There are so many moments of the play where you, as Orlando has said, "Let it sit for a little while..." then suddenly a light shines you think, "Oh my goodness!"
I've had a moment like that on Page 48, where I am just not sure. I read it over and over and wonder if again, something is being alluded to...(maybe Jamey didn't die of Pneumonia!)

It's very, very deep and affecting.

Yes, I'm thinking the lad was probably beaten to death. The part where the Shaws talk about the "three loud bangs" on the wall the night Jamie died (that the other boys slept through) seems rather incongruous until you think about it --I'm assuming it was Jamie being beaten aganist said wall. Mr. Shaw then panics at the child's death (he went too far with the beatings this time) and runs to the neighbors for help.

It is, indeed, a deceptively simple work that is very layered and engrossing --haunting even.

As far as a DVD of the play, the only thing I know of is this release of the 1975 film:



I have it on order from amazon, but I have never seen the film. (Virgin had a slot for it when I was in Piccadilly Circus, but sadly, they were sold out). Brian Cox is no Orlando, :lol: but I do look forward to seeing another interpretation of this great play. Perhaps Orlando's star power will garner a release of his prodcution on DVD, but if no one ever noted any cameras (and you guys didn't miss a trick!) it would seem Orlando's stage performance will have to live on in our dreams.