"Filth" by Irvine Welsh and Choice

When I went to see the show "Filth" at Sage Theatre directed by Kelley Reay, I had no idea what to expect.  I had a feeling it was not going to be pretty.  But I am really glad that I went.  I am glad because the show reminded me anew that not everyone comes from the same background.  And it is important for me to remember this so that I am a better person to others.  I will continue to plan carefully what it is that I do take in.  At the same time, I am learning how good it is to consider the worlds of others and to not turn a blind eye to them.  We can learn from each other. 

As I watched equity actor Frank Zotter play 28 characters (crazy but true) with the main being police officer, Bruce Robertson, I found myself thinking that every single ugly in this character's life - the drugs, the cursing, the drinking, the watching porn- each was a choice.  Eventually, we learn that his wife is not coming back and that the home he grew up in was filled with great criticism and anger.  This inheritance kept playing out in his life as a curse symbolized by a terrorizing worm growing in his belly.  We could see how the choices of parents impact the choices of children. 

There was one line in particular in the show that stood out.  Bruce has gone Christmas shopping, not to his delight.  He's walking back from making his purchase when he sees a man collapse in the street fighting for his life.  Bruce responds and does CPR but to no avail.  The man dies.  Shortly after, we hear Bruce ask "What makes a good man?" 


It has got me thinking about filth and about choices.  What it is that makes one person's life so filthy and another person's life so clean?  Is it really all the stuff we do or don't do?  Are those of us who have grown up in healthier environments really so much better than those who haven't? 

As it is getting to that time of year, Easter, I was reading in Matthew where Jesus tells the disciples that they are going to betray him and leave him. They ALL deny the possibility. Every last one of them. And then they ALL do exactly what they said they wouldn't.

So we all have the capacity to choose good things or ugly things in us. It is what we do with this that makes a difference. Just because we think we won't and did not come from that kind of background doesn't necessarily mean we won't. The possibility is always there. It's definitely a choice what we do.  Fact is, we all need the help of God.  

Designing with you...

Wanda
http://www.reinholdtproductions.ca