The Art of Reading the Phone Book: A Theater Oddity Explained
Have you ever wondered if you could read the phone book and still hold an audience's attention? In this article, we will explore the unique experience of reading the residential phone book as a live theater performance. While this may sound like a peculiar task, it has been used as a test for actors' ability to captivate an audience in various situations. This piece delves into the unexpected journey of one actor who took on this challenge and the ethical implications surrounding the use of expensive life-saving drugs in the healthcare industry.
Performing the Unlikely Task
Reading the phone book is a strange yet fascinating challenge for an actor. The task is simple in concept but difficult to execute without losing the audience's attention. Earlier this year, a young theatre company in London approached me to read out several pages of a residential phone book as a warm-up act for their play, Spite the Face by Greg Freeman. The theater, nestled in the cozy streets of north London, was packed with eager spectators aiming to witness an unconventional performance.
The challenge seemed daunting initially, as there was no preparation time for such an event. I was on the edge of my seat, preparing my mind and body for the 30 minutes of intense activity that lay ahead. The adrenaline rush experienced was comparable to watching Hugh Jackman's shirtless wrestling scene in Oklahoma! Little did I know, this bizarre performance would become a significant undertaking that would leave a lasting impression on both the performers and the audience.
The night before the performance, I found myself in the charming city of Norwich, where the theater scene was quite different. Simon said, a good actor can read the telephone book and still hold the audience's attention. Inspired by this, I began to choose my phone book selections carefully while in Norwich, covering a range of different letters, from names like Aitch to K, where the great American playwright Neil Simon famously wrote about a character who declared, 'It is pronounced H-aitch.'
The Performance
On the opening night, I faced the daunting task of reading out the pages of the phone book with enthusiasm and wit. My objective was to make each name and entry an exciting discovery for the audience. The moment of truth arrived, and I had to report that I never got further than the page covering Charambolous. I managed to read a variety of entries sardonically, sexually, emotionally, and fearfully, and invited a young lad at the back named Merlin to read out Charambolous M with feeling.
The auction of the phone book for ChildLine followed, resulting in a heated bid between two women, which culminated in a record-breaking sum of ￡165. A shy lady named Caliope approached me after the performance, informing me that Charambolous means happiness, adding a delightful layer of meaning to the night. The play, Spite the Face, followed, and I felt a sense of accomplishment and a large bunch of flowers as a sign of appreciation.
Lifestyle and Health
My journey from the phone book performance to a literary gig in Norwich highlighted the unexpected and diverse aspects of my life as a performer. Norwich reminded me of Brighton, with its cobbled lanes, interesting boutiques, and an exceptional restaurant. It was a playful and engaging experience, and it brought a sense of joy and fulfillment to my week. However, the larger narrative in this article touches on the ethical implications of the pharmaceutical industry in the healthcare sector.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), a body responsible for making decisions on the use of drugs in the UK, recently made a controversial decision regarding the drug Velcade. Velcade can transform the quality of life for a significant proportion of multiple myeloma patients, but it is an expensive drug, costing up to ￡18,000 per patient. The decision on whether to fund Velcade is a swings-and-roundabouts situation, as NICE recently approved the drug Herceptin for breast cancer, which is a higher-profile issue.
Healthcare Ethics
While the decision to fund Velcade is understandable given the ethical and practical considerations, the question remains: How can we balance the need for life-saving drugs with their high costs? We ask for total altruism, but it may be more practical for pharmaceutical companies to make a small cut in their profits to help save lives. The drug is recommended in Europe, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the rest of the world, making this decision even more puzzling.
The ethical considerations surrounding the cost of drugs and their impact on patients' lives are a complex issue. It is essential to strike a balance between making life-saving drugs accessible and sustainable for pharmaceutical companies. The human lives at stake demand a thorough reconsideration of these ethical issues.
In reflection, the experience of reading the phone book and the ethical challenges surrounding pharmaceutical costs showcase the complex and multifaceted nature of contemporary life. These two seemingly disparate events highlight the importance of art in challenging societal norms and the need for ethical considerations in the healthcare industry.