Sunday 22 February 2015

A taste of 'Victory'



The BBC is using its news website this morning to advertise a couple of upcoming radio plays. Two forgotten Harold Pinter screenplays are soon to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4. 

Among them is an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's Victory. 

Here's a likely foretaste from my own forgotten screenplay of Victory, written long, long ago when I liked Pinter [ed - oh really?]:

(Pause) 
Morrison: Upon my word, I don't know why I have been telling you all this. I suppose seeing a thoroughly white man made it impossible to keep my trouble to myself. Words can't do it justice; but since I've told you so much I may as well tell you more. Listen. This morning on board, in my cabin I went down on my knees and prayed for help. I went down on my knees!
Axel Heyst (respectfully) You are a believer, Morrison? 
Morrison (reproachfully): Surely I am not an infidel. 
(Pause) 
I prayed like a child, of course. I believe in children praying—well, women, too, but I rather think God expects men to be more self-reliant. I don't hold with a man everlastingly bothering the Almighty with his silly troubles. It seems such cheek. Anyhow, this morning I—I have never done any harm to any God's creature knowingly—I prayed. A sudden impulse—I went flop on my knees; so you may judge— 
(Pause)
 ...Only this is such a God-forsaken spot.
(Pause)
Not many blogs about BBC bias treat you to this sort of thing! 

1 comment:

  1. First rate headline about this in 'The Times' today:

    Pinter scripts spring back to life after 33-year pause

    ReplyDelete

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