Author Donald Antrim discusses his short story 'An Actor Prepares' with guest Andrew O'Hagan. They explore themes of transgression, danger, dysfunctional relationships, and the balance between control and lack of control in storytelling. They also analyze the choice of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' as the backdrop and reflect on the importance of breaking traditional story parameters.
The story explores transgressive themes, such as abuse of power and inappropriate relationships, challenging societal norms.
Amidst the chaos and comedy, the story delves into underlying grief and personal struggles, adding depth to the characters and their relationships.
The play A Midsummer Night's Dream serves as a backdrop to highlight the characters' struggles and insecurities, mirroring the chaos and absurdity of their lives.
Deep dives
Reginald's chaotic production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
Reginald Barrie, Dean of Student Life at Barry College, directs a chaotic barefoot production of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. He casts himself as Lysander, even though he is older and less conventionally attractive than the usual casting. The production is filled with unconventional choices, such as depicting the fairies as powerlifters and the use of G-strings and pasties for costumes. Amidst the mayhem, Reginald grapples with his dysfunctional relationship with his girlfriend Carol and explores themes of love, desire, and identity.
The transgressive and dangerous elements of the story
The story tackles transgressive and dangerous elements such as the abuse of power, inappropriate relationships between faculty and students, and the exploration of extreme desires. The protagonist, Reginald, engages in morally ambiguous actions, engages in simulated sex scenes with his students, and abuses his position as a professor. The story pushes boundaries and challenges societal norms, highlighting the complexities and contradictions of human behavior.
The convergence of comedy and underlying grief
In the midst of the slapstick comedy and absurdity, the story also delves into underlying grief and personal struggles. Reginald and Billy, one of his students, bond over their shared experiences of growing up with abusive or alcoholic fathers. This highlights the human connection and the yearning for understanding and comfort amidst the chaos. The story showcases how humor can coexist with deeper emotions and adds depth to the characters and their relationships.
The Play and Its Characters
Reginald, a college dean, directs a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The story explores the relationship between reality and imagination, as well as the tension between control and lack of direction. The characters in the play mirror the chaos and absurdity of the characters' lives. The story embraces humor and comical situations, using the play as a backdrop to highlight the characters' struggles and insecurities.
The Storm and its Impact
A torrential storm hits the college, causing chaos and flooding. The storm serves as a metaphor for the turmoil in the characters' lives. It reveals their vulnerabilities and forces them to confront their fears and desires. Despite the tragedy and destruction it brings, the storm also amplifies the absurdity and comedy in the story, creating a juxtaposition between the devastating reality and the farcical nature of the characters' actions.
Andrew O’Hagan joins Deborah Treisman to discuss “An Actor Prepares,” by Donald Antrim, which was published in The New Yorkerin 1999. O’Hagan is the author of six novels, including “The Illuminations” and “Mayflies,” which was published in 2020 and won the Los AngelesTimesChristopher Isherwood Prize.