Big Week: Day 2

Last night I had a wonderful conversation with Jon Potter from the Brattleboro Reformer, the local newspaper. The questions he asked really got me to verbalize some of the thoughts that I had about the play, but not yet expressed, particularly about the religious themes that imbue the text and my personal connection to them.

The story of Red Noses has parallels to the story of Christ. Those that I am hi-lighting are the theme of revolution and change to established religious and societal practices, the importance of love and joy, and the necessity of brotherhood and companionship in strengthening the meaning in an individual's life.

It is said that Jesus was a revolutionary. The preachings and teachings he expounded were unique in the Jewish faith - primarily Jesus had no interest in the multitudes of societal laws set forth in Jewish holy texts. and held quite dear by the Jewish community at the time. The first form of Christianity was not bounden to any laws proscribed by God for eating, socializing, dressing, bathing, etc. In "Red Noses," God speaks to Father Flote and reveals that the things that are truly important to him are laughter, beauty and joy. In a climate of famine, pestilential despair, with flagellating penitents, and forgiveness-selling clergy this idea of bringing joy and laughter is quite revolutionary.
In essence, Jesus's prechings were based on love and forgiveness. In my favorite new testament passage, part of John's letter to the Corinthians, a text quoted often at wedding ceremonies, he repeats again and again the singular importance of love, If I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. Father Flote is constantly reminding his companions and preaching to non-believers that the relationship to god must be something more than fear, more than obedience and more than suffering for each others' sakes. If that is life, I want no part of it. But God is more, and man is more, he says.
Jesus gathered his apostles around him, revealing his theories on theology to them, creating a bond between the men (and possibly Mary Magdelene). They were the first Christian Brotherhood. Jesus charged his apostles - once fishermen, tax collectors, and the like - went all over the world preaching, converting, spreading the "word of love" with no belongings carried with them, and no shoes on their feet. Their strong and passionate dedication to their beliefs, and their lifetime relationships with each other, enabled them to do incredible things and face such adversity. The "Floties" from Red Noses sing a finale to their first performance, and immediately, in costume "Ripple and Spread" in all directions dissemminating the message of joy. They had begun as an even more rag-tag group - mercenaries, men and women pledged to solemn service to God, a blind juggler, a stuttering stand-up, (well you get the picture). It is the moments that these characters come together, that really shows how they pull their strength from each others friendship and passion for their cause. A few characters in particular change dramatically throughout the course of the play due to the love within this brotherhood of clowns. From just worrying about food and money to really dedicating themselves to their cause, the Floties gain the spirit, desire, and confidence to ripple and spread their joyful message.