On the conditions and possibilities of Helen Clark taking me as her young lover

On the conditions and possibilities of Helen Clark taking me as her young lover
Promotional image.

On the conditions and possibilities of Helen Clark taking me as her young lover is a satirical book, published in 2005 with a new edition released in 2008, by the pseudonymous author Richard Meros[1], and an adapted play of the same name written by Arthur Meek and Geoff Pinfield.

Contents

Book

The book centres around the author's belief that Helen Clark, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, would find personal and political rejuvenation if she was to take on a younger lover, and that the ideal person to be that lover is Meros. The author contends that Helen Clark is a woman of intellectual pursuits and that:

"her surroundings of subordinates ... probably leaves her with unfulfilled desires for a situation where roles are reversed and she can become the double-double agent of gender deconstructions."[2]

It was described in The Guardian as a treatise of "sociology, psychoanalysis and cringe-making erotica"[3] and covers such subjects as Rogernomics and a bus strike. The book also examines what the sex acts would entail, with detailed descriptions of flesh and bodily fluids.

The book was conceived while the author was in Minneapolis, and completed while he was writing a Masters thesis at Victoria University of Wellington[4]. The first edition had a print-run of only 50 copies, but further editions were subsequently released. As of January 2008 the author claimed that only 16 copies had been sold[5], but in August of that year, after the success of the play, stated that over 400 had been sold[6].

Stage adaptation

The book was adapted for stage by actor Arthur Meek and director Geoff Pinfield, and premiered at Wellington's BATS Theatre in early 2008. In the play Meek portrays Meros giving a Powerpoint presentation lecture tour, narrating why Helen Clark needs a young lover, bringing the issue to the Prime Minister's attention[7], and impressing her intellect:

"She is a very rational woman. It would take more than chocolates or flowers to woo her. The show is designed to appeal to that rationality"[8]

He critiques individualist liberalism and imagines being taken by Clark to a secret "pleasure dome" and bolsters his argument with Kantian theory. The play was well received critically[9] and described as "slightly disturbing, but highly entertaining... sharp political satire"[10]. The play is said to have been seen by staffers of Helen Clark, and recommended by her husband Peter Davis[11]. After a successful first season the play toured New Zealand, and has returned to Wellington's Downstage Theatre for a second season.

References

  1. ^ Hunkin, Joanna (8 May 2008). "Comedian talks up crush on Helen Clark". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10508623. Retrieved 1 November 2011. "Meros is... actually a pseudonym" 
  2. ^ Richard Meros, On the conditions and possibilities of Helen Clark taking me as her young lover, cited in; Toby Manhire, A love poem to NZ's PM, The Guardian, June 21 2005
  3. ^ Toby Manhire, A love poem to NZ's PM, The Guardian, June 21 2005
  4. ^ David Cohen,Mystery man: A date with Helen Clark's would be lover, Richard Meros, New Zealand Listener, 9 August 2008
  5. ^ Laurie Atkinson, Slick, wicked poke at politics, Dominion Post (reprint in Theatreview.co.nz), 17 January 2008
  6. ^ David Cohen,Mystery man: A date with Helen Clark's would be lover, Richard Meros,New Zealand Listener, 9 August 2008
  7. ^ Anna Chinn, Loving Helen: A passionate entreaty to the Prime Minister, New Zealand Listener, 26 April 2008
  8. ^ Joanna Hunkin, Comedian talks up crush on Helen Clark, New Zealand Herald, 8 May 2008
  9. ^ Kate Ward-Smythe, Complex weave of deliberate irony = Unbeatable hilarity, Theatreview, 7 May 2008
  10. ^ Helen Sims, On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking Me as Her Young Lover (review), Lumiere Reader, 18 January 2008
  11. ^ Joanna Hunkin, Comedian talks up crush on Helen Clark, New Zealand Herald, 8 May 2008

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Helen Clark — For other people named Helen Clark, see Helen Clark (disambiguation). The Right Honourable Helen Clark ONZ SSI Clark in 2010 …   Wikipedia

  • literature — /lit euhr euh cheuhr, choor , li treuh /, n. 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. 2.… …   Universalium

  • performing arts — arts or skills that require public performance, as acting, singing, or dancing. [1945 50] * * * ▪ 2009 Introduction Music Classical.       The last vestiges of the Cold War seemed to thaw for a moment on Feb. 26, 2008, when the unfamiliar strains …   Universalium

  • theatre — /thee euh teuhr, theeeu /, n. theater. * * * I Building or space in which performances are given before an audience. It contains an auditorium and stage. In ancient Greece, where Western theatre began (5th century BC), theatres were constructed… …   Universalium

  • Europe, history of — Introduction       history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Europe is a more ambiguous term than most geographic expressions. Its etymology is doubtful, as is the physical extent of the area it designates.… …   Universalium

  • United Kingdom — a kingdom in NW Europe, consisting of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: formerly comprising Great Britain and Ireland 1801 1922. 58,610,182; 94,242 sq. mi. (244,100 sq. km). Cap.: London. Abbr.: U.K. Official name, United Kingdom of Great… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”