COURTESY to Jesse Thorn's TSOYA blog for tipping me off to this video of protesters CONFRONTING MIKE DAISEY with H2O the other night in CAMBRIDGE, MA.
(See Below)
WHILE IT IS NOT ALWAYS COMFORTABLE to live in a culture of constant surveillance, it is strangely comfortable to know that the camera points in all directions, and such impromptu acts of cowardice are so quickly drawn squirming into the light.
AND IT IS INSPIRING to me, both as a performer and a human, to see the humor and the grace with which Mike reassures those members of his audience who did not choose to pour water on his notes and regain control of himself and the moment.
UNLESS YOU DO NOT LIKE THE WORD "FUCK," and wish to support Mike Daisey, just go see the show.
THE UNEXPECTED BONUS GIFT IF YOU DO?: Mike is funny and awesome.
That is all.
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18 comments:
I couldn't agree more!
The odd thing about the act is that they would have been more effective, and caused Mr. Daisey more long-term damage, by simply staying away. As it is, they've generated much more publicity for him, and created a group of people who, while not necessarily fans, will definitely make efforts to see him should the planets align where he makes it to the wilds of Memphis or we make it to a more "civilized" location.
Again, I apologize fr trying to understand and for my comments, which also included:
It's important to reiterate that these people are actually terrorists and very much anti-Christian (as in the actual teachings of Jesus). Not murderers (presumably) -- but rather than merely stating their opinion, they attack him and his work, and then refused to engage in debate or dialog.
Glenn--
I don't think you have anything to apologize for, and I appreciated those comments when you wrote them earlier. There was no need to take them down, but I'm glad you put them up again here.
That is all.
People have a right to walk out of a show they don't like, and they even have a right to not explain it if they want. But vandalising the man's notes is, literally, criminal.
mike's a class act. i've run into him in the premier coffee bars of both seattle and brooklyn, places he calls his "office". while i'm cruising chicks, mike's manicly threading together his newest performance. this guy works for a living. i smelled a one-hit-wonder with the Amazon monologue, but he's way, way past that now.
While certainly an exhibition of poor judgment and manners masquerading as "protest," I'm surprised that the footage of the event is actually pretty compelling -- the folks leaving looking like heads in front of a movie screen, the disappearance of the the actual monologuist from his desk for a long period of time, his replacement with a clean up crew while he audibly requests an explanation from off stage, only to come back and toss the cautionary forth wall to the wind to quip with and give thanks to those more courteous souls sitting before him - a quite brilliant performance, if somewhat accidental.
Have the walk-outing vandals been heard from? Issued a statement? Or did they wander out into the night, never to be heard from again.
It seems to me that Christians (and I say this because I am one) would have many, many more pressing things to protest than this...in Cambridge alone, I'm sure.
Yeah, I think Mike was fairly traumatized by this, but I think that in the end, it might get him some well-deserved attention. He handled it beautifully.
So Paris Hilton is a Sacred Cow?
Seriously, that was chilling. Hats off to Mr. Daisey for being so open and human - props to his assistants and the audience that actually attended. Well done!
Thanks for posting the video. What happened to Mike was disturbing and rude and unfortunately is becoming an alarming trend in the theater. Not necessarily the mass walk out, but the audience's rude behavior. As the years go by I've noticed audiences become worse about using cell phones, talking to other patrons, and getting up in the middle of a scene to use the bathroom (or walk out). This video is an is an excellent example that the audience's response has a profound effect on the performer.
Again cheers to Mike Daisey! He is a rock star.
I am still blown away that all 87 people were such cowards.
Wow, such composure. I'm not sure I would act in such a normal, non-violent manner.
And as always, they just fueled the fire rather than put it out.
I find this video to be both heartbreaking and inspiring. I think Mike should be very proud of his work that night and in general.
Walking out of a performance is something everyone is entitled to do. (Heck, I walked out of rehearsals recently when a director took things in a direction that went against my conscience-- but I at least wrote to explain myself after the fact.)
Destroying an artist's works, be they notes, or a "finished product" (what is a finished product in a performance, anyway?) is probably criminal (I say "probably" as law is not an area of my expertise) but certanly immoral and unethical.
This was well beyond heckling.
It is not only a salute to Mike Daisy's character, but his skills as a performer that he maintained his composure and attempted to make something positive out of this destructive act. This is a difficult situation for even the most seasoned of performers.
If you read the comments on the YouTube video--specifically those of ipodaddict69, jimmyweasle, and NickPuentes--it appears to be a (secular) high school choir group from Norco, CA, and not a planned Christian protest. These kids claim that there was *ahem* a miscommunication regarding the appropriateness of the show, and had to leave to preserve the choir director's job. PG-13 and R-rated materials require a persmission slip, etc. Regarding the desecration of Mr. Daisey's notes, apparently "the water guy overreacted."
This seems to be corroborated by Backstage Newspaper:
http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/stage/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003575046
It still does not begin to explain why no one would stay and discuss the situation to Mr. Daisey. Or, well, the water.
Is this any different than any of the eggings, pies, or other object dispensing protests that get passed around on YouTube.
The only difference I see is that it was a minor "protest" against someone being "edgy" and the protesters are identified as Christian.
We know nothing about them. It could have been a group of people who were just offended and then since they were together they all walked out. Add in there one person with impulse control issues dumping water and you have an interesting event.
I,am a Father,of one of the kids, my son was there .
One thing most people are missing. It seems to me, Mr Mike Daisey, knew before he posted on youtube, who this group were and came from. In the info area of the clip It states 87 members of a Christian group. why?
I talk to him about this in messages ,he said he had posted before he knew who they were. It does not look that way to me . The one that puts the clips on youtube, are able to pull their clips, and repost, They can remove comments and block veiws from making a comment. Which he did to me.
Day of walk out 4-19-07
Talked with Cindy L. from the school and the man the poured water David 4-20-07 acording to news papers and his site.
Youtube shows posted 4-21-07.
Why? After reading much about Mr. Daisey and hid followers. I think I have the answer.
Seems as he forgave 1 and punished 86 others lets not count the other 11 adults just the 75 kids that were 14-17 years of age.
He heard there cries with their comments . Thank you for your time Jim
Word Mr. Hodg-man, Word.
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