BLATHER REVIEW

The Wall, pt 6 (Comfortably Numb)

One problem with staging "Comfortably Numb" is that the song is "everybody's favorite". As soon as it begins, many in the audience will be thinking "at least THIS oughta be good", so it'd better be good.
Here's what I got so far:

After the Worms twirl away from Pink, the music to "Comfortably Numb" begins, and we see Wife coming in from the left and Mother coming from the right - both are in a wedding march (left foot forward, feet together, right foor forward, feet together...). The Doctor comes in out the darkness from downstage, striding easily and with his hands behind his back. He's dressed in a blue surgical outfit with a stethoscope around his neck and an "ear inspector" (that little thingamagig with a light that he uses to look into your ear) in his hand.

He squats down beside the seated Pink and puts the thingy up his ear and peers in for the line:

Hello, hello, is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear

Pink does not respond. Doctor gets up and walks behind Pink asking "Is there anyone home", glances at Wife and Mother and squats on the other side of Pink.

Come on, now,
I hear you're feeling down
Well, I can ease your pain,
get you on your feet again

In response to the word "pain", Pink will turn his head slowing away from Doctor with just a hint of a smile. Looking more intently, the kindly Doctor holds Pink's hand and searches his eyes for any sign of lucidity.

Relax, I'll need some information first,
just the basic facts.
Can you show me where it hurts?

The lights get brighter and colorful lights float across the set, kinda phychedelic and mirror-ball-like, and lava lamp-style swirling shapes could play on the backdrop. Pink will sit silently, staring at nothing in particular, as the Worms (they speak for him now) sing the chorus as they gracefully dance a choreographed ballet. (Doctor will remain at Pink's side while Wife and Mother stand motionless about 4 or 5 feet on either side.)

There is no pain, you are receding...

...When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons

I'm wondering how difficult it would be to have Pink wearing rubber gloves, tightly fitted at the wrists, with tubing from the gloves running up his sleeves to a little pump that the actor playing Doctor can squeeze to inflate them, or make them "throb". It might seem silly and obvious, but it might be eerie and fit the mood.

Anyway, the Worms finish the chorus ("I-I-I-I-I have become comfortably numb") and the lights return to the previous low levels and Doctor becomes "alive" again.

Okay, okay, just a little pin prick

He taps Pinks shoulder with a phantom needle - like a tuberculosis tester - and the gloves deflate.

Doctor: There'll be no more
Worms (spinning to the floor): AAAA-AAA-AAH!!
Doctor though you may feel a little sick.
Can you stand up...?
Worms (running past Pink and whispering in Pink's ear, in turn as they pass): stand up, stand up, stand up
Doctor (as he and Pink rise): I do believe it's working, good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on, it's time to go

After the Doctor says "going through the show" Pink will look into his face, now slowly but surely coming around, and Pink will begin singing the second chorus, with the Worms assisting him in various places -- as if their identities are fading in and out of each other.
The colorful lights return, but there are no images on the wall this time.

During the first part of the chorus ("There is no pain... ...can't hear what you say"), Doctor, Wife and Mother will lead Pink by the arms toward the back left to the ramp leading up to the platform. But Pink will stop short and turn to face the audience for the lines:

When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse
out of the corner of my eye

There will be an image on the wall flickering in and out, giving the audience just enough time to notice it, look up, and see a picture of Mother, Father and Boy Pink sitting for a family portrait just before it disappears for good.

Pink: I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
the child is grown, the dream is gone
Pink & Worms: I-I-I-I-I have become comfortably numb

Pink turns toward the back again and walks with Doctor, Wife and Mother as the music heads for the second guitar solo. But instead of the solo it goes straight into "The Show Must Go On".

The Worms are circling as they try to get to the platform, Pink keeps stopping short and turning as D, W & M try to coax him along. The Worms sing "Ooo, Ma, ooo, Pa.." and Pink turns his back to D, W & M and heads for centerstage frightened, singing "Must the show go on?".
Wife and Mother approach him slowly as the Worms circle in, waving their hands and fingers in the air around their heads and, almost mockingly, sing:

Oooo, Pa, take home, take me home, take me home
Oooo, Ma, let me go, let me go, let me go...

As Wife and Mother each grab an arm, Pink continues:

There must be some mistake
I didn't mean to let them take away my soul
am I too old? Is it too late?

They begin to turn him back around, but he turns sharply again and sings the verse that isn't on the album, but the lyric is written on the inner sleeve (to the same tune):

Pink: Do I have to stand up
wild-eyed in the spotlight
what a nightmare, Why
don't I turn and run?
Worms: Ooo, Ma, ooo, Pa
Pink (looking at his hands confusedly): Where has the feeling gone?
Worms: Ooo, Ma, ooo, Pa
Pink (asking Mother): Will I remember the song?
Worms: Ooooo, aaah...
Wife, Mother, Doctor: The show must go on.

Pink, Wife and Mother walk more quickly, join the Doctor and begin up the ramp to the platform.
The Worms head over to a spot at stage right and squat down and stare wide-eyed at Pink, cat-like, or sprite-like, watching closely to see how he handles this.

The powerful sound of "In The Flesh" begins. But that's for the next post. Fear not, we're almost done!

Posted by Tuning Spork at August 29, 2004 03:37 PM