Women’s Attitudes Towards Men

15th January, 2011


I’ve been sent a home-video copy of my brother Anthony’s play, Whale Music, from 1982.


I know it by heart, and I sing the songs which go with it almost daily.  Nevertheless it’s wonderful to have a copy.


One thing I’d forgotten was how radical it appeared at the time.  For those who don’t know it, it’s a play about a young woman who gets pregnant while at university, and hides herself away in a seaside town to have the baby (which she will eventually give up for adoption).


If unmarried university-years pregnancy were not shocking enough in 1982, the play also offends by having no men it.  It’s all women, and some of those are lesbians.  Another character is a self-confessed maneater, who confesses in a memorable speech to destroying men in bed.


But nowadays this is not noteworthy content, and there’s probably more in-yer-face frankness about sexuality in your average episode of Glee.


So I was quite shocked to hear the viewer warning at the front of this broadcast:


Viewers should know that the play deals with certain women’s attitides towards men in a frank and explicit manner.


I found it hilarious.  Have a listen below.  It’s not just the words of warning; listen to the disapproving tone!  The accent!   It’s more 1950s than 1980s.


The recent furore about Miriam O’Reilly and sexism/ageism in the BBC reminds us there’s still a distance to travel.   But we’ve come a long way, thank heaven, since 1982.


In this track there’s a trailer, then the viewer warning, then the opening music.


Whale Music Trailer 1982



Use the buttons below to share - thank you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.