Very touching words in Slings & Arrows: Then you'll have had a life

Back to "Slings & Arrows," episode 4 of season 3, as the production of King Lear goes into preview and there are major problems with the lead, Charles,who is increasingly ill and unable to manage his lines and cues. Now, everyone in the cast knows how severe the problem is - the understudy seems woefully incapable of stepping in, and it's obvious that Charles will play the part, eventually - there's no other way this drama could work itself out satisfactorily - but in this episode the production is at its low point, director Jeffrey has no easy answer (he's amazingly solicitous toward Charles), he's still tormented by Oliver's ghost, who's offering no particular help. The talented Sarah Polley plays a very dour young actress cast as Cordelia, and she's particularly out of spirits as the crazy musical, East Hastings, has become a big hit. She'll have to end up with someone, right? Maybe one of the guys from the musical? Though there are many dark elements in this episode, Slings & Arrows is obviously a work of high comedy, and it'll have to end with everyone coupled off - and with Jeffrey's demons put to rest (probably Oliver will go off in discussion with Charles - either dead of nearly so?), though in true Shakespearean fashion there may be some wry notes at the end, too, one character perhaps left alone - an Antonio, Malvolio, or Jacques. Very touching scene: the Lear cast gathered in the bar after preview canceled, and the two elderly gay Brit actors try to console Polley, telling her she will have a great career, and she will also have plenty of "cockups" like this night's disaster, but that's good, because then you'll have stories to tell, then you'll have had a life. Very touching words, and very true.