For a man who achieved so much in his own field, Bliss's wide-ranging, undogmati...(+)
For a man who achieved so
much in his own field,
Bliss's wide-ranging,
undogmatic appetite for
the whole arts scene was
extraordinary. While he
had a profound knowledge
and understanding of
American and European
writing, dance, graphics,
poetry, sculpture,
painting and design, both
contemporary and
classical, for theatre he
had a special sympathy
and rapport. Its
qualities of timing,
drama, economy and pace
are everywhere to be
found in his work, with
his own flair for colour
and the understanding
that theatre is a means
and medium of expression,
not the message itself,
that gesture, like logic,
is a tool, not a truth.
What gives his music
durability is the
appreciation of classical
values - proportion,
design, restraint,
integrity and growth.
Nowhere will you find a
better demonstration than
Things to Come of this
synthesis of vision,
intellect, technique and
panache