GREAT PERFORMANCES: THEATER IN AMERICA: SEA MARKS (TV)
Summary
One in this series of dramatic arts programs presenting regional theater productions, under the umbrella of "Great Performances." Host Hal Holbrook introduces Gardner McKay's play, "Sea Marks," filmed on location in the Republic of Ireland and adapted from the original production at the Manhattan Theatre Club. "Sea Marks" concerns the love affair between a poetic Irish fisherman and a Welsh woman who is immersed in the publishing world of Liverpool. Act One begins with a monologue by Colm Primrose about his relationship with the sea and his life in a fishing village. As Colm recalls a woman he met months earlier at a wedding, he decides to write to her. Timothea Stiles reads Colm's letter from her apartment in Liverpool, and while she doesn't remember meeting him, she enjoys his letter and responds. The two begin a correspondence that lasts two years. Alternating scenes reveal each person reading one other's letters in very different environments, while hearing each other's voice. Over time, they learn a great deal about one other, until finally Colm invites Timothea back to his village for another wedding. Upon meeting, they are nervous and awkward, and unaccustomed to speaking in person. Timothea must return to Liverpool the next day and asks Colm to join her there, and while he is reluctant to leave his fishing partner, MacAfee, he agrees to accompany her back to Liverpool. At Timothea's home, a flustered Colm must adjust to the city and to romantic relations with a woman. Timothea shows him a book entitled "Sea Sonnets" -- a compilation of excerpts from his letters to her -- and she admits she showed his letters to her publisher, who was impressed enough to publish them. Upset, Colm resigns himself because the book makes Timothea so happy. In Act Two, Colm faces a dilemma: as Timothea urges him to write more and promote his book with readings and interviews, he is increasingly drawn to his lifestyle on the coast. Colm explains that he is not a writer but only wrote to please her, and describes his stagnation and claustrophobia in the city. Colm tries to compromise so that he can be with Timothea, finding fulfillment in outdoors activity. But she fears the pull of the sea is too strong and that he will leave. As Colm returns from a brief trip to Wales, a letter from home bears sad news. Colm is moved to write down his reflections one more time before he is compelled to answer the call of duty.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1999.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: May 12, 1976 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:57:14
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:01717
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Theater; Ireland
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1974-1979
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jac Venza … Executive Producer
- Ronald F. Maxwell … Producer, Director
- Steven Robman … Director
- Gardner McKay … Writer
- Chieftains, The … Music by
- Ceoltoiri Colmain … Music Group, The Wedding Band
- Hal Holbrook … Host
- Veronica Castang … Cast, Timothea Stiles
- George Hearn … Cast, Colm Primrose
- Paedar Cafferky … Cast, the MacAfee