More from Marjorie Van Halteren
Yesterday and Forever
(00:24:31)
From: Marjorie Van Halteren
Documentary composition by Marjorie Van Halteren and Helen Engelhardt featuring six widows in remembrance of Lockerbie tragedy - December 2008 is the 20th Anniversary.
Mothers and Sons
(00:26:43)
From: Marjorie Van Halteren
a sonic memorial to the healing power of art
Both My Houses (Mes Deux Maisons)
(00:02:30)
From: Marjorie Van Halteren
Essay on media and politics for TCF's 99 Ways
Jan On Jack
(00:06:34)
From: Marjorie Van Halteren
Jan Kerouac delivering her own poem to Jack over his own poem 30 years previously.
Transit Duchess
(00:02:10)
From: Marjorie Van Halteren
Inner thoughts riding bus late at night in New York
Dead of Summer and other poems.
(00:09:15)
From: Marjorie Van Halteren
2" audio poem about summer, part of group of four. available separately.
Related Pieces
Piece Description
In 1992, Marjorie Van Halteren left New York and her career as a radio producer (The Radio Stage, Selected Shorts) to move to France. Present Progressive is a 30-minute drama commissioned by BBC Radio 4 in 1998 -- a humorous, but highly personal, intimate play protraying her utter bewilderment with her new country and her odd job as an English teacher - created from Van Halteren's writing and manipulated interview material recorded at BBC Pebble Mill and stylistically reminiscent of Breakdown and Back made with Jay Allison and Lou Giansante in 1984. Originally broadcast in the UK by BBC Radio 4, Present Progressive has never been broadcast in the US.
3 Comments
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Review of Present ProgressivePresent Progressive is a snapshot rather than a story. It would appeal to those who have taught overseas and can identify with the author such as Peace Corp volunteers or teachers. |
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Review of Present ProgressiveA very impressive piece, hard to qualify. A nice merge between story telling and story showing. Sly remarks dot the landscape with narration, actors, and what sound like real interviews. This might not fit any specific area that I know of, but it also isn't restricted to any specific area. It is worth a listen and to find a place to air. |
Broadcast History
Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1998. Never broadcast in the United States.
Timing and Cues
In cue: (cello music) VOICE: "In my job, I'm a guide..."
Outcue: VOICE: Preesent Progressive was written and directed by Marjorie Van Halteren
Emon Hassan
Posted on May 22, 2005 at 06:14 PM | Permalink
Review of Present Progressive
Very creative fusion of fiction and non-fiction. Both narratives blend in seamlessly. Well performed. Part with Jean-Claude when he's left alone and has to answer the phone is hilarious. The piece was able to convey the frustration and solitude of living in a foreign country, let alone teach a foreign language to foreigners. Painful when you live it, amusing when you remember it. Great use of sound...and Jean-Marie.