Last Saturday, the West Australian Magazine featured an article on Jack Thompson and his love of poetry. The piece reminded me of when Jack came over to Perth to help launch 'What Happened to Joseph", the latest book from our West Australian Living Treasure (Tom) T.A.G. Hungerford.
The article mentioned a this new website: www.finepoets.com I was thrilled to find a publisher who will marry actors speaking with much-loved and familiar poems, promoting and recording poetry. I recommend you take a look and if you are able to, purchase a copy of the CD with Jack reading - I have.
To say I enjoyed Jack's booming voice coupled with Tom's words, is a gross understatement. So I wrote an article andhave copied it below:
The Reality of Jack Thompson + The Words of TAG Hungerford = Absolute perfection!
Fresh from “The Assassination of Richard Nixon” and the beautiful Australian film “The Oyster Farmer”, I sat in selfish wonder listening to the magnificent voice of Jack Thompson booming, blasting passion into the masterly poetry and prose of T.A.G. Hungerford’s new book “What happened to Joseph?”
A new book is one hell of a way to mark a 90th birthday. And what a treat the official launch was. I did feel a little bad more hadn’t been lucky enough to witness the presentation of words read so well – the emotional power of poetry and prose from a Living Treasure of Western Australia - T.A.G. Hungerford.
Who better than one of our finest actors with a shared history and a great mate of Tom’s, than Jack Thompson himself? Jack spoke of his family ties to Western Australia, his empathy for Vietnam Vets and his proud connections to poetry through his father John Thompson.
Jack chose passages from the book which resonated deep in his soul, reached right down into his gut and pulled his heart out for us all to see as he emoted Tom’s lyrical words.
This wasn’t Jack Thompson the actor delivering yet another fine performance – this was the reality of Jack Thompson – a privileged look at the man inside - the man moved by passionate words which meant something to him, words he could relate to because he’s ‘been there – done that’. A man, we have seen represent us on screen - the good and the bad, but always with an inner truth - an inherent sincerity.
I heard an orgasmasized fan say to Jack, “If you make a CD I’ll buy it!” Yet another string to add to his talented bow – TAG Hungerford’s poetry and prose read by the inimitable Jack Thompson – anyone’s poetry and prose read by Jack Thompson!
Hopefully the magical marriage of Tom’s words with Jack’s honesty wasn’t a once in a lifetime event. Encore! Encore!
News Link: http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/the-bard-of-the-bush/2008/11/29...
