The Stillborn Lover (Findley, Timothy)

I seem to be falling in love with Timothy Findley. I had no interest in the subject matter of this play when I originally picked it up. I simply bought it on Findley's name and a glorious title. But it's a heartbreaking and glorious play in reality.
So atmospheric. The set perfectly adapting to the landscape he has chosen of the lake house. Perfectly melding into other locations so easily, without a second thought. And the music described and the beautiful integration of the Japanese themes, music and of course the game of "go". The inclusion of many of the characters on stage even when they are not in the action was very lovely. The idea of layers is very interesting. Layers visually and textually. Layers of subtext and layers developing over time.
The play started very slowly, drawing you in. It was not boring, but it did not play it's cards very early at all. It seduced you so to speak with secrets and a guessing game. Which worked. It worked very well. I was interested. And real characters. Lots of real characters, all with a lot to do. That's really important to me. Characters having a reason to be there. And characters growing. No one is on the sidelines.
And of course then he just pushes you in the gut with the homosexual reveal. So crafty, so surprising and not cheap whatsoever. This is something that could have been cheesy and clearly in view. Instead it was deftly handled and gripping. So many important relationships put into question. Between father and wife, father and daughter, between friends. Everything was being exposed. Such high stakes. There is so much to worry about, so much to care about.
And so many things suggested. I loved that. Certain things were very clearly played out for you. But other things were suggested, hinted at. Was the wife, Marian, really that ill? What did she know? What did she put up with? What was the decision Henry made in the end? I think I know, but still.
And on top of that it had great depth of emotion, from everyone involved. There were serious issues dealt with, touched on, not necessarily spoken out loud. Political issues, social issues... it did not have a stance, it just simply explored it's themes on loyalty and love and politics so fully. It was not incomplete.
It was subtle, but so telling. Which I think is terrifyingly intimidating to do.