Rowley has been playing the lead for nearly two years, yet he still seems unable to get into his stride. His lack of self confidence makes him a poor player, a mediocre stand-in in this drama where there is clearly no lead player today.
He had waited a long time for his day on the national stage. But at curtain time he was left wanting. The lead actor, though cast aside, still commanded attention and although he remained off stage he made Rowley uncomfortable.
For the audience, both lead and stand-in pretended that all was well. And the show went on, deficient as it was.
But then the lead actor, through a twist of fate, was forced off the stage, leaving the stand-in to strut in front of the audience, often getting his lines crossed and confusing even those who understood the drama well.
Then he changed the script to glorify himself and malign others. Now the stand-in finds himself lost and confused as he awaits the curtain rising.
Now as Rowley faces his most important moment, he reflects on his hour on stage - the missed cues, the garbled lines, the faded visions of grandeur. Like Macbeth he comes to realise that:
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing."
Like Macbeth, Rowley chose a political dagger to advance his fortune, guided by
"Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself, And falls on th' other."
And now the ghosts and false prophesies haunt him as he faces the final hour.
If only we could offer some advice, we would say:
"Mend your speech a little,
Lest it may mar your fortunes."
But Alas, it is Rowley of whom we speak. And for him, going from failure to failure is the principal attribute that sets him apart from those who lead - and win.
Jai Parasram - 02 March 2012
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