August Wilson's Century Cycle -- Radio Golf

 

With Radio Golf, Wilson closed out the Century Cycle with his most contained (and constrained ) work. Though the mysticism is absent, the narrative does not merge as many storylines and the romantic dynamic is muted, the play does provide a sonorous coda on Wilson's major theme of the clash between heritage and progress. The disaster that looms over Radio Golf's five characters appears to be more circumstantial, that is, more the result of negligence than racism -- although institutional racism is not too far in the wings. Some have described Radio Golf as the master playwright's most accessible play; it certainly isn't as richly bejeweled with history, folklore and philosophy. That's not to say it isn't profound and complex with Harmond Wilks standing for African American men who have aspired to greatness and been compromised by their own consciences. But, ironically, Wilks is not laid low by fate. He is actually lifted up by his grace and temperament and becomes, at least for me, a true Wilsonian hero.