Been doing a little bit of work over the last couple of weeks on the subject of Method acting, and in particular, the recall of memories stimulated by smell. Without getting all “Stanislavski on your ass” as the youngsters of today say I believe, it really seemed to work in the sessions. The supposition is that smell is the sense that tends to evoke more memories than any other....anyway...I digress slightly. I was slaving over the kitchen sink this morning with a bowl full of dishes. As I squirted the washing up liquid, I was transported back to my childhood, in particular, my Grandfather. The Washing up liquid in question is “infused” with mint. My Grandad as he was known to me, was a polo addict, and just the slight hint of the smell takes me back. When I was a small boy sitting on his workbench, watching him working on a piece of wood. Playing football with him, and even going running with him. As I got older and started to work, the smell of car leather as I got a lift to the station from him. Arguing about politics or money or my behaviour. All of these things accompanied by the smell of mint. It’s amazing how the memories that are evoked by the smell all tend to be the negative ones, but if I search deep enough, the happy ones are there too.
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