Talking 'Horse' (Ania Walwicz, 2018): Play with 'The Oval Lady' and Leonora Carrington (1917-2011)

I open horse by Ania Walwicz, and Lucretia bolts into mind, through memories of reading and rereading to be roused, enlivened. ‘Did you come to play with us? enquired Lucretia. I’m glad, because I get very bored here. Let’s make believe that we’re all horses. I’ll turn myself into a horse; with some snow, it’ll be more convincing.’ ‘Perhaps sixteen years old’ – though described as a tall, thin, ‘sad lady’ – Lucretia is the central figure of Leonora Carrington’s short story ‘La dame ovale’ (first written in French, 1937–38). A tale of patriarchal punishment, and a daughter’s futile, though violent protest.