Last night I went to the International Country Music Festival in London at Wembly Arena. I had an absolute blast with 3 of my closest friends at the Shakespeare Institute. I must say that the highlight of the evening was of course Reba McEntire. I think she is one of the most beautiful, stunning, energetic and charismatic woman I have ever seen. She sounds amazing, just like she always has. It was a real pleasure to see her live, along with the newly reunited Lonestar.
Going to a country concert reminded me of home - minus the crazy drunk Irish Wanna-Be Cowboys and Cowgirls!
The Performers:
REBA MCENTIRE
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL
RICKY SKAGGS
LONESTAR
NARVEL FELTS
JOHN MCNICHOLL
JO-EL SONNIER
WILL BANISTER
GEORGE DUCAS
SANDY KELLY & GEORGE HAMILTON IV
RAYMOND FROGGATT
TIM MCKAY
ALI ISABELLA
and PIG EARTH
True confessions of an American grad student in England: A personal journey about all things William Shakespeare and life in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Italia!
As part of my mid-semester break, I took a 9 day journey with my fellow Californian, Tanya, into the heart of Italy. In 9 Days we visited 5 cities, each more stunning as the weather begins to improve here in Europe.
Day 1 and 2:
We visited the city of Verona. A lovely town with many connections to Shakespeare, although many are deliberate tourist traps. We spend the first day wandering the Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio, and the Verona Arena. Next we visited the Basilica of San Lorenzo, Casa di Giulietta, Teatro Romano, Castle Scaligeri and Juliet's Tomb, at the Capuccin Church.
Day 3 and 4:
In Venice we were surprised to find that Carnival was in full swing! The Basilica di San Marco stands majestically in St. Mark's Square, where people in costumes freely roamed about the piazza. We took a water bus to the island of Murano to visit the Glass Museum. We even took a gondola ride under neath the Rialto and through the tiny canals of the city. After much shopping and much eating it was time to move on to Florence.
Day 5:
Florence is a beautiful city filled with numerous examples of artistic genius. Two must sees on our list were Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery and Birth of Venus by Sandro Boticelli at the Galleria degli Uffizi. We climbed the Ponte Vecchio the oldest and most famous bridge over the Arno; the only Florentine bridge to survive WW2. We visited Santa Croce church containing the monumental tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Dante. We visited the homes of Dante and Michelangelo. Lastly, we climbed to the top of a hill to the Piazzale Michelangelo for a spectacular city view.
Day 6:
We visited the leaning tower of Pisa!
Day 1 and 2:
We visited the city of Verona. A lovely town with many connections to Shakespeare, although many are deliberate tourist traps. We spend the first day wandering the Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio, and the Verona Arena. Next we visited the Basilica of San Lorenzo, Casa di Giulietta, Teatro Romano, Castle Scaligeri and Juliet's Tomb, at the Capuccin Church.
Day 3 and 4:
In Venice we were surprised to find that Carnival was in full swing! The Basilica di San Marco stands majestically in St. Mark's Square, where people in costumes freely roamed about the piazza. We took a water bus to the island of Murano to visit the Glass Museum. We even took a gondola ride under neath the Rialto and through the tiny canals of the city. After much shopping and much eating it was time to move on to Florence.
Florence is a beautiful city filled with numerous examples of artistic genius. Two must sees on our list were Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery and Birth of Venus by Sandro Boticelli at the Galleria degli Uffizi. We climbed the Ponte Vecchio the oldest and most famous bridge over the Arno; the only Florentine bridge to survive WW2. We visited Santa Croce church containing the monumental tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Dante. We visited the homes of Dante and Michelangelo. Lastly, we climbed to the top of a hill to the Piazzale Michelangelo for a spectacular city view.
Day 6:
We visited the leaning tower of Pisa!
Day 7, 8, and 9:
We slowly but surely made our way through Rome. We visited every possible historical landmark conceivable, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Mouth of Truth and the Trevi Fountain. We spent an entire day in Vatican City, working out way through a 1,000 room museum (no we could not possibly visit every single room), and staring at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel until our necks were sore. At the end of our 9th day, we boarded a plane for London and said goodbye to the beautiful country of Italy. At least we know we will go back someday. After all, I did throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Lizz Ketterer Trust Raises £550 with R&G
Thanks everyone for sharing with us a roaring success: ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN gathered a full house last night. Extra chairs had to be fitted in to accommodate everyone. I cannot remember having seen the Hall of the Shakespeare Institute so full of happy people enjoying themselves so much! Thanks to everyone for coming along. It was truly a memorable occasion.
And the Lizz Ketterer Trust is proud to announce that Ketterer's Men were able to raise £550 in a single evening, thanks to the generosity of our fantastic audience last night.
A new picture of Lizz is now hanging on the conservatory's wall in the Institute as a lasting and loving tribute to her
And the Lizz Ketterer Trust is proud to announce that Ketterer's Men were able to raise £550 in a single evening, thanks to the generosity of our fantastic audience last night.
A new picture of Lizz is now hanging on the conservatory's wall in the Institute as a lasting and loving tribute to her
Monday, January 30, 2012
Overnight in London
I got my dose of theatre for the weekend. My flatmate (Jude) and I went into London on Saturday just for an overnight trip. We took the train there from Stratford. It was a nice ride through the country.
When we arrived we dropped out bags off at a local hostel - Then went into central London to grab some last minute theatre tickets.
First we saw Noises Off at the Old Vic - A rather fun afternoon show. Our seats were terrible as we bought limited viewing seats for only 10 quid. We could only see about half of the stage and we had to stand through the performance in order to see that much. In a sitting position we were only able to see down stage left - A tragedy, since the second act relies so heavily on physical comedy. Luckily, I am very familiar with the play, centering around several inept actors and a director struggling to put on a production of a terribly written play, while triangulating relationships progress into farcical situations.
In the evening we were blessed to see Travelling Light at the National Theatre. The play, featuring Anthony Sher, was truly imaginative and visually spectacular. The play, directed by Nicholas Hytner, tells the story of a famous Hollywood director of the 1930s and 40s who looks back at his youth in an east European shtetl. Through the art of "moving pictures" the young man experiences love, loss, and struggles to find his identity. I found the performance very moving.
After the performance we checked into the hostel. Our room smelled like feet and contained 3 snorers of epic proportions. We did not get any sleep, and were glad to depart the next morning. We took the train back from London, but one of our trains was canceled, so we spent the last hour of our journey on a bus.
I am glad to be home, but miss the big city. I hope to make a longer trip to London later next month.
When we arrived we dropped out bags off at a local hostel - Then went into central London to grab some last minute theatre tickets.
In the evening we were blessed to see Travelling Light at the National Theatre. The play, featuring Anthony Sher, was truly imaginative and visually spectacular. The play, directed by Nicholas Hytner, tells the story of a famous Hollywood director of the 1930s and 40s who looks back at his youth in an east European shtetl. Through the art of "moving pictures" the young man experiences love, loss, and struggles to find his identity. I found the performance very moving.
After the performance we checked into the hostel. Our room smelled like feet and contained 3 snorers of epic proportions. We did not get any sleep, and were glad to depart the next morning. We took the train back from London, but one of our trains was canceled, so we spent the last hour of our journey on a bus.
I am glad to be home, but miss the big city. I hope to make a longer trip to London later next month.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Coriolanus Preview
Tonight I attended the premiere of Coriolanus at the Stratford Picture House. The showing followed with a discussion with Paul Prescott and Paul Edmondson in connection with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
I am very impressed with the film. Ralph Fiennes directs and portrays the title character. Fiennes command of the language is astonishing. He plays the role larger then life, almost too large for the screen, but not quite. I think it is probably the best Shakespeare performance I have seen on the film. His direction brings the play into a modern context, where war rages in "a place like ROME" - A location which represents current events in many part of the world today. I think this is a film that non-Shakesepare buffs will enjoys as much as Shakespeare lovers.
Paul Edmondson blogged on the event at Blogging Shakespeare. The audio commentary between the two Pauls at the bottom of Edmondson's blog entry is very interesting and worth having a listen. Please find the movie trailer below.
I am very impressed with the film. Ralph Fiennes directs and portrays the title character. Fiennes command of the language is astonishing. He plays the role larger then life, almost too large for the screen, but not quite. I think it is probably the best Shakespeare performance I have seen on the film. His direction brings the play into a modern context, where war rages in "a place like ROME" - A location which represents current events in many part of the world today. I think this is a film that non-Shakesepare buffs will enjoys as much as Shakespeare lovers.
Paul Edmondson blogged on the event at Blogging Shakespeare. The audio commentary between the two Pauls at the bottom of Edmondson's blog entry is very interesting and worth having a listen. Please find the movie trailer below.
Fuimus Troes Casting!
I will be playing Hulacus in a staged reading of Fuimus Troes (The True Trojans) written by Jasper Fisher. The reading will be the first performance of the play in its original space since 1618, at Magdalen College in Oxford. On Monday March 19th, the reading will begin at 9:30am, followed by a academic discussion of the work. The panel discussion following the reading will be made up of Dr. Marion Turner, Prof. Laurie Maguire, Prof. Katherine Duncan-Jones, Dr. Sarah Knight, Dr. Elisabeth, Dutton, and Dr. James McBain. More information to follow!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
A Magical Measure?
Another noteworthy performance of the night, Joseph Kloska as Pompey delighted the audience will as a comic deviant of posh society.
The only flaw resided in the lack-luster use of bondage, leather and whips between scenes. A conceptual addition that did not seem to take shape, shock or be anything other than a peculiar irregularity.
Raymond Coulthard as the Duke seems likable at times, though not aggressive enough in his desires to attain Isabella's heart. His literal magic act, producing letters out of thin air, became a gimmick that distracted from more then it aided to the interpretation of his role. Similarly, Jamie Ballard as Angelo was neither detestable nor likeable - sexually desiring the novice, Isabella, but not taking steps to ensure her recoil from him - in short he was not scary or cruel enough.
All was made better in the end with the ambiguous ending surmounting in Isabella's choice. The hesitant Isabella did not make her choice with ease, but took the time to contemplate her decision, even changing her mind in the final moments of the play. But the ending will not be revealed here, for every able person to get down to the theatre to see this one for themselves.
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