What a day (21 July 2009)! Instead of normal class we headed to The Globe Theatre and out class did a tour. When we were actually taken into the theatre seating there was a rehearsal for a show called “Helen.” I wasn’t allowed to take pictures because of legal reason but it was pretty cool. To simply be in the Globe and watch actors do their thing was so exciting. Once the actors left we were allowed to take as many pictures as we wanted and I did so be sure to look at those. Likewise right before the performance and during intermission when the musicians were playing I got some shots was well. It was so overwhelming in a way to actually be there with other people and have the show going.
The show itself was phenomenal! I have seen “As You Like It” twice before now. Once was in Greenville and the park by the river during the Shakespeare festival in the summer. Elizabeth Colson was Rosalind and Chris was Oliver, Orlando’s older brother. The second time I saw was in Orlando at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre when Chris was doing his internship there. He was the singing person. I don’t his character had a name – correct someone if I’m wrong. I loved both those performances but this was so different. I can’t say it was better because it was just different. Seeing a show in the Globe and then comparing it to regular theatre is really apples and oranges. I will say that the Globe’s Touchstone was fabulous! He was so funny and played with the audience a lot. Orlando wasn’t bad either and neither was his acting… I have to say it was a very attractive bunch to be sure. Even the older gentlemen were very handsome. Touchstone, Orlando, and Oliver were really… “hot” is the only word I can really think of that properly explains it. Sorry to the guys reading this but you’d say the same about the ladies, I’m sure. Beyond looks, though, the cast was wonderful. It was obvious they were having as much in their roles as the audience was in watching them.
After the play was the Jack the Ripper Walk. Steve was our tour guide for the last time sadly. He has been so wonderful. I was thinking he’d be with us in Cambridge but they don’t allow any tour guides but their own, even in the city. I think that’s a little strange but whatever. Anyway, the tour was really cool. He took us to some of the places where the murders happened. One of the murder spots was actually mark with a “4” and a circle around it. This was for Catherine Eddowes, I believe. The Square is named for her, or at least the painted sign on the brick building said it was. It was a little eerie to be standing where these grizzly murders took place. I am not able to regale you in all the details of the Ripper murders 1) because my feet were killing me and that doesn’t lend itself to being able to pay attention enough to hold in all that information and 2) because there is so much information! I mean, I think Steve didn’t tell us half of what he knew. Anytime a question was asked he’d give these long responses. Besides there are whole books on the subject of Ripper and no one is any closer to figuring out who it was that did them.
We went to an Indian restaurant on Brick Lane after the tour and had some of the best food I’ve had since I’ve been here, although my tongue was briefly on fire for about five minutes. It was Aubrey’s birthday and the restaurant people were actually trying to get her drunk because that’s what they do when it’s someone’s birthday. They even gave her a free bottle of wine to take back with her – to her room, not the States, obviously. Everyone was stuffed by the time we left. We were going to go to a Moroccan dance club but everyone was so tired so I think we’re going to do that next week.
Another short blog I’m afraid.
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