THE NATIONAL THEATRE:

June 29^th

     The vision of the National Theatre is to make an impact in the theatre world and to really give an opportunity to theatre artists to become better at their craft. The National Theatre is known all over the world with a lot of its more popular and famous productions being streamed in theatres in the states. The show that we saw there was A Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, written by Caryl Churchill.

     It was an interesting play. The script itself was hard to understand and follow but I think a lot of that had to do with it being about British history and I don’t know anything about their history. So a lot of jokes and famous names went right over my head, but there were still good moments that I enjoyed and was intrigued by. I was more fascinated and awed by the technical side. The set and lights and just overall beauty of the show are what kept me intrigued and paying attention. Masses of people would enter and move things around and then set for a short scene and then keep moving for another one. It was all choreographed and everything had double meanings. The set was the king’s table where him and all his men ate but the actual show was about the common people starting this revolution to take over the monarchy and they played these scenes on the dinner table during dinner time. So the higher class were eating this fancy meal or working on paperwork while the common folk were playing these beautiful scenes right in their faces. Such a push for idea of the poor man working hard everyday for a scrap of food while the high and mighty just lay around and eat all day.

     It was surreal to actually see a show at the National. But yet while sitting in the theatre I wasn’t aware I was in this well-known place but rather just another night to enjoy theatre. And I think that is what the founders wanted, just another place for people to see good theatre and to walk away a different person. I know I walked away different, it may not have been from the play itself but rather from the beauty and grace of the show.

MERCHANT OF VENICE:

June 28^th

     I don’t know where to start with this post… I just have so many thoughts and feelings about this show that it is hard to put them on paper (or rather computer). I have never seen The Merchant of Venice before in any kind of setting. I haven’t even really spent time in the text studying it; so I was excited to see a Shakespeare show that I didn’t really know. After talking in class before we left for London I imagined a production of this show could go different ways in how they portray Shylock and the company. Either he could be ruthless and evil, exactly what Antonio and his crew thinks Shylock is or that he could have a mean streak but yet a quality about him that the audience would cheer for, a normal human being with their ups and downs. In this day and time the first choice would be hard to sell to audiences because of the slander against Shylock as a Jew, but the second “version” could and did prove to be successful.

     Jonathan Pryce was amazing. And yes that does sound cliché and common because that word is used all the time but what made him unique is that you didn’t know it was him on the stage. You know when you see tv or movie stars and people you know on stage and whenever they are speaking and doing a scene you only think about them and you are always aware that they are acting. With Jonathan Pryce you forgot it was Jonathan Pryce. He walked on stage and you were entranced and just sucked into the story. You could see/feel his intense faith and devotion to his people and his ways. And it got to the trial scene and I was rooting for him to take the pound of flesh. I sympathized with him and his daughter when, in my opinion, Shakespeare may not have thought of the audience sympathizing and rooting for Shylock, the outsider.

     Some of my favorite interactions during the show were between Shylock and Jessica. I think it partly had to do with me knowing that she was his daughter in real life but more so the connection and just heartbreak that came with that story. I never realized how demeaning and heartbreaking it was for Shylock and Jessica that she turned her back on him and their faith to be with Lorenzo. It’s noted in the text and all that but to see how it killed Shylock to hear that she ran away and then with the ending that this production added, where Jessica falls to the ground in grief and sobs because her father must denounce his faith and become a Christian. She left for promise of love but in the end she realized she left the only true and pure love that came from her father and faith. She will never be accepted in Lorenzo’s group no matter how hard she tries, as well as the Jewish community because of her change in faith and I think the ending is when she realized the consequences in her choices.
     Overall I loved this show. Standing right at the edge of the stage and seeing the actors up close was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Having actors interact with you and making eye contact is not common in this time and I enjoyed experiencing that. Standing for three hours is hard on the feet but if I could return every year to see a show done in original practice like that I would go in a heartbeat. Nothing beats seeing a show in the Globe.

TUBE DAY:

June 26th

     Our fist day in London was filled with tube traveling. We had the task of taking the tube to the Embankment stop where we would then cross the Golden Jubilee Footbridge over River Thames where the National Theatre, the London Eye and the Globe are all located. It was an adventure! After deciding that we would travel as a group to go see all these places, we headed out. At first I was confused at how each tube was named and directions they were going, it took me a few trips and taking the time to study the map to understand the steps I need to think about first before heading out.

*I personally learn subways systems or tube systems by taking the small maps available and just studying them and seeing where I need to go before getting in the station. I like to have a plan before stepping in. And people move fast when traveling anywhere really in London, and I always hate to be the person holding people up unintentionally so I wanted to make sure I was prepared.

     We found the way to Embankment and then crossed the bridge stopping along the way to take pictures of the bridge view and just enjoying the wonderful weather and sights that we have always seen on a tv screen but never in person.

     The first stop was the National Theatre and they had a huge pointer finger on a wall where you could take pictures with, so naturally we all took pictures. It was to promote Everyman, which is a show we will be seeing later on the trip.

     The London Eye was next. It is huge and expensive to ride (we didn’t ride it) but yet so unique and cool. After figuring out where to walk to get to the Globe we walked along the coast/pier side.

     There were lots of performers and places to eat and just people having a good time out in the sun. It was a nice leisurely walk.

     We finally arrived at the Globe and got our group picture and then walked across the Millennium Bridge.

*Harry Potter Reference: The Millennium Bridge is the bridge that the death eaters attacked and destroyed on The Half-Blood Prince.

     Once we crossed the bridge we realized we didn’t really know where to go. None of us had a detailed map showing us the closest tube station so we wandered a bit till we found a map and got back on track to where we wanted to go. Once we arrived at the closest station I felt comfortable and had a good idea of which tube to take and in which direction. Overall I think this day was the best way to start out our trip because it really forced us to learn the tube so we could travel confidently on our own without being scared that we will travel in the wrong direction. It also feels nice when walking through the stations and (hoping) people think I’m just a normal person traveling and not a blubbering tourist, even for only when riding the tube.

*Also I want to note that I saw The 39 Steps later that night and it was great. It was such a funny show with great specificity and uniqueness, and a wonderful show to end a wonderful first day.

Tune in the next couple of days with a post about The Merchant of Venice at the Globe.