Wednesday, May 21, 2014
This day was completely packed with activities! First I went to Westminster Abbey (my favorite), the play Good People, the Barbican where I saw an installation art piece Momentum, and then another play The Testament of Mary. I did have moments to actually sit, plus eat, but from the moment I got up to the moment I went to bed it was the busiest day I’ve had thus far.
Westminster Abbey holds such a special meaning for me ever since my first trip to London, and this time was just as great. Tim gave us a highlights tour, and we got to go into the heart of Westminster Abbey, St. Edward the Confessor Chapel. This is a part not generally open to the public, and it was absolutely awesome to experience. Wondering around the abbey walking through Elizabeth I’s tomb, observing the gorgeous stained-glass windows, and simply taking in as much as possible was how the rest of my time was spent here. I even was able to go through most bits twice. The level of inspiration I get from this place is like none other.
Feeling inspired I made my way to the Noel Coward Theatre to see Good People staring Imelda Staunton. This was the first realist play I have seen here in London and I was quite impressed with the script. It was a great story and asked several poignant questions regarding what makes someone good, and the choices and decisions we make when we are younger that impact the entirety of our lives. The acting was solid and consistent with the Jersey accents, Imelda was fantastic (I have been a fan for a while, but now I’m convinced she’s versatile and bloody brilliant). The only issue I had with the production was the set, most of it was well executed and the set transitions worked with precision. However, I found some aspects that didn’t hold true to the realism of the rest of the production.
With my first play behind me it was onto the next at the Barbican. The Barbican is a multimedia centre for the arts and it was massive and impressive. I was able to go through the installation art piece Momentum which had a really calming and soothing effect. Darkness with pendulums of light moving and shifting as you walk through a great room down a corridor to another great room is the best way I can find to describe it. What was interesting was the way experiencing this art made me feel, it was reenergizing and what I needed before seeing my next play.
Fiona Shaw in The Testament of Mary was excellent. This one-woman show was unlike any theatrical performance I had ever seen. Before the play actually started it began with allowing the audience to go on stage and look, observe, touch, the props (and there were many). As the audience continued to walk on the stage Fiona came in, locked herself in a clear-box-like structure. The stage had a surrealist, existentialist, absurdist feeling to it with the design. This was only the beginning of what the play would actually bring.
Essentially, the play was about Mary telling her side of the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. To say this was interesting is an understatement. I honestly cannot put into words how this play made me feel, which is a good thing. Fiona carried the story well through this demanding play. Other great things about the play was the use of light, set design (including vulture), and how it is a play that was experienced rather than observed. Loved it! The post-play Q&A was pretty great too.
At the end of this crazy day I took part in my room’s usual discussion of the play we just went to. Christian was able to fill me in on some of the theological details of the play having practiced Catholicism most his life. I found myself questioning and reevaluating my own belief structure. I think this day will be known as “the religious” day. Well, maybe the "sort of religious" day.
Westminster Abbey holds such a special meaning for me ever since my first trip to London, and this time was just as great. Tim gave us a highlights tour, and we got to go into the heart of Westminster Abbey, St. Edward the Confessor Chapel. This is a part not generally open to the public, and it was absolutely awesome to experience. Wondering around the abbey walking through Elizabeth I’s tomb, observing the gorgeous stained-glass windows, and simply taking in as much as possible was how the rest of my time was spent here. I even was able to go through most bits twice. The level of inspiration I get from this place is like none other.
Feeling inspired I made my way to the Noel Coward Theatre to see Good People staring Imelda Staunton. This was the first realist play I have seen here in London and I was quite impressed with the script. It was a great story and asked several poignant questions regarding what makes someone good, and the choices and decisions we make when we are younger that impact the entirety of our lives. The acting was solid and consistent with the Jersey accents, Imelda was fantastic (I have been a fan for a while, but now I’m convinced she’s versatile and bloody brilliant). The only issue I had with the production was the set, most of it was well executed and the set transitions worked with precision. However, I found some aspects that didn’t hold true to the realism of the rest of the production.
With my first play behind me it was onto the next at the Barbican. The Barbican is a multimedia centre for the arts and it was massive and impressive. I was able to go through the installation art piece Momentum which had a really calming and soothing effect. Darkness with pendulums of light moving and shifting as you walk through a great room down a corridor to another great room is the best way I can find to describe it. What was interesting was the way experiencing this art made me feel, it was reenergizing and what I needed before seeing my next play.
Fiona Shaw in The Testament of Mary was excellent. This one-woman show was unlike any theatrical performance I had ever seen. Before the play actually started it began with allowing the audience to go on stage and look, observe, touch, the props (and there were many). As the audience continued to walk on the stage Fiona came in, locked herself in a clear-box-like structure. The stage had a surrealist, existentialist, absurdist feeling to it with the design. This was only the beginning of what the play would actually bring.
Essentially, the play was about Mary telling her side of the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. To say this was interesting is an understatement. I honestly cannot put into words how this play made me feel, which is a good thing. Fiona carried the story well through this demanding play. Other great things about the play was the use of light, set design (including vulture), and how it is a play that was experienced rather than observed. Loved it! The post-play Q&A was pretty great too.
At the end of this crazy day I took part in my room’s usual discussion of the play we just went to. Christian was able to fill me in on some of the theological details of the play having practiced Catholicism most his life. I found myself questioning and reevaluating my own belief structure. I think this day will be known as “the religious” day. Well, maybe the "sort of religious" day.