Hello-
I don't have too much time so this will be a quick post.
I finished my research at the National Theatre yesterday. I really loved doing research there- the people were so nice and friendly, not to mention the materials they had were amazing. I got to look at costume renderings, groundplans, cue sheets, prop lists, press articles, an annotated script, the actual production on video tape- my inner nerd was in full blossom! I was up to my elbows in materials. I think I got some really great stuff that will be really useful and impressive in my thesis (well impressive to me, at least). Particularly the blocking notes for Fiona Shaw during the deposition scene! You know, I am probably one of very few that finds that exciting. Oh, well.
Last night, I saw a production of Frankie and Johny at the Claire de Lune (or something like that, I don't know if I have all the right wording)in a very small theatre on Leicester Square. It was quite good in a very intimate space. We were pretty much sitting on the set with them. They also used a bit of scrim. You know how I love scrim.
I just saw a production of The Tempest at The Globe. I was perched right on the stage- it was absolutely incredible to hear Prospero's epilogue and some of the beautiful passages that reference the Globe and to be in the Globe-unreal.
Tonight we are seeing another show at the National about an actor who kills his critics.
I hope everyone is well. Tomorrow we are supposed to see a London heatwave. I am curious to see what that constitutes. It's been so mild so far, I can't imagine it getting too hot, but we'll see.