The National Theatre

Two nights ago, we all went as a group to the National Theatre in London's Southbank area to see A Light Shining in Buckinhamshire by Caryl Churchill.  The concept of having a national theatre was passed by Parliament in 1949, with the first performances in the building it currently sits in in 1976.  However, the companies first performance was in 1963 at the Old Vic.  Its intended purpose was the "...constant revitalization of the great traditions of the British stage and to expanding the horizons of audiences and artists alike."  One of the former Director of the National Theatre, Nicholas Hytner, said of the purpose of the theater: "We want to tell the stories that chart the way the nation is changing. We want to bring front-line reports from new communities and generations, and we want to see the present redefined in the context of the past."

Our play was performed in the Lyttelton Theatre, which is the second largest theatre in the National Theatre's residence.  It was a very political play about the English Civil War.  I do believe that the play did help to fulfill the purpose of the National Theatre.  It goes hand in hand with what the former director said; "We want to tell the stories that chart the way the nation is changing."  I think this play uses the stories of the past to make a statement about current situations in modern day England.  I loved watching the production of the play.  The lighting and the entire stage was unbelievable.  I loved the symbolism of the action of the poor taking place on the table of the rich, and I do not think the play would have been near as powerful without it.  With that being said, I could not tell you what really went on in the play.  The dialogue was very hard to follow, but I think that a person with knowledge of British history would have understood quite well. 

I am looking forward to going back to the National Theatre this week and seeing a more lighthearted play and seeing how different of an experience it will be. 

The Merchant of Venice

Coming from someone who knows very minimal about theatre and has now only seen two plays, I absolutely loved The Merchant of Venice at The Globe.  I had no idea what to expect when we got there, but I was completely blown away when the actors first came on stage.  The atmosphere was just incredible.  The music and the interaction with us peasants in the yard was just awesome and unlike anything I had ever experienced before.  Standing in the yard first seemed like a miserable idea, but I would not have wanted to be anywhere else.  Yes, I wanted to saw my own feet off, but what an experience that was.  I can only imagine what it had been like back in Shakespeare's day. 

On top of just being at The Globe in London, we got to witness an actor who is recognizable and very decorated for his work.  I have known who Jonathan Pryce was for his work as a villain in one of the James Bond movies.  It was unbelievable to be so close to the stage and to really see the small details of his performance as Shylock.  He interpreted his role a bit different than Al Pacino had in the film that was made in 2004, who played up to the sympathy of the audience.  Pryce played a sympathetic Shylock, but I still felt that he played up to the villain role as well.  You really saw a greedy character in his performance, but you couldn't help but to be on his side and have sympathy for him at the end of the play.  The language of the play depicts that he is somewhat greedy when he references he would rather have his money back than his daughter Jessica, and there were times in the play that he acted with such anger and ferocity that made you dislike him, but this was contrasted with the fact that what was most dear to him was stripped of him at the end: his Judaism.  It was quite emotional when you could see his lip quiver as he was christened and yelled out in sadness in the final scene of the play, which you might not have noticed if you were not standing right in front of him as I was.  I believe his performance of Shylock was flawless, but I admit that I am not terribly familiar with theatre, and I was so awestruck at the play and where I was seeing the play that my opinion is not credible at all. 

I'm starting to like this theatre stuff.

The London Underground

I've only been in London for three days, but I can say that I definitely love this place.  After the longest flight I have ever been on in my life, I was exhausted and just wanted to take a long nap.  That feeling ended the second we stepped on the coach at the airport and started traveling through the city.  Just driving through the city (on the wrong side of the road) to our lodging was so surreal after the months of waiting to get here.  It has been non-stop going ever since, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The tube has been super easy to use after our first adventure all together to the south bank of the Thames.  After reaching Embankment station, it was so easy to cross the footbridge over the river. Looking out to the right you could see Big Ben and the London Eye, while looking left you could the financial district and St. Paul's cathedral.  Just standing on the bridge and looking around was such an awesome experience, especially since the weather has been unusually (so I'm told) nice.  Once we reached the south bank, we immediately turned to our left and walked a very short way to the National Theatre. 

From here, we decided to head west to the London Eye, which is so much bigger than it looks in pictures and movies.  The area all along the river on the south bank is so cool.  So many people are street performing (busking, as the Brits call it), eating at neat restaurants and pubs, or just walking and enjoying themselves.  It is really hard to believe that this area was once known as a bad area of town.

The Globe proved to be the hardest part of the adventure to find, and it was quite the hike from the Eye.  By this time, the soles of my feet were destroyed, but it was worth every minute of the suffering. 

While everyone else went off to their shows, Michelle, Ashley and I decided to explore even further.  We learned that ordering water at a restaurant is more complicated than it has to be, that grandpas can be pretty poor DJ's, and that the term "wanker" used in context (and with British accent) is undoubtedly the best word in the English lexicon. 

If the first three days of adventure and fellowship with new friends is any indication of how the next month will be, then we are in for one great summer.