Thursday 18 July 2013

A couple of Oxford Pics

photo courtesy of - Helena Miscioscia

Joy and me backstage.



A couple of pictures by way of a midweek blog as we hit our second week here in Oxford...where the 30+ heat threatens to melt the shrews at every nylon-clad performance...
I took the opportunity this week to see the Bodleian's first folio Shakespeare, which the library acquired in 1623.
more info here:
 http://shakespeare.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/the-bodleians-first-folio/


The folio is on display in their 'Magical Books' exhibition which is also a must for fans of Phillip Pullman (like me), or indeed Tolkien or C.S.Lewis.  It's free and highly recommended.

More Oxford thoughts to follow after the weekend four-show heat challenge!


Monday 15 July 2013

Oxford Week One

Our poster at the Playhouse

And so to Oxford and the beautiful Bodleian Quad for a whole two weeks.


I've been looking forward to Oxford as it is (apart from the Globe) my 'home' venue and not far from the village where I grew up.  Leah and I also have great memories of doing 'Earthquakes in London' at the Playhouse.  The first week of shows have been filled with friends and family, and it's been great to catch up with Katy and Michelle at the Playhouse, and the lovely Fiona at the Bodleian (who was an expert costume designer in a previous life and made the wonderful costumes for the 'Vincent in Brixton' I toured with several years ago).


My mum also came to see the show, having seen it at the Globe and it was interesting to get the perspective of someone who saw such an early stage...Much like being on a diet, you don't notice the gradual results day-to-day yourself, it takes a friend who hasn't seen you for a while to remind you of how far you've come...

View of the Quad lying on the stage
It's a beautiful space to be in, and although a little echoey the general acoustics make for a fairly easy vocal ride - which is just as well because hot, dry weather does odd things to your voice.

We had a lovely review of our first night in Oxford which you can find here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/10174331/The-Taming-of-The-Shrew-Old-Schools-Quadrangle-Bodleian-Library.html
(Yes, that's me in the photo uncredited next to Kate....I'm trying to put on a brave face and get over it).



It has been boiling...and it turns out that, of a matinee, the quad is essentially an oven.  We have cold flannels, iced water, fans, magicool spray etc. backstage - and I've given up on makeup which slides down my face within the opening scene...

A well earned shrew-beverage
We are slightly dreading the predicted high temperatures of next weekend - when we have four shows.  But we are trying to curb our whinging by reminding our shrewselves of two things:
1) The alternative might be pouring rain
2) The poor 'Henry' cast.  When we were sweating it out on a two show sweltering Sunday yesterday...they were at Towton Battlefields Site, fighting their way through what must have been a punishing triple bill in what looks like super hot trad dress.  We Shrews salute them and their epic quest.  We're hoping to see them soon - you can too, the dates are here: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/whats-on/globe-theatre-on-tour

If you build it...they will come.


P.S.

If you're coming to Oxford look out for G and D's who have been bringing their local and fab ice cream to the Quad on a magical bicycle...mmm...

I have been a lifelong admirer of their work and recommend the 'Dime Bar Crunch'.

We Shrews do love us some sugar.
http://www.gdcafe.com/website/index.php




Monday 8 July 2013

Malta

Last week the Shrews landed in Malta...and it was tough.  We were happy to have the lovely Helena from the Globe with us, and we faced the trials of a five star hotel with a pool, temperatures in the mid thirties, and exploring Valletta together like the brave little soldiers we are...

sweet sweet joy!
We began with a line run round the pool - but I promised the Shrews not to put any bikini shots on here...

 Our shows were at 9pm to avoid the heat o' the sun, and insect repellent was liberally applied to avoid being eaten alive.

The Maltese audiences and crew were so welcoming, and the response to the show was great.  We noticed that the audience were particularly hot on the text, some lines getting laughs that never have before...

We also split in two to run two acting workshops for the Arts Festival...we were apprehensive about this as we had received no information about who might be coming, what they might be expecting, and what we were expected to do...despite our stage manager Carrie's best efforts to find out anything that might help.  Luckily Joy and I have many years experience in running Shakespeare workshops so we came together to make a makeshift plan...with the understanding that we would have to quickly adapt once we found out the ages / experience / expectations / volume of the group....it turned out to be a really great experience - and the undisputed star of our group was 10 year old Roxie, who was expecting to read her book in the corner while her mum took part...little did she know!

the view from the pool deck