On Thursday, we saw  A Light Shining in Buckinghamshire. Honestly, it was neither my nor Terrance’s favorite show. We saw the show at The National Theatre and the space was amazing. It was the biggest theatre I had ever been in. It was a techie’s dream to explore but, probably a nightmare to work on. When the curtain opened at the beginning, everyone’s jaws literally dropped because of how big and extravagant the stage was. It looked about the same size as half a football field and the stage dressings fit the space. It opened on this grand table that someone could easily do a gymnastics routine on. It was founded in 1976 and, for the time being, England is beating America in that department. America has not even made moves to have a national government subsidized theatre. Sadly, we’re being beaten to a pulp by Europe because they realize how important the arts really are, especially to the youth. I think that is probably the reason that the theatre is so big, it’s supposed to be there for the masses and London has over 8 million people living here. They make sure to have enough space so as many people as possible are able to see shows and become more cultured. It’s a chance for politics to be explained, just like when theatre first started. I feel like the play we saw was meant to educate the people about the restoration but, I think that Caryl Churchill made it too difficult. It was like she was purposely trying to confuse people with her writing style. At intermission, Terrance and I, both, needed someone to explain what was going on because of all the speeches (which are harder to understand with accents) and the lack of education in America about other countries’ struggles. I think the theatres here are far more used as a leisurely activity than we think of them in America. To me, it seems that going to the theatre is more common here and I wish it was like that in the states for people other than the ones that are also making the theatre. The picture is from the night we saw the father, there wasn’t a good opportunity to get  picture of Terrance on the stage at the National.

And on the third day in London, we saw Merchant of Venice. I really enjoyed Jonathan Pryce’s take on Shylock but the play itself is just so frustrating. Terrance hid in my purse because he could not stand how the villains win in the end. Even though he played the character really strongly, there was so much sympathy evoked in the audience. I think the role wasn’t played villainously but, he was being persecuted as a Jew. The other players made it out that he was the villain so it came off like that to the audience as well. He was successful with the realistic devotion to his religion. His portrayal of Shylock was so beautiful and vulnerable. When he was forced to convert to Christianity, he dropped to his knees and pleaded for mercy, then death. His dedication was so prevalent in everything that he did; the whimpering, the pleading, the crying during the christening. Everything about it was heart wrenching because, all he wanted was his money and his daughter, anyone would want that. I,also, want to point out how amazing his daughter was in the show. She really played the tortured creature. She was being pulled in opposite directions by two men she loved and when she made the choice to desert her father and religion for a man, it was devastating. The final scene: brilliant. I could not clap hard enough at how beautifully the director added to Shakespeare. The choice to add the christening was so out of the box. The harmony between the Yiddish mourning song and the Christen prayer song in Latin was breath taking. I wanted to cry and scream but couldn’t say a word. It was the only way I could every watch Shakespeare again. I have never really been a fan of his writing but, finally seeing good Shakespeare done in original practice, in the yard, was a life changing experience. I complained because my feet were killing me from all the walking but, I want to do that again. I want to be in the yard (on the ground) and interact with the actors. To me, there’s no other way now. The picture is of Terrance "on" the stage.

Even though we showed up late, we hit the ground running. After making it to our cozy lodgings, we got our Oyster card (a metro/train pass) and headed to Piccadilly Circus. The tube system was interesting but rather easy to figure out once you know cardinal directions…I still don’t. Once we got out of the tubes, we made our way to Leicester Station to find the half-price ticket booth, where many of us decided to take in a show on our first night including Peter Pan, and The Woman in Black.Terrance and I enjoyed the show at the small Fortune Theatre but, a few of us were a little frightened by the sudden appearances of the cloaked woman. A small group of us saw this after the adventures of the tubes. We saw the London Eye, the Globe and the National Theatre, where Terrance was sacrificed to the God from Everyman. Then, I ended up going on a solo mission to find clothes. That means that I navigated the tubes alone…with a lot of help from locals and direction savvy group members. I, also, got to experience some English barbecue…or as close as I am going to find here. I had a yummy sandwich called a “pork bun”. I know, how inventive, although very self explanatory. The locals are a little different. They remind me a lot of Americans but far more chic. Most of them are kind of standoffish, especially on the tubes but, the tube workers are very friendly. I’ve definitely encountered more languages than I thought. I’ve heard mostly British accents but, I think I heard some Swedish and I’ve been keeping an ear out for German. For a late night snack, I went to Burger King; I know I should’ve found something English but, I was hungry and tired. Fun Fact: British orange Fanta is not like American orange Fanta, I’m pretty sure it's just Sprite and orange juice mixed together…and it actually doesn’t taste all that bad.

    

So, not only is this my first blog, but it is also my first trip to London, England. It was an adventure even getting here. After two delayed flights, a missed plane, multiple “holding patterns" and some missing luggage, we have made it across the pond. It has been a crazy journey and it’s only begun. We have so many things planned with the group and individually. You’re probably wondering why I keep saying “we”…For my first solo adventure abroad, I brought along my friend, Terrance. He’s a turtle…technically a tortoise. He’s the Terrance that it is so important to be…the reason that my blog has such a cool and literarily witty title. We plan to see loads of things and take lots of pictures. We, also, hope to take in some great food and culture but, also get into a little mischief here and there. Anywhere I go, Terrance will be close at hand.