Why Authors Change the World

So, I am reposting this from a blog I love because it made me so happy:

Back in 1989, on a rainy afternoon, seven-year-old Amy wrote a letter to Roald Dahl. Using oil, coloured water and glitter, Amy sent the author a personal gift: one of her dreams, contained in a bottle.

Here's Roald Dahl's wonderful response:

I love this! I also had an amazingly long Roald Dahl love that may make this hit close to home. But, after seeing so much Shakespeare I can't help but love the brain of authors! What wondrous caverns and what amazing things they bring out in us.

*This is post is from A Cup Of Jo, the picture is from Pelayo Lacazette, and the letter is from Amy on Twitter.

Chels

The Hank Trilogy: Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V

Playmakers Repertory Theatre - Chapel Hill, NC
March 3, 2012


Brad - A
Chelsea - C+

Yes, Chelsea struggled with this chair.

So, after our night in Staunton, Virginia, we drove to Chapel Hill to see three history plays in a single day.  Even better, my good friend from high school joined us for the matinee.

I've known Will since seventh grade geometry class with Mrs. Kimbell.  Nowadays, Will is a fancy lawyer for UNC, he plays in a blues band in Chapel Hill, and he has a very cute puppy.  So, Will joined us for the matinee performances of Henry IV Parts One and Two.  We did, however, excuse his attendance for the 7:30 production so he could watch UNC whoop Duke. GO HEELS!

So, a quick summary of Henry IV Part One, Henry IV Part Two, and Henry V:  We meet King Henry IV and he is concerned about attacks from Scotland and other lands.  Having acquired his crown by force, he is concerned about protecting his crown.  His son, Prince Hal, is a goof.  He spends a majority of his time with Sir John Falstaff drinking and "whoring."  As tensions rise between England and its enemies, the King calls for Prince Hal.  Hal eventually agrees to grow up a bit and fight England's enemies with his father.  They eventually defeat their enemies, and during battle, Hal kills one of the leaders of the enemy, though Falstaff takes credit for the kill.  But the King is clearly proud of Prince Hal.  The King then dies and Prince Hal takes over.  Though Prince Hal's former drinking buddies see this as their coronation too, Prince Hal --- now King Henry V --- banishes them from his presence.

One more terrifying rabbit picture just to make sure you are still awake! So, Henry V decides he should take over France.  In the opening scene, a minister goes through an extensive legal analysis of Henry V's claims to all of France.  Then Henry V takes his troops to France to take over.  On Saint Crispin's day, the English troops defeat the French.  Henry V then takes the French Princess Kate as his bride and the play ends, though at the end we are warned that later kings would lose France.

So, a couple of thoughts about the productions.  First, it is awesome to see a trilogy of plays that all involve the same characters played by all the same actors! Usually, you would see three different actors play Prince Hal/Henry V.  But seeing them in repertory like we did, the same guy played Prince Hal/Henry V for each play. Second, these productions were great.  The production was very minimalist given the capabilities of their stage, but the special effects they used were very effective.  For example, when King Henry V gave his famous Saint Crispin Day speech, it had just rained on stage.  Though the on stage rain was over, it really felt like a dreary day that needed an inspirational speech by the leader of the forces.  Finally, Falstaff, a hilarious and lovable character in the Henry IVs, was played by a quasi-famous actor.

Chelsea is pointing at him on the poster, but here is a better picture:

Yes, Chris and John, he is from Gilmore Girls.  Chelsea was star struck, and I thought he was a great Falstaff.  He was funny and memorable.

After 7+ hours of Shakespeare history plays, Chelsea and I were beat.  On Sunday, we drove home, and for nearly two hours of the drive, Chelsea helped me prepare for my appellate argument set for the next day.  All in all, it was a great weekend, and we are now 13 plays in.

Only 24 more to go!

Brad IV Part 1

Richard III -The Greatest Play in the World

American Shakespeare Center - Staunton, VA
March 2, 2012

Brad - A
Chelsea - A

Ok, so let set this up. Brad and I, after a really busy work week for us both, hopped in the car on a Friday afternoon and hung out in traffic for 5 hours when it should have taken us 3. Oh, and we saw a play! We heading to Staunton, VA. Staunton is a small town that neither of us has ever been to, here is some highlights:

This is the view when you enter and yes, that is a giant tea kettle

The main street and the hardware store were really cute, the rain doesn't do it justice. Basically, it's just adorable.

 

Here is the local clock shop. How does a clock shop stay in business? It amazes me.

Here is what BLEW our minds:

 

This is a store of large bunny costumes. I'm not kidding that was the store. We are strolling along enjoying this adorable downtown, look to our right and BUNNIES. It was terrifying.

But, on to the play! We saw Richard III. This is one of Shakespeare's histories. A.K.A. I try really hard not to fall asleep. But, this one proved me wrong! Here is the synopsis:

So, Edward is on the throne. Richard, his brother who is a deformed little man with a hunchback, decides he wants the throne. The play opens with him coming out to the audience and saying I am a villain. I am going to be a villain and kill everyone and boy does he! He kills another king and his son and then convinces the widowed wife of one of them to marry him (because that always happens.) Oh, he then later kills her. He hired assassins to kill his older brother, George, so he can never get the throne. His brother the king dies and he kills his 2 nephews, the heirs to the throne, so they can't be king. He convinces the people of how much they need him to be king and then reluctantly (right) takes the throne. Then he kills his BFF because he's paranoid that someone will take his throne. There is one cousin left that could take the throne and after all of the killing he hears about he decides maybe this Richard is not the best king after all. He starts a war against the king and an epic battle ends this story.

So, basically you spend 2 hours watching this horrible man kill everyone. The actor who played Richard was AWESOME! He looked evil, he acted evil and paranoid, and was also kind of funny.

There was not an actor there that was horrible (usually there is one over the top actor that I can't take, this performance had no one.) They also intertwined modern songs and at the beginning and intermission all the actors played music and sang. I'm talking standing basses and accordions. These were talented people! For a history, this was really great! You could just picture the people of Shakespeare's day booing and cheering. He really pulled out the drama. We also heard the lines "Now is the winter of our discontent" and "a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse" so it's always fun to hear lines you know but can't place.

The place was also awesome:

Afterwards, we wandered through Staunton and stopped at a cute restaurant, The Mockingbird, for dinner:

Then heading back to our bed and breakfast. The next morning, Joel, of The Frederick House, our hotel treated us to a full breakfast.

 

 They CUT our grapes and made the melons look like penguins. I was in love!

We also overheard Joel saying that the American Shakespeare Center was "the best Shakespeare in the world." I mean if a man cutting melons into penguins thinks your the best, then you ARE the best!

After breakfast we headed out. With Radiolab on NPR to entertain us, we had a much nicer drive to Chapel Hill where 3 more plays greeted us. Here is a quick pic from intermission of the last play. We were pooped!

Chels