DAY 5

Friday was a veryyyyy busy day for us, so busy that I had to spend two straight days blogging to create this very post. So I hope it is appreciated.

Class:

We recapped Madam Butterfly, and decided that, despite its shortcomings as a story (nothing happens in Act II !!!), it was a visually stunning production. The use of Bunraku puppetry, the intricate costumes, and the visionary staging made it a more than worthwhile experience. The most memorable visual images included Butterfly’s entrance, in which she was the only person on the massive stage, and her death scene, in which she is kneeling in front of a lone paper screen.

Woooo! London!

We then discussed “As You Like It,” the Shakespearean comedy that we were to see at the Globe later that day. There are many typical elements of a Shakespearean comedy in this play– the witty dialogue, the Arcadian setting, and the tendency of female characters to progress the plot. Furthermore, we were going to see it at the Mecca of Western theater, The Globe.

Kissies!

Finally, we learned about the history behind La Cage aux Folles, the musical that inspired Robin Williams’ The Birdcage in 1996. Surprisingly enough, La Cage aux Folles was an extremely popular movie before it ever hit the stage, and it was the most financially successful foreign film ever when it was originally released. It’s success continued with the 1983 premiere, and its most popular number, “I am What I Am” became an inspirational anthem for the Gay activist community.

Show #1: As You Like It at The Globe

Professor Clum’s advice of renting cushions came in handy, as we were subjected to our most uncomfortable theater conditions of the trip. The back-less wooden benches do not mesh well with three hour performances, but the show was still great. It’s themes of disguise and intertwining romantic interests were played out in hilarious fashion, as there were multiple funny scenes that culminated in raucous applause from the crowd.

The stage at the Globe, as some 'groundlings' are going right up to the edge.

Almost as good as the performance was the sense of history in the Globe. While the original theater burnt down a few centuries ago, the layout is virtually the same, and it was fun to imagine productions from back then happening in this very same space. The standing room section allowed viewers to walk right up to the edge of the stage, and it inspired the actors to interact with the audience– a technique which Touchstone took advantage of a few times throughout.

The show ended with a song and dance that can best be described as ridiculous… ly entertaining. Starting off with some timeless moves and then progressing to some more twenty-first century coordinated jigs, the company seemed to be in great spirits after the show, and it got the audience pumped up. It set the tone for Rosalind to deliver a cleverly-written epilogue to cap off the afternoon.

Show #2: La Cage Aux Folles at The Playhouse Theater

The Playhouse

The Playhouse Theater was a perfect venue for this show, as it had the smaller, potentially trashier feel that you would imagine La Cage to have. This play was different from the one we had seen earlier in the day in almost every way except that it, too, was hilarious. This seemed to be the first play of our trip that touched on immediately relevant social issues, as it shed a refreshing comedic light shed on contemporary family values, gender identification, and stereotypes. The quick set changes and upbeat pace kept the story moving, and I’ve already downloaded a few of the catchy songs from the soundtrack.

Quote(s) of the day:

1.

Student #1: Professor Clum, what’s a hobbyhorse?

Clum: … Think of what you do to a hobbyhorse. (giddy-up)

2.

Leila: I hear beer is good for your hair.

Louis: (pointing to head) No it’s not, honey.

~ by danlerman on June 20, 2009.