The Call to Misadventure in an Ordinary World

Plays and Plays

Young Vic Theatre; Song from Far Away

A one man tour-de-force on death and grieving; this piece by Simon Stephens and singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel is a Toneelgroep Amsterdam production, co-produced and featured at the Young Vic Theatre in Waterloo. Upon returning to New York from a family funeral in Amsterdam, Willem enacts letters written to his dead brother during the week of the funeral. Jan Versweyveld's scenic and lighting style of realism, slipping faintly into a heightened reality at moments, featured intricate detail including a live air conditioner unit. Ranging from vast introspection on the meanings of life and death, to deep self-reflection on identity and humanity; the plays philosophies were at times beautiful and often harrowing. The story's theme followed the realities of the grieving process (and the difference between people's individual processes), therefore the tragedy was very rational; none of the melodramatic or romantic styling of death, just the cold reality of the inevitable, mainly including those still living on. The guilt, regret,detachment and remorse felt by the sole character was too accessible to many in our group. A sadly realistic and beautifully honest play, Song From Far Away was a piece everyone can, unfortunately, relate to in some fashion. (Also, apparently the great Sir Ian Mckellen was there that night. A review in its own right.)

The National Theatre; The Beaux' Stratagem

The National's production of George Farquhar's famous play was a smashing success. There is something about the two hours of situation establishment and build up, and the climatic explosion as everything implodes and resolves, that is unique to restoration plays. The build up was entertaining. The climax was unforgettable. While certain plot elements (i.e. the romance) resolves in a somewhat predictable end, the journey there is filled with enough mishaps and misadventures that the show delivers the best of 'light' entertainment. Of especial note was the National's band of musicians and the elaborate scenic design; the music carried the almost three hour show, while the intricate scene switches (between a poor hotel and rich estate) were fluid and utterly flawless. Solid all around entertainment (though perhaps too bawdy for the 'whole family'), the National executed the Beaux' Stratagem with colorful costumes, melodious song, synchronized dance, absurd stage combat, and well chosen stage techs; all combining to enhance the wonderful cast of characters in a sprawling comedy. After a dance filled curtain call, the band played out the audience to a lively tune that had everyone clapping rhythmically. I don't know what more to want from a farce.

The Globe Theatre; The Orestreia

Well. The Globe is a modernized reconstruction of the classic theatre. Differences include: the use of modern lighting, viewing accommodations for half the size of the old crowds, flyovers to/from Heathrow airport, and the offer to be bounced for reckless heckling/gambling/prostitution. Otherwise, the spirit of the Globe Theatre is preserved for locals and tourists on the Southbank. The yard offers cheap five pound standing-room space and a chance to interact with actors.

Now. Rory Mullarkey's adaptation of the Greek classic the Orestreia. Billed by the Globe as a combination of Breaking Bad and The Godfather, this show may have included one of the most bizarre costume designs I will ever witness. In attempt to represent the 'timelessness' of the piece, the costumes jumped location and time without any warning. The chorus was in mafioso dress, Agamemnon and soldiers were featured in classic Greek armor, Apollo wore a classic toga while Athena sported a dress made of pure glitter, and the avenging-son/hero was dressed in a T-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes. When the gang of modern riot police walked on 10 minutes after the classic Greek soldiers, I couldn't help from laughing. And I didn't really stop. The set walls/pillars wobbled greatly on impact or from the shutting of doors. The music was composed of clarinets and french horn, except an odd moment of dupstep-like-techno when the Furies were introduced. I had to enjoy this show as a very silly (albeit bloody) black comedy. I felt affirmed in this belief by the entrance of a five foot tall gold penis statue with wings (love to be at that production meeting) alongside a prop dead goat missing a horn. I laughed. I didn't cry. I don't know if that's what they were going for.

As my first experience at the Globe Theatre, and the fifth show to round off seven nights of London, my only feeling walking away from this show was “far too sober” after sitting on wooden seats for three hours. I applaud the cast for their genuine efforts. I congratulate the Globe on taking risks. I have no idea what in the hell I just saw. 

Sights and Sites

The Museum of London

The Museum of London, located downtown North of St. Paul's Cathedral, is overflowing with facts and artifacts from the rich history of the city. While the focus of the museum was more contained than the British Museum (featuring artifacts from cultures around the world), the wealth of information was as overwhelming as all good museums inevitably get for me after a period of time.

As the layout of the museum is chronological order with the exhibits sectioned off into periods, and each exhibit features a specific aesthetic to match the artifacts within. The Dark Ages and Medieval periods were lumped into a single exhibit spanning to the reign of King Henry VIII, which became the section I burned out into information overload. Also, while this chronological layout made for a lovely stroll through the ages, I found the route within the exhibits to be somewhat convoluted; sometimes noticing I had accidentally jumped 300 years by following the wrong row of displays. Other than these slight confusions, the museum is packed with interactive displays, rich information, and an unmatched chronicle of the history of London (accessible at no charge).

My negative experience of the day was looking at a time-line when some young tourists in business suits began viewing the same time-line and using popular culture as their only point of reference. “Huh, the Magna Carta. Oh yeah, I've seen that Braveheart movie” says one. “Oh, the War of the Roses, that's that thing Game of Thrones is based off of.” After being in proximity for the length of two sentences, I'm vastly increasing the length between myself and them in the exhibit. Despite the speed-bump, I plan to revisit the museum and recommend a visit to any visitor of the city. I assume locals already know, considering they roam the exhibits in loud packs of fifty fifth-graders.

Greenwich Trip

The Greenwich district outside London features the Old Royal Observatory (including the physical meridian line, which is supposedly a few yards off from where it should be), the Old Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum, as well as other maritime attractions such as the restored Cutty Sark ship. Mornings might be recommended, as the afternoons can get a little packed with crowds. Our trip left the city of London via ferry down the Thames River, (a bit of a long and less scenic train ride to/from the city) fitting to arrive by water to a classically maritime area. Visiting the Observatory, now operating as a museum about the development of time; specifically as a navigational tool, but also general development throughout the ages. The Observatory is situated atop of a fabulous hill overlooking the Thames and the docklands; a classical spot for painters and artists throughout the ages. The hill is rather steep however, and handicap assistance is non-existent/discontinued.

At the base of the hill rests the Naval College and the Maritime Museum. The Naval College features the intricate Painted Hall (a scenic designers dream room, featuring impressive amounts Trompe-l'œil painting to make flat surfaces look dimensional) detailing the rise and fall of English monarchs in murals crowded with Greek mythology and much symbolism. Commonly called 'the Sistine Chapel of the UK', a major highlight of Sir James Thornhill's 5,683 square foot mural is the image of King William III literally crushing King Louis XIV under his boot heel; placed prominently in the dead center of the ceiling¹. Directly across the lawn from the Painted Hall is the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, an amazing piece of religious architecture in which even the loudest tourists must express reverence and silence. Although even the chapel has maritime designs and symbols.

Finally, the National Maritime Museum contains information tailored to everyone from the curious to the naval fanatic; for instance, that Henry VIII was instrumental in the creation of lighthouses². The museum offers extensive exhibits ranging from the East India Trading Company to the unsung naval heroes of WWI, as well as some of the best entertainment for children I've ever witnessed at a museum. Also featuring an array of Lord Nelson's treasures: the jacket he was killed in during the battle of Trafalgar, along with a fragment of the Union Jack flown from his ship Victory during the same battle (apparently the flag was intended to be buried with him, but the sailors instead crafted souvenirs by ripping the flag into sections)³. As the mob of locals and tourists swelled with the afternoon, I did not explore the rest of the district, though these sites easily make the Greenwich area a worthwhile visit.

Speakers Corner; Hyde Park

Hyde Park offers many, many things to see and do. There is the free Serpentine Gallery, paddle boating, and expansive space to indulge in any sort of lawn sport or recreational activity. The park is sprawling enough that even in perfect weather on a weekend, finding a niche is an easy task. Only on Sunday afternoons however, will there be the Speaker's Corner outside the Marble Arch entrance. In soap-boxing tradition, people may step up and off of British soil to say whatever they would like (with the exception of speaking against the monarchy). While the speakers mostly consisted of Fire and Brimstone religious fanatics (straight from the set of Monty Python's Life of Brian), the general atmosphere is one of challenge and discourse with the majority of people engaging in polite argument. Of course some participants engage in arguments without any form of politeness.

Here on Sunday afternoons, if you want to stand on a step stool twenty feet away from religious advocates and say things like “Jesus Christ was a fucking con artist” you can (note: some one did). Just don't bad mouth the Queen, and you are free to spew whatever challenging and/or crazy thoughts you feel like projecting on the rest of the people gathered. There was a provoking discussion on the changes of feminism throughout the decades, during which a grandmother was told her opinion was stupid by a fellow listener. There was a man who may have been practicing an odd form of stand up comedy. I expected to hear more discussions on Syrian refugees. Mostly I was told that I would burn in Hell, and only my lord and savior Jesus Christ could save me. An entertaining intellectual circus, Speaker's Corner is worth a visit when you are in the area on Sundays. If the weather is nice, you can simply stroll off and find a delightful spot among the park's many trees, once you've had your fill of other people's intellectual bullshit.

"Which Hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast." 

-Billy Pilgrim                          

1"Painted Hall." RSS. Royal Naval College. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.

2Guiding Lights: 500 Years of the Trinity House and Safety at Sea. N.d. Museum Exhibit. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.

3Nelson, Navy, Nation. N.d. Museum Exhibit. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.