All's well that ends in Indian Food

21/9/09 12:00 Just had a tour of the backstage of the National Theater, and let me tell you, I was a kid in a candy store! They have three performance spaces along with countless backstage shops. A metal shop, an ARMORY, a carpentry shop larger that Tomlinson and the shop combined, all with jack lines put on tracks so you can lift anything from a tall flat to a heavy saw anywhere in the shop. They have the largest paint wall in Europe, where instead of the wall coming down, they go up on 3 separate scaffolding lifts able to hold 5 people at a time. A large props department, able to be sealed off if they are doing things of a chemical nature or preserving nature, and one of the most expansive costume departments in the world. In the props department, there was a large puppet horse run by 2 people (making up the 4 legs) that was used in "War Horse" which is playing at the London Theater in the West End presently. Also, they had the Governor's head from Caucasian Chalk Circle. Joe, if you are reading this, it was pretty damn realistic. Since the NT does about six shows at a time, they have tons of rotating storage space, around the theatres as well as in the fly gallery. They sometimes have sets hanging above the actors heads during performances just because there is no where else to put them. The smallest of the performance spaces is called "Cottesloe," which is a black box space, with many different options for seating plans. The second is the "Lyttelton Theater." It is a standard proscenium theater, with 76 fly rails. That is where we will see 'The Pitmen Painters' tomorrow night. The grand and largest theatre is the Olivier, which is a thrust with a crescent fly system, so 3-d sets can be flown such as large houses, chandeliers, or even just a tree that you want on an angle instead of horizontal from left to right. Also, with this type of fly system, it is very easy to fly actors as well, having right above the thrust. There is a rotating stage in the center that lowers to the shops, and where large set pieces and scenery can be raised during a show. The world really is your oyster as a designer in the Olivier Theater. It was named after Lawrence Olivier, who was the Artistic Director of the NT, and was one of the main contributers to the making of this warehouse of Theater.

Tonight, I am seeing a production of 'All's Well That Ends Well' by William Shakespeare in the Olivier space. This production is being filmed live throughout the UK on it's last performance, and then going to Cinemas throughout the world, including the States, so if you would like to see it, which I advise to you, check the website. I believe it is being played at the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline, MA and in PA, the Bryn Mahr Film Institute. This will give you a chance to see what I will tonight!

What I didn't write about before was a production of 'Troilus and Cressida' By William Shakespeare that I saw Sunday afternoon, at the Globe Theater. I went to church at Southwark Cathedral down the street, or rather alleyways, where there were SIX baptisms during the service. The play is one of the less well-known shows Shakespeare wrote, about the Trojan war, about seven year into the siege, when a young Troilus falls in love with a fair Cressida right before she is handed to the Greeks in exchange for a trojan soldier. It follows the story of Hector fighting Achillies, and showing the immortal warrior lose to him, only to ambush the great Hector, unarmed, and murder him. From there, he drags the body around the gates of Troy. A great performance, full of blood and swordplay! Lots of fun to watch, but you don't know really who to sympathize with, since at one time, everyone is at fault.
After the show, Ted and I went to the Imperial War Museum. It closed soon after we got there, but I must go back to finish seeing the WWII exhibit and the rest.

23:00 On the Tube back from the first row of the Olivier Theater in the NT after a performance of 'All's Well That Ends Well." Tis a DARL romantic comedy, and not full of jokes, but rather lessons. How wit and trickery can out stand young arrogance. And, of course, how love is all well when it endeth well. This production had a fairy tale theme to it, putting Helena in a Red Riding Hood as she treks into Florence. A great amount of spectacle to arouse the crowd who is looking for laughs and awe. But a grand production, with great performances, of a great classic.

23/09/09 20:45 About to leave for Brick Lane. Last night, Tuesday, I saw a truly moving show. 'The Pitmen Painters' is about a group of Pitmen (Miners) and a Dental Mechanic who live in Ashington and hire a professor from the University in Newcastle to teach them 'Art Appreciation.' They wanted to know 'what art means' and the only way for Lyon (the Professor) to describe this was to paint. It wasn't about form or technique. It was about what what it made them think about. What they experienced as the artists and what it meant to others to looked at it. The Pitmen were soon selling their work and put in prestigious art galleries throughout the UK. This show really explores what is art, and the fact that not everyone can paint, but a painter can be anyone. The plot thickens when George Brown, one of the Pitmen, is offered a stipend to quit his job in the mines and become a full-time artist. This brought out an identity crisis in between the artist, paid to paint, and being a pitman, working-class, where he belongs, and where people know him. The community in which they painted was the source of inspiration. This socialist community of the Miners, working around the rules of the common good. This experience held by the Pitmen was something beyond the night class. The GUARDIAN says about it, "The Play celebrates the very nation of community, and a working class sprit -- that now only flickers and splutters -- which understood that it had as much right to education and culture as those born in the middle and upper classes... This is a play about the importance not just of feeding your stomach and your brain, but about feeding your soul. And it does just that."  This show will be coming to Broadway soon enough, if you wish to see the production, in 2010. I bought the play after the show because i thought it was brilliant. It is also cool that all the stage direction and cast are the same of what I just saw. I could go on and on about this show and what conversations can be provoked. Ted and I had a rousing talk about the different class systems over a pint overlooking the Thames after the show. But ask me in person, for I would much rather talk than write about it.

14:25 Back on the Tube from Brick Lane. We took a tour around the area. Around Toynbee Hall, the old Jewish ghettos, the Jewish Soup kitchen. There was an old settlement house for women around the way from Toynbee and near Spitalfields Market. Mother, the picture of the church and missing organ you were asking about was Christ Church, Spitalfields. Talking to our guide, an FIE faculty member, he had heard about Ken Leech as being quoted in a book about Brick lane and the surrounding area. What I found most fascinating was the Great Mosque. The building has held the religion of the dominant culture of the time throughout the years. Every group of minority has occupied this area from Irish-Catholic to Jewish now to a prominent Bangladeshi neighborhood. For a while, Nationalist White Racists Skinheads were terrorizing the area, breaking store windows, and raising hell. But now, it has really settled down and is almost touristic. We had a delicious meal at a place called Naznul, near the old Truman brewery, which used to be a household name for over 300 years. Deliclous. I had Chicken Tikka Jalfrazie with rice and Nan. For dessert, a quarter of a frozen pineapple filled with pineapple ice cream. MMMMM. I have not been this full in months.

3 Shows and an Observatory

Sorry I have not posted since Wednesday, but I have not let the weekend just roll by. I have been busy exploring new places and seeing new shows. I have been working on the opening of a citywide "Open House" which explores old buildings and exhibitions throughout London. 19;29, the theater company I work for, is using this old town hall in the borough of Hornsey.

18/9/09 14:00 Leaving Hornsey Town Hall. We have set up completely for Open House tomorrow. It is a beautiful Art Deco building. And the First modern municipal building in London. In it, we put objects and props and actors to give the building the life of 1935, when the building was completed. Right up your alley, Dad. Yesterday and today, my personal project for this exhibit was to make signs out of MDF which read, "NUCLEAR FREE ZONE," "PLEASE QUEUE HERE," and "DO NOT FEED THE PIGEONS"
I saw a run through of the tour, and finally understood what they were doing, and what I was working towards this past week.

First, Wednesday night, where we last left off. I saw a production of "Stockwell." An Interview-based play accounting the trial for the killing of a suspect, who was innocent, the day after the Underground bombings in 2005. A special armed task-force was sent to look up a suspect "on his way to work" and shot him in the head nine times because they thought he was going to detonate. The thing is, IF the had a suspected bomber on surveillance  from when he walked out of his flat, the police could have intercepted him multiple times before he even went underground. The play really showed this issue and all of the other odds and end of this terrible case, as well as the Q&A after the show with the actual lawyer of the prosecution. If you wish to read more about the case, click this link.

Last night I went to the Globe Theater. The production was "As You Like It" and it was the best production that I have ever seen, of most anything. I have never enjoyed a show as much as I did this show. Standing in the yard, right next to the stage, I could see the facial expressions and sweat on the actor's brow. Orlando wrestled his older brother right in front of me, not two feet away from my face did he grab his brother's head in between his thighs, whilst his brother is gasping for breath. I have seen two other productions of "As You Like It," both outside. One at a quad in a College in Oxford, one in Boston on the common. Neither compared to the Globe. Touchstone had perfect comic timing, Jaques was the most melancholy gentleman I have ever seen, making us laugh with his sadness. Rosalind was truly remarkable. At the end of the show, the entire cast does a big Dance, jig, ho down, to give a great ending to a great show. There were planes flying overhead throughout the show, but the actors used it. There was a reference to Jupiter, and plane flew over at the opportune time to use it as the example. For those of you who have seen Conan O'Brian's clip about 19th century baseball, I felt like screaming "What is that demonry!" If you haven't seen it, look it up on Hulu. Again, I have NEVER enjoyed a show that much. Seeing Shakespeare in his natural habitat really tells why he is so good, hearing all the jokes in the original sense. Simply Stunning.

19/9/09 19:37 Sitting in Hyde Park to catch up on my journaling. My black book came in the mail yesterday from Rochester, where I had left it at David Gutteridge's house. I am eternally grateful to David for sending it to London. I am in your debt, sir. So back to filling the pages which will be soon at this rate. Today, we went to Greenwich, the beginning of Time itself. To get there, we took a boat in the Thames from Embankment. Really fun seeing all the sights from the middle of the river. There are a few videos amidst my pictures if you wish to see more dimensions. Getting off at Greenwich, we walked  toward a Royal Palace that was never used as one. Originally on this spot stood a Tudor Palace that was the birthplace of Henry VIII, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. However, during the English Civil War, It became a cracker factory and fell into disrepair. Once Charles II was in power, He commissioned a palace of Sir Christopher Wren, of course. Sadly, he died before it's completion. William and Mary saw through the construction of it, but never lived there. They also had Sir James Thornhill paint a grand room, ceiling and all, for 3 pounds a square yard. It took 17 years to complete. Marvelous. In the middle of the palace stands the Queen's House, which was saved from the Tudor days. Anne, wife of Charles II wanted the house to have an unobstructed view of the Thames, so the new Palace was designed in such a way that it would be so.

Up the hill from the Palace stands the Observatory. The Observatory runs right through the Prime Meridian and is the source of all time pieces in the world. Every time zone is either + or - from Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT. EST or Eastern Standard Time is -5 hours from GMT. This was a giant resource for maritime navigation. Sailors would often get lost, because they could not determine their longitudinal position. Parliament actually put on a 20,000 pound prize to the person who couls solve this problem. The winner was John Harrison, a clock maker who developed a non-pendulum time piece, since pendulums were useless at sea. This clock was based on the time in Greenwich, and measuring where the sun was in the sky, they could deduce how many degrees they were from the Prime Meridian. Since each hour from Greenwich was 15 degrees from the meridian, sailors calculated and subtracted their time from GMT and found their longitudinal position. Quite brilliant actually. A cool thing at the Observatory was a giant ball on a pole. This ball can been seen from the docks. When this ball drops, the sailors know to set their clocks to 1PM, and make sure they are synched up to GMT. After the observatory, we walked down the hill to the market before walking under the Thames on a footpath made for dockworkers who live on the south bank. Good times.

Tour of Parliament

16/9/09 13:05 Just went on a tour of Parliament, and in the original sense of the word, it was awesome! We started the tour in Westminster Hall, which is the oldest part of the Palace. It was completed in 1099 and designed to "impress and overawe." Only this Hall and the Jewel Tower survived the fire in 1834, but everything else had to be rebuilt. In this Hall, many important events occurred. William Wallace, Guy Fawkes, and Charles I were all tried here, before being quartered to different parts of the Island, burned, or decapitated. Also, this is the public viewing to pay respects of the departed public figures such as Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother.  They are commemorated with brass plaques in the center of the hall.
Next was St. Stephen's Hall, where the House of Commons first met. Also, where Charles I entered the House of Commons, the only Sovereign to EVER enter, and attempted to arrest five MPs, which is when the Civil War started led by Oliver Cromwell in the mid-17th Century. Cromwell is a very controversial figure. He has a large statue outside Parliament and sometimes called a hero of England. But he also overthrew the Monarchy, which is now in 'power' again and sentenced Catholics only because they were catholic. There are always two sides to every story, but here, it seems both sides are equally portrayed.
Passing through where the Speaker's Chair used to stand, we entered the Central Lobby, which is the last place a person of the public can go. Right here, you can look through both chambers to the Throne and the Speaker's chair, which face each other. Throughout the Palace, there are three main colors; Gold, for the Crown, Red, for the House of Lords, and Green, for the House of Commons. In the House of Commons, the public benches, located on the balcony, are now separated by a pane of glass. A few years ago, some one threw a condom full of blue powder at Tony Blair during a session of Parliament, so glass had to be put up. I'm very excited to see when the PM has to answer every question thrown at him by the Commons. Lots of standing and sitting very quickly with loud yells and mean remarks. Then after the debate has concluded, the PM has to summarize everything that just happened, not a second after.
Across the way is the House of Lords with the Royal Throne. This is not a publicly elected position, it is hereditary, like the throne. They don't do much anymore other than double check the House of Commons. At every House of Lords meeting, there is a collection of Bishops and Arch Bishops present to help inform on a debate. The sovereign only comes to Parliament to open the present session in November, wearing the Crown Jewels. She address the Lords saying what her Government will accomplish this session, then out she goes. I can't full describe the intricacies of this amazing place, so I suggest you try the virtual tour online. The Lobby outside the House of Commons Chambers holds a statue of Winston Churchhill, David Lloyd George, and one that will haunt my dreams, Mrs. Thatcher.

Keep checking my photos, there are a lot of photos of the inside of Parliament that I took from their website there along with more and more from the traveling.

Also, if you are reading this, speak up! I'd love to hear your responses if you have more to say about the topic at hand, or if my facts are wrong, (WHICH CAN HAPPEN) or if wish for me to find more about a certain subject. I will take any and all advice of where to go and what to see. After all, I'm only over here for a short while...

Thames, Medway, and Tea!

Hey followers,
Sorry about the wait for the next post, but been doing so much, that I have not had time to publish on the blog. But, do not fret,  because, I still have kept my travels journalized. On Saturday, my room mates, Justin and Nick went to the 2009 Thames Festival on the south bank. It really was a great time. Jam pact crowds with people from all over the world selling their good and serving their food. Near the London Eye, there was a stage set up for a Parkour performance. If you don't know what that is, look it up on YouTube, it is one of a kind. Around 17:00, Jus, Nick and I found ourselves on the Southwark Bridge which had been closed to traffic for the Festival. There were tables and chairs set up up and down the bridge where people could sit and enjoy their food from the stands. I had a lamb burger and a coke, but Nick had a fantastic-looking bacon and onion sandwich. After eating with a view of the Tower Bridge on one side and Westminster on the other, we continued our walk past the Globe Theater and Tate Modern until we found ourselves back at the Westminster Tube stop.

14/9/09 09:55 I seem to have left my journal in Rochester yesterday. But we carry on! I have a spare journal in the back of my planner, which is a small red mole skin, similar to those Chairman Mao used in mainland China. Yesterday, I took the 9:03 train to Rochester in Kent to meet an old friend, David Gutteridge, for Eucharist. It was the feast of the Virgin Mary, and the choir sang Bruckner's Ave Maria. The cathedral is of Norman design by Bishop Gundolf, who also deisgned the Castle that sits on the other side of the road. It is he and John Fisher, a Bishop of Rochester, that stand on the wall outside the west wall. John Fisher was beheaded by Henry VIII because he opposed the divorce of Catharine and would not give up the Catholic Church.
This was the first Cathedral that I sang at during the 2003 St. Lukes Choir Tour of England and France. I  remembered the pedestrian part of town, the castle, and the school where we stayed for the better part of a week. After Eucharist, David and I went to a pub down the street, "Not 100 meters from my flat!" There, we had a traditional English Sunday mean, Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding, with some hot pudding for dessert! It was a delicious meal. We walked off our stomachs around the river front of Rochester and found ourselves at the Bridge Guild Hall. There was a special exhibit on the construction and demolition of the Rochester bridge, from its original form until 1856, when they built an grand Victorian style, to then tear that one down to make a more practical modern one shortly after. This bridge is one of the only bridges that span across the Medway in Rochester and Chatham.
Evensong was at 15:15 in the choir stalls. The Boys and Men started with the introit, Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner. We sat behind the choir on the Cantus side. Throughout the service, I observed the choristers, how some would do things that a chorister shouldn't and the head boy disciplining but being very discreet about it. At the Eucharist, four boys recieved their serplices today. They seemed to be sworn into the service of the Cathedral. I'm very glad I was able to witness this. The older boys got to put the surplices on the younger ones. Brings back fond memories of what once was. I can't believe I'm saying it, but I miss my collar.

After Evensong, David and I took the back way around the cathedral, past the Monk carved out of a tree trunk. (A sight I remember as a boy.) At his flat, we had coffee and chocolate cake while discussing other places I need to journey whilst I am across the pond. A bit of interesting information, the Hospital, started by Bishop Gundolf, was a place for lepers and...jews. "Lepers who were dirty, and Jews who were 'naughty.'" Near the Hospital, the only Synagouge in the town gives a reminder of the harsh treatment of the Jews in Medieval England.
Took the 18:35 train back to London and on the train is where I discovered that I had left my little black book on the coffee table. David has graciously offered to ship it to London on Tuesday, after he is back from his old person's trip to Lewes today. A great day overall, relivied some great memories, especially some that contained Bruce Scavuzzo, my room mate during the Tour.

16:30 Sitting in front of Royal Albert Hall, on the steps of the golden monument, after just coming back from High Tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace. It was quite exquisite. A three course light meal starting with cucumber sandwiches on poppysead bread with tea, scones with raisens, jam and butter and tea, and for dessert, Lemon cake and tea. Delicious. Scrumptious. really, a fantastic experience of high society here. They do tea right! In a grand white hall out-looking the Royal Kensington Gardens, each table with a small orange tree as a center piece. This was part of David Ingram's class, London Stories, to really show all aspects of London and English life. So far, it has been quite interesting. On Wednesday, we are having a tour of Parliament as well as going to a Q&A session with the laywer for the Stockwell case. If you don't know about it, The Stockwell case is about the bombings in 2005 of the London Underground, and the man who was shot point blank in the head because he was suspected of being a bomber, when he was actually an innocent Brazilian man. I am looking forward to it.

Apparently there is a postal strike happening right now, so all who are expecting post cards will have to wait a bit more until this who thing is settled. Also true if you are sending me anything, it might take a bit to reach me. I'll keep you 'posted'

8 years later, in another country

A little late in the day, but still the eighth year since 9/11 and I remember it here London. I have yet to get into the habit of reading the Guardian or other London papers, and the fact is that it is not all over everywhere. In America, I am sure it is hard to forget what happened in New York any minute of today. However, over here I have only just remembered what day it is today. At the Museum of London, there is a book that gives a biography of the 52 men and women who lost their lives during the Tube Bombings in London on July 7th, 2005.

10/9/09 3:30PM Took a trip over to East London. Arriving at the Aldgate Tube stop, I turned left twice and found myself on Brick Lane, full of Indian cuisine and culture. Brick Lane is a chinatown southwest of the Himalayas. I belieeve David Ingram is taking our class on a tour of this area so I didn't spend too much time there. Went a bit west to find Spitfalls Market. There you can find old war jackets, gas masks,  old record, knick-knacks, weird books, old political cartoons about Hitler and Mussolini. I might have to come back later for gifts.

4:45PM Sitting in the Choir stalls at St. Paul's Cathedral for evensong. Went to the White Chapel Bell Foundry today, birthplace of the Liberty Bell, bicentennial bell, and Big Ben. A small shop owned by a single family. Very quaint for such a grand history. Came by St. Paul's because I was in the area at the right time. After worship, off to Oxford Circus before the show to get some socks.

11/9/09 2:22 PM Went to see 39 Steps last night. Absolutely fantastic. Slapstick physical humor, 130 characters, 4 actors, brilliant. Some scenes had actors change into 2 or 3  characters within 2 or 3 seconds with a change of a hat, literally, and a change of an accent. Whenever they could, they added an Alfred Hitchcock reference, even to have the silhouette of him on a hill during a chase scene done with shadow puppets. A truly great performance.
Afterwards, I led 7 or 10 people to a pub in the City called "Ye olde Cheshire Cheese." An Historic pub. "Get smashed where Dickens got smashed!" said one guide book about this pub. It is located off an alley on Fleet St. I felt like a bit of a tour guide leading all these people from Picadilly Circus onto a bus through Trafalgar Square and into the City of London, but I feel like I am really getting to know the street map of central London, especially near St. Paul's. The Pub itself was great. Lots of old and dark rooms, and actually a few bars. We went down to the cellar bar. It was very similar to a scene from Inglorious Bastard, if you have seen it.

Presently I am at the Museum of London, which explores the history of the City of London to Londinium, to the Thames in 500,000 BC. Exhibits on the Great Fire of London, The Black Death, Medieval London, Roman Londinium, and the geologic change in the River Thames. For example, the Thames used to be large and vast. Probably  as wise as the city itself. Now it is only a shadow of it's former self, a tidal canal instead of a roaring river!

11:45PM Went to the BBC Proms tonight. Paid 5 pounds for standing room in the arena right next to the stage. It was Prom 74, The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performing Don Quixote and the Brahms Symphony. Absolutely stunning. Later in the evening, Yo-Yo Ma performed, but I left before that, since you needed a new ticket for that. And might I add that this world-class performance was not five minutes away from my residence on Hyde Park Gate. It just blows my mind.

Tomorrow is the Thames Festival from noon to 10. Very excited to see what it has to offer. Stay tuned.

Oh allright...what?

First of all, Happy 09-09-09 to all across the World, since it does not make a difference if you put that day or the month first today! So Cheers to all!

Yesterday I went to my interview with the Artistic Director of nineteen; twenty nine and here is the Journal about it:

8/9/09 6:45PM Waiting for a production meeting for 19;29. The interview was a bit odd, and I am still not completely sure what is going on for this internship. I might be given a large role of leadership and creative roam in building a set for one of the 5 projects happening. Other that that, I have no idea what this thing or production is about. I hope to find out more at this designers meeting. 

8:30PM On the tube back to Kensington. OK. SOO there really isn't a script and barely a plan from what I have recollected, at least on the design side. There are five projects that accumulate to a larger production in November that runs 10 days. That takes place in an old art deco town hall in Tottenham. The building hasn't been used since the 30s and hasn't been touched since the 80s. My group meets on Thursdays and Fridays from 10-5 to work on...the projects... I seem to be the only set designer/carpenter of the lot, so I most likely will play a vital role in the design portion. I feel like it's a giant, free, creative designgasm. Something Philly knows quite well. What I have been told to do until we start is to look up Greek Mythology, focusing on the Underworld. Words they said were Labyrinth, River Styx, Hades etc... Maybe we can build a Labyrinth, that would be cool. It looks like I will get to design some sort of set piece in these different places in Tottenham. Hopefully, I get some tools, but since they said we have little to no budget, I think we are going to get creative. SO bit giant open project with lots of leadership and ideas needed. Should be fun. Interesting. Weird. But fun. and exciting...if i actually know what's going on.

Classes starting and Pub visits

So classes have officially begun...on Labor Day. My professors are quite enthusiastic about the course. Especially my World of the Play professor. We are doing alot of hands-on learning. The list of shows we are seeing are:
As You Like it - GLOBE THEATRE
The Pitman Painters - NATIONAL THEATER(Which I am going to see the backstage and scene shop of!)
Mother Courage - NATIONAL THEATER
Comedians- LYRIC THEATER
Alison's House - The ORANGE TREE THEATRE

So a wide range of topics I hope to see on the stage this semester.

Ted, Jus and I went to two pubs last night, The Black Friars and The Cockpit, both near St. Paul's Cathedral. The Black Friar's was a really cool looking place. Art Nouveau which came out of the Arts and crafts movement. We shall have to go there again. It had a great list of pub food. The other was hard to find, but came from a recommendation by a Mr. Woody Bynum, called the Cockpit. A great little pub. Very working class english. very fun.

"There's no place like London!"

6/9/09 12:37 PM Just got out of Eucharist at Westminster Abby and Liturgically, it was one of the best serivces I've been to in a long time. I sat in the headmaster's chair behind the choir, since the boys only just moved back in last night. ATBs sung quite lovely. I'm always surprised how strong a real counter-tenor's voice is. Stunning service, can't wait to hear the boys later in the season. It will be hard going back to America after services like this one. Because of swine flu, which is very apparent here still, we were asked not to shakes hands at the peace and only bread was given at Communion, no wine. A bit odd but with an Abby of this size, and of all the visitors worldwide who worship there, it is the smart thing to do.

5:25 PM About to see a procduction of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street." Standing in Gough Square in front of Dr. Johnshon's House watching the end of a run through of the show. The set is primarily the square itself. They have added a meter high platform with a chair and escape curtain stage right, along with a furnace DSR. Dr. Johnson's house is used as the Judge's home, where Joanna sings from the second story window. Inside, on microphones, are the orchestral members playing through the window. A few movable set pieces added to the world of Sweeney Todd such as Mrs. Lovitt's Kitchen counter, the meat grinder, a few tables for the pie shop, and a piano. Sweeney has a fantastic bellow bass voice. I'm getting rather excited for the performance now that I have seen a bit of a preview.

6:00PM Half Hour until curtain. Most of the cast is in costume. The half hour call was just called and the cast is checking their props. The costumes are rather extravagant. Aside from the feux brick on the platform, with the costumes, it is like I have stepped back in time with Dr. Johnson's house in the background of all these well dressed individuals in London town.

8:00PM At Intermission. No one seems to notice that a chap is just sitting on a bench while the rest of the house (paying customers)  were shuffled off to a nearby cafe for 10 minutes I assume. I actually think that the tech staff and cast think I am part of the production, because both have noticed me and acknowledged my presence, but have done nothing about it, even though they have let no one else in. I was even just asked to help put up a sign that says there will be a gun shot in the second act. The show, visually, is quite good. There is not much stage combat rehearsed. Pirelli seemed to die with the razor no where near his neck and Sweeney gently letting him into a trunk. There are better voices than others...much better. Right now on stage, they are rehearsing the movement of the chair flipping backwards with someone on into the curtain and then rolling out of the trap door under the stage.

8:25PM 10 minutes called, this is a long intermission...

8:33PM 5 minutes called. Someone needs to check the SM's watch...

10:15PM On the bus back from Fleet St. I found out it was a amateur production with some professionals sprinkled in. Overall, it was really well done, especially since a community Theater actually pulled off the hard and dangerous songs of Sondheim as well as the set pieces needed for Mr. Todd's story. Sweeney was really fantastic. I talked to the director after the show who invited me to see the show again on November 22nd in Normansfield. This was a fantastic evening. No, there's no place like London...

A city within a City

05/09/09 6:08PM I am sitting near the Round pond right next to Kensington Palace in the Royal Hyde Park, located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. In other words, right across the street from my residence. There are large swans, ducks, and pigeons being fed by the public. Some even land on their shoulders to be closer to the food. Walking by Kensington Palace, There are hundreds of memorials to Diana after 12 years of her passing. It was quite moving, and funny at parts, making fun of Charles and hoping Camilla never becomes Queen. This was where Diana lived while she was the Princess of Wales. Also where Victoria was born and lived. 

This afternoon, we went on a Coach Bus tour of Central London. The most interesting fact that I discovered on this tour, (and there were many) was that there is a City of London within the City of London. A square mile, marked by silver dragons with the shield of St. George, is the original Roman City based around the river Thames. It is now the Financial District of London, where 30,000 work during the week, but only 8,000 actually live within it's boundaries. They have their own Lord Mayor of London, who the Queen has to ask permission to enter at the Dragon on Fleet St. The rest of what we know as London, is actually The City of Westminster, where the Queen lives, just west of the City Border

EDDIE IZZARD!!!

Hey all.

Just wanted to let you know. On December 6th, the feast of St. Nicholas, I will be attending an show called STRIPPED, the new routine by Eddie Izzard. It will be held at Wembley Arena. I sit in section C6, so on the field! right in the middle of the crowd. on the isle. SOOOOO EXCITED!!!

anyway, thought you guys would like to know and be envious.

www.eddieizzard.com Get PUMPED!

Seth

19;29 and 1044

Hey all,

So today I found out what theater company I will be working for in the next 12 weeks. Their name is Nineteen; Twenty Nine. They describe themselves on their website as:

nineteen;twentynine are a theatre company who specialise in making work in undiscovered or under-explored spaces. They interrogate the atmosphere and heritage of these spaces and make performances in response to them.

So make that into what you will. I will be doing more research on the company over the weekend. I have my interview with them on Tuesday, September 9th. Their website is www.nineteentwentynine.co.uk. I would be working on thursdays and fridays from 9-5.

and the Journal:

4/9/09 11:15 At a break for the orientation at Imperial College. I received a new Oyster card which gives me free range on the tube and bus system in zones 1-2. Also, I received my class schedule . Mondays 10-1 World of the Play. Tuesdays 12.30-3.30 British Mass Media and 5-8 Travel Writing. Wednesdays 9-12 with David Ingram on his class yet to be announced. I really would like to drop British Mass Media and switch it to British Cinema. It seems more beneficial towards my interests. Also. I wonder if there is a way to take a British History course while I am here. While touring around, I realized I know very little about this Island's history, when it is chalk full of it. On the 10th, there is a production of the "39 Steps," an Alfred Hitchcock story, performed only by 4 actors. (According to David Ingram.)

5:24PM Sitting in Southwark Cathedral for what I thought was Choral Evensong at 5:30. The church/parish was home to William Shakespeare while he was at the Globe Theater just down the road. It is the oldest Gothic cathedral in London. and there has been a church or santuary there since 1044. I came too late to purchase a photo permit, but there are some simply stunning bronze memorials here of Shakespeare, former bishops and saints that are life size. John Harvard was baptized here in 1607, and they have a chapel dedicated to him on the northside of the cathedral.

5:55PM No Choir today, I think the boys do not begin their season until later in September. How dreadfully dull that service was! Said Evening Prayer. Everyone, including the Priest just mumbled through the prayers and never looked up. It was more of a routine than worship. I sat next to an elderly priest who knew all of it by heart. Again, routine, not worship. Welcome to the Church of England! I must come back here when there is a choir. It will be surely more eventful.

7:00PM Riding on a double-decker red bus towards Picadilly Circus. After Church, I walked down the Thames past the Globe Theatre and across the millennium bridge. Quite windy but what a view of St. Paul's. Really just blew me away. The number on the bus is 23. I transfer to a number 10 near Hyde Park Gate. I am currently passing through Trafalgar Square. This defiantly is a nicer and easier way to tour the city, especially with the unlimited Oyster card.

11:37PM I went to the store after getting back to Kensington. Purchased some chicken, peppers, and greens, and cooked up some stir-fry. After it as cooked, I added some horseradish sauce to the mix and really gave to a good kick. And a bottle of wine to go with. Crazy amounts of people in the common room trying to figure out what to do or where to go for the night's festivities. It was funny though, it seems that cooking actual food will be a rarity for these other students since they were surprised when I started to cut up an onion. I have another bowl waiting for my for lunch tomorrow. I'm pretty psyched. Tomorrow is tours and "39 Steps." We shall see what comes of it. Cheers!

New Additions

Hey all, So I have added a new feature to the blog. In the past few posts, I only have had a selection of photos posted. But now all of my photos are on a slideshow to the left and you can follow the link to Picassa Web Photos. There you can read the caption on what is in the picture and where on a map of London I took that photo. Cheers!

In between The Netherlands and Algeria

3/9/09 1:30PM Moved into my new residency. 37 Hyde Park Gate. Flat 1A. A large room right off of the common room on the first floor. 2 bunkbeds. Right now I have met 2 of maybe 3 room mates. Harry Rosenblum is a BTMM senior from Temple and Justin Seegmueller, a Junior film major. We went down to a sandwich shop on Gloucester Rd. I checked out of my room at the hostel this morning at around 10am after a shower and a quick breakfast. Bought myself an oyster card for 3 quid, which reduces the tube fare from 4 to 1.70. Worth the investment. It is similar to a Charlie Card in Boston but even better. However, I was told at the pub that the buses are the better way to see the city and far less inexpensive. Took the tube anyway from Russell Square to Gloucester Rd. because it is much faster and more direct to where I needed to go. Our place is right in between the Netherlands Embassy and the Algeria Embassy. Actually, this area is about as high class as you can get in London, save Buckingham Palace, so many Embassies are in the area, including South Korea and China. A few of the folks here are going out tonight, in which case, I will join in the festivities. The large orientation starts tomorrow at 10:15. More later...

"If you are lonely when you are alone, then you are in bad company."

2/9/09 10:37 PM At British Museum to come see what the British stole from Many civilizations.

11:00PM Walking through Greek pottery and statues. On some, you can still see the brush strokes of the artisans. While walking through the Egypt exhibit, I noticed that most of the statues were made from red granite. Some of these pots were made in 400 B.C. and they still look as if they had just come from the potter. I saw a statue of an Athenian Athlete tying a ribbon around his head. it is one of the few statues that actually has a head attached to it's body. Most of the top of the Parthenon is here in different par of the Greek section. I am overhearing a tour guide talk about how most of these greek artifacts are rightful belongings of Greece, but not by the laws of the British Empire. I can't help but think of Eddie Izzard. We claim this in the name of the King by the rules that we just made up! What is very interesting is the explanation of the perspective of the sculptures on the blocks.

12:00PM Moving through "Greece and Egypt," I found a very interesting painting of the Battle of Adwa in 1896, Ethiopia defeating Italy. There seems to be some divine intervention against Italy. Also, it is very cartoony and somewhat comical with blood coming from foreheads as a dot smeared from a single brush stroke.

12:10PM Medals of Dishonor--Some very interesting small medallions meant to ridicule. There is one of an ass coming out of the water blowing steam. Also, one calling Napoleon a "cockshafer."

12:23PM Sitting in the King's Library which belonged to George III, given to the people and the start of this museum by his son, George IV. Reminded me of the Beast's library that he gave to Belle. All right, I have had enough of the British Museum for one day, now to explore Westminster.

1:25PM Stopped in a small cafe near the National Gallery because it was pouring rain. Oh what I have seen in between here and there! First I am walking from the museum, where I come across "Bookmarks: The Socialist Bookstore!" It was brilliant. I got postcards to send, so Mother and Laura, look in the mail. There were some things that I did not quite agree with that generalized the entirety of America into an McDonalds-loving, bomb-making, oil-crazy maniacs which I thought was unfair. But other books that were spot on in my politics. There is no way such a store would be in America, or at least make a profit. Too many risque thoughts that would not be looked highly on. The reason I walked this was was to find Foyles, the bookstore, and purchase a copy of "As You Like It" for class. Continued down the road to find Leicester Square, the Times Square of London.

Ordered a Beef Burger and Chips with Coffee and water. What is continuing to get me is the phrase, "eat in or take out," instead of "Here or to go." There is always a double take of that when the cashier asks. Still getting used to the cars on the other side of the road. Luckily they have painted on the sidewalk "look left" or "look right." There are J-walkers everywhere, but I dare not follow in their footsteps...quite yet. I have been starting to think in a british accent since I have heard more of that than my own voice in the past few days.

2:15PM Outside the Horse Guard Parade where guards with swords walk very oddly. The one on foot walks with his left foot higher than the other. I started to walk by him, and suddenly...STOMP! He stamps his foot hard. Not straight up and down, but rather to the left and crooked. These guards do not seem to be the biggest of their class. Not one of the is about 5'9" and are all very scrawny

3:07PM Sitting outside on a bench looking out on the Thames in between Westminster Bridge and Lambath Bridge. Right next to me is the House of Parliament, and across the river is the London Eye. I visited St. Margaret's Church, also know as the House's Church, where the Speaker has a special reserved pew right in the front on the south side. I also saw the outside of Westminster Abby, but it was 12 quid to get in so I decided to wait until evening prayer. The service isn't until 5PM so i'll see if there is anywhere else in the area that has a sung service that I can reach by foot. A duck boat just passed by. I can never get away from them. No matter what city I am in, they offer these silly tours.

3:40PM Sitting in Lambath directly across from the bench I in not an hour ago. I can see a magnificent view of the House of Parliament and Big Ben. Absolutely stunning. I have been staring at my map of the central london, stuck here in my journal, and I know this city alot more than I did yesterday, or even a few hours ago. I've hit Soho, St. James, Westminster, and Lambath today and the list will continue. Heading towards toe base of the London Eye, but I doubt I will go on.

4:35PM Sitting in Westminster Abby awaiting Evening Prayer. It is amazing how HUGE these places are and yet how few seats there are for a congregation. Compared to Trinity Church in Boston, or any church in America that I have been to, they cram as many seats into their nave as possible, cutting a pew in half if a column get in the way. Now where I am sitting, I can see a small door in the tower leading to nowhere. It is higher than the buttresses and there is no, at least to my knowledge, visible ledge. This is my first time in Westminster Abby and is it quite breath taking. it is a very scientific chruch, with statues to Sir Issac Newton right on the reredos.

A mass group or class of young children and teenagers just gathered for worship. They seem to be German. The teacher is sharply whispering to them very harshly. There has to be 60-100 kids that just showed up, completely surrounding me. The hymn for the service is Irish 500 NEH, one that I recognize, but do know know.

5:27PM After Evening Prayer. There was plenty of people attending, yet I felt like I was the only one responding to the officiant. And while the Hymn was being sung, I could only hear my timid voice and priests since none of the Germans sang. Such a strange feeling to be surrounded by a crowd of people and feel like the only one there. The service was as English as it gets. The Priest could have been played by Alan Rickman, with a tall droopy face and a monotone voice. The officiant was an elderly nun.

11:55PM Got back from the pub called "the French House" in Soho on Dean St. Apparently it is a famous bar because it was the main headquarters for the French Resistance. I met my friend Andrew Loxley there along with his friend, Giles, who is a spitting image of Captain Jean-Luke Picard. It turns out, Andrew met him at this bar in May dressed in full garb after just coming from the Star Trek Premiere. Also joining us was an old chemistry professor of Andrew's as well as a work associate he met in Boston. Jason actually said he saw a production of "Waiting for Godot" with Sir Ian McKellen that has rush tickets for the front row for only 10 quid! I am looking it up and going. It was a great evening. Soho is a kicking part of town at night, much different in the day. realized that I am already picking up an english accent, only took me two days, a few drinks a 4 englishmen.

Tomorrow I check out of the hostel and move to South Kensington where I will stay for the remainder of my travels. side note: Fanta is SO MUCH BETTER over here. It is the same as orangina since it uses real fruit. So departing Russell Square (where I found out Virginia Wolf lived) and off to Hyde Park. Cheers!

A night at the hostel

I went to bed rather early last night, and completely avoided jet lag by just saying awake the past 2 days before and after flights. Have to say, I am really enjoying my time here at the hostel. Haven't talked to many yet, but most all of them for some reason speak German. probably about 60%. They give you almost paper sheets and a big comforter that you do not really need in the summer time. Security wise, it seems like everyone trusts each other. I thought that I was going to have to go to Kings Cross Station to lock up my bag, but no. Everyone just leaves their stuff here, including electronics lust left all over the 9 person room and on beds. I slept with my wallet and passport next to me just in case. Although, it seems that it was not needed. Breakfast was rather small here. Just Toast, corn flakes, and some tea but it is something to chew on while deciding on where to go for the day.

This evening, I am going to a pub in Soho with my friend, Andrew Loxley. Should be fun, and good to see someone I know. I have almost forgot my own voice. Rarely used it all yesterday to the point where my voice seemed to crack and be so small compared to these graaand english accents.

Thinking of going investing in the walking tour book that I found yesterday at St. Paul's Cathedral. It was really quite an amazing walk, and I wish to see more of London that way. Going to try walking the other way on the Thames today and see where it takes me. Should be exciting.

Day one, walking tour

As of 8:30AM London time, I officially arrived at Heathrow Airport and begun my journey across the pond. I have been keeping a journal of today's activities whenever I gave myself a chance to sit down, which was occasionally rare.

01/08/09--9:13AM Arrived in London, on tube right now, Picadilly line. It cost 8 pounds to ride into central London, which is close to $14 USD. Watched 'I Love You, Man' on the plane. Quick plane ride, a little over 5 hours long. Maybe because of my silly American mind, but I found the announcement for the Tube line a bit hilarious, in a Posh british accent, "This is a Picadilly lien to Cockfosters."

11:25 AM Checked into the hostel. I'm in an incredibly small room with nine beds stacked 3 high. But it takes 3 locked doors to get to Room 13 where I occupy the middle bunk on the far left. It felt safe enough to leave my large luggage on my bed instead of lugging it around the city. Presently I am sitting at an outside table in an ally off of Russell Square. They have a chicken special for 4.95, so I seized the opportunity to sit and collect my thoughts...(after the chicken special) I now realize why brits are made fun of because of their cooking. THe chicken was quite dry, and the chips were only good when covered in horseradish sauce, but it was cheap...ish. Now off to my next destination which is...I don't know where.

12:52 PM I'm starting the crash, all of the non-sleeping that has been going on PLUS a lot of walking is getting to me. But I stopped at a nice coffee house near St. Paul's Cathedral. Walked down to the river Thames after lunch and saw a great view of the city with Big Ben, The Eye, and The Tower of London all in my scope. From the Hostel, I walked down South Hampton Row and Kingsway (For those of you following with a map) The thing is, I actually remember buying a postcard or two for Laura, with a picture of Prince William on the front. This was right next to the TEMPLE Underground stop. Go figure. continuing on the Thames, I discovered how choppy the river can get. Wind is flying from every direction.

2:10 PM Sitting in St. Paul's Cathedral Cafe in the Crypts. Planning out a hidden walk taken from a book from the gift shop. It's about 2 km, 1.5 hours. It will take me around St. Paul's and Fleet St..

3:00PM In the nave of the Church of the Holy Selpulchre, an old which has many organ consoles, british war memeorials, old and tattered flags from the 15th century, the Musician's Chapel where there is a banner to St. Cecilia, and a Stained glass of Mary singing the Magnificat. Also, at the site, is the remains of Captain John Smith, sometimes Governor of Virginia and Admiral of New England. I had just left the Church of St. Martins within Ludgate, where William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, was married! I go all the way across the Atlantic Ocean and I keep running into American or colonial figures!

3:55 PM Sitting in Dr. Johnson's House, author of the Johnson Dictionary. There is an outdoor production of SWEENEY TODD being performed here on sunday out in the square. All the seats have been sold, but I am coming and standing in the back. I am so psyched! It is is small square that is completely hidden from major streets, and this performance is barley publicized. I only know about it from a small note on the door at Dr. Johnson's House. This sunday at 6:30PM, I must get here EARLY, maybe around 4:30PM to be safe.

4:30PM Finished my walking tour of the west side of the St. P's area, finishing with St. Bride's Chruch of Fleet St. That have rebuilt Sir Christopher Wren's church on top of the ruins from the blitz. They even hold services in the crypts of the original church. It has been called, 'The Journalist's Church' because the first printing press was moved there. Now I am back at the step of St. P's waiting for a 5:00PM evensong.

4:45PM Sitting in the choir stalls, and so close to where I sat as head chorister in the summer of 2003. This Cathedral is so large, and yet evensong uses so little space. When I asked if I could sit closer, the woman handing out leaflets and psalm books said, "Oh, you're here for worship? Wonderful!" Even in one of the largest and most grand cathedral in the world, there is still only 100 people here for Evensong.

5:45PM Sitting in the stalls of St. P's after the service. Abbots Leigh was sung as well as an anthem by William Byrd. 8 men on each side, and I could hear every voice individually and the blend of all their sounds. I had forgotten how beautiful plainsong chant was with reverberation, letting the whole step ring while we constantly hear the reciting note. Absolutely amazing

It is 7:50Pm right now as I update myself on the internet, sitting in the Hostel's common room. It is supposed to be quite by 11PM, and I am afraid that I won't be able to sleep until then. But then again, I am pretty tired and will probably sleep through anything.