I'm afraid all of my reflective and creative thoughts have been replaced by analytical essay writing and flamenco learning as of late...
Winter term flew by with classes such as British Theatre History post 1945 and Performance Spaces. British Theatre History was particularly noteworthy for me in that I had a lot of 'AH HA! So that's what it's all about' moments with regard to the layers and layers AND LAYERS of the British psyche. Whoa!! Makes us Californians look positively SIMPLE!!(Please, no comments from the vast majority of you!) Of noteworthy significance for those interested in the trends of modern British theatre, check out In Yer Face theatre at http://www.inyerface-theatre.com/what.html. 'In Yer Face' is a genre which is driven by shock-value. That there is 'layers and layers' of depth philosophy and intense sensitivity of perspective in plays with homosexual rape and infant cannibalism is indeed TRUE. However, I'm a little dubious of the distancing effect one must go through in order to take these plays on board and get past it all. It is great having a guide, a 'sensei' or teacher to draw these things out in a 2 hour class...but if that isn't there...??? Hummmm....in yer face, in yer head, in yer nightmares. But there you go!
On the other hand, Performance Spaces was a class that brought me closer to home! As essays here are often due after a holiday period, I had time to go back to California in April and see a couple of homegrown productions. After years of growing up in Riverside, I finally went to the Mr. Rubidoux Easter Sunrise Service in the middle of downtown. That was really interesting, especially perceiving it within a 'performance space' frame. But far more interesting was The Ramona Pageant staged in a hillside amphitheatre. Did you know that The Romona Pageant is the longest running outdoor play of its kind in the US? And a very interesting, if not romanticised, presentation of racial tensions between the Indians, Mexicans and white Americans in the late 1800s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ramona_Pageant
This term we have no classes--only projects, rehearsals and dissertation prep. In addition to preparing for my 2-day inter-faith project at the end of the month, I'm also taking part in two other projects. One of my fellow 'applied drama' friends, the wonderful Myrcini, has created a series of workshops and a performance for 10 year-olds introducing them to fine art paintings. We are having a ball and it is a charming play. I'm also playing a few small roles in Yerma , a Lorca play which has a flamenco theme...so that's right, I'm having to learn some basic flamenco moves along with some other girls so as to sashay around stage. Hummmm...
I'm going to end with a really sweet and romantic note. I read this last week in one of the daily papers which was laying on the seat next to me in the train. An English actress, who had apparently been known for holding her ground and defending her singleness while waiting for the right one, did find him. She said that when she finally met him, it was a quiet thing. She said something to the effect of--I looked into his eyes and there was a mutual recognition of 'Hello. Oh, it's you.'
p/s: Oh, I did manage to see The Sultan's Elephant in London!http://www.thesultanselephant.com/gallery/gallery.php
