August 2, 2006

Tonight I traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Patrick Stewart (as Prospero) in Shakespeare’s The Tempest performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre. The production, being my first Shakespeare play, was very entertaining and novel. I had no idea how far theatre had come incorporating sophisticated special effects. All of the actors were excellent, Ariel was extremely creepy, and the scene between Caliban and the two drunkards very amusing. I was also extremely psyched to see Finbar Lynch as Alonso. Lynch is an extremely talented and interesting actor. He has a very quiet, dark, brooding intensity about him. He would play an excellent Mr. Rochester. I was really excited to see him in the play because I had last seen Lynch on the Season 2 of House M.D., where he did something rather stunning. What’s more, I was nearly overwhelmed to discover that IAN MCCLELLAN (!!!!!!!!!!) is returning to the stage after fifteen years to play the lead in King Lear!! I might have to plan a trip back to see that. It would be spectacular, and he being one of my favorite contemporary actors would make it even more extraordinary. Tickets for next year go on sale this September. I’m hoping Lear will keep running into the summer so I can come back here and watch it (and do other things also, of course, silly to just pop over to England to just watch a play…).

Can’t believe I was breathing the same air as Patrick Stewart. Very cool.

Have not done too much else because of massive paper due tomorrow at 6pm. It is now 1.15am here, and I’ve only 1800 of the necessary 3000 words, so I’m not going to be getting much sleep anytime soon. Planning on seeing Antony and Cleopatra tomorrow at the Globe Theatre in London if I can stay awake. Frances Barber plays Cleo and Nicholas Jones is Antony. Should be exciting…it’s the Globe. Sad about not having a job here…I think I could get into the theatre scene if I didn’t have to worry about cash as much…a very vague and minor complaint, for England itself is entertainment enough.