The Illusion

Apologies to anyone who gets this twice or has no interest, but I just wanted to let you all know about a show going up this coming weekend- The Illusion, adapted by Tony Kushner from the original by Pierre Corneille (poster attached!). It is a wonderful show, magical in fact, with an awesome cast and staff. Most importantly (well to me anyways), I set designed it! It goes up Oct 8th-10th and you can find more info about it at the Dramat website (www.dramat.org) or you can reserve tickets at dramat.tix.com. It'd be a great thing to do for a couple hours with your parents if they're here. :)

 

Anyways, I'd love to see any and all of you there!

 

Best,

Rachel

Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow I leave London

My last day in London was quite a whirlwind, but so wonderful. I got to the PMC early and printed and turned in my paper. After class, I ran to the post office and shipped my books home. (Word of advice- NEVER ship internationally.) Then I rushed to the Globe.
I was a groundling for Troilus and Cresida again, so I decided to give up lunch and wait for a good spot. I endedup being right behind the first row of people, so it was TOTALLY worth it. It was also TOTALLY worth it to see Troilus and Cresida again. It was so briliant.
By the time I got out I was starving, but decided to go on ahead with my plan for the rest of the day. I walked from the Globe to Fleet St. just to see it. Then on down to 10 Downing St. which was so guarded that you couldn't really get very close. Finally I made my way up to Picadilly Circus. On the way to Picadilly Circus, I got my favorite sandwich, a chicken and bacon, from Tesco and some chocolate, and ate it St. James Park.
I got back around 7pm and was so exhausted that I ended up napping until 10pm even though I hadn't packed yet. I finally got up and packed. Then, instead of sleeping, I went to go meet everyone at The Roxy one last time. I didn't get there until about 1am, and there was a huge queue. I ended up waiting with this British guy and girl, which I swear helped me get in faster. I finally made it in and, despite all the creepers (especially the one Emma didn't drive away), we stayed until it closed at 3am. By the time I got home and had double checked my flight etc, I only got 30 min of sleep before I had to take my shower.
I got the first train out of Russell Square to Heathrow and got through security in a flash. I slept through most of the flight, and after three trains, made it to Providence.
Though it was a little foolish to go out just before I had to leave, it was definitely worth it. It'll probably be my last time in any club, much less a London club!

So I have this paper to write....

Sorry it's taken me so long to update on my last few days in London.
Tuesday, we had a Modernism field trip to the Tate Modern. We basically went around and listened to our 'guide' diss the way the Tate is currated. We didn't even get to see the really good things there. Luckily, she let us out early, and so we got to wander to the things we really liked.
After the Tate, we grabbed burritos and headed to the Globe for As You Like It. We were sitting in the "restricted view" seats, but they weren't bad at all. I did wish I was a groundling though. Also, it turns out that As You Like It is just not as good a comedy as people make it out to be. I much prefered Troilus and Cresida.
For dinner, we had Indian one last time and I got all the rest of the work for Modernism done.
Wednesday, we had class, ate Voltaro, and only worked on my paper for the entire rest of the day. I ended up having plenty of information in the end which was great.

The City of London

Today was a somewhat strange day. I got up early so I could print out my exam and send off my plans, which I did without a hitch. During class (William Morris class) we ended up talking about carbon footprints, and I managed to bring Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld, into the conversation. Then after class, I stayed at the PMC for a couple hours to do some more research. Great thing is I think I'm all set on that front. Sweet.
Then I went back to the Globe (for the fifth time) to buy tickets for Thursday's performance of Troilus and Cresida. I then bought lots of souveniers in the shop. As I was walking back towards St. Paul's, there was a fire alarm in a nearby building, Old Mutual or something like that, and all these people in suits were pouring out.
I walked all the way up to the Museum of London, which despite Matt's poor opinion of it, I actually kind of liked. It was the history of the city of London since before London was here. So, the really ancient London, Rome's Londonium, Medieval London, and 16th and 17th century London. I kind of really liked it. They also had a special exhibit all about the great fire of London in 1666 that was really cool. At the shop, I found this book that has all these cockney rhymes. For example, drink (as in alcohol) is "Tidlywink", mad is "mum and dad", and wife is "trouble and strife". It's so fun.
Then I wandered along the London Wall until I hit a tube station. It was one of the circle line stations, and I decided just to stay on the train past my stop until it came around to it again (being the circle line, that was possible). I suspect that the circle line goes around the City of London. In any case, most of the stations it stops at are old, cool looking stations. A lot of it is also not actually underground. When I go on, there was this hot British guy who also got on. He reminded me forcibly of Draco Malfoy, and I was really wishing I had a picture phone with me so I could descretely take a photo. He got off at Baker Street. One funny thing was that one of the destinations mentioned near Kings Cross was the "Royal National Institute for Blind People." Really? One of the stations I went through was Paddington. :) It was wierd though, because after about Baker Street the tube was fairly empty. I started to get really sleepy since I'd only got a little more than three hours of sleep, so I started snoozing. After Victoria and Westminster though, the tube started to get really full, and by the time we got to Kings Cross St. Pancras where I and just about everyone else got off, we were packed in like sardines.
I then proceded to pass out for three hours. I got up though cause I was hungry. Eve had a study break in her room a little while ago. She bought biscuits, frosting, and sprinkles, so we decorated cookies. It was so delightful! Anyways, I'm now going to try and go to bed soon since I still am way behind on sleep. Don't want to be sleepy tomorrow at the Tate Modern and the Globe!

The Globe- Part I

Sunday was a day of extreme highs and lows. On the one hand I spent HOURS trying to learn how to use vectorworks so that I could draft my very simple set plans for The Illusion. I was up until 4am working on that. Thankfully, I'd finished my take-home exam for Modernism on Saturday.
On the other hand, Laura and I were groundlings for Troilus and Cresida and it was THE BEST THING EVER. The subject matter of the play was great, the men were hot and shirtless, and it was in the Globe. It was brilliant. So brilliant in fact that I'll be going back on Thursday to see it again. Tomorrow I'm seeing As You Like It.
Troilus and Cresida definitely made up for the drafting though.

Portobello Market

A little behind, so I'll try to catch you up. Saturday I went back to the V&A library to do some more research for my paper. I love how quiet and studious that library is. It makes me sad that it's closed the rest of the time we're here.
I then headed over to the Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill. I'd watched Notting Hill the night before, but alas, there was no travel bookshop with a hot englishman instide. It was a really cool experience though. On Saturdays, all these temporary stalls get set up and so in addition to all the little shops, there are tons and tons of vendors. There were throngs of people, but it was really awsome. I was able to find one of my presents that I'd been searching in vain for, which was brilliant. I also got a small pocket watch on a necklace- something I've been wanting for over a year now. It really reminded me of England's version of the Swap Meet. (For those of you who don't know, the Swap Meet is sort of a farmer's market that happens every saturday on Maui). The money rule certainly applies though- however much money you bring with you, you will spend.
Afterwards we got Indian from the restaurant down the street. Yum!

British Museum

Well, the past two days haven't been overly eventful. I decided to spend a little time in the British Museum yesterday after class. I have somewhat mixed feelings about it. There were a lot of people there, and it isn't exactly fascinating, if you aren't in love with history. I also was exhausted just because this week's been rough, which didn't help. I was slightly miserable the whole time. The most famous thing in there is the Rosetta Stone. It is clearly a spoils of empire kind of museum. I did really like the architecture though, and bought this adorable egyptian cat key chain that is an amazing torquoise color. I may go back if I have some time and am less exhausted.
Then, Laura, Whitney, and I went to have tea at Patisserie Valerie as our low budget alternative to high tea for 35 pounds. The scones and tea were delicious as usual, and we actually got clotted cream this time which was wonderful. After tea I got to it and wrote my paper. It was so painful. I loved The Secret Agent, but it was so difficult to answer the questions the Pericles was asking. I described my experience of writing that paper as trying to arrange marbles in a cerain pattern, but as soon as you get some of them into place, all the rest roll away. I turned it in on time this morning, but really have no conception of what kind of paper I turned in. I gave up last night and watched Love Actually, intending to get up early to edit it. This morning though just wasn't any better. Oh well.
I tried to go to the PMC library after the paper, but the librarian went to lunch and never came back. So, I abandoned that plan. Instead I got the rest of the Morris reading done and did the response for that. Then I did the ID section of the final for Modernism and reorganized my facebook photo albums. Now I'm reading Gary's translation of Once Five Years Pass. With any luck, I'll start working on my preliminary set plan tonight too. That just leaves finishing the set plan, writing the two essays for the final, and working on the Morris paper. Yikes!

Wanderings

This morning, we had to go to King's Cross early and purchase another travelcard. We then took the Victoria line out to the last stop in Walthomstow Central. There, were visited the William Morris Gallery. It was pretty cool, and definitely the densest concentration of Morris stuff. Best part was that they had a facimile of the Kelmscott Chaucer, and I was able to check if Parliament of Foules was in it (it was) and if there was an illustration for the court (there wasn't). I then set out to meet Sean and Annie at the Pret by the Victoria and Albert Museum, but the tube was difficult and it took me a while.
We ended up eating at a nearby cafe because Pret was too busy. Then we went to the "Telling Tale" exhibit, because I wanted to see it again, and I knew Sean would appreciate it. Then I left them and went to the National Arts Library inside the museum to try and track down the Court of Love. I narrowed down what it isn't, but still have yet to find it.
I then took a very roundabout way of getting to the Globe, and ended up running into Sean and Annie on the way. It was pouring, and my feet were completely soaked, but my 'warrior goddess sandals' (as Matt calls them) held up admirably. I managed to get me and Vrana Yard tickets for Troilus and Cresida on Sunday which I'm stoked for. I said good bye to Sean and Annie again and headed home. On the way, I realized I'd left my umbrella at the globe. :( So, when I stopped into Sainsbury for some supplies, I grabbed an umbrella as well.
I definitely made good use of my travelcard today though. I went so many places. Which of course, has left me exhausted. But in a good way. I swear, excess of walking is the best way to see London.

Courtauld and Chaucer

Yesterday morning I met Proffesor Cook at the Courtauld Gallery early so we could discuss my paper. It was decided that I would focus on "The Court of Love", which has several pages of notes and sketches in the notebook. We then were given a long tour of the gallery. There were some cool pieces, but the one that stunned me the most was that Van Gogh's Self Portrait with Mutilated Ear was ACTUALLY THERE. It was so wierd to see it in person after having seen so many reproductions of it. After class, I met briefly with Pericles about my paper for his class.
On my way back home and to the British Library, I wandered into a shop with a TON of Dr. Who memorabilia. It was brilliant. I spent some quality time with the notebook at the British Library, and then spent some time trying to figure out where the heck the Court of Love came from. I was estatic when I figured out it was from Chaucer, and even more excited when I found a copy of the Riverside Chaucer (a definitive edition, it was only 20 pounds, so I bought it, but only paid 18 cause it was a little beat up) and in it found that this court of love was from Parliament of Foules. This is the poem I had thought of doing my Senior Essay on, but gave up that idea long ago. Anyways, I was so so excited. but I was also starving, so I wandered to this pizza place I'd been wanting to try. It was WAY better than Pizza Express and also way better.
Even though I had a lot of work when I got back to HPH, I was incredibly content.

London Bridge and Jack the Ripper

I'm a little behind, but only because the past few days have been so packed with goodness that I have not had the time/energy once home to write it all down. So here goes Monday-
Monday we had to buy a travelcard for Zones 1-2 that the PMC will reimberse us for, so most of us took this as a hint to do a lot of tube riding. Accordingly, I struck out after dinner for London Bridge. Turns out that what you think of as London Bridge no longer exists. Instead, there is only a sad, pitiful, modern thing with various signs and engravings letting you know what it is. However, it did lead to a delightful little jaunt in the financial district. I also stumbled upon the Bunhill Fields Burial Ground, which was a really old cemetary. There were some gems in there such as William Blake, Daniel Defoe, and John Bunyan.
We then all met at Stamford Brook (except Victoria who was a whopping 45 minutes late) to go to the Emery Walker House. Emery Walker was a good friend of William Morris', and through various causes, his house is still very much intact from when he lived in it. We had two tour guides, one the cataloguer and expert, the other an old lady volunteer. You could tell it was hard for them to share. Afterwards, we chilled in the pub and debriefed. The PMC payed for everyone to get a pint, though some got coke instead and Laura and I (after they forgot about us) got tea.
Then a group of us went to Tower Hill to do the Jack Ripper tour. We had time to grab a quick dinner of fish and chips (which were DELICIOUS) at a nearby pub before it started. We were then lead around east london by Donald R-, who is one of the foremost historians on Jack the Ripper. He would take us around to various locations and explain their signifigance to the story. Some of the best tidbits were:

• London Wall- a wall built around the old city of london, which is still the center of london. you can see the old Roman foundations of parts of the wall, as well as the medieval layer on top of that. The city of london has it's own police force and mayor, which was part of the difficulty to Jack the Ripper, since he kept zig zagging back and forth between the city of london and london proper.
• Houdsditch- this was a ditch outside of the wall. it's called this because during the Bubonic Plauge, they thought dogs and cats were the carriers, so they killed them all. to get rid of the bodies, they chucked them over the wall into the ditch.
• "The Ripper"- the name Jack the Ripper came from a fake note, but stuck because of the press. the latter half of the name comes from his MO. After slitting the victim's throat back to the spinal cord (in two cases it looks like he tried to cut their heads completely off), he would 'rip' them open from their vagina to their breast bone. His last murder was so butchered up that they had to recognize her from her location, her ears, and her hair.
• "From Hell"- a comic book version by Alan Moore (of Watchmen, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and V for Vendetta) was made into a movie with Johnny Depp some years back

The funniest part was at the end when Emma was getting her copy of his book signed, and the rest of us were joking about William Morris being Jack the Ripper. He heard us and ended up dedicating her book to "William Morris and Emma". He joked about adding Rossetti, Burne-Jones, and Ruskin too. He was really good at leading the walk, as he always managed to end each portion on a cliff hanger or high point, and had us walking through the most grusome and sketchy parts as it was getting dark. It was well worth the five pounds.