1. Movement with Glynn MacDonald
This is probably one of the best classes ever; no just for content but also because of Glynn. Glynn is trained in the Alexander Technique and has taught us how to forgot all of the drama and technology around us, and return to the notion of understanding you own body and connecting with others. Consequently, classes are about learning how to move your body and understanding how your body reacts. It is very emotional as we move around the room staring into each other's eyes or reciting lines to each other, etc. For more info on MacDonald and her work click here:
http://www.glynnmacdonald.com/index.htm
2. Rehearsals
We are all performing small scenes from Macbeth, as well as performing the dinner scene where Banquo appears to Macbeth (III.iv). Performances are this Thursday evening at 11:30 if anyone's in town!
3. Attend a staging of Henry VI
We saw a performance, or shall we say half a performance of this show at The Globe Theater. I am not a fan of Shakespeare's histories, and this was a reminder as to why. Additionally, it was a traveling theater company and they brought their own setting which doesn't work at The Globe. That's one of the things we have learned . . . acting at the Globe means going back to the basics (e.g. no mics, involving the crowd, minimal staging, etc.)
4. Shakespeare Lecture
Patrick Spottiswoode , like Glynn, is amazing and gave a rousing lecture about Shakespeare's time, the advent of the English language, and a gaggle of other fun facts. One of his best lines was in describing the sonnet between Romeo and Juliet: "they got all up in each other's pentameter!"
5. Historical Dance
Yes, we took dance lessons for 2 hours and besides the heat, it was amazing. We learned and performed the earliest forms of known dance up and through Shakespeare's time. Obviously it was just a taste, but it was fun to say the least.
That's about everything . . . as far as attractions, we went to Churchill's War Room and tourist London (pics below) today and Startford Upon Avon yesterday (pics below):
