Mary Stuart

The highlight of the past week was a trip to the theatre. Two of my flatmates, who are also Central students, and I journeyed over to our school to see Mary Stuart by Friedrich Schiller, adapted by Ben Naylor. This production featured the actors from the MA Acting - Classical course. I know many of them from their participation in 8Squared and it was wonderful to see them in a full performance tailored for their particular practice.

Friedrich Schiller was a German poet and playwright who lived and worked in the latter half of the 18th century. He was a contemporary, friend and collaborator with Johann Wolfgang Goethe. Many of his works became popular source material for composers of his day. Beethoven wrote Ode to Joy based on a poem of Schiller's by the same name. Rossini wrote William Tell famous for the William Tell Overture based on Schiller's play also by the same name. Other notable works include: The Robbers, Don Carlos, Wallenstein Trilogy.

The play we saw was an adaptation of Schiller's original script of Mary Stuart adapted by the MA Classical Actors' director and course leader Ben Naylor. The play featured exquisite period appropriate costumes by Chantelle Gerrard, a sparse but smart set by Max Dorey, clever lighting designed by Joshua Gadsby (a Central alum) and intriguing sound designed by David Hermann.

The play focused on the last days of Mary Stuart, a critical part of British history. Mary Stuart was Queen of Scotland and Catholic. She was a cousin of Queen Elizabeth I and a some time rival for Elizabeth's throne. Elizabeth's father Henry VIII started a huge conflict by splitting from the Catholic Church and initiating the Protestant Church of England in order to divorce his Catholic first wife, Catherine and marry Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, in the hopes of producing a male heir. This split still has repercussions to this day but at the time it made for a very unstable environment for young Elizabeth. As the Catholics and the Protestant battled over the "true" religion and who was the legitimate heir to the throne, Mary Stuart was often the favorite candidate for the Catholics and sometimes she was even in agreement with her supporters, that she should indeed have England's throne.

In Scotland, Mary Stuart found herself in a scandal over the death of her second husband who was thought to have been murdered by Mary's third husband who also happened to be Protestant. Mary's Scottish subjects turned on her and she fled to England to seek sanctuary with her cousin and fellow Queen, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, however, felt imprisoning her was a safer bet to keep England's crown safe from Mary. Eventually charges of conspiracy for Mary to overthrow Elizabeth garnered enough evidence for Elizabeth to allow for Mary's execution. She was beheaded on the 8th of February 1587.

Mary Stuart did however have something to do with the English crown. Her son, James VI of Scotland succeeded Elizabeth I after Elizabeth died with no children of her own to inherit the throne. He became James I of England and united the Kingdoms of Scotland and England under one monarch.

The play did well in illustrating the inner turmoil of both Elizabeth and Mary as well as the many nobles and advisors caught up in the politics of life and death. I was very happy to see a Schiller play on stage as I had never had the opportunity prior to this event.

August is now upon us and I am still organizing my thesis research. I'll keep you posted on all the happenings. In the meantime, have a look around and see if there are any historical dramas being produced in your region.

Take care!
-m

The Tower and Fury

This past week got me out and about in London to see some history and a show. On Monday I went to the Tower of London with my friend Trish. We went, not because we have broken any laws, but Trish had never been so we decided she needed to check out this icon of British history. I went once before in 2009 with my Mom when she came to visit me during term break from my Masters course in Scotland. It is wonderful to revisit a place like the Tower as there is so much history one needs a recap every now and then to remember it all and catch the tidbits missed last time.

The Tower comes in layers. There is an outer wall and an inner wall and then the core building at the center. The center building is called The White Tower and it is the oldest part of the structure. It housed early royalty, acted as a prison and as a fortress. The inner wall contains a chapel where many famous people are buried including Henry VIII's beheaded wives. Also in the inner wall, visitors can view the crown jewels. The outer wall contains a medieval mint museum and samples of early coins and the stories behind what surrounds coins, money, minting and the crime associated with it all. The outer wall also contains many residential accommodations. That's right, people actually live there. Service men and women in Her Majesty's Armed Forces can apply to be Yeomen of the Guard and serve at the Tower. The Yeomen provide tours and historical accounts of the happenings at the Tower but do not mistake them for a character at Disneyland. They wear uniforms, not costumes and are trained specialists there to protect the Tower and all it contains. One thing it contains on occasion is royalty. The night before his coronation Prince Charles will prepare and sleep at The Tower and then, in the morning, in all the regalia, travel from the Tower to Westminster where he will be crowned King. There is much to see at the Tower and if you are in London, definitely spend a day exploring the Tower.

Saturday I went with my flatmate Nic to see a new play called Fury by Phoebe Eclair-Powell at Soho Theatre. It was an intense 70 minute modern day Medea about a single mother, young, struggling, lost and ultimately abused. It was wonderful to see a fresh offering from an up and coming playwright. Soho Theatre is on the cutting edge of new writing and facilitates new works with a myriad of programs, projects and awards. I predict we will see great things come from Soho Theatre and from Phoebe Eclair-Powell in the future.

This week we are off to see a show at Central. London has been crazy hot so, when we aren't at the theatre, we are likely parked in front of a fan. There aren't too many air conditioned buildings thus, we must find a fan, cold drink and wonder how past generations managed to survive. I'll keep you posted on the heat wave. In the meantime, find a cool theatre and go see a show!

Take care!
-m

The White Tower at the center of the Tower of London

 From inside the Tower walls, a view of The Shard: a London hotel, office building and landmark.

A view of Tower Bridge from inside the Tower.

Fury poster

A Week of Meetings

This past week was not very glamorous I'm afraid. I stayed busy with several meetings over the days. We met about 8Squared. I am preparing to depart the producing team. It is time for new blood to take it on and my focus needs to shift to my thesis research. After the production meeting and a meeting with my academic advisor, it is clear that this is the right move at this time. I will meet with the new team before the end of the month to complete the handover.

I also spent time with the student projects on which I am assisting. We visited a venue this week and they are settled that is where they would like to preform. In the coming days we will work out the particulars and they will present in August.

I have also joined as an assistant on a project called Telemachy which is based on Homer's The Odyssey. An alum from the producing course was looking for extra hands on the project. The one-men show will preview this coming week and then participate in the Camden Fringe and the Edinburgh Fringe. It is good for me to get involved, get some experience here in London and broaden my network.

This coming week I will continue with all the above and may try to catch a play this week. Good stuff is happening all over town. We will also keep our eye on politics. Everyone in London is curious how things will work out with the new Prime Minister and the recent vote to leave the EU. Changes ahead!

I'll check in again next week. In the meantime, enjoy the summer and see some shows!

Take care!
-m

New Projects

This past week was full of meetings and sessions. I visited some rehearsals and met with some student artists. I am helping them with certain elements of their performance projects. They are looking good and we are hoping all will work out for them to be a part of a festival hosted at a venue here in London in September. Talks about all that continue.

The 8Squared team met and discussed our future plans. Three on our team will be rotating off now and will be greatly missed. The two of us remaining will recruit new producing team members from the incoming class and any current students who might be interested in getting involved. We have a good plan of action for moving forward into this next academic year. Submissions will be open soon and it will all begin again!

This past week I also met with an alum of the producing course. Her name is Catherine and she has a producing company that keeps busy. I'm excited to be joining them on an upcoming project and look forward to getting started next week.

I'm still searching for the right projects to support my thesis. I am looking for both a play and a musical in development. I have some queries out and hope to get answers on those soon.

Students halls are fairly quiet right now. Many students have finished for the year and have moved out. Others are traveling. My flatmate, Rita, is still here and is working hard on a case study. Rita and I have been trying to motivate each other in the quest for a healthy lifestyle. We have worked out and often review our food choices with each other. With classes concluded this is a fantastic time for me to throw some focus on health.

This coming week I am planning on seeing a show or two. One is tomorrow afternoon and I have a few friends involved with that one. I'm also looking forward to meeting my friend, Emma, on Wednesday to celebrate her birthday.

I'll keep you posted on all the projects. In the meantime, get out and see some theatre!

Take care!
-m

Wrap Up and Rest

This past week was fairly relaxed as we had no formal classes. We did have one final assignment due on Friday. Many classmates have now departed either for a break or for good. But I suppose we will always have Facebook.

I have to admit I have not done much this week except for finishing the last assignment and meeting a few friends and colleagues for a coffee and a chat. But I truly believe resting and relaxing are just as important as working. If there is one goal I have in moving to London and starting a new chapter, it is to find the work-life balance. People need time to unwind and not be structured or scheduled. There is a glorification of busy in our modern world and I think it is to our detriment some times. Creativity thrives when the mind is free to play.

This coming week the 8Squared team will get together and review our production and procedures. We will make our plans for the Autumn term's presentation. I will also attend some rehearsals of some student projects. These student projects have asked for a little producer help in some areas, so I am going in to see the projects in action.

I will also need to start putting together a schedule for my thesis project. I am writing two case studies. One on a new play in development and one on a new musical in development, to research workshopping methods for new works. I will need to attach myself to a couple of projects and this will require a search, lots of email queries and coordinating my schedule. I'll need time to sit in on the workshopping process and give myself ample time to do the reading and writing for the case studies. It is crucial that we organize ourselves as this is all independent work. The last thing we want is for time to slip away and not make the deadlines. So planning mode starts Monday.

I'll let you know how it all goes. In the meantime, enjoy Independence Day everyone!

Take care!
-m