The Hollow (play) - Agatha Christie

After my brief dalliance with the acting world while volunteering as an extra during Dining with Alice, I decided to investigate the possibility of furthering my amateur theatre career. A few months ago I joined the Maddermarket Theatre Company and worked as assistant stage manager on my first production, Agatha Christie's The Hollow. The Maddermarket is a very small theatre, with about 300 seats and has been around since the 1920s, despite its Tudor appearance.

The Hollow was adapted by Christie from her novel of the same name. Allegedly, Christie was not happy with Poirot's appearance in this particular novel and thus she wrote him out of the play, replacing him instead with Scotland Yard's Inspector Colquhoun. Otherwise, the Hollow is your typical Christie murder mystery, unfolding slowly, with many characters each with their own agenda. With a single static set, the attention is directed firmly to each character, allowing the audience to examine their interactions with the other characters, and their potential motivations. What I wasn't prepared for was the humour. Quite frankly, the Hollow was very funny. Largely due to the enigmatic Lady Angkatell, but also due to the suspense building up upon watching it. Many an audience member let out a nervous laugh after a particularly surprising death scene.

My responsibilities during the play were mostly preparing the set before every rehearsal and performance, and during the interval, and coordinating the many many props used for each scene. Another somewhat fun job every show was having to fire the gun that kills the unfortunate John Cristow, a job I took to with a fair bit of relish! Since The Hollow finished, I've been catching up with sleep after a hectic schedule, helping with the lighting for a couple of nights on the next production, Guys and Dolls, and looking forward to the huge winter production of A Christmas Carol....oh and successful grading for my brown belt in karate. All in all a busy summer!

Tumbling down the rabbit hole...

So far it has been another slow year of both reading and blogging. In my defence, my normally busy life has become even more so with the advent of my new training regime (fitness here we come!), my flourishing vegetable garden (small yet ever so enticing), the new feline additions to my household, my stuttering attempts at fundraising ahead of our charity skydive (this coming weekend eek!) and my participation in an ambitious theatre project.

Each year, May hosts for us the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, over two weeks of dance, music, theatre, literature, comedy and general oddness...With ambitions of soon becoming the country's second biggest arts festival, each year the Festival appears to outdo the preceding event, by bringing even more weird and wonderful artistic creations to this small city, somewhat removed from much of the country. This year I was unable to enjoy most of the festival's offerings (aside from an ingenious circus routine and some late night mechanical wolf shenanigans) as I had signed myself up as an extra in order to renew my love of the theatre.

And so, shedding my inhibitions and in the hope of meeting some unusual characters, I joined a theatre project called Dining with Alice. Originally created by Hilary Westlake for the Salisbury Festival a few years ago, the venture has been reimagined by Artichoke a creative company renowned for their ambitious and artistic "invasion of public spaces". Over three weeks of intense rehearsal and performance time (while also working full-time!), our band of extras were fortunate enough to share in the latest Artichoke experience, in all its glory! I for one have come away with the certain knowledge that I wish to remain working in theatre, if only part time, and have made some good new friends. I have described this project to many of my friends and complete strangers, some of whom have responded with blank stares, but others who became quite enthused and urged me to share the experience. So please indulge me, and do forgive me for this long and rather enthused post...

At Dining with Alice, guests were invited to take part in a magical evening of food and song, hosted by an array of Wonderland characters, in the grounds of the beautiful Elsing Hall, a private stately home dating back to the thirteenth century. With 20 acres of picturesque gardens including a walled garden, an arboretum, a moat and a bog (!), the Hall was the perfect setting for such an unusual event.

Guests were ushered in past high hedges and mysterious doorways, catching rare glimpses of the house.

Beautiful and elegant statues and stonework were nestled amongst the English roses and romantic borders.

Upon arriving at the welcome tent, guests were offered delicious Hendrick's Gin cocktails and nibbles, before the characters descended in a whirl of music and laughter.

The guests were then surprised by a throng of turbaned waiters who regaled them with colour, wit and song, but who do not engage in repartee.

Guests were then separated from their friends and taken to their tables by their waiters. Individual tables....for every single person.

Tables were spread out amongst the beautiful gardens, where guests could bask in the evening light and watch their fellow diners sitting around them.

Tables were decorated with jars containing weird and wonderful delights, and riddles to test the mind...

and confuse the senses...

Unusual Victorian dishes with a twist were served, such as this mock turtle soup and a vial containing amber liquid and a label saying..."drink me".

While diners ate, Alices large and small flitted through the gardens..

Characters regale diners with amusing riddles and ridiculous arguments.

Diners were in fear of losing their head when the Queen of Hearts was around.

While her King of Hearts and the Mad Hatter debated the food and stimulated the conversation.

After a three course meal, diners were reunited with their friends and brought to a floating pontoon on the moat, where the evening's entertaining reached its finale with a flourish of song.

But wait...who was this mysterious waiter?!

Thank you so much to Artichoke for putting on such a wonderful production and allowing us to take part in it! And thanks to all the other extras for making my time so enjoyable!

Anyone interested in the Norfolk and Norwich Festival or Dining with Alice can experience a little themselves in a short behind-the-scenes film on Sky Arts in June.

Reviews in the press:

The Guardian preview article

The Guardian - 13th May

The Guardian - 15th May

The Independent

The Norwich Evening News

The Brideswell Press

BBC News - spot yours truly at 28 seconds!

Other reviews and articles:

Winkypedia

Frankenstein

"Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through,
and pour a torrent of light into our dark world."

In April I was fortunate enough to get tickets to a unique production of Frankenstein at the National Theatre. The two stars, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternate the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature each night, both embuing the characters with their individual performances and qualities. The night I went, Cumberbatch played the Creature, with his infamous fervour and energy; while Miller played Victor, progressive yet naive, brilliant and yet foolish.

The production was incredible. The Olivier theatre at the National contains the renowned Drum Revolve stage - 4 storeys high and 15 m across, the stage rotates and contains beneath it immense set pieces that dominate the large yet intimate theatre. The moment the production began, the audience was captivated by the sight of the Creature being born - bursting forth from the manmade womb, naked and helpless as an infant. We follow the Creature, as he learns to use his body and mind, finds his voice, and experiences human emotion.

Cumberbatch was incomparable as the Creature. Embodying his fear and wonder, rage and love and ultimately, his hate towards Victor - Cumberbatch allowed us to care for the poor Creature, while creating such tension and suspense that the audience was truly shocked at the horrific ending. Miller was also excellent as the unfortunate scientist and scenes between the two men were electric.

The following week, I was able to see the production again, as it had been filmed for display in several arts cinemas, this time with the roles reversed. While Miller played the Creature very well, allowing a certain amount of personal interpretation, his portrayal perhaps lacked the depth and humour (and full nudity!!) of Cumberbatch's performance. Cumberbatch meanwhile was wonderful as Victor Frankenstein, showing him as slightly less vulnerable and more misguided. The reversed production held a similar tension to seeing the play on stage, although it was certainly missing the energy and grip of a live show, focussing on the action and artistry of the stage design.

The actors were astounding and the production, adapted by Nick Dear and directed by the film director, Danny Boyle, was absolutely brilliant. Sadly a short run meant that only a small number of theatre-goers were able to see the play, but the new tradition of filming productions means that it will be available to many more. If it comes to a theatre near you...see it!

On a side note - I shall be taking the backstage tour at the National Theatre on Sunday - I can't wait to see the sets and props!

Photos taken from the National Theatre website.

Shakespeare - Bill Bryson

"Our revels are now ended. These our actors,

As I foretold you, were all spirits, and

Are melted into air, into thin air:

And like the baseless fabric of this vision,

The cloud-capp'd tow'rs, the gorgeous palaces,

The solemn temples, the great globe itself,

Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,

And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,

Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff

As dreams are made on; and our little life

Is rounded with a sleep."

The Tempest, Act 4

I dipped into this book when it first came out, but did not read it all the way through. During my crazy summer of Shakespearean theatre, I felt it was the perfect time to read it properly, to learn more about the man himself, life in Elizabethan London and hopefully have a giggle along with Bryson's writing.

I was only slightly disappointed. Bryson himself was the first to point out that this is indeed a slim volume compared to some of the epic tomes written on the playwright and his works. However, for this biography, Bryson has attempted to stick to the facts, not only about the man, but his work and the city and nation that he lived in. This has perhaps limited the amount that Bryson could actually tell us about Shakespeare, but has also restricted the pages of conjecture and supposition that you can easily find in most biographies. This makes for a unique look at Shakespeare, theatre and London of the 16th and early 17th centuries.

As a self-confessed Shakespeare and history nerd, I of course adored this book and all the tidbits of information on my favourite playwright that it gave me. I was not expecting the wealth of information on life in Elizabethan London, nor the modest humour with which Bryson writes (perhaps I was expecting cheap laughs, or a less sensitive American hand...we Brits are quite possessive of dear Will you know!). I found the book interesting (though perhaps not riveting) and educational, although I do have one quite major gripe.

What is it about Shakespeare that gets tens, nay hundreds of thousands of people reading his work every year? Why it is the work itself of course. Shakespeare's plays. Little gems of the English language, every one, full of humour, drama, romance and history, horror and war, magic and mystery. These are what I am continuely inspired to read, travel miles (and withstand torrential rain!) to see performed and watch on film. Bryson speaks very little about the plays themselves, aside from a clinical examination of their language, structure, content and occasionally authorship. There is no passion in his description of their words and meaning, no joy in his quotes or any other sign that he actually enjoys them at all. In fact, it does make me wonder what drew Bryson to write the book in the first place. Perhaps he spotted some money that could be made, or perhaps that is me being too cynical. I hope so.

This would not stop me from recommending the book to anyone, indeed I believe I have enough passion to make up for any lukewarm writing about one of the funniest and most insightful playwrights I believe has every published (whether you debate the authorship is neither here nor there). But is was a little disappointing. I think I shall reread 1599 by James Shapiro or try Frank Kermode's The Age of Shakespeare or Peter Ackroyd's Shakespeare in the hope of absorbing a little more passion from a biographer.

An excellent companion to my Shakespearean summer and a perfect starting point for anyone interested in learning about the wonderful William Shakespeare, though perhaps a little too light for some.

Other blog reviews:

things mean a lot

a striped armchair

A samhain to remember...

Hi, I am still here and I am still reading your blogs...honest! Not only have I moved into a friends house over the past week, but I have also had an offer accepted to buy a house, so its been a little chaotic here. Plus I still have the same nasty cough I had two months ago...not fun. BUT, last night I did get to see my first opera, Tosca, performed in the amazing Hatfield House. Drinking wine while touring the beautifully lit state rooms by night, before retiring to the Marble Hall for the performance (in Italian) on a purpose built stage under the famous Rainbow Portrait of Elizabeth I. Quite a night, I can tell you. But anyhoo, back to the reviews (albeit brief ones) and hopefully a bit of reading...

Samhain blessings to you all. xx

World War Two at Anglesey Abbey

To continue my journey around English stately homes and houses, my next visit was to Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire. Now a National Trust property, Anglesey Abbey is a beautiful Jacobean-style house located in the countryside an hour or so north of London. A former priory, built in the 1100s, it was purchased by Lord Fairhaven who improved and decorated the house. The house is lovely, surrounded by some very attractive gardens, but what took us most by surprise was the World War II re-enactment that was taking place during our visit!

Our day out was completed perfectly with dinner in the beautiful city of Cambridge, and tickets for the last night of the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival to see The Merry Wives of Windsor. Yet more Shakespearean fun!

Reviews, tudors and soggy escapades

I’m back into the swing of blogging regularly again, but am still really behind on reviews, with 16 to catch up on for the last few months! But, thankfully my 7-month book buying ban (aside from a week in Seattle when I was allowed to buy USA titles difficult to get over here) is now over, and I celebrated by buying three books (oops), although they were on special offer and already on my TBR list! So hopefully now I shall finally get round to reading The Catcher in the Rye, which I shamefully have not yet read. Aside from that though, I am going to try and be good, though it doesn’t help when Waterstone’s keep sending me discount offers by email! The world is against me!

Somehow it is August already, and a year since I took an office job! I am still making the most of being onshore most of the time, and can’t shake the mentality of trying to fit it all in before I get sent away! Last weekend I travelled to London with a few friends, to take in the Henry VIII exhibition at the British Library. It was an absolutely fantastic exhibit and great value for money as we spent over 3 hours investigating every portrait, book, document and hand written letter, including a hand written love letter to Anne Boleyn, locked away in the Vatican for 500 years.. Excellently put together, even this history buff learnt a fair deal about the most infamous of Tudors.

After the exhibition and a delicious late lunch at the consistently wonderful World Food Café in Neals Yard, we trundled along the river to Shakespeare’s Globe for a performance of As You Like It. Possibly one of the best Shakespearean productions I have even seen, I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who can make it to London before the run ends this summer. Our visit was somewhat marred though by the persistent rain that began shortly before the play and ended long after we returned home, complete with torrential downpour that filled the yard with water, drenching everything in reach, destroyed my phone, and soaked us to our very bones. Not the most pleasant walk to the station afterwards I can tell you. My history passion knows no bounds however, and I hope to catch the exhibits of Henry and his wives at Hampton Court Palace, and Henry’s armour at the Tower of London in a few weeks.

A great weekend was ended at Thetford Forest, with mountain biking through the trees (gaining an impressive array of bruises in the process) and camping at the Larling Beer Festival, where the evening mist creeped over us as we danced away with many a pint of ale in our hands. Needless to say, I am still rather shattered…roll on this weekend!

In the meantime, I am slowly savouring Bill Bryson’s Shakespeare, which I am thoroughly enjoying, and I feel the need to reread Shapiro’s 1599, to continue my Elizabethan theme.

What are you reading?

The evening mist at Larling

Shakespeare at Norwich Cathedral

My year of Shakespeare continued recently with two evenings at Norwich Cathedral to see the British Shakespeare Company performing the comedies Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The first night was rather soggy as it rained after we began our picnic and pelted down during the interval. But we were well prepared, armed with rainproof clothing and waterproof blankets and bagged the grassy area at the very front of the stage ahead of the seats. The hot soup and homemade nibbles helped a great deal! The second night was a much more pleasant affair, as the sun came out all afternoon and shone throughout our picnic, which we celebrated by opening a bottle of wine (In a cathedral you ask?! They were selling…we were drinking!).

Much Ado was absolutely fabulous. It is one of my favourite plays, that I had never seen performed on stage before, and I was not disappointed it was excellently done and I laughed throughout, despite the unpleasant cold rain and sore knee (I fell off my bicycle on the way there!). A Midsummer Night's Dream was also enjoyable, though the play perhaps not quite as good. The acting was excellent though, and the set simple but elegant. I am still unashamedly enamoured with Shakespeare and outdoor theatre! I heartily recommend a viewing if the Company pass your way!

A rather soggy picnic

The Cathedral by day

Early evening light illuminated the mediaeval architecture

Seating in the cloisters

Celebrating the sun with a bottle of red!

The Cathedral by night

Puck and his fairies

In front of the spire

"This is very midsummer madness."

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness
and some have greatness thrust upon them".

It may or may not be obvious, but I love William Shakespeare. And I don't just mean the deliciousness of his prose, but his style, his manner, his humour, his pain, his intrigue and his honour. I love the period he lived in, his world, his peers, the food for his works. I've loved his work since first I read it, back in the first year of high school, aged 11. The first play I read was A Midsummer Night's Dream, which I have seen several times over the years, more than any other of his plays, despite it being far from my favourite. Interestingly, my favourites over the years have been the great tragedy Hamlet, and the quirky fantastical Tempest. And the productions I have seen tend to be large stage plays, at Shakespeare's Globe in London, and various other theatres around the country. So I can honestly say that I have never been as pleasantly suprised by a production as I was last week.

The Lord Chamberlain's Men, a travelling all-male troupe are currently touring East Anglia, playing in the grounds of several stately homes, and I managed to get tickets for one of my favourite houses, Blickling Hall. Worryingly it absolutely poured down with rain for most of the afternoon, including on the drive to the Hall, but we rallied together, armed with raincoats, garden chairs, picnic and, in the true spirit of Shakespearean merriment...wine. We arrived very early, managing to pitch our chairs right in front of the stage, and dug in to our delectable feast! Sadly, it did rain on us a little and by the end we felt the chill in the air, but the production was so entertaining that none of that mattered one bit. I do not think I have laughed that much since the second half of the excellent A Midsummer Night's Dream production at the Globe several years ago. The Lord Chamberlain's Men beguiled us with their wit, charm, singing and wonderful portrayal of Shakespeare's female characters, especially the lovely Olivia.

So I am excited. This appears to be turning into a year of Shakespeare for me. I already have tickets to both Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night's Dream (there it is again!) being performed in the cloisters of Norwich Cathedral in three weeks...and you all know how much I love the Cathedral! This year is also the love season at Shakespeare's Globe, with several plays I have not seen in a long time, if ever: Love's Labour's Lost, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet and Troilus and Cressida. And (oh yes!) the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival begins soon with six plays between now and October, so the anticipation is really getting to me.

And so I must apologise in advance, that this blog may be barraged with all things Shakespearean over the next few months...you'll just have to bear with me! Enjoy...

Waiting with our picnic!

Blickling Hall at dusk

The cosy stage

The Lord Chamberlain's Men

The drunken Sir Toby Belch and devious Maria

The lovely Olivia!