Packing must be completed today.
Packing is not fun. The vast collection of my purchases (mainly clothes) has made it a struggle to get everything managed in bags with appropriate weight for the flight, but I think I've succeeded with a 48-pound suitcase to be checked and an over-stuffed duffle and backpack to carry on the plane. But now that the packing tribulation is over, let's continue with an update on the last few days!
On Tuesday the 17th we went to a play titled This May Hurt A Bit. It hurt more than a bit. I chose to review this play and class and could say much, but I'll be brief. To me, it felt like a lecture about the upcoming demise of the British National Health Service and why we should prevent its death. There was plenty of story and character (with great acting), but any heart was overshadowed by the political browbeating. I love political theatre, but the point is subtlety, which this show lacked.
Wednesday brought a tour of Victoria and Albert Museum and a quick jog into the Science Museum. The V&A has large collections of stuff. And by stuff I mean anything. Theatre paraphernalia, wedding dresses, statues, jewelry, paintings... Stuff. Here's some of the theatre stuff I found intriguing.
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| Chihuly (?) or some kind of blown glass sculpture at the entrance |
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| Joey from the production War Horse |
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| Hand-written orchestral score for Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Weber |
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| Score for a work called Nadia |
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| Chris Martin's (of Coldplay) costume from the Viva La Vida tour |
I happened upon the Royal College of Music's website and noticed that the school's saxophone ensemble was having their concert that evening and knew I had to go. The hall, organ, and acoustics were all beautiful and the music was very, very well-performed.
On Thursday morning I took a daybreak walk around parts of the city. Everything was still in the sleepy city and the sun was just peaking out from the horizon, setting buildings old and new ablaze.
Our play on Thursday evening surprised me. I wasn't expecting much from Hobson's Choice, but it turned out to be an endearing comedy that touched on topics of feminism and social mobility in a tactful and believable manner. The venue, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, was beautiful and the set even had a revolve--outdoors!
So now we're back to today, my final day in the city. We had class this morning and gave our oral reports on a production we've seen during the trip, and then I visited the Cortauld Gallery, which had an Impressionist exhibit as well as a neat look into printmaking in addition to its usual collection.
Off to Stratford-upon-Avon tomorrow! Expect at least one more post from the UK, then I'll be back home. Cheers! RK
On Thursday morning I took a daybreak walk around parts of the city. Everything was still in the sleepy city and the sun was just peaking out from the horizon, setting buildings old and new ablaze.
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| (I've yet to post a phone booth pic, so here we are) |
So now we're back to today, my final day in the city. We had class this morning and gave our oral reports on a production we've seen during the trip, and then I visited the Cortauld Gallery, which had an Impressionist exhibit as well as a neat look into printmaking in addition to its usual collection.
Off to Stratford-upon-Avon tomorrow! Expect at least one more post from the UK, then I'll be back home. Cheers! RK
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