Christmas is coming!

So, last week we ended up with an unscheduled trip up to Scotland for D's Granny's funeral. It was a very peaceful event and we even sang 'How Great Thou Art' outside with the birds singing. It was sad but we were glad that the whole thing went so well. D then returned to Lincoln and I stayed in Edinburgh for two days camping out in the library. I managed to combine 'new project' reading and 'old project' additions. Lots of interesting stuff.

We then had a happy, quiet weekend enjoying afternoon tea and lunch with friends. It is really nice to have a weekend like this just before the busyness of Christmas arrives. And since then, I've been bashing on with marking, although today I took a wee break to enjoy our students performing The Snow Queen at the LPAC. What a great job they did! The children were absolutely engaged, the set looked beautiful, and even us jaded academics joined in the songs. It was lovely to finally see all the hard work pay off given that I have seen a load of 3rd years wandering around looking exhausted for the past few months. I can see why now! They did the department proud!

Here is a video of them in rehearsal:

While not trying to sound like a total slacker, I have actually taken a day of annual leave tomorrow so that I can take my Mum to watch Company at the Sheffield Crucible. It has had amazing reviews so far and I'm very excited to see the great Dan Evans playing Sondheim live!

The rest of the week is taken up with Christmas parties, final wrapping, house tidying, marking, article refining and packing. We are looking forward to a great Christmas break with family and friends. And hopefully some snow! Anyways, I'll give a wee Christmas post before then. Cup of tea and more marking beckons!

CSW

Sheffield: city of steel and stellar theatre

So, despite the fact that I have spent the last few days in seminar rooms, in meetings and trying to get my first term admin up to date, actually our standout experience of the week took place last night in the wonderful Sheffield Crucible Theatre. If you have never been to a production at this incredible venue then go...right now! It is fast becoming my second favourite theatre (after the Royal Exchange Manchester which will always have the number one spot). Last night we went to see a truly awe-inspiring version of Othello with the fabulous Wire boys (Clarke Peters and Dominic West) in the lead roles. In typical D fashion we had the best seats in the house on the very front row. In the Crucible this means practically resting your feet on the stage. The performance was a mix of the traditional (cod piece alert!) and the modern. The fast pacing, well lit sparse stage and connection with the audience all signified a contemporary approach. One of the surprising and wonderful things about the Crucible is the age of the audience members. For the first time ever in a theatre (and I do not say this lightly) I felt old! All were impeccably well behaved and the young audience brought a real sense of dynamism and excitement to the whole piece. I came away thoroughly inspired, remembering that this is the artistic world I am part of, albeit in a small way in an East Midlands' outpost. Man, I am one blessed girlie.

So there is my Wednesday night gush. Little else to report; Othello has taken up most of my mind space since last night! Hope everyone reading this has similar moments of inspiration and excitement in their lives right now.

CSW

Today's trip to Sheffield

Good evening folks.
Yesterday I reached the dizzy heights of 70,000 words. It felt rather like scaling the great heights of Kilimanjaro or placing that ceremonial flag on the Moon. All very exciting. I'll get back to it tomorrow afternoon.

Today we had our school trip out to Sheffield to see David Hare's Plenty at the Crucible. What a great theatre! It is in the 'cultural industries quarter' (it's not just 'cultural' but 'industrially cultural'!) and was totally full of jolly theatre-watchers. So, on to the play itself. I must admit I feel it is a little wordy and long-winded. There are some moments of brilliant, witty writing, however. During our post-show chat we considered the tension between personal and public politics. For me, the show is a little too character-centred to really be effective as either a State of the Nation play or as a piece of straight-forward political theatre. That is not to say that it wasn't an enjoyable afternoon's viewing but I remain a little confused about genre and intention. It doesn't seem to give any remedy for the situation and the end is extremely depressing.

The class politics were also a little difficult and I was constantly reminded of Joan Littlewood's accusation that you could only find folks with working-class accents playing servants or comics. Whereas, in this sort of play, the working-class characters generally provide some sort of hope against the backdrop of the demise of the ruling classes, Hare doesn't seem to be making any such claim here. Is a piece politically-engaged in any useful sense if it doesn't offer any alternative? Or is this real politically-engaged theatre, drama that negates obvious, utopian conclusions in favour of a more complex, allegorical approach? I have no answers, only questions...

There was some brilliant acting, including from ex-Eastender Jack Ryder. And the whole play started with a rather striking moment of male nudity that was a little surprising!

Anyways, tomorrow it is more 1-1 meetings with students and then on to research. The next few days are relatively quiet and so it's on with the Book and the second book proposal. I also need to start thinking about cutting The Adding Machine down to an hour.

More tea needed and a good snooze.
CSW

The Perils of Performing Arts

Happy weekend one and all. Finally, I got sick. I have been fighting it for a week and now am curled up on the sofa with tissues, Benylin and pizza. Actually I don't feel too bad at all - just a little under the weather. I still managed to enjoy the Brazilian beats at Commuter Jazz last night. We then hung around the LPAC to watch Hull Truck's April in Paris by John Godber. It was good fun, though, as often with comedy, it was the sad moments that stayed with me.

To cheer up any who are feeling a little under the weather today, here is a funny story about the inherent danger of studying Performing Arts.

from this morning's Lincolnshire Echo

POLICE firearms officers were called to Lincoln College in the city's Monks Road today after a girl was spotted with what looked like a handgun.
Passers-by were cleared from the area while officers waited outside.
When the girl re-emerged from the building officers spoke to her but no further action was taken.
Lincolnshire Police spokesman James Newall said: "Police were called at 2.38pm after reports that a girl was brandishing what appeared to be some form of firearm outside the building.
She then entered the building. Officers attending the scene put into place a well rehearsed response.
Officers spoke to the girl a short time later."


Reports suggest that the 'weapon' was just a prop for a performing arts class.

Genius! And let that be a lesson to us all. I'm glad the so-called 'passers-by' don't hang around the University during assessment week! Swords, comedy axes and screaming are the norm at the LPAC.

Anyways, I'm off to watch the Manchester derby and do a little work on the Greenwood paper. Hope everyone has a lovely day.
CSW

Snoozy Saturdays

Goodness, it's been a busy week! I finished working at 1.30 this morning. D stayed up with me and we enjoyed some great vintage Yes. I realised that Endless Dream actually makes my come over all emotional, though it might have been the combination of amazing music, extreme tiredness and a looming deadline.

After the craziness of the week, it's been a pretty slow start to Saturday. We had a bit of a long lie and then I spent the morning rereading Wole Soyinka's strange, incredible play, Death and the King's Horseman. Although British and Nigerian cultures are, to a certain extent, juxtaposed, this is not really a 'clash of cultures' play. In fact Soyinka himself thinks that just presuming it is a play about colonial relations is a bit reductionary. Rather, it is a study of the Yoruba culture. The language is beautiful and it confronts a number of really difficult issues. We'll see what the students make of it on Monday. I heard Soyinka speak in Edinburgh a couple of years ago. He is incredibly charismatic and passionate. I didn't agree with everything he said but he was extremely inspirational. I am also teaching classes on Brecht, the Theatre of the Absurd, and the Living Newspaper tradition over the course of the next few days.

I'm trying to couple this with some proper research work, though, I must admit, this week the teaching took priority. Because of the way my teaching falls, I actually have two research days this week and am looking forward to finishing the first draft of the Book and preparing two book proposals. Phew!

Other than work and workouts, life has passed me by this week. We did get to LEC's first ever homegroup on Thursday. It was an exciting moment in the life of our church. We are in a lovely group and had some good chat about fellowship. D's reruns of Curb Your Enthusiasm also continue apace. I think we have just entered series 3. I even found myself feeling sorry for Larry the other night. Blimey!

Anyways, I'm off to do a bit of cleaning and listen to the football. D is watching Aberdeen-Celtic and, given that Aberdeen are already down 4-0, I think the poor boy might need a coffee! Have a great weekend one and all.

CSW

The Country Girl - Review

I arrived at the archive yesterday to find it all closed up. Rather frustrating (make that very frustrating) but at least it gave me the chance to head out to the University of East London to meet a colleague. Then it was back into town for a performance of The Country Girl and here is a review in case you are interested:

Well, it was a very enjoyable play, very depressing but enjoyable none the less. During the performance I began to realise what a tough play it is to pull off. The central character, Frank (played by the lovely Martin Shaw who has surprisingly buff arms for a 65 year old!) has to be both thoroughly obnoxious and loveably engaging all at the same time. His wife Georgie (pity poor ol’ Jenny Seagrove who spends most of the night in tears) is equally complex. You have to be convinced that Frank’s stories about her suicide attempts might be true but she has to remain the most independent, spirited character onstage. So far, so tough. But couple this with potential infidelity, alcoholism and the backdrop of the theatrical world and you have a really difficult play. As you might expect from two actors who have worked so much together, the leads are terrific and you are totally convinced by their relationship. At times it was really tough to watch, particularly when Frank is at his drunken snivelling worst. As the play takes place in small rooms or cramped backstage areas, it was also incredibly claustrophobic. This mirrored the experience of the characters onstage who are almost all trapped by circumstance and/or their own character flaws. I don't think I'll see a more enjoyably depressing play all year!

And so on to today and back to the archive. Looking forward to a day in the Unity Newsletters. Full service will resume over the weekend. For any concerned for my health after yesterday’s post, you’ll be glad to know that I am feeling much better. I’m not quite firing on all cylinders but we’re on the way up.

CSW

"The Rhythm of Life"

So I've finally got round to writing a post about my trip home on Tuesday. Thanks to the punctuality of East Midlands trains I got to Stockport just before 1. Dad and I took a wee trip to the Governor's House for a couple of delish burgers and a chat. Great to see Mum and Dad, albeit briefly! And then, of course, there was Dad's return to the stage. Call me biased if you want, but he stole the show for me. 'The Rhythm of Life' was a really nicely set up scene and Dad's flares and kaftan got an outing again. I am surprisingly well-rounded considering some of the outfits I have seen my father in over the years. I was very proud of him.

So, after an early-ish train back to Lincoln, it was on to our technical rehearsal. I was delighted with the students. It all went rather well considering it was the first time under lights and with explosions. There are still a couple of shaky moments but it is now 95% great. Halfway through I realised what a weird play Uranium 235 is. We'll see what the rest of the faculty think.

Spent the train journey listening to Asia's new album, Omega, as mentioned in my last post. It is really terrific. 'Holy War' is a nicely crafted song and I really like 'Through my Veins' and 'End of the World'. My favourite is probably the slightly folkie, acoustic 'There was a Time'. In fact there isn't a bad song on the album, although John's ballads seem to be even more cheesy/sweet than usual. Hopefully they'll tour in Britain soon as our friends across the pond are enjoying them currently.

Anyways, I'm off to make some omelets for tea. It is very warm in Lincoln and extraordinarily muggy. The rain started about two hours ago and, I must say, it was a bit of a relief. On to the next leaders' debate tonight, of course. After Gordon's faux pas of yesterday (poor old Gordon!) it could be an interesting watch.

CSW

A Midweek message

So we are off to play squash in a bit. Currently limbering up -ha ha! Truth is I've been sitting back reading plays and marking student work. A pleasant sort of a day even though the weather is not so great. Not as bad as up in Auld Reekie though. They've had snow and all sorts up there. Once again D and I will have a jolly drive up the A1. Every time we take this road (which is bad enough at the best of times, especially after Newcastle) the weather seems to be against us. Let's hope it clears a little before tomorrow afternoon when we take the Skoda Superb for its first big spin.

So, Sunday evening (actually Monday morning - oops!) was one of my saddest sporting moments since losing a school hockey tournament to our arch-enemies, Arnold (I flung my keeper pads to the floor in a fit of pique!). Shawn Michaels hung up his boats (or spandex, I suppose) and wrestled for the last time. Now wrestling was one of D's interests that I thought I'd never get into. But actually for sheer theatricality you just can't beat it. I've become a bit of a fan of the Heart Break Kid and am sad to see him go. His final wave is currently my laptop wallpaper. Officially a geek? Yes, I think so...A great final match, though, which you can catch on youtube if your t'internet connection is quicker than ours (we are currently having a battle with Virgin as our broadband is SLOW - system upgrades, so they say). I have Chris Jericho's book on my desk at work and it is amazing what a conversation starter it is....and amazing how many wrestling fans there are!

Anyways, further to my comments on The Wire etc, here's a wee snippet from a conversation with Pastor James Harleman of Mars Hill Church in the States. Now I'm not a big fan of mega churches, in fact I largely think that if the crowds like it, then there must be something wrong about it (call me cynical if you like). But D and I have listened to a number of sermons from this church and have learned loads, especially from their Teaching Pastor, Mark Driscoll. So Pastor James says...

It’s true, some Christians think seeing anything beyond Disney films or PG movies is inherently sinful. However, this usually begins with an underlying premise that entertainment should be “safe distraction” and digestible pabulum for the believer.

The reality is, nothing is “safe” to watch. It disturbs me when Christians follow FCC and MPAA [ratings] guidelines and just assume and consume without discernment with no God-glorifying or evangelistic intent.

Disney films have terrible philosophy and theology. Some of the “family” films out there contain the most subversive content because they are 95 percent wholesome with a subtle twist.

Just because a film seems wholesome or ends happy doesn’t mean it’s godly. In fact, seemingly evil-free family fare that ends with “happily ever after” apart from the cross may be the most dangerous films of all.”

Just the fact that he uses the term 'digestible pabulum' makes me love this quote. The church runs these amazing film nights and he is responding to the criticism he has received over some of the things he has put on the bill. I reckon you could apply it across the board, and not just to Disney films. Check out the Mars Hill Blog and agree or disagree as you wish.

Well, I'm off to read a bit more of Edward Bond's Saved. It is a pretty bleak play all in all and contains one of the most shocking, violent scenes of British theatre history. Of course this is what it is notorious for, but, for me, its bleakness lies in the dialogue rather than the action. I think this is largely true of the modern world - I get much more depressed by people's day-to-day speech than by those big violent moments you see on the news. Bond says that it is "almost irresponsibly optimistic". I'm willing to been convinced!

I'll post over the weekend when we will be enjoying the pleasure of an Edinburgh Easter. Once again, don't even think about robbing the flat. Boris the bear is a trained killer and has recently learned the art of aikido. I'd keep out of his way if I were you.

CSW

A quick review or two

Evening folks,

Just a quickie to fill you in on last night's film and today's reading matter. So it was Ironman last night with the increasingly lovely Robert Downey Jnr. He is fab in this film and it was very enjoyable. My highlight, obviously laying RDJ to one side for a moment, were (surprisingly really) Ms Paltrow as Pepper Potts, who I thought did a brilliant job of recreating the character.

What I really liked about this film was (as D flagged up before I watched it) there was none of the usual, irritating 'is he, isn't he' motif going on. Superman only has to wear glasses and suddenly no one recognises him (ah, Dean Cain...), Spiderman gets himself into all sorts of trouble trying to conceal his identity, Batman hides behind the facade of the playboy. Ironman is Tony Stark and everyone knows it. In fact, in a complete subversion of comic book devices, Stark decides to directly tell the assembled press. Really looking forward to the next one, especially as Mickey Rourke has joined the cast, and I enjoyed his performance in The Wrestler very much (there's another film to watch, though it is very tough so brace yourself).

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm bashing on with reading the plays for Post-Modern British Drama and I got about halfway through Equus today. It is a very peculiar play about psychological damage, worship, religion and the way we connect events and images...oh and horses. Not sure what to make of it yet, other than it is quite unsettling. Although it is a play it feels like a piece of physical theatre in many ways (had a fascinating conversation with a colleague to this effect today) and I am still at a loss to know how anyone would successfully direct it. For me, it could be placed in my ever-growing 'unperformable play' box. Perhaps I'll try and find some footage from the recent Daniel Radcliffe version. Was thinking today that if, as I expect, the teenage girls all flocked to Broadway to see this production (to see Harry P in the buff - completely in the buff actually!) then they must have got a bit of a shock. Wizards and wands this ain't! But it is interesting...

Anyways, hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the evening.

CSW

Happy Birthday dear Smelly!

Yes, it was my sister's birthday yesterday and she celebrated with me in Lincoln. We have referred to each other as Stinky (me) and Smelly (her) for many years now. Not entirely sure where that tradition came from, though I seem to remember it had its origins in a contentious game of 'Monopoly' which I undoubtedly won as I am a big, capitalist bully. Anyways, we had a great time together. My little sister is now 26...shocking!

Other than that...the weekend was spent in Edinburgh with the Warden clan. Lovely to catch up with Carrubbers folks and family alike. This week has, so far, been quietly hectic as we approach assessment next week. All seems to be well and I sat in on my first tech rehearsal today - very exciting!

Currently about to start wading my way through the books for Post-Modern British drama. Looking forward to reading Equus and a bit of Pinter. Less excited about the 'In-Yer-Face' theatre stuff. For those of you unaware of this phenomenon, it relies on shock as the ultimate meaning in a world without meaning (got it so far?). Here is Aleks Sierz's description of it:

In-yer-face theatre shocks audiences by the extremism of its language and images; unsettles them by its emotional frankness and disturbs them by its acute questioning of moral norms. It not only sums up the zeitgeist, but criticises it as well. Most in-yer-face plays are not interested in showing events in a detached way and allowing audiences to speculate about them; instead, they are experiential - they want audiences to feel the extreme emotions that are being shown on stage. In-yer-face theatre is experiential.

While recognising its successes (at least it gives the audience a bit of a shake), I have a few problems with this movement. It feels like a group of (largely) middle class neurotics who are infinitely more concerned with their own ego than the state of the world. One of the truly tremendous things about theatre is its immediacy and the way it can grab people, give them a thorough dressing down and send them on their way thinking. I have no specific problem with shock tactics. In fact, take a play like The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui for a truly unsettling experience. But I find in-yer-face theatre's obsession with being 'shocking', with 'disturbing' the audience rather tiresome. For me theatre is a medium of change and challenge, not a chance to pat ourselves on the back, swear a lot and come up with the most extreme images simply to create "exciting, crucial, modern theatre, darling". So, I'm hoping to be able to instigate this sort of chat with the students and see what they think.

Anyways, tonight holds a falafel and hummus sandwich, a bit of work and the chance to enjoy Ironman. I haven't seen this film yet but D ordered it for me so I could watch it before the second one comes out in March. Hoorah, an evening with Robert Downey Jnr! Not quite as good as an evening with D...but you can't have everything :-)

CSW

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Well, I may now live further south than previously but today Edinburgh was bright and sunny whereas here in Lincoln we had some serious snow. All quite exciting actually.

So I finished 'Lillies' last night. I couldn't sleep (funny how insomnia hits at times - no real reason at all!) so sat up until half one watching the last episode. I would definitely recommend it and it seems a shame they only did one series. Lots of interesting class and family issues to mull over. I have now moved on to my next box set (another provided by D) - 'Berkeley Square'. It looks at the lives of three nannies at the turn of the century (C19-C20 that is - goodness I hadn't quite realised that now we have entered the C21 this sort of statement becomes a little confusing!) and their households. I've only watched a couple of episodes (I had quite a bit of ironing this evening!) but am enjoying it so far.

This evening I spent a good couple of hours working on a play I am directing in the new term. It is Ewan MacColl's 'Uranium 235' and I've wanted to do a wee student production of it for a good long time. It looks at the development of nuclear fission; not a very exciting theme for a play you may say, but MacColl creates a very exciting, varied piece, with a bit of dialogue, a bit of dance, a bit of music and, inevitably, a large scoop of lefty politics. Really looking forward to leading the students through it.


Listened to the 'Sherlock Holmes' soundtrack as I wrote. Zimmer did a great job. It is really atmospheric and reminds me of a very happy day with D.

Anyways, I'm off to bed. A nice but busy teaching day tomorrow and, after my 'Lillies' marathon last night, I think some snoozing might be in order. Boris and David the Pot-bellied bear are still doing their best to keep me company.

Have a fab week.
CSW