So, since my last post was about things I miss from the States, this post will be about things/experiences that I would never have had Stateside.
Starting with Karaoke. [beat] Wait. I know what you're thinking, "We have that in 'Merica, Brittany!" But we don't have Karaoke like this. I don't know if I really love it or really don't love it... but either way it is different.
The evening starts off pretty standard. Karaoke announcer, you sign up, wait your turn to sing, etc.... Semi- good sound system, crowded room. Yep- we have all of that stateside. By the end of the evening though, the microphone is not really working and everyone is on the stage, jumping and singing the song along with the "singer." Throughout the night there are occasional shouts of "Eng-A-Land!" (Oh wait... those shouts are from me....) I started counting artist's nationalities. Adele, Queen, White Stripes, and the Beatles definitely dominate over here.
Alright, alright. So, the Karaoke isn't THAT different. What else? You say?
How about the West End! ENG-A-LAND!
Starting with Karaoke. [beat] Wait. I know what you're thinking, "We have that in 'Merica, Brittany!" But we don't have Karaoke like this. I don't know if I really love it or really don't love it... but either way it is different.
The evening starts off pretty standard. Karaoke announcer, you sign up, wait your turn to sing, etc.... Semi- good sound system, crowded room. Yep- we have all of that stateside. By the end of the evening though, the microphone is not really working and everyone is on the stage, jumping and singing the song along with the "singer." Throughout the night there are occasional shouts of "Eng-A-Land!" (Oh wait... those shouts are from me....) I started counting artist's nationalities. Adele, Queen, White Stripes, and the Beatles definitely dominate over here.
Alright, alright. So, the Karaoke isn't THAT different. What else? You say?
How about the West End! ENG-A-LAND!
On Tuesday night, Nick took me to see "Three Sisters" along with some of his classmates. The translation and adaption of the script included additions such as David Bowie's "Golden Years" and Nirvana's "Smells Like Team Spirit." The latter being played on piano, accordion, guitar, and mandolin. Amazing.
This may be one of the greatest pieces of theatre I have ever seen. After the show was over and the audience was shuffling out the doors, I was still experiencing bursts of sobs.
I love Checkhov, but I'm quick to admit that a "standard" production can get a bit slow and boring. This production was anything but standard and ANYTHING but slow or boring. The production was three hours long and I could have watched another three hours. But I'm sure those actresses were not up for anymore, by the end they were emotionally laid bare and it was absolutely beautiful to watch.
On a separate note, the girl playing Irinia was wearing the cutest booties ever at one point. Need them.
This may be one of the greatest pieces of theatre I have ever seen. After the show was over and the audience was shuffling out the doors, I was still experiencing bursts of sobs.
I love Checkhov, but I'm quick to admit that a "standard" production can get a bit slow and boring. This production was anything but standard and ANYTHING but slow or boring. The production was three hours long and I could have watched another three hours. But I'm sure those actresses were not up for anymore, by the end they were emotionally laid bare and it was absolutely beautiful to watch.
On a separate note, the girl playing Irinia was wearing the cutest booties ever at one point. Need them.
Thursday (25/10 - They write the dates backwards here... or we right the dates backwards in the States... either way... reversed) I had an audition for Forum Theatre. Forum Theatre is a touring children's theatre company in Spain. For the audition, I had to prepare a monologue (really a devised piece containing multiple characters), a song (I sang and played "Rainbow Connection" on guitar), and a dance. After auditioning, they asked me to stay for callbacks and callbacks were a lot of fun. There were nine of us and we played a lot of games that the director either made up or they are popular in Spain. Some of them, I recognized and some were variations of games I know, others I had never seen before. It was a lot of fun and went really well. It was also in Kent.
Kent is about 1 1/2 hours (by public transit) outside the city. But, always up for an adventure, to Kent I went. (Ha- that rhymed).
Kent is very pretty, although I haven't really seen too many un-pretty thing here. I took pictures. :)
Kent is about 1 1/2 hours (by public transit) outside the city. But, always up for an adventure, to Kent I went. (Ha- that rhymed).
Kent is very pretty, although I haven't really seen too many un-pretty thing here. I took pictures. :)
Alright. There are definitely TONS more things that are happening in England that I wouldn't get to do at home. But, I feel this blog did a decent job of giving you a taste.
I have to teach a Dance Workshop today at East 15, so I'm headed off for now. Enjoy my blog and enjoy this picture.
I have to teach a Dance Workshop today at East 15, so I'm headed off for now. Enjoy my blog and enjoy this picture.