Moments on the Map: Year 2 Beginnings

My first month back in this lovely land has been extremely busy. Here's just a sampling of the wonderful experiences I've had.

1. Wedding dresses at the V&A

The Victoria & Albert Museum is so unique from other museums. While we were there, we also checked out the Disobedient Objects (which was fantastic in its own right) but the real reason for JoJo, Katie, and me to visit was their collection of wedding dresses from 1775-2014. Man, there have been some insane trends.

2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time at the Gielgud Theatre

This show. This. Show. Do yourself a favor and read the book if you haven't already. It's a really quick and heartbreakingly lovely read. I love to see theatre utilizing technology in creative ways while still being dependent on great acting and solid ensemble work. I would put this show in my top three theatre experiences easily. And the day seats are only 15 pounds! I'll definitely be going back with my mom and dad when they hop over for a visit.

 

3. Charles III at the Wyndham's Theatre

I am in love with the concept of this play. Coined a "future history play" it begins the day of the current Queen Elizabeth's funeral and follows an ensuing power struggle between Charles and Parliament. It follows various Shakespearean traditions, including speaking in verse. All in all, a great story done really well.

4. Contra/Barn dancing with the English Folk Dance & Song Society

I did this a few times back in the states and not only is it ridiculous fun, it's also a legit workout. Here's a bit of video evidence of our night.

In other huge news, I fly to Russia tomorrow. Yeah, Russia. We're studying for a month in Moscow at the Russian University of Theatre Arts otherwise known as GITIS. If you're the praying kind, please pray for our group's health and safety, as well as all family members' peace of mind (they may be a bit nervous).

Also, send me some warm thoughts. A Texan in Russia is a fish out of water, y'all.

To many amazing(ly safe) Russian adventures!

Moments on the Map: Theatre Edition

An update on some of the shows I've been lucky enough to catch these past few weeks!

1. Beyond Caring @ The Yard Theatre

     First off- this space is really cool. It's a converted warehouse in the Hackney Wick district that's half theatre/half bar which made for a nice, intimate change from all the huge West End venues. The show was a new work that focused on class structures in an "increasingly isolated and individualistic London." I enjoyed the whole cast (which had several East 15 grads in it) but especially liked the physical quirks that several of them used in their performances.

photos via

2. Laban Dance Theatre @ E15

     Students from the BA Contemporary Dance course at the Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music & Dance came to East 15 as part of their third year tour and presented two Laban-style dance pieces. We've studied Laban throughout our first trimester here and I've loved exploring how to use this form for the actor. Taking the work and funneling it into the specific theatre area has given all of us a completely fresh way of tackling text.
     It was interesting to see Laban movement put back into a dance arena. The first work focused around reflections while the other dealt more with memories and how they ripple out to affect others. I was pleasantly surprised to learn during the Q&A afterward that the second piece was almost completely improvised. I won't go anywhere near saying this was my favorite dance genre or performance, but it was interesting to see an expansion of the art form as I knew it.


3. Once @ The Phoenix Theatre

     I went into this show without having seen the movie (which I think ended up being a good thing). I only had heard lovely things, loved the few songs I already recognized from the show, and knew that Baylor Theatre's own Elizabeth Davis originated the role of the roommate (sic 'em!) in the Broadway production.
     Long story short, I loved this show. All of it: the pub setting, the whole cast on stage, the barely-present transitions, the Czech and Irish accents, the not-a-love-story love story, the music - holy religious experience for my ears batman - this MUSIC. Just do yourself a favor and download that album.
     Having a front row seat? Only 25 pounds. Trying not to ugly cry during the last fifteen minutes of Act 2? Priceless...and let's be honest, kinda just a day in the life of Jenny.

The London cast rendition of "Falling Slowly":

(I personally prefer Declan Bennett's voice to Steve Kazee's #sorrynotsorry) 

A look inside the making of the original Broadway production:

4. Nut @ The Shed @ The National Theatre

     The first thing I love about the National? Eight pound student tickets. The second? The Shed - their blackbox theatre space that literally has no bad seat. I also loved that the 3 pound program I bought for this show included the full script!

     Nut might be the best example of black comedy I've seen in person, with lots of emphasis on the darkness. It centers around a depressed, self-harming woman who is visited by the voices in her head. These characters are as established and fleshed out as the actual "people" of the play.

The Shed outside The National - photo via

Photos via

To the blessings of live theatre,

August Favorites

Jesse McCartney - Back Together: The 9th grade girl that lingers inside me won't let this one go.

Ryan O'Shaughnessy - No Name: Ryan finished 5th during the 6th season of Britain's Got Talent and this is the original song he auditioned with. It's gorgeous.

Conor Maynard - Vegas Girl: Ignore the incredibly awkward music video and just dance instead.

Bastille - Pompeii: This should have been a "song of the summer" contender.

The Band Perry - Done: We all have someone we'd sing this to in our heads.

The Piano Guys - Begin Again: You can't really go wrong with the cello/piano combo.

SYTYCD - Top 8: I loved the concept of All Stars also as choreographers. It's amazing how much talent has run through that show. My two favorite numbers of the night:

The Newsroom - Red Team III: I really don't care what the critics continue to say about this show- I love it. The ep's promo:

It also had the best last two seconds of an show I've seen in a while, delivered perfectly by Jane Fonda.

Pretty Little Liars - Now You See Me, Now You Don't: Ahh, PLL. We meet again. You've become my favorite guilty pleasure no matter how many loose ends you leave dangling. The summer finale was full of #WorldWarA ridiculousness with the biggest reveal that (spoilers) Ezra is A!...or one of the A's...or on the A team...or was just following the girls trying to keep them safe? See what I mean about dangling ends? So many questions; about 99.4% of them unanswered.

My favorite thing the internets have given us so far concerning this episode:

HISHE (How It Should Have Ended) - Pacific Rim

New York City Ballet - Dancing Peter Martins' Swan Lake

Jasmine Meakin - "Talk Dirty" choreo

John Green - Why Are American Health Care Costs So High? (High five for the nerdfighter readers! Anyone out there? Anyone??)

NBC Sports - An American Coach in London

Jezebel.com - Racial implications of Miley Cyrus' VMA performance

ArtsUSA - How the arts teach 21st Century success skills

Church is Messy - Calling out Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer

Austin Statesman - Finally! A clothing line for girls who aren't defined by pink & purple.

Boston Globe - Did Shakespeare really make up all those words?

whatrhymeswithhug.me/

One of the top songs this summer that's been asking for it so badly.

dailydishonestly.com

Lies told via top notch graphic design.

fakescience.org

Chic Graphique's Customized Laptop Sleeve - I'm a sucker when it comes to monograms. Mine is en route now:

L'Oreal BB Cream - Evidently there's a whole wealth of things you can put on your face that I didn't even know about. (What the heck is primer, amirite?) BB Cream is like all that good stuff combined. This is my first to every try (so I don't claim to be an expert) but I pretty much love it. Lightweight, non-greasy, and (best of all) CHEAP. 

Vera Bradley's Laptop Backpack - Since I'd been slugging around the same one for over five years, I decided to use my Vera birthday coupon this year on a new backpack. The laptop compartment is super handy and I of course know it's great quality.

What did I miss??

To many new September favorites!