On Saturday afternoon we went to The Globe Theatre in London with friends to see one of Shakespeare 's most outrageous comedies The Taming of the Shrew. We went last year to see Anne Boleyn and loved the experience of outdoor theatre so decided to book another play.
A wonderful performance by actors under the most searing heat in very heavy costumes. I don't know how they survived the temperature which was well into the mid thirties and being an open air theatre there was no getting away from the sun. We, the audience had a slight respite as the balconies were just under cover but boy was it hot!!
The story is about two wealthy sisters in Padua who must be married off. The modest demure Bianca has no shortage of suitors but who on earth will take the wild, ungovernable, shrewdish Katherina? Only the gold-digging Petruchio, a man as maddeningly strong-willed and perverse as Katherina herself, is equal to the task of bullying her to the altar......... A brilliant performance which had us rocking with laughter. Shakespeare certainly had a wonderful sense of humour and not a rude joke or swearing to be heard.
The Globe put on some wonderful plays during the season which lasts from early June to mid October. We booked our tickets back in February but they do sell, on the day up to 700 standing room tickets for £5 each, which is a fantastic way to see Shakespeare on the cheap if you are in London for the day.
When we got home that evening my neighbour knocked at the door with a parcel that the post van couldn't deliver. It was my course books from the OU for next year's study. Well I was like a child at Christmas - didn't know what to look at first - so exciting. It's always overwhelming to receive these lovely shiny books in pristine condition and begging to be read but as I'm only just beginning to catch up with my summer projects and chores after my recent eye surgery and holidays etc, I'm going to have to wait a few weeks before I get stuck in. A lovely day all round!
Bye for now
Patricia
I always loved to browse through my brand new school books although some of them lost the appeal later on during the school year, especially the maths ones!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a great time at the theatre and the Globe looks like an interesting building. I live very near Berkeley Castle and every year they put on various open air plays by Shakespeare bu unfortunately I've never been able to go to one.
Thanks for your comment Paula. I love books and because these are art history books there are some lovely illustrations in them. Lucky you living near Berkeley Castle, I've always wanted to go there.
DeletePatricia x
Probably the most ideal place of all to see Shakespeare! I bet the actors couldn't wait to change out of those costumes.
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing well after your surgery and that you enjoy the coming OU year.
Lisa x
It certainly was a hot day - not that I'm complaining mind! Thank you for your comment Lisa, my eye is now 80% on the mend and should be okay for more studies.
DeletePatricia x
How wonderful to experience Shakespeare outside, and live so close to a castle! A great treat.
ReplyDeleteYour books look very interesting Patricia. I hope that your eye heals soon! You have lots of studying ahead.
great photos.
wishing you a super day
val
Ah thankyou Val, it was a lovely experience and thankyou for your comment. Looking forward to getting back to normal now. Have a great day
DeletePatricia x
Gosh that is a lot of books - hope you get the time to read them before your course starts - good luck for the coming year.
ReplyDeleteThankyou DC can't wait to get started now. Have a great day.
DeletePatricia x
wow.....still have not made it to the Globe yet....everyone I know has even my son!! Perhaps because it's so near I keep thinking I'll go 'another time'....situation needs to be addressed!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, it was nice of you to drop by, thanks. I've just popped over to yours and love the post about Greece. Brings back many memories.
DeletePatricia x
I would love to see a play there - maybe we'll get round to it one day. Oo all those books looks like someone is going to be busy.
ReplyDeleteYes it was well worth a visit Elaine. Thanks for your comment and I haven't forgotten the Award that you kindly awarded me. I've been going around like a whirling dervish trying to catch up with jobs before I attack the books!
DeletePatricia x
I would love to go and visit The Globe one day,
ReplyDeleteNina x
We have never been to a play at the globe but did stand outside when we went to London a couple of years ago!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good day, and good luck with the course!
xxx
Hi Patricia,
ReplyDeleteThank you for comment on my blog and becoming my latest follower, I have just become your latest follower too! We do have many similar interests and I shall enjoy following you. I don't know how we didn't link up earlier with both of us doing photo scavenger hunts! It must have been wonderful going to the Globe Theatre, I once went to see Midsummers Night dream in regents park and it was wonderful too seeing it in the open air. I will have to get some advise from you on WW2 research sometime as I am a keen family historian. Some of my family originated from Essex - near Harwich.
Sarah x
Sounds wonderful, Patricia! I have been often to the RSC at Stratford but never to the Globe, I'd love to see it one day. I did a similar course with the OU as part of my degree, quite a few years ago now, not the same books though. I expect the modules have changed very much in content since then:)
ReplyDeleteHello Patricia, I am a new Shakespeare fan. I attended my first actual play just a few years ago . . . dragging my Steve along behind me. We both had one of the best evening ever and look forward to going whenever a troupe comes to town. Is that the theater where they filmed Shakespeare In Love? It looks familiar to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely comment that you left on my blog about my little black evening bag make-over. It is always a please to hear from you.
Connie :)