Mon 11 July  2005

Tues 12 July 2005

Wed 13 July 2005

Thur 14 July 2005

Fri 15 July 2005

Sat 16 July 2005

Sun 17 July 2005

MORNING

 09.45-10.00:

Registration & Coffee

Bull Ring

10.00-10.45:

Welcome

with Patrick Spottiswoode

Director of Globe Education

NWK

10.45-11.30:

Theatre Exploration - inside The Globe! with Patrick Spottiswoode: Such a special place. I didn't expect it to be painted so elaborately. The wood is all English Oak, put in green to dry and season in place, with the stage area painted in blues, golds, whites - the columns look like marble. The Globe has been beautifully  and thoughtfully reconstructed. I will remember my first glimpse of this space.

11.30-11.45: BREAK

11.45-13.00:

Introduction to Globe Education and its Approaches

with Patrick Spottiswoode & Christopher Stafford, resident practitioner. This talk begins our journey on a strong philosophical note. It is refreshing to feel that the world of The Globe is connected by such a thoughtful approach to education.

NWK

13.00-14.00: LUNCH

 09.30-11.00:

An Introduction to The Winter’s Tale

with Michael Gould - brilliant lecture that pulled in ideas, quotes and parallels from all the Romances, and many other plays. I could listen to him for hours.

IJ1

11.00-12.00: 

Exhibition Exploration, with our Globe caretaker, friend and London nanny, Kate Williamson. This dynamic space is an opportunity to experience the heart of the Globe Project that Sam Wanamaker brought to life - a fabulous living museum with lots of interactive pieces,

12.00-12.30: BREAK

12.30-14.00: 

Alchemy of Voice (#1)

with Master of Voice, Stewart Pearce.

A practical workshop for actors - Stewart helps you find your own personal 'note'. A brilliant vocal coach - the best.

IJ1

14.00-15.30: LUNCH

08.30-09.30: 

From Heaven to Hell

Exploring every fabulous nook and cranny of The Globe with Bryan Paterson, Stage Manager. Favourite moment: looking up through the trap towards the heavens.

09.30-10.00: BREAK

10.00-11.30:

Trippingly on the Tongue (#1)

with Giles Block, master of language. Giles is a dramaturg, vocal coach and director all in one. His soft spoken approach pulls you in; he has a practical and real approach to Shakespeare's text.

IJ2

11.30-13.00:

Remembering the Globe with Peter McCurdy,

the architect who led the team that built The Globe. this was an intriguing session with slides showing the process from gathering of evidence (what did The Globe look like in 1599 when it was first built? How about 1614 when it was rebuilt following the fire?) through design through construction. Innovative , devoted man. I especially enjoyed learning more about Sam Wanamaker, the American behind the reconstruction project who died before The Globe was completed. His devotion lives on in all of the people at The Globe.

NWK

13.00-15.30: LUNCH

08.30-10.00:

In Form & Moving (#2)

with Glynn MacDonald

'When once our grace we have forgot, nothing goes right.' Measure for Measure

IJ1 & Stage

10.00-10.30: BREAK

10.30-12.00:

Observation of Lively Action workshops - schoolchildren (over 6000 per year) come to The Globe for highly sophisticated, and well thought out workshops. They learn history, tour The Globe, and work with a director on text, culminating in a performance - all in two hours!

12.00-13.00:

Lively Action Reflection

with Chris Stafford. We love Chris - what a talented, giving actor- turned-teacher.

NWK

13.00-13.30:

Rally Preparation

with Patrick Spottiswoode

In addition to our Rally assignments, we have been given a challenge: find a sound that you have never heard before. There will be a prize for the sound that most affects Patrick.

NWK

13.30-14.15:  LUNCH

 09.00-16.00:  Shakespeare Rally: a Shakespeare Journey around London to find representations of Shakespeare. Was he a King or Shepherd?

In groups of five we have been sent around London on foot (the tubes are still affected by the bombings) to find a series of representations of Shakespeare, and to deconstruct how his image is affected by the choice of medium used (paint, stone, metal), and the location (in a pub, a park, a gallery, etc). How would Shakespeare feel to see his likeness represented in so many different ways?

Clearly Shakespeare is both a commercial boon, a source of artistic inspiration. and a respected piece of history. It was fascinating to see Shakespeare's likeness as an unnamed statue with pigeon droppings, the famous Chandos portrait in the National Gallery, a portly statue in a little known recess, and a recumbent memorial in Southwark Cathedral.

Patrick certainly knew how to make us learn London in a hurry as we found our way back and forth across the Thames.

Exploring London with friends:

Borough's Market
 

Covent Garden

The Theatre Museum

Leicester Square

Exploring London with friends:

Mass at Westminster Cathedral

Buckingham Palace
 

St James Park

Big Ben

Trafalgar Square

We are taking the tube everywhere, and though we are not afraid to travel this way, we are very aware of the people around us, and think always about what happened last week, and the sadness the city expresses. Police are omnipresent.

AFTERNOON

14.00-16.00:

In Form & Moving (#1)

with Glynn MacDonald, Master of Movement. The amazing Glynn introduced us to the four elements, and led us in a never to be forgotten first  session at The Globe.

IJ1

16.00-17.30: BREAK

17.30-18.30:

Globe Walkshop

around Southwark to walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare;

a Local Shakespeare Journey with Patrick Spottiswoode. Amazing that until Sam Wanamaker came to London that the only indication that The Globe ever existed was a small plaque. Thank you Sam for having the tenacity and the nerve to bring The Globe back to Southwark.

18.30-19.30:

Drinks at the George Inn

Patrick bought us all drinks at this Inn which once was the site of Travelling Actors in Shakespeare's day. Patrick is amazingly intelligent, warm, funny and charming - a real clown - maybe Feste?

19.30-20.30:

DINNER at the Globe Cafe

We will eat every night at this well appointed cafe overlooking the Thames with other members of The Globe family, including the actors, directors, designers, etc. London is SO expensive; this is a good solution to dinners out. Weekends will give us enough time to eat out.

 15.30-17.00:

Cutting It

with Chris Stafford

I will never think about cutting Shakespeare's text  the same again.  There are so many good and valid reasons to cut text. You find a purity of purpose when you cut that helps to understand the whole when you put it back together. What an exciting workshop.

IJ2

17.00-18.00:

DINNER at the Globe Cafe

18.00-19.00:

Setting the Scene:

The Winter’s Tale

with Michael Cordner

NWK

19.30:

Performance:

The Winter’s Tale

This was an 'original practice' show, which means that the director, designers and actors strive to reproduce the show with materials that would have been available when the show was originally produced in the early 17th century. No modern materials (for example costuming) were used, and tools used were those used in the original period. Neck ruffs, for example, were pinned (thousands of pins) rather than sewed EACH performance! The costumes were a visually powerful piece to this rather unusual show.

 15.30-17.00

Alchemy of Voice (#2)

with Stewart Pearce

Today we took the vocal exercises to a point where the room vibrated with the harmonics of human voices. Amazing. I do these kinds of exercises with my students, and am loving being the student. So much to learn, a great chance to grow as a vocal coach.

IJ1

17.10:

Talking Theatre:

The Winter’s Tale

with actor Colin Hurley, who played the role of Autolycus in the performance the evening prior. Hysterically funny performance; wonderful discussion. Winter's Tale is an odd Shakespeare - even includes a Bear! Colin was annoyed with his 'original practice' cloak that didn't fasten, and he complained to the Costume Master, Jenny Tiramtsu. She told him to use the fact that it didn't close, and suddenly he had dozens of character choices. Colin reminded us that there are 'gifts' everywhere for an actor to use.

NWK

18.00-19.00:

DINNER at the Globe Cafe

19.00-21.00

Small Group

Rehearsal (#1) (Rogues & Vagabonds)

IJ2, Bull

We have been cast into four groups, all performing the opening scene of The Tempest, with different limitations. My group will be using percussion instruments, no props or added vocals. Traditional blocking will not be part of this experience. Tom, our director, believes in a more dynamic approach. I am glad to be with him - different from my training. More to follow as I learn more. I am a Rogue, and was cast as the Bosun.

14.15-15.45: 

Critique: The Winter’s Tale

with Heather Neill

IJ2

15.45-16.00:  BREAK

16.00-17.30:

Globe Education Practice: Language

with Michael Gould

IJ2

17.30-18.30:

DINNER at the Globe Café

19.00-21.00

Small Group

Rehearsal (#1) (Kings and Shepherds)

IJ2, Bull

I have this night off, and wandered The Thames by myself up toward The Eye. So many accents. Lots of people everywhere. Buskers (street performers) abound

It is almost surreal to be alone in London, with friends and family so far away. I like it for now; a good opportunity to discover me again.

16.00-17.00:

Shakespeare Rally seminar with Jerome Monahan.

Jeromy put the rally and the background packet together for us. Debriefing. interesting to see what impacted others.

IJ2

18.00-19.00:

DINNER at the Globe Cafe

19.30-21.40:

Performance:

The Tempest

THREE ACTORS played all of the characters in The Tempest! Mark Rylance (artistic director), Alex and Ed were phenomenal. There were three female dancers that were on stage throughout in this highly imaginative, creative and fascinating re-telling of a very familiar story. I was captivated.

With Alex and Ed
21.50-22.30:

Talking Theatre:

The Tempest

Alex, who played Caliban, came and talked with all of us. What a dynamic individual. The two of us talked after the session about what a Caliban was - emotional moment.

NWK

Went to The Philadelphia Story,

at The Old Vic Theatre

with Dottie, Rene and Kim

The Old Vic is Laurence Olivier's Theatre. Kevin Spacey is the new artistic director and is helping to rescue this old, beautiful theatre in Southwark. Fun show that had lots of the Kathryn Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart movie feeling to it.

Saw Johnny Depp, Christopher Loyd, Tim Burton, and others in Leicester Square at the opening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!

Leicester Square decorated for the opening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

This representation of  Shakespeare is a copy of the memorial in Westminster Abbey. The quote on this statue says: 'There is no darkness but ignorance'. It is not cited, nor is Shakespeare's name anywhere on the statue. The quote is from Twelfth Night, and is Feste, disguised as Sir Topas. When we asked people in the park who they thought the statue was, no one knew it was Shakespeare!

Mon 18 July

Tues 19 July

Wed 20 July

Thur 21 July

Fri 22 July

Sat 23 July

Sun 24 July

MORNING

10.30-11.15:

Globe Education Project Case Study: There’s Magic in the Web

with Jo Howarth & Susie Walker: this was a session on a project that Globe Education has been working on teaching Othello in the schools. They focused the work on Islam, and looked at the innate prejudices we all have. The scene work centred around the handkerchief of love in Othello (a highly symbolic Islamic design), and ultimately each child made their own version of the cloth with their own design of the strawberries the text calls for. A good opportunity for The Globe to use the world of Theatre and Shakespeare in this troubled time.

IJ2

11.15-13.15:

Shakespeare on Film: The Late Plays

with Tony Howard

A brilliant university teacher whose specialty is Shakespeare in Film. Not just the normal ones we know about, but unusual, fascinating, obscure films. The one I want to watch: Prospero's Book, with a young Mark Rylance.

NWK

13.15-14.30: LUNCH

 12.00-13.30: 

Alchemy of Voice (#3)

with Stewart Pearce, master of voice.

IJ1

13.30-14.00: LUNCH

14.00-15.30:

Ensemble Scene

Rehearsal (#1)

From Individual to Company

with Adam Coleman

IJ1

All twenty of us are involved in an ensemble scene, Act One, Scene One of The Tempest. The intent seems to be to not only bring the scene to a performance level as an ensemble, but to share practice on how to have large work with text to create moments on stage that are powerful.

11.30-13.00: 

Trippingly on the Tongue (#2) with Giles Block, master of language

IJ2

13.00-14.00:  LUNCH

09.00-10.15:

Globe Education Practice: Storytelling and Journeys

Adam Coleman. Adam is the Senior Practitioner for Globe Education, and shared his observations of work with students. We rehearsed the ensemble scene as well.

IJ1

10.15-10.30: BREAK

10.30-12.00:

Critique: Pericles

with Heather Neill, London Critic. Everyone loved this show. The aerial work was thrilling on all levels.

IJ2

12.00-13.00: LUNCH

13.00-15.00:

Printing Press Workshop

with Eleanor Collins, where we set and printed a page of Shakespearean text.

The Exhibition is an interactive museum under The Globe, filled with every kind of costume, prop, history display you can imagine associated with The Globe. The feature at this point is a wonderful interactive exhibition of Guy Fawkes, notable because it is the 400th year since Guy and his confederates tried to blow up Parliament and the Royal family.

07.00-09.00:

Ensemble Scene Rehearsal (#2)

Globe Stage

10.00-11.30:

Why Teach Shakespeare?

with Sally Mackey

NWK

11.30-11.45: BREAK

11.45-13.15: 

The Globe in Words

with Patrick Spottiswoode

Patrick is a dynamic lecturer, spicing his ideas with bits and pieces of Shakespeare's text. I have a whole new take on Bottom's discussion with the wall in Dream!

NWK

13.15-14.30: LUNCH

 Roamed London with Gary and Megan! Lots of fun to show them where I am living, and some favorite sites.

Shakespeare's Birthplace

Hathaway Cottage

Took train to Stratford with friends while Gary and Megan were on their own at the Natural History Museum. They said the museum was jam packed and thrilling.

Stratford was touristy, but I got to see what I wanted to see, and toured Shakespeare's birthplace on Henley street.

My friend Dottie and I walked from that house to Anne Hathaway's cottage. Romantic journey that the young Will undoubtedly took. The trains were horrid - never travel on a Sunday in England!

AFTERNOON

14.30-16.00:

Critique: The Tempest

with Heather Neill, a critic who writes for the London papers. This was an interesting discussion because Heather has no allegiance to Globe, and was very frank in her opinions.

NWK

16.00-16.30: BREAK

16.30-18.00:

Globe Education Practice: Planning the Journey

with Adam Coleman & Chris Stafford

IJ2

19.30-20.30:

DINNER at the Globe Cafe

15.30-17.00: BREAK

17.00-19.00:

Small Group Scene Rehearsal (#2) My director is Tom, and he is unusual in his approach. No blocking, that is no set blocking. Each time we work the scene it is different. Frustrating and interesting all at once. I am definitely growing through his techniques. I am memorized, and that helps with the amount of new ideas at each rehearsal. .

GEC, IJ1, IJ2

19.00-20.00:

DINNER at the Globe Cafe

23.15-02.00:

Small Group Scene Rehearsal (#3) We rehearsed on The Globe stage for the first time tonight at midnight. What an awesome feeling, and yet at the same time so familiar, almost normal. The whole space is embracing.

GEC, IJ1, IJ2 and Stage

14.00-15.00: 

In Form & Moving (#3) with Glynn MacDonald , master of movement
We became eagles, and arrows, and did a bit with the Alexander Technique. Glynn is a treasure.

IJ1

15.00-16.30:

Globe Education Practice: Character Journeys

with Adam Coleman

IJ1

16.30-17.30:

DINNER at the Globe Cafe

18.00-19.00: 

Introduction to Pericles

with Trevor Rawlins

IJ2

19.30:

Performance:

Pericles: yard standing is the only way to go. I can't imagine ever sitting in The Globe. You are part of the performance in a way I have never experienced. Pericles was outstanding. The Globe was rigged for aerial work that was breathtaking and frightening. Amazing to see three such different shows. Mark Rylance replaced Corin Redford as Old Pericles because Corin was sick. Mark was very, very good.

Our afternoon, evening sessions were cancelled because of the second bombing attempts at four different locations in London; three subway, one bus. Somber, difficult time for everyone in London.

We walked a bit here and there and then decided to have Tea at the Tea Museum. Very traditional, very fun. On the way home we met up with another group of friends and I went with them to a pub on the Thames to talk into the evening.

14.30-17.00: 

Small Group Rehearsal (#4)

Tough rehearsal, not all members of the group are memorized, and Tom wastes no time moving us forward. Hard to run lines off of people who are not ready, but again useful for me in so many ways.

IJ2, BULL, GEC

17.00-17.30: BREAK - Gary and Megan arrived in London!! We met on the Millennium, Bridge and I gave them tickets to Pericles for that night. They are so excited - it is great to be with them in London.

17.30-18.30:

Reflection

with Adam Coleman & Chris Stafford: Adam and Chris wanted to check with us to see how we were all doing, and then performed a poem they wrote as a spoof on Globe Education for a banquet they are going to. They are quite a pair. Lovely guys.

IJ2

19.30-20.30:

DINNER at the Globe Cafe

While Gary and Megan are seeing Pericles I went with friends on the Jack the Ripper tour. Bailed out after the first stop. Not my cup of tea. 

 At the Tower
 

Mon 25 July

Tues 26 July

Wed 27 July

Thur 28 July

Fri 29 July

Sat 30 July

Sun 31 July

MORNING

 11.00-13.00:

Ensemble Scene

Rehearsal (#3)

with Adam Coleman

IJ1

13.00-14.00: LUNCH

 11.00-12.00:

Excursion Preparation

with Patrick Spottiswoode

Patrick prepared us for our trip to Greenwhich.

NWK

12.00-13.00: LUNCH

 MORNING OFF

 MORNING OFF

 12.30-14.30:

Historical Dance for Kings and Shepherds

with Huw Prall

This was so much fun! We learned both a lower class dance and a dance the nobility was likely to perform. Each was based on two basic steps, a simple and double Pravane with lots of combinations. Hugh was a delightful teacher.

NWK and IJ1

 Moved out of Manna Ash, and over to the London Bridge Hotel with Gary and Megan.

AFTERNOON

  14:00 -16:30

Voyage on the Thames to the Tate Britain, to view and study the Turner exhibit. Turner is a major English artist who is best known for his landscapes and seascapes. The Tate Britain was stunning.

16.30-17.30:

DINNER at the Globe Café

 13.00-18.00:

A Journey to Greenwich

including The Cutty Sark, The Maritime Museum

with Patrick Spottiswoode

We travelled on the DLR (light rail) to Greenwhich to see the three masted Cutty Sark, one of the fastest tea ships every to ply the sea. It is now dry docked and turned into a museum. So interesting. Had the best food on the trip in Greenwhich, a surprisingly good cheese and onion pasty. Hmmm, feeling English.

 14.00-16.00: 

Shakespeare’s Curriculum with Peter Mack

Maybe the most intelligent of all of our teachers so far. Wow, what an interesting talk as we looked at how Shakespeare and the students of his day were educated, and how that was reflected in his plays and his audience.

IJ2

15.00-15.45:

Reflection

with Adam Coleman

IJ2

15.45-16.00: BREAK

16.00-17.30:

Ensemble Scene

Rehearsal (#4)

with Adam Coleman

IJ1

 16.00-18.00:

Small Group Scene Rehearsals (#7)

IJ1, IJ2, GEC

It feels good to see the people of London going about the business of living, despite the uncertainty that the bombings have given to everyday activities like just going to work.

 14.30-15.00: BREAK

15.00-16.00:

Course Reflection

with Chris Stafford & Adam Coleman 

This was a great way to end the discussions we have been having with Chris and Adam for the past few weeks. A 'magical' activity with paper and markers. Hmmm . . . I am going to use this one with my students.

NWK

16.00-16.30: BREAK

16.30-17.30:

Beginning your Journey

with Patrick Spottiswoode

NWK

Juanita Drama will be working with The Globe this year, including adopting an actor!

The Tube Stations, deep under the city and river, are filled with art and information. An amazing transportation system.

Saw Billy Elliott in a gorgeous old West End Theatre. The movie was good; the musical was spectacular and touching and astounding. A perfect show to see in London. It is sold out, and we were lucky to get tickets. The curtain call was worth the money all by itself. EVERYONE wore tutus!  Even Gramma.

 Tired, grumpy and needing to move to a room where I don't have to sleep on the floor. No problem! Up to the 5th floor of The London Bridge Hotel with a view of Big Ben and The London Eye in the far distance.

We went to Westminster and spent hours touring this holy place filled with the names of history, literature, art and music. Poet's Corner was awe inspiring.

TWILIGHT

 18.00-20.00:

Designing Imagined Worlds

with Jenny Tiramani,
Master of Costuming

 
Jenny is a brilliant designer and craftsperson who has the ability to connect her imaginings to the director's interpretation of the text. She brought in lots of costumes and shared tricks and secrets of the trade. Lovely woman.

NWK

 Headed back to Westminster and went to Evensong at Westminster Abbey. I stood throughout the service on a stone in the floor that bore the name of Elizabeth. It was an emotional and beautiful service. Interesting how the Church of England is so like the Catholic Church's service. Very familiar. We couldn't tour Westminster, and I really want to see the Poet's Corner, so I will  have to come back.

Gary, Megan and I went with friends to ride The Eye: world's largest passenger wheel. You can see all over London. It takes 30  minutes to complete one huge circle, with each of the pods moving so slowly that you don't know you are going anywhere . . . except the scenery keeps changing!

 17.30-19.00:

DINNER at the Globe Café

19.00-21.30:

Small Group

Rehearsal (#5) We are working on the percussion elements of the scene. My 'instrument' is an old bucket filled with rocks, and a rasp, and a stick. The scene springs from the sounds of these instruments, and has a Kabuki feel to it.

IJ1, IJ2, GEC

21.30-23.00: BREAK

00.00-02.00:

Run Through

Final Scene Rehearsal (#6) Globe Stage - I love this stage. No wonder the plays were such a success for all people. The space simply reaches out and hugs you.

 19.00-20.00:

DINNER at the Globe Café

20.00-24.00:

Self-rehearsed scenes

IJ1, IJ2, GEC

Midnight Matinee

Globe Stage

A grand night, filled with memories to cherish. Each scene performed to an audience made up of friends, teachers, family and each other. It was fascinating to watch the same scene done four totally different ways. We ended with the ensemble scene, and then Patrick honoured us with a reading of all the names of the principal actors listed in the First Folio - with our names interspersed. As we stood on that stage, and Patrick's voice rang out across the yard and up into the Galleries I knew that I was living proof that Shakespeare's Globe was for all people, we all belonged.

 17.30-19.00: BREAK

19.00-20.00:

Drinks Reception; farewell gifts from Patrick, including the 'prize' for the best sound one of us had heard. Patrick had asked us to listen for a sound we had never heard before. Mine was chosen (the sound of the wooden kneelers clicking back into place at Westminster Cathedral), and Patrick gave me a book on poetry that a friend had written. Very special.

IJ2

20.00 on

We talked deep in to the night at The Crown Pub across from Manna Ash where we all stayed. Chris, Kate and her mate Matt came along. Wonderful night. I will miss these people.

Megan, Gary and I saw the world premiere of The Storm, by Peter Oswald, written specially for The Globe. Most of the teachers in my group had left for the States, but a few of us were there, along with Patrick, Glynn, Colin, and the author. Yard standing. of course. I laughed so hard I thought my side would split. This was the same cast as The Tempest (Mark, Alex and Ed), with one actress who was making her debut. The Storm is a Roman comedy and was terrific. What a night to be there!
Mark Rylance in The Storm (ask me how I got this picture since you can't shoot photos during a play! Fun story!)

The last few days with Gary and Megan were perfect. We all saw The Tempest so they could experience it and I could see it again, and tramped around London to museums, The Tower, parks and even made a day trip to Brighton
.

Brighton Palace
 

What a thrill this month in London has been.

.

Southwark Cathedral

Time for the trip home, and re-entry to life in Woodinville!