Well, it is that time of year again. The time to remember "Festivus", the holiday invented by George Constanza's father, Frank, after the debacle with the doll. (Watch old episodes of "Seinfeld" if you don't get the reference.) Erect your favourite aluminum pole (tinsel is distracting, according to Frank Constanza) and engage in the time honoured traditions of "Festivus", some of which I described in the title.
Whatever holiday you celebrate, let me take this chance to wish all of you a very merry time. The question of the day has told me that most people treasure the time they spend with family and friends, the music, the old movies, the food and the cheerful atmosphere in the air more than the presents. If you know me, you know that I can't let a special time go by without thinking about how lucky we are to be here in Canada where we celebrate peace, order and good government, where we have access to a doctor when we need it, where we welcome frightened and desperate people from across the world, and don't turn them away. Let us resolve to recommit ourselves to the idea of sharing our good fortune with those who are less fortunate than we are. Let us realize that the water and air and land are more important than monetary gain. Let us look at other animals and see there our brothers and sisters and not "the other". Let us smile at our neighbour and wish him good cheer, even if he gets on our nerves a little.
Well, after that little sermon, I will wend my way off to Cuba with my sons for a week of rest and relaxation. This has been a very difficult year for us and we hope a change of scenery and time away will help us heal our hearts and take on 2016 with a good will.
I wish you all the happiest of holidays! Take a moment to sit quietly and be grateful. Gratitude is good for your health!
Friday, 18 December 2015
Thursday, 10 December 2015
Last week before the holidays!
It's spirit week! Dress up to earn points for your improv team! Monday -- White Out (dress in white!); Tuesday - Red And Green; Wednesday - Ugly Holiday Sweater Day -- wear your ugliest sweater!! ; Thursday -- Let's pretend it's New Year's Eve! Dress up in your very best "bib and tucker"! Friday -- Breakfast with Santa -- get up early, come to school and stay in your pjs all day!
Remember, in your journal, if you have a preference for one person to improv with, write this at the bottom of your journal.
I, (your name here), would like to work with _________.
Journal topics:
Grade 8's: How do you think the world was created? Could you make a play about your theory? Explain how.
What have you and your group decided for your "creation" play so far?
Grade 9 and 10: What current event would make a good play for our school? Describe, in detail, what you would do to design a play about the current event you chose.
Theatre Production:
One thing theatre production people have to do is to create sets and props out of common household things. Last year, we made a fire extinguisher out of a plant spray bottle. We covered it with red duct tape, trimmed it up with silver duct tape, and attached labels and warning tags, just like an actual fire extinguisher. This year, we simulated a car with a platform, a big wooden box, an old car seat and a blue cloth. Even "Charlie's Funhouse" was quite a simple arrangement.
Here are a couple of problems we've dealt with in the last few years staging plays here at Steveston-London:
- how would you create the severed head of a character? (He appears at the beginning of the play and then is attacked by rebels. They drag him off and return shortly afterward with his head!) What would you do? /5
- a character is locked in a cage and made to think he's in hell, in "foul damp darkness". A group of four other characters torment him and we need to hear the trapped character and see him. This is a funny scene. What would you do? /5
- the opening scene of your play is an airplane crash. The rest of the play takes place on the beach where the plane has gone down. What will you do? /5
- a character kills his best friend and then serves a banquet for a group of acquaintances. The ghost of the best friend appears at the banquet. What will you do about the food? (Be specific.) What would you do to stage this? /5
It's good if you can draw pictures to illustrate your ideas.
Remember, in your journal, if you have a preference for one person to improv with, write this at the bottom of your journal.
I, (your name here), would like to work with _________.
Journal topics:
Grade 8's: How do you think the world was created? Could you make a play about your theory? Explain how.
What have you and your group decided for your "creation" play so far?
Grade 9 and 10: What current event would make a good play for our school? Describe, in detail, what you would do to design a play about the current event you chose.
Theatre Production:
One thing theatre production people have to do is to create sets and props out of common household things. Last year, we made a fire extinguisher out of a plant spray bottle. We covered it with red duct tape, trimmed it up with silver duct tape, and attached labels and warning tags, just like an actual fire extinguisher. This year, we simulated a car with a platform, a big wooden box, an old car seat and a blue cloth. Even "Charlie's Funhouse" was quite a simple arrangement.
Here are a couple of problems we've dealt with in the last few years staging plays here at Steveston-London:
- how would you create the severed head of a character? (He appears at the beginning of the play and then is attacked by rebels. They drag him off and return shortly afterward with his head!) What would you do? /5
- a character is locked in a cage and made to think he's in hell, in "foul damp darkness". A group of four other characters torment him and we need to hear the trapped character and see him. This is a funny scene. What would you do? /5
- the opening scene of your play is an airplane crash. The rest of the play takes place on the beach where the plane has gone down. What will you do? /5
- a character kills his best friend and then serves a banquet for a group of acquaintances. The ghost of the best friend appears at the banquet. What will you do about the food? (Be specific.) What would you do to stage this? /5
It's good if you can draw pictures to illustrate your ideas.
Friday, 4 December 2015
Journal for all!
Comment on the play, "Old Glory". You can begin with general comments, but please try to focus on something specific - one performance, the music, costumes, the script. Make sure you include both positive comments and suggestions for improvement. You may use the program as a reference. Your report should be about 1/2 page long.
Tuesday, 1 December 2015
Pay up!
A Block and D Block! We will be seeing the play "Old Glory" on Thursday (D Block) and Friday (A Block) -- please bring $5 for admission to the play. If you cannot pay, just tell me and it will be fine, but it is for a good cause. Ticket receipts fund the Drama Club productions and go to scholarships for deserving Grade 12 graduates.
Please be in your seat in the theatre at 1:15 p.m. It's going to be a great show!
Please be in your seat in the theatre at 1:15 p.m. It's going to be a great show!
Friday, 27 November 2015
Not "like" real life!
"She simply didn’t act. Or so it appeared. She wasn’t an actress; she was a tired, silly, irritating, touching, fraught, aging woman with no self-awareness, no censor for her ceaseless flow of words, no sense of the effect she was having on her children—or the audience. It was as if you were listening in on the stream of her consciousness. Her self-pitying yet valiant voice, reflecting both the desperation of her situation and the faded remnants of her Southern-belle charm, was maddening, yet somehow endearing. You wanted to hug her, to swat her, to run from her—in other words, you reacted to her just the way her son, Tom, did.
The crucial thing was the absolute naturalism: her acting wasn’t “realistic”—that is, like real life. It was real life. The production was in some ways stagey, but there wasn’t a touch of staginess about her. She knew exactly what she was doing, though; she just didn’t want you to know what she was doing. What she deplored, she once wrote, was when “you can see the acting.”
This is from an article by Robert Gottlieb about the original production of "The Glass Menagerie" which featured the great American actress, Laurette Taylor, as Amanda. When students ask me how they can improve, I think I need to ask them, "Where can you go from here?" For some of us, it is the mechanics -- you need to speak slowly and clearly and think about projecting your voice throughout the theatre. But the beauty of being an artist is that you can always strive to reach further, to understand more clearly, to find the joy in what we do, to push ourselves to dig deeper and to "hold the glass to nature". What great opportunities we have when we walk on stage!
Notes for Friday's run -- Old Glory
OPENING AND HAPPY JOURNEY
Don't speed up on "hooligan", Stage Manager.
Mandy will lead "Ring around" -- she will start on a higher pitch and go faster. Follow her!
Listen to each other!
Boys, giggle when it's obvious that Arthur is not looking for his hat.
No noise backstage or in the stairwells. Mrs. Schwarz, Hob., and Adler -- you will be lit the whole time. Stay in character. Mrs. Schwarz and Adler, mime talking to each other when you're not talking to Ma. Don't be too big, or you will upstage the rest of it.
All men need a white button up shirt and dress shoes and neckties.
Point stage left for "Webber and Heilbronner", Arthur.
Good crying, Urvee, in the funeral. I really like the listening when Ma tells Mrs. Schwarz that the key is in the kitchen.
Signs need to move smoothly, like you're driving past them. People in the car watch as the signs go by. Mia, you need black for funeral. Where was Mya?
Project!
Ma, more frantic on "collie dog" -- much more!!!
If you have to cross the stage, do it behind the black curtain at the back.
More rage at Arthur's remark about God, Ma.
Everyone! Be conscious of the ENDS of words. "Greek" for example.
Hot dogs should be quicker, Arthur. Poke Pa on "how many people live in the US?"
Instructions to Beulah's house must be in Pa's pocket! Pa, make sure they're there.
Wait for laughs -- Beulah -- big on DEAD. I liked those shoes.
Ma and Beulah -- the pain of not having your daughter know you and the pain of losing a child is real. Let the audience see the true pain of those tragedies. Let's see your faces, girls.
Crew needs to know what to do between scenes and it needs to go FAST.
DANCERS
Nice attitude, Stage Manager. Let us see your face! Really enjoy yourself dancing.
Elizabeth, you need pumps. Inez, you need a black turtle neck. Good on filing nails, Lila. Chew gum, too.
Good hair and attitude, Elizabeth.
Be apologetic, move forward and back, on the tux conversation, Herman. Inez, your whole conversation with Horace should be full frontal. Horace, stand up tentatively on "I don't dance well enough". Cheat to us, Inez. You don't need to dance the whole time. Show Horace how to stand. Get him to smile.
Elizabeth, don't mime the door.
Remember the counting while you dance, Horace. When you make a misstep, go back to the beginning and try again.
Horace needs money in the tux jacket. Horace, check to make sure it's there.
Lila, laugh at Horace on the street.
Inez, slow down! (speech) Emily, slow down!
Horace, make sure you wear the correct jacket. When you go to the Crews house, and after at the drugstore -- tux. At Inez's house, school jacket. Picking up Mary Catherine, tux.
Velma -- cheat out -- your motivation can be listening and watching for the car.
"Call Leo" -- that's your big decision, Emily.
"beer joints" -- he'll know you're not his class, Mary Catherine -- how does that make you feel?
Horace, Mary Catherine loves to dance, and you can't. Is that a deal breaker?
Tom! Project! Don't move unless you absolutely have to.
DICTION -- everyone!!!
Mary Cath: Well, Horace, you see that's just what I was about to ask you! Subtext -- so surprising!!!
Tom: listen to a transistor radio while you wait for Mary Cath to come home.
All cast and crew DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BACKPACK OR COATS OR LUNCH OR ANYTHING IN THE THEATRE SEATS. DO NOT WANDER AROUND THE THEATRE WHILE WE'RE RUNNING THE PLAY. YOU ARE A HUGE DISTRACTION! (TO THE ACTORS AND THE CREW AND THE AUDIENCE.)
Remember diction as you cry, Inez.
Stage Manager: "our last little PLAY"
PRETTY TRAP
confrontation between Amanda and Laura terrific!
nice on the stairs, Tom and Jim. Keep ringing the bell, Tom. You can make it a bit of a joke with Jim. "What? Nobody's home? I know they're there!"
good on lights! Excellent on sound
"Your mother's voice - Southern" -- "PERENNIAL SOUTHERN belle"
good reaction on "never knew a Jim who wasn't nice" or whatever -- Jim
nice look on "handsome gentleman" -- both Jim and Amanda
Great on "perennial Southern belle"
"I'm not coming out" -- great reaction, Amanda
Great reaction on "look like a witch" -- Tom and Amanda
More frantic on "dinner is served". You're upset, but then you pull yourself together, visibly.
Great on "Can't say grace; won't say grace".
Routine for Laura not taking Jim's hand saying grace: Jim, look at her -- Laura, look back shyly -- Jim, smile, gently, like "you can trust me" and then take her hand. Laura, look carefully at him -- ask yourself "can I trust him?" and then take his hand.
"rash promises" -- great, Tom
Great reaction on Amanda taking a look at you at the warehouse, Jim.
Tom: Good to know I HAVE a classification. (You didn't before.)
Great, everyone on "radio engineering".
Jim, react on "Tom Sr. was 'type number three'"
"Don't be shy with me" -- good. Also "sure, sure"
Laura, "delicate" -- this is a theme. "only music behind them" -- that's a lovely thing to leave behind.
She's mesmerizing, Jim.
Good putting unicorn and candles on the dining room table.
Take your time on "little (standing) . . . little (take her hand and look at how little it is) . . . look at her face. You're so moved you can barely speak -- she's so lovely -- so delicate -- "if you breathe, she breaks" -- in a low, shaking voice "girl".
Amanda -- too much dancing. Tell Tom that Jim kissed Laura, then spin away, take centre stage. One swing left, one left, hug yourself and laugh softly. Tom says you're a witch and you say you WERE a GIRL, just like Laura is.
Everyone who dances -- Inez, Horace, Mary Catherine, Jim and Laura -- let's get together on Monday at lunch to choreograph these dances more. Then perhaps Tuesday at lunch (if there is one with the pep rally) as well.
Good work, everyone. Our long dress rehearsal is on Monday after school. Come immediately after the bell so we can start, especially if you are in "Happy Journey". We will do notes after the run and Ms. Sakata has offered to pay for pizza! Tell your folks you might be at school until six.
Don't speed up on "hooligan", Stage Manager.
Mandy will lead "Ring around" -- she will start on a higher pitch and go faster. Follow her!
Listen to each other!
Boys, giggle when it's obvious that Arthur is not looking for his hat.
No noise backstage or in the stairwells. Mrs. Schwarz, Hob., and Adler -- you will be lit the whole time. Stay in character. Mrs. Schwarz and Adler, mime talking to each other when you're not talking to Ma. Don't be too big, or you will upstage the rest of it.
All men need a white button up shirt and dress shoes and neckties.
Point stage left for "Webber and Heilbronner", Arthur.
Good crying, Urvee, in the funeral. I really like the listening when Ma tells Mrs. Schwarz that the key is in the kitchen.
Signs need to move smoothly, like you're driving past them. People in the car watch as the signs go by. Mia, you need black for funeral. Where was Mya?
Project!
Ma, more frantic on "collie dog" -- much more!!!
If you have to cross the stage, do it behind the black curtain at the back.
More rage at Arthur's remark about God, Ma.
Everyone! Be conscious of the ENDS of words. "Greek" for example.
Hot dogs should be quicker, Arthur. Poke Pa on "how many people live in the US?"
Instructions to Beulah's house must be in Pa's pocket! Pa, make sure they're there.
Wait for laughs -- Beulah -- big on DEAD. I liked those shoes.
Ma and Beulah -- the pain of not having your daughter know you and the pain of losing a child is real. Let the audience see the true pain of those tragedies. Let's see your faces, girls.
Crew needs to know what to do between scenes and it needs to go FAST.
DANCERS
Nice attitude, Stage Manager. Let us see your face! Really enjoy yourself dancing.
Elizabeth, you need pumps. Inez, you need a black turtle neck. Good on filing nails, Lila. Chew gum, too.
Good hair and attitude, Elizabeth.
Be apologetic, move forward and back, on the tux conversation, Herman. Inez, your whole conversation with Horace should be full frontal. Horace, stand up tentatively on "I don't dance well enough". Cheat to us, Inez. You don't need to dance the whole time. Show Horace how to stand. Get him to smile.
Elizabeth, don't mime the door.
Remember the counting while you dance, Horace. When you make a misstep, go back to the beginning and try again.
Horace needs money in the tux jacket. Horace, check to make sure it's there.
Lila, laugh at Horace on the street.
Inez, slow down! (speech) Emily, slow down!
Horace, make sure you wear the correct jacket. When you go to the Crews house, and after at the drugstore -- tux. At Inez's house, school jacket. Picking up Mary Catherine, tux.
Velma -- cheat out -- your motivation can be listening and watching for the car.
"Call Leo" -- that's your big decision, Emily.
"beer joints" -- he'll know you're not his class, Mary Catherine -- how does that make you feel?
Horace, Mary Catherine loves to dance, and you can't. Is that a deal breaker?
Tom! Project! Don't move unless you absolutely have to.
DICTION -- everyone!!!
Mary Cath: Well, Horace, you see that's just what I was about to ask you! Subtext -- so surprising!!!
Tom: listen to a transistor radio while you wait for Mary Cath to come home.
All cast and crew DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BACKPACK OR COATS OR LUNCH OR ANYTHING IN THE THEATRE SEATS. DO NOT WANDER AROUND THE THEATRE WHILE WE'RE RUNNING THE PLAY. YOU ARE A HUGE DISTRACTION! (TO THE ACTORS AND THE CREW AND THE AUDIENCE.)
Remember diction as you cry, Inez.
Stage Manager: "our last little PLAY"
PRETTY TRAP
confrontation between Amanda and Laura terrific!
nice on the stairs, Tom and Jim. Keep ringing the bell, Tom. You can make it a bit of a joke with Jim. "What? Nobody's home? I know they're there!"
good on lights! Excellent on sound
"Your mother's voice - Southern" -- "PERENNIAL SOUTHERN belle"
good reaction on "never knew a Jim who wasn't nice" or whatever -- Jim
nice look on "handsome gentleman" -- both Jim and Amanda
Great on "perennial Southern belle"
"I'm not coming out" -- great reaction, Amanda
Great reaction on "look like a witch" -- Tom and Amanda
More frantic on "dinner is served". You're upset, but then you pull yourself together, visibly.
Great on "Can't say grace; won't say grace".
Routine for Laura not taking Jim's hand saying grace: Jim, look at her -- Laura, look back shyly -- Jim, smile, gently, like "you can trust me" and then take her hand. Laura, look carefully at him -- ask yourself "can I trust him?" and then take his hand.
"rash promises" -- great, Tom
Great reaction on Amanda taking a look at you at the warehouse, Jim.
Tom: Good to know I HAVE a classification. (You didn't before.)
Great, everyone on "radio engineering".
Jim, react on "Tom Sr. was 'type number three'"
"Don't be shy with me" -- good. Also "sure, sure"
Laura, "delicate" -- this is a theme. "only music behind them" -- that's a lovely thing to leave behind.
She's mesmerizing, Jim.
Good putting unicorn and candles on the dining room table.
Take your time on "little (standing) . . . little (take her hand and look at how little it is) . . . look at her face. You're so moved you can barely speak -- she's so lovely -- so delicate -- "if you breathe, she breaks" -- in a low, shaking voice "girl".
Amanda -- too much dancing. Tell Tom that Jim kissed Laura, then spin away, take centre stage. One swing left, one left, hug yourself and laugh softly. Tom says you're a witch and you say you WERE a GIRL, just like Laura is.
Everyone who dances -- Inez, Horace, Mary Catherine, Jim and Laura -- let's get together on Monday at lunch to choreograph these dances more. Then perhaps Tuesday at lunch (if there is one with the pep rally) as well.
Good work, everyone. Our long dress rehearsal is on Monday after school. Come immediately after the bell so we can start, especially if you are in "Happy Journey". We will do notes after the run and Ms. Sakata has offered to pay for pizza! Tell your folks you might be at school until six.
Thursday, 26 November 2015
Thursday notes on rehearsal
This is just what I saw as I ran in and out. Unfortunately, I didn't see much of "The Dancers". Emma and Angus, try the dance together while you're waiting to go on. Emma, be harsh with him but try to look like you're enjoying yourself. Angus, watch your feet and apologize a lot.
Everyone! Diction! Speak clearly and almost all of you could stand to project more. React, react, react! Listen to what the other people say and respond to it. Choose the strongest emotions -- if it's a choice between mild liking and deep and abiding love, choose love.
Find stillness. Don't move unless you're motivated to do so. You should be able to articulate why you're moving if you move.
Practice "Ring Around the Rosie" -- it needs to go faster.
Cues -- don't wait for people
It's pronounced "Newerk" not "ark". Girls, you need sensible dress shoes.
Crew needs to start doing the signs. Ma -- slow down on "yewman" , more panic on collie dogs, more furious about what Arthur says.
Car action better.
Amy: School. Kind of. Nice. (Don't forget the "nice").
Tap Pa on the shoulder, Arthur, on "how many people live in the United States". Don't chew gum on stage.
"The Dancers" -- pretend to chew gum, Lila. Good attitude on the coffee. Emily, you hate your mom, not Inez.
Check your script, Inez.
Emily, don't cross your arms over your chest. That's a sign of a lack of confidence. Emily has confidence.
Mary Catherine, when Horace says "let's stay" show your disappointment.
When Mary Catherine says she was afraid she wouldn't be "popular", can you believe that, Horace?
Inez -- don't speak so quickly.
Pretty Trap:
More frantic on Mexico, parrots -- Amanda
Soften visibly, audibly on "I'm of a different generation"; make "cold" cold. "Do I look like a . . . witch?" harsh, in Laura's voice
Witch -- like a swear word
Amanda -- "Excuuuuuuse me!" (like Steve Martin, almost)
Emphasize RICH, old man, Amanda
"One girl was swept" -- that girl was you, Amanda
No black fingernails, Amanda
Great reaction, Laura on "One!"
That's it! See you tomorrow at 1.
Everyone! Diction! Speak clearly and almost all of you could stand to project more. React, react, react! Listen to what the other people say and respond to it. Choose the strongest emotions -- if it's a choice between mild liking and deep and abiding love, choose love.
Find stillness. Don't move unless you're motivated to do so. You should be able to articulate why you're moving if you move.
Practice "Ring Around the Rosie" -- it needs to go faster.
Cues -- don't wait for people
It's pronounced "Newerk" not "ark". Girls, you need sensible dress shoes.
Crew needs to start doing the signs. Ma -- slow down on "yewman" , more panic on collie dogs, more furious about what Arthur says.
Car action better.
Amy: School. Kind of. Nice. (Don't forget the "nice").
Tap Pa on the shoulder, Arthur, on "how many people live in the United States". Don't chew gum on stage.
"The Dancers" -- pretend to chew gum, Lila. Good attitude on the coffee. Emily, you hate your mom, not Inez.
Check your script, Inez.
Emily, don't cross your arms over your chest. That's a sign of a lack of confidence. Emily has confidence.
Mary Catherine, when Horace says "let's stay" show your disappointment.
When Mary Catherine says she was afraid she wouldn't be "popular", can you believe that, Horace?
Inez -- don't speak so quickly.
Pretty Trap:
More frantic on Mexico, parrots -- Amanda
Soften visibly, audibly on "I'm of a different generation"; make "cold" cold. "Do I look like a . . . witch?" harsh, in Laura's voice
Witch -- like a swear word
Amanda -- "Excuuuuuuse me!" (like Steve Martin, almost)
Emphasize RICH, old man, Amanda
"One girl was swept" -- that girl was you, Amanda
No black fingernails, Amanda
Great reaction, Laura on "One!"
That's it! See you tomorrow at 1.
Notes from rehearsal and updates
"Old Glory" rehearsal notes:
Obviously, I wasn't able to see the whole thing, so I don't know how it all went, and my notes will be general.
You really have to get beyond reciting your lines (and to do this, you need to know them!) You need to live the part. Imagine that you are the person you're playing and listen to what the other people say to you and react. That's a huge part of being convincing on stage. You listen to the other person like it's the first time you've ever heard what they're saying and then react to it. Choose the big emotions. If you're sad, be terribly sad. If you're excited, let's see wild excitement. The audience uses you as a way of exploring the extremes in emotion.
The laughs you're getting are helping you practice what to do when you get a laugh in the show. Wait for the laughter to die down a bit before you keep going. You don't want to discourage laughter by talking while people are laughing. Then they miss what you're saying.
Anyone who has to dance -- practice the steps so you don't have to look at your feet or count. Practice talking while dancing. Smile! Look like you're enjoying yourself.
You need energy on stage. Just because you're speaking quietly, it does not follow that your energy level drops.
Cheat to the audience. Don't turn your back. When you're in the car (Happy Journey), imagine you're looking out the front window at all the cool things passing by. Imagine you haven't been on many car trips -- everything is just amazing! Include the people who aren't talking in your conversation -- you can use them to cheat out.
Find stillness. Don't wander around the stage and don't move because you're nervous or because you think it's interesting (it isn't). You need to choose when to move and think about what motivates your movement and then not move around randomly or repetitively (which is irritating to the audience). Every move you make on stage should be motivated by something and you should be able to articulate what it is.
You need to be ready for your entrance!
Drama Classes: No journals today -- because it's not Friday.
Grade 8's: Make sure you bring music to accompany your extended mime on Monday. It should be instrumental music.
Everyone else: Memorize the "speak the speech" passage. We will recite on Wednesday.
Obviously, I wasn't able to see the whole thing, so I don't know how it all went, and my notes will be general.
You really have to get beyond reciting your lines (and to do this, you need to know them!) You need to live the part. Imagine that you are the person you're playing and listen to what the other people say to you and react. That's a huge part of being convincing on stage. You listen to the other person like it's the first time you've ever heard what they're saying and then react to it. Choose the big emotions. If you're sad, be terribly sad. If you're excited, let's see wild excitement. The audience uses you as a way of exploring the extremes in emotion.
The laughs you're getting are helping you practice what to do when you get a laugh in the show. Wait for the laughter to die down a bit before you keep going. You don't want to discourage laughter by talking while people are laughing. Then they miss what you're saying.
Anyone who has to dance -- practice the steps so you don't have to look at your feet or count. Practice talking while dancing. Smile! Look like you're enjoying yourself.
You need energy on stage. Just because you're speaking quietly, it does not follow that your energy level drops.
Cheat to the audience. Don't turn your back. When you're in the car (Happy Journey), imagine you're looking out the front window at all the cool things passing by. Imagine you haven't been on many car trips -- everything is just amazing! Include the people who aren't talking in your conversation -- you can use them to cheat out.
Find stillness. Don't wander around the stage and don't move because you're nervous or because you think it's interesting (it isn't). You need to choose when to move and think about what motivates your movement and then not move around randomly or repetitively (which is irritating to the audience). Every move you make on stage should be motivated by something and you should be able to articulate what it is.
You need to be ready for your entrance!
Drama Classes: No journals today -- because it's not Friday.
Grade 8's: Make sure you bring music to accompany your extended mime on Monday. It should be instrumental music.
Everyone else: Memorize the "speak the speech" passage. We will recite on Wednesday.
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
Memory passage for D Block!
Oops, I must have been in a fugue state and wrote "if you mime it" instead of "if you mouth it"! Don't say "mime"; say "mouth".
Drama Club: You MUST know your lines. You can't act if you don't know what to say and other people can't act with you, either. You don't want to stand there in stony silence and search for what to say -- that's the actor's nightmare (and the director's). Once you know your lines, that's when you start acting. If you don't know your lines now, you'd better learn them lickety split. We open in a week and a day.
Drama Club: You MUST know your lines. You can't act if you don't know what to say and other people can't act with you, either. You don't want to stand there in stony silence and search for what to say -- that's the actor's nightmare (and the director's). Once you know your lines, that's when you start acting. If you don't know your lines now, you'd better learn them lickety split. We open in a week and a day.
Friday, 20 November 2015
November 20 Journals
Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue. But if you mime it, as many of your players do, I had as lief the town crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your hands, thus; but use all gently. For in the very torrent, tempest and, as I may say, whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance, that may give it smoothness.
Senior Drama - this is your memory passage.
Grade 8 journal: Write about your skills in working as a part of a group. What skills do you have in this regard? In which ways can you improve? Are you a good leader? Explain why or why not. Tell a story about an experience you had working with a group and what you learned from it.
Senior Drama: Remember your Remembrance Day journal!
Senior Drama - this is your memory passage.
Grade 8 journal: Write about your skills in working as a part of a group. What skills do you have in this regard? In which ways can you improve? Are you a good leader? Explain why or why not. Tell a story about an experience you had working with a group and what you learned from it.
Senior Drama: Remember your Remembrance Day journal!
Friday, 13 November 2015
All the world's a stage!
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man, in his time, plays many parts.
Grade 8 journal: What should Ms. Kosar know about you? You should include any drama experience you have or if you have none. You can mention things you did in elementary school, or outside of school, hobbies you have, performances you've been in (even musical performances or athletic ones). Do you have stage fright? Have you ever done any public speaking? What are your thoughts about Drama so far? Anything you think might help me teach you better!
Grade 9/10;Theatre Production 11/12
Your thoughts on our Remembrance Day ceremony this week.
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man, in his time, plays many parts.
Grade 8 journal: What should Ms. Kosar know about you? You should include any drama experience you have or if you have none. You can mention things you did in elementary school, or outside of school, hobbies you have, performances you've been in (even musical performances or athletic ones). Do you have stage fright? Have you ever done any public speaking? What are your thoughts about Drama so far? Anything you think might help me teach you better!
Grade 9/10;Theatre Production 11/12
Your thoughts on our Remembrance Day ceremony this week.
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Notes for "The Dancers" rehearsal on November 10
Great to be able to do a run through! It gives us a real sense of the play as a story. Please try to clear your schedules for the next while so we can continue to do these runs.
Opening scene: Inez, Emily and Elizabeth - pick this up! It needs to bounce along. Don't wait between lines. That's death to any comedy in the scene and it should be funny. All of you need to "work the room" -- cheat out! Don't clump up in that corner -- use the theatre.
Know your lines by November 16.
Rachel, Sophie needs a watch. Horace and Herman need a suitcase for their first entrance. I think a nice bit of business in this scene would be that Inez comes in with a drink (with ice in it to make a sound) and Herman takes it from her and drinks it while Inez berates Horace. We need a box with a corsage in it.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO PROJECT! Think of words you want to emphasize in all your speeches - like "stuff". Inez, use Herman to back you up and Herman, back her up with nods. (This is on P. 33, not when you tentatively defy her later in the play.)
Inez and Horace, you need to practice dancing together. Inez, you need to be confident dancing. Horace, you can look at your feet a lot and mouth counting "one, two, one-two".
Sophie, you need to get used to not wearing your hat as Emily.
Elizabeth, you are very nervous with Horace. Let's see a lot of sweaty palms and dry lips. When she lies to you, Horace, you need to react. You've heard the yelling and you know she's lying. When you say, "yes, ma'am. I do understand", you really do. After Horace leaves, Elizabeth -- you are soooo embarrassed! Let's see that.
You all need to figure out how to get to your entrance. Avoid rubbing up against the curtains.
Inez, Herman says you've pushed Horace. You push Herman, too. Let's see that in your scenes together.
Mary Catherine, enter in a funk on page 40. You need to break your speeches into "beats". What are you going for from moment to moment? What do you want in each sentence? I liked how you backed up Emily on Page 41. When Emily asks you to go with her, give Horace a glance. He might be one of the reasons you don't want to go with her. Page 42, Mary Catherine, use the pauses to reflect momentarily on what you really mean. Play the subtext.
Horace, let's see the subtext on "Yes. She's very pretty." What are you saying to Mary Catherine? She asks you if you think Emily is beautiful. You say she's pretty. What does that mean? Is "pretty" as good as "beautiful"?
Mary Catherine, be careful with diction in your big speech on p. 44. Make a big change at the end of the raft sentence.
Tom, be warmer as Dad. You really love Mary Catherine and are proud of her. Don't be bashful. You are a strong guy.
Horace, when you ask Mary Catherine if she would rather go to business school, you can't imagine that she would. It's a dead end. Use the pause after she says her dad was relieved. You are changing the subject completely. I really liked how you did "How do you get confidence?" and "Oh, is that how it's done?"
You all need to cheat out and face the audience as much as possible.
Horace, on page 46, when you get to "I know I'd gain the confidence", you're done stammering. You're on a roll.
Inez, for your entrance on page 46, come in from behind the blue curtain. "She has eaten dirt" is your big triumph. Don't upstage yourself in this scene. Make Horace come to you.
Mary Catherine, when you tell Horace you know how he feels, you really do. It's the truth. When you tell him it's your first dance, that's a confession. When you say you're afraid you wouldn't be popular, you're embarrassed and I think I would choose to laugh at myself a bit at that point.
The ending needs to make us (the audience) really happy. The good guys have won! We need to root for you (Mary Catherine and Horace)!
Opening scene: Inez, Emily and Elizabeth - pick this up! It needs to bounce along. Don't wait between lines. That's death to any comedy in the scene and it should be funny. All of you need to "work the room" -- cheat out! Don't clump up in that corner -- use the theatre.
Know your lines by November 16.
Rachel, Sophie needs a watch. Horace and Herman need a suitcase for their first entrance. I think a nice bit of business in this scene would be that Inez comes in with a drink (with ice in it to make a sound) and Herman takes it from her and drinks it while Inez berates Horace. We need a box with a corsage in it.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO PROJECT! Think of words you want to emphasize in all your speeches - like "stuff". Inez, use Herman to back you up and Herman, back her up with nods. (This is on P. 33, not when you tentatively defy her later in the play.)
Inez and Horace, you need to practice dancing together. Inez, you need to be confident dancing. Horace, you can look at your feet a lot and mouth counting "one, two, one-two".
Sophie, you need to get used to not wearing your hat as Emily.
Elizabeth, you are very nervous with Horace. Let's see a lot of sweaty palms and dry lips. When she lies to you, Horace, you need to react. You've heard the yelling and you know she's lying. When you say, "yes, ma'am. I do understand", you really do. After Horace leaves, Elizabeth -- you are soooo embarrassed! Let's see that.
You all need to figure out how to get to your entrance. Avoid rubbing up against the curtains.
Inez, Herman says you've pushed Horace. You push Herman, too. Let's see that in your scenes together.
Mary Catherine, enter in a funk on page 40. You need to break your speeches into "beats". What are you going for from moment to moment? What do you want in each sentence? I liked how you backed up Emily on Page 41. When Emily asks you to go with her, give Horace a glance. He might be one of the reasons you don't want to go with her. Page 42, Mary Catherine, use the pauses to reflect momentarily on what you really mean. Play the subtext.
Horace, let's see the subtext on "Yes. She's very pretty." What are you saying to Mary Catherine? She asks you if you think Emily is beautiful. You say she's pretty. What does that mean? Is "pretty" as good as "beautiful"?
Mary Catherine, be careful with diction in your big speech on p. 44. Make a big change at the end of the raft sentence.
Tom, be warmer as Dad. You really love Mary Catherine and are proud of her. Don't be bashful. You are a strong guy.
Horace, when you ask Mary Catherine if she would rather go to business school, you can't imagine that she would. It's a dead end. Use the pause after she says her dad was relieved. You are changing the subject completely. I really liked how you did "How do you get confidence?" and "Oh, is that how it's done?"
You all need to cheat out and face the audience as much as possible.
Horace, on page 46, when you get to "I know I'd gain the confidence", you're done stammering. You're on a roll.
Inez, for your entrance on page 46, come in from behind the blue curtain. "She has eaten dirt" is your big triumph. Don't upstage yourself in this scene. Make Horace come to you.
Mary Catherine, when you tell Horace you know how he feels, you really do. It's the truth. When you tell him it's your first dance, that's a confession. When you say you're afraid you wouldn't be popular, you're embarrassed and I think I would choose to laugh at myself a bit at that point.
The ending needs to make us (the audience) really happy. The good guys have won! We need to root for you (Mary Catherine and Horace)!
Monday, 9 November 2015
Lest We Forget
Firstly, I want to say to the Grade 8's that I wish you all the very best in Art and that I thoroughly enjoyed your work in Drama! Please make sure you check the posted marks and let me know if I've made a mistake. And thank you all for your creativity and hard work in class.
As most of you know, Wednesday is Remembrance Day. It is a day to think about all the Canadians who have made sacrifices in war so that we could live in such a safe and free place. This year, especially, we have the recent election and exchange of power to remind us that we are so very lucky to live in such a place. Mr. Harper did not, for a moment, consider trying to hold on to power but understood that the people (all of us as Canadians) had spoken and, as many democracy lovers would say, "the voters are never wrong". I am proud of many things about Canada and this is one of them -- our love for "order and good government". They may seem like rather dull virtues, but I think there is something to be said for dullness. I don't think a battle is dull but I wouldn't want to live in one.
We will have our remembrance ceremony tomorrow at school. Remember to be respectful and take a moment to think about what it would be like to have to fight in a war, to have to climb up out of your trench and run forward and hope you wouldn't be killed. I can't imagine. I have told many of you that my father was a Canadian soldier in World War 2 -- he signed up in 1939 and served in Europe until 1946. He was a guy who liked to tell stories and make jokes and laugh, but my uncle said when my dad came back from the war, he hardly spoke a word for almost a year. He had trouble sleeping and when he did fall asleep, he would wake up screaming. My dad never spoke about this to us. Most of his stories about the war were funny -- about the crazy adventures they had when they were on leave and how bad the food was. He did tell us one story that wasn't funny. He was part of the Canadian army that liberated France. They all knew the war was close to ending -- he said you could tell the Germans were on their last legs. It was early one morning and my dad got up early and had taken a bucket to get water to wash his face. He hadn't taken his gun. He was washing his face in the bucket when he saw something moving on the horizon. His eyes were full of water and he couldn't make out what was moving at first. He finally realized it was a man on a bicycle. Then, to his abject terror, he realized it was a German soldier. He knew he didn't have time to run and get his gun, so he just stood there as the German soldier approached. "Nicht schiessen!" the German soldier said as he got close enough for my father to see him clearly. (That means, "don't shoot" - my father thought he should say the same to the German.) The young man on the bike got off and came up to my father and handed him his gun, which my father took. Somehow the German soldier was able to communicate to my dad that the war was over and that he was surrendering. My dad said his hands were shaking as he offered the German a cigarette and smoked one himself. And when my dad told us the story, he said, "that's how I found out the war was over". And he cried. My dad didn't cry very often, and he said, through his tears, "I don't know why I'm crying now. I didn't cry when it happened." I always think of my dear little dad (he was a small man, only 5'7") when I attend the ceremony at the Port Moody cenotaph. He was a young guy who had grown up in the hard times of the 1930's in Saskatchewan and had never been out of Canada. I will never know what it was like for him, but it must have been awful. Thank goodness he was able to recover and move on and build a life with us and my mother.
I hope many of you will try to go out to the Richmond cenotaph to observe Remembrance Day. Those who do not remember their history are doomed to repeat it.
As most of you know, Wednesday is Remembrance Day. It is a day to think about all the Canadians who have made sacrifices in war so that we could live in such a safe and free place. This year, especially, we have the recent election and exchange of power to remind us that we are so very lucky to live in such a place. Mr. Harper did not, for a moment, consider trying to hold on to power but understood that the people (all of us as Canadians) had spoken and, as many democracy lovers would say, "the voters are never wrong". I am proud of many things about Canada and this is one of them -- our love for "order and good government". They may seem like rather dull virtues, but I think there is something to be said for dullness. I don't think a battle is dull but I wouldn't want to live in one.
We will have our remembrance ceremony tomorrow at school. Remember to be respectful and take a moment to think about what it would be like to have to fight in a war, to have to climb up out of your trench and run forward and hope you wouldn't be killed. I can't imagine. I have told many of you that my father was a Canadian soldier in World War 2 -- he signed up in 1939 and served in Europe until 1946. He was a guy who liked to tell stories and make jokes and laugh, but my uncle said when my dad came back from the war, he hardly spoke a word for almost a year. He had trouble sleeping and when he did fall asleep, he would wake up screaming. My dad never spoke about this to us. Most of his stories about the war were funny -- about the crazy adventures they had when they were on leave and how bad the food was. He did tell us one story that wasn't funny. He was part of the Canadian army that liberated France. They all knew the war was close to ending -- he said you could tell the Germans were on their last legs. It was early one morning and my dad got up early and had taken a bucket to get water to wash his face. He hadn't taken his gun. He was washing his face in the bucket when he saw something moving on the horizon. His eyes were full of water and he couldn't make out what was moving at first. He finally realized it was a man on a bicycle. Then, to his abject terror, he realized it was a German soldier. He knew he didn't have time to run and get his gun, so he just stood there as the German soldier approached. "Nicht schiessen!" the German soldier said as he got close enough for my father to see him clearly. (That means, "don't shoot" - my father thought he should say the same to the German.) The young man on the bike got off and came up to my father and handed him his gun, which my father took. Somehow the German soldier was able to communicate to my dad that the war was over and that he was surrendering. My dad said his hands were shaking as he offered the German a cigarette and smoked one himself. And when my dad told us the story, he said, "that's how I found out the war was over". And he cried. My dad didn't cry very often, and he said, through his tears, "I don't know why I'm crying now. I didn't cry when it happened." I always think of my dear little dad (he was a small man, only 5'7") when I attend the ceremony at the Port Moody cenotaph. He was a young guy who had grown up in the hard times of the 1930's in Saskatchewan and had never been out of Canada. I will never know what it was like for him, but it must have been awful. Thank goodness he was able to recover and move on and build a life with us and my mother.
I hope many of you will try to go out to the Richmond cenotaph to observe Remembrance Day. Those who do not remember their history are doomed to repeat it.
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Latest Update!
Report cards are due tomorrow by 3:00 p.m.!
Make sure you hand in your last journals (Grade 8) about which "show and tell" was most memorable and your evaluation of your own speech.
Make sure you hand in your last journals (Grade 8) about which "show and tell" was most memorable and your evaluation of your own speech.
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Don't blink
D Block Drama: Write about what you contributed to Charlie's Funhouse. Describe your experience during the event. What went well? What could have been improved? How did the "guests" respond? Was it gratifying? Did you enjoy the project? Explain why or why not.
Grade 8 Drama: What did you choose to speak about for "show and tell"? Why did you choose it? How did your speech go? Whose speech was most memorable? Explain why.
Grade 8 Drama: What did you choose to speak about for "show and tell"? Why did you choose it? How did your speech go? Whose speech was most memorable? Explain why.
Sunday, 25 October 2015
Belonging
I went to the Writers Festival at Granville Island on the professional day. This is my favourite of the professional days because the writers you see discussing their books are so inspiring and compelling, it carries you through the rest of the school year with thought provoking ideas and ways of looking at what we do and how we live
The session on "belonging" was great. All of us want to belong and most of the time, we question whether we do or not. Most of us feel "weird", like we don't really fit in. But, in fact, no matter how "weird" we are, we share more with other people than the things that separate us. All the writers (Brian Brett, Michael V. Smith, Camilla Gibb and Charlie Demers) felt that they were the "other", especially when they were young people -- but the experiences they describe in their books (and this is why books are so great) make you realize that we all share these experiences, especially the feeling of being outside looking in.
Brian Brett spoke about his most recent book, Tuco, which is about his 25 year relationship with an African grey parrot named Tuco. I bought the book, but haven't read it yet (and I'm always nervous about reading a book about an animal, because they are often terribly heart-wrenching and I don't need my heart wrenched, especially not now.) He talked about how Tuco taught him lessons about how we "other" the natural world, the landscape and wild creatures and we do it at our peril, because we live in the natural world and if we don't realize we're part of it, then we will destroy it.
I just finished a book called The Theory of Clouds and part of it focused on a Victorian scientist who travelled to Borneo ostensibly to study cloud formations and weather patterns. He felt frustrated because the world was so different there and the jungle was so oppressive and unrelenting. He was left alone by his companions who were big game hunters and encountered a female orang-utan with her baby at a stream. She looked with curiosity at him and he returned her gaze and they had one of those moments of unity, where you realize that these connections are real -- that we share a great deal more with other living creatures than we are "other". Then the hunters crash out of the jungle and kill her and her baby and celebrate their victory over the dangerous creatures of nature. It seems to embody those two ways of seeing -- that we are all part of a great whole . . . or that what's not with us is against us. I wasn't crazy about a lot of the book, but this particular event will stay with me.
As far as school goes, the theatre is going to be a scary place on Thursday and Friday. Instead of its usual friendly atmosphere, it will be decked out as Charlie's Frightful Funhouse. A group of children is lost and the last time they were seen, they were going into Charlie's Funhouse -- come in and see if you can locate them!
The session on "belonging" was great. All of us want to belong and most of the time, we question whether we do or not. Most of us feel "weird", like we don't really fit in. But, in fact, no matter how "weird" we are, we share more with other people than the things that separate us. All the writers (Brian Brett, Michael V. Smith, Camilla Gibb and Charlie Demers) felt that they were the "other", especially when they were young people -- but the experiences they describe in their books (and this is why books are so great) make you realize that we all share these experiences, especially the feeling of being outside looking in.
Brian Brett spoke about his most recent book, Tuco, which is about his 25 year relationship with an African grey parrot named Tuco. I bought the book, but haven't read it yet (and I'm always nervous about reading a book about an animal, because they are often terribly heart-wrenching and I don't need my heart wrenched, especially not now.) He talked about how Tuco taught him lessons about how we "other" the natural world, the landscape and wild creatures and we do it at our peril, because we live in the natural world and if we don't realize we're part of it, then we will destroy it.
I just finished a book called The Theory of Clouds and part of it focused on a Victorian scientist who travelled to Borneo ostensibly to study cloud formations and weather patterns. He felt frustrated because the world was so different there and the jungle was so oppressive and unrelenting. He was left alone by his companions who were big game hunters and encountered a female orang-utan with her baby at a stream. She looked with curiosity at him and he returned her gaze and they had one of those moments of unity, where you realize that these connections are real -- that we share a great deal more with other living creatures than we are "other". Then the hunters crash out of the jungle and kill her and her baby and celebrate their victory over the dangerous creatures of nature. It seems to embody those two ways of seeing -- that we are all part of a great whole . . . or that what's not with us is against us. I wasn't crazy about a lot of the book, but this particular event will stay with me.
As far as school goes, the theatre is going to be a scary place on Thursday and Friday. Instead of its usual friendly atmosphere, it will be decked out as Charlie's Frightful Funhouse. A group of children is lost and the last time they were seen, they were going into Charlie's Funhouse -- come in and see if you can locate them!
Friday, 16 October 2015
Scary, kids!
Write a script for a brief scary scene based on one of the titles from today(one page or less). Create character names and use the atmosphere of mystery and suspense in your scene.
Critical Thinking!
Write a review of one of the fairy tale mimes you saw (not your own). Give your review a catchy title and write your impressions (both good and bad) of the performance. Focus on one particular aspect of the presentation (for example, one person's performance or the selections of music, the costumes, whatever you noticed particularly. Conclude your review with whether the audience would want to see the performance again.
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
"Bums" in the seats
Theatre Production 11/12
Your journal for this week: How will you get "bums in the seats" (that's an old theatre saying that means you have to get audience members for your show) for the Hallowe'en Scary Place project? Think of traditional ways to attract attention and inspire interest and also untraditional ways! Write actual copy for an ad we could run on the announcements.
Drama 9/10:
Your journal for this week: What is going well in your heritage project rehearsals? What is presenting difficulties? How do you propose to build on the positive and solve the challenges in putting the thing together?
Where and when does your particular story take place? What kinds of clothes would the characters wear? What songs/music should set the atmosphere for your part of the presentation? (You might need to do a bit of research.)
When completing your journals, make sure you answer all the questions!
Your journal for this week: How will you get "bums in the seats" (that's an old theatre saying that means you have to get audience members for your show) for the Hallowe'en Scary Place project? Think of traditional ways to attract attention and inspire interest and also untraditional ways! Write actual copy for an ad we could run on the announcements.
Drama 9/10:
Your journal for this week: What is going well in your heritage project rehearsals? What is presenting difficulties? How do you propose to build on the positive and solve the challenges in putting the thing together?
Where and when does your particular story take place? What kinds of clothes would the characters wear? What songs/music should set the atmosphere for your part of the presentation? (You might need to do a bit of research.)
When completing your journals, make sure you answer all the questions!
Practice makes perfect
Grade 8's: This is your journal for Friday, October 9. Write about what you contributed to your fairy tale mime group. Which ideas did you come up with? Which role did you play? How did you create the character? (Write about costume, facial expression, body language, how you related to other characters, what you did in the scene.) Did the group work well together? Did anyone do anything special to make the play great? (Explain what that person did.) Did anyone hinder the progress of the group? I try to observe your rehearsal process, but it is helpful if you can answer these questions as specifically as possible to provide me with insight into the inner workings of your group.
Thursday, 1 October 2015
Seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness
That's from a lovely poem by John Keats called "Ode to Autumn". Doesn't it just express what fall is? I hope some of you were able to take in the lunar eclipse on Sunday. We couldn't see the red beginnings because the moon was too low on the horizon but we watched the earth's shadow march across the surface of the moon. All the neighbours were out to watch as well. It's nice when people can get together on something like that.
We have cast the play, which we're calling "Old Glory" now, in honour of the American flag. Rehearsals will start in earnest next week. If you are going to help with the play, either on stage or behind the scenes, please make sure to do your part. It is wonderful to be part of a theatrical effort, but it does require a lot of work.
Grade 8's: Your journal topic for Friday is: Are you good at working with other people? What skills and abilities do you have that make you a good team player? Do you have any shortcomings you need to work on? (Everyone can improve, so think of something.) Write about an experience you had working in a group -- it can be either a positive or a negative experience. Are you a good leader? Why or why not?
Your show and tell speeches will happen at the end of October. You might want to start thinking about your speech now.
1. Choose something about which you can speak for 2 minutes. It can be ANYTHING, as long as it generates a good, engaging story.
2. Jot down some ideas about what you want to say. You could briefly describe the object, tell how you acquired it, why it is important to you, with whom you associate it, anything that will make the audience interested. Think about what would interest you. Think about why the item is important to you. If you are interested in it, it is likely that we will be, too. Don't be afraid to be enthusiastic.
3. Plan what you are going to say. Prepare cue cards, if that will help. (It would help me.) You can say what you think you might say in your speech and write it down, or you can write it down first. This is your process and you can experiment with what works best, but you do need to have a plan and stick to it.
4. Practice saying your speech. Time it and make sure it is about 2 minutes long. Say it to someone you trust and ask them for feedback.
5. Practice speaking slowly and clearly and projecting your voice. Remember to try to appear to be confident, even if you don't feel confident. Let your enthusiasm for the item shine through. That will help engage the audience. When you present, stand centerstage. Don't move around too much. Make eye contact with the audience. Keep your head up.
6. Don't use repetitive words and phrases (like "y'know" and "that sort of thing" and "sort of"). Don't begin your speech with "so" and don't end it with "yeah".
7. It can be a good idea to start your speech with a question that involves the audience's experience, for example, "have you ever been lost in a foreign city?" or "do any of you have a part time job?" End the speech with some sort of conclusion, perhaps a lesson you've learned or an experience we can identify with. "In conclusion, winning this medal taught me that you can never give up because, as Yogi Beara said, 'it ain't over, till it's over'" or "I guess we should always listen to the advice of our parents!"
Let me know if you have any questions about this assignment.
Grade 9/10's: Which heritage story is the best in your group? Why do you think so? What role are you going to play in the acting of the story? Describe how you will create a character. (Provide details.)
Theatre Production 11/12: What literary tie-in have you thought of for your scary place project? How will you incorporate it into your plans? What part of the scary place project will you be putting together? Give details.
We have started rehearsals for "Old Glory", the fall play. Pop in to the theatre at lunch or after school any day next week to see what's happening.
We have cast the play, which we're calling "Old Glory" now, in honour of the American flag. Rehearsals will start in earnest next week. If you are going to help with the play, either on stage or behind the scenes, please make sure to do your part. It is wonderful to be part of a theatrical effort, but it does require a lot of work.
Grade 8's: Your journal topic for Friday is: Are you good at working with other people? What skills and abilities do you have that make you a good team player? Do you have any shortcomings you need to work on? (Everyone can improve, so think of something.) Write about an experience you had working in a group -- it can be either a positive or a negative experience. Are you a good leader? Why or why not?
Your show and tell speeches will happen at the end of October. You might want to start thinking about your speech now.
1. Choose something about which you can speak for 2 minutes. It can be ANYTHING, as long as it generates a good, engaging story.
2. Jot down some ideas about what you want to say. You could briefly describe the object, tell how you acquired it, why it is important to you, with whom you associate it, anything that will make the audience interested. Think about what would interest you. Think about why the item is important to you. If you are interested in it, it is likely that we will be, too. Don't be afraid to be enthusiastic.
3. Plan what you are going to say. Prepare cue cards, if that will help. (It would help me.) You can say what you think you might say in your speech and write it down, or you can write it down first. This is your process and you can experiment with what works best, but you do need to have a plan and stick to it.
4. Practice saying your speech. Time it and make sure it is about 2 minutes long. Say it to someone you trust and ask them for feedback.
5. Practice speaking slowly and clearly and projecting your voice. Remember to try to appear to be confident, even if you don't feel confident. Let your enthusiasm for the item shine through. That will help engage the audience. When you present, stand centerstage. Don't move around too much. Make eye contact with the audience. Keep your head up.
6. Don't use repetitive words and phrases (like "y'know" and "that sort of thing" and "sort of"). Don't begin your speech with "so" and don't end it with "yeah".
7. It can be a good idea to start your speech with a question that involves the audience's experience, for example, "have you ever been lost in a foreign city?" or "do any of you have a part time job?" End the speech with some sort of conclusion, perhaps a lesson you've learned or an experience we can identify with. "In conclusion, winning this medal taught me that you can never give up because, as Yogi Beara said, 'it ain't over, till it's over'" or "I guess we should always listen to the advice of our parents!"
Let me know if you have any questions about this assignment.
Grade 9/10's: Which heritage story is the best in your group? Why do you think so? What role are you going to play in the acting of the story? Describe how you will create a character. (Provide details.)
Theatre Production 11/12: What literary tie-in have you thought of for your scary place project? How will you incorporate it into your plans? What part of the scary place project will you be putting together? Give details.
We have started rehearsals for "Old Glory", the fall play. Pop in to the theatre at lunch or after school any day next week to see what's happening.
Thursday, 24 September 2015
Hail, fellow, well met!
It's "Meet the Teacher" tonight! Make sure you tell your families that the school is open for visits from 6:30 until 8 tonight. Ms. Sakata will speak in the gym at 6:30 and then, at 7, families will go through your daily schedule, and get 10 minutes to meet all of your teachers this semester. (We'll do a second "meet the teacher" in 2nd semester.) I will be getting everyone to sit in a circle, just like we do in class, and then I'll talk a bit about how drama works here and answer any questions people might have. It's an informal atmosphere and you are welcome to come along if you'd like to introduce your folks to me. I look forward to seeing some of you tonight.
Don't forget Spirit Week next week! It's fun to join in and see what people come up with in the costume department. Drama students are often leaders in this respect! Monday is Jersey Day, Tuesday is Backwards Day, Wednesday - Fashion Disaster, Thursday - Colour Wars (check out the posters to see what colour your grade is supposed to wear), and Friday - Pajama Day!
You have one more chance to see the Titus Andronicus spoof -- it has been held over as one of the "picks of the Fringe" (a great honour) and will be performed on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Revue Stage on Granville Island! Well done, Mark!
Just an update on what we're up to these days:
Grade 8's: Great work on the tableaus (my favourite mode of presentation). Remember what makes a good tableau: a focal point, stillness, a dramatic moment, variety in your roles and positions and attention to visual detail.
Remember, you will be reciting "All the world's a stage" on either Monday or Tuesday of next week. Practice it a few times a day over the weekend, and you will have no problem. Remember to speak clearly and project your voice! Your audience should be able to relax and enjoy your performance.
Grade 9/10's: Make sure you have handed in your heritage story. Everyone is expected to contribute. If you can write it and use the story arc we've talked about (introduction of setting and characters, conflict, rising action, climax, denouement) all the better.
Theatre Production: You need to continue to think about the "scary place" project!
Today, we saw the heritage examples. Try to learn from those experiences. Use the curtains (blues and legs and travellers) to frame your stage picture. Make sure that what the audience sees is INTENTIONAL. You need to start preparing a sound and light plot to guide you through a performance. You can't just "wing" it. You shouldn't use music during scenes of dialogue. Coordinate sound effects with the movement of the actors on stage. This stuff should be practiced so it goes smoothly in performance.
Enjoy your long weekend. See you on Monday!
Don't forget Spirit Week next week! It's fun to join in and see what people come up with in the costume department. Drama students are often leaders in this respect! Monday is Jersey Day, Tuesday is Backwards Day, Wednesday - Fashion Disaster, Thursday - Colour Wars (check out the posters to see what colour your grade is supposed to wear), and Friday - Pajama Day!
You have one more chance to see the Titus Andronicus spoof -- it has been held over as one of the "picks of the Fringe" (a great honour) and will be performed on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Revue Stage on Granville Island! Well done, Mark!
Just an update on what we're up to these days:
Grade 8's: Great work on the tableaus (my favourite mode of presentation). Remember what makes a good tableau: a focal point, stillness, a dramatic moment, variety in your roles and positions and attention to visual detail.
Remember, you will be reciting "All the world's a stage" on either Monday or Tuesday of next week. Practice it a few times a day over the weekend, and you will have no problem. Remember to speak clearly and project your voice! Your audience should be able to relax and enjoy your performance.
Grade 9/10's: Make sure you have handed in your heritage story. Everyone is expected to contribute. If you can write it and use the story arc we've talked about (introduction of setting and characters, conflict, rising action, climax, denouement) all the better.
Theatre Production: You need to continue to think about the "scary place" project!
Today, we saw the heritage examples. Try to learn from those experiences. Use the curtains (blues and legs and travellers) to frame your stage picture. Make sure that what the audience sees is INTENTIONAL. You need to start preparing a sound and light plot to guide you through a performance. You can't just "wing" it. You shouldn't use music during scenes of dialogue. Coordinate sound effects with the movement of the actors on stage. This stuff should be practiced so it goes smoothly in performance.
Enjoy your long weekend. See you on Monday!
Friday, 18 September 2015
The Light and Delightful Musical Comedy of Titus Andronicus
Remember I mentioned the Fringe? Well, it turns out one of our favourite SLSS theatre alumni is working one of the shows featured at the Fringe! I'm sure some of you older kids remember Mark, who used to act and work in the booth for many of our shows (no last names since this is the school blog)! Mark is the assistant technical director for the show named above and if you want some theatrical fun, you should pop over to the Firehall Theatre on Cordova Street in Vancouver on Saturday at 7:45 or on Sunday at 2:45 to see the show. It is based on Shakespeare's bloodiest and goriest play, "Titus Andronicus", but the premise is that Shakespeare loves the story and wants to bring it to a wider audience, so he decides to rewrite it as a musical comedy. If you read my earlier blog, you know I like to see a lot of actors on stage, and this show delivers with fifteen dynamic actors, dancers and singers. The energy and enthusiasm of the performers is really appealing and I was laughing and tapping my foot throughout the show. And it looks and sounds fabulous (due to Mark's skill, I'm sure -- he's very good at what he does). There is a live musical combo on stage to accompany the actors and the script sticks to the basic story (very difficult when trying to turn it into a comedy) with a few remediations to make it a little less horrible. It's 90 minutes of laughs and fun and it's going to rain most of the weekend, so it's a perfect time to take in a play.
Make sure you tell Mark "Ms. Kosar sent me"!
Make sure you tell Mark "Ms. Kosar sent me"!
Thursday, 17 September 2015
Rainy days and Mondays
That's from a song by a 1970's group called "The Carpenters" -- a classic of pop music!
Journal for tomorrow (for 9/10's):
Write your heritage story. It can be dramatic or comedic, but it should provide the basis for an exciting performance. Try to provide detail -- that makes your story more compelling. The most important part of a story is the intro -- that's what hooks your reader (or viewer) and makes them care about the characters. Tell as much as you can about the protagonist of your story. Talk to your family about this project -- you might learn some things about your background that you didn't know before!
Theatre Production:
What have you discussed so far about the "scary place" project? What are you thinking of doing?
Remember! We are going to see Mr. Trovato's presentation on Monday -- think of some questions you could ask him about his party's policies or about the election in general. Talk about the election with your parents. What issues are important to them? What do they think about the ideas put forward by the different people running for office? Have they decided for whom they will vote? We had a good discussion this morning -- I was very impressed by your comments and your questions -- you are all thoughtful and concerned citizens. What other issues besides the legalization of marijuana are you interested in?
Theatre sports tomorrow! Read the newspaper to prepare!
Journal for tomorrow (for 9/10's):
Write your heritage story. It can be dramatic or comedic, but it should provide the basis for an exciting performance. Try to provide detail -- that makes your story more compelling. The most important part of a story is the intro -- that's what hooks your reader (or viewer) and makes them care about the characters. Tell as much as you can about the protagonist of your story. Talk to your family about this project -- you might learn some things about your background that you didn't know before!
Theatre Production:
What have you discussed so far about the "scary place" project? What are you thinking of doing?
Remember! We are going to see Mr. Trovato's presentation on Monday -- think of some questions you could ask him about his party's policies or about the election in general. Talk about the election with your parents. What issues are important to them? What do they think about the ideas put forward by the different people running for office? Have they decided for whom they will vote? We had a good discussion this morning -- I was very impressed by your comments and your questions -- you are all thoughtful and concerned citizens. What other issues besides the legalization of marijuana are you interested in?
Theatre sports tomorrow! Read the newspaper to prepare!
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
Hamlet's advice to the players
Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to
you, trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth it,
as many of your players do, I had as lief the
town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air
too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently;
for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as I may say,
the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget
a temperance that may give it smoothness.
Grade 9/10's: This is your recitation passage. Theatre production students, it never hurts to learn a bit of Shakespeare, so you can do it, too!
Theatre production: Don't get obsessed with light and sound. That's not going to make your scary place scary enough. You need literary references and some sort of narrative!
Grade 8's, have a great time at camp! Most students mention Grade 8 camp as one of the most memorable events of their time at high school, so I know you'll have a great time and come back with new friends and lots of great stories and adventures to remember.
Remember, journals should be handed in today.
you, trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth it,
as many of your players do, I had as lief the
town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air
too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently;
for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as I may say,
the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget
a temperance that may give it smoothness.
Grade 9/10's: This is your recitation passage. Theatre production students, it never hurts to learn a bit of Shakespeare, so you can do it, too!
Theatre production: Don't get obsessed with light and sound. That's not going to make your scary place scary enough. You need literary references and some sort of narrative!
Grade 8's, have a great time at camp! Most students mention Grade 8 camp as one of the most memorable events of their time at high school, so I know you'll have a great time and come back with new friends and lots of great stories and adventures to remember.
Remember, journals should be handed in today.
Friday, 11 September 2015
At the fringe
Just a note for any of you looking for some theatre this weekend! It is the first weekend of the Vancouver International Fringe Festival, which takes place on and around Granville Island. It is great because you can see theatre for very little and you get a great deal of variety in what you see. It is hit and miss, because anyone who gets in their application and their money on time can put on a show, and some of the people are presenting vanity pieces that can be a bit embarrassing and uncomfortable, but it's all worth a look see! You're not going to lose a fortune seeing a Fringe show, so if it's not particularly good, it's still an experience.
I am going to see "The Middle of Nowhere" by Wonderheads. It takes place at a bus stop and involves physical theatre and puppets and I'm interested in both and so I will take this one in and then a few more next Sunday.
It's easy to see a show -- you can get a catalogue (from the Richmond Art Gallery or Gateway Theatre or Blenz Coffee shops) and choose something that sounds interesting. I always lean towards shows that include more than one person (I like to see more than one person on stage in a play -- otherwise, it just seems like unfunny standup) and sometimes the reviews that they put at the end of the show description help. If you know the critic, or it's from the Edmonton Journal or the Manchester Guardian, you know that the actor is a professional and may have taken the show all over the world and performed at more than one Fringe Festival. (They're everywhere!) Or if you don't want to do too much planning, just go down to Granville Island and see what's on! That can be quite an adventure.
Happy Fringing!
I am going to see "The Middle of Nowhere" by Wonderheads. It takes place at a bus stop and involves physical theatre and puppets and I'm interested in both and so I will take this one in and then a few more next Sunday.
It's easy to see a show -- you can get a catalogue (from the Richmond Art Gallery or Gateway Theatre or Blenz Coffee shops) and choose something that sounds interesting. I always lean towards shows that include more than one person (I like to see more than one person on stage in a play -- otherwise, it just seems like unfunny standup) and sometimes the reviews that they put at the end of the show description help. If you know the critic, or it's from the Edmonton Journal or the Manchester Guardian, you know that the actor is a professional and may have taken the show all over the world and performed at more than one Fringe Festival. (They're everywhere!) Or if you don't want to do too much planning, just go down to Granville Island and see what's on! That can be quite an adventure.
Happy Fringing!
Thursday, 10 September 2015
Talking isn't doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds.
Of course, that's Shakespeare. Nice to start with a bit of Shakespeare at the beginning of a new year. He's saying that "action speaks louder than words". You can say you want to help, but that isn't actually helping. You can tell your parents that you'll do your homework, but you actually have to do it to learn what it is you're expected to learn! A lot of us are thinking these days about how to help with the Syrian refugee crisis. I heard yesterday that one in 120 people in the world is a refugee, so, of course, it isn't just people from Syria who need help. There are all sorts of people in the world who see Canada as a safe haven and a refuge. We are so lucky! I have a foster child in Guatemala and although they aren't at war like the poor people in Syria, things are not easy there either. If you want to help, you can contact agencies like Unicef, the Canadian Red Cross, Medicins Sans Frontieres and Plan Canada. They already have people on the ground in places like Syria or Somalia or Afghanistan and so they are already helping. Someone on the radio said that for kids, one way to help is to suggest donations to worthy causes rather than birthday presents! There's an idea.
Anyway, welcome (back, for some of you) to Drama! It is great to see all your smiling faces in class these early days. Make sure you bring a pen/pencil and a duotang with paper to write on tomorrow to class as we will be writing journals.
Grade 8's: Your journal topic is simple. Tell me about yourself! We spent the first day trying to learn each other's names and we will be working together for quite a while, so it is helpful if you tell me a bit about your past drama experience (if you have any), whether you have stage fright or not (lots of people do, so you aren't alone if you feel nervous), whether you've ever performed in any capacity before (music, sports, public speaking, etc.), whether you like group work and anything else you would like to share.
We will be reciting a bit of Shakespeare in the early part of Drama. Here it is:
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts.
Grade 9/10: Write the story of a scary experience you've had. Try to make your story dramatic!
Theatre Production: Write about a scary movie you've seen. Describe in detail what made it scary. Could you recreate it in our theatre? Why or why not?
Drama Club: We will be getting together on September 21 and 22 to read through David's second draft of his play. It will be very casual and everyone is welcome to come and read. This is the play we will be doing early in 2016.
Our first show of the year will be called something like "As American As Apple Pie" and will be three American one-act plays: "The Pretty Trap" by Tennessee Williams, "The Dancers" by Horton Foote, and "The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden" by Thornton Wilder. We will be auditioning for acting parts on September 23, 24, and 25. There are lots of parts and if you want to be on stage, I will make sure you get there (although I don't guarantee you'll have a big part, of course). There are lots of jobs for people who want to help backstage, too. Audition sheets are in the blue folder on the bulletin board outside the theatre. We welcome all participants so don't be afraid to come out and see what all the buzz is about! We will perform these plays in late November.
Anyway, welcome (back, for some of you) to Drama! It is great to see all your smiling faces in class these early days. Make sure you bring a pen/pencil and a duotang with paper to write on tomorrow to class as we will be writing journals.
Grade 8's: Your journal topic is simple. Tell me about yourself! We spent the first day trying to learn each other's names and we will be working together for quite a while, so it is helpful if you tell me a bit about your past drama experience (if you have any), whether you have stage fright or not (lots of people do, so you aren't alone if you feel nervous), whether you've ever performed in any capacity before (music, sports, public speaking, etc.), whether you like group work and anything else you would like to share.
We will be reciting a bit of Shakespeare in the early part of Drama. Here it is:
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts.
Grade 9/10: Write the story of a scary experience you've had. Try to make your story dramatic!
Theatre Production: Write about a scary movie you've seen. Describe in detail what made it scary. Could you recreate it in our theatre? Why or why not?
Drama Club: We will be getting together on September 21 and 22 to read through David's second draft of his play. It will be very casual and everyone is welcome to come and read. This is the play we will be doing early in 2016.
Our first show of the year will be called something like "As American As Apple Pie" and will be three American one-act plays: "The Pretty Trap" by Tennessee Williams, "The Dancers" by Horton Foote, and "The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden" by Thornton Wilder. We will be auditioning for acting parts on September 23, 24, and 25. There are lots of parts and if you want to be on stage, I will make sure you get there (although I don't guarantee you'll have a big part, of course). There are lots of jobs for people who want to help backstage, too. Audition sheets are in the blue folder on the bulletin board outside the theatre. We welcome all participants so don't be afraid to come out and see what all the buzz is about! We will perform these plays in late November.
Sunday, 6 September 2015
How did it get so late so soon? (Dr. Seuss)
Well, all things come to an end, I guess. We have two days left of "unstructured time" (that's a teacher phrase) before we are back to intensely structured time. My September to June time includes three plays, seven classes of Drama, report cards and marking, planning, housework and meals, Ant's hockey (I am the chauffeur), Will's soccer (again, the chauffeur), walking Miss Daisy (our lovely nervous dog) and whatever else comes up. It is a real shock to go back to that after a summer of relaxing. I often wonder what people do when they don't get two months off in summer. This year, Ant will continue working as well, which will add another level of busy-ness. And of course, for us, this will be the first school year without my dear husband, who died at the end of May. As you can imagine, we miss him so much. We went to the PNE last week and it was fun but also painful, because he loved the PNE and we had all sorts of things we always did -- the Superdogs, the prize home, photos we took on the midway, the house of mirrors -- all things he loved. There is something about the PNE -- it is the same every year for the most part -- but that's what's fun about it. It's rather tawdry and very silly and kitschy and that's what's so great. We enjoyed our day there, but we were very aware that Mike wasn't there to enjoy it with us. This will be a year of times like this.
For those of you interested in the Drama Club this year, I have chosen our first show which I hope to perform in late November. We've done lots of comedies in the last few years so I wanted to do something a bit more serious this time and I've chosen three lovely American one act plays which we will perform under the title, "A Slice of Americana" or something like that -- I'm not married to that name. Before the summer I was talking to a few Drama club characters and we were brainstorming what we could do -- we thought of Tennessee William's "The Glass Menagerie" (which has a very small cast, but is a lovely lovely play {it gets two "lovelies", it's that good}) and Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" (which is a very popular choice for groups in school theatre programs and has been done by kids in our program already {which would be a reason for us not to do it}). With those ideas in mind, I mulled it over for most of July and came up with something I thought would work. I found a couple of books of one acts by Tennessee Williams (he said he thought his best achievements were with one act plays!) and discovered a play called "The Pretty Trap" which is an early version of the last act of "The Glass Menagerie". I also found a very sweet one act by Horton Foote (who wrote the screenplay of "To Kill a Mockingbird") called "The Dancers" about how painful being an adolescent can be and also how one finds independence from one's family and what is right and what is wrong -- perfect for us. The last one is called "The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden" by Thornton Wilder. It is in the same style as "Our Town" and is about a family car trip. There are lots of parts as always and I think it will be lots of fun to put together and also provide our discriminating audiences with a great theatre experience. Mr. Price is already thinking about the set! We will hold auditions in September and start rehearsals immediately after that. David is also working on his script and that will be our spring show. So we have lots of excitement to look forward to. See you all on Tuesday.
For those of you interested in the Drama Club this year, I have chosen our first show which I hope to perform in late November. We've done lots of comedies in the last few years so I wanted to do something a bit more serious this time and I've chosen three lovely American one act plays which we will perform under the title, "A Slice of Americana" or something like that -- I'm not married to that name. Before the summer I was talking to a few Drama club characters and we were brainstorming what we could do -- we thought of Tennessee William's "The Glass Menagerie" (which has a very small cast, but is a lovely lovely play {it gets two "lovelies", it's that good}) and Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" (which is a very popular choice for groups in school theatre programs and has been done by kids in our program already {which would be a reason for us not to do it}). With those ideas in mind, I mulled it over for most of July and came up with something I thought would work. I found a couple of books of one acts by Tennessee Williams (he said he thought his best achievements were with one act plays!) and discovered a play called "The Pretty Trap" which is an early version of the last act of "The Glass Menagerie". I also found a very sweet one act by Horton Foote (who wrote the screenplay of "To Kill a Mockingbird") called "The Dancers" about how painful being an adolescent can be and also how one finds independence from one's family and what is right and what is wrong -- perfect for us. The last one is called "The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden" by Thornton Wilder. It is in the same style as "Our Town" and is about a family car trip. There are lots of parts as always and I think it will be lots of fun to put together and also provide our discriminating audiences with a great theatre experience. Mr. Price is already thinking about the set! We will hold auditions in September and start rehearsals immediately after that. David is also working on his script and that will be our spring show. So we have lots of excitement to look forward to. See you all on Tuesday.
Sunday, 30 August 2015
Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!
How many of you lost power yesterday because of the wind storm? I don't think we appreciate how powerful natural forces are until we come face to face with them in something like that storm. We dodged the bullet in Port Moody and only lost power for a minute or so. One of our neighbours trees came down and a huge branch was blown off one of the old trees that surround the elementary school. I always feel badly when I see a tree blown down. They can't escape the storm and have to endure it somehow and of course, sometimes they can't.
We spent a few days over on the Island. A friend reminded me of Parksville and I recalled the broad expanse of beach and the cute little touristy town and thought "that's a good spot to spend a few relaxing days" and so off we went. We stayed in Nanaimo our first night and trekked over to Newcastle Island, which we hope to camp at next summer. It is close to the world, but not of it and we beachcombed and explored the strange formations etched in the rock by the surf.
Then we took the short jaunt over to Parksville. Our hotel was really nice and Ant said he could live in it very enthusiastically. It had a full kitchen and a nice bedroom for me and a balcony with a barbecue and a little peekaboo view of the ocean and a fireplace. I'm up earlier than the boys, of course, and the mornings were cool, so I just got my book (one of Anne Perry's Victorian mysteries called Blind Justice, quite entertaining) and curled up by the fire and drank my coffee and felt like a queen, a bit.
We had two highlights to our trip (besides the relaxing and general enjoyment of being away and not being able to do any of the duties and responsibilities that press on us when we're home). We went to the World Parrot Refuge where they have hundreds of birds who were once pets but were surrendered to the Refuge. Birds are very difficult pets -- I know because I had Orlando, a grey cockatiel, for thirty years. I did not want a bird as a pet -- I don't think it's fair to keep an animal trapped in your house when he could be flying -- but my old boyfriend wanted one and got him when I was home for Christmas and when we parted ways, he asked me to take Orlando and I did -- we were good buddies and I did not clip his wings ever, because I thought that was wrong, so he did fly around the house (and yes, sometimes he pooped) and I believe that's why he lived so long and was so strong and healthy for so long. But I digress! Parrots and cockatoos are extremely intelligent and have not been domesticated (they are still basically wild - only one or two generations from the wild). They need a lot of attention and exercise and activity and of course, most people don't appreciate that and they buy one (which contributes to the disgusting pet trade which steals birds from their wild lives and then breeds them or traps them as a pet -- apparently only 20% of the birds who are captured for the pet trade survive the trip to become a pet) and then realize they can't care for it properly and give it to someone else or return it to the pet store or most terribly, let it go, or wisely, take it to the World Parrot Refuge. There the birds are released into huge aviaries where they can fly and be with other parrots or cockatoos and live a more natural life. There are lots of things for them to do -- toys to play with and little cubby holes for them to explore and people like us to interact with -- we loved all the birds we encountered (which is one problem for the refuge, because you realize how smart and charming the birds are and think you'd like to take one home, but of course, that's not allowed). We met lots of very appealing characters -- sweet little Rosie who waves (she's a green parrot with a rosy collar) and Angel, a cockatoo, and a couple of blue parrots who reminded us of the grumpy old men Muppets -- they were hanging out on their feeding station enjoying a variety of fruit and when we walked by they lunged forward furiously -- hoping to bite us we think, and a funny little fellow we're calling "Grabby" who took your hand in his claw and then very gently moved his claw up your arm to get to your sleeve and then held on for dear life! Many of the birds can talk and you realize they learned that in their life as a pet. It was very hard to leave the Parrot Refuge because the birds were all beautiful and sweet and curious, but of course, they are better off there and MUCH better off to be left where nature intended for them to live. If you are interested, you can visit their website and they take donations, too. It is certainly a good cause.
Another memorable event for us was our trip to the Horne Lake Caves. We drove down a very dusty road along a beautiful lake for about 20 kilometres in order to arrive at the Horne Lake Cave Park. William was nervous about going into a cave but I was very blasé. When the guide asked if any of us had been in a cave before, I said, "no, but we've been in a mine".
He was polite, but said a cave was quite different. He wasn't kidding!
We had to hike quite a distance to get to the cave and we were given helmets with lamps on them and told to wear warm clothing (it's about 8 degrees in the cave) and gloves to wear inside the cave. The hike was very pleasant, through beautiful trees that whispered in the breeze. The guide told us about how caves form and what kinds of things we might see inside the cave. (No bats, which is a bit of a disappointment, since I'm very fond of bats.) The formations of the calcite, which take thousands of years to form. We got quite warm on the hike and finally found ourselves at the entrance to the cave. Then I realized why William was apprehensive because I felt really scared. It was this dark Styxian crack in the earth and there was a metal ladder leading down into the darkness. This was nothing like a mine which is a very human and civilized construction. This was wilderness with a vengeance! But I don't like to seem timid in front of the boys, so I did not voice my fear. I swallowed it and we descended into the cave. Of course, it was very beautiful inside -- the calcite is white and glistens in the light of your headlamp -- there are shapes like drapes flowing over the rock and other shapes like straws and a huge "ice cream cone" lump. The water glistens, too, and looks like flecks of gold. We had to slide into the cave on our bums (and I wondered how we would ever get out) and if you thought too much about how much weight was over your head, it was very freaky. The cave "floor" didn't exist -- there were round slippery rocks everywhere and it was hard to navigate because you had to bend your head down to light your way and then you weren't looking where you were going! We made our way forward for about five minutes (doesn't sound like a long time, but when you're about a second away from panic or full blown claustrophobia, it is a lifetime!) and then we were truly inside the cave. The guide told us we were going to turn off our head lamps and be quiet in order to experience the cave fully. We did and the darkness was a thick presence -- I opened my eyes as wide as I could, but could see nothing -- it was just thick blackness in my face. The guide said your eyes would never "get used" to it because there is NO light. It was also really quiet -- no wind whispering in the trees, no birds, no sounds at all. It was a completely alien and mysterious environment. It is strange to think of all the beautiful formations that are in darkness for most of the time. Anyway, we made our way out of the cave and I, for one, was elated to rejoin the world I know. The boys were very pumped up and said they would like to come back next year and go in further. I told them I would not be able to go on that trip, but I was certainly glad they enjoyed it.
It was lovely to get away for a few days and then come back with a week before we must return to our duties. I hope you all enjoy your week and look forward to seeing you "back in the saddle" on September 8.
We spent a few days over on the Island. A friend reminded me of Parksville and I recalled the broad expanse of beach and the cute little touristy town and thought "that's a good spot to spend a few relaxing days" and so off we went. We stayed in Nanaimo our first night and trekked over to Newcastle Island, which we hope to camp at next summer. It is close to the world, but not of it and we beachcombed and explored the strange formations etched in the rock by the surf.
Then we took the short jaunt over to Parksville. Our hotel was really nice and Ant said he could live in it very enthusiastically. It had a full kitchen and a nice bedroom for me and a balcony with a barbecue and a little peekaboo view of the ocean and a fireplace. I'm up earlier than the boys, of course, and the mornings were cool, so I just got my book (one of Anne Perry's Victorian mysteries called Blind Justice, quite entertaining) and curled up by the fire and drank my coffee and felt like a queen, a bit.
We had two highlights to our trip (besides the relaxing and general enjoyment of being away and not being able to do any of the duties and responsibilities that press on us when we're home). We went to the World Parrot Refuge where they have hundreds of birds who were once pets but were surrendered to the Refuge. Birds are very difficult pets -- I know because I had Orlando, a grey cockatiel, for thirty years. I did not want a bird as a pet -- I don't think it's fair to keep an animal trapped in your house when he could be flying -- but my old boyfriend wanted one and got him when I was home for Christmas and when we parted ways, he asked me to take Orlando and I did -- we were good buddies and I did not clip his wings ever, because I thought that was wrong, so he did fly around the house (and yes, sometimes he pooped) and I believe that's why he lived so long and was so strong and healthy for so long. But I digress! Parrots and cockatoos are extremely intelligent and have not been domesticated (they are still basically wild - only one or two generations from the wild). They need a lot of attention and exercise and activity and of course, most people don't appreciate that and they buy one (which contributes to the disgusting pet trade which steals birds from their wild lives and then breeds them or traps them as a pet -- apparently only 20% of the birds who are captured for the pet trade survive the trip to become a pet) and then realize they can't care for it properly and give it to someone else or return it to the pet store or most terribly, let it go, or wisely, take it to the World Parrot Refuge. There the birds are released into huge aviaries where they can fly and be with other parrots or cockatoos and live a more natural life. There are lots of things for them to do -- toys to play with and little cubby holes for them to explore and people like us to interact with -- we loved all the birds we encountered (which is one problem for the refuge, because you realize how smart and charming the birds are and think you'd like to take one home, but of course, that's not allowed). We met lots of very appealing characters -- sweet little Rosie who waves (she's a green parrot with a rosy collar) and Angel, a cockatoo, and a couple of blue parrots who reminded us of the grumpy old men Muppets -- they were hanging out on their feeding station enjoying a variety of fruit and when we walked by they lunged forward furiously -- hoping to bite us we think, and a funny little fellow we're calling "Grabby" who took your hand in his claw and then very gently moved his claw up your arm to get to your sleeve and then held on for dear life! Many of the birds can talk and you realize they learned that in their life as a pet. It was very hard to leave the Parrot Refuge because the birds were all beautiful and sweet and curious, but of course, they are better off there and MUCH better off to be left where nature intended for them to live. If you are interested, you can visit their website and they take donations, too. It is certainly a good cause.
Another memorable event for us was our trip to the Horne Lake Caves. We drove down a very dusty road along a beautiful lake for about 20 kilometres in order to arrive at the Horne Lake Cave Park. William was nervous about going into a cave but I was very blasé. When the guide asked if any of us had been in a cave before, I said, "no, but we've been in a mine".
He was polite, but said a cave was quite different. He wasn't kidding!
We had to hike quite a distance to get to the cave and we were given helmets with lamps on them and told to wear warm clothing (it's about 8 degrees in the cave) and gloves to wear inside the cave. The hike was very pleasant, through beautiful trees that whispered in the breeze. The guide told us about how caves form and what kinds of things we might see inside the cave. (No bats, which is a bit of a disappointment, since I'm very fond of bats.) The formations of the calcite, which take thousands of years to form. We got quite warm on the hike and finally found ourselves at the entrance to the cave. Then I realized why William was apprehensive because I felt really scared. It was this dark Styxian crack in the earth and there was a metal ladder leading down into the darkness. This was nothing like a mine which is a very human and civilized construction. This was wilderness with a vengeance! But I don't like to seem timid in front of the boys, so I did not voice my fear. I swallowed it and we descended into the cave. Of course, it was very beautiful inside -- the calcite is white and glistens in the light of your headlamp -- there are shapes like drapes flowing over the rock and other shapes like straws and a huge "ice cream cone" lump. The water glistens, too, and looks like flecks of gold. We had to slide into the cave on our bums (and I wondered how we would ever get out) and if you thought too much about how much weight was over your head, it was very freaky. The cave "floor" didn't exist -- there were round slippery rocks everywhere and it was hard to navigate because you had to bend your head down to light your way and then you weren't looking where you were going! We made our way forward for about five minutes (doesn't sound like a long time, but when you're about a second away from panic or full blown claustrophobia, it is a lifetime!) and then we were truly inside the cave. The guide told us we were going to turn off our head lamps and be quiet in order to experience the cave fully. We did and the darkness was a thick presence -- I opened my eyes as wide as I could, but could see nothing -- it was just thick blackness in my face. The guide said your eyes would never "get used" to it because there is NO light. It was also really quiet -- no wind whispering in the trees, no birds, no sounds at all. It was a completely alien and mysterious environment. It is strange to think of all the beautiful formations that are in darkness for most of the time. Anyway, we made our way out of the cave and I, for one, was elated to rejoin the world I know. The boys were very pumped up and said they would like to come back next year and go in further. I told them I would not be able to go on that trip, but I was certainly glad they enjoyed it.
It was lovely to get away for a few days and then come back with a week before we must return to our duties. I hope you all enjoy your week and look forward to seeing you "back in the saddle" on September 8.
Saturday, 22 August 2015
Banksy's new art installation -- "Dismaland"!
Banksy calls it a "bemusement park" and from the pictures I've seen, it is loaded with wry social commentary and some pretty hard-hitting stuff as well. You can look on the CBC's "Arts and Entertainment" site if you want to see photos, but a couple that really struck me were a sculpture of a killer whale leaping from a toilet into a kid's plastic swimming pool and another installation in a tank with a North American style pleasure boat bobbing along with a jam-packed boat filled with people fleeing war and poverty, just like we're seeing in the Mediterranean Sea (and other places, as well) these days. It's on at a place in England called Weston-super-mare until September 27, but apparently the line-up is about four hours long at this point so if you go, bring a book!
We don't know anything about Banksy and I really like that because it flies in the face of all this passion for fame that is such a part of what we seem to have become. Everyone wants his fifteen minutes (or seconds) of notoriety. I used to want it when I was young. I wanted to walk in to public places and imagine that people were looking and whispering about me and saying, "oh, that's HER!" "Is that HER?" But now I realize that often people would be saying it and accompanying it with "she doesn't look very good" or "she's a lot OLDER in person" or something like that. I am glad now that nobody knows me -- anonymity is great!
On a completely unrelated topic (but maybe not, since I thought of it while I was writing), have you ever heard of a "mirror fast"? It's when you avoid looking in the mirror for a period of time. A writer named Autumn Whitfield-Madrano coined the name and decided to do it because she felt like she was too focused on her appearance and that, by avoiding looking at her reflected image, she was able to focus on more important things in her life, like her goals, her relationships, her good qualities. I admit that when I see my mirrored reflection, I am often shocked. I really don't look like I imagine I do. I often see my own mother when I glance quickly into a shop window. When I see photographs of myself, I'm often dismayed and focus on all the things that "aren't right". Other people see the same photograph and they just see me, not what's wrong with me (I think they do -- at least, that's what they say). I think I might try it and see what effect it has on me. Of course, I certainly don't do a lot to enhance my appearance, and I often wonder what effect I would have on people if I knew how to dress (!) but I know how to do lots of other things and you can't have it all, can you?
We don't know anything about Banksy and I really like that because it flies in the face of all this passion for fame that is such a part of what we seem to have become. Everyone wants his fifteen minutes (or seconds) of notoriety. I used to want it when I was young. I wanted to walk in to public places and imagine that people were looking and whispering about me and saying, "oh, that's HER!" "Is that HER?" But now I realize that often people would be saying it and accompanying it with "she doesn't look very good" or "she's a lot OLDER in person" or something like that. I am glad now that nobody knows me -- anonymity is great!
On a completely unrelated topic (but maybe not, since I thought of it while I was writing), have you ever heard of a "mirror fast"? It's when you avoid looking in the mirror for a period of time. A writer named Autumn Whitfield-Madrano coined the name and decided to do it because she felt like she was too focused on her appearance and that, by avoiding looking at her reflected image, she was able to focus on more important things in her life, like her goals, her relationships, her good qualities. I admit that when I see my mirrored reflection, I am often shocked. I really don't look like I imagine I do. I often see my own mother when I glance quickly into a shop window. When I see photographs of myself, I'm often dismayed and focus on all the things that "aren't right". Other people see the same photograph and they just see me, not what's wrong with me (I think they do -- at least, that's what they say). I think I might try it and see what effect it has on me. Of course, I certainly don't do a lot to enhance my appearance, and I often wonder what effect I would have on people if I knew how to dress (!) but I know how to do lots of other things and you can't have it all, can you?
Sunday, 16 August 2015
'Smores Dip
Well, this is an unusual blog for me. I don't usually blog recipes -- I am not a bad cook, extraordinarily enough, since I did not make any effort to learn until relatively late in life, and eternally regret not taking my mother up on the offer to learn to make pie crust. She was not a good cook, but she could make beautiful flaky piecrust every time and I long to go back in time and when she came out of our little kitchen and found me reading on the couch, I would jump eagerly up and say, "are you making pie, Mom? Can you show me how?" But we can't go back in time, and must try to learn to grab those opportunities when they come to us the first time.
Anyhoo, William found a photograph of this 'smores dip on Instagram and so we looked up how to make it (easy-peasy) and last night we had some friends over and we did, and it was very nice. You take a cast iron skillet (or if you don't have that, a baking dish with a rim). You put some butter in the pan and put it into a 450 degree oven, until the butter melts and greases the pan. Then you put about a cup and half of chocolate chips in the bottom of the pan (make sure they cover the bottom of the pan evenly). Then you take about 15 marshmallows, which you have cut in half, and arrange them on top of the chocolate chips. Pop it back into the oven and bake for five minutes (keep watch over it!) If the marshmallows aren't nicely golden at that point, put on the broiler very briefly (like 15 seconds -- keep watching it!) Take it out of the oven and let it cool for about five minutes (the chocolate will be SUPER hot). Then you use your graham crackers to dip into the soft gooey marshmallow/chocolate arrangement and it is better than smores around the campfire! Really!
Anyhoo, William found a photograph of this 'smores dip on Instagram and so we looked up how to make it (easy-peasy) and last night we had some friends over and we did, and it was very nice. You take a cast iron skillet (or if you don't have that, a baking dish with a rim). You put some butter in the pan and put it into a 450 degree oven, until the butter melts and greases the pan. Then you put about a cup and half of chocolate chips in the bottom of the pan (make sure they cover the bottom of the pan evenly). Then you take about 15 marshmallows, which you have cut in half, and arrange them on top of the chocolate chips. Pop it back into the oven and bake for five minutes (keep watch over it!) If the marshmallows aren't nicely golden at that point, put on the broiler very briefly (like 15 seconds -- keep watching it!) Take it out of the oven and let it cool for about five minutes (the chocolate will be SUPER hot). Then you use your graham crackers to dip into the soft gooey marshmallow/chocolate arrangement and it is better than smores around the campfire! Really!
Monday, 10 August 2015
People who are different, their time is coming! (Hairspray)
I saw "Hairspray" at Theatre Under The Stars at Stanley Park on Friday. I have never been to Theatre Under the Stars before, although I've been curious about it for years. As many of you know, I'm not particularly fond of musicals, but I read a review of this one that was quite a rave and it made me want to see it.
It is a great venue for a big musical. It really is under the stars -- at the Malkin Bowl in a big field with plastic lawn chairs, but it is a very welcoming place -- you can have dinner there for quite a reasonable price and there are picnic tables and a place you can have your picture taken (in "Hairspray" era clothes) and you can eat and drink while you watch the show.
I don't know if I was in the mood for something frothy and colourful and upbeat, but I was smiling from the moment the curtain came up till the end. All the performers were so committed and energetic and the story was encouraging and the singing was terrific and the dancing was good. The set was creative and the costumes were bright and flashy and it was just great fun.
I've never seen either movie and didn't know much about the story and that is rather unusual because I usually do, so that was fun, too. I didn't know how it was going to turn out, although I was pretty sure I could guess.
Another thing I've been doing lately is watching the second season of "The Wire". It is terrific television, although very gritty and bleak. One thing tv does when it's great like this is to give you a whole range of characters and give you an insight into each of their lives. This season focused on the International Brotherhood of Stevedores and the plight of the working man in Baltimore, but of course, all over the world. The head of the union was involved in all sorts of corruption, but he did what he did because he was trying to find work for his people. But it was a lost cause as most things are in "The Wire". It was surprising throughout and just like the first season, it starts rather slowly and really digs its hook into you and then you just have to see what happens next.
We are going off into the hinterlands for a couple of days. As many of you know, I am very fond of the flush toilet and electricity (I'm ashamed to say) and will miss it a great deal, but it is a beautiful spot and the kids will get away from their phones briefly which is worth it on its own. Off to the wild!
It is a great venue for a big musical. It really is under the stars -- at the Malkin Bowl in a big field with plastic lawn chairs, but it is a very welcoming place -- you can have dinner there for quite a reasonable price and there are picnic tables and a place you can have your picture taken (in "Hairspray" era clothes) and you can eat and drink while you watch the show.
I don't know if I was in the mood for something frothy and colourful and upbeat, but I was smiling from the moment the curtain came up till the end. All the performers were so committed and energetic and the story was encouraging and the singing was terrific and the dancing was good. The set was creative and the costumes were bright and flashy and it was just great fun.
I've never seen either movie and didn't know much about the story and that is rather unusual because I usually do, so that was fun, too. I didn't know how it was going to turn out, although I was pretty sure I could guess.
Another thing I've been doing lately is watching the second season of "The Wire". It is terrific television, although very gritty and bleak. One thing tv does when it's great like this is to give you a whole range of characters and give you an insight into each of their lives. This season focused on the International Brotherhood of Stevedores and the plight of the working man in Baltimore, but of course, all over the world. The head of the union was involved in all sorts of corruption, but he did what he did because he was trying to find work for his people. But it was a lost cause as most things are in "The Wire". It was surprising throughout and just like the first season, it starts rather slowly and really digs its hook into you and then you just have to see what happens next.
We are going off into the hinterlands for a couple of days. As many of you know, I am very fond of the flush toilet and electricity (I'm ashamed to say) and will miss it a great deal, but it is a beautiful spot and the kids will get away from their phones briefly which is worth it on its own. Off to the wild!
Monday, 3 August 2015
I don't want to write about death
I've been trying to write as I always do in the summer. I finished my romance novel and am now letting it "stew" for a while before I reread it to see if it works on any level. I am not sure if I made the man too angelic. He's based on Mike and it is hard to think of anything negative about him now. I just remember the lovely things and miss him so much. (Today would have been my twenty-third wedding anniversary.)
I found out about this writing contest that is for very short stories -- three hundred words! That is VERY short. I tried to write one, and of course, it's semi- autobiographical, too, because I am in that place right now. It's called "I don't want to write about death":
I found out about this writing contest that is for very short stories -- three hundred words! That is VERY short. I tried to write one, and of course, it's semi- autobiographical, too, because I am in that place right now. It's called "I don't want to write about death":
I don’t want to write about death. I want to write about love and how I found it
and how it felt and how pretty the flowers were that he gave me and how he
always remembered my birthday and made me queen for the day. I want to write about how he saw into the
future and made sure I was safe.
I don’t want to write about death. I don’t want to write about the coffin and
the music we played and the speeches people made and how many people came to
pay their respects. I want to write
about our twenty fifth anniversary party and how we danced all night and stood
outside the hall and watched the stars and how Christine and Keith ordered
cheeseburgers for the midnight snack and how they didn’t come on time and how
mad Christine was about it and how Keith didn’t seem to care because he had a buzz
on and how we laughed about them because they were always like this and how
well we knew them because after all it had been thirty years since they started
dating and we started dating. Well,
almost thirty.
I don’t want to write about death. I want to write about our children and how
beautiful they are and how much they look like him. How Anthony wants to be a doctor and William
wants to be a lifeguard and how proud I am.
How much I wish he could be proud with me.
I don’t want to write about death, but there it is. Grim Death stares me in the face and won’t
let me go. I tried to hold onto you but
you couldn’t hold onto me. Grim Death
pulled you away from me, no matter how hard I tried to hold on. He peeled away my fingers and took you. I told you I loved you long ago and
yesterday. I don’t want to talk about
death. I want to talk about life. But there it is.
Thursday, 30 July 2015
Summer sun
Hope your summer is going well. I realize I have not kept one of my list resolutions -- I have not been good about writing in my blog. It is hard this year -- I don't want to reflect too much on what has gone on in 2015 -- it has been a terrible cruel year. Usually I spend these warm lazy summer days reading the news and thinking, "oh, that's something to write about" but this year, it is really hard. I am embroiled in the paperwork that comes at the end of a life -- any kind of life -- a beautiful one, like my husband's or any other kind. There are forms to fill out and people to advise and life insurance (if you're wise or lucky, like my husband {wise} or me {lucky, because my husband was wise}) to apply for and huge international companies sending you letters offering their "sincere condolences" (why do they bother? I know they aren't sincere -- they didn't know him -- or me -- so how can they offer condolences?) Anyway, suffice it to say, this summer doesn't really feel like a true summer, in many ways. It's just like a time to be gotten through.
I have finished my romance novel -- the first draft anyway. I'm not sure of the ending, so I have to sit on it for a while and then go back and see what I think. In a way, it's an ending, because finally the two people I've been trying to get together have gotten together, but in another way, like in life, it is just the beginning. Maybe if I decide it's actually an ending, I'll write a whole series about the couple. I do like them. The man, James Carpenter, is based on my husband, so of course, he's very sweet and attractive -- perhaps too much so. As I read, I think that I haven't given him any dark qualities at all. And I think a romantic hero does need some dark qualities. I'll give it a week and reread it and see what I think.
I'm still trying to figure out a play for the fall. Usually I have an idea, but this year, my mind is blank. I thought of George F. Walker's "The Art of War" but the cast is too small. I need something with at least fifteen characters and then room for more, if necessary. I want something serious -- we've done a lot of comedies lately and I'm in the mood for something thought-provoking (not that a comedy can't do that, of course) and hard driving. There's still a month to get there. I reread "Blood Relations" by Sharon Pollock but that cast is too small, too. Most modern plays stick to small casts because they don't want to pay the actors. At least, I think that's why.
I have been keeping up with the news and of course, one of the stories that is grabbing everyone's attention is the killing of the lion, Cecil, by the American dentist. I cannot see how anyone could derive pleasure in killing an animal, whether the hunt is legal or not. To me, it's immoral to kill something for pleasure. We realize that animals are far more mysterious than we ever imagined -- octopuses have the intelligence of a three year old child, and bears experience awe when watching a sunset and crows can make and use tools. We don't know what Cecil's thoughts and feelings were, but we can imagine he suffered greatly in the forty hours between the time he was shot by the dentist's arrow and his moment of death when he was dispatched by a gun. I never liked Jimmy Kimmel much before but I really appreciate what he said about the whole sordid mess. And his suggestion that people try to make good come out of the tragedy has raised $150,000 for the researchers who are studying lions in the preserve from which Cecil was lured.
I watched the first season of "Sherlock" over the last couple of days. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson and they are terrific. I don't mind the modernization of the Conan Doyle stories. I find Moriarty an irritation in the original -- I don't think you need him, but Andrew Scott is lovely, especially that face he makes when he's describing what he would look like if Holmes shot him. He has a wonderful voice. And I like the idea of a "consulting criminal" as a foil for Holmes's "consulting detective". I intend to watch the second season when I can get it from the library. That's all from me for now. I'll try to be better for the second half of the summer.
I have finished my romance novel -- the first draft anyway. I'm not sure of the ending, so I have to sit on it for a while and then go back and see what I think. In a way, it's an ending, because finally the two people I've been trying to get together have gotten together, but in another way, like in life, it is just the beginning. Maybe if I decide it's actually an ending, I'll write a whole series about the couple. I do like them. The man, James Carpenter, is based on my husband, so of course, he's very sweet and attractive -- perhaps too much so. As I read, I think that I haven't given him any dark qualities at all. And I think a romantic hero does need some dark qualities. I'll give it a week and reread it and see what I think.
I'm still trying to figure out a play for the fall. Usually I have an idea, but this year, my mind is blank. I thought of George F. Walker's "The Art of War" but the cast is too small. I need something with at least fifteen characters and then room for more, if necessary. I want something serious -- we've done a lot of comedies lately and I'm in the mood for something thought-provoking (not that a comedy can't do that, of course) and hard driving. There's still a month to get there. I reread "Blood Relations" by Sharon Pollock but that cast is too small, too. Most modern plays stick to small casts because they don't want to pay the actors. At least, I think that's why.
I have been keeping up with the news and of course, one of the stories that is grabbing everyone's attention is the killing of the lion, Cecil, by the American dentist. I cannot see how anyone could derive pleasure in killing an animal, whether the hunt is legal or not. To me, it's immoral to kill something for pleasure. We realize that animals are far more mysterious than we ever imagined -- octopuses have the intelligence of a three year old child, and bears experience awe when watching a sunset and crows can make and use tools. We don't know what Cecil's thoughts and feelings were, but we can imagine he suffered greatly in the forty hours between the time he was shot by the dentist's arrow and his moment of death when he was dispatched by a gun. I never liked Jimmy Kimmel much before but I really appreciate what he said about the whole sordid mess. And his suggestion that people try to make good come out of the tragedy has raised $150,000 for the researchers who are studying lions in the preserve from which Cecil was lured.
I watched the first season of "Sherlock" over the last couple of days. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson and they are terrific. I don't mind the modernization of the Conan Doyle stories. I find Moriarty an irritation in the original -- I don't think you need him, but Andrew Scott is lovely, especially that face he makes when he's describing what he would look like if Holmes shot him. He has a wonderful voice. And I like the idea of a "consulting criminal" as a foil for Holmes's "consulting detective". I intend to watch the second season when I can get it from the library. That's all from me for now. I'll try to be better for the second half of the summer.
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