"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents!"

Of course, that's the opening line of Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, who was quite an extraordinary woman -- a feminist and an abolitionist and a woman who supported her family "with her pen" in a time when that was not the common role for a woman (of course, doing it by writing is still pretty uncommon).

I saw the new iteration of "Little Women" (directed by Greta Gerwig and featuring Saorise ) yesterday and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It had a lot of energy (which I think the book does as well) and all the performances were great and it looked sumptuous with snowy Concord and sunny France and gritty New York.  I have never read the actual book, amazingly, so I scooted out and got it.  Jo is an unusual character, uncompromising and sometimes difficult to like (at least, this is me talking after reading two chapters and seeing several movie versions of the story, so perhaps I'll change my mind after finishing the book).  I knew the story well and remember wondering about some of Jo's choices (I won't ruin the story, because I'm sure some of you plan to see it, or maybe, READ THE BOOK, like I am now) but I think the movie deals pretty well with Jo and how unusual she is and how difficult it would have been for someone like her to make her way.  It conflates Louisa May Alcott with Jo (and of course, I don't think there's any doubt that a lot of Jo is Louisa May Alcott anyway) and helps us see things through a writerly perspective.  Anyway, the movie is highly recommended by me and is a charming addition to the lexicon of festive movies that don't really involve Christmas much, despite the first line of the book.

I also saw Noah Baumbach's "Marriage Story" (with Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson).  I thought it was quite good and showed the challenges of two people who still love each other in a way, but not in the way that makes them want to be married anymore.  They have a young son and their love of him and their desire to continue to be his parents is what makes the thing so heartbreaking.  I can't imagine having to let another person, even a person I loved, take my son away to another part of the country and be in charge of him and me not be in the day to day.  It is hard enough to be a parent and feel like you're helping and raising the child to be a good person, but not to see them every day and sit down to dinner with them and read to them and disagree with them and then resolve it (which you'd probably be afraid to do, if you only saw them on weekends or on holidays) -- that would be horrible.  You and your partner are adults, so it's sad that your relationship is over and you would feel badly, but you would be able to regroup and move on, but I don't know how you would bear it if you had to lose your child's time as well.  The most painful scene was when Charlie (Adam Driver) comes to Los Angeles and he wants to take Henry trick or treating on Hallowe'en and Henry has already gone with his mom and his cousins and doesn't really want to go again, but Charlie is determined that they're going to go and it isn't a success.  You understand Charlie, but you want to intervene and tell him that he has to give in, but of course, Charlie is in the moment and you are at that omniscient distance.

I hope you're all enjoying your holidays (if you're having them and not busy working).  I am taking it very easy and reading a lot and staying cosy.  Are you making any New Year's Resolutions?  I made two the other day.  I am going to write daily (I think I have resolved this before) -- I have a really good idea for a play (maybe for next year's first show) called "I Shot Santa" about an artistic girl who is bullied by her two friends with whom she has kind of a girl band.  I wrote the lyrics for the song "I Shot Santa" the other day and have this idea that the play will trace their relationship from their childhood to adulthood with the scenes all happening around the holidays.

My other resolution is to check my email once a day only.  I check it more than that and it's a waste of time.  I will be 63 tomorrow and time is getting more and more important as I age.  Instead of looking at my old emails, I could write a scene of "I Shot Santa"!

If you're worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep, and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings!

The other day, our question of the day was your favourite holiday song, and this is the one I chose.  I have been watching a lot of my favourite Christmas movies these days and I watched "White Christmas" last weekend, and old Bing Crosby sings this one to Rosemary Clooney (I believe she is George Clooney's aunt -- I wonder if he can sing like an angel, like she can) and they are both (Bing and Rosemary) terrific singers and the song has a lovely, Kosar-style philosophy.  I am sure I've told you about my mom saying to "count your blessings".  It's like keeping a gratitude journal -- you can't feel sorry for yourself for long when you start to count your blessings.  Maybe things aren't just the way you'd like them to be, but you have a lot going for you, if only that you live in a warm house and get to eat when you want and are safe in Canada.  The birds and the stars and the river and the trees are all free to look at and enjoy.

We have made it through the year at school and have managed to make it to the end of December with no major mishaps.  It was great to see old kids at Breakfast with Santa and all the acts I saw were amazing!  I am so impressed with our Mudsharks band.  We are really lucky at our school to have such talented musicians among us.   What a wonderful set they treated us to!  Thanks to them for kicking off the holidays in such a stellar fashion.

Now we have two full weeks before we must trudge back to the halls of Steveston-London.  I hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday with lots of cheer and warmth and good food and good company and good books (one of my favourite parts of the holidays).  One of the blessings I count when I can't sleep is my great good fortune to have work I love and to be able to spend my days with energetic and enthusiastic young folks like yourselves.

See you in 2020!

Myth, money and show and tell!

Don't forget to bring $5 to pay for your ticket for the play.  The money goes to the Drama Club!

Memorize your lines for The Creation of the World.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHOW AND TELL:

You should be preparing your "show and tell" speeches!  Practice your speech OUT LOUD and make sure you have two minutes of material!  This is very important.  It should not be more than two minutes (more is not better) and it should not be less than two minutes.

You will stand centre stage and not fidget!  You will appear to be confident.  You may use cue cards, or even have your whole speech written out, but you must make eye contact with the audience.  You must speak clearly and make sure I can hear you and understand you from the back of the theatre.  Think about communicating to the audience.  Tell them a story that features your item.  Showing the item is not enough!

You may speak about anything you like, but if it is not allowed at school, you will have to show a photo or picture of it.

You MUST not start the speech with "so" or end it with "yeah".  Think of a joke or a quotation or a question to start things out and then at the end come to a conclusion -- "this is what I learned", "this is why this thing is so important to me", "as you can see, it is important to 'look before you leap'.  Something like that.

Use something that inspires a story to tell.  Just describing the item will not engage your audience.  That's the basis of theatre - a good story.  We've talked at length about how the plot line works -- that will help you here.  If you are interested in the story, we will be, too, so choose something that inspires a good story.

This is a chance for you to demonstrate that you are a good public speaker!  Make sure you have TWO MINUTES of material.  Don't speak too fast!

We will present these speeches at the end of the term in January.

journals near the holidays

Grade 8:  How do you think the world was created?  Could you make a play about it?  Explain how.  Describe what you would do in detail.  How did your group decide the cast of your performance of The Creation of the World?  Where, in the story, would be a good place for a tableau?  Where would you put a mime?  What do you think the end of the story means (when it says "ever since, all children born of Man contain Mutima, a longing for God")?

Is there anyone you would like to work with in the theatre sports/improv group?

Grade 9/10:

What are the rules of theatre sports?  (Name at least three.)  What is your favourite game?  Explain why.

With whom would you like to work for the theatre sports tournament?

Senior Drama:

Which of all the improvs we've done is your favourite?  Explain why.  Who is the best improvisor in the class?  Explain why you choose the way you do.

All the world's a stage

We have a great opportunity this week to see a wonderful play by the greatest playwright, William Shakespeare.  The play is "As You Like It", which includes the speech we all learn in grade 8.  It is a great comedy with terrific relatable characters, a big wrestling match and lots of romance. There are two performances today (Thursday) and one on Friday.  Try to see one of the remaining performances.

Journal:

If you see "As You Like It", write a review of it.  Say what you liked and what could have been improved.  Try to make specific comments about particular actors or scenes, or the set (spectacularly designed and built by Mr. Price), the idea to have the first act in the Williams lounge, anything that you would like to discuss.

If you absolutely can't see the play, then write about another play you've seen.  Include the name of the play and where you saw it (even if it was just at school).  Follow the instructions above.

If you were in the play, write about the experience -- rehearsals and performances.