heigh ho!
sorry for the lack of a couple posts, was having fun elsewhere and away from my computer! I was in London for the past two days. It was brilliant fun! I met up with (and stayed with) good friend of mine (from back in early-post-undergrad days at Univ. of Bristol, England), Rob. He, oh, so very generously, played host. first, we his the Royal Academy Summer Show (which was surprising and really quite cool). It's their open show, where established artists like Anish Kapoor (think Chicago's "bean") are up on the walls next to academics and amateurs. There were several REALLY nice pieces and items.. some of which were so reasonably priced at more than 32,000 pounds (about $50,000). We then met up with a couple other Bristol pals, Fred and Jon. It really was quite a blast to see them all... the last time the four of us were together was at mine and Janna's wedding... thirteen + years ago. It was slightly insane to think that my scholarship year abroad really was 16 years ago. time certainly flies.
anyhow... after a lovely meal , Jon, Rob and I dashed off to see the matinee of WAR HORSE. The puppetry, and the design are beyond outstanding. For those of you who have no knowledge of WAR HORSE. it's a play that was originally staged in London about 4 years ago in partnership with Handspring Puppet Company which is based in South Africa. it's source is a children's book of the same name by Michael Morpurgo, which chronicles the story of a pony growing up being raised by young English boy, who is then sold into the cavalry at the outbreak of the first World War. The boy, then sets off to France (signing up for the army when he's too young), and he goes in search of his horse, Joey. To say that the puppets are amazing is a complete and utter understatement. if you google WAR HORSE or better yet youtube it, you'll get an idea of what I mean. Rob got us tickets about the 6th row center...
WAR HORSE opened on Broadway a couple months ago to absolutely raves, and just a week ago trotted off with 5 Tony Awards, including a special one to Handspring for the puppetry. After several drinks at the London Cocktail Club, Rob and I continued on to our evening's entertainment... Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to Phantom.. entitled LOVE NEVER DIES.... I'm still at a COMPLETE loss of what to say about the show... to say I was stupefied would be an understatement.... and I DON'T mean that as a compliment. While it was stunningly and expensively designed. the story, the music , the acting were of such... well... I still don't have the words.... suffice it to say, there was a REASON the Broadway producers pulled out upon seeing it in London... and rightfully so. There is simply so MUCH wrong with the show, I can't imagine where to begin explaining it's problems.
Yesterday consisted of the National Portrait Gallery, the Tate Modern (including it's comprehensive and beautiful JOAN MIRO exhibit), and a late matinee of GHOST STORIES, which was a real treat and fun to boot. then THIS morning, we got up at 4:30 so that I could catch my flight back to Prague. A truly exhausting and thoroughly FUN two days.
forgive me for not continuing about my last day in Prague... which was also event, and fun-filled, but it' snow midnight and I have to leave for the airport in 6 hours and am in desperate need of sleep, a shower, and PACKING!
tomorrow's plans are PRAGUE to COPENHAGEN (3 hour layover) and then home to CHICAGO. maybe during the layover, I'll have the chance to post again... am hoping so.
it's hard not to have feelings/thoughts/etcetera about the experiences I've had here, and I'd like to share them. but for now... goodnight!
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