Avebury Manor [Julie]

During the first two years of my undergraduate adventure, I lived across the pond in a quaint mid-sized city, Cardiff. You may know it as the capitol city of Wales, or you may know it as the city which contains a rift in time and space, Torchwood, and - not coincidentally - a large BBC presence. But my point, if I have one, is that I was pretty familiar with the culture we were exploring. Moreover, when the time came for us to visit Avebury, I had a battle plan: GET INSIDE AVEBURY MANOR.

I first visited Avebury not long after I moved to Britain, I was lucky enough to bond with a family that hosted me for weekend escapes to the countryside and cuddle time with their two eccentric dogs. That family won my heart when I learned that they too had a passion for visiting heritage sites. It was a cool, windy day when we visited the standing stones of Avebury, and I was awestruck... but I was also intrigued by the large house I could see in the distance. It looked old and historically significant, so of course, I wanted to get inside.

My hosts informed me that the manor was privately owned and closed to visitors at the time. I was hardly going to let that stop me, but thankfully by the time I made it back to Avebury with Olmert et al, the manor had caught the attention of the BBC and recieved a facelift. More importantly, I wasn't going to have to take a crash course in Criminal Trespassing to get inside. (Disclaimer: I am joking about the legally questionable ideas.)

Long story ... long, I made it inside Avebury Manor. Acheivement: Unlocked.

And let me tell you: It was one of the highlights of my trip. This wasn't just any house, it was a house museum in which you could touch ALL THE THINGS. Except the oriental wallpaper. Don't touch the oriental wallpaper, because that is some expensive wallpaper that apparently will combust when touched. Actually, it probably just smudged or became brittle, but I think my image serves as a better deterrent. Except to pyromaniacs.

I felt a bit like a four year old in the Disney Store in this house, I could not contain my excitement. I went from room to room sitting on all of the furniture, getting my picture taken by National Trust volunteers and generally making said volunteers slightly uncomfortable with my exuberance. But they found it endearing once I explained how long I had waited to tour this house, and how well it exceeded my expectations.

Avebury Manor isn't any old heritage house you can tour. Each room transports you to a different era. You can dine in the medieval times and then move to the study, where the rotary telephone plays a recording of the operator. The kitchen is full of soiled dishes, and the ghost of a lowly scullery maid washing up can be heard from unseen speakers.

I wish the entire class had had the chance to see what I saw, but there are only so many hours in the day. I'll be back the first chance I get.

Leigh McDonald, Castle Acre

Castle Acre

I've found that the places I most enjoy traveling to are those with cultures very different from my own. Not only did the town of Castle Acre offer the historic ruins of the priory, but it gave us a look into what some peoples lives are like in rural towns. Although Castle Acre had modern amenities like wifi in the local bread and breakfast, and streets wide enough for cars to pass, because of the nature of the small town, I felt like I was able to get a feel for what it would have been like to live in a small English village in centuries past. 

After dinner one night, the student group decided to stay in the pub and have a few drinks. We were able to engage with the locals and ask them about their daily lives. Some of the young men were farmers and lived a few miles away, but met with friends whenever they got the chance at the town's only pub. The locals were friendly and eager to entertain us in conversation. Not only this, but I felt as if I could observe a difference in their mannerisms and ours. Because many of the pub-goers were farmers, and lived in the rural area surrounding the town, life for them was most likely slow paced and constant. A man at the pub sat by himself with his dog just observing the ongoings of the establishment. I gained a deeper appreciation for a simpler life, one not plagued by smartphones, constant international news, and intercity commutes. 

Perhaps the most astounding feature of the priory ruins were the tunnels that the Monks used to enter the chapel during the night. Our tour guide told us that the Monks' services started at 2 a.m. This fact so startled me, that I asked for clarification. I remember asking Olmert who would go to such a service in the middle of the night. Olmert reminded me that the life of a Monk was committed to service. Even as I am not a religious person myself, I found the kind of selflessness that the Monks exhibited admirable. To deprive themselves of sleep, food, and comfort so that they could better serve the purpose they believed in is truly astonishing. 

 

 

Castle Acre

Leigh McDonald: The English Theater

I found my time at the theaters in London to be the pinnacle of my English experience. Before this trip, I considered myself an avid patron of the theater. I had been to plays in my hometown of Annapolis, Maryland, seen musicals at center stage, and shows on Broadway just about every time I had been to New York City. From the spectacularly produced "Wicked" on Broadway, to "Death of a Salesman" put on in the comparatively tiny theater of Colonial Players in Annapolis, I had been awed and amused by what I thought was the quintessence of "good theater." 

What I found, however, was that English theater was something entirely distinct and unique to itself. The Globe Theatre showed me, for the first time, how Shakespearean drama was supposed to be experienced. I had studied Shakespeare before, even at the college level, but no professor could teach or explain what the Globe Theatre could provide. Before this trip, I had never seen or read "The Tempest." If I were to sit down and try to read this play, without any previous knowledge of the plot, I would most likely be lost. But because of the actors and stage production, not only did I effortlessly understand "The Tempest," enjoyed myself as much as I would have watching a modern play. 

While the audience involvement at the Globe Theatre is what helped make the plays come alive, the fabulous sets at the National Theater are what impressed me the most about that establishment. I will never forget the moment during "Strange Interlude" when the revolving set of Nina's childhood home gave way, in a spectacular revolving motion, to her and Sam's more decadent residence. I later got to see the "birdcage" staircase up close and personal on a back stage tour of the National Theater. I got to see the choreographed rhythmic dance of scene changes in action and in detail when I saw "Othello" from the first row. The National Theatre successfully lifted the plays' texts from the page and onto the stage for a visually astounding experience.

Globe Theatre

My Favorite Things

Getting to know London on a personal level was a true adventure.  I loved so many things about it that I just had to tell you all about a few of them. 

First off, my favorite meal: fish and chips!  I have never been a fan of the dish and I was always confused when my dad ordered it all the time back home but now after going to the Rock and Sole I can't get enough!  I was hooked! (Pun intended) By the end of our stay I believe I ordered fish and chips around 8 or 9 times but every time I was fully satisfied.

Next up, favorite plays: Children of the Sun, Midsummer’s Nights Dream and Mission Drift.  Yes, it’s true, I loved too many of the shows to pick just one favorite.  Children of the Sun was astounding (you can read all about why in my first blog) but I must say Midsummer’s Nights Dream was absolutely hysterical!  Julie and I were dead center along the stage and I was cracking up the entire time.  It’s also worth mentioning that that all of the male actors were quite handsome.  The Globe Theater is truly beautiful and even with the simple sets; I was instantly drawn into the story and believed I was watching these lovers and fairies run around in the forest. As for Mission Drift, I loved it for the music and for their take on capitalism.  One line stood out to me in particular was, “If you believe in money, then you believe in God.”    The woman who narrated the story and sang most of the tunes was beyond fabulous.  Her voice was rather unique but she could still belt it like Celine Dion. I even bought the soundtrack the next day when we returned to the National Theater for the backstage tour.   

Favorite Art Museum: The Tate.  They had several rooms dedicated to JMW Turner and I honestly fell head over heals in love with his paintings.  There was this one in particular that was untitled by Turner and murkily portrayed a skeleton riding a horse.  It was very creepy but I was instantly drawn to it for some reason.  The plaque next to the piece mentioned that no one knew what Turner was trying to represent.  They guessed it could either be a representation the black plague or of his father who died a few before the work was completed.  Besides the Turner section, I loved the modern pieces as well.  There was an entire room dedicated to African-like tribal statues which all subtly represented McDonalds.  I didn’t know exactly what to take from it all but I thought it was quite provocative.  There was another really cool piece called The Elephant, which I saw as a commentary on the long-term effects of colonialism.   

I honestly could go on and on about all the amazing things in London.  It’s a beautiful city that seems to transcend time with the newest buildings going up right next to 15^th, 16^th and 17^th century churches and buildings.  I know I must return to London again in the near future and I cannot wait to go back. 

The National Theatre [by Anna Butler, 21 June 2013]

The National Theater has eight productions on--War Horse, Children of the Sun, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, One Man, Two Guvernors, The Amen Corner, A Strange Interlude, Othello, and Mission Drift--and we have seen every single one.  Since we are NT groupies at this point, it seemed fitting that we go on the National Theater Backstage Tour on one of our free days.  Our guide was quirky, self-deprecating, and incredibly knowledgeable, excitedly leading us from one theater to another. 

Standing in the concrete lobby, she laid out the National Theater’s funding, explaining that they receive a certain amount of government grants, but the rest of the operation relies on private donations.  And, the National Theater is quite an operation.  It has three theaters in constant use, along with in-house costume and set workshops, rehearsal rooms, etc.  Architect Denys Lasdun designed an impressive building, modeling the Olivier Theatre after the Epidaurus amphitheater and the Lyttelton Theatre with a proscenium-arch.  The Cottesloe Theatre, home to more alternative plays, is currently under renovation, and The Shed, a temporary, red structure on the South Bank, acts in its stead. 

It was phenomenal looking on as the in-house crew changed the set from The Amen Corner to Othello.  We were catching a glimpse into a secret world, and I was fascinated by the “nuts and bolts” of theater.  In fact, we were astonished, and somewhat upset, to learn that the explosion in Children of the Sun was minor.  While it’s a magician’s game to use smoke and mirrors, the National Theater isn’t too far off--and the audience definitely feels the magic.

By Anna Butler, 21 June 2013.

Children of the Sun and the Theatre-Going Experience

Let me begin this post by admitting to you all that I am hardly a very technologically-oriented person... Coupled with the lack of a computer and the spotty internet in our hotel, it's taken me until now to fully understand my way around this whole blog-posting thing. But now that I seem to have it under control, there are so many topics that I feel could be discussed and brought to the table at this point. Let me start with Children of the Sun, since for me it was a play that not only deeply moved me, but also completely changed how I have come to view the experience of the theatre.

It seems these days to be a rare occasion that one should even find him or herself in a theatre--especially one in the heart of London. I asked Olmert last week how DC could compare to London with respect to it's adherence to theatrical entertainment, and I was surprised when he told me that DC is probably second in the world behind London in this respect. In a city where one would be hard-pressed to not pass the doors to a theatre on the way to the supermarket, I couldn't believe that DC could even hold a finger to this city... In my opinion, this is a horrible shame.

During the intermission of the Amen Corner last week, I went upstairs to buy a coffee and wake myself out of the drowsiness of a full day of Olmert-led lecturing. I ordered, and the man behind the bar, an enthusiastic individual of about thirty, asked me how I was enjoying the show so far.

"Oh it's excellent," I replied, though I knew that what I'd seen of Baldwin's play had yet to move me as much as other performances we'd seen that week. "I saw Children of the Sun a few days ago, though," I told him, "and I absolutely loved it."

"That's good to hear!" he replied, motioning towards the cream and sugar across the aisle. "I've seen many people come out of that show very upset afterwards."

This didn't exactly surprise me, as the ending of Children of the Sun was a heart-wrenching one indeed, and I know from talking to others in the group that compared to my impressions, it was hardly as well-received.

"Well that's what the theatre is supposed to do, right?" I asked him as I handed him a handful of randomly chosen coins, the byproduct of my not having yet become accustomed to the pound. "I mean, I feel like if you leave the theatre upset, then the play's done it's job, right?"

The look he gave me at this point was so appreciative that I was nearly expecting him to hand back the coins and give me my coffee for free. "Exactly," he said smiling. "Cheers mate, enjoy the second act!"

There have been many moments throughout this trip wherein, amidst the darkness of the theatre, I've discovered something new about myself. And it's the work of the playwright to do this, through the perfectly placed line, artfully crafted sentence structures and, no doubt, the employment of a powerful ending. In Children of the Sun we see a group of characters with whom we feel we can relate, at first... but it's Gorky's story following the demise of a group of ignorant intellectuals, that humbles us to the point of despair. By the time we think we've understood these characters, their ignorance has already ensured their undoing. It's no surprise that this play has a tendency to humble the theatre-goer. He who believes he is safely in the right through the pursuit of intellect is brought to the same level as the street-peddler and the abuser, the uneducated and the bum. Because if I've learned anything from these plays and from this trip, it's that life's about balance, life's about today, and as we learned from the Amen Corner, life is about caring for one another above all else. For ignorance can be wonderfully blissful, and, just as easily, horrifically destructive.

Museum of London

On June 8th we visited the Museum of London which was really interesting.  The museum begins with prehistoric London, where we could look at the various kinds of tools and weapons that have been uncovered by archeologist over time.  I was surprised by the general beauty of these artifacts.  The spears and shields were decorated and nicely crafted.  There is so much history underneath every stone here in London and Olmert told us that every time someone plans to dig anywhere, there must be an archeologist on site.

The next section on Londonium was also cool but had some weird display items, like iPhones and other modern conveniences to contrast with the artifacts.  By the end it was clear that it was a student designed exhibit but it was still pretty cool especially considering teenagers helped design it.  
There were also a few really awesome exhibits on the Black Plague and the Fire of London.  We learned that the Plague killed over 40,000 people in London between 1348 and 1350, while 50 million people died throughout Europe.  The video was pretty scary but I enjoyed watching it.  The video for the Fire of London was also pretty scary but very informative.  The fire started on September 2nd 1666 around 1am in Thomas Farriner's bakery and lasted for 5 days.  There was this one plaque that I found particularly amusing which described who and what people blamed for the fire.  My favorite was the idea that Gluttony was to blame because the fire began in a bakery on Pudding Lane.  By the end of it all 4/5ths of the city was destroyed and 10,000 people became homeless.  It took 50 years to rebuild the city but neither the plague nor this terrible fire prevented London from becoming one of the most important cities in the world for centuries to come. 

The Modern London section was also really interesting.  The suffragette exhibit was particularly moving for me.  I was appalled by the heinous treatment these women endured for the right to vote.  It blew my mind how people could be so cruel to women who just wanted to make life better for themselves.  This one suffragette was force fed over 250 times in two weeks while incarcerated - absolutely horrifying.  This exhibit made me appreciate my right to vote and I am so grateful for what these brave women did for the women's well being.  Even if I disagree with our nations political system, it just feels wrong to abstain from voting because it negates all the horrors these women endured.  Overall the London Museum was awesomely moving and I am really glad we had so much time to explore through it.