Blackfriars 1

27 Oct 2011 1 Comment

by academic ronin in Uncategorized

I really want to be live-blogging this, but there’s not really a good way for me to do it. Hence, some snippets now and some later and some later still when I’ve digested more.

–The ASC is live-tweeting/blogging the conference, so hie over to their home page if you want good synopses of the papers and sessions.
–At the first session of papers, there were five thundersheet warnings given, but no bear. The bear first appeared in the afternoon, chasing off a board member whose paper was over-long.
–Best use so far of the bear: Chris Barrett, whose presentation was perfectly timed to end with a joke about the appearance of the bear. And it was a fantastic paper as well, about the nature of knock-knock jokes and tragedy.
–Other papers I’ve loved so far and can’t wait to read in fuller, print versions: Tara Bradway on parallels between Lavinia and Caliban that could dovetail really well with a discussion of vocal representation of disability and the other; Casey Caldwell on humor and time; Genevieve Love on disability narratives and function; and Alisha Huber on trumpet signalling in the plays.
–This afternoon, one presenter offered up the idea that Emilia was in on the plot in Othello; I hope I didn’t disappoint her when I said that that theory had a lot of followers already, one of whom is writing a book about it.
–Great papers in the Performance Choices–Women colloquy from almost everyone.
–The Tempest last night was simply superb. James Keegan is a wonderful, human Prospero. I loved everything about the production, from the editing choices to the actors’ choices in creating their characters to the costuming and representation of locations and actions. The pre-show music included “Beyond the Sea” and “Tales of Brave Ulysses,” and at the interval the cast sang “A Mighty Wind” from the eponymous movie, complete with Ariel playing a tambourine and Miriam Donald, Miranda, in the Catherine O’Hara part. It was hilarious and apt. The use of simple tunes for the songs, all performed by Ariel, was good, as was the over-the-top-ness of the appearance of the goddesses at the blessing being played by Caliban, Stefano, and Alonzo in terrific drag. This balance of the use of music was handled well and the audience (experiants!) clearly enjoyed it. Actor interaction with the experiants, particularly those seated on the stage, was lively and fun.
–Tonight’s play is Hamlet, and I have a first row seat, right about where I sat when I saw the ASC Faustus in 2010. I can’t wait.
–Some thought son Staunton in general: the city manager asked us all at the opening to spend our disposable cash here. I’d love to. But where? Many of the shops close at 5 or 6. I went to Bookworks last night to find a note on the door that said, “Back by 5.” It was 5.15, and they closed at 6. There are a few shops in teh downtown area, but also many empty storefronts. It reminds me of Asheville 20 years ago, before the bog downtown renaissance had really begun. The shops are either kind of kitschy, or seem to cater to locals–tourists are not likely to buy much from the bath and tile place, the wig shop, or the hair salon. The music shop has great instruments, but only a handful of recordings by local artists. I ran across one bookstore this morning that apparently doesn’t advertise, although it’s a nice little shop–Barrister Books. There’s not a convenience store or drug store nearby that looks appealing–there’s a little corner shop, but the windows are barred. The restaurants are either college-y, understandable give that Mary Baldwin College is right here–or somewhat expensive. Downtown at the Clock Tower is just about the only place in between. That said, I’ve eaten and drunk well–Baja Bean Co., a burrito joint, as Duvel on tap. There’s a shop attached to a local museum that has locally made art and crafts, but it’s small and again the hours are limited. Staunton could really be a great place to explore, but it needs more in its downtown that caters to the out-of-towners.
–Ok, enough. I need to go find dinner and a place that sells toothpaste, all that I can walk easily and quickly to before getting to the pre-show for Hamlet.