“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” The Tempest (Prospero/a, Act IV, Scene I)
Last night was the cultural highlight of my NoCo Summer Season with Lisa and my annual pilgrimage to Colorado University’s Shakespeare Festival, where our selection this year was The Tempest.
For those of you who did not decide (or were not otherwise compelled) to read it in school, here’s a summary:
https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/shakespeares-plays/tempest/
Shakespeare is never an easy read, which is why I recommend seeing it performed live because his words rolling off a great actor’s tongue are magical incantations. His plays were never written to be read, only to be performed, which is why his friends had to scrounge together his first folio six years after he died.
And if you ever want to watch a completely hilarious depiction of Shakespeare during his lifetime – catch Upstart Crow – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upstart_Crow
Anyway, I always make sure to get the best seats as soon as the new season is posted in the fall of each year, and I nailed it for yesterday’s production – first row right in the center.
Anyway, last night’s Five Acts were broken into two seamless stretches – and since I could not film or photo during the production, I represent the evening by the stage setting before the curtain rose in the beginning
and during the intermission.
Now, the one major change in the production was having Ellen Mclaughlin, who I last saw in King Lear (as Lear) two seasons ago, play the lead, the Wizard Prospero, as a female – Prospera. She killed it.
And I got to be mesmerized by her powerful soliloquys standing front and center between those two footlights in the above photos.
Indeed, one of her final acts on stage was to silently turn over her Grimoire to her now freed slave creature, Caliban, and that unlikely and simple gesture almost brought a tear to me eye.
Now, having attended the CU Shakespeare Festival each year but one since our arrival, I’ve come to appreciate the passion and talent of many of the actors that return to perform with this troupe. They are excellent.
If you ever want to get a true understanding of the devotion, energy and love that a Shakespeare Troupe engages in to stage the Bard’s work – in a totally humorously enjoyable fashion – catch all three seasons of Slings and Arrows –
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slings_%26_Arrows
Now, as I said, the entire CU production, beginning to end, and acting, first to last, leads and chorus, was amazing and I could go on and on with highlighting each performance, but as time is my enemy, I will limit it to pointing out how a newcomer to this Troupe – Jordan Coughtry –
just about stole the show in his performance of Prospero/a’s chief spirit and right hand sprite on the island who faithfully serves its master with the most powerful magical feats with the promise of one day being freed from servitude – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_(The_Tempest)
Well, JC killed it with his performance which entailed artfully speaking the lines, playing/singing the music and physically conjuring up the magic moments on stage. Flawlessly. Indeed, he got his own applause from the audience during one of those moments.
But it was an exchange late in the play between Prospera and Ariel where these two actors really connected, in almost a whisper – Act IV, Sc I:
Ariel: * * * * Do you love me, master? No?
Prospera: Dearly, my delicate Ariel. * * * *
Soft lines that might have been lost to me, if I wasn’t sitting so close to the stage. But they will be remembered forever.
The actors deserved every moment of the final standing ovation.
The only down side to attending the performance is having to drive home through the New Moon pitch black foothills at such an ungodly hour.
We made it safely home and rounded this wonderful evening off with a sleep.
But today’s a Saturday, which means not only my regular Casa Claire chores, but the addition of my most dreaded task – cleaning the basement.
However, I first get to enjoy an hour of my monthly facial spa with the wonderful Anna the Barber.
So, I better get to it.
Oh, before I sign off, I must mention that yesterday’s enigma over the “Victim 900” reference in my dream has apparently been solved by my dear friend, and a central character in WTLLM, Renee Clarke, who shared the results of a little research she performed after reading my blog –
So, the appearance of 900 seems to have been perfectly timed for this season of my life. Thank you, Renee. You rock.
The rest of your fine, five readers, get out there and take care of those weekend errands early so you can fully enjoy your Saturday.
And remember, let’s all make today a great one.
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