shakespeare by the sea

Last night's entertainment: Romeo & Juliet by the Globe Theatre on tour, an outdoor performance in the grounds of St. Andrew's Castle. The narrator (who also played Mercutio, the Prince, and probably some other character I've forgotten) said it was the most beautiful place they'd ever played, and I believe it--on a green lawn high on a cliff above the crashing waves, with the ruined castle as a backdrop. Everyone brought folding chairs and picnics. Mark also brought a Calvin & Hobbes book, but he did make it through most of the play (on the way there, Tim said, "Ok, Sara, let's hear a quote from Romeo & Juliet." She answered immediately, "What shall I swear by?" and "Oh happy dagger!") I think that my favorite thing about the production was the way they started out in casual, modern dress, and became more and more formal and Shakespearean as the play progressed… running from switchblade to dagger to foil, as well, so that each killing was committed with a more formal weapon. Romeo, who first appeared in rolled up jeans and shirttails, looked like Hamlet in black hose and boots by the end. The subtle changes in costuming really added to the accelerating mood of inevitable tragedy.

Jane Yolen was sitting on a picnic blanket in the audience about ten feet away from us. I was too shy to introduce myself for what would surely be the tenth time.

The only indication that it was the MIDDLE OF JUNE, given that the entire audience was huddled under umbrellas in raincoats and fleeces and blankets, was that it was still light at 10.15 p.m. when the play ended.  Juliet, who had to do a lot of the second half in a slip, must have been absolutely FROZEN.

In other news, I did promise pictures of my doctoral robes…



great hat, huh?