Architecturally Abroad

Last Thursday night, I went with a friend to Leicester Square, which is the official heart of the West End Theatre district and got tickets for Avenue Q. It was a hilarious comedy, combining puppets and real life problems to amazing effect. I recommend the show if you grew up on the Muppets and Sesame Street and ever wondered what happened to those puppets when they went home for the weekend. (Caution – crude language and humor make this show to adult for those of the young teen crowd)

Luckily for my theatre addiction, the Courtauld Institute is situated right on the southern edge of the London Theatre district. As with any study abroad opportunity, the chance to take advantage of local culture and entertainment is a large part of the experience. London has always had a great reputation for theatrical excellence, starting well before the time of Shakespeare and continuing through today. This theatre season, several great musicals continue to draw in the mostly tourist crowd, while other smaller venues keep the critics writing about great performances across the West End.

One of the recent triumphs in Theatre Land was the staging of Trevor Griffiths play about the life and work of Thomas Paine, entitled “A New World”, provided a thoroughly engrossing narrative of a man who loved, lived and wrote during two revolutions on two continents. about the life of Thomas Paine at the unlikely venue of Shakespeare’s Globe. I was lucky enough to see the last performance of this tour de force of a biographical play. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is always a treat as a venue (especially if you pay the few pounds more to get a seat rather than standing in the yard). The construction of the Globe was based on only a few sketchy primary sources which were roughly contemporary with the original wood structure, but while the design may or may not be accurate, the experience is absolutely genuine. Watching actors persevere and provide a thoroughly enjoyable performance while the crowds are wrapped in blankets and coats against the chill and drizzle engenders a new appreciation of the triumph of Shakespeare’s original staging.

Richard Attenborough was also highly influential in the research and preparation for this production. (who was actually at the theatre that night) Griffiths' play about the life and work of Thomas Paine, entitled “A New World”, provided a thoroughly engrossing narrative of a man who loved, lived and wrote during two revolutions on two continents.