Greatness at the Globe

I am writing this post while still under the influence of euphoria due to the greatness I like to call As You Like It. After reading As You Like It (from this point on affectionately referred to as "AYLI") I quickly decided that it was my favorite Shakespeare play that I have ever read - and I have read about seven. Kenneth Branaugh's Much Ado About Nothing is still my favorite film adaptation but AYLI was my favorite play.

So back to my indescrible feelings. After seeing the play at the Globe I have now decided that AYLI is definitely my favorite Shakespeare play seen on the stage. The first half of the play I was sitting in basically the nosebleed section. There was a pole in the way and I had to constantly shift my seat to attempt to see the characters.

Then...in the second half I became a groundling and stood down on the stage and whew that is the only way to see a play in the Globe Theatre is to embrace the groundling status. The second half of the play was simply AMAZING! As I could actually see the character's faces I felt so drawn into the action and every comedic element was magnified by the use of physicality. I cannot even attempt to convey the feelings that AYLI invoked in me.

The fool character, Touchstone was hilarious and the melancholy Jacques simply delightful. The music in the end was a modern jazzy feel and the characters all danced their way through curtain call. I am going to go see it again for sure, especially because I can get groundling tickets for 5 pounds. After the play we danced over the Millenium Bridge with the light up St. Paul's in the background. Not a bad life, eh? Below is my pesky pole that obstructed my view.

The truest testament to our Study Abroad being entirely composed of females is the discussion in our dormitories after the play where every single female mooned over Orlando. As I was leaving the theatre I totally saw Daniel Radcliffe!

Well at least I thought I did until I looked closer and it was a 50 year old man.