Lift your head to the sky
Book Review: Long Story Short: An Anthology of (Mostly) 10-Minute Plays
I was provided a copy of this anthology by Playwrights Canada Press in exchange of a free and honest review.
“Long Story Short” is an anthology of short plays by Canadian playwrights of diverse backgrounds. The introduction by Rebecca Burton gives insight into how she picked the plays and on the background of the authors. Selected plays are intended to appeal to a variety of readers and variety of tastes as they range in genres from satire and comedy to absurdist and dystopian and encompass an array of topics from coming of age, love, relationships, race, gender norms, and death. Every read is bound to find something to their taste.
I have never had a pleasure of reading anything so diverse in genre and style. I found this idea extremely thrilling: an anthology of plays without one topic or common genre or one idea that would bind all of those stories together. With only one common ground of (relatively) short length, they are like mismatched beads, glass and seashells on a single thread. With so many of authors of different backgrounds involved, it is astounding how all of those talents shine individually as well as together.
I fell in love with this anthology almost from the very beginning. I did have a couple of instances when I was left confused or detached after finishing the play, however, the overwhelming majority of works left me reeling with emotions and thoughts. I couldn’t wait to review this anthology, only to be left stumped about how to approach something so different.
Eventually, I decided to do an overall review and provide a quick synopsis and rating for each play as they all deserve a mention.
The Book of Daniel by Lawrence Aronovitch
Summary: A man recalls his schooldays at a Jewish school.
Rating: 3 stars
The Baited Blade by David Belke
Summary: A young movie star comes to a veteran actor to receive a lesson in swordsmanship. Dark secrets are revealed.
Rating: 5 stars
Green Dating by Chantal Bilodeau
Summary: A teenage girl has very specific environmental ideas about what she wants in a man.
Rating: 4 stars
Sisters by Per Brask
Summary: A homage to Chekhov’s Three Sisters
Rating: 3 stars
Cook by David James Brock
Summary: The private cook of a demanding family interviews a boy who wants to be their next meal.
Rating: 4 stars
The Auction by Trina Davies
Summary: A married couple fights over the junk that the husband keeps buying.
Rating: 5 stars
Air Apparent by Sandra Dempsey
Summary: Aisling struggles with the aftermath of 9/11
Rating: 4 stars
Summer’s End by Francine Dick
Summary: Three sisters inherit the family cottage but one of them has quite different plans for it.
Rating: 4 stars
Pee & Qs by Josh Downing
Summary: Three men find themselves in an awkward situation as they face the workplace washroom rules.
Rating: 4 stars
The Prisoner by Jennifer Fawcett
Summary: In an unnamed country, a widow comes to prison to ask a guard about what happened to her husband and warn him about his fate.
Rating: 4 stars
This Isn't Toronto by Catherine Frid
Summary: An adult daughter and her mother have a conversation.
Rating: 3 stars
Troupe by Ron Fromstein
Summary: Four women attend the hundred and tenth meeting of Khodoriv Dance Collective
Rating: 2 stars
Brother, Brother by Meghan Greeley
Summary: A little girl with speech impairment needs to learn important words and asks an older boy to help her.
Rating: 4 stars
It’s Going To Be a Bright by Matthew Heiti
Summary: Two people break up and break up again. And again.
Rating: 4 stars
Garbed in Flesh by Arthur Holden
Summary: An old sexual offender is interrogated by a young detective and is confronted by his wife.
Rating: 3 stars
A Recipe for Tomato Butter by Florence Gibson MacDonald
Summary: A sixty-year-old woman contemplates God, tomatoes, 9/11 and her neighbours.
Rating: 4 stars
The Living Library by Linda McCready
Summary: A young woman borrows “a human book” from the library.
Rating: 3 stars
Flesh Offerings by Yvette Nolan
Summary: A Cree/Metis woman in Wild West show invites you to her performance.
Rating: 3 stars
The Only Good Indian by Jivesh Parasram
Summary: a standoff between a suicide bomber and a police officer
Rating: 5 stars
A Friend for Life by Talia Pura
Summary: Kristy is heartbroken, because her boyfriend came out as gay and dumped her.
Rating: 3 stars
An Ordinary Guy by Ann Snead
Summary: Jeff is an ordinary guy with an unusual attachment to tomatoes
Rating: 5 stars
Say the Words by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
Summary: Everything you have heard about feminists is totally true.
Rating: 5 stars
Steps by Jose Teodoro
Summary: People in formal clothes fret and dance to Miles Davis “Flamenco Sketches”
Rating: 4 stars
Nancy by Michael Wilmot
Summary: A boy comes across an elderly gentleman sitting in the park.
Rating: 4 stars
Burusera by Laura Mullen and Chris Tolley
Summary: Used underwear for sale.
Rating: 4 stars
I think all of my most favourite plays involved death or murder in one way or another (oops) but I enjoyed all of the plays for their diversity and unique taken on various facets of humanity, from ugly to touching.
I am incredibly grateful to Playwrights Canada Press for providing me with the copy of this anthology for review. I will be definitely re-reading this one more than once. Overall rating: 4.5 stars
Play Review: Obsession - National Theatre Live
I went to see the broadcast of "Obsession" play on May 11. It was broadcast live from the Barbican Theatre in London and was only about an hour and a half long with no intermission. The play is a new stage adaptation of Luchino Visconti’s 1943 film. I have never watched the movie, but I was attracted to this play because of two things: one, the main protagonist Gino is played by Jude Law, whom I had never seen on stage; and two, the play was produced by Ivo van Hove, whose in Hedda Gabler I really enjoyed (he also produced A View From The Bridge).
The movie “Obsession” that this play is based on, was quoted to be the first neorealist movie and an unofficial adaptation of the novel The Postman Always Rings Twice (the book that I have heard of but never read).
The play was introduced by a short video clip of the rehearsals and interviews with Ivo van Hove and Jude Law.
Here is the synopsis of the play from NT Live:
Gino is a drifter, down-at-heel and magnetically handsome. At a road side restaurant he encounters husband and wife, Giuseppe and Giovanna. Irresistibly attracted to each other, Gino and Giovanna begin a fiery affair and plot to murder her husband. But, in this chilling tale of passion and destruction, the crime only serves to tear them apart.
No matter, how much it hurts me to admit it, but I was extremely bored throughout the play. The stage decorations and props are so few and minimalistic that it leaves most to the imagination of the audience to decide when the characters are eating, sleeping or how much time has passed. I understand that it comes from the premise and the background of the story: Giuseppe and Giovanna are poor - their restaurant is void of customers when Gino stumbles in. Gino himself barely has enough money for one meal and definitely not enough things to call his own. Even though the attraction between Gino and Giovanna is portrayed interestingly through movements and glances, their love story is nothing new. The whole plot felt trite and predictable, and I was grateful that I didn’t have to suffer through more than one act of it.
Jude Law is great as Gino, both alluring and wild, but Giovanna was barely anything at all as a character, and it is sad. The most exciting part of the play was how van Hove decided to portray murder and blood. Instead of an actual car, there was a car engine hanging a bit over the stage. It revved and smoked and produced black oil-like substance that covered the characters on stage as they grappled and twisted in fight. That black slime represented the blood and crime, and that was probably the most unique setup that I have ever seen. Definitely an ingenuous idea on Ivo van Hove's part.
But otherwise it was so uninspiring - I found the behind the scenes footage more interesting to watch than the actual play - that I couldn't help glancing at my watch, and it never happens! Slightly disappointed, but otherwise content, if not happy, to have seen both Jude Law’s and Ivo van Hove’s work on stage. Can’t say it is something I would recommend, unless you are a fan of either or the movie.
Personal rating: 3 stars
Sources:
- Trailer: https://youtu.be/TylpAQ1k9Ew
- http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/ntlout23-obsession
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luchino_Visconti#Films
SHERLOCKED 2017 IN LOS ANGELES
I have been a fan of Sherlock since late 2010. I watched first season in my hotel room in Granada, Spain. I was immediately captivated by the show (and Benedict’s Sherlock, let’s be honest here) and was crushed that there was only three episodes in the season.
Years later I am still a fan, even though the show is pretty much over. And I am going to the very first (and hopefully not last) official Sherlock Convention in North America. I had been waiting for them to do it in my part of the world for a while and once I learned that it would actually happen - I was beyond happy! I purchased my ticket the day it went on say - back in November 2016. Over 6 months ago! Crazy, I know!
I will try to blog/vlog and post on Instagram (@foxcloudsblog) during the convention. Hopefully, will take lots of pictures and will write my experience of the event afterwards (early June). It is going to be a massive event that stretches over 2.5 days, so I expect a lot of fun stuff planned.
I don’t have a particular schedule. I know that I will be going to all night parties (Friday - Sunday) and that I have one photoshoot scheduled on Friday (221B Baker Street set photo), but otherwise I am quite open. My primary objective is to go to many panels that delve into behind the scenes and filming process as it is what I am most interested in. The schedule is enormous and there are a lot of things to do!
I am not going to any of drinks receptions as those got sold out before I even realized that we needed to purchase tickets for them (considering the price of the entrance ticket, it was just too much). But I am happy that I will be going to all three night parties! Each party would have an individual theme (see in the schedule below) but I don’t think you need to specifically dress up for it. Unless you want to, of course.
So, I am going to provide below the information for the ticket that I personally purchased and the whole schedule for the convention (taken from the official website) with those events that I am most interested personally. It is for reference only, mostly for myself, so I can go back and match it with what I actually ended up doing.
Let me know if any of you is going and keep an eye on my Instagram @foxcloudsblog for Stories/Vlogs!
Cheers!
Official website: http://www.sherlockedusa.com/
DETAILS:
Venue
Los Angeles Airport Marriott
5855 West Century Boulevard
Los Angeles
California
90045 USA
Dates
Friday 26th May, Saturday 27th May & Sunday 28th May 2017
Opening Times
Friday: Registration from 2pm. Event open 5pm - 8pm - Party till late.
Saturday: 9am to 6pm (Registration open from 8am) - Party till late.
Sunday: 9am to 6pm - Party till late.
MY TICKET INFO:
SILVER TICKET DIOGENES CLUB
Entry for Friday, Saturday and Sunday
All Talks in main hall
Unreserved seat in main hall (sides/back)
Silver Priority in Queues for Autos & Photos
1 x Friday Night Party Ticket
1 x Saturday Night Party Ticket
1 x Sunday Night Party Ticket
Exclusive Sherlocked USA Button and Lanyard
BAKER STREET / DIOGENES CLUB - The Tracks
During the weekend visitors will be sorted by two groups – the Baker Street Track and the Diogenes Club Track, this is to enable everybody the chance to attend the talks.
When you purchase your ticket you will have two options for each ticket type – you chose at purchase if you want to be in the Baker Street Track or the Diogenes Club Track by selecting the ticket type with that name associated with it – ie: if you have decided to buy the silver ticket, you chose either Silver Baker Street or Silver Diogenes Club.
This is purely to manage numbers sitting down for each talk in the halls – there is no additional benefits to choosing one over the other, visitors will receive the same access and items associated with the ticket type regardless of the track you choose – the only thing to consider is if you are going with friends you may wish to choose the same track ticket so you can sit in the same talks.
OFFICIAL EVENT SCHEDULE (as of May 24)
Friday Schedule
Registration Open: 1400 - 2000
Workshop Area
1700 - 1900 Ribbon Swap
Join us for a social meet up once you have arrived for a chance to start collecting and swapping your convention ribbons! Great opportunity to meet your fellow attendees for the weekend.
Photo Shoot A
1700 - 1800 Origami for Beginners
Our first session of the weekend for those of you wishing to learn some simple origami skills. See what you can do with just a piece of paper!
1815 - 1900 Cosplay Countdown
Join Abie to discuss your outfits or get last minute advice or late fixes for your cosplay. Plus it's a great chance to meet fellow cosplayers!
Photo Shoot B
1700 - 1900 Drawing Workshop
Ever wanted to learn how to draw your favourite characters from Sherlock, or simply improve your skills? Try the first of our workshops!
221b Set Photo Shoot Open: 1700 - 2000
Dealers Room Open: 1700 - 2000
Drinks Receptions (location to be confirmed)
1800 - 1900 Drinks Reception A - SOLD OUT
1930 - 2030 Drinks Reception B - SOLD OUT
Screening Room
1910 - 2000 Ice Cream Social **
Join Louis Moffat as he hosts the Sherlocked Ice-Cream Social - a place to meet fellow attendees over ice-cream! Free ice cream available whilst stocks last.
2100 - 2300 Karaoke **
Show off your singing skills with fellow attendees. Take a turn on the mic at the Karaoke!
Main Hall
2000 - 0200 Friday Night Party **
The theme is 'Chinese Circus'
Saturday Schedule
All times listed are in LA local times.
Registration Desk Open - 0800 - 1800
Main Hall
0900 - 0945 Opening Ceremony
Hosted by Tony Lee with special guests
1000 - 1045 The Birth of an Episode
Arwel Jones & Sue Vertue talk about the production process. Hosted by Tony Lee.
1100 - 1145 Body Positivity
Join our cosplay host Abie to discuss the importance of body positivity and cosplay.
1215 - 1300 Performance Hub
A chance to see the entries to the Performance Hub competition and see who wins the coveted cash prize! Hosted by Abie and featuring special guests.
1300 - 1400 Lunch Break
1405 - 1450 The Sign of Three
Arwel Jones, Amanda Abbington and Alistair Petrie discuss all that went into bringing the wedding reception to life.
1505 - 1550 Would You Like A Cup of Tea?
The Kettle is over there... Join Una Stubbs, Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton as they discuss their careers and working on Sherlock. Hosted by Tony Lee.
1605 - 1650 Sherlocked Auction
Join the Sherlocked Team as rare items from the TV Show and more go under the hammer!
1705 - 1750 Every Good Fairytale Needs a Villian
Andrew Scott takes to the stage for the last panel of the day. Hosted by Tony Lee.
2000 - 0200 Saturday Night Party**
The theme is 'London Calling'
Workshop Area
1000 - 1045 Origami for Beginners
Joel Stern will be on hand to teach attendees the art of origami.
1100 - 1145 Meet & Greet - Sue Vertue
Tickets only available via a ballot system - visit the Sales desk on Friday/Saturday morning for more details.
1200 - 1245 Meet & Greet - Andrew Scott
Bids can be made at the Sales Desk for this unique encounter with Moriarty!
1405 - 1450 Chaos Costuming Activity
Who doesn't need a little chaos in their lives? Fans of cosplay can meet the challenge by attending this workshop. Hosted by Abie and Louis Moffat.
1505 - 1550 Drawing Sherlock
Learn the basics and more when it comes to drawing our favourite consulting detective!
1605 - 1650 - Meet & Greet - Una Stubbs & Louis Moffat
Bids can be made at the Sales Desk for an encounter with the land lady and young Sherlock
1705 - 1750 Production Workshop
Arwel Jones will share some on-set secrets of the prop-master, and how certain looks may be acheived.
Photo Shoot A
1000 - 1045 Mark Gatiss - Gold Batches A, B, C, D, E, F & G
1050 - 1135 Amanda Abbington - Gold Batches C, D, E, F, G H & I
1140 - 1225 Una Stubbs - Gold Batches D, B, C, A, E, H & I
1230 - 1300 Wanda Ventham & Timothy Carlton - Gold Batches A, B, C, D, E & F
1405 - 1505 Andrew Scott - Gold Batches A, B, C, D, E, F, G & H
1510 - 1615 Cosplay Photo Shoot
1620 - 1705 Amanda Abbington - Gold Batches J, K, L, A & B
1720 - 1750 Finding the Canon in Sherlock
A fan discussion to look at how much of the canon appears in Sherlock
Photo Shoot B
0950 - 1035 Alistair Petrie - Gold Batches C, D, E, F, G, H & I
1040 - 1125 Louis Moffat - Gold Batches A, B, C, D, E, F, G
1130 - 1215 Arwel Jones - Gold Batches A, B, C, D, E & F
1220 - 1250 Steven Moffat & Sue Vertue - Gold Batches - A, B, C, D, E & F
1405 - 1450 Meet & Greet - Steven Moffat
Tickets only available via a ballot system - visit the Sales desk on Friday/Saturday morning for more details.
1505 - 1550 Meet & Greet - Alistair Petrie
Place your bids at the Sales Desk for this unique encounter with Alistair.
1605 - 1650 Andrew Scott - Silvers & Standards
1705 - 1750 Cosplay on a Budget
Join Abie to discuss hints and tips to save you money when working on new cosplay outfits!
221b Set Photo Shoot
1000 - 1145 Standard Set Photo Shoots
1150 - 1210 Holmes Family on 221b Set Photo shoot
1405 - 1645 Standard Set Photo Shoots
1645 - 1715 Mark Gatiss on Set Photo
1715 - 1800 Standard Set Photo Shoots
Dealers Room Open - 1000 - 1750
Screening Room
1000 - 1225 Enjoy your favourite Sherlock episodes
1230 - 1300 Being Major Sholto
Alistair Petrie will view and commentate on his time as Major Sholto as we watch some of his scenes.
1405 - 1435 Mycroft's Movie Night
Mark Gatiss will relive Mycroft's movie night as he views the scenes from the episode and comments on filming the sequence.
1435 - 1600 Enjoy your favourite Sherlock episodes
1605 - 1650 Setlocked
The Baker Street Babes and Arwel Jones discuss being on location and the experiences they have had when production leaves the studio.
2045 - 2220 The Great British Sherlocked Quiz **
In the style of a traditional british 'pub' quiz, a time to test your knowledge on different subjects, but mostly Britain and Sherlock.
Art Exhibition Area
1735 - 1750 Sherlocked Portrait Winner
The announcement of the winner of Sherlocked USA's Portrait competition.
Drinks Receptions (location to be confirmed)
1800 - 1900 Drinks Reception A - SOLD OUT
1930 - 2030 Drinks Reception B - SOLD OUT
Sunday Schedule
Registration Desk Open - 0900 - 1800
Main Hall
0900 - 0945 Science of Deduction
Exploring common techniques used to make simple deductions and how they apply to Sherlock. Hosted by Baker Street Babes
1000 - 1045 Get Out of My House You Reptile
Una Stubbs and Mark Gatiss take to the stage to discuss what they really think about Mrs Hudson vs Mycroft. Hosted by Tony Lee.
1100 - 1145 Baker Street Babes Podcast
The Baker Street Babes record their latest podcast, with special guests.
1200 - 1255 Cosplay Masquarade
Join our cosplay host Abie as she presents the Sherlocked USA Cosplay Masquerade with cash prizes for the best costumes!
1300 - 1400 Lunch Break
1405 - 1450 Meet the Makers
Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat and Sue Vertue discuss all things Sherlock and its continued success.
1505 - 1550 Being a Sherlock Fan
Join the panel to discuss the dedication and commitment needed to be a Sherlock fan.
1600 - 1645 Marvellous Mary Morstan
Amanda Abbington talks about being Mary and joining the cast of Sherlock in season 3. Hosted by Tony Lee.
1700 - 1800 The Amazing Sherlocked Game Show
Not to be missed! Our guests will be on stage to take part in a very special game show. Pick your side and enjoy the ride! Hosted by Tony Lee.
Location to be confirmed
2000 - 2300 Sunday Night Party **
The theme is 'Moriarty's Pool Party'
Work Shops
0900 - 0945 The Game is On
Learn about board games in development.
1000 - 1045 Meet & Greet - Amanda Abbington
Place your bids at the Registration Desk for this unique encounter with Mary!
1100 - 1200 Origami Workshop
Another chance to perfect your paper folding skills!
1215 - 1255 Drawing Sherlock
Learn the basics and more when it comes to drawing our favourite consulting detective!
1405 - 1450 Meet & Greet - Andrew Scott
Place your bids at the Sales Desk for this unique encounter with Moriarty.
1505 - 1550 Meet & Greet - Mark Gatiss
Place your bids at the Sales Desk for the opportunity for this unique encounter with Mycroft.
1600 - 1645 Meet & Greet - Steven Moffat & Louis Moffat
Tickets only available via a ballot system - visit the Sales desk on Saturday/Sunday for more details.
Photo Shoot A
0900 - 0930 Amanda Abbington Aquarium Shoot
0945 - 1035 Andrew Scott - Gold Batches I, J, K, L - Silver & Standards
1045 - 1120 Arwel Jones - Gold Batches J, K, L, G, H & I - Silver & Standards
1125 - 1155 Wanda Ventham & Timothy Carlton 1 - Gold Batches G, H, I, J, K & L
1200 - 1300 Sue Vertue & Steven Moffat - Gold Batches G, H, I, J, K & L - Silver & Standards
1405 - 1435 Cosplay Photo Shoot
1440 - 1500 Wanda Ventham & Timothy Carlton 2 - Silver & Standards
1600 - 1645 Writing Workshop
Get professional tips and advice on perfecting your writing skills. Hosted by 221 Breakfast Club.
Photo Shoot B
0915 - 1000 Alistair Petrie - Gold Batches J, K, L, A & B - Silver & Standards
1005 - 1050 Louis Moffat - Gold Batches J, K, L, H & I Silver & Standards
1055 - 1140 Una Stubbs - Gold Batches J, K, L, F & G - Silver & Standards
1145 - 1230 Mark Gatiss - Gold Batches J, K, L, H & I - Silver & Standards
1405 - 1450 Chaos Costuming
Join Abie and Alistair Petrie for another challenge. Are your cosplay skills ready?
1505 - 1550 Production Workshop
Arwel Jones shares more secrets and demonstrates some simple techniques to create some amazing props.
1600 - 1645 Cosplay on a Budget
Our cosplay host Abie shares some more hints and tips for creating amazing cosplay... on a budget.
221b Set Photo Shoot
0900 - 0930 Production Group Photo Shoot
1045 - 1205 Standard Set Photo Shoots
1215 - 1235 Una Stubbs on 221b Set Photo shoot
1240 - 1300 Cast Group Photo Shoot
1405 - 1550 Standard Set Photo Shoots
1600 - 1645 Andrew Scott on 221b Set Photo Shoot
Dealers Room Open - 0900 - 1645
Screening Room
0900 - 0930 Animal Instincts
A closer look at the animals of Sherlock
0930 - 1130 Enjoy your favourite Sherlock episodes
1130 - 1200 Up On the Roof
Andrew Scott relives and comments on those now infamous rooftop scenes between Moriarty and Sherlock just before that fall.
1200 - 1500 Enjoy your favourite Sherlock episodes
1500 - 1530 Mrs Hudson and THAT car chase scene
Una Stubbs and Steven Moffat discuss the most surprising, and thoroughly enjoyable, scene of season 4!
1530 - 1600 Enjoy your favourite Sherlock moments
1600 - 1645 Setlocked
Baker Street Babes and Arwel Jones discuss location filming in public places.
** Evening activity - Only applicable to some ticket types, check the Tickets page for more details.
Please note that the schedule overrides the days listed on any photo shoot tickets already purchased. Photo Shoots will be called as VIP/Gold first, then Silvers and then standards. Your photo will now by called by group and happen on either Saturday or Sunday depending on your assigned group. You will be notified of your Group Letter in an email prior to the event.
Groups for Gold Package Holder for autographs and photo shoots will also be made clear on arrival when you collect your pass. The allocation of group letters is based on when tickets were purchased.
Autographs are not scheduled, but will happen at times over the weekend when the guest is not busy with a photo shoot, busy with a talk or on a break.
At this time the separate tracks 'Baker Street' and 'Diogenes Club' are not shown on the schedule as attendee numbers do not require their activation.
VIP's will be contacted shortly by their VIP Liaison Kelly, who will let them know their additional schedule.
Schedule is correct at time of published and may be subject to change prior to the event. Any updates will be amended at the earliest opportunity but please check the schedules at the event to ensure you don't miss out. This schedule was published as correct on May 15th 2017..
Book Review: Of Beast and Beauty by Jay Stacey
“Of Beast and Beauty” was the book that I randomly picked from the library after having it recommended to me by BookOutlet based on my browsing and purchases. I knew nothing of this book and had never heard of the author, so I went into it with fairly low expectations. I did pick it up shortly after watching the new movie “Beauty and the Beast”, so I was rather in the mood for this type of retelling.
“Of Beast and Beauty” is a young adult fantasy novel, it is a stand alone, and quite overlooked in my opinion. The setting is a cross between sci-fi/dystopian and fantasy world, and found it very peculiar that there allusions to the times when people came to this world in spaceships.
The main protagonist, Princess Isra, lives in isolation in a tower, protected and hidden from the world due to her blindness and ugliness. Her city, Yuan, is covered by the dome, which has to be protected and reinforced by certain sacrifice to the magic of the city. Outside Yuan there is only desert, in which outcast and beastly people, the Monstrous, live. A group of monstrous finds their way inside Yuan in the hopes of stealing one of the red roses from the garden as their magic was prophesied to save their people from starvation. Gem, one of the monstrous, is captured and becomes Isra’s prisoner. Unexpectedly, Gem and Isra discover that not all things that they both believed in are true.
I suggest that if you want to read this book, stay away from reading the summary either on the flap or GoodReads as it happens to give away quite a bit of book’s events (no idea why). I went into this book completely blind and I think that is why I enjoyed it so much.
It is a rather interesting story, a very easy read. Nothing is too overly complicated, however, the world is rather interestingly constructed and it is not as easy to pinpoint who of either characters is supposed to be Belle and who is The Beast. Both Isra and Gem go through character development, which is great. The book is told from three different points of view, which I rather enjoyed as it showed that none of the characters were flawless or black and white.
Could I predict the book ending? Well, yes, as it is a retelling after all.
Did I know how the things were going to play out? Nope. I found twists and turns quite interesting and there were quite a few things that I didn’t see coming.
It was not the perfectly written book. It had flaws, especially in some of the character’s actions. However, I did like the characters, and all of my favourite moments were to do with the roses and garden. I swear, I was completely hooked by the story the moment when the roses turned out to be magical (it is not really a spoiler). Will probably never be able to view them as harmless flowers.
Personal rating: 3.5 stars
Play Review: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead - National Theatre Live
Raise a hand if you can pronounce the title of this play, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”, in one go without twisting your tongue - because I can’t! So, I am going to refer to it from now it as ‘RaG’ in my review, because even typing it in full is a hassle.
I heard about this play for the first time at my very first job, where we had the movie with same title available at the library. It was released in 1990 and had two of my (now) favourite actors - Gary Oldman and Tim Roth. I never had a chance to rent this movie and for years ‘RaG’ in my head was labelled as ‘that one movie I never got to watch’. I knew that it was somehow linked to Shakespeare, but only later I learned that it was originally a play by Tom Stoppard and not a movie (the movie had Stoppard as both director and writer). When National Theatre announced this play in honour of the play’s 50th anniversary and casted Joshua McGuire and Daniel Radcliffe (the latter I had been dying to see on stage), I was ready to buy tickets on spot. I believe that the fact that ex Harry Potter was on stage had to do something with the younger than usual audience at the broadcast - which is great as I would love to more younger people go to theatre. I watched this play on April 20, and if I could, I would watch it again.
As per usual, I set my mind on reading the play before watching it on stage, but I didn’t have time to finish it. And I am glad it happened this way as I think it is easy to get lost in the absurdist nature of the dialogues and miss the point, while watching it on stage added a different layer of meaning.
If you don’t know what this play is about but you feel that it is vaguely familiar, well, you are not alone. Tom Stoppard took two secondary characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and wrote an absurdist, existentialist tragicomedy that portrays those two inseparable friends as confused and unwilling participants in the events of Hamlet. There are bits of dialogues and actual scenes from Hamlet, but they are used to only enhance the absurdity of everything that is happening. R and G are confused by their existence, by the world’s existence, by everything that is happening, including Hamlet’s depression and obsession with his father’s death. They futilely try to find the meaning in everything, but eventually, even when they discover that the letter with death sentence that they carry has their names, they still follow the appointed road to the end.
The play is funny, absurd, existential, and thought provoking. It is a meta within a meta, and theatrical bits and scenes serve as the commentary and parody on Hamlet. Both Joshua McGuire and Daniel Radcliffe do an amazing job as two confused fellows, who try and fail to make sense of things. They talk about life and death, and probability. The play has too many layers to take in just in one viewing. That is why I hope I would get a chance to see it on stage again, as I feel in no way qualified to talk about the play indepth.
The play was introduced by a short movie, as usual, with both actors talking about the play and stage. The Old Vic’s stage was transformed and sort of elongated to bring it closer to the audience. The play originally premiered in the same theatre 50 years ago, which made it an incredible experience for both the actors and the audience to experience it again on the same stage.
Highly recommend to English majors, Shakespeare lovers as well as fans of theatre!
Personal rating: 4 stars
Sources:
- Trailer: https://youtu.be/rLik8gLlNIo
- http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/ntlout21-rosencrantz-guildenstern-are-dead
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosencrantz_and_Guildenstern_Are_Dead
- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100519/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Book Review: Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley (audiobook)
Have you ever discovered a hidden gem in a place you never expected to find one? I got this feeling when I started listening to “Magonia” audiobook. This book was on my radar some time ago, about a year or so. I even purchased it on Kindle when it was on sale. I never read it though and quickly forgot about it. Recently, I have been on a huge audiobook buying spree. I am an avid Audible user, but I also get books from the library and I had more than one person repeatedly tell me that I should use OverDrive to get audiobooks. I decided to give the OverDrive app a try (since the interface wasn’t inspiring confidence and I am too addicted to Audible anyway) and “Magonia” was the book that I downloaded as it was readily available.
I am not new to audiobooks. I have been using Audible for over 10 years now (no kidding) and I listened to audiobooks before that too. Needless to say, I can be very picky when it comes to narrators. That is why I was so excited when “Magonia” exceeded my expectations. The audiobook is narrated by Therese Plummer and Michael Crouch, neither of whom I ever listened to before. Therese, obviously, steals the show as her narration dominates the audiobook but they both are really good, and I think if it weren’t for their acting, I would have not enjoyed the audiobook this much.
“Magonia” is a book one in a young adult fantasy duology. It is told mainly from the point of view of its main protagonist, Aza Ray, a teenaged girl with a mysterious disease. Aza is weak and sick, constantly in and out of hospitals, but her spirit is very strong and her awareness of the world around her is astounding. Her best friend is a nerdish and adventurous Jason. He, as well as Aza’s family, her mother, father and younger sister, all are trying to equally support Aza and get ready for her eventual demise. One day Aza starts hearing someone calling her name. Everyone thinks, she is hallucinating, but Jason believes her.
And when one day, it finally happens - Aza dies and opens her eyes on a trading ship, sailing in the sky - Jason is the only one who keeps believing into impossible.
“Magonia” is a lyrical and reflective in tone, so it works perfectly as an audiobook. Therese is especially fabulous as she gives voices to different characters. She chirps and groans and whispers, and it is fascinating to listen to. (I found out that Therese also narrated two other books that I really enjoyed - “This Savage Song” by Victoria Schwab and “Rook” by Sharon Cameron - and I can’t wait to listen to them as well!)
I found the world and magic system of Magonia original and intriguing. Can’t say that the actual plot line of the book is anything terribly special - the romance triangle, for one, is totally predictable. However, it is a very character driven plot, and it compensates for somewhat predictable plot twists. I loved all the characters, even the bad ones, just because they were so well developed. It is obvious that the author put a lot of effort into fleshing out the characters. I think I loved Jason the most. He is brilliant and nerdy, suffers from anxiety and is obviously somewhere on the autism spectrum, and recites Pi to keep Aza alive. He has two loving mothers, who care about him a lot. Aza's family is delightful too. I am always happy when YA fiction has lots of well written side characters and when the family members of main protagonists aren't there only to serve as a washed-out background prop.
The ending left me wanting to start the second book right away (it is still on hold at the library), although it does not really end with a big cliffhanger, but I can’t wait to see how this all gets resolved. And I definitely, definitely recommend you listen to this audiobook as opposed to reading a book. It is wonderful!
Plot: 3 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Overall: 4 stars
