The Stage Manager here! Reporting, one last time, from Edinburgh, Scotland!
Our show closed yesterday to a fairly full house. We had a little mishap during the show... The venue was sooo warm an audience member fainted in her seat. But like Freddie Mercury says "the show must go on!" and ours did.
Several friends that we have made along the way here in Edinburgh came to our closing performance and everyone seemed to like it. After all, "Shipwrecked!" is a 5 star show!
To celebrate our successful run, we all made plans to meet at the pub next to the theatre where "Tempest without a body" was playing. Since we had tickets to the show it was just easier to all convene there before the show.
This is the saddest part of my tale... "Tempest without a body" is officially our last outing as a group here in Scotland... As tonight is our last night in Edinburgh.
Everyone has plans separate or together and everyone is slowly packing up once again to travel the 20+ hours back to our respective destinations. Many are returning to school, many are not.
No one wants to leave this beautiful city. But like all good things, this too must come to end. Edinburgh has been a blessing in many ways and we shall remember our adventures lovingly from here on out.
In less than 9 hours a bus will arrive outside our flat to take us to the airport. Heathrow bound then back to JFK... Wish us luck!
Good night dear ones, great and small. Sweet dreams!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Quid... Tourists... Venues... and Haggis
The Stage Manager here! Reporting from Edinburgh, Scotland:
It has been decided by many here on this trip - or rather those with whom I have spoken... That life over on this side of "the pond" just makes more sense than life back in the States!
Perhaps it is the pleasing rhythm to the life here - everyone is so relaxed and friendly. There is no reason to get stressed or angry. We're in Europe! There's time enough. Between the currency (pounds = quid apparently), cars driving on the opposite side of the road, haggis (tasted like spicy sausage) and the accents a plenty; we of SU Drama are rather content with our living conditions here in glorious Edinburgh and would not mind a bit staying here forever. Thank you!
We opened on Monday to a full house! The ladies from "The Tempest" came to our show and the audience really seemed to enjoy it. The review that we got the next day was good and the cast all did a wonderful job!
More and more shows are being viewed by the company and word of mouth is spreading about which shows to see and which to avoid... Venues seem to crop up out of nowhere! Something close to 1000 shows a day are happening in this city! And every available space has become a venue... Crap as some of them may be, where there is a venue, there is a show! And there is something for everyone!
A man at our venue told me that Edinburgh's population more than triples in size during the Festival. So if you don't like crowds - don't bother. Many people in the city rent their flats during the festival and leave! They make 3 months rent in no time because people will pay that much to stay in the city... And I understand why they (those that leave) do it!
There is a queue (a standing line) to wait in everywhere you go and people always always ALWAYS seem to walk walk walk STOP! in the middle of the sidewalk. To which some *ahem* may feel the urge to shout "GET YOUR LIFE TOGETHER!" ...American or not. I cannot stand the tourists!
...Any who... "Shipwrecked!" is everyday from 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Actually our show starts at 2:15pm so that we can focus lights and set props. But this performance time gives the company a chance to see shows, etc. late into the evening and sleep in the next morning. Slap bang in the middle of the day is a nice time for our show as it is a family show and so far the children seem to quite enjoy it.
Tonight is the Rocky Horror Show at The World Famous Frankenstein! The cast of "Shipwrecked!" and the cast of "The Tempest" are joining forces tonight and descending upon the place which shall never be the same! We've been looking forward to it since we arrived and I do so hope it is not a disappointment!
More later!
It has been decided by many here on this trip - or rather those with whom I have spoken... That life over on this side of "the pond" just makes more sense than life back in the States!
Perhaps it is the pleasing rhythm to the life here - everyone is so relaxed and friendly. There is no reason to get stressed or angry. We're in Europe! There's time enough. Between the currency (pounds = quid apparently), cars driving on the opposite side of the road, haggis (tasted like spicy sausage) and the accents a plenty; we of SU Drama are rather content with our living conditions here in glorious Edinburgh and would not mind a bit staying here forever. Thank you!
We opened on Monday to a full house! The ladies from "The Tempest" came to our show and the audience really seemed to enjoy it. The review that we got the next day was good and the cast all did a wonderful job!
More and more shows are being viewed by the company and word of mouth is spreading about which shows to see and which to avoid... Venues seem to crop up out of nowhere! Something close to 1000 shows a day are happening in this city! And every available space has become a venue... Crap as some of them may be, where there is a venue, there is a show! And there is something for everyone!
A man at our venue told me that Edinburgh's population more than triples in size during the Festival. So if you don't like crowds - don't bother. Many people in the city rent their flats during the festival and leave! They make 3 months rent in no time because people will pay that much to stay in the city... And I understand why they (those that leave) do it!
There is a queue (a standing line) to wait in everywhere you go and people always always ALWAYS seem to walk walk walk STOP! in the middle of the sidewalk. To which some *ahem* may feel the urge to shout "GET YOUR LIFE TOGETHER!" ...American or not. I cannot stand the tourists!
...Any who... "Shipwrecked!" is everyday from 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Actually our show starts at 2:15pm so that we can focus lights and set props. But this performance time gives the company a chance to see shows, etc. late into the evening and sleep in the next morning. Slap bang in the middle of the day is a nice time for our show as it is a family show and so far the children seem to quite enjoy it.
Tonight is the Rocky Horror Show at The World Famous Frankenstein! The cast of "Shipwrecked!" and the cast of "The Tempest" are joining forces tonight and descending upon the place which shall never be the same! We've been looking forward to it since we arrived and I do so hope it is not a disappointment!
More later!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
WHERE did the last week go?
HERE it is. The first blog post FROM Scotland from me, and what's the date? August 10th? WHAA? We've been here for 6 days, Liam!
Let me explain...
I've only had internet in the past two days. The past two days were the evening before and opening of our show. While this is very exciting and there are tons of things to do in this time, I also chose to do a lot of resting up because as beautiful, fascinating, seductive, intoxicating and fabulous (insert other adjectives here which could also be on the back of a romance novel) as Edinburgh is, it's also EXHAUSTING, and frequent cat naps have been rampant. Also, my computer weighs about 8 pounds, and as my internet access is confined to the flat that we're so generously provided by The University of Edinburgh (which has some of the most INCREDIBLE buildings. Picutres to come later.), I've only had internet when I come home.
Well, I'm home! And I'm blogging! And... Jordan just showed up to come meet us to go to dinner before we go see the play "Let's Have Sex!" (I've noticed that that's a very popular tactic here. Sex, almost nudity, or very provocative words to get people's attention as you stroll past the MILLIONS of posters everywhere you look in the city for the THOUSANDS of shows performed here each day in hundreds of venues all over the place. Literally, over 1000 shows a day. All month. Every day.) So... we're off again. However, I will be back later tonight to start the novel of various thoughts and exeperiences, reviews, anecdotes and all the other stuff (sounds kind of like what haggis is made of!) and I'll be LINKING all over the place to a bunch of stuff.
But for now, I'll just keep making notes in my notebook, and trying to keep thinking of witty titles for blog entries. (ie: Draggage Claim is the title of the chapter dealing with the four consecutive plane flights that we took in about 20 hours. Cute? I thought so.)
ANYWAY... This city is ebsolutely incredible, I think I've heard all of us on this trip say at one point that we don't want to leave, or we want to move here, and how GORGEOUS and inspiring it is. I have to say that it's a daunting task to try and tell you all everything I want to tell you. I literally could write a novel about the experiences.
AND THERE'S A WEEK LEFT.
So, until tonight, (which is convenient for all of you readers 5 hours behind us. I can blog as late as I want!)
PEACE OUT.
Let me explain...
I've only had internet in the past two days. The past two days were the evening before and opening of our show. While this is very exciting and there are tons of things to do in this time, I also chose to do a lot of resting up because as beautiful, fascinating, seductive, intoxicating and fabulous (insert other adjectives here which could also be on the back of a romance novel) as Edinburgh is, it's also EXHAUSTING, and frequent cat naps have been rampant. Also, my computer weighs about 8 pounds, and as my internet access is confined to the flat that we're so generously provided by The University of Edinburgh (which has some of the most INCREDIBLE buildings. Picutres to come later.), I've only had internet when I come home.
Well, I'm home! And I'm blogging! And... Jordan just showed up to come meet us to go to dinner before we go see the play "Let's Have Sex!" (I've noticed that that's a very popular tactic here. Sex, almost nudity, or very provocative words to get people's attention as you stroll past the MILLIONS of posters everywhere you look in the city for the THOUSANDS of shows performed here each day in hundreds of venues all over the place. Literally, over 1000 shows a day. All month. Every day.) So... we're off again. However, I will be back later tonight to start the novel of various thoughts and exeperiences, reviews, anecdotes and all the other stuff (sounds kind of like what haggis is made of!) and I'll be LINKING all over the place to a bunch of stuff.
But for now, I'll just keep making notes in my notebook, and trying to keep thinking of witty titles for blog entries. (ie: Draggage Claim is the title of the chapter dealing with the four consecutive plane flights that we took in about 20 hours. Cute? I thought so.)
ANYWAY... This city is ebsolutely incredible, I think I've heard all of us on this trip say at one point that we don't want to leave, or we want to move here, and how GORGEOUS and inspiring it is. I have to say that it's a daunting task to try and tell you all everything I want to tell you. I literally could write a novel about the experiences.
AND THERE'S A WEEK LEFT.
So, until tonight, (which is convenient for all of you readers 5 hours behind us. I can blog as late as I want!)
PEACE OUT.
An Update from Emily!
Well, well, well. Look at all you lovely looking people out there.
Emily here, rising Senior acting major at good ol' SU. Here begins my Edin-blog adventure.
Edinburgh has turned out to be the city of my dreams: manageable size, incredibly friendly people, beautiful architecture, rich history... I am head over heels for this place. I will say, I enjoyed our time here pre-Fringe much more than the last few days. The incredible amount of tourists that just seemed to APPEAR is a bit overwhelming. But I feel very lucky that our flats are somewhat removed from the chaos of the Royal Mile. Wow! What an incredible sight to see. People moving, bustling, jostling, singing, dancing, yelling, crying, laughing. Beautiful, albeit loud.
A few favorite places in the city:
-Elephant and Bagels. GREAT breakfast food, all very fresh. A bit on the expensive side, but well worth the adorable cafe feel and friendly service.
-Malone's Irish Pub. Live music every day at 1PM and evening at 10PM. During the week, actually a nice place to share a pint and talk quietly with friends. Weekends? ...well, you'll have to experience that one yourself.
-The Zoo Roxy. From what I understand, an art gallery-turned-theatre. The performance spaces are very unique, and the theatre being showcased there has been surprisingly new and refreshing.
Well, I may or may not be running out of time on my wi-fi subscription, so I'm going to cut this entry short. But, you will be hearing from me again!!!
Goodnight, dear ones, great and small. Sweet dreams.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Well Hello Edinburgh!
The Stage Manager here! Reporting from Edinburgh, Scotland:
Finally have access to decent internet... So here we go! Updates on what's been happening since we arrived:
Wednesday August 4
We finally landed in Edinburgh!!! The last 10+ hours of traveling and airports was well worth it! The poor customs officers at Heathrow (connection between JFK and Edinburgh) really had no idea what to do with us, but we all made it through security unscathed.
Of course, as we were landing in Scotland, what should we see out the windows of our rather small plane? ...our rather small plane that got hit by a wee bit of lightning on the way over from Heathrow...? A field full of SHEEP! But as far as I know that's been the only sheep encounter. At least that's MY only sheep encounter here in Scotland so far... I can't speak for the others.
After dropping our stuff at our flats, some people decided to rest, some to explore - but we all seemed to find our way. The only request our director made of us was to each get a copy of the Fringe festival guide and find the venue before the next day's rehearsal at 10AM. Done and done.
Our flats are far enough away from the Royal Mile and all of the craziness that ensues there without being so far away we can't walk. And everyone seems to love it here. I know I do.
Thursday August 5
Our 1st full day in Edinburgh and 1st rehearsal since May
We started the day by doing a line through and unpacking all of the props. Then we worked through as many scenes as time permitted. There are 10 "chapters" in the play, and we worked through the first 6 - not bad! Not bad at all!
For lunch, a bunch of us went to "The World Famous Frankenstein" - a Frankenstein movie themed restaurant down a bit from our venue. It is exactly what it sounds like and soooo much cooler! I, for one, am a HUGE fan of the old Universal Picture's Monster Movies; Frankenstein being my favorite of them all! So I highly recommend this place - it is atmospheric AND has good food :-)
Many of the cast explored the city together later in the evening. The Royal Mile is a glorious place indeed! And I look forward to spending more time there.
Friday August 6
2nd full day in Scotland and 2nd day of rehearsal
We finished working through the show and did a run through. Everyone worked hard and it was wonderful seeing the show in it's entirety again!
Late in the evening the cast met up and went on a Ghost Tour. The historical information part of it was awesome, but overall the tour was not worth the £10. There wasn't really anything scary and they did the whole get everyone in a room and turn off the torches (flashlights) thing... Then when people were good and freaked out, they had someone jump into the doorway, scream and run away. So rude. I saw the girl who screamed after the tour and wanted so badly to punch her in the throat but thought better of it. Love Scotland. Want to stay here forever. But not stay here forever in a Scottish prison... Just sayin'.
Still would very much like to see Mary King's Close and more of the underground city though. I've seen enough on the History Channel to know that there is more than meets the eye in this BEAUTIFUL city!
The cast of the Tempest, their SM and director flew in today!
Saturday August 7
Today we teched the show. Literally we had 4 hours to get in the space, gel and focus lights, program the board and run the show... WE DID IT!
We got through the show and everything is looking good *knocks on wood* for our opening Monday.
After tech I met up with some of the Tempest girls and went to see a performance of "A Clockwork Orange." It turned out to be a musical and the main character Alex was played by a woman. It was interesting to say the least. I would very much like to see the movie again, because it's been years but overall the performance was quite good. The set was cool and the ensemble work was very cohesive. It was easy to tell that they all love this piece, which is the first show I've seen at the Fringe... And definitely one for the books!
Tomorrow we are having a line through... Somewhere... If the weather is nice we'll climb Arthur's Seat (the dead volcano outside the city) and rehearse there. If the weather is crap we will find a pub. Either way, it will be layed back and fun.
More later!
Finally have access to decent internet... So here we go! Updates on what's been happening since we arrived:
Wednesday August 4
We finally landed in Edinburgh!!! The last 10+ hours of traveling and airports was well worth it! The poor customs officers at Heathrow (connection between JFK and Edinburgh) really had no idea what to do with us, but we all made it through security unscathed.
Of course, as we were landing in Scotland, what should we see out the windows of our rather small plane? ...our rather small plane that got hit by a wee bit of lightning on the way over from Heathrow...? A field full of SHEEP! But as far as I know that's been the only sheep encounter. At least that's MY only sheep encounter here in Scotland so far... I can't speak for the others.
After dropping our stuff at our flats, some people decided to rest, some to explore - but we all seemed to find our way. The only request our director made of us was to each get a copy of the Fringe festival guide and find the venue before the next day's rehearsal at 10AM. Done and done.
Our flats are far enough away from the Royal Mile and all of the craziness that ensues there without being so far away we can't walk. And everyone seems to love it here. I know I do.
Thursday August 5
Our 1st full day in Edinburgh and 1st rehearsal since May
We started the day by doing a line through and unpacking all of the props. Then we worked through as many scenes as time permitted. There are 10 "chapters" in the play, and we worked through the first 6 - not bad! Not bad at all!
For lunch, a bunch of us went to "The World Famous Frankenstein" - a Frankenstein movie themed restaurant down a bit from our venue. It is exactly what it sounds like and soooo much cooler! I, for one, am a HUGE fan of the old Universal Picture's Monster Movies; Frankenstein being my favorite of them all! So I highly recommend this place - it is atmospheric AND has good food :-)
Many of the cast explored the city together later in the evening. The Royal Mile is a glorious place indeed! And I look forward to spending more time there.
Friday August 6
2nd full day in Scotland and 2nd day of rehearsal
We finished working through the show and did a run through. Everyone worked hard and it was wonderful seeing the show in it's entirety again!
Late in the evening the cast met up and went on a Ghost Tour. The historical information part of it was awesome, but overall the tour was not worth the £10. There wasn't really anything scary and they did the whole get everyone in a room and turn off the torches (flashlights) thing... Then when people were good and freaked out, they had someone jump into the doorway, scream and run away. So rude. I saw the girl who screamed after the tour and wanted so badly to punch her in the throat but thought better of it. Love Scotland. Want to stay here forever. But not stay here forever in a Scottish prison... Just sayin'.
Still would very much like to see Mary King's Close and more of the underground city though. I've seen enough on the History Channel to know that there is more than meets the eye in this BEAUTIFUL city!
The cast of the Tempest, their SM and director flew in today!
Saturday August 7
Today we teched the show. Literally we had 4 hours to get in the space, gel and focus lights, program the board and run the show... WE DID IT!
We got through the show and everything is looking good *knocks on wood* for our opening Monday.
After tech I met up with some of the Tempest girls and went to see a performance of "A Clockwork Orange." It turned out to be a musical and the main character Alex was played by a woman. It was interesting to say the least. I would very much like to see the movie again, because it's been years but overall the performance was quite good. The set was cool and the ensemble work was very cohesive. It was easy to tell that they all love this piece, which is the first show I've seen at the Fringe... And definitely one for the books!
Tomorrow we are having a line through... Somewhere... If the weather is nice we'll climb Arthur's Seat (the dead volcano outside the city) and rehearse there. If the weather is crap we will find a pub. Either way, it will be layed back and fun.
More later!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Hurry up and Wait!
The Stage Manager here! Reporting from the Syracuse Hancock International Airport:
I'm Jannae - a senior and the Stage Manager of this epic adventure!
Today is the day that we all convene at JFK and fly to Edinburgh!!! It's a crazy day for everyone and patience is key. We are all making our own way to JFK from all over the place. Some people are already in the city and some people are trying to get there...
Like me.
Weeks ago I booked a flight from Syracuse to JFK. Since I don't live in Syracuse, I had a bit of traveling to do to get here. By the time I was ready to go, my flight had been delayed. Not the end of the world. It'll all work out. But I've been sitting at the gate for close to 2 hours with another 2 to go. If I didn't have internet access I don't know what I'd do!
As it stands, or rather the last time someone came over the loud speaker; my plane is departing here at 2:00pm which means I won't be to JFK til at least 3:15 or so. That gives me one hour to get my luggage and find my cast so we can get through security and go to our gate... Ya know, for more waiting.
I love to travel but this hurry up and wait business is wearying.
Can't wait to get to Scotland! So much to see and do! Looking forward to seeing men in kilts again, not gonna lie.
More later!
I'm Jannae - a senior and the Stage Manager of this epic adventure!
Today is the day that we all convene at JFK and fly to Edinburgh!!! It's a crazy day for everyone and patience is key. We are all making our own way to JFK from all over the place. Some people are already in the city and some people are trying to get there...
Like me.
Weeks ago I booked a flight from Syracuse to JFK. Since I don't live in Syracuse, I had a bit of traveling to do to get here. By the time I was ready to go, my flight had been delayed. Not the end of the world. It'll all work out. But I've been sitting at the gate for close to 2 hours with another 2 to go. If I didn't have internet access I don't know what I'd do!
As it stands, or rather the last time someone came over the loud speaker; my plane is departing here at 2:00pm which means I won't be to JFK til at least 3:15 or so. That gives me one hour to get my luggage and find my cast so we can get through security and go to our gate... Ya know, for more waiting.
I love to travel but this hurry up and wait business is wearying.
Can't wait to get to Scotland! So much to see and do! Looking forward to seeing men in kilts again, not gonna lie.
More later!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
hey hey
So I FINALLY figured out how to write on the blog...it took about an hour...with a lot of google searches.
Anyway...HI! I'm Alyson and I'll be a senior (weird) musical theatre major at Syracuse. This summer I've been working two jobs, both at home. One where I'm a hostess at a Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar and another at the small town Ice Cream place where we sell more Silly Bands than we do ice cream. I really don't like working at places where my tips end up going back to the restaurant to eat their food, but I've made sure all of my paychecks are going RIGHT to my account to pay for Scotland :)
I'm so excited this trip, and may or may not have been counting down for a few months now. Once I bought my yellow converse a few weeks ago, I was set to go. I'm really excited to see the castles and the city of Edinburgh. I've been out of the country, but to mostly "touristy" cities if that makes sense (London, France, Rome...). So it'll be nice to explore a new place and meet TONS of theatre people :) I'm also excited to play every little boy in "Shipwrecked"...oof.
Anyway, off to work I go so I can buy as much beer and visit as many castles as I can...
13 days!
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