It's so crazy to think that another London adventure is coming so close to an end. Today we had the last of our finals. Each of our different groups performed a scene from one of the shows that we have seen during our time in London. As we all began to perform, it was so fascinating to see the different takes that each group had on the shows. Below is a picture of a prop from my group's scene:
Can you tell what it's from? We choose our scene from Much Ado About Nothing. Initially, my group struggled with choosing a scene and a concept that we all agreed on. When we decided (finally) to portray the scene in which Hero and Ursula trick Beatrice, we started brainstorming some really fun ideas. For our scene, we decided to have the "noting" that takes place between Ursula and Hero occur in a Facebook message. So we had three girls from the group act out the characters, while Allie and I sat on our computers and typed the conversation that was taking place. Emily had her computer connected to the projector in the classroom, so the class could see the conversation taking place. We'd have actual dialogue interchanged with the typing, and our Beatrice was great at trying to spy on the computers to see what was happening concerning her and Benedick. It was a very fun scene to set up and I think that it went really well. We really wanted to focus on the "social" aspect, and how these days so much of the interactions that take place occur through social media. It was fascinating to watch how different groups played with similar themes and portrayed them in so many different ways! We definitely have some creative minds in this group.
A group photo, taken after the last performance. We were told to "look at each other and smile"
A snippet of our group, outside the Hyde Park Chapel
With classes finished, I was overwhelmed with a great feeling of relief. Neither of the classes that I took for this spring semester were incredibly stressful, but they did take some work. It just felt good to know that the finals were over and the papers were all submitted. I celebrated in a very spectacular fashion by taking a nap! Haha. After partying a lot last night over the US game, I definitely felt the need to rest a little bit. I also took some time to enjoy a good read. It's funny, but one of the things that I look forward to most during summer vacation is taking the time to read books for pleasure. Anyone that knows me decently well knows that I love to read. While I can read a good book here and there during the school year, it's fantastic having summer where I can read without worrying about schoolwork. Plus, as an English major, when I have to read so many assigned texts, I'm a little burnt out. I finished a book that Dallin had been lending me by the author Jonathan Stroud. The book, The Screaming Staircase, is actually one that Dallin bought here when he went to an event featuring Jonathan Stroud. I love the author and though the book is technically in the children's 8-12 range, I still really enjoyed it. I justify it a bit by saying that the book takes place in London, so there's really no better place to read something like that than London.
We were surprised with an extra £10 by Brett, which we apparently had leftover after having paid all other expenses. While I had consigned myself to eating in for the remainder of the trip, I decided to join a group of pals on a trip out to Turnham Green to get some delicious fish and chips. We met up with Brett and Leslie, who were going to introduce us to their favorite little shop for the chips. Unfortunately, upon our arrival, we discovered that it was closed down. Instead we found another shop and still managed to get some delicious food that we ate in the park. Once again, I opted out of getting fish, instead choosing just to have some chips (fries). The chips here are pretty fantastic no matter where you go, but these ones were quite wonderful. I have gotten into the very British habit of smothering my chips (fries) with salt and vinegar. It makes them taste quite fantastic. We visited in the park, and it was absolutely lovely. I suddenly found myself realizing how little time we have left in our trip!
The group I was visiting with actually traveled out to Turnham Green to see a show at the Tabard Theatre that was right down the road. George had invited any student that was interested to see a play by George Bernard Shaw called Misalliance. I joined the group, thinking that I would just eat with them before the show and then leave. However, the more I visited with them the more I realized I wanted to see the show as well. We went over to the theatre and discovered that the tickets were sold out, so while my classmates who already had tickets went inside, I waited in the standby line to see if there would be any cancelations or non-arrivals to the show. I wasn't waiting alone though, as I was joined by Frank Christianson! Fun fact of the day! Frank was one of the program directors from my original trip to London in 2012. He is actually going to be joining George on a London Study Abroad program next year. He came out to London this week and he and George have been talking and planning out stuff. Frank was invited to the show tonight to join us! It was really fun to visit with Frank for a while! It was a weird clashing of worlds as I visited with Frank from my first program, and George from this current program! Frank is such a great guy and we visited about London and then he started giving me advice about applying for Grad School and going into English in a Master's program. He invited me to visit with him back in Provo to find out more about it! It was fantastic!
Frank and I both managed to get tickets, so we joined the rest of my group (about eight of us) and enjoyed Misalliance. I didn't really know what to expect going in to the show, but I was blown away. It's an older play, set in 1909, but it was incredibly funny. It starts off feeling like a pretty stereotypical affair for the time period. We have a posh little family that is dealing with impressing the neighbors and withholding their family standing. Very Downton Abbey-esque. However, as the first act grew closer to a conclusion, things took quite a turn. We discover the daughter has quite a wild side, a plane crashes in the family greenhouse bearing a handsome man and a very outspoken Polish woman, we find out everyone has been sleeping with everyone else, and a man breaks into the house holding a gun and is forced to hide in the Turkish wash. So....you know, very Downton Abbey-esque. ;) The humor was delightfully witty and I was pleased that I recognized many of the references, as they brought up a lot of literature and historical facts. This is not one of Shaw's well known plays, like a certain Pygmalion, but I thought it was fantastic. I grabbed some photos of the production from the official website and put them below.
After the show we visited for a while whilst on the tube. Frank had to leave us as he made his way to his hotel, but I am really glad I got to visit with him after the show as well! I feel a bit jealous of the students that will get to have Frank and George next spring. Maybe I should consider.....
Back at Gloucester Road, a frequent haunt of ours, we went to Byron's to get a delicious milkshake. The girls have all been raving about these shakes, and we decided it was time to indulge on them. I used the rest of my extra cash (it goes away so fast) and had a delicious chocolate shake. Leslie and George tagged along for that as well, and I decided I needed a picture with the wonderful couple. They have both been so kind and I am glad that I got to know both of them. George actually reminds me a lot of my dad. He has some of the same mannerisms and personality traits, and they are both incredibly nice guys.
Photo with George and Leslie
Milkshake! (And Byron's business card....playing card)
Only one full day left in London before I leave on Thursday! I can't believe how quickly it has gone by! I'm still unsure what tomorrow has in store, but I hope to make the most of it!
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