London, England A raw and overcast day here, leading one to song — if one could sing. I spent a lot of the day walking to and from a tube stop, over Blackfriars Bridge to get to the Globe theatre.
My goal was not the Globe, but rather its adjacent theatre, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, London’s only candlelit theatre. Like the Globe, it is a recreation, both owing to the passion and drive of Sam Wanamaker, American actor and director who led the charge to rebuild on the site where Shakespeare actually performed.
As one might expect, I saw a production of Shakespeare, in this case, The Tempest. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed in this charming and very intimate theatre. The effect of the candelabras and hand-held lamps adds to the overall sense of a return to the past. It’s a very small room, with seating on benches very tightly packed together. Better than being a groundling at the Globe, but I’ve made my feelings on chairs quite clear.
It was a very inventive, audience-involving production, being a bit of a quite loose and modern interpretation. Every director has to bring their own interpretation, of course. Directed by and starring Tim Crouch, this production is described as a “meta-Tempest,” but please don’t expect me to explain that. Feel free to read the reviews for yourselves.
Otherwise, enjoy views of the Bankside area.
