On some Sunday afternoons in the summer, a small sandwichboard sign appears at the entrance to the park across the street from my house.
It advertises a performance in the amphitheater there of a Shakespeare play later that afternoon.This Sunday’s performance is “Romeo and Juliet”.
Amphitheater may be somewhat of an exaggeration, given that the venue is not much more than a grassy clearing amidst the cedars in that section of the park, a small hollow where people will spread their blankets or set up folding chairs to watch the performance, where children can run off and swing or slide or romp in the playground right next to the venue, easily incorporating a Shakespearean play into thier children’s vigorous, noisy, fun activities. People strolling or cycling past along the trails will pause to look on then continue on their way.
That’s something I like about Seattle. So many of its functions blend so easily into everyday life that they seem spontaneous, uncontrived...even a Shakespearean performance. Romeo woos Juliet in the shade of a large cedar while a jetliner flies low overhead, Prospero and Caliban come to terms in their fantasyland while children create their own fantasies in a playground a stone’s throw away without a thought of incongruity, without a stage, without a Box Office.
4 comments:
And THAT is what theatre should be about, dear Louis -- the art of the possible! Theatre should be spontaneous, accessible and resilient. It should be able to incorporate anything yet continue to transport the audience into another realm, another era. I love your little open-air ampitheatre, surrounded by trees and nature, attended by members of the community. So beautiful and unpretentious. I love Shakespeare and have read 17 of his plays and all his sonnets and poetry. Used to watch the BBC version of his plays on video cassettes, which I would rent from the British Council library. Wish we had such a theatre in Malaysia, but unfortunately almost all the community theatres here have children as their target audience.
Years ago, I remember a staging of A Midsummer Night's Dream here in Malaysia. It was at Carcosa Seri Negara, and was billed 'Shakespeare in the garden'. Your post reminded me of that.
How lovely it must be to know that that awaits at the end of a walk! You are indeed blessed.
CO'78,
I agree that theater should be "spontaneous, accessible and resilient", with emphasis on "accessible". This summer program in the park fills those conditions perfectly.
The photo in the blog may be too small for this to be legible, but the name of the company is "Green Stage", a name that reflects Seattle's commitment to preserving the environment. Many of the spectators seem to drive hybrid vehicles too.
Since I predate your time, my experience of Shakespeare performances was through vinyl records and BBC voice broadcasts, no video :(
Pat,
The garden of Carcosa Seri Negara must have been a superb setting for "Midsummer Night's Dream". I trust tea was served at your performance, with and without condensed milk?
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