Thursday, July 03, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
reasons to be pretty
reasons to be pretty
by Neil LaBute
My dear friend recent treated me to Neil LaBute's new play "reasons to be pretty" at the Lucille Lortell theater on Christopher street. The theater has a very unassuming presence on the street and it always made me wonder about the quality of their productions. However, they have given LaBute a home and I have heard good things about his writing.
The play was so very freshing. After multiple behemoths that clunked along at a pace less than ideal, this modern four character play clipped along at a fast pace, but gave you time to enjoy and understand what was going on. The production value was the highest I've seen in a long time, even from larger theaters. It was a good feeling.
Neil LaBute is a graduate from the same writing program as I and he has become fairly notorious in regards to his writing style. Although, I'd estimate about 10 years older than me but likely more, he is famously "edgy" and "dangerous" in a theatrical sense. All the comments from my friends about the other plays of his that played while I've been in NYC lead me to believe that LaBute's plays were dirty, crude and violent. And while this play had a smattering of dirt, a hand full of crude and its fair serving of violence, none of them really overwhelmed the heart of the play. And I think that was the point.
I play did have its faults, but compared to my recent viewings they were relatively minor. I wish Stephanie's (played my an incrediable Alison Pill) anger had more range. Which I'm positive is a script issue, but an actor issue. The other female character, played by Piper Perabo, is generally less well defined, but is a more minor character. However, she does have a monologue that has the potential to be stunning, falls a little short. Somehow LaBute isn't exactly able to grasp the fear and sometimes frustration, of being followed through grocery stores or down street by men who only want to oogle you. It is something I understand fairly well and the monlogue could have been riveting, but it wasn't. Maybe its because Mr. LaBute has never had the problem, since he's not really attractive, nor is he a women.
I recommend seeing this produtction. The good things definitely outway the bad.
by Neil LaBute
My dear friend recent treated me to Neil LaBute's new play "reasons to be pretty" at the Lucille Lortell theater on Christopher street. The theater has a very unassuming presence on the street and it always made me wonder about the quality of their productions. However, they have given LaBute a home and I have heard good things about his writing.
The play was so very freshing. After multiple behemoths that clunked along at a pace less than ideal, this modern four character play clipped along at a fast pace, but gave you time to enjoy and understand what was going on. The production value was the highest I've seen in a long time, even from larger theaters. It was a good feeling.
Neil LaBute is a graduate from the same writing program as I and he has become fairly notorious in regards to his writing style. Although, I'd estimate about 10 years older than me but likely more, he is famously "edgy" and "dangerous" in a theatrical sense. All the comments from my friends about the other plays of his that played while I've been in NYC lead me to believe that LaBute's plays were dirty, crude and violent. And while this play had a smattering of dirt, a hand full of crude and its fair serving of violence, none of them really overwhelmed the heart of the play. And I think that was the point.
I play did have its faults, but compared to my recent viewings they were relatively minor. I wish Stephanie's (played my an incrediable Alison Pill) anger had more range. Which I'm positive is a script issue, but an actor issue. The other female character, played by Piper Perabo, is generally less well defined, but is a more minor character. However, she does have a monologue that has the potential to be stunning, falls a little short. Somehow LaBute isn't exactly able to grasp the fear and sometimes frustration, of being followed through grocery stores or down street by men who only want to oogle you. It is something I understand fairly well and the monlogue could have been riveting, but it wasn't. Maybe its because Mr. LaBute has never had the problem, since he's not really attractive, nor is he a women.
I recommend seeing this produtction. The good things definitely outway the bad.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
What do a man dressed as a rabbit and uncle sam have in common?
They both appear in the MacBeth currently playing at St. Ann's. I didn't think it made any sense either.
A friend of my (or my parents) once quoted a proffesor of their's and said that a play must be a "of a piece". The friend didn't know what that meant at the time by as they acumulated experience in theater they came to understand what was implied. This production was absolutely not "of a piece" all the disparate parts did not add up to a whole.
Aside from the rabbit, other audience members asked each other as I ran out of the theater "what was going on with lady macbeth, what she like a geisa or something?" I think the answer is NO. She was attempting to performing in a highly stylized way that did not fit in with the rest of the cast, except that they were just as stiff, but with less purpose. The costumer also mistakenly put her in a komono.
The show ran 2 hours which is usually short for MacBeth. But if they had been able to cut out the unnecesary pauses they could have cut out another half hour and made the evening only a torturous 90 minutes. I'm not sure if it was the cultural differences in acting style or if they were just bad, but everyone's idea of acting involved standing very still and whispering very intensely without and variation in volume or prosody. I don't think I've ever seen a more boring MacBeth.
If you want to see a good highly nuisanced MacBeth go see the one with Patrick Stewart. Or even go ahead and rent a movie version, doesn't matter which one they're all better than this play.
A friend of my (or my parents) once quoted a proffesor of their's and said that a play must be a "of a piece". The friend didn't know what that meant at the time by as they acumulated experience in theater they came to understand what was implied. This production was absolutely not "of a piece" all the disparate parts did not add up to a whole.
Aside from the rabbit, other audience members asked each other as I ran out of the theater "what was going on with lady macbeth, what she like a geisa or something?" I think the answer is NO. She was attempting to performing in a highly stylized way that did not fit in with the rest of the cast, except that they were just as stiff, but with less purpose. The costumer also mistakenly put her in a komono.
The show ran 2 hours which is usually short for MacBeth. But if they had been able to cut out the unnecesary pauses they could have cut out another half hour and made the evening only a torturous 90 minutes. I'm not sure if it was the cultural differences in acting style or if they were just bad, but everyone's idea of acting involved standing very still and whispering very intensely without and variation in volume or prosody. I don't think I've ever seen a more boring MacBeth.
If you want to see a good highly nuisanced MacBeth go see the one with Patrick Stewart. Or even go ahead and rent a movie version, doesn't matter which one they're all better than this play.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sketch Comedy as its...um...best
On Friday night I saw the sketch comedy group FUCT. A group I'd probably not be aware of unless I had a few friends performing in the troupe. And now all of them are my friends.
Their tag line "Sketch comedy so funny, it hurts" is probably the best way to describe them. Their show is a combination of fairly tradition sketch comedy material, although they are edger than your average, run of the mill sketch comedy group. For FUCT, nothing is sacred, nothing.
I would include in the highlights of the evening the acrobatic curtain dance sketch. They had a guest acrobat who performed a routine on a set of hanging curtain's. So did one of the members, who actually did quite well, but the humor arose from his struggle to master the curtain, which the acrobat performed with ease and grace. And of course, they wore matching skin-tone unitards with sequence and ribbons in their hair. The acrobat was a female, the FUCT member was a male. That was funny.
Their use of video for this show was particularly good. Their handle on the medium and how it works for their particular brand of humor has drastically improved over the last few shows. They truly out did themselves with four shorts, styled like commericials to fit with the title of this show "FUCT as seen on TV".
The low point of the night, in glorious FUCT tradition, was the spitting contest. However, this is no ordinary spitting contest. In this one, each of the three contestants was required to spit as much saliva into a little cup for one minute. When I minute was up the person with the most spit in their cup won. The person with the least spit in their cup lost and had to drink everyone else's spit. I couldn't sit through that, so I went to the bathroom after they announced the winner.
I'd say the ideal audience for this show is frat boys and the members of FUCT say gay men. Although, there doesn't seem to be a limit on who likes it or who they make fun of. Everyone can go.
The show runs for three more weekends.
Also catch them at The SkitSkat Live Comedy Festivalon Wed 18th
Or on Aug 20th in Austin Texas at The Out of Bounds Comedy Festival
Their tag line "Sketch comedy so funny, it hurts" is probably the best way to describe them. Their show is a combination of fairly tradition sketch comedy material, although they are edger than your average, run of the mill sketch comedy group. For FUCT, nothing is sacred, nothing.
I would include in the highlights of the evening the acrobatic curtain dance sketch. They had a guest acrobat who performed a routine on a set of hanging curtain's. So did one of the members, who actually did quite well, but the humor arose from his struggle to master the curtain, which the acrobat performed with ease and grace. And of course, they wore matching skin-tone unitards with sequence and ribbons in their hair. The acrobat was a female, the FUCT member was a male. That was funny.
Their use of video for this show was particularly good. Their handle on the medium and how it works for their particular brand of humor has drastically improved over the last few shows. They truly out did themselves with four shorts, styled like commericials to fit with the title of this show "FUCT as seen on TV".
The low point of the night, in glorious FUCT tradition, was the spitting contest. However, this is no ordinary spitting contest. In this one, each of the three contestants was required to spit as much saliva into a little cup for one minute. When I minute was up the person with the most spit in their cup won. The person with the least spit in their cup lost and had to drink everyone else's spit. I couldn't sit through that, so I went to the bathroom after they announced the winner.
I'd say the ideal audience for this show is frat boys and the members of FUCT say gay men. Although, there doesn't seem to be a limit on who likes it or who they make fun of. Everyone can go.
The show runs for three more weekends.
Also catch them at The SkitSkat Live Comedy Festival
Or on Aug 20th in Austin Texas at The Out of Bounds Comedy Festival
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Theater World is Tiny!
In the Spring of 2000 I was in a play version of Cinderella directed by Rob Duval (no not ROBERT Duval, but this guy is pretty cool) assistant directed by his then high school student Zoe Kazan.
In the Fall of 2007 Zoe Kazan performed in the play "100 Saints you should know" written by Kate Fodor at Playwrights Horizons. She is now nominated for a 2008 Drama Desk and a 2008 Lucille Lortel award for outstanding featured actress. Which is amazing.
But this is where it gets weird.
The play "100 Saints you should know" was supposed to be a Mentor Project play at the Cherry Lane Theater, where I was interning during the Spring of 2007. I was slotted to work on the play, but Playwrights Horizons bought the rights out from under the Cherry Lane.
Weirder still...
The Stage Manager for "100 Saints" at Playwrights Horizons was also the Stage Manger for "Romeo & Juliet" in Central Park last year, which I did worked on as a literary researcher.
The theater world is so small.
I wish Zoe all the luck in the world.
In the Fall of 2007 Zoe Kazan performed in the play "100 Saints you should know" written by Kate Fodor at Playwrights Horizons. She is now nominated for a 2008 Drama Desk and a 2008 Lucille Lortel award for outstanding featured actress. Which is amazing.
But this is where it gets weird.
The play "100 Saints you should know" was supposed to be a Mentor Project play at the Cherry Lane Theater, where I was interning during the Spring of 2007. I was slotted to work on the play, but Playwrights Horizons bought the rights out from under the Cherry Lane.
Weirder still...
The Stage Manager for "100 Saints" at Playwrights Horizons was also the Stage Manger for "Romeo & Juliet" in Central Park last year, which I did worked on as a literary researcher.
The theater world is so small.
I wish Zoe all the luck in the world.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
And the reviews are in...
My Weekend in Review
Since I work in a restaurant my "weekend" is a little different than the calendar. I get Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. Due to the scorching heat, which inspired the orange font, I worked very hard to put myself in entertaining air conditioned situations. And what better way to do that than see a movie or a play, or four. This "weekend" I saw 2 movies and 2 plays.
Iron Man
Despite my abhorrence of Robert Downey Jr. personally and the rather foppish beard he was sprouting in this film, its hard not to love super gadgets or robots with personalities, or men who talk to their robots.
The one hiccup that made me squirm in my seat, was the fact that despite Tony Spark's (Downey) loads and loads of money, his personal workshop was still in his garage. Also in his garage was a bevy of very expensive cars. Why would he risk it? Does he just have so much money he doesn't need to worry about putting little dings in his customized Porsche? Or do American film audiences actually enjoy watching muscle cars get pulverized? I don't. And yes, the cars do get pulverized.
Everything you could possibly want from an action film. Sit through the credits for a sneak peak at what the future holds.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Aside from the aliens, pardon me "transdimensional beings," the movie is fine.
I think people forget that the first three movies were relatively corny. By Shakespearean standards it is a comedy because it ends with a wedding.
Although it does seem like it tries to hard most of the time. There was an obviously concerted effort to bring in "big things" about the first three movies. For example, the way they worked in Indy's fear of snakes was both rather contrived and detoured the forward motion of the plot. But who doesn't like a good quick sand pit? (Pardon me, it wasn't actually quicksand, it was a dry version, but I stopped listening to Indy's explanation).
The action sequences are good, except pieces of the plot get in the way of making it really great. However, its pretty cool that it is set mostly in South America, particularly in the Amazon jungles since they are getting a bit of attention right now regarding their inhabitants.
I do recommend seeing it, we have been waiting a long time for this movie and despite the downfalls, or the rather many tumbles the actors take off cliffs, its fun. Who doesn't like hear that theme song play over and over, and over, again.
Top Girls
By Carol Churchill
However, this production did prove to me that Martha Plimpton actually is a talents actress. Also in the production was a very versitile Marisa Tomei and Ana Reeder, who I was supposed to have worked with on "Secret Agenda of Trees" by Colin McKenna at the Cherry Lane theater Spring 2007. But Ms. Reeder dropped out of the production half way through the rehearsal process because she had contracted a parasite while in India before rehearsal. You can also catch her in the swimming pool scene of "No Country for Old Men". I think they were filming that during the Spring of 2007. Hmm.....
Anyway, the set was pretty cool.
http://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/current-season/top-girls-showsite/INDEX.HTM
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
By Tennessee Williams
Starring: James Earl Jones, Felicia Rashad, Terrence Howard and Anika Noni Rose.
Ms. Rose was stunning. I don't think I actually heard most of the exact words she was saying throughout the first act, but I understand exactly what she meant and what she wanted. Her desires oozed out of her body like juice from crushed grapes. Maggie the Cat (not an actual cat), was being crushed harder than any vinter would dare press their grapes for fear of bruising.
James Earl Jones has a stunning voice, but somehow he didn't quite shine the way I wanted him to. The role is not a huge role, although it does demand some range. He played it subtly.
Sitting in the audience I wondering if any of the dialogue was changed from the original during the rehearsal process because everything fit so well. Performing "Cat on a hot tin roof" with an all African American cast just makes sense. The only reason I ask if they changed some of the words, is because I know Tennessee Williams (although, not this particular play) and I don't think he would use the word "poon-tang". For those of you who don't know what that means, I suggest looking it up. Actually don't look it up, if you don't already know what it means I can promise you don't want to know what it means.
However, after a bit of research Tennessee Williams did write those words into the script. But he was asked to take them out when the play originally premiered in 1954. Now it all makes sense. The words made sense in context, people have been saying them in private for decades, but not in public. When private is made public on stage, in 1954 you had to abid by the rules of public descency. Things are a little different now. Maybe we got rid of the idea of public descency. Although, if the words are original keep them. I'm jsut against altering a writer's work. No alteration, no foul, err... no error, as the words are foul.
The bothersome thing about the entire evening however was the over zealous house staff. They felt the need to make announcements at the beginning and end of each intermission (there were two). They alerted us to such things as the need to take our ticket with us if you went outside to get a breathe of hot air or to turn off our cells phone before the new act started. Unfortunately the over abundance of announcements did not curb the abundance of phones ringing during the performance. I counted ten times and all from different phones.
Other than that, its a good show, that is scheduled to close soon. I'd saw there's a 40% chance the run extends.
http://www.telecharge.com/behindTheCurtain.aspx
In Other News
I also hit up the Cooper-Hewett museum's Roccoco exhibit. While I'm not the hugest fan of the decorative arts and I always have a great desire to sit on the fancy chairs and chaise lounge, but I know the museum staff wouldn't like that. However, now I can definitively say that I pick out a Roccoco design in the antique shop. What I did like about the exhibit was that it also traced newer forms that have been influenced by Roccoco, particularly Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau is a calmer version, with longer lines. The curator classified some of the Tiffany vases as Art Nouveau. I would include the Tiffany vases on display as the highlights of the exhibit. I really like Tiffany glass, there is something so absolutely transcendental about their form and colouration, but since they are made of glass they also capture the essence of human frailty and mortality.
Since I work in a restaurant my "weekend" is a little different than the calendar. I get Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. Due to the scorching heat, which inspired the orange font, I worked very hard to put myself in entertaining air conditioned situations. And what better way to do that than see a movie or a play, or four. This "weekend" I saw 2 movies and 2 plays.
Iron Man
Despite my abhorrence of Robert Downey Jr. personally and the rather foppish beard he was sprouting in this film, its hard not to love super gadgets or robots with personalities, or men who talk to their robots.
The one hiccup that made me squirm in my seat, was the fact that despite Tony Spark's (Downey) loads and loads of money, his personal workshop was still in his garage. Also in his garage was a bevy of very expensive cars. Why would he risk it? Does he just have so much money he doesn't need to worry about putting little dings in his customized Porsche? Or do American film audiences actually enjoy watching muscle cars get pulverized? I don't. And yes, the cars do get pulverized.
Everything you could possibly want from an action film. Sit through the credits for a sneak peak at what the future holds.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Aside from the aliens, pardon me "transdimensional beings," the movie is fine.
I think people forget that the first three movies were relatively corny. By Shakespearean standards it is a comedy because it ends with a wedding.
Although it does seem like it tries to hard most of the time. There was an obviously concerted effort to bring in "big things" about the first three movies. For example, the way they worked in Indy's fear of snakes was both rather contrived and detoured the forward motion of the plot. But who doesn't like a good quick sand pit? (Pardon me, it wasn't actually quicksand, it was a dry version, but I stopped listening to Indy's explanation).
The action sequences are good, except pieces of the plot get in the way of making it really great. However, its pretty cool that it is set mostly in South America, particularly in the Amazon jungles since they are getting a bit of attention right now regarding their inhabitants.
I do recommend seeing it, we have been waiting a long time for this movie and despite the downfalls, or the rather many tumbles the actors take off cliffs, its fun. Who doesn't like hear that theme song play over and over, and over, again.
Top Girls
By Carol Churchill
Even at her most lucid Carol Churchill is a nut job. The play on stage was nothing like the play described in the playbill notes.
However, this production did prove to me that Martha Plimpton actually is a talents actress. Also in the production was a very versitile Marisa Tomei and Ana Reeder, who I was supposed to have worked with on "Secret Agenda of Trees" by Colin McKenna at the Cherry Lane theater Spring 2007. But Ms. Reeder dropped out of the production half way through the rehearsal process because she had contracted a parasite while in India before rehearsal. You can also catch her in the swimming pool scene of "No Country for Old Men". I think they were filming that during the Spring of 2007. Hmm.....
Anyway, the set was pretty cool.
http://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/current-season/top-girls-showsite/INDEX.HTM
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
By Tennessee Williams
Starring: James Earl Jones, Felicia Rashad, Terrence Howard and Anika Noni Rose.
Ms. Rose was stunning. I don't think I actually heard most of the exact words she was saying throughout the first act, but I understand exactly what she meant and what she wanted. Her desires oozed out of her body like juice from crushed grapes. Maggie the Cat (not an actual cat), was being crushed harder than any vinter would dare press their grapes for fear of bruising.
James Earl Jones has a stunning voice, but somehow he didn't quite shine the way I wanted him to. The role is not a huge role, although it does demand some range. He played it subtly.
Sitting in the audience I wondering if any of the dialogue was changed from the original during the rehearsal process because everything fit so well. Performing "Cat on a hot tin roof" with an all African American cast just makes sense. The only reason I ask if they changed some of the words, is because I know Tennessee Williams (although, not this particular play) and I don't think he would use the word "poon-tang". For those of you who don't know what that means, I suggest looking it up. Actually don't look it up, if you don't already know what it means I can promise you don't want to know what it means.
However, after a bit of research Tennessee Williams did write those words into the script. But he was asked to take them out when the play originally premiered in 1954. Now it all makes sense. The words made sense in context, people have been saying them in private for decades, but not in public. When private is made public on stage, in 1954 you had to abid by the rules of public descency. Things are a little different now. Maybe we got rid of the idea of public descency. Although, if the words are original keep them. I'm jsut against altering a writer's work. No alteration, no foul, err... no error, as the words are foul.
The bothersome thing about the entire evening however was the over zealous house staff. They felt the need to make announcements at the beginning and end of each intermission (there were two). They alerted us to such things as the need to take our ticket with us if you went outside to get a breathe of hot air or to turn off our cells phone before the new act started. Unfortunately the over abundance of announcements did not curb the abundance of phones ringing during the performance. I counted ten times and all from different phones.
Other than that, its a good show, that is scheduled to close soon. I'd saw there's a 40% chance the run extends.
http://www.telecharge.com/behindTheCurtain.aspx
In Other News
I also hit up the Cooper-Hewett museum's Roccoco exhibit. While I'm not the hugest fan of the decorative arts and I always have a great desire to sit on the fancy chairs and chaise lounge, but I know the museum staff wouldn't like that. However, now I can definitively say that I pick out a Roccoco design in the antique shop. What I did like about the exhibit was that it also traced newer forms that have been influenced by Roccoco, particularly Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau is a calmer version, with longer lines. The curator classified some of the Tiffany vases as Art Nouveau. I would include the Tiffany vases on display as the highlights of the exhibit. I really like Tiffany glass, there is something so absolutely transcendental about their form and colouration, but since they are made of glass they also capture the essence of human frailty and mortality.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
June in NYC
June in New York has so far been more bearable weather-wise than last year. Last year was horrible. Today is the first rather grossly hot day, with temperatures expected to reach 93 degrees today. And to top it off its sticky, I feel like I was dumped into a pot of honey. I today is the kind of day where you shower in the evening and exfoliate your face to get rid of the skin cells that drowned in their own sweat.
I saw the Shakespeare in the Park production of "Hamlet" on Tuesday, I'm not sure if the production has officially opened yet, so here is my unofficial review:
Its a fine production. Not spectacular and not disappointing. It gets the job done well and makes some interesting choices. Although my friend and I both found the last action of the play rather disturbing, because it seemed "untrue" to the play. It was almost an excessively bold, ballsy, unnecessary choice.
However, all the other choices made were strong and clear. Hamlet is pretending to be mad, but Ophelia truly is mad. Hamlet felt like a driving force of the play, moving each action forward, while Gertrude seems a little weak. To top it off the production carries a light humor throughout the entire performance, which leads a refreshing newness to the play.
The set at first seems monstrous, lurking over the stage and audience, but quickly that changes. The largest of the set seems necessary, representing the fortress of Denmark. Down stage is a flame that burns the entire run of the show, an eternal flame in remembrance for Hamlet Sr. However, the problem with flames on stage, aside from the obvious burning factor, is that some one has to put it out. Oskar Eustis (director/ The Public artistic director) does not miss this trick. At the end Fortinbras triumphantly stamps out the quivering flame. The dynastic terror of the Hamlet family is over and so is the play.
The wonderful thing about New York in the summer is the absolute abundance of free entertainment in the form of concerts, plays, fairs, performances and other activities to distract people from the heat in the evenings. As a person who needs distractions I've started trying to get to one of these activities once a week. Last week I went to a video/sound installation that was originally made for the Lupercale festival in Rome. It was mostly a meditation on the two main elements necessary for the founding of Rome: Wolves and Water. It was less exciting than it could have been. But that's the problem with experimental installation art. Its either too edgy and no one wants to see it, or its watered down and boring. I think I'd take been shocked with the edgy any day of the week.
I saw the Shakespeare in the Park production of "Hamlet" on Tuesday, I'm not sure if the production has officially opened yet, so here is my unofficial review:
Its a fine production. Not spectacular and not disappointing. It gets the job done well and makes some interesting choices. Although my friend and I both found the last action of the play rather disturbing, because it seemed "untrue" to the play. It was almost an excessively bold, ballsy, unnecessary choice.However, all the other choices made were strong and clear. Hamlet is pretending to be mad, but Ophelia truly is mad. Hamlet felt like a driving force of the play, moving each action forward, while Gertrude seems a little weak. To top it off the production carries a light humor throughout the entire performance, which leads a refreshing newness to the play.
The set at first seems monstrous, lurking over the stage and audience, but quickly that changes. The largest of the set seems necessary, representing the fortress of Denmark. Down stage is a flame that burns the entire run of the show, an eternal flame in remembrance for Hamlet Sr. However, the problem with flames on stage, aside from the obvious burning factor, is that some one has to put it out. Oskar Eustis (director/ The Public artistic director) does not miss this trick. At the end Fortinbras triumphantly stamps out the quivering flame. The dynastic terror of the Hamlet family is over and so is the play.
The wonderful thing about New York in the summer is the absolute abundance of free entertainment in the form of concerts, plays, fairs, performances and other activities to distract people from the heat in the evenings. As a person who needs distractions I've started trying to get to one of these activities once a week. Last week I went to a video/sound installation that was originally made for the Lupercale festival in Rome. It was mostly a meditation on the two main elements necessary for the founding of Rome: Wolves and Water. It was less exciting than it could have been. But that's the problem with experimental installation art. Its either too edgy and no one wants to see it, or its watered down and boring. I think I'd take been shocked with the edgy any day of the week.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Going Back
I am going back across the Atlantic. Starting in September I will start a masters program at the University of Aberdeen. I was just rereading my post from my trip to Aberdeen. Its interesting that I one thing I really mentioned was that the city had a college. I oculd never have possibly know that I would end up back there. The town is absolutely beautiful though and looking at the yearly weather report, it doens't look like its going to be as cold as I thought it would be. Now I don't need to save up to buy a Artic snowsuit.
I will be enter the Elphinstone Institute of Enthology & Folklore. It was founded in 1995 in celebration of The University of Aberdeen's Quincentenary. The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1595 and is one of the 'ancient universities of Britain'.
"The [Elphinstone] Institute is an initiative on the part of the University of Aberdeen to introduce the study of human traditions into its research portfolio, especially the traditions of the North and the North-East of Scotland."
You can view their website here: Elphinstone Institute
The question that everyone has asked is "What is folklore?"
The answer:
In general Folklore is the study of vernacular culture, including (but not limited to) dance, music, story, lore, language and song. These social practices are studied in both modern and traditional contexts, integrating current practice and historical uses in order to understand how culture changes under modern concerns.
How is this different from anthropology?
Its not really. Except that anthropology will not always look at historical context (although sometimes it does) and the modern influences that have shaped current practice. Additionally, anthropology is often more concerned with getting a "complete" picture of a society. Folklore is VERY focused.
Callan, what do you want to do?
I'm glad you asked. I want to focus on oral storytelling. Looking at why some oral stories have remained within the tradition for centuries, while others have not. I also want to look at how modern concerns influence the traditional practise of storytelling and how traditional beliefs influence the modern practise of storytelling.
I'm still waiting for everything to finalize, which means getting my NYU grades to Aberdeen, applying for scholarships and eventually giving Aberdeen money. But right now its just a waiting game.
This is a picture of me in the holding tank at Madison Square Garden, where the Tisch School of the Arts graduation took place. I was a great morning and the speakers were so vibrant and sassy. Not at all what I expected from graduation speakers, but I did graduate from art school and we do things a little differently.
The all University graduation took place at Yankee Stadium. "The first, last and only graduation" to take place there, because they are tearing it down. I didn't go since my parents were not yet in town, I was scared of getting sunburnt and I had to work. I didn't really want to go anyway.
This picture is from one of the many end of school parties that my friends and I threw and attended.
These are two of my very best friends who are launching out on very exciting careers. Theresa is working at Penguin Press (the book publisher) as a publicist assistant and Jake is working at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego as the assistant company manager.
It was very sad that he left New York, but we all know he'll come back. And so will I.
I will be enter the Elphinstone Institute of Enthology & Folklore. It was founded in 1995 in celebration of The University of Aberdeen's Quincentenary. The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1595 and is one of the 'ancient universities of Britain'."The [Elphinstone] Institute is an initiative on the part of the University of Aberdeen to introduce the study of human traditions into its research portfolio, especially the traditions of the North and the North-East of Scotland."
You can view their website here: Elphinstone Institute
The question that everyone has asked is "What is folklore?"
The answer:
In general Folklore is the study of vernacular culture, including (but not limited to) dance, music, story, lore, language and song. These social practices are studied in both modern and traditional contexts, integrating current practice and historical uses in order to understand how culture changes under modern concerns.
How is this different from anthropology?
Its not really. Except that anthropology will not always look at historical context (although sometimes it does) and the modern influences that have shaped current practice. Additionally, anthropology is often more concerned with getting a "complete" picture of a society. Folklore is VERY focused.
Callan, what do you want to do?
I'm glad you asked. I want to focus on oral storytelling. Looking at why some oral stories have remained within the tradition for centuries, while others have not. I also want to look at how modern concerns influence the traditional practise of storytelling and how traditional beliefs influence the modern practise of storytelling.
I'm still waiting for everything to finalize, which means getting my NYU grades to Aberdeen, applying for scholarships and eventually giving Aberdeen money. But right now its just a waiting game.
This is a picture of me in the holding tank at Madison Square Garden, where the Tisch School of the Arts graduation took place. I was a great morning and the speakers were so vibrant and sassy. Not at all what I expected from graduation speakers, but I did graduate from art school and we do things a little differently.
The all University graduation took place at Yankee Stadium. "The first, last and only graduation" to take place there, because they are tearing it down. I didn't go since my parents were not yet in town, I was scared of getting sunburnt and I had to work. I didn't really want to go anyway.
This picture is from one of the many end of school parties that my friends and I threw and attended.
These are two of my very best friends who are launching out on very exciting careers. Theresa is working at Penguin Press (the book publisher) as a publicist assistant and Jake is working at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego as the assistant company manager.
It was very sad that he left New York, but we all know he'll come back. And so will I.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Aberdeen
Aberdeen was the next stop on my trip. It was kind of just a little blip of a town on the east coast of Scotland, you can see the ocean from the town, actually the town has a little port . However, the Aberdeen regional tartan is also the Stout tarten. And they have a college. Isn't it pretty.
Inverness
Inverness is a little town on the River Ness, which flows from Loch Ness. Loch Ness is to the south of the town and i could swear that the river runs north, up from the lake. It's kind of a cute town, but as it was the off season things were pretty closed.
Aberdeen was the next stop on my trip. It was kind of just a little blip of a town on the east coast of Scotland, you can see the ocean from the town, actually the town has a little port . However, the Aberdeen regional tartan is also the Stout tarten. And they have a college. Isn't it pretty.
Inverness
Inverness is a little town on the River Ness, which flows from Loch Ness. Loch Ness is to the south of the town and i could swear that the river runs north, up from the lake. It's kind of a cute town, but as it was the off season things were pretty closed.
THis is the castle, but it's used as a government building so you can't do inside. The day was rather damp and windy, so i'm shocked this picture makes it look so nice. The grass was mushy.
Loch Ness
This is the ruins of a castle on Loch Ness, called Lochgilphead, or something close. I didn't see any signs of Nelly either, well a few in the gift shop.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Glasgow
Glasgow wasn't as nice as Edinurgh. It has the feeling of a city still trying to regain the glory that it had during the industrial revolution, but hasn't has since.
But the city does have some nice legends. Glasgow was supposed founded by St. Mungo. (brilliant name).
This is the Crest of Glasgow, except normally its says "let it flourish" underneath. The symbols on the crest are 1)the tree that never grew 2)the bird that never sang 3)the bell that never rang and 4)the fish that never swam. They are all related to miracle performed by St. Mungo. He resurrected the bird from the dead. The bell was built in his honor, but took a hundred or so years to do. I can't remember the tree and the fish is a long story. There were this married couple and he gave her a ring. For some reason she gave the ring to some one else. He found out, took it from the other person and threw it in the Clyde(glasgow's river). THen he asked to see the ring. She freaked out and went to Mungo, who sent another monk to go fish in the river. when the monk caught a fish, Mungo gutted the fish and the ring was inside and everyone lived happily every after.
This is Glasgow Cathedral.
THis is a cute building in Glasgow. 
This is the People's Palace of Glasgow. It has a winter garden. which is a giant green house with a little cafe in it.
Glasgow wasn't the mose exciting place. What I really wanted to do in Glasgow was see the petrified forest-it's more like a whole bunch of petrified tree trunks. But still it's really cool. Anyway, sad thing being, it was closed for the winter.
So that's Glasgow.
But the city does have some nice legends. Glasgow was supposed founded by St. Mungo. (brilliant name).
This is the Crest of Glasgow, except normally its says "let it flourish" underneath. The symbols on the crest are 1)the tree that never grew 2)the bird that never sang 3)the bell that never rang and 4)the fish that never swam. They are all related to miracle performed by St. Mungo. He resurrected the bird from the dead. The bell was built in his honor, but took a hundred or so years to do. I can't remember the tree and the fish is a long story. There were this married couple and he gave her a ring. For some reason she gave the ring to some one else. He found out, took it from the other person and threw it in the Clyde(glasgow's river). THen he asked to see the ring. She freaked out and went to Mungo, who sent another monk to go fish in the river. when the monk caught a fish, Mungo gutted the fish and the ring was inside and everyone lived happily every after.
This is Glasgow Cathedral.
THis is a cute building in Glasgow. 
This is the People's Palace of Glasgow. It has a winter garden. which is a giant green house with a little cafe in it.Glasgow wasn't the mose exciting place. What I really wanted to do in Glasgow was see the petrified forest-it's more like a whole bunch of petrified tree trunks. But still it's really cool. Anyway, sad thing being, it was closed for the winter.
So that's Glasgow.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
London
I've been staying quiet in London. I've got a play to finish writing, but I have finished the first act and i think the second act will just whizz by.
I will be going to Paris the 4th and 5th to stretch my french muscle.
There are so many things in London I still have to see though. I'm suddenly feeling very pressed for time.
I will be going to Paris the 4th and 5th to stretch my french muscle.
There are so many things in London I still have to see though. I'm suddenly feeling very pressed for time.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Scotland Journey
This is a map with my travels through Scotland highlighted. The path changes color to signify that I was traveling on a different day. RED-Fri Oct 20, ORANGE - Sun Oct 22, YELLOW - Tues Oct 24, GREEN - Wed Oct 25, BLUE - Thurs Oct 26, PURPLE - Fri Oct 27, PINK - Sat Oct 28, BROWN - Sun Oct 29, AQUA - Mon Oct 30 where i returned to London,
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Scotland
I was in Scotland a week and a half ago for 9 days, so I'm going to start posting the pictures from that trek.
I traveled with my friend Julianna, who is also studying playwriting in London. We started out trip in Edinburgh.
EDINBURGH
I fell in love with Edinburgh as soon as I got out of the train station. The city is breath taking. On a rock cliff over looking the entire city is Edinburgh Castle. The castle walls seem to be part of the rock cliffs they rise up from.
The rest of the city is a wonderfull combination of old ornate buildings and new ones, whose facades are covered in bills.
Right along the main shopping drag of Edinburgh is a giant memorial to Sir Walter Scott, the Bard of Scotland. It is the largest memorial in the world dedicated to a writer.
Of course there are lots of bagpipe players in kilts. It was the best thing ever to just see men walking around in kilts. Why don't american men wear kilts more often. I saw one guy in a black leather kilt. I'm not sure what that was about, because plaid is so awesome, who would give up and oppurtunity to wear it?
I traveled with my friend Julianna, who is also studying playwriting in London. We started out trip in Edinburgh.
EDINBURGH
I fell in love with Edinburgh as soon as I got out of the train station. The city is breath taking. On a rock cliff over looking the entire city is Edinburgh Castle. The castle walls seem to be part of the rock cliffs they rise up from.
The rest of the city is a wonderfull combination of old ornate buildings and new ones, whose facades are covered in bills.
Right along the main shopping drag of Edinburgh is a giant memorial to Sir Walter Scott, the Bard of Scotland. It is the largest memorial in the world dedicated to a writer.
Of course there are lots of bagpipe players in kilts. It was the best thing ever to just see men walking around in kilts. Why don't american men wear kilts more often. I saw one guy in a black leather kilt. I'm not sure what that was about, because plaid is so awesome, who would give up and oppurtunity to wear it?
This is the front corner of Holyrood House. Rood means cross. But the royal family still uses it when they're in Edinburgh and they stop here every year on the way to Balmoral, their summer residence. It's alright as palaces go. There is a hall with portraits of all the kings of scotland, including MacBeth, which was really cool.
The peak on the left is an extinct Volcano, called Arthur's Seat. yes, that Arthur, the mythic king. Isn't it pretty. The one of the right is just more rock formation called The Crags, it's so Tolkienesque.
This is the remains of Holyrood Abbey, which is attached onto the back of Holyrood House. The abbey was built first. Some composer saw the ruins of this Abbey when it was covered in plants and had a grass floor and his Scottish Symphony was born. 
I think this picture's just pretty. It is Edinburgh.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Glastonbury
Glastonbury is in Somerset, which is between Wales and Cornwall. 
That is Glastonbury Tor. The tower on top is the remains of the church of St.....something. I forget and feel horrible. In ancient legend, it is thought to be the entrance to the celtic underworld and the Gywn ap Nudd - the god of the underworld. It is also called the Isle of Avalon, because the surrounding lowlands used to flood and the people who lived in the area would come here to escape the flood.
This is a view from by the top of the Tor. It was really misty the day I was there.
THis is the well at Glastonbury. It is legended to be the hiding place of the Holy Grail.
This is a waterfall from the well. The water here is also filled with minerals - like in Bath - so it also stains everything red. That is why it is believed to be the hiding place of the Holy Grail. Since the grail has Jesus' blood and the water is red, like blood.
The difference between water here and in Bath, is that here it is cold. So when I tasted it I couldn't smell the minerals and it's really yummy. I poured out the tap water in my water bottled and filled up with this stuff. It is sanitary, they test to make sure everyday.
King Arthur and Gwenievre are thought to be buried at Glastonbury Abbey, this is where the monks moved their bodies - after they found them - and erected a giant black tomb to them, but King Henry VIII, after making the church of England destroyed the whole abbey, including King Arthur's grave. Henry VIII was actually the 2nd son of his father, and only became King because his brother Arthur died. Arthur was a patron of Glastonbury Abbey, because he was named after the hero. I think sibling rivalry made Henry
That is Glastonbury Tor. The tower on top is the remains of the church of St.....something. I forget and feel horrible. In ancient legend, it is thought to be the entrance to the celtic underworld and the Gywn ap Nudd - the god of the underworld. It is also called the Isle of Avalon, because the surrounding lowlands used to flood and the people who lived in the area would come here to escape the flood.
This is a view from by the top of the Tor. It was really misty the day I was there.
THis is the well at Glastonbury. It is legended to be the hiding place of the Holy Grail.
This is a waterfall from the well. The water here is also filled with minerals - like in Bath - so it also stains everything red. That is why it is believed to be the hiding place of the Holy Grail. Since the grail has Jesus' blood and the water is red, like blood.
The difference between water here and in Bath, is that here it is cold. So when I tasted it I couldn't smell the minerals and it's really yummy. I poured out the tap water in my water bottled and filled up with this stuff. It is sanitary, they test to make sure everyday.
King Arthur and Gwenievre are thought to be buried at Glastonbury Abbey, this is where the monks moved their bodies - after they found them - and erected a giant black tomb to them, but King Henry VIII, after making the church of England destroyed the whole abbey, including King Arthur's grave. Henry VIII was actually the 2nd son of his father, and only became King because his brother Arthur died. Arthur was a patron of Glastonbury Abbey, because he was named after the hero. I think sibling rivalry made Henry
VIII do it.
Glastonbury Abbey was founded by Joesph of Arimethea, after he traveled to Britain with the blood and sweat of Jesus. [i think the sweat also plays a role into why the holy grail is in a well] In Glastonbury Joseph is said to have trust his staff into the ground where it stuck and grew into a thorn tree which flowers twice a year. They say the tree that was actually his staff is now gone, but another one from a branch of the original grows on the Abbey grounds. The original grew on another hill.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Where did I leave off? I went to Bath and Glastonbury 3 weekends ago and was in Scotland for the past 9 days.
BATH
This is one of the smaller baths. The cool part is you can see the different layers of history. The water, is of course super-ancient, the Roman put a lead liner on the bottom of the pool, so that the water would hold. The lead liner is still in use and still functions. The Victorians gave this pool the shape it has today, but they raised the water level to the top of the part that has that red stain. The level in the picture is as the Romans would have seen it. All the arch ways are from the Victorians and this particular bath was used to cure people like lepors, and the monks would take the sick people into the water where they would hold on for dear life on the edge, because the Victorians weren't overly inclines towards swimming.
This is actually just a drain pipe out of the pools to the river Avon - yes that same one Shakespeare lived on. The drain is red because the water at Bath has a really high mineral content and after 2000 years of flowing through the same drain (this drain was built by the Romans) the minerals are going to leave deposits all over it. I tasted some of the water - which is allowed and safe - it smelled funny, but tasted fine, except that it was really warm, about the tempurature of bottled water left in a car on a hot day. But the smell was really the problem. Hot minerals smell really bad and don't make me want to drink them.
This is a section of the relief that was over the entrance of the baths in Roman time. This piece shows the feet of a winged Victory standing on a ball made of bands. The ball like thing actually represents earth. I didn't know that the Romans thought the earth was round. I think that's really cool, but it begs the question: When did human thought turn around and start believeing the world was flat? Makes me feel sorry for Galileo as a historic figure.
This is a picture of the main baths. The shape of the pool is from the romans, but the colums of Victorian. At the far end of the pool, behind the columns is a piece of the brick Roman archs that supported a roof over this pool. In roman times the water was clear because the roof blocked out the sun and then the algae couldn't grow. Again, this is the water level from the Romans, the Victorians raised it.
The rest of the city of Bath looks very uniform and i think most of the buildings where built at the same time inorder to accomedate all the people coming to the baths for health reasons, when doctors still prescribed such like that.
BATH
This is one of the smaller baths. The cool part is you can see the different layers of history. The water, is of course super-ancient, the Roman put a lead liner on the bottom of the pool, so that the water would hold. The lead liner is still in use and still functions. The Victorians gave this pool the shape it has today, but they raised the water level to the top of the part that has that red stain. The level in the picture is as the Romans would have seen it. All the arch ways are from the Victorians and this particular bath was used to cure people like lepors, and the monks would take the sick people into the water where they would hold on for dear life on the edge, because the Victorians weren't overly inclines towards swimming.
This is actually just a drain pipe out of the pools to the river Avon - yes that same one Shakespeare lived on. The drain is red because the water at Bath has a really high mineral content and after 2000 years of flowing through the same drain (this drain was built by the Romans) the minerals are going to leave deposits all over it. I tasted some of the water - which is allowed and safe - it smelled funny, but tasted fine, except that it was really warm, about the tempurature of bottled water left in a car on a hot day. But the smell was really the problem. Hot minerals smell really bad and don't make me want to drink them.
This is a section of the relief that was over the entrance of the baths in Roman time. This piece shows the feet of a winged Victory standing on a ball made of bands. The ball like thing actually represents earth. I didn't know that the Romans thought the earth was round. I think that's really cool, but it begs the question: When did human thought turn around and start believeing the world was flat? Makes me feel sorry for Galileo as a historic figure.
This is a picture of the main baths. The shape of the pool is from the romans, but the colums of Victorian. At the far end of the pool, behind the columns is a piece of the brick Roman archs that supported a roof over this pool. In roman times the water was clear because the roof blocked out the sun and then the algae couldn't grow. Again, this is the water level from the Romans, the Victorians raised it.
The rest of the city of Bath looks very uniform and i think most of the buildings where built at the same time inorder to accomedate all the people coming to the baths for health reasons, when doctors still prescribed such like that.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
So here are some more Cardiff Pictures.
These are from the Museum of Welsh Life. aka the Best place in the World!!!
Isn't that the cutest thing you've ever seen? The houses are real. They were all actually built in the period of time they look like, or older and are furnished appropriated with really furniture. And the smoke it real too, all the houses had wood burning fire places with fires in them.
well, i guess you've got to look at this one sideways, but it is a tower from St. Albans castle threw the gate of the rose garden. The rose garden is on the other side of the gate.
I went to Stratford upon Avon today. Shakeapeare's hometown. Everything, absolutely everything tries to associate itself with shakespeare, but he's not the only good international success that came out of Startford, so did the teletubbies. I guess Billy beats the teletubbies in most peoples' books. Anyway, here are pictures.
so this is suppose to be the house of Billy's birth. He's said to have been born in the room of the window on the left. They've believed this for 400 years. However, if you look at when Billy's dad bought the parts of the house, Billy was more likely to have been born in the bit on the right, in a room actually out of picture.
these are a bunch of really cute buildings, which are original and annoying people, who would not get out of my picture - because they were there first and trying to save old greyhounds, but that's neither here nor there (actually it was there). SOOOOOOOOOOO the school little Billy went to is just up the street and the building in the middle is now a pub where 3 little dramatic writers grabbed a pint before catching the train to London. Flowers brewery is a local Stratford brewery and their beer tasted soapy, but that might have been because there could have been soap in my glass. I should have asked. But the inside is completely original and that was the really exciting part. it was soooo cute.
i have a feeling that the pink wall is not neccessary original in color. And all the other wooden beams were so old and amazing.
And poor dead Billy's cursed grave. The curse is actually carved into the stone, but the lettering goes the other way, so they've reproduced it the right way around. The flowers are real.
These are from the Museum of Welsh Life. aka the Best place in the World!!!
Isn't that the cutest thing you've ever seen? The houses are real. They were all actually built in the period of time they look like, or older and are furnished appropriated with really furniture. And the smoke it real too, all the houses had wood burning fire places with fires in them.
well, i guess you've got to look at this one sideways, but it is a tower from St. Albans castle threw the gate of the rose garden. The rose garden is on the other side of the gate.
I went to Stratford upon Avon today. Shakeapeare's hometown. Everything, absolutely everything tries to associate itself with shakespeare, but he's not the only good international success that came out of Startford, so did the teletubbies. I guess Billy beats the teletubbies in most peoples' books. Anyway, here are pictures.
so this is suppose to be the house of Billy's birth. He's said to have been born in the room of the window on the left. They've believed this for 400 years. However, if you look at when Billy's dad bought the parts of the house, Billy was more likely to have been born in the bit on the right, in a room actually out of picture.
these are a bunch of really cute buildings, which are original and annoying people, who would not get out of my picture - because they were there first and trying to save old greyhounds, but that's neither here nor there (actually it was there). SOOOOOOOOOOO the school little Billy went to is just up the street and the building in the middle is now a pub where 3 little dramatic writers grabbed a pint before catching the train to London. Flowers brewery is a local Stratford brewery and their beer tasted soapy, but that might have been because there could have been soap in my glass. I should have asked. But the inside is completely original and that was the really exciting part. it was soooo cute.
i have a feeling that the pink wall is not neccessary original in color. And all the other wooden beams were so old and amazing.
And poor dead Billy's cursed grave. The curse is actually carved into the stone, but the lettering goes the other way, so they've reproduced it the right way around. The flowers are real.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Cardiff
Cardiff was absolutely amazing. I didn't actually spend all that much time in Cardiff central, but everything I was in and around Cardiff was amazing. The castles are better than Disney land, and I really mean it, because they have all the elements of fantasy, but they're real. 
The red Dragon is the symbol of Wales. This is a red dragon in a flower pot - new - with a roman section in the CArdiff Castle in the background.
Tis is the keep of the Castly with the Welsh flag flying above it.
THis is the tower that has been decorated in the 18oo's. The entire interior of the living areas of the castle also are decorated with massive carvings and painting, even more so than the tower, but i couldn't take pictures on the inside.
THis is from the inside of Castell Coch - the Red Castle. It was decorated on the inside by the same person who did Cardiff Castle, but here you can take picture. This was above a fireplace in one of the rooms and it is a carving of the 3 fates from Greek mythology. The one of the left is spinning the thread, the one in the center is measuring it and the one of the right is cutting it. Beneath the women are little depictions of the 3 ages of men.
This is a detail from the fireplace of the Lady of the House's bedroom. Its Psyche, cupid's wife - notice the butterfly wings - holding the family shield.
CAERPHILLY CASTLE
prounced ka-phily
The castle is huge. It was built as a strong hold to keep out invaders. Not only did they build giant walls and a moat they built 2 lakes around the castle, because what's better at keeping out invaders than a moat? A LAKE.
This is the outer gates from the bottom of the hill.
There are a lot more pictures and i'll have to put them up in the next post.
The red Dragon is the symbol of Wales. This is a red dragon in a flower pot - new - with a roman section in the CArdiff Castle in the background.
Tis is the keep of the Castly with the Welsh flag flying above it.
THis is the tower that has been decorated in the 18oo's. The entire interior of the living areas of the castle also are decorated with massive carvings and painting, even more so than the tower, but i couldn't take pictures on the inside.
THis is from the inside of Castell Coch - the Red Castle. It was decorated on the inside by the same person who did Cardiff Castle, but here you can take picture. This was above a fireplace in one of the rooms and it is a carving of the 3 fates from Greek mythology. The one of the left is spinning the thread, the one in the center is measuring it and the one of the right is cutting it. Beneath the women are little depictions of the 3 ages of men.
This is a detail from the fireplace of the Lady of the House's bedroom. Its Psyche, cupid's wife - notice the butterfly wings - holding the family shield.
CAERPHILLY CASTLE
prounced ka-phily
The castle is huge. It was built as a strong hold to keep out invaders. Not only did they build giant walls and a moat they built 2 lakes around the castle, because what's better at keeping out invaders than a moat? A LAKE.
This is the outer gates from the bottom of the hill.
There are a lot more pictures and i'll have to put them up in the next post.
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