The Globe Theatre

Sunday May 22nd

Today we went to the Globe Theatre and watched Shakespeare's As You Like it. It was presented in a very traditional Shakespeare style and with music. The only exception was the role of Jaques who was played by a woman. Initially my thought was: HOW BRILLIANT!  After watching it my opinion changed. I think the choices that were made regarding the character were poorly chosen. Had a different approach been taken with the Character I think I could have enjoyed the idea of Jaques as an independent women who follows Lord De Boys into the Forrest as a loyal supporter and righteous individual. Instead I felt like Jaques was just an angry women who felt obligated to follow the Lord De Boys into the forest. She seemed stern and down on the world. I almost felt like her character was pointless. The actors also sang and danced through out the production. It was indeed merry. Although it is not my favorite production it was indeed enjoyable.

We will be back at the Globe in a few weeks to see another play. I've never read or seen that play. I've heard mixed reviews about it but I'm excited to return to the Globe.

JUNE 9

Today we saw All Is Well That Ends Well. Oh Bertram...sigh. Upon first reading it I was incredibly disturbed that Helena would subject herself tot he cruel treatment of Beltram! I was a complete jerk - ungentle and unworthy of any ladies affection in my opinion. He ought to have been disowned by his mother and all his inheritance bestowed to Helena after he publicly demeans her for her humble status. I was livid and not at all happy...until I saw the performance at the Globe on June 9th.

Bertram indeed started as a pompous spoiled brateaque idiot but in the end I was even in love with him and forgave him for it all. Helena had faith in her love for Bertram and he returned it ever so beautifully. The actor was not just an actor on a stage at the Globe Theatre he was truly Bertram, a man who came to realize how wrong he was and how much he loved Helena. I forgot for a moment that I was a groundling at the Globe Theatre watching a play.

I was not as impressed by the choices that were made for Helena's Character. I didn't feel like I saw much growth of the Character from the beginning to the end. Non the less - it was certainly a great experience to have seen the play after I had read it and set my opinion that changed once I saw it.