the thing itself and not the myth

Then we were off to London. Eventually. It took a crazy amount of time to get out of Oxford, and we wound up completely reorganizing the plan for the day thanks to transit in general hating us, but it worked out okay because I got to do two things I had failed at when I was in London in July. Plus one bonus thing.

First off, in July for some reason, the portrait of Richard III was not on display at the National Portrait Gallery. I do not know why. I suspected it was just to torture me, as I had gone to said Gallery solely to visit him. I attempted it again this trip and there he was, precisely where he was supposed to be! It was amazing. I have been a bit obsessed with him ever since I read Shakespeare’s take on him, but it was only heightened when I read The Daughter of Time, in which the main character is inspired to research him based on this portrait.

Perhaps the best part of visiting him was that there was a tour going around, and I got to hear the tour guide say that they probably knew Richard best from Shakespeare, and that said play was “high propaganda”. Oh my heart! I bought a postcard of Richard down in the gift shop. How could I not?

Also in July, I failed to find the marker for 84 Charing Cross Road. This is apparently because I am an idiot. I found it this time, no problem, though it was mightily depressing to see it on the side of an irritatingly trendy restaurant. Click through to read the text.

Finally, I had really hoped to see The History Boys when I was in London. They were only selling matinée tickets at the half-price booth, but I had my heart set on it, so we stopped by the theater box office, and since I was going alone I got a seat in the SECOND ROW OH MY GOD AMAZING. Happy birthday to me! I had an issue with the casting for Posner (too old, played it way too camp), but I think I actually liked this Dakin better, and though Irwin & Scripps had a lot to live up to, I rather loved them.

Other London things after the jump… (more…)

I took myself out to dinner and a movie this weekend, where dinner was breakfast at Easy Streets (a greasy spoon attached to a fabulous record store? The only way it could be better is if it -wasn’t- in West Seattle) and where the movie was Shakespeare in the Park. Hmm.

They were doing a double feature of Richard III & Two Gentlemen of Verona. I didn’t manage to stay for Two Gents, though, because the direct sunlight for three hours had fried my brains. It’s a nifty little amphitheater in theory, with picnic-perfect tiered seating, but it’s only 2/3 of a circle, and the other 1/3 is bordered by hangers, etc, so the echo is kind of evil. Next year I’ll have to take my blessed festival seat and try out other parks.

As for the play itself, it is (famously) one of my favorites and it, combined with The Daughter of Time, created in me a slight (ahem) Richard obsession. The Richard in this production was serviceable, but I thought that both Margaret & Buckingham were particularly good.

Tonight I am polishing my spinster title and making pillows. Pictures tomorrow, I am sure. And speaking of interesting villains, I might be watching “Dexter”. Fan-tas-tic, I tell you.