globetrotter

last night we went to the globe theater to see the merry wives of windsor for my travel writing class. and may i just say, right off the bat, it. was. awesome.

we stood in the groundling section, which is obviously on the ground. it's strange to stand at a play. at a concert? sure! that's just kind of the setup. but i'm so used to theater being an elevated art form, something that requires you to slap on a cardigan and sit your butt down in an assigned seat. but this was just like in billy shakes time- theater is supposed to be for the masses! everyone is supposed to get in on it! and that's what being in the groundling section felt like- like this was something for everyone. most of the other groundlings were students (we all po' people!) and we leaned our arms on the edge of the stage. there isn't a ceiling so you can see the sky and watch it turn from blue to black. so incredible.

the play itself was HILARIOUS. lots of gay jokes and french jokes. kind of base, but right up my alley. and the main guy looked like tim allen from the santa clause. chrissy got sick and went home (apparently another girl in our program actually passed out! all the standing does get to be a bit much . . . ) but lauren and i stayed til the end. so worth it! i had a giant goofy grin plastered across my face during the entire second act. the two female leads were hysterical and there was a lot of good physical comedy. they even had a few modern elements (or what seemed to be more in the vein of modern comedic devices) and end of the play was full of singing and dancing and the audience clapping along. the only thing better than the show and the atmosphere was the people watching! so many people were smiling and laughing and their faces were all lit up, half from joy and half from the lights around the top of the theatre. the players actually walk into the audience on little boardwalks and it was all just done so well!

i felt incredible leaving the theatre. that is probably my number one london recommendation so far. if you get here, you must must must go see a show at the globe.