Sarah Evans is a 20-year-old English major from Diamond Bar, Calif. The UCLA junior writes, "I'm really looking forward to studying and seeing Shakespeare's dramas performed in their original context!"
Shakespeare faves:
Hamlet, favorite character: Ophelia
Aug 05, 2009
1) In Transit:
DO keep to the right on stairs, escalators, sidewalks — and just about any other footpath — so bustling Brits can pass you on the left.
DO NOT cause a double-decker bus to slam on its brakes by forgetting to look the opposite direction than you instinctively would before stepping off the curb.
2) At a Pub:
DO NOT simply walk up to the bar and request "a pint" if you would prefer to avoid being regarded as an idiot.
DO specify the actual type of beverage that you would like in addition to the desired size when ordering.
Read on for tips for the hotel, the theater, and at high tea.
Aug 20, 2009
Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the most charming places I have ever been. Nestled in the picturesque English countryside along the quiet, swan-filled River Avon, it's no wonder Shakespeare never really left Stratford. Although The Bard's burgeoning career in theater demanded his frequent presence in London, he purchased the second-largest house in Stratford for his family to live in and actually resided there full-time for the last several years of his life. He is buried in the Holy Trinity Church on the edge of town — the same place where he was baptized as an infant. It is clear that Stratford loves their Bard so fervently because of how much love he showed his hometown during his lifetime.
Aside from the token Shakespeare statue or monument on every street corner and in every public square, here is a list of some of my favorite Shakespeare-inspired things in Stratford:
- William's Shakes from the As You Like It Café
- To Be or Choc To Be ice cream sundae
- Row boats named after Shakespearian heriones (I took Beatrice for a spin!)
- Romeo and Juliet lingere store
- Bathroom doors at the popular Encore restaurant decorated to look like the spine of Shakespeare's Collected Works
- Framed and matted splinter of wood from Shakespeare's bed promintently displayed at the Dirty Duck pub
Aug 20, 2009
Upon arrival back in London on Tuesday, several of the girls and I
decided it was high time to make the pilgrimage — not to Canterbury; we
took care of that quite some time ago — but to the world-renowned
palace of retail, the Mecca of merchandising ... Harrods.
Approaching
the giant department store from the outside, its sheer size and
intricate architecture all jauntily topped off with a proudly flying
Union Jack made it appear truly palatial. Of course, inside the effect
was magnified 10-fold. Aside from aisles upon aisles of designer
goodies fit for royalty, the extravagant Egyptian decor motif was
beyond fabulous.
After perusing the equally enormous and diverting toy and pet departments where
you can furnish your furry friends and children with some of the most
decadent items under the sun — some highlights were life-sized Lego
models of Harry Potter and Hagrid, and a replica Globe Theatre filled with stuffed animals that was nearly comparable in size to the actual
Globe — we were ready for the main attraction.
Read on: Christmas World.
