Richard III

Last night we stood in the pit for £5 each at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and watched Mark Rylance and company in a sold-out performance of Richard III. It's a pity that I hadn't made it to the Globe sooner, considering I've lived in London on and off for over 20 years. It is a completely different theatrical experience standing in the pit. The actors look you right in the eye, call for your responses to 'God save the King!', take your hand to shake, or swirl their cloaks over your head. Sword and scabbard pass a few inches from your nose. As the sun set and the house lights seemed brighter, our waterproofs protected us from the occasional little shower. I can't wait to go back. A good three hours of standing practice flew by, as it was an amazing production, deeply moving, occasionally shocking and always surprising. Turns out Ean was at the same performance. This production will move to a West End theatre later in the year - go see it! All the details are here.

In the Autumn we will go back and see Twelth Night. The whole run is sold out, but it too transfers to the West End in Novemeber.

There was a dance at the end of the play, where all the cast dance together as they would have when it was originally staged. It was extraordinarily moving, energetic and delightful. I want to do it... I have contacted the Globe and researched other 'early dance' groups to see if they would run a class for some of us T'ai Chi bums, and perhaps David and Marli's cohorts at their English Renaissance martial arts classes. We must encourage dancing men in doublet and hose.