Words, Words, Words, Words

Day #30: Your favourite single line

I have a million of them, really. But I'm going to go with this one: There was a star danced, and under that was I born because that's the quote I used for Charlie's birth announcement.

( Other questions and previous answers )

Doing two days:

Day #21: An overrated play - Romeo and Juliet

Day #22: An underrated play - All's Well that Ends Well

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Day #20: Your favorite movie adaptation of a play

I can't think of a single theatrical release that was a movie adaptation of a play that I've actually seen. I never saw 'Ten Things I Hate About You' although it looked sort of clever, and I never saw 'She's the Man' which was supposedly based on 12th Night, and I can't think of anything else at the moment.

So I'm going to cheat a bit and say my favourite adaptation is Shakespeare Retold, the BBC series. Out of that, I have to say I liked Much Ado About Nothing the best - mostly because Hero basically told Claudio she wasn't going to marry his un-trusting arse after humiliating her. The Maccers one was pretty awesome, too, mostly because they called Gordon Ramsey 'The Scottish Chef' becuase they Dare Not Speak His Name.

( Other questions and previous answers )

Day #19: Your favorite movie version of a play

I thought Much Ado About Nothing was Brannaugh's best movie. The acting, mostly, was stellar, and it does remain one of my favourite movies of all time.

However, my ultimate choice will have to be the recent RSC version of Hamlet starring, of course, David Tennant and Patrick Stewart. I am so grateful they filmed that version; geek factor aside, Tennant and Stewart are formidable actors, and it was a pleasure to watch them work. The supporting cast was equally stellar. The Ophelia was really good; that's a hard role to get right, I think, and she did a nice job.

I loved their interpretation of Gertrude taking the poisoned drink at the end - the actress nailed it. My friends and I literally yelled in amazement, she conveyed her realisation the cup was poisoned beautifully.

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Day #18: Your favorite dialogue

The seduction scene between Lady Anne and Richard III. Although he wasn't Richard III at that point. He was Duke of Gloucester at the time. (and now that I think of it, I could have picked 'Now is the Winter' for my favourite speech.

Not going to paste the whole thing, it's here if you're interested, but here's a bit that I particularly liked doing:

Duke of Gloucester. Fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have
Some patient leisure to excuse myself.

Lady Anne. Fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make
No excuse current, but to hang thyself.

Duke of Gloucester. By such despair, I should accuse myself.

Lady Anne. And, by despairing, shouldst thou stand excused;
For doing worthy vengeance on thyself,
Which didst unworthy slaughter upon others.

Duke of Gloucester. Say that I slew them not?

Lady Anne. Why, then they are not dead: But dead they are, and devilish slave, by thee.

Duke of Gloucester. I did not kill your husband.

Lady Anne. Why, then he is alive.

I love it becuase it shows that, while Lady Anne may make a bad decision, she isn't stupid,and Richard, even if he is deformed, is absolutely the embodiment of Evil Is Sexy, (see the quote a the top of that Tropes page - it toats agrees with me) it is just so much fun to act and watch.

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Day #12: Your favorite scene

Can anyone really narrow this down? I don't know. So many moments in Shakespeare take my breath away when done right, but that self-same scene can leave me cold when in the hands of someone who doesn't 'get' it. *coughclairedainescough*

I really enjoyed acting the seduction scene in Richard III. I'd also done Kate in Taming, and one of the things that struck me was how alike the wooing scene in that show was to the one in Richard, just in terms of the woman successfully laying the verbal smack-down on the guy, who continued to be charming to the last, and, ultimately, wins. Taming it is played for over the top laughs, Richard, it's disturbing.

In short, I have no real way of answering this question.

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I suppose I'm cheating a bit, but I figure I'll do three days today - it will encompass Saturday, Sunday and Today. That seems logical, yes? Besides, it seems right to just lump these three questions together:

Day #8: Your favorite comedy
I'm going to go with The Tempest, even though it's technically a 'romance'. It's one of those plays that can be as serious or as funny as the director and actors decide, and if one plays up the funny, it is hysterical. And I speak from experience, because we just did this, and we got lots of laughs.

Day #9: Your favorite tragedy
I'm tempted to say King Lear; but I seem to have talked at great length already about this, so I think I will go with Hamlet. Yes, I realise it's sort of an obvious choice, but, let's face it, it is pretty much flawless, as far as tragedy goes. And has some of the most quoted lines in the history of the world.

Day #10: Your favorite history
Um...I have to say Henry V, simply because I love the Crispian day speech so very much. I love the whole 'inspiring leader' thing. And the English lesson scene is really funny.

( Other questions and previous answers )

Day #3: Your favorite hero

Again with the 'hard to narrow down' question.

First we have to ask outselves, which definition of 'hero'? The one where he's the full on good guy who saves the puppy and gets the girl, or 'hero' as in 'lead of the play, but not necessarily a good guy'. Because when you think about it, Shakespeare has far more of the 2nd sort.

For the first definition I'd have to go with Henry V. He's a guy who was a total layabout playboy in his youth, but when it was time for him to step up to the plate and be king, he did so, and did it with style. (In Shakespeare, at least. Real life was probably a lot more muddy)

The St Crispian speech is one of my favourite things, ever. When done right, it gives me chills every time.

I recommend the movie "Renissance Man" staring Danny DeVito for a nice example of that speech, actually.

As far as the 2nd sort...spoiled for choice there, really. I think, however, I have to go with Richard III as my hands-down favourite.

Why? I adore him. I think Richard is one of Shakespeare's greatest characters. He's a beautifully written; all charming and evil and ambitious. How can you not love him?

The real Richard is much maligned in this play, of course, but better to be remembered as a villian then forgotten all together, yes?

( 30 Days of Shakespeare )

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Apparently the original meme asked you to say "ORANGES" but the person I responded to, doeri said to use kumquats because she likes them better, so I'm saying 'apples' for largely the same reason. Also safeword.

So here are the asnwers to the questions doeri asked me:

1) If you could run your own Shakespeare troupe, what production would you do first?

Interesting question, becuase I don't think I'd ever want to run an acting troupe, ever. It's hard enough just being on the board of the one I'm on! The idea of being in charge does not appeal.

That said I've toyed with the idea of doing Loves Labour's Lost as a 60's beach movie type thing, so if I ever took the plunge, that's what I might try for.

2) There were rumors recently of Johnny Depp playing the Doctor in a movie version of Doctor Who. That turned out to be false. If it were true that they were actually going to do a movie version of the Doctor, who would you have play the Doctor and which of his sidekicks would you want to see in the movie?

Oh, gods...well, they tried an American hybrid in 97 and the Doctor in it was fabulous, but the story was kind of stupid, so if we're talking about an American produced movie...Do Not Want. If someone had to do a feature film, I'd rather they stuck with whichever actor is currently playing the Doctor. Failing that, something with ALL the Doctors using that Forrest Gump technology wherein the actual actors are green-screened into old clips would be super awesome.

3) In what part of the UK would you want to reside?

Some southern village I think. Hadn't really thought about it, to be honest. I guess if I ever really decided to pack up and move, it would have to be somewhere with resources for Charlie and a place where I would actually have a job.

4) Is single motherhood easier or harder than you expected?

Hmmm...Easier in some ways because I have 'free' weekends where I can go off and do grown up things without worrying about finding someone to mind Charlie. To be honest, as far as caring for Charlie, there's not that big of a difference. The Ex was never completelly stellar in the 'helping me' department, and if I were to be honest, I probably wouldn't let him help at times because I didn't trust his reactions.

There have been times recently where I've wished I had someone who could help me with the more 'boy' aspects of Charlie. And it can get lonely, but mostly I'm happy being a single mother.

5) Do Jersey diners still make the best desserts?

I hate to admit it, but I rarely get desserts at diners. Jersey diners make the best breakfasts though. There are a couple of places near me that make the best omlets.

I was going through LJ posts, as I do, and came across this one from 5 (wow) years ago. I thought it might be interesting to share again, and see what you all come up with.

Five random memories from your childhood. One for each sense.

( Here's mine )

What are yours?