Woohoo!
Ryan and I just celebrated our 6 month anniversary on Friday. In celebration, we went to see King Lear at the
St. James Theatre in Wellington. It was an amazing show! Can't compare it to my experience at Les Miserables, but it was definitely spectacular. The entire production, from lighting (amazing!) to costumes (wow!) was brilliant! Ever see rain created out of mist and light.... what an incredible effect!
The acting was marvelous. Unsurprisingly, Ian McKellan did an amazing performance. Surprisingly however, THERE WAS FULL FRONTAL NUDITY!!! AH! As the King went mad he decided to embrace the natural nakedness which was demonstrated by another "mad man" and boy oh boy did it shock me. Very unexpected. I suppose if I'd read some more reviews before I went, I would have realised that it was a main topic of conversation amongst reviewers.
The rest of the cast, as clothed as they were, pulled off some amazing performances as well. Most notably the actor playing Kent, and the actor playing the Earl of Gloucester's estranged son Edgar.
There were a few minor slips, (I think Ian slurred through a line, and a "dead" man gave a helpful kick to help those that were dragging his body from the stage), but all were forgivable. It was a very emotionally driven play done in the typical mood of Shakespeare's tragedies. Death and loss driven from madness, greed and human folly. All of which could have easily been avoided by a few honest words, earlier arrivals of heroes and a twinge of sanity! haha!
The play was the dessert of the day, but we had been eating good food since the evening before. Just my luck, I won
"Temp of the Month, July 2007" from my Temp agency. The prize for my fantastic efforts (don't know what I did that was that special) was a $40 gift certificate at a restaurant called
Lonestar! It's a chain restaurant that wants to be like Montana's meets Moxie's, but heck, it was $40 off! We ate like kings, despite the fact that we had to wait 40 min for a table which I had previously reserved!
Saturday morning, Ryan spoiled me with a breakfast of lox/gravalax, cream cheese and bagels.... followed by a lunch of fried cheese, breads, guacamole and
dukkah! Before the play we went to a French restaurant called Le Metropolitan, where our friend Paul works. He set up our table and spoiled us with his company and recommendations, then we ate one of the most fabulous meals I have had in ages. I can now say I have eaten "beef cheeks," a very rich part of the cow, I must say, with grilled mushrooms and pasta as sides. gah....drool.
To make matters even better, I went to lunch with Ryan and friends the next day, followed by a viewing of Peter Jackson's "King Kong" (I had not seen it before and have just recently viewed the original starring Faye Wray).
Needless to say, I'm doing well. Still reading Harry Potter, when I can get the chance, but I have finally entered into the final third of the book.
Thinking of Carly Jo these days, knowing that her wedding is fast approaching. I am so happy for her! Yet, I am extremely devistated that I cannot be there to support and witness one of the biggest moments of her life!
All my love!
