Friday 12 June 2009

PROM 2009


Nothing like a bit of theatrical inspiration to get your day off to the right start.

Yesterday, in the midst of pretending to redraft my play whilst actually procrastinating and checking the F-book (Youtwitface! That joke comes courtesy of Conan O'Brien via my mom - good work, mom!) I got a nice text from a new friend from overseas.

It is terrible with a piece when you begin having trouble seeing the forest for the trees - that, combined with those mean little demons that sit around on couches in everyone's head, eating ice cream, watching old episodes of the Who's The Boss?, doing very little other than occasionally looking up to remind you that you aren't as good as you think you are, well of course, trying to ignore the insecurity demons who have made themselves oh - so - comfortable on the brain couch, combined with actually trying to be hard on myself and redraft a very long play with some gusto, meant that there could be nothing better than doing something completely... different.

That's where meeting the lovely Lee Ann Etzold came as such a refreshing breath of air in a day of working/not working. Lee has just moved to the UK from Philadelphia, where it sounds like she was doing just the kind of work that excites me. Namely - Prom. This is a show done with Teenagers about awkwardness, social clicks, the whole darned thing that culminates in Prom. It has started me thinking all sorts of exciting things about American culture and American High School + Theatre in general. But I can't go into it now, that could ruin everything. Eitherway, it's oddly nice after having spent/not spent a couple of frustrating days with a script, to think about the "other" kind of theatre that gets my toes curling up with joy. Next comes - trying to combine the two.

*In Canada we don't have a prom, we have a formal. And I... didn't go. My high school ex went to at least 3 formals with other ladies. Although we remain forever friendos, this is one issue on which I will also remain forever slightly bitter and slightly proud. I didn't go to my high school graduation either. How bad*ss was I? (But I did read out announcements over the P.A. Oh man. Almost forgot all about that one.)

Friday 5 June 2009

I've been bad, haven't I?



Oh Bloggy friends!

I apologize, it's been so long since I've written anything proper that I've probably lost most/some of you - my four friends who read it may have gone down to two - including my mom. Well, well, well, stop watering a plant, the plant will unroot itself, and then walk somewhere else, on its roots, in a freaky/terrifying way.

Okay - here's the news -

1. Something terribly exciting is happening to Forest Fringe. I don't know how much I can say about it, except that it involves BAC, the Arches, and some drinking/fun. I'm into / at the moment. I bet you've noticed. Anyway, I had a meeting this week with the Davids and Jackie and LJ, and of course, Mr. Field, and ideas were being spun like we were old ladies at one of those spinning machines (a loom?) that sleeping beauty pricked her hand on. Oh dear, what a terrible simile. Eitherway, check our blog for more. It could be the best summer yet.

2. It was so sunny here for a while, and now it's not. I don't know if that really qualifies as news - even old news - but it occured to me as I looked down at my summer dress that looks vaguely incongruous as grey light pours through the window. Ah, Engerland. You and your weather certainly do keep me on my toes.

3. My partner in crime and crime fighting and I will be advice boothing at Shunt by London Bridge tonight - so if you are a scary stalker who has been hoping to catch me somewhere - now's your chance! Let's hope you checked the internet today.

4. Oh Dear. I read another nice blog today that informed me that Archie Andrews will officially be marrying Veronica. I don't buy it. Remember when Superman was dead? So do I. Eitherway, he ain't dead no more, and if Archie does get married, there will be a motel room with Betty's name on it in his very near future.

5. Shows to watch: Unlimited's "The Moon, The Moon", "Aunt Dan and Lemon" at the Royal Court, and if I think of something else I can recommend I certainly will. The main reason I'd recommend Aunt D and L is because when I went to see it 10 people walked out, even though I was thoroughly entertained. I love feeling cultured.

6. I'm writing a play about Gender for my dear Canadians! More to come on this...

Okay friends, will blog again soon with less of a list and more of a subject. I just didn't want any of you giving up on me.

PS: I google imaged "Comic Don't Give Up On Me" and crazily enough, Archie's Proposal covers came up. The Great and Mysterious Google strikes again!