I have always been an Anglophile, with an interest in traditional English culture and the monarchy. My senior paper in high school focused on the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II, so I imagine that’s when my love affair of England actually began. It’s hard to believe that we are now celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. In college, I focused on English literature, and more specifically on the language of Shakespeare’s time. Even though it was basically “English,” it was like learning a completely new language. Knowing the meaning of the words changed my whole perspective and understanding when I watched his plays.When I did my geneology for membership in DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) I discovered that my “patriot” had come over on an early ship from England and settled in South Carolina. He fought under Francis Marion, known as the “Swampfox.” So I had a reason for being so interested in anything British.
I had a chance to visit Stratford-Upon-Avon in 2005 and loved it. I also visited the Globe Theatre in Bankside, London. I will intersperse a few pictures from beautiful Stratford, as I tell you about the Hawai`i Shakespeare Festival of 2022.
The season in Honolulu will perform three live, in-person shows for the first time since 2019. Check it out at hawaiishakes.org and sign up for their news. The shows are performed at The ARTS at Marks Garage, 1159 Nu`uanu Ave. on the corner of Nu`uanu and Pauahi, one block south of Beretania near the historic Hawaii Theatre.
I plan to fly over to Oahu from the Big Island (my island of Hawai`i) in August for their gender-reversal showing of The Taming of the Shrew, one of my favorites. It will be fun to see how they manage to portray a male Kate and a female Petruchio.
I went to many plays at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego when I lived there. Even if you don’t understand all of the language, you’ll love the drama. I suggest finding a synopsis of the story line so you’ll know what is happening.
I stayed at the White Swan Hotel, named for (I suppose) all the swans on the Avon.
A hui hou!
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5 thoughts on “Inspired by Shakespeare”
The Hilo Community Players have been presenting Shakespeare in the Park for 33 years! This year they are presenting (as we speak) Love’s Labour’s Lost. Tonight is the last performance for this year. Kalakaua Park in downtown Hilo
I’m SO sorry I didn’t know about that! I never even heard about it. Maybe next year I’ll get word about it and even take part. I have a long history with Shakespeare, and I even played recorder with a group that preceeded Shakespeare in the park some years (not here). Thank you for letting me know about it.
Sonia, you haven’t known me long enough to realize just how far my interests stretch! We need to get together sometime and talk about a lot of things. You might be able to get a glimpse of who I am by clicking on one of the links on the “personal” tab.
The Hilo Community Players have been presenting Shakespeare in the Park for 33 years! This year they are presenting (as we speak) Love’s Labour’s Lost. Tonight is the last performance for this year. Kalakaua Park in downtown Hilo
I’m SO sorry I didn’t know about that! I never even heard about it. Maybe next year I’ll get word about it and even take part. I have a long history with Shakespeare, and I even played recorder with a group that preceeded Shakespeare in the park some years (not here). Thank you for letting me know about it.
I wish I had known of your interest before this!
We usually try to attend the Sunday matinee persormances…
Sonia, you haven’t known me long enough to realize just how far my interests stretch! We need to get together sometime and talk about a lot of things. You might be able to get a glimpse of who I am by clicking on one of the links on the “personal” tab.
Will do! 😉