Day Thirty Two - King Lear

Today I went on a backstage tour at The National Theatre - my new favourite hangout. I found it very interesting - the process for them to finally get where they've got took over one hundred years. I love that they can have up to nine shows running simultaneously (although usually they have six) and that they roll their productions so people like me that are only here for a week can see several productions in a short amount of time. I asked about casting at The National and the guide said that actors can send their CVs in to their casting agents, but that the casting agents really only want to see an actor's work so it is advised to let them know when you are performing in a production. They do not do open auditions. Fair enough I guess.

I walked past Big Ben but to be honest I'm kind of sick of big pretty buildings now!

Lunch. Yuck! I was feeling a bit giddy today and thought I should eat something substantial to give me a boost but this was a bit much.

Went to the top of the Tate Modern into the Members Room (with Nick's VIP card) and took this beautiful photo. I super quickly skipped through the gallery. There was a cool exhibition by Roni Horn with lots of works that explored liquidity. I liked this quote: "Water is always an intimate experience. You can't separate yourself from it."

I then went to the Young Vic Theatre to see their production of King Lear.

He was fantastic. Very light but at the same time there was a real weight to him. He was playful, subtle, engaging and had stunning stage presence.

It was slightly difficult for me to follow but this was not because of the production. It was because I don't know the play. I read up on the story before I went, but in the middle of the play when everybody starts killing everybody and sleeping with everybody and dressing up as other people I got a bit lost. Luckily a lovely man from the Globe was sitting beside me and he helped me out. He had recently been to New Zealand on a holiday so we had a great chat. Note to self: When I really concentrate on listening to the text (and not letting my mind wander as usual) I can understand basically everything. Listen boy!

The thing that stood out most to me was the quality of the ensemble. I was sitting watching a team of incredibly talented actors at work. I don't feel that this happens often in NZ theatre. We may have a few incredible performances, but to have an ensemble full of incredible performances is a real treat.

I stroked my finger through some of the blood splattered all over the stage. A very gory production with eyes gouged and toy-sword fight getting very ugly...