Exploring an ancient city with landmarks that are older than the United States as a whole was a surreal experience. Being able to come into contact with history itself while walking through the Roman Baths has become one of my top experiences in London. I adored visiting Bath and learning about Roman culture during their conquered establishment in Londinium whilst we toured the interactive Roman Baths museum.

“Constructed in around 70AD (almost 2 thousand years ago) as a grand bathing and socializing complex, the Roman Baths is one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world, where 1 million liters of steaming spring water, reaching 46 celsius (114 desires Fahrenheit), still fills the bathing site every single day” (visit bath.co.uk). 

As we walked through the extensive ruins, we listened to the historical context of each finding with a telephone-like device. For someone who becomes easily distracted and bored during a long period of time, this museum did a great job at introducing you to new historical concepts as if they were narrative stories with interesting yet relevant facts through auditory and visual features. It felt like taking a trip back in time where you were a traveler, learning about the local Aquae Sulis people and their customs naturally.

I walked through the 4 main features of the museum: the Roman Bath House, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House, and the artifact section showcasing daily objects, house amenities, and gravestones of the Aqua Sulis. Each was equally as enjoyable and vastly interesting to learn about. However, some aspects of the museum especially stood out to me.

“The gilt bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva is one of the best-known objects from Roman Britain. The head is probably from the cult statue of the goddess which would have stood within her Temple beside the Sacred Spring, across the Temple courtyard to the site of the great altar, the site of sacrifice, which stood at the heart of that sacred space…Examination of the head has revealed that it has 6 layers of gilding. The first two use a technique known as fire gilding whilst the 4 later layers are applied as gold leaf.”

One aspect that stood out to me was the golden portrait statue that portrays the Roman goddess, Sulis Minerva. Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom, crafts, and strategy. Sulis Minerva was believed to be both a nourishing mother and a powerful agent of curses. People would make offerings to the goddess, including coins and wrapped-up tablets that people would carve the names of those who did them wrong, hoping the goddess would help them exact their revenge by imposing a curse on them.

It was fascinating to learn that although this period of Roman rule existed a thousand years ago, people still crave to exact pain onto others as a result of their own. Our human need to feel justice or satisfaction after we’ve been wronged still persists today. I loved learning of the ever-growing principle that the human condition rarely changes and history doth, indeed repeat itself. 

Shakespeare’s globe theatre is by far the unique theatre watching experience I have ever had. Even when first walking in I was surprised by the theatre’s structure. While I had been told that it was a full circle, I don’t think I really understood how that would look as a theatre until I got in there. I also did not anticipate how the standing room would work. In my head it was still a very organized system where people had general spots they could stand, but it was much more like a concert where everyone just squeezed in around the stage. The way that the actors utilized this space and its unique properties was also very interesting. While I knew about Shakespeare’s direct addresses to the audience, I did not anticipate the level of audience participation that was present. My favorite moment of this was when Romeo was trying to hide so he took off his hat, slid off the stage, and blended in with the crowd of spectators surrounding the stage.

I got to have the unique opportunity to be a spectator both in the seats and in the standing pit. While overall I preferred the standing, both had their benefits and drawbacks. During the first act I decided to sit in our seats, not wanting to stand for a long time after walking a lot the day before. While our seats were not terrible, there was a pretty severely limited view of the stage from them. I was sat just a little in front of the stage, and behind a pillar, so I had trouble seeing the actors when they would go to the front of the stage, or if anything was happening on the set itself. I also found myself having a lot more trouble following the dialogue when I was sitting. At first I just placed it on the Shakespearean language and had trouble understanding because of the speed it was spoken at, but while standing I did not have much trouble understanding at all. My best guess was while sitting because I could not see the actors as well, I couldn’t rely as much on their appearance and body language to determine the meaning of their words, and it was easier to zone out or get distracted while sitting

During the second act I decided to stand so that I could better see the actors and get to compare the two experiences. The change in perspective made a drastic difference in both my enjoyment and ability to understand the play. I could see the characters much more clearly, and aspects that felt a little too silly and not very funny before felt much more natural and clicked better once I could really see the actors. It was also really interesting to see some of the scenery get brought in around me, which created a very immersive experience. The main downside of the standing view was the standing itself, but it was not nearly as bad as I expected. It required a good amount of shifting my weight and switching legs to stay comfortable, but I feel like it actually helped me focus on the show better. I was so focussed on staying comfortable that my mind wouldn’t wonder or get distracted by random things around me.

The play itself was very good, and I feel like the decision to put the play in the cowboy era worked well, especially because the production did not take itself too seriously. This is not to say that the set and costumes were not done with absolutely amazing craftsmanship and skill, but the production definitely leaned into the comedy aspects of Romeo and Juliet and the campiness of old west themes. While bringing a gun on stage can sometimes be a bit gimmicky in my opinion, I feel like it worked well in this production and brought a good amount of shock factor without relying on it too much. The acting was all very well done, but I definitely feel like the shows costuming was the biggest standout.

Seeing Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe was probably one of the things I was most excited about coming into this trip.  I would not classify myself as a Shakespeare enthusiast or nerd, but I definitely enjoy Shakespeare, especially after taking an acting Shakespeare class this past semester.

            Getting to be in the replica of The Globe was such a surreal experience. In all honesty, it was a lot smaller than I expected. I chose to sit for the show instead of stand on the ground, like a lot of my classmates did. Honestly, I kind of wish I had stood. But my feet were tired and I do think standing for the three hours that the show was would have taken me out completely. Even though I chose to sit for the show, I still got to explore The Globe in all of her glory before and after the performance. It was very cool to imagine people during Shakespeare’s time seeing his shows for the first time in this theatre. It all felt so grand and yet so intimate.

            I thought the show itself was great! My favorite performances came from Romeo, Juliet, and The Nurse. The chemistry between Romeo and Juliet was amazing, and rightfully so. One of my favorite moments in the show was the famous balcony scene. I was a little nervous that they were going to stage the scene in this window that sat above the stage, which also happened to be the window that I could not see at all from my seat. So I was elated when suddenly Juliet is being rolled out on this gorgeous wooden balcony. Such a clever solution to the blocking of an iconic scene.

            I also thought that the concept that they used for the show worked really well for them. They set R+J in the “American West”. Now, I put quotation marks around that because it was incredibly amusing to watch a British Interpretation of the American West. There were moments that definitely felt truly “western” and times that it felt more “southern”. I was talking to Claire after the show and agreed with her when she discovered that their version of “the west”, was more akin to the “Oklahoman West”. So that kind of gives you the idea of the kind of world that the play was set in. I thought that the conflict between the Capulets and the Montagues worked really well within the world of the west. The Nurse also delivered a stellar performance that really kept me on the edge of my seat, and in my opinion, stole almost every scene she was in.

            All in all, getting to step into the world of Shakespeare’s Globe was an experience that I truly don’t think I will ever forget.

-R

I have NEVER been someone who hates Shakespeare. I think part of this was from a younger me being pretentious or something, but no matter the reason I’m grateful that I’ve always had an appreciation for Shakespeare. That being said, seeing a Shakespearean production in Shakespeares Globe was probably a dream come true. I honestly didn’t know till this class that the current Globe WASN’T from the 1600s, but the 1990s. That was a little disappointing, but I soon got over it.

Stepping into Shakespeare’s Globe (make a game out of how many times I say Shakespeare or Globe in this blog post) was like stepping back into the past. I knew that the theater had been recreated with all the surviving evidence to recreate the building as accurately as possible. While it probably wasn’t 100%, I have to imagine they were pretty spot on. I caught myself looking around, wondering what it must’ve looked like filled with the Elizabethan characters of Shakespeare’s time.

As for the play itself, I LOVED it. I could see the states doing a Western production of Romeo and Juliet, but watching the Brits do it had a certain charm to it. I could immediately tell from the pants tucked into boots that no person from the Southern U.S. was consulted, which gave me a bit of a giggle. Speaking of costumes, they were GORGEOUS. My favorite was Juliet’s wedding dress.

The set design was simple, yet affective. I know that the blood stains above the chair Tybalt dies in were from previous runs, but something about the blood being there added a foreboding element. Especially because characters who eventually die in the story, like Mercutio, sat in the chair during the show.

All of the actors were amazing. The stand out ones to me were Mercutio, and Romeo and Juliet themselves. Mercutio was extremely funny and knew how to play into the character’s inherent style and charm. Romeo and Juliet both played believable teenagers in love. Their chemistry was OFF THE CHARTS. Not to sound like a freak, but they had some of the best stage kisses I’ve ever seen. After some quick instagram stalking we found out they were not actually dating, but they could’ve fooled me. The scene at the end where Romeo and Juliet finally die was haunting. It wasn’t overly dramatic, but instead played into what it would actually be like to die their deaths. I feel like modern theatre makers have a tendency to really over dramatize Shakespeare, but this (in combination with standing a foot from the stage for three whole hours) felt like how Shakespeare was meant to be viewed.

Seeeing Romeo and Juliet at the Globe Theatre was such a great and unique experience. There’s truly something special aboutl about standing inside the Globe Theatre, knowing you’re in a replica of the very place where Shakespeare’s plays were performed over 400 years ago. I loved how the theatre looked, having the huge stage, and the open ceiling to light the light in. Although my feet and legs hurt pretty bad fro standing the whole tome; it was such a unique experience to be super close to the stage and interacting with the actors.

Seeing Romeo and Juliet here wasn’t just watching a play, it felt like stepping into a the past during Shakespeares time. The energy of the space is entirely different from the quiet, cushioned experience of a traditional theater in contemporary America. At the Globe, everything feels more immediate, more alive. People laugh loudly, cheer, react actively through the performances. It’s almost like the audience becomes part of the performance, which is just as they would have in Shakespeare’s day.

What struck me the most was how the production embraced this interactions with the eaudince. The actors played directly to the crowd, making eye contact and sometimes even speaking lines right to audience members. One of my favoirte interactions was when it Mercutio either did or was super close to kissing he women in the audience. This level of engagement is rare in modern American productions, where the fourth wall is usually firmly in place and not typically broken. At the Globe, they tend ot interact more with the aundicne and making it feel like your apart of the play. 

Today’s productions at the Globe used modern western-style costumes, props, and staging choices to make Shakespeare’s stories feel fresh and relevant. Our Romeo and Juliet included some contemporary design elements and music that clearly weren’t from the 1600s—but instead of clashing, they made the themes of love, violence, and youthful passion feel all the more urgent. In contrast, performances in Shakespeare’s time would have featured all-male casts, elaborate costumes, and no artificial lighting, only daylight.

Being in that space, watching Romeo and Juliet with a western twist unfold as the sun blazed in the open area. The Globe theatre had one of the best adaptations of Romeo and Juliet I have ever seen. It was so captivating, and my favorite thing was how Romeo acted and reacted when others were speaking. He was so captivating and stayed in character the whole time, which made everything so much more interesting. It reminded me that his stories weren’t meant to be distant literature; they were made to be felt and experienced by the audience. I believe they did a great job portraying that. 

Shakespeare’s Globe Theater is a radically different experience compared to what we are used to in the United States and at other theaters in London. When the globe first housed Shakespeare’s plays, there was no electricity to have lighting or recorded sound, and most of the audience stood very close around the stage. Today, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre attempts to bring us into the past by staying as true to these practices as possible. This meant we were able to stand two feet away from the actors during the entire show. My feet are still throbbing and my back still aches, but it was all worth it to see the emotion in their eyes and even smell their colognes and perfumes! Suddenly, the show became a 4D experience.

In this space, you need to be close to the actors for two reasons. The first reason—and the more practical one—is so you can hear the actors. The second reason is the closer you are to the action, the deeper you fall into the story. The characters broke the fourth wall numerous times to interact with the audience close to the stage, and even when they didn’t actively break the fourth wall it still felt more immersive than your typical stage performance. When you are between Romeo and Juliet as they are doing the balcony scene OVER YOUR HEAD, you can’t help but feel like an onlooker inside their world. Whereas, if you are fifty rows back and twenty feet above the stage where the actors are performing, it is more like watching a movie on a screen. Now, if there was more to look at all across the stage, a view from further back would be optimal, but there was little set other than a wall in the back with one door in the center and two smaller doors on the edges, as well as an opening at the top for the musicians (see first picture for reference).

This performance of Romeo and Juliet was western-themed which made the story more relatable, or at least familiar, for us Americans. The saloon backdrop, cowboy boots, and fringe jackets align with the staple of the American west. While all of the actors kept their accents, sometimes they slipped into a southern accent for a line or two.

It was very fun to have an experience watching theatre that is set up differently to allow for more connection between audience and stage. I ended the show with tears streaming down my face in a fluster of horror, pain, and awe. Not only because of the story but also the storytelling.

– Hadley Ayers ❤

Seeing Romeo and Juliet at the Globe was something I was very excited about, but it wasn’t something that I thought would stand out in the trip the way that it did. In fact, as soon as the show began, I could tell this would be one of the best shows we saw on the trip.

The Globe is this pillar of history in London – something that almost everyone recognizes and dreams of visiting, and theater major or not, most most people can appreciate the beautiful development of theater that occurred in the original Globe Theater. I was sad to discover that after believing for 20 years that this Globe was the one that had been built in the time of Shakespeare, that it actually is a replica built in 1997. I was slightly disappointed, but that was short lived and didn’t affect the quality of the show at all.

The theater is absolutely beautiful and truly feels like youre stepping into a time capsule. The open roof is the perfect touch and the wooden benches and stage add to the charm. I loved thinking about what this place would have looked like back in Shakespeares time – the gorgeous Elizabethan era dresses, the language, but I was also thinking about how bad it must have smelled in there. Thats just where my mind goes I guess! We did have seats on our tickets, but a small group of us decided to brave the yard and stand for the 3 hour show. I did not regret it one bit. Standing 2 feet away from the stage was such a unique experience and truly made me feel immersed in the show. There was not a single moment that I felt bored or ready for the show to end – I was 100% engaged and cared about every single character. I have been reading this story for over 10 years, and honestly, seeing it at the Globe was the first time I really understood it. For so many years there were plot holes and missing pieces in my mind, but on Friday, it all came together for me. I finally understood the rivalry, the family tree, the “death” of Juliet and the death of Juliet, and also the horrible death of Romeo. I never quite got these things before, and I felt like the whole time I was saying “Oooooohhhhhh” in my head as I finally understood the full plot!

The actors were unbelievable, and the wild west setting was so quirky and perfect. The costumes, first of all, were so beautiful. I was jealous, I wanted to wear them!! But Juliet and Momma Capulet’s costumes were the best of all for sure. They were divine. Now lets talk chemistry. I dont know what was happening on that stage but it was electric. I dont think I’ve ever seen such good on stage chemistry between two love interests as I saw here. Romeo + Juliet so believable I was genuinely curious if they were dating in real life. (they are not.) But it was gorgeous acting. I actually think that part of the reason why I understood so much more of the show was due to the girl who played Juliet being such a smart actor. She really made me believe that she was 14 years old. Her mannerisms and her speaking pattern and her implications werent stiff like some people interpret Shakespeare to be – they were vibrant and honest and genuine. She brought so much life to this character – to the point where I dont see Juliet as only this dramatic character, I see her as more of a comedic one. She was brilliant. Same with Romeo – he was so truthful and each time he left the stage we were waiting for him to come back, because his work was just that good. 5 stars to all of them. This wild west theme worked perfectly and added some super fun elements to the show, like line dancing and music and cowboy boots and guns – it was so much fun. I think the also did an incredible job with having the wild west theme and costumes and setting, but keeping the completely original Shakespeare words, even in their own English accents. They were all so witty and smart and wonderful.

If you go to the Globe, take about 3 Advils and STANDDD BABY STANDDD!!!!!

xo, jo

Last Friday I got the privilege of watching the best Romeo and Juliet production I have ever seen (yes, including the 1999 film by Baz Luhrmann). Now before you all come at me with your pitchforks, there were two aspects that informed this decision: the play itself and the fact that it was at The Globe. 

Part 1: The Globe

This was a big day for the most annoying English major you know (me). Imagine a little kid in a candy story at Christmas, that was what it was like to watch me step foot into The Globe for the first time. Some important background here is that I was always the student who loved when my teachers said it was time to read Shakespeare. Since the 6th grade, I have read at least one Shakespearean play every year (shout out Mrs. Yrle, Ms. Gueringer, and Mrs. Fullerton). Therefore, this was an extreme full circle moment for me. There is also something so incredible about knowing there were people watching the same play as me in the same (kinda) theatre as me centuries ago. Specifically, being right in front of the stage made it easy for me to close my eyes and picture that I was seeing a Romeo and Juliet production in the 1600s. Now, it is true that there would not have been a western twist to an original production (or female actors for that matter). However, the crowd interaction, comedy, and story would have all been the same.

Part 2: The Production

This production of the play reminded me of a quote I heard once: “if you don’t like Shakespeare, you probably just weren’t taught Shakepeare very well.” Truly, I don’t think anyone could go see this production and not enjoy it. This was Shakespeare that way it was supposed to be seen. The actors were hilarious, the chemistry was entrancing, and the audience was engaged. I was shocked that this was opening day with many actors who have just graduated with their degrees. Juliet was the most perfect depiction I have ever seen. She really emphasized that she was just a 14 year old girl, switching from immature to deeply in love to serious. Mercutio was so entertaining, and he really knew how to work a crowd. At one point he even kissed a woman in the crowd (my jaw was on the ground, just in case you were wondering). Romeo was the most convincing romantic lead I have seen of any show in London. Even minor characters like the Nurse, Mr Capulet, and the servant sent me on an emotional rollercoaster that switched from laughing to wanting to cry. Props to all of the actors, the director(s), stage managers, and everyone who made Romeo and Juliet  as perfect as it was.

Upon entering the Globe, I was in awe of the architecture. It was beautiful, and as I secured a decent standing spot I thought about how this was someone’s life at some point. Not just a novel experience like it was for me. I also briefly thought about Good Omens, and how much it would have cost them to reserve this space to film in. But whatever, that’s not important. The moment the show started, I was sold. I was a little on the fence about this one and unsure if it’d be hard to stand though or not, but once it started I knew it was a good decision. The back pain was so worth it! And the song and dance?? Oh my goodness, my jaw practically fell to the floor. I was not expecting that, but I immediately knew I was going to have an absolute blast for the rest of the show. And that I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this production of Romeo and Juliet, and I would genuinely go see it again. AHHH it was great.  

I was really interested in how they interacted with the crowd. Like, yes, I was warned that they would speak to the audience, but to playfully go in for a kiss?? Or to offer a flower to smell?? And the way parts of the set would come in through the audience was a choice I was not prepared for. However, it made the experience that much cooler for me. Yes this is Shakespeare, but it’s also theatre, right? It’s not just sacred texts to be read and performed, but a live show. Does that make sense, am I making sense? It was enjoyable, easy to understand, and well paced. Which are not characteristics people often think of when they hear “Shakespeare”. Have I mentioned I’d go see that again?? I really would. 

(photo of the stage, ft. my emotional support water bottle)

Okay, art. I did a very quick painting of a pigeon to practice being more loose, if that makes sense? I feel like I try too hard to make sure colors go exactly where I think they should, so I challenged myself to not care, and focus more on enjoying the process rather than making it perfect. I also walked to a park and did two tree studies. Which is how I discovered how fun trees are to paint! I will absolutely be doing more of that. Now if only I could feel that way about architecture…

Okay, that’s all! Peace :))