ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 44TH OF 2025

 Good Afternoon tis Friday time for

So last week we headed to Stratford for a couple of days and to enjoy some excellent Shakespeare plays. 

We travelled down on the Thursday, we hit a lot of roadworks all I can say is HS2 is definitely making that journey harder at the moment, I really feel for the people directly affected by the same. 

We had a matinee show to enjoy on Thursday a 'first encounters' (aka as abridge) version of King Lear in the Swan theatre. 

It was very good, but we believe we have only seen this play twice now and both have been abridged which is a shame I think I'd like to see it done in all its glory.  

Stage at the end of the play. 

The promo poster

We had a quick change and shower at the hotel and then hot footed it to Zizzis before heading to the RST for 'Measure for Measure' 

As a play this is complex and one where the ending leaves the female with no words, we did wonder with how it started how they were going to finish it and we were not disappointed.

Then Friday we had the day to ourselves, we enjoyed exploring Stratford as usual and given how epic Measure for Measure was were doubtful that it could be matched or surpassed.

This time we were at 'The Other Place' and an hour before we set off I realised we had 'pub type' seating, which basically meant that we were incredibly close to the actors, pretty much in the pub. 

This photo I took when we were in our seats, like I said close. 

The whole run of Macbeth set in the Glaswegian bar is sold out and I genuinely had no idea why, but the lead actor was apparently the lead in the series Outlander, which I think was the main reason. 

The play was bloody and grimy and all things Macbeth, but I don't think I've ever cried to Macbeth before if I'm honest, but then I've never seen Lady Macbeth's death scene played out on the stage (ever) which was startling enough but then for Macbeth to lay her down on the stage and do his 'tomorrow and tomorrow' speech with such emotion was enough to get the tears flowing. 

There was a standing ovation as it finished and I can honestly say it was the best Macbeth I've seen in quite some time, in fact for a non-traditional version this is definitely my favourite. 

On Saturday we were heading home and decided to pop to Kedleston on our way back, we were hoping to see Helios (a Luke Jerram installation of the 'sun') which was there but when we arrived it said it was sold out.  Disappointed as we were we need a comfort break and a cuppa so headed in to get our cards scanned and the amazing man behind the counter provided us with two tickets and said to hurry as the slot was 12.15pm as it was already 12.40pm.  

We hurried into the house which not only housed the sun installation but was also celebrating Diwali 

Helios was stunning and the surface had movement on it like the real sun

Seeing it from the other side of the marble room hanging was amazing

Kedleston hall is lovely anyway, the glass chandelier still designed for candles was amazing

The outside view gives you some perspective, it had a feel of both Wentworth Woodhouse and Nostell priory. 

Then we had a wander around the very old church, the stained glass windows were stunning. 

We were glad to finally land at home and after we'd unpacked enjoyed relaxing after our busy couple of days. 

We caught up with our son and daughter-in-law and soaked up all information to do with our grandson and then we were back at Monday (already). 

Although this week was short (only two days) because on Wednesday we had been invited to my cousins wedding which was amazing.  She looked stunning and as she is into her metal music and all things gothic we knew it would be different. 

Here is a photo of her on her way to get married, the most beautiful black wedding dress you ever did see. 

I hope you've had a wonderful week too.  

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 34TH OF 2025

 Good Afternoon lovely people tis Friday time for

Well last Thursday we travelled down to Stratford upon Avon, we had early check in at the hotel, so unusually for us we travelled by motorway and got there for about 11.30am, checked into our hotel and then went for a wander. 

We had three plays to watch over the two days that we were there, the second of which was in the theatre known as 'The Other Place' which we'd never been to or seen so that was our first port of call. 

Apparently this reopened in 2016 although it was the first time we'd heard of it. 

We then had a wander through the park and the art installation to do with the Two Gentlemen of Verona

Inside the RST near the Swan theatre was this inflated art installation which I loved

Then we had a wander and picked up some snacks from Marks and Spencers (non UPF sausage rolls) as we try and avoid any ultra processed/formulated foods these days and some olive oil cooked crisps. 

We also had a wander to the Shakespeare statue and the characters around them, 

and the faces around the base, all with different plants that had a significant meaning according to their respective statues. 

We headed back to the hotel and had a shower and then headed to Zizzis for tea which always has the nicest of desserts, this is a blueberry and lemon baked cheesecake and yes it probably was UPF but genuinely I tried not to think about that as I ate it. 

Pre-show selfie. 

Our first play was 'A Winter's Tale' at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.  It is a play we have seen before on numerous occasions, however, the play of two halves was very different to previous versions that we've seen.  The first half sombre and angry the second sentimental and heartfelt. 

The leader actor is the guy from the TV series Dalgleish, Bertie Carvel which we've both really enjoyed who was amazing in the play. 

This was the view from our seats, with the hanging moon on the stage, it changed during the show, sometimes clouds drifting over it, sometimes taking on a feel of Mars the planet and sometimes looking like the globe.  There was also water around the stage and we had to giggle at the first row being given waterproofs before the play started. 

The play was utterly amazing and we headed back to the hotel to dissect the same. 

The following day we headed out, it was beautiful blue skies, we went to the birth place and took a photo of the statue outside. 

and a photo of the birthplace

We also found some art installations that were linked with sonnets. 

We enjoyed a wander into a few of the art galleries in Stratford, they have such an amazing mix, before we headed to play number 2 which was The Two Gentlemen of Verona at The Other Place.  They believe this was Shakespeare's first play and it has a difficult ending (which we didn't know until after we'd seen it), but their version was very good and omitted the part of the play which is so contentious. 

We sat and had a drink before the show (and yes there was a real dog in the play)

This was our view from our unallocated seats

Pre-show selfie

Stage at the end of the play

The play went straight through with no interval and we thoroughly enjoyed it, the actors, the set and the view from our seats. 

I captured this photo of the lighting in the foyer on the way out, so very pretty. 

and another part of the art installation

I also found these characters on the top of a lamp post near the Swan theatre. 

In the evening after a meal out, we went to the Swan theatre, we had a walk around the free exhibition upstairs, I got this photo of one of the costumes the RSC has made at some point

the level of work on it is quite sublime. 

The floating head outside is sensational

Then our final play, Fat Ham in the Swan theatre and the premier of the show.   

Pre-show selfie

This was the view from our seats

And this was the stage at the end. 

Genuinely the play was sensational.  Based on Hamlet, but now set in the deep south in America all the key characters were there, but rather than the vengeful death scene, this was when the youngsters decided not to follow the same path and push back.  It made us laugh, it made us jump, it was heartfelt and awesome and I loved every minute of it, the actors were superb. 

Afterwards we overheard someone chatting to two gentlemen at the back of the theatre, it turned out one was the chief choreographer of the show and the other the playwright James Ijames which really made us smile. 

As we bounced back out of the theatre on a theatre high, we spotted these costumes up on the landing and went to have a look, the pink one from The School for Scandal last year which we saw.  

We also photographed the head piece worn by Bottom in the Midsummer Night's Dream that we saw. 

We headed out into a warm summer's evening and stopped at the quarterdeck bar for a drink before heading back to the hotel. 

If I could see any of the plays again it would definitely be Fat Ham.

We drove home on the Saturday and riding the wave of Shakespeare sat and watched the DVD of Midsummer Night's Dream that we'd bought.

Sunday was a quiet day and then back into work on Monday through to Wednesday.  A busy week again but one where I got one of the long standing tasks sorted which was great. 

And that my lovely people was my week, I hope you've had a good week too. 

Hugs