stirlingscribe

I’m back!

The Stirlingscribe has not been forgotten–I promise.

I wasn’t planning on taking a nearly 1-month break away from this blog, but life got a little busy and I had to do more experiencing of it than writing about it for a while. But, a few essays, trips, and adventures later and I’m excited to share all the exciting things that have been happening since February!

For starters, one of the main things that’s been keeping me busy was the Stirling University Drama Society’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, which I had the privilege of taking part in!

I truly did not come to Scotland with the intentions of participating in any theatre, let alone acting in a show, but I’ve learned I simply cannot resist. Plus, it’s been an absolute blast to hang out with this awesome group of people. As it turns out, theatre people really are the best of the best, all across the world. They were so fun and welcoming, and I’m so glad I followed my impulse to audition!

Additionally, it was super fun to dive into some Shakespeare again! I was lucky enough to play Dogberry, a role that’s stuck in the back of my mind ever since watching Michael Keaton’s absolutely iconic portrayal many years ago. This particular version of Much Ado was set in any early 2000s High School, which allowed for a lot of fun experimentation with character choices, along with some absolutely bangin’ needle drops. I think every Shakespeare production should feature at least one “It’s Britney, Bitch” drop from here on out. I’m sure there’s some way we could slip it into Richard III. I’ll workshop it.

The closing of Much Ado was followed by some of the warmest, sunniest weather I’ve experienced in Scotland yet. Which would have been great if I wasn’t struck with illness and confined to my room, feverishly cramming to finish two mediocre essays before Spring Break. In these few days I would only venture out of my apartment for short periods to photosynthesize and make the trek to the nearby Tesco for more Kleenex. Each trip I found myself saying, “I’m sure I only need one box this time.” My friends, I was wrong every time.

Thankfully, the Affliction did not manage to Take Me this time, and the sun even decided to stick around for a few days right as Spring Break (or Reading Week, as it’s called here) began. As soon as I submitted my Mid-at-best essays, I hopped on a 6-hour long train ride through the English countryside to start my little adventure in London!

London was a quick trip–just a couple days–but it was an absolute blast, and I managed to pack it full of exciting things.

The train ride there itself was one of the best parts. I left early in the morning, which meant I got to watch the sun rise on the North Sea out the window as I read my book and sipped my coffee. Then, the rest of the journey, the train passed through places like Newcastle, York, Leeds, Manchester, and Nottingham–places I’ve been reading about in Austen’s novels for years, but never really knew much about. It was incredible to truly get a feel for England outside of the city, and the countryside was absolutely stunning on this bright, sunny day.

As soon as I arrived in London, it was down to business. The day began with a gorgeous walk through Camden as I made my way from Kings Cross to the British Museum. I even made a pit stop for an “All-American Hot Dog” that tasted suspiciously like a Very-British Sausage with mustard on it.

I spent several hours at the British Museum and still barely scratched the surface of all it had to offer, but there were truly some spectacular things to see!

After this, I became close friends with the London Tube system and journeyed to Trafalgar Square, where I treated myself to a performance of “Oh, Mary!” on the West End. It might seem odd to see a play about Mary Todd Lincoln in the UK, but seeing this show has been on my bucket list since it premiered a couple years ago. It MORE than lived up to the hype. This play was hilariously irreverent, and yet, simultaneously, oddly touching. And while I’m sure there has yet to be a bad casting of Mary, I feel particularly lucky to have seen Mason Alexander Park (the OG West End Mary!) in the main role. Their comedic timing and delivery was to a level of perfection I have never experienced before, and their ability to have the audience so wrapped around their finger was truly inspirational. This show felt like a rare gem that I was extraordinarily lucky to experience live. It’s touring in America soon, and I cannot recommend it enough!

My second day in London, I was lucky enough to spend a few hours at THE Globe Theatre! Yes–Shakespeare’s Globe! (Or at least, an extremely close replica :D)

One very cool thing about the Globe Theatre is that they often hire local Shakespearean Actors as tour guides, meaning I got an extremely knowledgeable, extremely hilarious guide named Gerard, who I will remember for a long time. At one point he looked at me and asked, “Are you particularly fond of Twelfth Night?”

I’ll try not to think too hard about what he meant, but he was absolutely correct.

It’s my favorite comedy, at least.

While I unfortunately didn’t have the time to stick around for a show, we had the privilege of being in the theatre as the cast of Romeo and Juliet completed their vocal warmups, dance, and fight calls. Which, for a theatre nerd like me, was almost just as interesting and entertaining to watch as an actual performance. It’s an indescribable feeling–standing on the ground, looking up at the stage as the players gather and complete the same traditions and rituals that performers have been completing for centuries. Sure, theatre has changed drastically since then, but the ways in which the Globe chooses to honor traditional aspects of Shakespearean theatre, primarily in their dedication to accessibility, is an incredible thing to witness.

It also just happens to be perhaps the most gorgeous venue in the world.

After this, I spent a while exploring the riverside, where a lot of the most famous landmarks happen to be. I eventually took the bridge to the other side of the Thames and ended up in London’s Chinatown, where I walked around for quite some time and ate the most delicious Matcha ice cream I have ever tasted.

Around lunchtime, I continued my day of theatre history and ended up at the Nell Gwynne Tavern. Which, for anyone who really knows me, knows how much I was nerding out while there. I think my enthusiasm for looking at all of the portraits and historical documents decorating the tavern may have freaked out their regular costumer base of middle aged men a bit. At one point, the bartender, with the thickest London accent you’ve ever heard asked me if I was was okay, so I panicked and ordered a cider and sausage roll in a futile attempt to appear less Tourist-y than I actually was. I don’t think it worked.

Interestingly, as the tavern’s customer base was primarily middle-aged men, they seemed solely interested in advertising Nell Gwynne as King Charles II’s mistress, rather than as one of the first professional female actresses in England. Go figure.

Regardless, it was a pleasure to Pour One Out for one of my favorite historical figures. And the name of the sausage roll I ordered was just as lascivious as she would’ve desired.

I continued to explore Central London for a little while longer as I waited for my train back. As I did so, I ended up thinking a lot about what it’s been like to travel on my own. I’ll be honest, while I’m having the time of my life here, there are occasional moments where I wish dearly that my friends and family could be here experiencing these amazing things with me. It’s a weird kind of homesickness I had never anticipated; one where I don’t necessarily want to be back home, but I want to be able share these fun, incredible experiences with others–almost as verification, or corroboration that they are real and just as amazing as I think they are.

I find myself quite often thinking things like, “My brother would have laughed so hard at this play”, or “my Mom would have loved the view from out the train”, or “my friends would’ve been fascinated by the cast of Romeo and Juliet’s fight call procedures”. For a second, it feels a little melancholy, but then I think–how lucky am I to have people I love so much that I think of them and see them in everything I do and experience? Then, I think, it’s just as special to experience these things for them, as well as for myself–to bring back pieces of the world to them that I think they, especially, would appreciate.

I do miss my friends and family, but I’m also trying to soak up every privilege of adventuring on my own, as well. For instance, this week, I went to a concert. It was an artist that I’ve been listening to since I was fourteen, whose music has remained a special part of my life since. To be in the venue, on my own, experiencing and appreciating something so important to me was an indescribable experience.

I’m grateful that, so far, traveling has taught me two important things: how precious time with my loved ones is, and how precious time with myself can be as well. If you can, I recommend finding something special to do for yourself this week–I don’t think you’ll be disappointed 🙂

I’m also extremely grateful for the people I’ve met and connected with over here! I certainly could not do everything alone, and it’s been wonderful to find people, from all over the world, who make this whole experience warmer and more fun!

I’m also grateful to be back writing (for pleasure, not essays) and sharing these experiences on this blog!

So many things in this world to be grateful for–crazy!!