Shakespeare in the Rain

J and I had our first date night since arriving in London (sad, I know!). We were treated to a performance of "Hamlet" at The Globe Theatre.

The venue is so rich in history...to think that Shakespeare's own playing company built the theatre (granted that theatre burnt down, but the new one is similarly styled in the same location).

When I bought tickets I thought it would be really cool to stand and watch from the front of the stage. But then I thought standing for 2+ hours might be a little much so I bought 4 tickets; 2 for the yard and two in the seated section. The yard tickets were only £5 so I didn't feel too bad buying the extra tickets. Boy am I glad I did. It was a rainy night and the theater is open air. Needless to say, we chose to spend the entire show in seats. Those poor people standing in the rain for the entire performance!

The seats themselves are just long wooden benches. But you could rent rectangular cushions for the duration of the show (which we did). During intermission, we popped across the walk to the Swan pub. The pub was grilling hamburgers and sausages on GREEN EGG barbecues. J was sad thinking of his Egg back in CA.

I didn't really remember much about the play itself from my english lit courses, but it was so fun hearing many of the phrases that are used as in every day vernacular such as

"something is rotten in denmark"

"to be or not to be"

"method to the madness" - or a version of that

"the lady doth protests too much methinks"

"in my mind's eye"

"the play's the thing"

"to thine own self be true"

"frailty, thine name is woman" - had to laugh when I heard this one.

And my favorite phrase of the night - "get thee to a nunnery"

We'll be back again in September to see another play. I can't wait.