what's in a name

'What film are you going to see?' asks the nice waitress as she sets down our pre-cinema dinner.

A good question.

There were misconceptions galore.
I thought we were going to see the Coen Brothers' movie, which I thought was called A Simple Man.
One friend thought we were going to see A Simple Man, the Colin Firth/Julianne Moore film.
The third (and usually always right) person knew exactly what was ahead of us: A Serious Man, by the Coen Brothers.

Sigh. And I thought I'd done well to distinguish A Simple Man from A Simple Plan and A Beautiful Mind.

Of course, later I was trying to think of the title of Blood Simple. Distrust abounded.

Anyhoo, in other news, the photos from the Shakespeare in the Garden are now uploaded over at the Drama blog. Thanks to Ger, again!

Shakespeare Galore

Yikes that was a hiatus.

Okay, so the Sheep's Head was filled with family and friends, and much catching up was done. Then back for (a rainy) dress rehearsal, and since then it's been Shakespeare a-go-go.

Thursday and Friday went great, then tonight we did a half-show in the cafe, while apocalyptic weather moved in.

But when it was bright, it was very very lovely :-)



And when we had finished our scene, all the ladies in our scene joined the audience and watched the rest of the play...

All is calm...

Sitting room looks like several bales of material exploded... but the costumes are all packed up, ready for dress rehearsal tomorrow.

And this evening shall be spent out on the Sheep's Head peninsula. Almost no mobile reception, no broadband, just family & friends... heaven :-)

Not so lazy Sunday

Barely got to glance up at this afternoon's Columbo, I was so focused on sewing flowers and hair bands for the play.

So, Friday was The Great Shakespeare Costume Search (part the second). And it was declared a success by all; phew. Yesterday was the Great Granola Bake-Off, and today's all flowers and ribbon. Time for a pre-rehearsal snack, then it's off to the Garden to play...

And in true topical naming fashion, the fishies were christened Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. And it is with a heavy heart that I declare, 'Guildenstern is dead'.

Tom Stoppard would do something clever with this situation. But me - I'm hungry, and off to crank up the Food Machine :-)

One week on...

And another week disappears into the ether... as with previous weeks, this one was a smorgasbord: volunteering for the West Cork Arts Festival, great recital (in Castletownshend), great concert (Hothouse Flowers), dvds at breakfast time (oh so decadent), pony trekking, judging a photography competition, scrumptious food (including pink meringues with purple cream, and almost-right pancakes), fairy wings, crosswords, emergency trip to the vet's with a friend and puddy cat, almost-swimming, Shakespearey things, and a couple of afternoon naps.

And a late night limoncello :-)

Phew.

And so, this weekend will feature a hefty dose of Shakespeare - with less* than two weeks to go, we're shifting up a gear now...

So, I'm off to learn lines. Have a fabulous weekend folks :-)


_______
*I know I know, shoulda said 'fewer'... feeling reckless!!

Reading at the IWC

Writing news (I know, it's been all hush-hush of late): I'll be reading in Dublin at the Irish Writers' Centre on Thursday 16 July. It's part of the Stinging Fly Summer Readings Series; full (or at least more festively plump) details are over at my main site.

I haven't decided what to read yet...

And in other news, here's a proper glimpse of how sunshiney Shakespeare was on Saturday. We few, we happy few :-)



Rehearsals this evening, probably of the drizzley variety.

Festival Central

Pretty full-on weekend, without so much as a disco nap to keep me going.

Well, Friday began with the serene sanctuary of The Algiers, before heading on to a lively Square where music & O'Driscolls abounded. Saturday was all about Shakespeare: workshopped the Bard all day (which was glorious, on all levels) and then an evening of sunshiney pints talk music talk pints dusk talk pints pints.

Didn't even make it out to Sherkin on Sunday, due to weather of the manky sort (but lots of glowing reports back about fine food and ceoil and craic). The lovely folk at Inis Beg were having an open day in aid of the Simon Community, so I nipped out there to show support through the mankiness. Not that anything could detract from their beautiful gardens: ah, those delphinium spires glittering...

Sunday was also the wrap up of the O'Driscoll gathering, including the farewell from the outgoing Clan Chieftain and the inauguration of the new. Having been in Canada for the last two years, the base of the new Chieftain is all the way over in Skibbereen. Lovely speeches, and a great mix of attendees from all over the world.



Stretch-ey yawwwwwwnn. Back to work.