Shakespeare in the Gardens

Trinity College Gardens
Trinity College Gardens

This summer, one of the unique Cambridge experiences we've taken advantage of is the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival. For eight weeks in July and August, Monday-Saturday one can see The Bard's plays performed by professional actors in some of the loveliest college gardens. "Taming of the Shrew" (St John's College), "Much Ado About Nothing" (King's College), "Romeo and Juliet" (Robinson College), and "Hamlet" (Girton College) were presented for the first four weeks, and we managed to see all but "Hamlet." The comedies were without a doubt our favorite—"Taming of the Shrew" was the best of the lot, but our favorite actor appeared as Benedick in "Much Ado."

Beginning of "Much Ado About Nothing"—Signor Leonato, Beatrice and Hero

The second set of four plays began last week, and M* and I went with some friends to see "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Trinity College Gardens, and this play has turned out to be the most impressive and hilarious performance yet (our favorite actor reappears as Lysander). I wish they had let us take photos during the ceremonies so I could show the creative costuming devised for the fairies.

Curtain call for "A Midsummer's Night Dream"

We still have three more plays to see:"The Tempest" (Downing College), "Macbeth" (Girton College), and "Twelfth Night" (Robinson College). Since "Romeo and Juliet" was our least favorite, I'm wondering if the Cambridge summer nights lend themselves as a better backdrop for a comedy than to a tragedy.

M* and me before "Much Ado"

Our friend Francis, who has accompanied us to all of the shows, noted that he would have liked and appreciated Shakespeare much better if he had seen it in performances such as these. I completely agree. As a teenager and even in college, I don't remember being taught that these plays were often performed for and had to appeal to the common man and that Shakespeare was a businessman. Then, even the comedies that I saw performed seemed to be imbued with the weight of "this is a Shakespeare play." Those young folks who get to see the plays at the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival are quite lucky.

M*, Monique and Francis at "A Midsummer's Night Dream"

Queens' College May Ball & King's College Formal Hall

Before we run out the door to the pirate themed Wolfson "May Ball", here are a few photos from Queens' College May Ball, on 19 June, and last night's King's College Formal Hall, one of the best dinners we've had in Cambridge.

Queens' College May Ball

It's not often M* sees my name written as "Amy Budny"

Steven, Susie, M*, me and Karen

Karen, M*, me and Kevin show off our absinthe

Mr X and me

Klaxons

Fireworks and rain

M*, Karen and Francis kill some time at the snail races.


King's College Formal Hall

M* and Mark, our host

Susie, Maria and me

Karen and M*

Me and my hard working man

Maria, Christiano, me and M*

Out and About

M* and I are trying to fit in more social events among our school and work obligations: we know it's important to spend time with classmates and friends before some leave within the next month.

Since the weather has finally turned a bit rainy, my camera was mostly tucked away in a dry place. Here's a photoless list of what we've been up to this week.

Sat: Wagamama for an early dinner. We didn't realize that this Asian noodle restaurant ("positive eating+positive living") was part of a chain—albeit a small chain. We were on our way to Mannamexico, when we noticed Wagamama had finally opened in a second story, Regent Street location. Very few restaurants are above street level in Cambridge, although a few new ones will soon be opening nearby on Regent. Deciding to be adventurous, we sat down at one of their communal tables and enjoyed a nice meal. The menu was similar to other noodle restaurants, such as Dojo on Mill Lane. although Dojo will save you between £5-£10. However Wagamam has appealing clean lines, a high ceiling and an abundance of natural light. Also, their staff was very nice—I forgot to request non-gluten noodles with my dish, and, when I mentioned it to my husband, the wait staff overheard and quickly brought me the same dish with rice noodles.

Sun: Sala Thong on Newnham Road for dinner with two of M*'s classmates: Francis and Karen. This Thai restaurant is pleasing for four reasons: consistently good food, friendly service, reasonable prices and a five-minute walk from our flat.

Mon: The Snug Bar for an afternoon smoothie with Yuri and Tialda. Yes it's a bar and Tialda is pregnant, but they have delicious smoothies (the mango, apple juice and cucumber concoction is quite refreshing and lite). Since Tialda is leaving at the end of the month for Seoul, it's important to get quality time with her.

Wed: Evensong at King's College Chapel with Yuri, Tialda, Wakako, Maria and M*. The world famous King's College Boys Choir performs most nights at evensong. I've heard them sing twice, but I want to attend a few more of their performances before we leave Cambridge. Unfortunately, the young boys were in class on this night, so it was only the college age choir members present. It was still moving to experience their singing.

Thurs: The Granta Pub with Jessica and M* for Judge MBA pub night. Jessica came over for a sushi dinner, and then the three of us walked down to The Granta. While Jess and I used the time to catch-up, M* used the time to network with Judge students from last years class. They were in town for their graduation.

Sat: "Blades of Glory" at Cineworld with Karen and M*. I am so partial to the Arts Picturehouse, that I had no desire to see a movie at another theatre in Cambridge. However, none of the movies at the AP appealed to us this weekend—we were craving something silly. "Blades of Glory" starring Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Will Arnet and Amy Poehler to the rescue. Karen is another American Judge student, so the humor was certainly familiar to her. The theatre, part of the Cambridge Leisure Complex, was actually really nice—I had certainly erroneously prejudged it. The tickets only cost $12, and since we wolfed down hunger satiating Mannamexico before the film, we didn't pay any outrageous snack prices.

Foggy Mornings

Afternoon temperatures increased this week to the mid 50s, but the mornings have been chilly and foggy. Foggy enough for me to stop, although already late for work, and snap photos of King's College and the facade of the Old Schools, where I work, and Senate buildings.

King's College Chapel

King's College

Old School (left) and Senate Building (right)

17-18 Jan 2007: Mom Arrives in Cambridge

Mom in King's College Court; Mom on Fen
Causeway Bridge with River Cam and
waterfowl in background
No sooner had the National Express bus dropped Mom off than I had her walking all around Cambridge. I'd guess we walked 3-6 miles a day. Luckily the scenery in Cambridge and London lends to the enjoyment of such an activity.