The day had arrived--we were going to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Richard II with DAVID TENNANT, the only true Doctor Who and one of my favorite actors! Before the semester began I had read the play and watched several other versions including the masterful Ben Wishaw one (the Hollow Crown--you can watch it on YouTube) so I was really ready to get into the Shakespeare, not just stare open-mouthed at David leaping around on the stage.
After a really nice breakfast in Fullers and a fairly hectic departure, we boarded the Tube with our belongings and made our way to Marylebone Station to catch the train to Stratford. It was a good length train trip passing through English countryside (lots of sheep). Once we got there, my eyes were peeled all day hoping to catch sight of the Doctor or maybe just the TARDIS parked somewhere, but our inn owner let us know that he has to stay out of town mostly to avoid being mobbed ("poor man")
Our bed and breakfast was on Grove Road, very near the town center and convenient for sightseeing and play-attending. It's called the Adelphi Inn and I actually had helped pick it out months ago, and it was absolutely adorable! It was run by a charming older couple and the wife made delicious homemade gingerbread, which she served while telling us about the town. She and her husband have gone to all the Royal Shakespeare Company productions and have seen all the greats including David Tennant when he was Hamlet in 2008, Judy Dench, and Patrick Stuart. Our room was on the very top floor and the decor was lovely!
In the afternoon we ventured out to explore the town, which was wonderful. When we went to Canterbury years ago it was very touristy and had lost most of its charm, but Stratford was nothing like that. It still feels very authentic, embracing its Shakespeare heritage while still remaining a vibrant, real-life English town. Mama and I took a super fun two hour walking tour with a Welsh transplant named Wendy, an older lady wearing a gold jacket in honor of Shakespeare's coat of arms. There was a very nice couple from Lincoln (whoop whoop represent) who were thrilled to be talking to Americans and wanted to know all about our studies. When we got to the church where Shakespeare is buried (right under the high altar with his family) I didn't have enough change to go in, but they just laughed and ushered me in in a very typical, slightly scornful but oh so nice British way. Wendy gave us all the details, both Shakespearian and modern, jumping from "this is where his house was..." to "this used to be a chinese restaurant but its changed now, see?"
We collected Daddy from our room, I stuck my contacts in and we went to dinner. At first we tried to eat at a little actor's hangout called the Black Swan or "Dirty Duck" right by the theater, and for a second I was convinced a hooded figure on the deck was David Tennant, but it wasn't and the place was busy, so we went down the street for indian food at Thespian's. It was great!
It was finally time for the show. I was so excited and our seats were very close! David was a wonderful Richard II and very David-y. High energy and drama, just as we expect from him. I'd say he and Ben Whishaw are a perfect tie for me in that role. Honestly nothing can beat his performance as Hamlet, but to see him in person was awesome and Richard II has a lot of great scenes for him to play with. It was mesmerizing!
The Set
David at the curtain call
After the show, mama and I raced around to the stagedoor to see David briefly greet the fans, sign stuff and take some pictures. At first I was unsure if I wanted to go, worried he'd be harrassed, but it was very civil and good hearted! He was scottish and adorable, and his hair was back so he looked for like himself and less like Richard II. Very cool!
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