"Persuasion" presented by the Stolen Shakespeare Guild

PERSUASION
by
Jane Austen

Jane Austen
1775-1817

The Stolen Shakespeare Guild recently staged a play version of Jane Austen's iconic book, "Persuasion".  The Travelling Toe and 2 other friends attended the Saturday matinee performance shown at the Sanders Theatre.  Jane completed "Persuasion" just before her death in 1817.  It was published in 1818, with another one of her stories "Northanger Abbey".

The story centers on Anne Elliot, who is a young single women living with her father and older sister, Elizabeth.  Another sister, Mary, is married but is always around as she is "sickly" and needs Anne to take care of her and her son.  Seven years ago Anne turned down a young Naval officer, Frederick Wentworth due to the advice of a family friend, Lady Russell.  Her father facing financial difficulties, leases their estate and takes the family to reside in Bath.  There Anne chances upon Wentworth. He has returned from the Napoleonic Wars, a very successful and wealthy Navy Captain. They are once again thrown in each other's company and the feelings that had been denied, once again surface.  Anne realizes that she still deeply loves Frederick and he, her.  When Anne tells Lady Russell that Frederick has proposed and she has accepted, Lady Russell does admit she was wrong in the advice she gave to Anne about him and wishes them well.

Jon Jory is credited with adapting the book into the stage play.  He did a marvelous job. The Sanders Theater is a small venue and there were 19 in the cast so every inch of space was utilized and beautifully decorated.  The costumes would rival any seen in the many movies taken from Jane's books. The cast did an excellent job with their English accents at least to this Texan ear.  All in all it was a very outstanding presentation.  

The Travelling Toe and friends have attended several performances presented by the Stolen Shakespeare Guild and each one has been enjoyable and in this case, a very satisfying Jane Austin fix.


Stolen Shakespeare Guild

Persuasion
play photo

"A Hologram For The King" (movie critique)

A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING
movie poster

The movie this week that the Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe decided to see was "A Hologram For The King', starring Tom Hanks.

Tom Hanks
Alan Clay

Alan Clay (Tom Hanks) is a sales rep for a major tech company out of Chicago.  He has convinced his boss that he can present their new software design to the King of Saudi Arabia. Alan has a lot of turmoil going on in his private so he has to juggle all of those issues along with the pressure of the job during this make-or-break trip.  On his first day in Saudi, due to jet lag, he over sleeps and misses the hotel shuttle to the site where the front end team has to set-up the demos. So Alan orders a car and driver, who turns out to be a funny fellow named Yousef. He tries to help Alan navigate through the local customs and bureaucracy as Alan is not prepared for the cultural differences of doing business in Saudi Arabia. The team must make their presentation in a large tent which  is part of a massive complex being built in the middle of the desert, known as the King's Metropolis of Economy and Trade. Alan continually hits brick walls.......well, how about sand dunes and sand storms, along the way. Due to all the stress, Alan thinks he is having a heart attack and somehow manages to call Yousef, the taxi driver, before he passes out. Yousef arrives with the paramedics and a beautiful Saudi doctor, Zahra, played by Sarita Choudhury. 

Sarita Choudhury
Dr. Zahra

After examining Alan she tells him he is not having a heart attack but is having a panic attack. When Alan discovers a  large lymphoma on his back, he goes to her to have it removed....and maybe to see her again.

 After hitting roadblock after roadblock, the King finally makes a surprise visit to the complex and Alan and his crew have to scramble to get the presentation ready. 

So Dear Readers, is the hologram presentation successful?  Does the King buy the software that Alan and his company are selling?  Is there more to the story of Alan and the beautiful lady doctor? Does Alan keep his job or not?

The Travelling Toe will leave the story line there as no spoiler alerts will be forthcoming. You will have just  to see the movie yourself to find out what happens next!

The movie is awarded 2 middle toes up with an hourglass....because what else can you do with all that sand!!!!!?????????

Perfect Wedding presented by Theatre Britian

                                                     PERFECT WEDDING
                                                     A PLAY BY
                                               ROBIN HAWDON

On a very rainy Sunday afternoon, The Travelling Toe and Dear Friend, navigated the confusing Dallas super highway system to make our way to Plano.  We were on route for some lunch and then to see a play presented by Theatre Britain.  The play, "Perfect Wedding" was written by Robin Hawdon.  


Theatre Britain Mission Statement

Theatre Britain seeks to promote British theatre in its many and varied forms with particular emphasis on the unique medium of British pantomime (panto).

Theatre Britain

Robin Hawdon
Playwright

The play is described on Mr. Hawdon's website as follows: 

An appalling situation. A bridegroom wakes on his wedding morning in his own bridal suite, with his bride-to-be about to arrive any moment, and finds a strange girl in bed beside him. What’s more an extremely attractive girl whom, in the depths of his post stag-night hangover, he can’t remotely remember even having been introduced to. Worse - during the ensuing panic to get the stranger dressed and out of the way, the bride arrives, the girl is trapped in the bathroom, the best man pretends the hidden girl is his girl friend, his real girl friend has to be kept ignorant of the fact, and the hotel chamber maid gets mistaken for everybody’s girl friend! By the time the bride’s parents and half the hotel staff get in on the act, the chaos reaches nuclear proportions! It is that rare combination - a riotous comedy and a touching love story at the same time.

The Travelling Toe and Dear Friend both loved this play.  It was so funny seeing how the main character, Bill, tried to get himself out of trouble but only digging himself into a bigger hole!! So who ended up with who at the end of the play and was the wedding perfect?  Well, Dear Readers, you will just have to go see this play yourself to find out!

The actors were excellent and really kept their British accents going throughout the play, even when the action was heated!!!  Fun for all!

CAST LIST

Bill                     Bryan Brooks

Rachel               Elizabeth McWhorter

Tom                   Michal Salimitari

Judy                  Jamila Marie

Julie                  Jennifer Stoneking

Daphne             Diana Harrison    

   

    

"Eye In The Sky" (movie crtique)

EYE IN THE SKY
movie poster

The movie choice this week for the Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe was "Eye In The Sky" starring Helen Mirren.

HELEN MIRREN

This was an excellent movie.  We all thoroughly enjoyed it.  Keeps you on the edge of your seat!

The premise of the movie is a little hard to explain but it centers on Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) who is based at Northwood Headquarters, England and is on a mission to capture high valued terrorists hiding in Nairobi, Kenya.  The Colonel has American support with a USAF drone pilot (Aaron Paul) stationed outside Las Vegas, Nevada (Area 51 perhaps???). The pilot and assistant provide aerial surveillance on the terrorists.  While reviewing live feed, the Colonel discovers that 3 of the most wanted notorious terrorists are in the safe house.  She wants an immediate strike by the drone to take out the compound.  But back in London the politicians can't seem to make up their minds to authorize the drone strike or not. Of course part of the issue is CD - collateral damage - how many innocents will be effected is a concern.  A Kenyan field agent, is dissipated to get a closer look at the terrorist compound and to ensure that the valued targets are still there.  The field agent is played by Barkhad Abdi (you might remember him as a bad pirate dude in Captain Philips).  He uses a small drone that looks like a beetle and flies it into the house. There we see 2 new recruits being armed with suicide vests.  Now the decision needs to be made - deploy the drone to attack immediately and take out all the baddies plus more CD or let the suicide bombers leave and try to capture them all later. It is CD now versus CD by the suicide bombers. Who, or if, the decision to strike is made? 

Well, Dear Readers, The Travelling Toe will leave the narrative there so you can see the movie yourself and find out if the drone strike was finally authorized and what actually happened.....or was it?

In today's environment it is possible that this scenario is being played out everyday., and you can see the toil that it takes on military personnel.  It was also interesting that different groups were in different places such as the base in England, Las Vegas, Pearl Harbor, London, Singapore, China and Kenya - all in real time trying to make the right decision.

SIDE NOTE:

The late Alan Rickman is a featurd actor in this movie and as he always did in any role that he had, was excellent. He will be missed.  His last line in the film is delivered perfectly, telling one of the  politician's , "Never tell a solider he doesn't know the cost of war".



CAST:

Alan Rick,an
Lt General Frank Benson

Aaron Paul
Steve Watts - USAF drone pilot

Phoebe Fox
Carrie Gershon - USAF

Barkhad Abdi
Jama Farah - Kenyan undercover agent

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up and 1 middle toe up with a beetle drone so you can keep an eye on your neighbors!

yes...that is a real beetle drone

Disclaimer:  The Travelling Toe is not a professional critic and any opinions expressed are for enterainment purposes only.

It's Bluebonnet Time In Texas!!!!!

TEXAS BLUEBONNETS

One of the best things about living in Texas (well, there are many actually), is each Spring we are blessed to see our native flower the Bluebonnet in all it's glory.

The Travelling Toe and 3 other compadres, meet up with the Westmont Garden Club for a short trip down south on the interstate to arrive in Ennis, Texas.  The group went to see the beautiful Spring wildflowers that were in bloom, especially the bluebonnets.

Ennis is considered the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas. In 1997, it was designated by the Texas State Legislature, as "The Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail" and "The Official Bluebonnet City" of Texas. Each year the city hosts a weekend devoted to a Bluebonnet Festival.

The Ennis Garden Club is responsible for tracking the blooms and marking the trail.  There are usually over 40 miles of trails mapped and marked to be enjoyed.  The two driving trails are the North Trail and the South Trail.  Just log on here to download and print the map that has both trails outlined on it. It is easy to follow the signs and the map to the best fields.

Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes

Field of Indian Paintbrushes

Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes

By following the maps we saw beautiful fields of bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes, fields full of yellow flowers and beautiful pink wild Primroses.  Along the South Trail is a ranch that has majestic Belgian horses that love to be fed with the grain provided by the rancher and also love lots of pets and hugs.

Snack Time for a Beautiful Belgian

The group met for a nice lunch at the "Wildflower Cafe" in downtown Ennis.  The monthly Farmers Market was set up for that weekend so we walked around to see what all was being offered for sale.  There were live plants, olive oil made from Texas olive trees, home made tamales (and the taste we had was yummy), and a multitude of other locally sourced items for sale.  The Travelling Toe must admit that we did provide some economic stimulus for Ennis at the Farmers Market.

Wildflower Cafe

Wildflower Cafe


What a wonderful time we all had.  And of course in the car that The Travelling Toe drove, a lot of the fun was had just in the trip down there and back.  A lot of laughter filled the car!

"The Boss" (movie critique)

THE BOSS
movie poster

The Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe went to see the new movie starring Melissa McCarthy, "The Boss".  We were so ready for some laughs, but were very disappointed in the whole movie experience.

The story line is about Michelle Darnell (Melissa McCarthy) who is a mega star in the financial and business world.  Her very put upon assistant, Claire Rawlins, tries to get a raise and it becomes evident that Michelle lacks a lot of interpersonal relationship skills.  A former boyfriend sets her up and Darnell is arrested for insider trading.  She is sentenced to prison and all her assets are frozen.  After serving her term, she comes out of prison with no one to help her or no where to go, so she ends up going to Claire for help. Darnell is consumed with regaining her fortune and doesn't care who she steps on to do it.  She comes up with a money making idea of selling Claire's fabulous brownies using young girls like Rachel, Claire's daughter, to sell them. (think Girl Scouts and their cookie sales).  

The premise of the movie is not bad, but what really tips it over the edge is the language. Good Grief how many times do you really need to say the F-word, especially in a scene with young girls!!!  It was out of control and ridiculous.  The better story line of the movie was ruined for us due to the language.

So The Travelling Toe says see this movie at your own risk.

CAST:
 

Melissa McCarthy
Michelle Darnell

Peter Dinklage
Renault

Tyler Labine
Mike Beals

Kristen Bell
Claire Rawlins

Ella Anderson
Rachel Rawlins

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 pinkie toe up with a bar of Lava soap...and you know what that is for!!!

FWSO Pop Series Concert - Bugs Bunny At The Sumphony

The Travelling Toe and a Dear Friend attended the Sunday afternoon performance of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.  Who would have thought that Bugs Bunny was a classical music star????? Well, Dear Readers, he really is!!

George Daughter was the guest conductor for this concert.  Mr. Daugherty also helped create and produce the production, along with David Ka Lik Wong. 

George Daugherty
Guest Conductor

Mr. Daugherty explained that during the 1930's and 1940's the major studios had large orchestras on staff.  With the uncertainty growing in Europe during this time period, many European trained musicians migrated to American and on to Hollywood.  So these company orchestras had many classically trained musicians on staff.  It was a perfect fit for the cartoon characters to show off their musical skills.

The star of the show was of course that funny rabbi,t Bugs Bunny.  He "performed" along with Daffy Duck and many other stars, such as Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, Tweety, Sylvester, Pepe Le Pew, and even Tom and Jerry.

A large viewing screen hung down from the ceiling at Bass Hall and as the orchestra played the music, we saw and heard the cartoon characters performing.

Here are a few segments that were performed:

             
                             Rhapsody Rabbit
                                                         by Bugs Bunny

                              
                            The Rabbit Of Seville
                                                          by Bugs Bunny

                           
                            Coyote Falls
                                                         by Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner

                           
                            Robin Hood Daffy
                                                        by Daffy Duck

                         
                           What's Opera, Doc?
                                                        by Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd


Also, just to add more fun for the day, before the performance and at intermission, a life sized Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck were available to pose for pictures.  What a nice a souvenir of a day at Bass Hall. They were pretty popular, as kids and adults alike were lining up for pictures with the celebrities!

Bugs Bunny

Daffy Duck

Well, who would have though that cartoons and classical music could produce such a fun event...but it just worked.  Fun for everyone of all ages!

And as the cartoon always ends with: