Inspiration.

This week has been full of inspirational things...

On Wednesday, LUDS had the opportunity to go to the Playhouse and go to a "Berkoff Masterclass" based on his latest play, an interpretation of "Oedipus". Now, obviously, I love Berkoff. He brought "East" into my little life and made me very happy. Being able to see some of his cast and crew on stage was amazing, having the opportunity to hear about their experiences and watch them at work was really really wonderful. Being able to see such talent right there in front of you is amazing.

And then in the evening, we watched the performance. Jocasta was awful but the chorus work was absolutely exceptional. Their unity as a group was perfect and their physical discipline and bodily tension was just brilliant to watch. They flowed together as one, unified ensemble, working together to tell the story of the city and for me, they were the highlight of the performance

SEE IT!

"If we believe that humanity may transcend tooth & claw, if we believe divers races & creeds can share this world as peaceably as the orphans share the candlenut tree, if we believe leaders must be just, violence muzzled, power accountable & the riches of Earth & its Oceans shared equitably, such a world will come to pass."

This week, I finally finished reading "Cloud Atlas" and I absolutely loved it. The book has ten chapters, ranging from 19th Century to post-apocalyptic and back again. Each characters has a chapter at the beginning and a chapter at the end, in a 123454321 like form. Mitchell drags you in, forces you to fall in love with the story of each character and then subtly leads and links you into the next. And then you realise that you are given the chance to return to their story, the cliff hanger fulfilled. The flow of the interconnected stories is this novel's strength, with more than a slight nod to the possibility that all the characters share the same soul. The stories are separate and the narrative voices distinct but the flowing continuity is alluring and unique.

READ IT!

"Happiness only real when shared."

And finally, we come to this little heart breaker, based on a true story. Alexander Supertramp/Christopher McCandless. Chris leaves university and goes on a solitary journey to find out what true happiness is, in the 'wild'. The film documents those that he meets along the way and gives us detailed insights into his life and character. I don't want to give anything away but I could not recommend this film enough. Everything about this film is amazing; the scenery, the acting, the philosophy and the mindset of freedom that underlies the entire film.

WATCH IT!