Riba Rambles:
Musings of a Mental Magpie

Posted by Lis Riba at 11:30 PM

Seen in the library this afternoon:

Posted by Lis Riba at 9:54 PM

As I've already mentioned, I've seen Titus staged thrice:

• First, in November by the Wellesley Shakespeare Society (review),
• Last month (still playing!), by the Actors' Shakespeare Project (review),
• And last week (still playing!) by the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC (review).

I thought it might be interesting to compare the press photos of the three productions.

Unfortunately, Wellesley doesn't have any good photos of their Titus, but here are the other two for comparison:

Robert Walsh as Titus: — Actors' Shakespeare Project

Sam Tsoutsouvas as Titus: — Shakespeare Theatre Company

And here, Tamora and Aaron, enjoying a tender (and apparently, photogenic) moment:

“Ah, my sweet Moor, sweeter to me than life!”

Corina Morris as Tamora, Dahlia Al-Habieli as Aaron: — Wellesley Shakespeare Society

Dmetrius Conley-Williams as Aaron, John Kuntz as Tamora: — Actors' Shakespeare Project

Peter Macon as Aaron, Valerie Leonard as Tamora: — Shakespeare Theatre Company

Interesting, isn't it?

I should start trying to request prompt scripts to compare the textual changes as well...

Posted by Lis Riba at 9:15 PM

“What is the city but the people?”

Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare's less-frequently staged plays. And, after catching the Royal Shakespeare Company's version last weekend, I can see why.

They put forth a spectacular effort, but ultimately (actually, from somewhere in the middle) I found the story less-than-captivating.

But on the whole, not so much to my tastes...

Initial reviews by the professional critics seem rapturous, so it may be my failing rather than the play's.

Nonetheless, unless you're a true Shakespeare devotee, you may want to hold off and catch a different show.

Posted by Lis Riba at 9:03 PM

“In the great works we sit, as it were, crunching the nuts and waiting for the decanter to come round bringing the vintage of the famous speeches. . . ‘Not quite up to the Gielgud '38.’ ‘Ah, but you're too young to remember the Forbes-Robinson '08.’ Titus Andronicus was all novelty”

— Evelyn Waugh, September 1955

Titus Andronicus (Sam Tsoutsouvas)

I'm not quite sure how I managed it, but I have now seen three stage productions of Titus Andronicus within the last six months. [The others were by Wellesley and Actors' Shakespeare Project (links to my reviews).] So I actually am capable of making the comparisons Waugh described.

---

The play opened to the Andronici's return to Rome. Titus enters on a boardwalk seemingly made from his sons' coffins, with triumphal music reminiscent of John Williams' "Imperial Death March" as Big-Brotherish eyes stare down upon everyone.

Yes, this production rearranged scenes slightly, but none of these alterations damaged the story.

This was the first staging I've seen performed in a dedicated professional theater with a proscenium arch, which allowed for less obtrusive entrances and exits. I've grown accustomed to many characters hanging around on the margins of the action during Act I, but here they could exit discreetly, giving certain scenes a more intimate appearance.

The setting also permitted more stage effects. "Revenge" looked brilliantly divine. Likewise, Lavinia's ravished condition could be revealed to the audience gradually, to great effect.

This was a very violent play. The blood wasn't symbolic (as in ASP's version) nor relatively clean gunshots (as Wellesley had it), but raw. Heads quite literally roll...

I want to acknowledge Colleen Delany for her portrayal of such a difficult and pivotal role by displaying her production photo, but the official image of Lavinia is quite graphic. Don't click the link if you think it might be triggering: Colleen Delany as Lavinia.

As I wrote about ASP's production, humbling a powerful character is more harrowing than victimizing someone already weak. Lavinia enters the rape scene armed with a hunting bow and seemingly capable of using it. It's terrifying how quickly she's disarmed.

But she was just one actress in an equally strong cast.

Aaron (Peter Macon)

Tamora (Valerie Leonard)

Within the play, Bassianus compares Tamora to the goddess Diana. But Valerie Leonard's performance reminded me of a different character by that name: Jane Badler's Visitor Diana from the 1984 SF miniseries V. Both women had a delicious "ate the canary" look that made them a delight to watch.

I previously saw Peter Macon, who plays Aaron, as the Bastard in Shakespeare & Company's King John. He gave such a memorable performance that I was delighted by the chance to see him again.

During the first act, Aaron had an almost puckish presence, even wielding a pushbroom in one scene. He often lurked in the background during incongruous scenes, observing or manipulating the action. After the intermission, as the villains' plots unravel, Aaron took on a more savage, brutal appearance. Ian's favorite line was delivered as a furious retort rather than swaggering boast.

I noticed other surprising character touches. Alex Podulke played Saturninus as a rather slick character. But in Act IV, he seemed somewhat sympathetic -- almost broken -- as he recognizes how badly he's out of his depths, and that he's not entirely comfortable with Tamora's "devices" on his behalf.

Though this was the third staging I've seen of Titus, curiously enough, it managed to be the first co-ed version. [The first was by Wellesley, the other ASP's all-male experiment, so I've now seen it all possible gender combinations barring outright role-reversal.] So what does a mixed cast add?

Rather unsurprisingly, men and women are different in many respects. So casting men in the male roles and women in the female roles... well, they made the characters distinct and more distinguishable.

The play broke for intermission at the same point as ASP (after Act III, Scene 1), allowing for more direct comparisons. ASP milked much more humor out of Act III, Scene 2, which we viewed as an outlet. Director Gale Edwards maintains the darker tone. The first real laugh from the audience didn't come until the fly-killing scene, despite all the wordplay that preceded it. Likewise, they cut the Clown from Act IV.

---

Though it's not for the faint-of-heart, this was an excellent production. If this is typical of the caliber of the Shakespeare Theatre Company's work, I only wish I lived closer to Washington to see more plays by the company. [I'll definitely be back in October for their Marlowe double-feature Repertory.]

Posted by Lis Riba at 6:42 PM

Two blog entries striking a similar chord in me:

Peter David:

Right now this country is reeling, trying to make sense of the senseless deaths of thirty-two innocent people who died due to the actions of a single obsessed, unhinged individual. We call this a national tragedy.

In Iraq, it's called a Monday. Day after day after day, the populace of that wartorn country has to deal with losses as calamitous and pointless.

Now...what typically happens in a tragedy such as this? Well, in America, sooner or later, the search for blame begins. It's human nature. You can't blame the perp: He's dead. So we search for someone still alive to vent our spleens upon.
  <snip>
With all that as a given, doesn't it make sense that the Iraqis, being as human as us, would be looking for someone to blame for an environment where our aberration is their way of life? Who are they going to target? Saddam? He's dead. Bombers? They're usually dead after the attack as well. Who's left?

Us.

Brian Beutler:

It occurs to me...

...that if an Iranian leader with great visibility--say, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad--had been videotaped singing "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb America," (which, yes, sounds foolish but you get the idea) it wouldn't be taken lightly here. Fox News would treat it as a sign that the regime was unstable and dangerous and, voila, we'd allow it to bring us a step closer to war.

This all makes perfect sense to me.

Does the USA lack empathy to anything short of natural disasters, or is the nation merely suffering from an extreme case of myopia?

Posted by Lis Riba at 6:08 PM

Starting tomorrow, Cambridge Science Festival all around the city

Sounds interesting...

PS (added later): According to UniversalHub, "[t]he Mass. Ave. bridge will be shut 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday so Kevin Spacey can film." Also in the same link, MIT students apparently hacked one of the LED road signs announcing the closure...

I hope the movie's worth it. 6:56 pm

Posted by Lis Riba at 6:03 PM

Over on BoingBoing, I see:

This week, Boston Now, a new free daily newspaper launched in Boston to compete with the Metro. The paper is called Boston Now and will rely heavily on bloggers and user-submitted photos for content

Unfortunately, another blogger points out:

They ripped off content from Bostonist.com - while they gave the URL we certainly didn't give them permission to put the clips into print. ... I really want to like a print paper that is looking to use content from willing bloggers - but yesterday they straight lifted content from bostonist.com without permission.

I must say, that comment resonates.

Between the announcements of forthcoming events @ Bard in Boston and my theatrical reviews of local Shakespeare plays, I think I could become a regular contributor...

...but printing content without permission rubs me the wrong way.

I think I'm going to wait and see how this shakes out before I decide whether to contact them.

Posted by Lis Riba at 8:11 PM

So, Ian and I are currently watching Shaun of the Dead on DVD.

It's making me nostalgic for the old '80s classic, Night of the Comet. Anyone got that on DVD I could borrow?

Posted by Lis Riba at 4:48 PM

I just Googled on "DCA Airport" and (yay) above the results, Google offers a OneBox link to FAA to View conditions

Unfortunately, the current Real-time Status for the airport warns:

Due to WEATHER/LOW CIGS, departure traffic destined to General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, Boston, MA (BOS) is currently experiencing delays averaging 1 hour and 51 minutes.

My flight is scheduled for 8:30 pm.

The hotel concierge suggested I catch the 6pm shuttle to the airport to arrive 2 hours before my flight.

Given this news, I may take a little more time for dinner before heading out (and losing net access).

Hey, anybody in Boston: What's going on with the weather?

Posted by Lis Riba at 10:30 AM

As I may have mentioned, my laptop (a Dell) seems to run hot.

Since my first HD died (fried?), I've been much more cautious.

The cooling pad I bought works well from a fixed location, but it's too bulky/awkward when I'm carrying around my laptop at a conference like this.

In the SkyMall Catalog, I saw a listing for a Campania laptop bag which "also doubles as a heat-absorbing lap pad."

I've looked for it elsewhere, wanting an up-close look before possibly buying, but the only other site selling the product seems to be Branders -- cheaper than SkyMall, but not for individual sale.

Anybody know of other products that double as laptop sleeves and cooling pads? Anybody try them? Are they at all effective?

Any other suggestions for coping with this kind of problem?

Posted by Lis Riba at 9:30 AM

For any travellers with laptops.

Wireless Internet Guide to US Airports

Alas, DCA has none (unless I can wangle my way into the AA Admirals' Club, which would be difficult since I'm flying Delta).

And according to the airport FAQ:

Passengers are generally urged to arrive 1 ½ to 2 hours before domestic flights to allow time to get through airline ticketing and security.

I hope they at least have outlets where I'll be waiting...

Anyway, I've finally got everything stuffed into my suitcase and I'm about ready to check out of the hotel room.

I chose to skip the keynote since "Global Digital Libraries" isn't really my cup of tea.

Posted by Lis Riba at 8:10 PM

It's been a little over 24 hours since I last spoke to Ian, and I miss him terribly...

Ian, when you see this message, call me. [Though if House is on, wait for a commercial.]

Posted by Lis Riba at 1:42 PM

Some speakers like to open with a joke.

Here are two from today:

A student approaches the reference librarian and says "I need to write a paper on one of Shakespeare's plays"

The librarian replies, "Which one?"

After a moment's thought: "William!"

Mankiw's 10 principles of economics, translated for the uninitiated, by Stand-Up Economist, Yoram Bauman:

Posted by Lis Riba at 10:20 AM

Even though I haven't posted much conference content, I have proof for management that I'm not skiving off.

Flipping thru the official Information Today blog, and I somebody stole my soul snapped my photo and blogged it.

See me there on the right?

Even though I'm facing away from the camera, I'm recognizable by my hair and the grey cloak.

That was probably taken just as I was arriving, because I doffed my cloak right after registration.

More later...

Posted by Lis Riba at 7:27 AM

I've got nearly 15 pages of notes from the conference in my steno pad (plus two theatrical reviews from Sunday's performances).

I crashed out early last night. [Hotel room is annoying: only wired internet connection and no plugs near the comfortable bed.]

I anticipate a flood of writing... later...

Posted by Lis Riba at 1:01 PM

So much for that.

Shortly after my previous post, my computer temperature monitor started looking a little warm for my tastes (my computer tends to run a little hot, so I keep a monitor in my taskbar) so I decided to shut it off and just take written notes.

I'm now at 5.5 pages of notes for the keynote and one panel, plus notes for the other panel I attended in my copy of the presentation.

So, in the evenings I'll be organizing my notes into something more coherent and readable, and will post them after-the-fact rather than liveblogging. I think all of us will benefit more from those kinds of entries anyway than up-to-the-minute scratchings.

[Speaking of notetaking, in one of the panels I found myself two seats away from Tom Peters, who was diligently typing into his laptop. I wasn't trying to read over his shoulder, but I was impressed by what looked like complete sentences and paragraphs rather than the dashed-off, abbreviated bullet points I manage to jot down while listening...]

For the record, I found PDFs of the paper and presentation for the Photo Diary Study (I'll post links later) so attended the other panel in that timeslot.

Aside from that, if I had to sum up the conference in one word, that would be crowded

Every panel has been standing room only; it's difficult to get thru the halls. I'm chalking up the daily scheduled coffee breaks as a lost cause as far as refreshments are concerned.

And for the lunch break, I hustled across the street to a nearby McDonalds to beat the rush, to avoid the lines at the in-hotel offerings. [Yeah, company expense account and I'm eating at McDonalds.]

On the plus side, the McDonalds around here serves sweet tea, cheap! That's one taste I wish New Englanders would adopt...

Anyway, it's about 15 minutes to the next panel, so I may head back downstairs to grab a comfortable seat where I can see, and possibly start transcribing some of my notes until the presentation begins.

How are things with you?

Posted by Lis Riba at 9:03 AM

Blogging the conference. What it means in practical terms...

Opening keynote is about to start. Rather than taking a chair, I'm sitting on the floor beside an electrical outlet...

I can't see the speakers' table, but I can see the screen where any slides will be projected.

Don't know if I'll do every panel this way (I rather doubt that) but for now I'll keep this computer charged any way I can manage.

BTW, I'm taking my notes on the computer, but don't know if I'll actually "liveblog" any panels. I'll probably spend my evenings cleaning up my notes to make them coherent.

Oh, and one disappointment in the Collected Presentations

At the 11:15 timeslot today, I'm torn between two panels.

Student's World: Photo Diary Study

The MIT Libraries embarked on a Photo Diary Study using a method from the field of anthropology known as a "cultural probe" to gather qualitative user experiences. As a qualitative approach, a cultural probe tends to generate creative thinking and insight related to a user group's behavior. Students recorded with a camera, notes, or screen shots all of their information-seeking activities related to their academic lives for a week, and then shared their stories. Results were coded and analyzed to suggest trends and to move beyond impressions and anecdotes, bringing a larger pattern behavior into sharper focus. The effort yielded insights about the students' information goals and tasks and was valuable in prioritizing future work. Learn about the study's methodology and data gathering and analysis, as well as the fascinating insights.

Building Collaboration, Communication, & Community Online

Social software is rapidly changing the way we all work and play online. It is also opening up new opportunities for reaching out to patrons and providing library services. This program explores the brave new world of social software and how libraries can capitalize on these tools to improve communication between the library and its patrons, build online communities, and better share information professionally. Farkas, the author of Social Software in Libraries, defines social software, describes its characteristics, and highlights some of the popular social tools being used today. She shares practical tips on successfully implementing social software in libraries and illustrates with libraries that are using social software in innovative ways.

I'd hoped the proceedings would have more information to clarify my decision, but it really doesn't...

Which sounds more interesting to you?

Whoops -- the opening speaker has begun...

Posted by Lis Riba at 8:42 AM

Cue the Heather O'Rourke voice:

I'm here!

Posted by Lis Riba at 7:30 AM

A quick reminder: I posted my initial conference schedule last week if you want an approximate idea of where I'll be at any particular time over the next three days...

And now, I really must leave the hotel room and grab breakfast before heading off to the conference.

Posted by Lis Riba at 6:55 AM

Paging bard_slash

Some quick context: After having been banished, Coriolanus can think of only one place he'd rather be -- in the arms of his arch-nemesis Aufidius.

Upon revealing himself, Aufidius replies:

Let me twine
Mine arms about that body, where against
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarr'd the moon with splinters: here I clip
The anvil of my sword, and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour. Know thou first,
I loved the maid I married; never man
Sigh'd truer breath; but that I see thee here,
Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart
Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold. Why, thou Mars! I tell thee,
We have a power on foot; and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn,
Or lose mine arm fort: thou hast beat me out
Twelve several times, and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me;
We have been down together in my sleep,
Unbuckling helms, fisting each other's throat,
And waked half dead with nothing.

Then, a few lines later, a servingman describes the subsequent scene thus:

our general himself makes a
mistress of him: sanctifies himself with's hand and
turns up the white o' the eye to his discourse.

Um, yeah...

I'll confess -- for a moment, I worried that my love of slash had permanently colored my appreciation of any remotely suggestive dialog.

Then, I read in the playbill that the play has been staged this way. Ian McKellen played both roles at various times, and there was even a "black-leather" production in the late 1970s.

Posted by Lis Riba at 11:42 PM

aka "Let's Do the Time Warp Again"

After a day steeped in sixteenth century depictions of Classical Rome (Coriolanus and Titus), I must now switch gears to look at bleeding edge technology at the Computers in Library conference, starting tomorrow and running for the next three days.

I do hope to blog reviews of the performances I've seen, but I'm not sure when I'll have time to slot that in amid my paying work.

PS: Sorry about the sideways photos. That was not my intention, but this is the first I've been to a computer since morning. I had rotated them in the cellphone until they were upright before sending them, but obviously something in the messaging system undoes that.

PPS: How lame am I? I walked across Washington from play to play, rather than catching a train, bus or cab.

But now, to sleep...

Posted by Lis Riba at 10:55 AM

By the way, back in Boston, Ian's gone to see the Wellesley Shakespeare Society's production of Much Ado.

You can read his review in his journal and in Bard in Boston.

And now, I'm going to grab breakfast or brunch and figure out what I'm doing between now and the RSC's Coriolanus at 1:30 pm...

Posted by Lis Riba at 10:48 AM

Edward III is Shakespeare apocrypha.

Some say the Bard wrote all or part of it; recent computer analysis suggested it's more like Marlowe.

Regardless of its uncertain parentage, Washington Shakespeare Company decided to stage it, and I was delighted to catch it.