New York Picture!

The full cohort assemble outside a traditional diner after breakfast on Tuesday 6th January.

On this day the group would visit Greenwich Village, Staten Island, see the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Centre site and museum, Equus on Broadway as well as Times Square... phew!

Shelley's New York continued...

Thursday 8th January


On Thursday, following yet another huge breakfast,we headed into the city for another exciting, if exhausting day. Chris, Rob and myself headed towards NYC library, which is a truly magnificent building. The film, 'The Day After Tomorrow' is set in the library and we could see why. The library houses the most remarkable collections and paintings, including Shakespearean portfolio's - it was difficult to drag Chris out of there. We were tempted by an action figure of Mr Shakespeare himself, with a removable quill from the library gift shop - but perhaps for another time...The afternoon I spent shopping for gifts to take home. I was particularly startled to find a fairground big wheel in Toys r us in Times Square! After spending far too much money I headed back to the hostel in order to take our students to see an evening of NYC stand-up comedy.

Thursday evening was spent with much hilarity and laughter - it was remarkable to think that a group of students and staff from Staffs' were sitting in a small, gritty NYC venue, seeing authentic stand-up comedy. When I initially arranged the trip I wanted the students to see work they wouldn't get a chance to see elsewhere. Whilst we saw some really good and outstanding work on Broadway, most of the shows have run in the West End. But, the comedy we saw Thursday evening (and the impro' session Wednesday night), was unique to NYC and made the trip worthwhile. The evening ended with lots of talk and laughter (and a little beer).

Friday 9th January.

Its difficult to believe that we are heading home today. We have done so much in such a short space of time that the days have flown. Before we left for home I persuaded Rob to go ice-skating on Central Park. Needless to say, I have bruises to prove it! But, it was a final experience I would not have missed for anything. At 2pm, after pooling our remaining dimes to buy cake for the journey, we boarded the coach for JFK and then flew back home to LH. We arrived back in Stoke midday Saturday, totally exhausted but thrilled with our NYC adventure. I'm sure that we will bore you all with our trip for many days/weeks/years to come.

Brits on Broadway

Read Susannah Clapp's article (including detail on All My Sons!):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/jan/11/theatre-broadway-closures-successes

From Chris Martin...

This is my first visit to New York and, like Shelley, I have 'celebrated' (if that's the word) yet another birthday. Everything about this city is dramatic and passionate and noisy and exciting. The food tastes extra good and the senses are stimulated every minute of the day. I feel exhausted but alive. The two Broadway shows I saw were really satisfying; good plays and the best of acting. Apart from the obvious locations I was impressed by the NY Public Library....a fabulous building and the Lincoln Centre; especially the Library of the Performing arts. If the students have got half the pleasure I have experienced it must have been worth their while. I'm not sure I'm coming back!

ALL MY SONS on Broadway

Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS starring a magnificant John Lithgow as Joe. This seminal piece of work was directed by Simon McBurney of Complicite on Broadway... I hope that it transfers to London for UK audiences to experience... for an experience it was. McBurney placed a definite Complicite 'style' onto the piece without in any way negating the demands of the text nor indeed one which interferes with the need for realistic characterisations.

Lithgow put in a powerful and overwhelming performance- myself and Chris Martin became hooked on every word with McBurney instilling a contemporary resonance as sons go off to war in Iraq and Afghanistan as I write. A conquering, muscular Method (without being self indulgent) style of acting brought grit and energy, especially amongst the triptych relationship of father, mother (Diane Wiest) and son. After the students took photos of katie Holmes coming out of a limo flanked by bodyguards ('Where was Tom Cruise?' asked one!) they were then able to see her Broadway debut.

Although panned by certain critics, Holmes put in a credible performance; what was lacking in technique was made up for by a strong emotional connection with character and text.Fingers crossed this heads across the Atlantic....

Shelley's New York

Monday 5th January

Well, it doesn't get much better than this! On Monday 5th January (my birthday!), 32 students and three members of the drama department (Shelley, Chris, Rob) headed towards NYC for our first international residential. We arrived early morning to a snow-filled campus and began the first leg of our journey to London Heathrow. It was hard to believe that by the end of the day we would be in NYC. We had a great journey, although checking in 35 of us in at the self-check in desks at LH was interesting to say the least.We had a great flight to JFK and most of the students refrained from singing show songs during the flight!

A few hours later we were at the top of the Empire State Building. It was absolutely amazing and wonderful to share with our students. We finally ended the evening in a NYC diner with 'eggs over easy'. Quite frankly, an amazing birthday and one that I think we will all remember for a long, long time.

Tuesday 6th January

For our first full day in NYC we headed towards, what will become our favourite diner, for a
breakfast of steak and eggs, pancakes and syrup and bagels to set up us for the day ahead.

We then made our way to Ground Zero and the World Trade Centre Tribute Centre. This was such an important trip and one that affected us deeply. We read stories of such terrible anquish and heartache and also true accounts of unbelievable courage, bravery and hope. A truly life changing experience.

For the afternoon (after a NYC hotdog), we sailed to Staten Island and waved to the Statue of Liberty. It was freezing cold and snowing, but that didn't stop us standing on the deck of the ferry. Then, being extremely brave we made our first subway trip to Times Square and saw Equus on Broadway. I am so pleased that this was our first Broadway Show, the students loved it. Overall, a most wonderful day!

Wednesday 7th January (Staffordshire Students and Shelley, perform at NYC Theatre)

Today (after steak, eggs, pancakes, syrup, etc, etc...) we spent the day at the Museum of Modern Art. We saw so many important works of Art, including key works relating to modules the students were taking. From an educational perspective this was a really important trip, but it was also really fun! I think the students really liked lying on huge sofas for a contemporary video art installation.

In the evening we made our way to Greenwich Village for a thought-provoking performance by a Dutch company. It wasn't the best work we have seen but then....

I persuaded a group of students to go to a late night comedy improvisational session. But, when we arrived we realised that we could perform with NYC actors. So, we did! Staffordshire Students (and Shelley), performed in a NYC venue with NYC actors. It was both terrifying and amazing. Perhaps you should read the students comments:

Wednesday night saw eight of us plus Shelley sign our dignity away to the Magnet Theatre's late night comedy impro event... Needless to say the 'Stafford- Shire students, plus their "hip" teacher, showed them how to do it. With scenes of ghost towns, pervy men, inappropriate funeral and female domination with one student David, the night was not one to be forgotten - especially for those who opted to watch rather participate - incredibly wise! (posted by James).