London, continued

[selenak]

London continues to be fabulous again (and abnormally sunny, for London in my experience); on Tuesday, I met rozk and got introduced to a couple of other writers. Somewhere between hanging out eating curry in an Indian restaurant and hanging out in a pub, it occured tome that while this totally reminded me of the Frankfurt and Leipzig Book Fairs (i.e. spending time with other folk from the publishing industry), there was one significant difference, and no, it wasn't the language. (I once had to battle one evening with my French from school, which is abominable, because the writer in question didn't speak English but the publisher spoke French, so, French it was. Speaking English is easy as cake in comparison, as I'm fluent in same.) Then it hit me: no one was smoking. People other than myself were drinking mineral water! It was most refreshing. (The book fairs always leave me with the impression I'm the only person around who doesn't smoke or drink when I'm doing the hanging out with other people from the publishing industry bit in the evenings. It always makes me feel vaguely guilty about being a spoilsport, not not guilty enough to start smoking or drinking when I just don't like the taste.) Also, I got reminded again that I'm wildly envious of the Brits who can start intense debates about Tolkien and Lewis at the drop of a hat whereas in Germany outside of fannish circles, you still have snobbery about anything fantasy and sci fi going on and have to go back to the Brothers Grimm anyway to come up with professors who also contributed to the genre.

Wednesday was for kathyh, who went to the Royal Academy with me where we visited the Impressionists by the Sea exhibition and chatted, as well as for enriching various bookstores. I predict a major weight-lifting problem tomorrow when I'm on my way back home. In the evening, kangeiko and self went to see Wicked, which was delightful. Also, I'm no longer surprised this musical produced a lot of (femme)slash, because well, it wasn't even subtext anymore. Elphaba/G(a)linda OTP! I had heard some of the tunes before, since gentilhomme had used "I am a sentimental man" for her Arvin Sloane soundmix (sung by Joel Grey, no less, who I take it originated the role on Broadway - the Wizard in the Wicked version, that is), but not the entire score, which struck me as a pleasant cross between Sondheim and Disney (on acid, much like Joss' first song for Buffy in Once more, with feeling is Disney on acid). I must get the novel it is based on, but not on this trip: see above, heavy lifting. But seriously - I think the most ingenious thing about it is that Gregory Maguire didn't flip flop the Oz presentation of good and bad but went for the rivalry becoming friendship becoming no sub in this text relationship between Elphaba and Glinda instead. Encapsulated in the ball scene, in which the traditional teen movie cliché of the ugly duckling being revealed as a swan by the handsome guy asking her to dance is given a fresh spin when instead of their mutual beau, Glinda is the one who goes to Elphaba to dance with her.

Today: British Library and londonkds, and in the evening Saint Joan, which is my favourite Shaw play, at the National.

Comments

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

Hurrah for non-smoking! Have you noticed all those funny boxes that are now attached to the outside walls of pubs, for the smokers to dispose of their fag-ends?

There's still plenty of snobbery about Tolkien and Lewis here, I'm afraid, but I'm glad you've avoided it.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Boo on remaining Tolkien & Lewis snobbery, and no, I hadn't noticed the boxes; will remember when later describing British pubs now.

[kathyh]

Lovely to see you yesterday. Wicked sounds fascinating and I will redouble my efforts to go and see it.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

But watch "Elling" first, as musicals always last longer. How did the prom go?

[kathyh]

It was excellent. It was actually a jazz prom with Cleo Laine and John Dankworth to celebrate their 80th birthdays, but age didn't seem to be a problem for them as both could sing and play as well as people half their ages!

BTW there's a tutorial here for using LJArchive.

Enjoy St Joan.

[counteragent.livejournal.com]

Yay for Wicked. :) My mom and I sang Wicked tunes all last week in the car during my visit to my hometown. I haven't seen the show, but now I think I will.

I would be interested to hear what you thought of the book. I remember liking the beginning a lot, but not being able to make much sense of the latter parts--perhaps your review would shed light on what I missed.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

It'll probably take me a while to read the book - as I've just bought a lot of other books - but I promise I'll post a review when I do.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Aww, Wicked! It's a good book (though not a children's book, which surprised me), but I do agree with counteragent, it does get a little confused in the final part.

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

Wow. London sounds amazing.

Also, I got reminded again that I'm wildly envious of the Brits who can start intense debates about Tolkien and Lewis at the drop of a hat whereas in Germany outside of fannish circles, you still have snobbery about anything fantasy and sci fi going on and have to go back to the Brothers Grimm anyway to come up with professors who also contributed to the genre.

I had no idea about this--of course, all of my friends were obsessed with Harry Potter and Philip Pullman when we were growing up, so maybe fantasy and sci fi are more mainstream now, especially in the US and UK.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Oh, it is. I love visiting England, no matter how often, and London in particular. If you're up for lengthier descriptions and picspam, check out earlier ramblings which you can find under this tag:

http://selenak.livejournal.com/tag/travel

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

Oh, pretty! Thanks!