Minneapolis

We are with Denis and Kay Hauptly in Minneapolis, in the State of Minnesota. As well as looking after us like royalty, and taking us to American Football games (see earlier blog entry), they have been trying to raise our awareness of matters dramatic. How well they have succeeded you can judge or estimate for yourself, but given the definitely philistine inclination of the Hawkers in matters thespian, I think that they have made a pretty good start.

But first something for the diary. It has not been all Shakespeare and Arthur Miller.


Friday morning 24 September, saw on our Segways, doing a tour of the centre of Minneapolis. Having mastered (or at least sufficiently mastered) the art of the “Segway”, we were led across some of the bridges over the Mississippi River, which forms the centre piece if this great city. Actually, it is two cities, Minneapolis and St Paul (singular – no “s” please), separate and distinct, which look at each other from the two banks of this river, in friendly and cooperative rivalry.

In the afternoon, we went to a lecture on the life and music of Louis Armstrong, by Charlie at the local Lutheran Church. Without a stutter, and with huge humour and banter with the audience, he spoke with passion. So much so, that in nearly two hours, he only got from 1920 to 1929 (by which time Armstrong was 28). Such was the extent of his captivation of the audience, if he had spoken for another four hours, no one in the audience would have voluntarily moved. He will be coming back to continue where he left off. Perhaps we can listen in on a conference call at 06.00 Swiss time.

In the evening, Denis took us to see Tennessee Williams “The Glass Menagerie” at the Jungle Theatre. Denis’ first challenge was to raise my awareness above the level of “Die Hard 4”. But in this play, there are no good or bad guys to win and save the world. Just the gritty and emotionally draining stuff of a dysfunctional family. I am totally exhausted just thinking about it. Once you scroll through the adverts, here is a better précis and (very good) review of the performance.

http://blogs.citypages.com/dressingroom/2010/09/jungle_theaters_2.php


The next morning (Saturday), we visited the Guthrie Theatre. From the outside, described (with some ironic justification, and not by me) as the “World Headquarters for IKEA”, but inside, the most amazing mixture of galleries, (four) theatres, and views of the river and city. This is a “Must” for anyone visiting Minneapolis, even for cultural ignoramuses like me. The enthusiasm of our two guides (yes – two; not tour) and the explanation of how plays are developed and rehearsed was nearly sufficient for me to want to take this up as a second career. Reality will kick in soon.

As a final note of interest, for a short period, Denis was a professional actor. One of his dreams (ambition might be too strong a word) was to play the part of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. He had learnt the part completely. I will be including it in my list of retirement projects, the formation of our own international dramatic society, to support Denis in his dream and me, in my fantasy second career.

Any volunteers to join in this project? (Jim Barrington is down for Artistic Director)