After a busy first term working on Devised Performance, I spent Christmas catching up with my English reading and working on my dissertation. As it was due in mid-January, I spent a lot of the holidays researching, writing and refining my 8000 word study of loss and metamorphosis in Nabokov’s fictional and autobiographical works. It was the longest piece of writing I’ve done so far and quite a challenge from this point of view, but it was rewarding to see the final product printed and bound on hand-in day.
I also had a shorter essay for Contemporary British Theatre due on the same day – deadline day is always my least favourite time to be a Joint Honours student! – but thankfully I can doubly celebrate now. With two weeks left until lectures begin I’ve got some time to make a start on the reading list for my next English module on Victorian literature, and to cram in working on a few shows. It’s such a relief to be able to get back into the theatre, as with less contact hours this term I’m able to pick up some more extra-curricular commitments.
Next week I will be working on a show with Little Room Productions at The Bierkeller Theatre, doing lighting design for their showcase of new operatic writing, and the following week sees a new stage adaptation of Richard Ayoade’s ‘Submarine’ opening at The Alma Tavern, which I will be deputy stage manager for. I am also proposing to direct the T1 show. This is when the drama department gives the departmental society Studiospace, access to the theatre for a week in March to put on a play. Fingers crossed!
This term my academic work will be purely English based, while for drama I will complete a work placement. I have been offered an internship with Mayfest Contemporary Theatre Festival, and also a placement with Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory on their upcoming season. I am delighted to be able to accept both and I’m looking forward to term full of theatre and literature!
– Charlie
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