Play #44 -- The Madness of George III, National Theatre at Home, June 12

The Madness of George III, or The Madness of King George ("because America," as the entertainment magazine TimeOut London put it), is probably best known to Americans through the 1994 film.  But the film was an adaptation of acclaimed British playwright Alan Bennett's 1991 play.

Performed in 2018, with Mark Gatiss (Mycroft, in the recent Cumberbatch-led Sherlock) in the lead role, this is a funny and painful look at a supreme leader who is becoming increasingly delusional and mentally unstable.  Yet because he is the monarch, he continues to be treated with deference.  Until an "unorthodox" doctor is found who isn't willing to kowtow to the king and who treats him as much via psychiatric means as physical ones, the king's illness only worsens.

The play is a fascinating take on mental health in general, but even more so how we treat our leaders, raising some of them to such heights that it's easy to understand why they lose touch with reality.  Gatiss portrays the king's increasing delusions with incredible subtlety and sympathy, going from a lovable goofball aristocrat to a sobbing/shouting figure who has to be physically restrained and back again, with many gradations in between.

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-the-madness-of-george-iii

Clips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJgBmjHpqgs6BHQ-AUcsfj_p9J2prqIsf

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/nov/07/the-madness-of-george-iii-review-mark-gatiss-delivers-a-tour-de-force

Play #43 -- Coriolanus, National Theatre at Home, June 7

A somewhat obscure member of the Shakespearean canon, Coriolanus was a ferocious, gory look at warriors, fickle politicians, an even more fickle public, and how to navigate amongst all of them. The lead character was given an intense energy by the stellar actor Tom Hiddleston, of Avengers fame (as well as other, more heady films).  We were held in rapt attention by the fast-paced direction and excellent acting. Even though I tend to understand only 50-75% of the words in most Shakespearean plays, especially new ones (to me), a well-directed version can make it so it doesn't even matter.  With the right inflection, movements, non-verbal actions, and set, the story can be told without relying solely on the dialogue.  Great show!

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-coriolanus

http://oldntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/ntlout12-coriolanus

Play #42 -- This House, National Theatre at Home, May 30

 A very British political play, This House was as blustery and high-energy as the clips I've seen of the actual British Parliament.  Set in 1974, during a notable point of turmoil and hung Parliament, it was an entertaining look at the backstabbing and negotiations and compromises that happen behind the scenes.  Most interesting to me, an unnamed young Tory rising in the ranks is based on a rather famous figure in British politics.  I'll avoid the spoiler for those few readers who might actually see this someday, but I can assure anyone over 40 that you've heard of her, at least.

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-this-house

Pub #33 -- Pelican Pub & Brewing, Cape Kiwanda/Pacific City, June 14-15

Cape Kiwanda near Pacific City is one of our favorite places on the Oregon coast, or anywhere, really.  The first time we drove here and found the Pelican Brewery, plopped right on the edge of the beach with a lovely view of Haystack Rock, I was dumbfounded.  Since then, we've stopped by many a time, looking for the next Living Social/Groupon deals for stays at the Inn at Cape Kiwanda.

We made the booking before Covid for late April, right at the end of the eligible dates for the Groupon.  But then Covid canceled those dates and "forced" us to change our dates to June, so we not only got to go to our happy place, but in better weather too!

Of course, this also meant that many other folks were around also.  Especially since north coast state parks were closed until early June.  The beach access parking lot was only reopened a few days before our arrival on Sunday.

The beautiful sunny day meant it was utterly packed at Pelican, so we waited to go til later in the evening after many of the day-trippers were gone.  We got the Kiwanda Pre-Prohibition Cream Ale and Raspberried at Sea, with the Backyard BBQ Burger and Fish & Chips.

This was our first experience with plexiglass dividers between booths, which worked well.  It was also the first establishment that asked its patrons to wear masks through the ordering process, which we were happy to oblige.

Because we got a free tasting flight as part of the Groupon deal, we "had" to return on Monday afternoon, where we got a big ol' 8-glass flight, complete with way more IPAs than I would ever choose myself. But they were tasty for a change, even if I don't like to drink a large amount of high-hop beers.  After walking six miles round-trip along the beach, to the southern tip of the spit at the Nestucca estuary, a stop at the Pelican was well in order.

https://pelicanbrewing.com/pubs/pacific-city/

Sunday afternoon is busy!

Monday morning's a little quieter

Pub #32 -- Newport Brewing Company, Newport, May 24

Yes, inside a pub on May 24!  First one since March.  Phase 1 of reopening had started just a few days prior.

Just so's you know, though, the end I was facing was a wide open garage-door-sized opening, so while we were "inside" it had a lot of outside airflow.

Got the Elote Bowl and the Seasonal Catch Bowl.  Peanut Butter Stout and Salty Bay Gose.  They didn't have any cans of the stout, but we got some extra Gose.

https://www.newportbrewingcompany.com/