Pictures: Loves Labors Lost

I just started receiving pictures from my play this summer, Loves Labors Lost. I will be posting them as I get them.
The Shakespearian story deals with four young men, three of which; Berowne, Dumaine and Longaville, have sworn to study with King Ferdinand and not see women for three years time. The Princess of France and her ladies; Rosaline, Maria and Katherine, have come to visit the King. Thus, the King must adjust his sworn vow. Soon, the four ladies have fallen for the men, and the lords have fallen for the ladies. In another part of the city, a country maid, Jaquenetta, is being fought over by two men; Don Adrinano; a spaniard, and Costard; a clown. Berowne gives Costard a letter to be sent to lady Rosaline, and Don Adrinano gives him a letter for Jaquenetta. The letters are switched by accident; Rosaline gets Jaquenetta's letter. Jaquenetta takes Rosalines letter to the king because it was from Berowne. Meanwhile, Berowne catches the other lords reading letters that they were going to send the ladies. While he is accusing them, Jaquenetta walks in with proof that he has also broken his vow. The four men decide to go after the ladies. While this is going on, Don Adrinano is asked to put on a play for the king. He asks Holofernes, a scholar, and Sir Nathaniel to help him, both agree.
The Princess of France finds out from her servant, Boyet, that the king and his men are coming to see them dressed as Russians. In true Shakespearian fashion, the princess decides to play with them by switching masks with Rosaline so the men will be with the wrong women. The other ladies do the same; Maria switches with Kathrine. When the men arrive they dance with the ladies and leave. The ladies quickly change masks when the men re-appear in their own shapes. The ladies tell them about the silly Russians who were just with them and the men give up, they confess to the prank. The ladies likewise confess to switching identities. Don Adrinanos play is put on and half way through it a fight breaks out between himself and Costard concerning Jaquenetta. The fight is cut short, how ever, with the sad news of the princess' fathers death. The ladies tell the men that they will reunite with them in a years time, causing the end of the play. In my opinion, it is a strange ending. It is said that the second part of the play was destroyed in the Globe fire in London.
Before the presentation of the play Ventana and I did a fencing demo which is illustrated with photos to your right.
Ventana played Jaquenetta, my friend Jasmine the Princess, Taylor was Rosaline, Ivy Sir Nathaniel, and I was the King.

Loves Labors Lost

This summer I attended the youth drama program at Theatricum Botanicum. It was my 6th year there and I was in the oldest group, we did the play Loves Labors Lost. Every year I did the camp with one of my best friends Ventana, and for the last 5 years my friend Taylor. The first day of camp is always hectic, running around, not know if you'll be with your friends or what group you'll be in. I had heard from a friend before camp that we would be doing the play Much Ado About Nothing, but alas, she was mistaken. Even though I did not want to do the play Loves Labors Lost I was put in the group with all my friends, so it wasn't too bad. On the first day of camp our director, Mike told us that he would be gone for the rest of the week, so of course there was be a substitute director who would cast the play. That first week, my friends Jasmine, Ivy (left), Shanon, Ventana, Taylor and I eagerly awaited the next week when we would have our parts.
After the longest weekend in history, the day came. After a painfully slow Fencing class I was cast as the one part I did not want; King Ferdinand #2 (the part was split in half), I also had the part of Forester. Ivy and Ventana also did not receive the part they had wished for, Ivy was giving Sir Nathaniel; a priest. Ventana was given the part of Jaquenetta; a country wench, which in my mind was a great part. After a week of unhappiness we gave in to the part, and I began to like my part after all. After the learning of lines was finished, the fun began. I found out that I had to do a "bad" Russian accent. This was a challenge, something really hard. Even up to the last minute I was still practicing it.
Week 3 was uneventful, we rehearsed, and rehearsed, and rehearsed some more. The first day of week 4 we found out that Eliav, who played the clown, had been in a skateboard accident and broke his nose, hand, and 3 teeth. What would we do? Mike offered the part of the understudy to Ivy. Ivy took the roll happy to not be Sir Nathaniel anymore, only to find that Eliav would be back for the show. The last week of camp came and went, and finally the sad and happy day came; our performance. The play went very well, though the audience I don't think got some of the jokes. I was VERY sad that it was over, but happy too that all the work paid off. This year was good, and the play was one of the best, I think we could have done better though. Saying goodbye to everyone was sad, but I'm sure I'll see them all soon.

Theatricum Botanicum