Tony's Tales: A couple of Gems if you have the Time

Most of you will know Douglas Adams, the much admired satirical author of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series of books. I bumped into this fascinating video of a speech he made in 2001 (shortly before he passed away) entitled: Parrots, the Universe, and Everything. The video description says it all: "Blind river dolphins, reclusive lemurs, a parrot as fearless as it is lovelorn ... Douglas Adams' close encounters with these rare and unusual animals reveal that evolution, ever ingenious, can be fickle too -- in a University of California talk that sparkles with his trademark satiric wit." I hope you enjoy it: http://www.ted.com/talks/douglas_adams_parrots_the_universe_and_everything.html

Have also just finished reading a wonderfully thought provoking book which will be one of the few I will constantly refer to and read again: Linchpin by Seth Godin. Again, highly recommended if you have the time.

Tony's Tales: A Hamlet Parody

March 13 is not only the day that Alexander turns 10 this year, it is also the day in 1781 that William Herschel discovered Uranus (OK, OK -- stop that laughing). Actually it is funny as he was living in Bath at the time and he must have been very flexible indeed to observe it. Coincidentally one of Alexander's birthday presents today was a telescope.

Anyway, what has this to do with Hamlet? Well if you remember back to our December 2009 blog we visited Kronborg Castle which was the setting for Elsinore in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Well today Sarah's high school drama class conducted a Hamlet Parody at the Festival City Mall in Dubai, with Sarah in the leading role (see photos). In case the shoppers were not learned in the way of the Bard, each of the actors had their role subtly printed on their costumes.

As is the way of Hamlet, much carnage ensued. Sarah was able to reach into her experiences at Kronborg Castle (despite the vast temperature difference) and with the faintest Danish lilt dispose of many a fellow actor until it was her time to collapse to the boards.

The troupe was able to stay faithfull to this epic tale (despite the abridged version) and still find time to weave in some well placed (and classy) comedic lines that will no doubt become th enew standard across the thespian world. No critic could do this performance justice, and the strong applause from the shoppers and parents alike was testament to a rollicking good afternoon.