Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Stonehenge in the Willows?!?



Well, well, well,

It’s time for another email update from the suelfam! I have a couple of exciting things to update you on so perk up those ears and read on :)

A couple of weekends ago we went to Stonehenge! This was part of my Christmas present from our friends Claire and Jez. They promised us that they would accompany us on a trip to Stonehenge or the henge as I like to call it. So, on Easter Monday we woke up early to a foggy morning and hit the trail to Stonehenge. Now, I love Stonehenge. I have a healthy obsession with it! I don’t really know why, but I do. I love the mystery surround those stones. Some people say, “It’s just a pile of rocks!” But, I say “Stonehenge Rocks!”

So, after we walked around the henge and got our share of pictures, we had a picnic lunch on the hill overlooking the stones. Now, my friend Jez has bought this kite. And when I say kite, I mean KITE! It’s somewhere between a normal kite and a paraglider! It will definitely lift you off the ground if it’s windy enough. Fortunately for me, it wasn’t windy enough so we had a pleasant afternoon of kite flying while watching the spring sun cast shadows across the mystery of Stonehenge. What a day!

The next bit of excitement comes in the form of a boastful Toad and his band of friends. I am, of course, referring to “The Wind in the Willows,” which I had the pleasure of directing here at the Courtyard. The cast involved 180 children (in two different casts). 180 kids aged 7-14 is a nightmare for some and it is hard work…but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

As you can imagine, we have been in intense rehearsals for this since about January and last weekend was the payoff. And what a payoff it was. Parents and kids alike love it and it had a very positive vibe. The Courtyard is still buzzing from the success of the show, both in numbers and in quality. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without help and there were a large number of supporters who worked on the production as well. Complete with live North African drumming, stunning dance sequences and even involving shadow puppetry, this was “The Wind in the Willows” as you’ve never seen it. It was a joy to direct and I’m glad for it!

Sarah is fine. I think she and I are both grateful that we can now spend more time together now that the show is over. Her work consistently brings her challenges and rewards. Now that spring is upon us, we have lots of trips and events in the pipeline!

Speaking of trips, this weekend Sarah and I are taking a trip to Krakow, Poland for a relaxing weekend away. We plan to go to Auschwitz prison as well…that will be intense, but if we’re gonna be that close, we might as well take it in. So, another email update will be coming your way in the near future!

Thanks everyone for being so supportive of us! Please email us and let us know what is going on with you!

Jason (and Sarah)

pics: 1. Jason stoked for Stonehenge 2. Jason, Sarah, Claire and Jez posing 3. Stonehenge in its majesty 4. Jason flying a KITE!