Shakespeare’s Actresses in America

I recently had a chance to see Rebekah Maggor rehearse this astonishing one-person tour de force and was very glad I could see it presented at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre. I KNOW I have readers on Cape Cod, so hie to WHAT this weekend. Maggor has added "the quality of mercy" speech by Viola Allen (1869-1948, who was noted by George C.D. Odell for her "sweet" qualities) and "our frailty is the cause not we" by a remarkably mannered Helen Hayes.

Maggor wrote and researched "Shakespeare’s Actresses," a fabulous collection of numerous theatrical immortals in signature roles, starting in the 19^th century. No one living has seen some of these grand dames of the theater, and their performance styles will be very different for contemporary theater-goers. As Maggor notes in the program, "I would say that modern audiences don’t necessarily prefer ‘naturalistic’ acting styles – they are not given much choice in the matter."

She has spent hours listening to sound archives and thanks to her other work as a vocal coach has the technical skills to reproduce a wide variety of voices. Enunciation of particular lines may seem, well, exaggerated or heightened beyond what we’re accustomed to but before long, the breathy tones of Ellen Terry and the clarion contralto of Margaret Webster, the evening’s narrator seem much more interesting and, frankly, deep, than the modern Bard interpreters she includes (Claire Danes and Elizabeth Taylor) by way of contrast. Absolutely glorious. //www.what.org

Poor Pluto. Poor Scorpio. I await the debate among my colleagues, re: Pluto’s possible astrological reclassification, but I'm still rooting for it. When it was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, astrologers realized that they could divide up Mars’ two signs (Aries and Scorpio). Scorpio was the obvious choice for Pluto and put a darker spin on Scorpionic preoccupations. (We still have four planets that share rulers: Taurus and Libra are both ruled by Venus and Gemini and Virgo are both ruled by Mercury). I’m still sorting out what I think – for years I took Pluto into account after everything else in a chart, but 9/11/01, which featured a 36-year Saturn/Pluto opposition prompted further thought. (The previous Saturn/Pluto opposition was in the mid-60s, when the Vietnam war ramped up). When I see Pluto conjunct another planet or planets in someone’s chart there are usually some self-destructive (or defeating) tendencies in that area. I guess we have to ask what Ptolomy or John Dee would have asked which is – does the planet’s movements illuminate motive and action? Personally, I find Pluto a sweet little striver that’s now, literally, left out in the cold. If you know anyone else around 76 years old, check on their health, why don’t you….

Depending on how much stress and tension you need to thrive on, this month offers choice nuggets of impetus and anxiety for Pisces, Gem and Sadge. Thanks to Mars cruising through Virgo, that petty detail-driven maniacal impulse is awakened in those who prefer the fine print. And with all the fixed sign activity, you fixed sign people (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) are going to insist insist insist.

Right?

I’m back from vacation. Delaware was Dela-lightful. The Atlantic is warm down there, warm enough so that at 7 p.m. you can be out going on your 54^th boogie board ride. Or as our little Leo, 3 tomorrow, referenced: "biggie board."

Lots of interesting comments about Mercury retrograde. It moved direct on July 29, but the repercussions are still happening. I’m still taking in WBUR’s boneheaded decision to yank serious arts coverage. I can’t believe it won’t be reinstated in some form or another, but decisions made during Mercury Rx can definitely be the wrong ones. So if your social engagements planned during July went awry, there you go.

Don’t forget the Perseids! We’re not passing through the juiciest part of that constellation but it’s worth looking up. It’s ALWAYS worth looking up