Art Nouveau Ho

Whitby was quiet, but far from boring. Sure, the place was empty and echoing without wyte_phantom, orkamedies and esdi_leanne -- but there was time and space for conversation, wandering at leisure and generally doing weird things in the name of entertainment.

On Friday afternoon, I took my friend Zanni for a walk. Zanni looks something like this: he's a leather commedia mask that I found on my first and only trip to Venice, years ago, with mothninja (whose birthday it is today. Happy birthday, ninja!)

Ever since high school, commedia dell'arte has been a major source of happiness to me. It appeals to everything I like best about theatre. Say you're a travelling commedia player in the 1500s, about to go onstage: You know the character you're playing, you know the plot, you've worked out a few set jokes and physical comedy routines (known as lazzi) with your fellow players... but there's no script. What words you say when you step out onstage are completely down to you. I recommend the ones least likely to make the crowd of peasants out there start throwing rotten root vegetables.
( Commedia, ragazzi )

Here are only a few of the moments that will remain in my memory from last weekend:

Thundering through moorland and forest on my brave (well, psychotic) black steed, on a riding excursion arranged by the fair and valiant wyte_phantom.

Weeping with laughter at a fantastic silent vampire film made by gothichaven and friends. Watch for it soon on an internet thingy near you.

Witnessing the reunion of speedlime and orkamedies. It's been more than a year since the Ork came to the States, strewing chaos and squeaky ferrets in his wake, and he and Speedy and Suetekh and I had what is officially the Best DragonCon Ever. Speedy and he hadn't seen each other from then to now: cue many loud noises and much reminiscing over cups of tea, pints of ale and such.

Conversing about books, music and life in general with rosenkavalier, who has a fine appreciation for such things.

Being beguiled into attending '80s Night by the irresistible eyes of fracture_242. I'd never witnessed the full force of said eyes before, and they are mighty. Sauron has nothing on Fracture. Seriously.

speedlime dancing in stately manner at '80s Night, a bottle of something strange and blue balanced perfectly on her head between her purple cyberfalls.

Watching velvetdahlia win hearts and occasionally, gently, break them.

Singing Viennese waltzes by the Abbey as fairie_ring and kay_lake danced in the golden afternoon sunlight in the ruins of the Abbey, the wind playing merry hell with all our clothes. This Whitby was the first time I sang for many of my Goth friends, and their kind words were very moving.

The same Abbey by cold moonlight as esdi_leanne, fairie_ring and I passed around a jug of milk and some Mr Kiplings almond fingers. For we are hardcore.

***

There were really too many such moments to count, but I look forward to many more. Group hug, anyone?... Anyone...? Oh, all right, fine, be that way.

I'm back. Whitby was lovely: old friendships renewed, recent ones strengthened, new ones made. This October's vibe was especially good, I think. (Although I don't have the group photo to prove it, because the wind stole my copy and blew it out to sea.)

The nucleus of the weekend's loveliness was the flat I shared with speedlime and velvetdahlia, roommates extraordinaire; the only sad thing was the absence of the splendid pvcdiva. (Next time, eh what?)

Today I will write about a subject which is of great interest to all: drunkenness. ( a hair of the dog that mangled you )

Generally, I had a great time in Whitby. I hung out with old friends, made some new ones, and deepened a few acquaintances with people I always thought were cool, whom I now know to be cool. That's a good feeling.

Tonight I've been practicing. I have a rehearsal tomorrow in Oxford about which I'm a little nervous. My phenomenally talented accompanist, Guy, has written two songs for me; if all goes well they'll be in the programme June 3.

I've world-premiered things before, but these are the first pieces of music I've ever had written for my voice. I feel humbled and honoured, but also scared shitless. Guy has proven to be that rarest of things, an accompanist who's as supportive as he is talented. I very much want to do his music justice. I only have the music for one of them*, and it's weirdly beautiful but by no means easy. I'll sing it with him for the first time tomorrow, so I spent tonight working insanely hard.



*Tomorrow I'm going to have to sight-read the other one. HA HA HA HA HA.

On Wednesday last to Whitby by post-chaise, my lady velvetdahlia and Sir burryman making up the Party. Once there, met with her Grace the Duchess of pvcdiva, there to take the Cream Teas which so benefit the Complexion. Viscountess esdi_leanne was of our Company also, and oft did we ascend to the Abbey and wax Philosophicall late into the night.

Promenading upon the Town we met with many Ladies of Quality, numerous Gentlemen of Fashion and some few B****rs with Stile. These last in a great hurry to get aboard HMS Grand Turk and ready her for Action against the French at Cherbourg. How the battle fell out I know not, but 'twere pity such gallant Wastrels should be cut off in the Prime of their Years by a parcel of d**n'd Frenchies when such a plenitude of Wine and Wenches await them in Harbour, therefore I pray they may enjoy good Success.

Yester eve spent upon the Sea-Shore in the company of the Hon. fracture242 and her Consort my Lord S--. A merry Fire lit against the chill sea-wind, Venus blazing upon the western Horizon, and many Marsh-Mallows roasted by all.

Today being May Day I did pass much of the Afternoon asleep in one of these new-fangled Railway Carriages, thence to dance at the Gymnasium on Oxford-Street; ambling home I did spend some time at Musique. Having thus honoured the Day with the rites both of Terpsichore and Euterpe, I shall with all Speed proceed to bed, instructing the Servants to wake me when the next Century dawns, by G_d.