Sleepless Travels Reloaded

Yarrrr. Fancy.

These aren’t protected by wire. It’s a wonder none of them fall off. Wouldn’t like to be the person in charge if there was a heavy hailstorm.

All sorts of mythical beasts adorn the roofs of the Forbidden City. Dragons, lions, qilins and possibly other animals associated with good government, prosperity and longevity.

A monarchial/dictator system of government has been around for pretty much forever compared to more “enlightened” democratic systems. It existed to an extent in ancient Rome but that didn’t last long. I wonder how long democracy will last before some academic comes up with some other bright idea. Arguably that happened with communism and, hah, I suppose it would only work in a perfect world. All theory…

In other news, it’s blazing hot in Adelaide - 39 degrees. Went to this morning to volunteer for an Adelaide Festival of Arts event at the Mortlock library (one of those really old school ancient ones that look faaaaantastic) - Living Books.

From the blurb:

A library where the books are human beings! Borrow a fire fighter, a footballer or a government minister. Find out what it’s like to climb a mountain, play sport at an elite level, or live and serve in a war zone, not by reading a book but by talking to someone who has experienced it.

Discover the extraordinary capacities and experiences of ordinary people, and the courage and humanity of some of the remarkable people who live and work in South Australia.

Come into the historic Mortlock Chamber of the State Library on North Terrace, browse the catalogue, make your selection and then enter into a conversation with a Living Book. Themes include sport, politics, history, religion, the arts, sexuality, science and technology.

It was an idea that originated at a youth festival in Denmark. Municipal libraries pricked up their ears and they did their own events. Apparently it’s never been done on this scale before. This is the first year Living Books has been done at the Festival of Arts but due to positive reactions they will definitely be doing this everytime from now on.

Hopped back for lunch, went for a facial, got locked out of my apartment, then went off to the Bakehouse Theatre for “Pratchett Pieces II - The Radio Play“. It’s another Fringe event.

Blurb:

Bite-sized Terry Pratchett comedies performed as radio plays with live sound FX.

Original short stories written by Terry Pratchett. Adapted for the stage by Pamela Munt, and then for radio by Rod Lewis.
Directed by Rod Lewis

The Discworld is on the air with an outrageous collection of short stories by Terry Pratchett, performed in the crazy style of an old time radio show. THRILL to the action! LAUGH at sound effects created live on stage! SWOON over the real looks of those handsome heroes, leading ladies and worn out warriors who will stop at nothing to prove that they still have it!

Anything is possible in the outrageous world of aural illusion!

TWO INCREDIBLE STORIES

Our heroes tell us that in death, there is honour. We’ve been promised an afterlife worth fighting for. But when a fictional character meets his maker, can an author live up to the expectations of his medieval creation?

Then meet Cohen the Barbarian, who has spent his life fighting for a better future. But the Trolls under the bridge are overweight businessmen nowadays. The forests are chopped down, and there’s no one left to fight. Sometimes you can be too good at your job.
But can Cohen make one last stand for truth, justice and the Barbarian way?

It was pretty good, and very good fun watching make the sound effects live, like banging coconut shells together for horse hooves, 3 belts with little bells tied to the metal buckley end for the sound of horse harnesses, etc. In the above photo there is one guy on keyboards, 2 doing the sound effects, and 3 voice actors. They swap around too. At times I just closed my eyes because it was easier to “see” what you’re meant to be imagining.

I didn’t realise there was a theatre company (Unseen Theatre Company) specialising in Pratchett plays in Adelaide!! Maaaaaan I’ve missed out on so much T_T

The more I dig, the more I can’t believe anyone could find Adelaide boring. Sure, entertainment doesn’t leap out at you but in some ways it so much more satisfying when effort is put into finding it.

Will be watching a colleague’s band play later on tonight too - if I’m still awake.