Figaro in the modern setting

I recently was part of the Operagasmic production of The Marriage of Figaro for someone’s dissertation which attempted to make opera more appealing to a wider audience. A team of directors were on board with many other singers to direct and produce a set of scenes each which make up the opera. And I was one of them.

Operagasmic - The Marriage of Figaro

 

This being the first production I’ve ever directed, it was like pushing a child in the deep end of a swimming pool. But with a truly amazing set of casts, nothing went wrong. Opera isn’t as daunting as I initially thought. OK, I agree that it has elements of music and drama (the definition of opera being drama through music) which may complicate things a little, but with some knowledge of both, one can pull it off. Through a set of rehearsals for both casts that I was directing, the scenes began to emerge and before we knew it – there was our finished product ready to take the stage.

Or perhaps not…

The Operagasmic production was set and performed in the bar called Orgasmic in York (hence the Opera-gasmic name). The reason behind the production was to make it more appealing to a wider audience, and so elements of the opera were modernised (introducing texts and cars) and set in a bar in which an audience not typical of an opera may indulge in a Bacardi Breezer or two. It was also sang in English so it was easier to understand, and featured an expert of the opera to compere.

A challenging feat that I am proud to be part of. Thankfully it went well!

First Aid @ Work

I’m qualified in First Aid at Work, which trains me up to treat a wide range of problems that require first aid. The problem is, I’m not yet qualified to do first aid with St John’s Ambulance on duty (I had an induction…). But, with this qualification (and correct me if I’m wrong, which I may be), I’ve been told that I can only practise first aid in a working environment in which I am employed. This makes sense, but could lead to a number of lawsuits if not attended to carefully.

But this is where it frustrates me. I was walking home with a friend this evening and from across a bridge is my name being yelled over. It’s a friend of mine, and her friend has been knocked unconscious by another bloke. Now, as a friend would do, I naturally attempted to help out – other people had got to the scene before I had and attempted first aid – mostly by reassuring her and suggesting what needs to be done. Now, if this were to be a complete stranger and had done first aid but got something wrong, even if I were to follow the training I got given, I could be sued by the casualty. 

I personally don’t think a first aider on the scene should be sued or punished in any way or form for attempting to help and save lives even if they were only qualified indoors. The treatment with most cases do not differ that much with it being in a working environment or not, so if we were to help out as being the first on the scene… let us!

The Student’s Guide to Cognitive Neuroscience

This is the current book I am reading. It’s by Jamie Ward. One would think that this isn’t the usual bedtime reading anyone would embark upon, but it is essential. Why? It’s one of the key texts that I have to read, and although it’s interesting, it stops me from reading anything else I wished to do so in the past few weeks.

The Book

 

The mere fact that it is a key text for an exam appears to put me off it quite a bit. No doubt it’s not a choice made by Richard & Judy’s book club, but I wonder if it would be more interesting and easier to digest if the book didn’t have the “examination” label attached to it.

I’ve also been appointed as the new Chair for PsychSoc in the last few weeks for a few more weeks, as the Chair stood down. It’s going well, and I’m getting things done, but the workload has been increased quite dramatically.

The iPod Touch 2G Generation…

First off, apologies. It’s been a while…

Anyways, so I gets this new iPod the other day, the one where you can touch the screen and it would do things like turn it into a lightsaber or race around Rome whilst sitting on your arse in York. It’s amazing. Although, rather pricey for what it is. Allow the video to explain why you should spend more than what it’s worth for something quite spectacular.

Yes Man!

WARNING: SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS!

I have recently watched the new film with Jim Carrey about the true story of Danny Wallace, where he took on the challenge of saying Yes to everything. The word No literally was deleted from his vocabulary.

Yes Man!

 

An excellent film it was, incredibly funny and well done by Jim Carrey himself, an incredible comedian and actor. I have also gone out of my way to order Danny Wallace’s book, as no doubt it would be just as incredible as the film, and include further surprises. But then, I got to thinking… could I ever be a Yes Man?

The answer to that I am sure is: Yes, to an extent. I think being more of a Yes Man is essential as it would mean that you take any opportunity given to you, and therefore increase your social lifestyle to the max. However, no doubt a line must be drawn. Saying yes to absolutely everything may have consequences, and big one at that too. In the film, it is portrayed very well, as Jim Carrey’s character was arrested for suspected terrorism, and potentially loses his girlfriend.

However, I have also thought that although taking every opportunity presented to you is important, you should create your own opportunities as well, enhancing your chances at doing whatever you want. Instead of, for example, waiting for the opportunity to bungee jump rises, why not go ahead and do it out of your own initiative? This way, you can accomplish way more than just waiting for a question. 

So, new years resolution? One is to become more of a Yes Man, and also to create opportunities for myself. This film and book could potentially change my life. I am auditioning for the National Youth Theatre and it’s only the 4th January!

Amazing.