If you want to learn about the tumultuous history of South Africa while visiting Johannesburg, then you must visit the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Alexandra Bicycle Tours and Lebo’s Soweto Bicycle Tours.
And, if you want to learn about the British Victorian era, Johannesburg has that, too.
BRITISH VICTORIANS IN JOHANNESBURG
What? You might question. How can you learn about the British Victorian era in South Africa? Remember, South Africa was subjected to British colonialism. With this in mind, visit the Lindfield Victorian House Museum. The owner, Katherine, who also lives in this house-cum-museum, knows everything about the Victorian era. Ask her a question about any of the items on display as she guides you through the rooms. She will have a ready answer and more.
Visit Lindfield Victorian House Museum TripAdvisor for more in-depth reviews.
TEA FOR TWO
For instance, did you know that the broad, shallow teacups that cause the tea to cool down so quickly were intentional? Social visits were a requirement in the Victorian era. On the contrary, extended social visits were not. In fact, you were never to stay for more than 15-20 minutes. This was probably a good thing, as one had to visit multiple people. However, you can imagine how challenging it would be to leave so quickly if your cup of tea wasn’t cooling down. You can’t drink hot tea speedily. Luckily, most hostesses possessed a tea set with wide-shaped shallow cups. Therefore, problem solved.
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RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR “THE FAIRER SEX”
Unresolved were the expectations for these well-to-do ladies in British society. Much literature gives examples of how tightly controlled women were in these patriarchal, oppressive societies. One only has to look at one of the early scenes in Hamlet. Ophelia’s brother and father tell her in no uncertain terms how she is to behave and conduct herself around Hamlet.
Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, patronizes:
For Hamlet and the trifling of his favour,
Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood,
A violet in the youth of primy nature,
Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,
The perfume and suppliance of a minute; No more.
Later, her father Lord Polonius chastises:
Marry, I’ll teach you: think yourself a baby;
That you have ta’en these tenders for true pay,
Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly;
Or–not to crack the wind of the poor phrase,
Running it thus–you’ll tender me a fool.
Finally, Lord Polonius demands:
I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,
Have you so slander any moment leisure,
As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
Look to’t, I charge you: come your ways.
And Ophelia is left to utter:
I shall obey, my lord.
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DICTATING A WOMAN’S BOWEL MOVEMENTS
However, centuries later, society was still so remarkably domineering that it directed a woman’s bowel movements. Let me explain. Before indoor plumbing, people used chamber pots. While it was not unusual for a gentleman to partake of another’s pot, the same, though, was untrue for a lady.
On the other hand, when ladies were invited to dinner parties, those occasions usually featured multiple courses, including an abundance of drinks. Nevertheless, it was essential to limit the intake of food and libations. Reason being: normal bodily functions result naturally after consumption. If, dread the thought, a woman could no longer restrain the urge and desperately needed to relieve herself, she was left with limited alternatives. One common option for her, however, was to say, “I feel faint.” Then, call for her carriage instead. There, she could finally lessen her distress, safe within the confines of her carriage or house.
To further illustrate, most females fasted for an entire 24 hours before social events such as a ball. No food OR drink. Needless to say, women fainted frequently. Not only because of their ridiculously tight corsets but because they were suffering from dehydration and hunger.
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CHAMBER POTS
Speaking of chamber pots, some of them featured funny expressions, or infamous faces. Imagine urinating or defecating on Napoleon’s face. Or later, doing the same to Hitler.
Today, we tend to put disreputable faces on toilet paper. Potty humor. Some things never change.
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CONCLUSION
As someone who works hard to empower females, sometimes Shakespeare can be hard to swallow. Then again, reading our current news can give one the same bilious feeling. This is why at ImprovEd Shakespeare, we aim to break the traditional barriers. Our youth are invited to color their characters with their own interpretations. Whether this means changing a male character to female, wearing a baseball cap, or even including stuffed animals, we want our young players to feel ownership in the process. We want Kids to redefine what it means to perform Shakespeare. Then, perhaps, they can redefine what it means to be human in today’s world.
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SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL
Working with Shakespeare in education frightens many. Because Shakespeare experts, including professionals, surround us. Escaping them is difficult. This can be intimidating. Thus, feelings of dread usually accompany the act of presenting, but moreover be introduced to, The Bard.
For this reason, ImprovEd Shakespeare is here to help. Founder and Director, Andee Kinzy, offers the layman’s approach to Shakespeare.
SHAKESPEARE FOR TEACHERS AND DIRECTORS
If you’re an English teacher, a theatre director, or a well-trained Shakespeare advocate, here you will find inspiration, as well as techniques, for making our favorite bard fun for Kids. Accordingly, we present old, new and improved ideas for introducing Shakespeare to youth for the non-Shakespeare-academic. Among them, we include theatre games, improvisation, tips, tricks, plus activities for using Shakespeare in education.
SHAKESPEARE FOR KIDS
Since 2011, ImprovEd Shakespeare has been exploring The Bard with youth through theatrical performance. Our signature scripts are a mix of modern narration plus original Shakespeare verse. With a focus on the story, including an abbreviated script length, our productions entertain all ages. Moreover, our catalog goes beyond the oft-used Midsummer Night’s Dream, or Romeo and Juliet. And still, young people find much to their delight among many of Shakespeare’s works. Consider subscribing to our YouTube channel for family-friendly Shakespeare videos.
PERFORMANCES
Each fall and spring, ImprovEd Shakespeare develops a new production for live performance. In honor of the traditional Renaissance traveling troupe, during a period of a few weeks, we present Kid-friendly plays at various venues around town. Our Players, between 3rd-11th grade, gear themselves with playful, as well as engaging interpretations of works by the Bard of Avon. Suitable for all ages, each performance runs for about an hour.
Furthermore, these shows are always FREE. However, we gladly accept Donations! Additionally, visit ImprovEd Shakespeare, Shakespeare for Kids by Kids on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. And don’t forget to click on our BLOG for the stories behind these videos.
