I’ve met some of the best, kindest people through the Pop Up Globe. I’ve made new friends, picnicked on the grassy noll with old friends, met so many of the ridiculously talented people involved with making this wooden O come alive, and gotten hundreds of taps on the shoulder followed by the question “are you Emily, from Instagram?” And this weekend, on my super last minute trip to Sydney, James Haxby surprised me with a backstage tour. And, reader, I may have lost my shit a little bit. 

The costumes were even more gorgeous up close. No one in Aus does Shakespeare in costumes like this anymore. Do you know how many black box modern dress Hamlet’s I’ve seen? The fabrics were stunning. The care and dedication that goes into recreating those iconic silhouettes onstage and maintaining them in all sorts of weather is so inspiring. I wish I could work with this amazing wardrobe team one day.

Backstage spaces can be so cramped and stuffy and dark and there’s that thing over there that whatshisname said he’d fix six months ago and hasn’t yet oh well. But it’s home. And there’s an irrepressible magic about it. Cannon balls, metal sheets, and wooden caskets full of pellets in the heavens for the rain and thunderstorms. A harpsichord, wine glasses, and wind chimes in hell for those extra *spooky* vibes. No sheep, sadly. They went out to the pub. There’s a lot to be said for practical sound effects, especially in a theatre like this. It feels like going back to our roots. That primal instinct, that inexplicable urge to stamp my feet and shout and roar at my first performance of Henry V. It’s this instinctual feeling that comes from the bones of this theatre. All the research and passion that went into putting it together, all the dedication to the tiniest of details such as those wine glasses below stage and all around the seating. Stepping inside is and always will be like a homecoming. Shakespeare is like lifeblood and theatre is the heart.

It was so good to see the Melbourne boys again this weekend. Jonathan was such a genuine and heartfelt Antonio, I would spend hundreds just to go back up to Sydney and see it again. We all knew Chris as Bottom was pretty inspired casting, but you have no idea just how perfect it is. Asa is such a delight in Merchant, but he shines in Midsummer. The fairies were always my favourite part of this Midsummer and oh my goddd Asa as Titania is so fierce. You’ve gotta get along and catch him before they close next month. And of course Oscar grinning away in the background of Comedy of Errors, bless his heart. Haxby wasn’t on for any roles, but it was so good to see him onstage nonetheless. It isn’t always the fashion for swings to have onstage roles when they aren’t covering anyone so I was super pleased to see him. Chookas for the rest of the season, you rascals! Thank you so much for making this trip just perfect 💖💖💖