An Ailment from School Work.doc

Last night, a few of us from the program headed down to the 30th Annual University of Warwick Real Ale Festival (as opposed to those fake ale festivals). The three day event is the largest student run beer festival in the UK. Upon entering we were handed a program which listed the different varieties of ale; there were over 200 different kegs! There's one thing I've learned about British culture since my time here - they know how to pour a good pint. Not only that, but for as much as the French know the specifics of wine, the Brits have knowledge about beer brewing that I didn't know existed. I was aware of dry, fruity, dark, bitter, and cream tasting beers, but did you know there are ales with hints of chocolate, espresso, grapefruit, apricot, burnt toast, caramel, and vanilla?

A ten quid token card bought you ten different half pints - a mere dent in the 200 that were available. If you're decent with math, that works out to five pints for ten quid (try getting away with that in Canada!) Among the highlights of our sampling were the Oscar Wilde Mild and the Dark Side of the Moose. We also couldn't help but indulge in a pulled pork sandwhich from the pork roast that was going on alongside the ale sipping. Add to the mix the Warwick Brass Band playing a host of patriotic songs and it was just about the most British I've felt while over here. By the time I come back to Canada, I expect to be able to give advice on the differences between ales, lagers, stouts, and everything else hop and barley related. The downside is that instead of two quid, I'll be paying $6 plus tip for things back in Toronto.

Most of the weekend has been spent trying to get last minute details ready for the curation exhibit our group is putting up this Friday. One of the great things about this project is that I've actually learned a lot about the process that goes into curating an exhibit/installation in a museum. Since this is often an overlooked area of theatre research, it has been rewarding to learn some practical skills that I'll hopefully be able to use in a job after the MA year. Not only has the Tarragon Theatre been more than helpful (sending me a PDF of Scorched and access to all production photos) but Mr. Mouawad's agent air mailed two paperback copies of the plays free of charge. It is encouraging to know that Canadian artists and companies are keen to have their work talked about in academic circles around the world.

It seems as if I'm away from my country at one of the most interesting moments in the history of Canadian politics. I'm sure you've heard, but on December 8 a no-confidence motion will be put to a vote in the House of Commons. It's evident to me that recent Tory backtracks on the issues of the right to strike for civil servants and the elimination of political party subsidies signal that the party is scrambling to maintain control after a woeful fall update presented by Jim Flaherty. Still, it is not these issues that those wishing to form a coalition attack, but rather the lack of any stimulus or longterm plan to address the slowing economy. While the economy may be the official issue coalition forces are citing, it really is the elimination of public funding for political parties which has lead to the attack.

With Jean Chretien and Ed Broadbent negotiating behind the scenes, it seems as if the opposition parties are getting ready to strike. In light of the Conservative government's recent and crippling cuts to arts funding in Canada (in addition to a host of other possibly damaging legislation lurking on the horizion), I'm in favour of a coalition taking control. I realize the extreme significance of such a vote, in light of the recent election and the current economic crisis, but this is the chance to attack the weakness of a very arrogant Conservative government. If you read the pomposity of Jim Flaherty's defence of his update, specifically the elimination of public party subsidies designed to cripple every party but the Tories, you'll become aware of the immensity of the mistake the government has made with this November 28 speech. I am highly skeptical that the Governor-General would allow the Liberal-led coalition to govern, and instead call another election, but if she does, my hope is that between now and Monday they can settle on a competent leader rather than relying on Lame Duck Dion. I've been an Ignatieff fan since the last Liberal convention, which would need an unlikely stepping aside from both Dion and Rae, but Ralph Goodale who be a fine choice for the time being. It will be an interest week nonetheless.

I'll conclude this Sunday night installment with a thought provoking, but highly enjoyable, video I saw on the weekend:



This is the last post of November. Tomorrow we will officially move into Holidayland which for me will be travel month. I've managed 16 posts this month which works out to just about one every second day. I hope you're continuing to enjoy, but not to worry if you are way behind and don't read as often as I post (in which case you'll be reading this two weeks from now). I've come to realize the blog, as an archive of the time spent over here, is just as much for me as it is for all of you. I hope that doesn't sound too selfish, but it's true.

Doc's Prescription of the Day: Even if the parliamentary happenings are hard to follow (there are a multitude of possible scenarios), it's best to keep updated as to what's going down. Some interesting political drama will be unfolding in the next week.