Much Ado About Boots

We’re in Vancouver for the weekend — the kids gave Pater a series of cooking classes as a retirement gift and yesterday he sharpened us his knife skills (tee-hee!). Meanwhile, I had a long run then put in some serious Nana time at the park and shared some delicious mac’n’cheese — and got Nola to say “muddy buddies” about 34 times because she gets so many cute syllables into those two words!

Afterwards I trolled the shops getting a sense of the Fall goodies. And Wow! there is a lot of grey and black out there! Accented by camel, which I really can’t wear. I was looking for a particular shade of taupe, slightly rosy, that I know will be perfect with a skirt I love but haven’t quite got the right top for. I’m thinking a cashmere T, preferably with a V-neck. It’s not out there.

But these boots are. Thanks to my sister, who sent me a Fluevogram with a picture of them and a note that she wondered if they’d be great with her new MaxMara coat, I had to go check them out in person. And I think I need a new pair of boots. The Britney, as these are called. I’m pretty sure I need these boots.

Also went to see Much Ado About Nothing in the wonderful Bard on the Beach mainstage tent — such a sparkling production with beautiful costumes (Edwardian, by Mara Gottler who has her own very delicious fashion label). Even made up for the festival seating (first-come-first-seated means lining up before doors open to scramble for seats), the not-too-comfy chairs, and the porta-potties — apparently there is a new tent in the works for next year which will perhaps remedy some of these minor discomforts. And, as I say, these were all worth suffering for this version of Ado, which had the audience laughing out loud at many points throughout. Indeed, I think the audience was able to follow particularly well because the articulation was so clear — I suspect this had something to do with the talents of voice coach Alison Mathews. I’ve never been able to hear so precisely the words of a Shakespeare play, each one as well-formed in my inner ear as if I’d had the script right in front of me.

The play is in its last week — after next weekend those splendid red and white tents will depart from Kits taking the last bit of summer with them, and we’ll switch to opera and other distractions from the fall rains.

Meanwhile, some of us will be sighing over boots. What do you think? Do the Britneys get your approval?

14 Comments

  1. Susan B
    19 September 2010 / 4:14 pm

    Two very enthusiastic thumbs up on the boots! They're classy, but with attitude.

    I've only seen a handful of the Bard's plays on stage, and that's one that I really do want to see. I find that the cadence of reading of the lines makes all the difference to modern ears. Emphasis on the wrong words or too-rushed phrases and so much meaning is lost.

  2. hostess of the humble bungalow
    19 September 2010 / 5:10 pm

    I agree…those boots are Hot!
    I think they might be calling your name…
    how cute of Nola to be saying muddie buddies…my kids wore those for years with their wellies!
    BTW there's a torrential downpour here as I write and Thunder!

  3. LPC
    19 September 2010 / 6:52 pm

    I haven't worn long boots in decades, so am not going to presume that I have the expertise to comment. I like them, but never had a life where they made sense. But I completely agree with you that Shakespeare spoken correctly is wonderful. And comprehensible.

  4. materfamilias
    20 September 2010 / 4:56 am

    Pseu: This is such a fun play to watch! And it will raise your feminist hackles, to boot (for the thumbs up on the latter, I thank you!)
    Hostess: Muddy buddies rule!
    LPC: So if I ever had/have fantasies of having a high-powered corporate career, I can console myself that in not having achieved it, at least I have a life in which knee-high boots make sense?? I have to say that's a considerable compensation — I love the way I feel in boots this length — instant attitude! But they make much more sense in my climate than in yours, I have to admit.

  5. Patricia
    20 September 2010 / 7:44 am

    Two more thumbs up!! They look very stylish indeed, and wearable too.
    What coat did your sister get? I bet it's gorgeous!
    It will be a while yet before we can go to the theatre in English (unless we catch a panto at Christmas in Scotland!), but the ballet of Romeo and Juliet is on at the Opera House. We want to take the boys – they know the story, so it will be accessible, plus I do think they should see something like that at least once in their lives, especially in a venue that beautiful – but are coming across some trenchant opposition. Too bad -I'd like to bring them back from Europe with them having acquired at least a bit of polish and flair! Patricia

  6. Northmoon
    20 September 2010 / 2:05 pm

    Love those boots! You definitely need them and so would I if I hadn't bought a pair of black knee high boots last season (darn it).

  7. Duchesse
    20 September 2010 / 3:05 pm

    Ouch, toes too pointy for me to even think about. Nice boots though!

  8. materfamilias
    20 September 2010 / 3:59 pm

    Patricia: It won't help at all for the boys to know I'm on your side, will it? We splurged once and took the whole family, including our son (and our girls' partners), to a ballet. One of the boyfriends came from a family that had never done anything so "cultural" — he was a rough-n-ready type who confessed that he hadn't wanted to come at first but that his family had encouraged him to try something new. They were all hugely impressed by the athleticism of the dancers (if a bit discomfited by the anatomically revealing costumes!) — mind you, the ballet was Dracula, so perhaps a bit more appealing than R&J, but I'd stick to my guns, if I were you.
    Northmoon: The last boots I bought myself were two years ago (although Pater bought me some last Christmas — I don't think I should have to count those 'cause they were a gift, right?) 😉
    Duchesse: I never find pointy toes uncomfortable and I have a wide foot — the point generally happens well in front of my own toes, so no squishing occurs. I'm hugely partial to a pointy toe which always convey attitude, imho.

  9. Patricia
    20 September 2010 / 10:08 pm

    Mater – thanks for the moral support! :0) Patricia

  10. Northmoon
    20 September 2010 / 10:58 pm

    Gifts definitely don't count!

  11. indigo16
    21 September 2010 / 3:07 pm

    Apart from a recent Tempest production, you know the one! I have been very lucky with Shakespeare I find after 5 minutes I quickly pick up the rhythm, because as important as it is to hear the word it is the innate rhythm he uses I love.
    But yes the feminist in anyone one be appalled at the plot of Much Ado, though not as bad as The Taming of the Shrew!
    The boots look great and yes there is a LOT of muted colours out there but yet we always want the one they do not have.

  12. materfamilias
    22 September 2010 / 2:55 pm

    Alison: This production was so much more engaging than that Tempest. And yes, the rhythm really has to be heard and felt.
    As for that colour, I was so very sure, with all the muted that's around right now, that I could find it, but noooooo! A scarf or two, yes, but not a top, especially not a cashmere v-neck T!

  13. sophia
    30 September 2010 / 6:39 am

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

  14. Unknown
    21 April 2017 / 6:59 am

    This site is really great services in this blog that to using the nice technology is visible in this blog.

    riverscasinoonline

Copyright

Unless otherwise stated, all words and photographs in this blog are my own. If you wish to use any of them, please give me credit for my work. And it should go without saying, but apparently needs to be said: Do not publish entire posts as your own. I will take the necessary action to stop such theft. Thanks.