Checking it all out; The Elizabethan Theatre at OSF is truly quite amazing. Brother ran laps through every single row on the main level to "experience the theatre" pre-performance. Later that night, he was awake, and on the edge of his seat the whole performance.
Ashland is a special place to our family. We honeymooned there many years ago, and we try to get down there yearly. The kids have been to Ashland, but never for a play, until now. This past weekend, we ventured south for The Heart of Robinhood, a United States premier. Robin (and Marian) lived up to their expectations and ours. They both enjoyed the show enormously. I'm not sure whether I enjoyed the show best, or watching the changing levels of surprise on their faces. We had cheap seats, but they were down front, to the side, and very good. OSF does a great job of keeping the action to the forefront of the stage, so we were literally within spitting distance of the actors. Yes, literally!
The play was labelled kid friendly, but there were not many children present, which was sad. The scariest part for children was how nasty Prince John was, and he was nasty through and through. During intermission, after an especially dramatic scene that displayed John's cruelty, I asked brother what he thought of Prince John. He immediately said, "Prince John does things in the name of God, that God would never do." For a kid who prefers joke and science books, soccer, rocks, and fun conversation, we were amazed how well he was able to articulate Prince John. A well done work of art, calls forth a response from us.
Overall, the play was kid friendly, and was advertised as such, but we have learned to always check. I asked an OSF volunteer and two staff in the gift shop about language and lewdness and none felt that was an issue. They did feel the be-heading which happens early in the play might be a bit scary to some kids. The beheading was fine: it was a very well dressed coconut head that went rolling, but there were a few things including a few words, that could have been left out. Those words didn't, and don't add anything to the play. We are constantly trying to balance those kinds of things while learning to appreciate the arts. One particular incident, was when one of Robinhood's men asks the priest, in jest, for forgiveness for spying through the peep hole on his neighbour's wife. Why does this need to be included? In a day and age, when the stats conclude that many struggle with pornography, why must we make a joke of something that is destroying families and marriages in our society? Let's call pornography in any form, what it is: evil.
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| image from OSF |
In addition, while Ashland is a great town, it can at times feel a bit non-welcoming to kids. We stayed at a small hotel with a pool that takes children (most B and B's do not), but unfortunately, a group of ladies acted like the pool should be devoid of children. The kids didn't splash or kick anyone, didn't cannon ball, and were well behaved, but still we felt there was an attitude that they weren't welcome. When do we instill a love of the arts in children, if not, while they are still children? That means inviting them into adult spaces and making them feel welcome, and better yet, asking them to thoughtfully dialogue about the plays.
Highlights
The playground in Lithia Park
Deer on the walkway in Lithia Park
The pool
Morning Glory Cafe Bacon Belgian Waffles with Walnut Butter:
They were so good, we had them two mornings in a row!
Ashland High School Garage Sale:
New keens, books, soccer balls, and 2 sweaters: $12
Baby chicks at the Ashland Farm store
Playing on the creek while eating dinner at Thai Pepper
A new ableskiver pan
Get thee to Ashland and take in a play.
OSF is one of Oregon's true gems.
OSF is one of Oregon's true gems.
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