by Anura Guruge
on December 27, 2023
It is a LONG DRIVE to Cambridge, through the morning traffic. So, I never take it for granted.
Hope to be there. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Thanks.
by Anura Guruge
on October 19, 2023
Tickets went on sale today. I was waiting. I pounced.
This year I wanted to be on the aisle. Last year I had trouble getting out for the ALL IMPORTANT ‘Lord of the Dance‘ parade. By being on the aisle I will NOT have any problems this year. Still, FRONT ROW — upper balcony. Best view of the entire stage.
There was no Christmas Revels in 2020 & the performance I had tickets to in 2021, also got cancelled because of COVID. So, I missed Revels in 2020 & 2021 due to COVID (one way or another). But, prior to that, at least for 7 years running I have sat in one of those seats AA 7 or AA 8. I make sure I am one of the first to hit the box office just to bag those seats.
So, I have got mine. I hope this year’s performance does NOT get cancelled. Fingers crossed. I have missed Revels. That is what I missed the most in 2020! Way back, like in April I was already worrying that Revels would get cancelled. It was like so much else.
Well, here is to Revels (CAMBRIDGE) 2023. Looking forward to it.
by Anura Guruge
on December 29, 2022
All ‘Revels‘, by definition, are GOOD. That is a given.
‘Cambridge Revels‘, by definition, are ALWAYS BRILLIANT.
‘Cambridge Revels’, the mothership of Revels, just puts so much thought, planning, production & planning into it, each year. They are, & they know it, a class a part.
There is Revels & then there is ‘Cambridge Revels’.
The 2022 production, the “Tales from Ellis Island“, — which I was privileged to see yesterday (i.e., December 28) was no exception. It was brilliant. Immaculately produced. Wow. And the talent.
Prior to the show, an 80-year old usher, an ex-linguistic professor, who had been involved with ‘Cambridge Revels’ since 1978, happened to tell me that ‘they’ felt a moral obligation to convey a message of ‘social responsibility’ in addition to entertaining the audience. And WOW did they do that with this performance!
This show, with its ‘Ellis Island’ theme was the MOST topical & POLITICAL Revels I ever remember seeing & I have seen more than 25 Revels going back at least 25 years.
This show addressed: immigration, (new) immigration laws, Jewish assimilation, Mexican appreciation AND the ‘unintended consequences of giving power to a person who lacks a conscious’!
Wow. It was bit like a segment from the ‘January 6 Hearings‘.
Good job that there are no Republicans within a 50-mile radius of Cambridge.
It was all very well done. Bravo.
Nearly all the performers, on stage, wore masks.
Keeping COVID under check was still a big challenge. I appreciate. Having performers in masks was a downer. But, they did good.
The Sword Dance that involved some sword SKIPPING was outstanding.
The ‘Horn Dance’ & “Mummer’s Play” was a bit subdued. I suspect they have had issues getting folks given COVID.
But, in the end, it was a RESOUNDING SUCCESS. Kudos & Bravo.
I loved it.
by Anura Guruge
on December 10, 2022
I got an e-mail from them ‘reminding’ me that the Celebrations were just about to begin — as if I needed reminding. I am all set — thank YOU. I bought mine within MINUTES of the tickets going online! I was ready & waiting for noon. BAM. I was logged in. Zeroed in on the date & MY SEAT. Bingo.
What about YOU? Have you got your ticket? You really should. Always a night to rejoice, a night to remember.
by Anura Guruge
on October 27, 2022
Tickets went on sale today. I was waiting … & waiting. I like to pounce as soon as they become available BECAUSE I want this or the seat next to it. {SMILE}. At the ‘Sanders Theatre’ these are the best seats to enjoy Christmas Revels from. Given the number of folks that can be on the stage at the same time & the amount of activity taking place all across the stage you need to be able to see the stage from slightly above. Being at ground level you don’t get to see all that is taking place.
There was no Christmas Revels in 2020 & the performance I had tickets to last year, i.e., 2021, also got cancelled because of COVID. So, I missed Revels in 2021 & 2021 due to COVID (one way or another). But, prior to that, at least for 7 years running I have sat in one of those seats AA 7 or AA 8. I make sure I am one of the first to hit the box office just to bag those seats.
So, I have got mine. I hope this year’s performance does NOT get cancelled. Fingers crossed. I have missed Revels. That is what I missed the most in 2020! Way back, like in April I was already worrying that Revels would get cancelled. It was like so much else.
Well, here is to Revels (CAMBRIDGE) 2022. Looking forward to it.