Actor Louis Butelli (@louisbutelli) is traveling the world in Gravedigger’s Tale as part of the First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare tour. Read an update from his travels below!
Hello once again from your intrepid Gravedigger! I recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, where “Gravedigger’s Tale” played in association with the Hawaii Book and Music Festival and Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu.
My host for the gig was Professor Mark Lawhorn, a scholar, sometimes actor, Shakespeare expert and all around good guy. Mark was the mastermind behind the Folio’s appearance in Hawaii, and the creator and curator of an excellent exhibition, “Shakespeare in Hawaii,” images of which follow. I can’t thank Mark and his lovely wife Lynne enough for the hospitality they showed me, and for the work they did in commemorating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
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- Bust of Shakespeare wearing the traditional kukui nut lei.
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- News items detailing Edwin Booth’s triumphant visit to Hawaii in 1855 with his production of “Richard III.”
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- Portraits of William Shakespeare created by local students.
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- Multimedia display featuring Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy in Hawaiian, Japanese and Korean. Listen to the Hawaiian version here: https://soundcloud.com/kcc-463449915/to-be-or-not-to-be
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- Portrait of Queen Kapiolani who visited London in 1887 and attended a performance of “Hamlet” at the Alexandra Theatre.
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- The First Folio on display. Backdrop features excerpts from the 18 plays we would have lost without the Folio.
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- Miniature replica of the “Seven Ages of Man” stained glass from the Paster Reading Room at the Folger Shakespeare Library, on display with the Folio.
On a more personal note, this trip represented a big milestone in my career, such as it is. Over the course of nearly twenty years onstage, work has taken me far and wide. The sheer number of hotel rooms, apartments, ski chalets, rental houses – all manner of actor housing – has been staggering. With Hawaii, at long last, I have now visited and performed in all 50 US states.
Now to get to work on all 7 continents. Gravedigger’s Tale in Antarctica, anyone?
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- Your own Gravedigger, honored with a floral lei following his performance.
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- An exquisite sunset at Waikiki beach, just for good measure.
Until next time!
-Louis
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Comments
Have to say that what caught my eye on this was that you have been to all 50 states. I have been to 49 and can’t wait to make it to the 50th (Alaska for me). Congratulations on performing in all 50 states. Best of luck in your future travels to all seven continents.
Sydney — April 14, 2017