On Wednesday, in a large auditorium in Kingston, Ontario, I saw Margaret Atwood‘s The Year of the Flood performance. Wow! Each city on this (twenty? thirty?) multi-city international tour puts together it’s own dramatization of the script. I can’t imagine any city doing a more beautiful job than Kingston. (The article in the U.K. Guardian was less than enthusiastic about the London event, alas.)
In Kingston, there was a choir of about twenty, three musicians, three actors: all in wonderful costumes. The choral arrangement of the hymns in the book was spectacular.
Ms. Atwood has hit the ball out of the park, yet again. She’s 70, performing at a different city every night. Kingston was half-way through the tour. She visited organic gardens on arrival in Kingston. After the hour-long performance, she signed books for about an hour, then went to both the cast party and the Kingston WritersFest reception. (I’m told: I was far too tired to stay up that late.) Then, a TV interview the next morning, and off she went on a train for the next pit-stop. I’d like to know how she does it!
I’ve been enjoying Atwood’s blog while on tour: here.
She is such a pro, Ginger. Endless energy and patience. And generous.
Sounds like it was quite a performance. I met Margaret Atwood when she was guest at the Nova Scotia Nature Trust last year. Charming, witting, and so very tiny. She worked the room like a pro, and even shared a joke about writers when I told her I was working on my first novel.
Ginger B.
http://coppertopcollins.blogspot.com
http://www.gingerbcollins.com
Christi, maybe have a look at her blog — see the link in the post.
She is amazing. I especially love her poetry. I've not yet read negotiating with the Dead. I'll look for it.
Seeing and hearing Margaret Atwood in person…I'm so envious. I just finished reading Negotiating with the Dead (for the second time). She is truly an amazing writer. Where can I find out more about her schedule?