Play “Hypatia of Alexandria” Opens in Second Life

By Nazz Lane

The play written by second life resident Skylar Smythe makes its debut in second life on July 11^th, the first of four schedule performances at 7 pm PDT/SLT. Hypatia of Alexandria was a Grecian scholar born in the 4^th century of the Common Era, who is considered notable as being the first woman in mathematics as well as a teacher of philosophy and astronomy. The play is the first written by Ms Smythe who also stars as the lead and directs the production. The play is based on the life and works of the teacher, mathematician and philosopher who was brutally murdered in a method hideous even by ancient standards, a tragic ending to the life of this remarkable woman.

I arrived at the theatre which had been specially built for the performance and was greeted by both Skylar and her partner Josue Habana. We waited for the site to rezz and then proceeded up the stair way leading to the theater.

“This is the landing point for the beginning of the play. Where the audience comes in … I want them to have the experience of stepping into a museum. What we are going to do is have the museum be the queue for the play let everyone mill about. Then I will step in here, and get everyone’s attentions … welcoming them to step back in time with me, to the School of Athens ... the year 415 AD.” Skylar said as we entered the lobby.

“Why do you feel it’s important for the patrons to have the experience of stepping into a museum?” I asked.

“Because, Hypatia was deprived of her rightful place in history ... There is so little is known about her, and that was deliberately done. It angers me that so many people have no clue who she was.” She replied.

“I saw this quote from an interview you’d done previously,""While studying the painting ‘The School of Athens’ (Raphael), I came across a haunting figure in the piece, a woman who stared stoic from the painting, and straight into my soul ", Was that your first introduction to Hypatia and where did you see the painting?” I asked.

“My Nonno (Grandpa) was an Italian poet. He was published once. He had shown me the painting in a picture book. I described it to my friend, Explorer Dastardley (aka Helen Starr - Holocaust Lecturer). She knew EXACTLY the painting I meant. She gave me a print for my SL house... and we began to discuss why I thought the painting was so memorable. As I looked up the various philosophers in the painting, my eyes kept going back to her. Hypatia grabbed me. I looked her up... was intrigued since I knew nothing about her. And then ... it all began ... my affiliating with her character ... Being inspired by her dedication to making her society a better place, even forsaking the comforts of sex and love and marriage ... children. True altruism and they killed her for it … and the great conspiracy to wipe her from the history books ... label her a heretic? As a Christian and a woman... that offended me. So I decided I would tell her story from a woman’s perspective. I wanted people TO KNOW her … and I wanted women to feel empowered ... and outraged. ” She replied.

“When did you start writing the play?”

“I started in January, writing one sonnet at a time and showing my friends. I had never written Shakespearean Sonnets before … and I did not find that dialogue, in the past, had been my strong point as a writer. It was a challenge, and a great stretch, skills wise. But I found the sonnets ... just came to me so easily. The whole story did.” She responded to my question and then added, “The cast features a combination of seasoned and new actors. I felt this was important, and it was a goal from the beginning. Some theatre in SL is very ‘establishment’. I wanted to give new talent an opportunity to shine … and they are amazing, the entire group of them.”

“The actors will be performing their lines in voice chat?” I asked

“Yes ... There are challenges with that, but we will be doing it live and in voice.”

“When I spoke briefly with Josue the other day, he had mentioned there is some outside of SL interest in the play ... would you like to see it performed in real life?”

“That would be a dream come true … and a promise come true to my late Grandfather. “Skylar said in reply

We spoke for several more minutes and she shared with me the plans and scene for the plays end. I promised not to share them in the article, but suffice it to say patrons will be surprised. After, I asked her if she any closing thoughts for my readers and she replied.

“Yes … I hope this will be the first in a series of women in history. I have about two books of notes on Jezebel.” She replied and then added, “After being inspired by the academic and all around saint ... I thought it would be fun to embrace a biblical bad girl.”

Editors note: Full details in the EXTRA EXTRA section

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"The Garden" a Kabuki Theater Performance

By Nazz Lane

Something that I rarely do, at least not since my very early days in second life, I did a search in events that evening. I found several gallery openings and thought of porting over for a visit to one. But as I scrolled down the list, I spotted one for a Kabuki Theater performance, ( Beantown/248/69/23), Not having had the pleasure of viewing one in real life I decided to do so in second life. So, I glanced at the start time and thought, “It should be interesting” and I took the ride over. Checking the time on my PC clock, I saw that I had several minutes to go. I scanned around with my camera controls admiring the build before going through some note cards while I waited for the performance to begin.

“Konnichiwa … Welcome to Mo-Lu Theater”, said Mojo Manamiko as he bowed.

I smiled and bowed slightly at the waist. “Thank you.” I replied and then added, “It’s very nice build here, congrats!”

“Thank you, only this part is Asian. The cantina is Southern Mexico.” He said. As he did I noticed a woman approaching. She stopped next to him and then spoke.

“Did you hear about our play?” LuckyMoon Jiagu, asked.

“I did yes, listed in events. I was looking through to see what was going on today. It starts at 4 pm SLT, right?” I asked.

“The play is in about an hour, at 5 pm SLT.” She said in reply.

“It’s the last show of the week tonight.” Mojo added.

I expressed my dismay and disappointment by telling them, “I misread the start time and I have another event to attend at 5 pm.”

“We’re sorry to hear that. If you have some time, perhaps you would like a helicopter tour of our land?” She asked.

I glanced at the clock and realized that I did now have some free time so I replied, “I would enjoy that, thank you.”

We walked a short distance to Mojo’s parked helicopter, climbed aboard and took off for a tour. Mojo provided a commentary in chat on the tour, highlighting the Jasmine's Cantina Café. We then flew over white water rapids that included an area for surfing along with a coral reef. Next was a romantic garden and adjacent to it meditation area replete with tai chi poses. He told me that their “Tai Chi” groups meets their in the mornings. We returned to the starting point, next to the Kabuki Theater.

We walked the virtual us back toward the theater, where LuckyMoon awaited our return. I took note cards offered about the play and schedule for reference.Still disappointed and interested in the play, I asked, “Who wrote the play?”

“Mojo and I ... but mostly Mojo.” LuckyMoon replied, and then asked, “Will you be joining us for the show?”

“I have a conflict, but would like to catch a performance.” I replied.

“Well it will run thru June and we do give private showings. If you would like to bring someone we would do a show just for the two of you … a special evening. We’ve been surprised at the reaction of our guests to the show.” Mojo said

“Surprised … how so?” I asked.

“I think it turned out better than we thought. We have yet to see it though, we’re busy with props and things … we do all of it ourselves … script, props, lighting, effects, costume changes and scenery changes. It’s about a twenty five minute show. If you like we can do a performance now for you. We would be honored if you have time.” Mojo said and then added, “It will take us a few minutes to set up. If you have someone you’d like to bring over, please do.”

Surprised at their offer, I protested briefly about adding the unscheduled performance. They repeated the offer and I finally acceded to the request and said, “I am honored as well, and yes I would enjoy that … Thank you.”

“Then please take a seat … in the seat of honor. It’s the best view.” LuckyMoon said.

As they began their preparation, I sent an IM and TP request to a dear friend who readily agreed to port over and join me. She arrived and took a seat next to me and we chatted while we waited for the curtain to rise. I told her there were five scenes and a one or two minute curtain between scenes for set and costume changes. The play is entitled “The Garden”. She commented that she’d never seen a Kabuki performance and was very happy that I’d thought of asking her.

The performance began with an announcement reminding us to change our settings to midnight, which we both did. This was followed by an introduction of the cast, and an overview of the play. LuckyMoon’s character is named Ji Yue and Mojo’s Ho Ling, the setting of the play is in “In the 17th century feudal Japan, where Ji Yue danced as a geisha in the courts of the palace. The villagers and travelers would gather daily to watch. Among them was young Ho Ling, a foot soldier in the emperor’s army, assigned to the tasks that befall a young soldier, watching the crowds and keeping general order about the small villages.”

The curtain rose and the scene unfolded. Ji Yue danced and the young soldier Ho Ling watched, transfixed by her beauty. We both were transfixed as well, with the beautifully appointed scenery, costumes and movements of both as the five scenes played out before us. Each replete with costume and scenery changes, text chat dialog, and dance animations. The final scene culminated with two lovers who were reunited. As the curtain dropped, we both jumped to our feet and provided the writers, actors, back stage hands, stage directors a standing ovation. We continued our applause as they made a “curtain call”. We chatted briefly afterward about the play, the performance and the ladies talked about the geisha gowns. In an IM, my friend commented on their being the sweetest couple and I readily agreed with her.

The time was drawing near for the scheduled performance and my next engagement. We said our goodbyes and as I was about to port over to it, a chat line appeared.

“Thank you for coming ... we hope you enjoyed your evening. Please TP safely. Thank you for allowing us to perform for you.” Said Mojo .

As the TP initiated I thought, “A sweet couple indeed.”

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'The Wall V-2 ~ The Director's Hack'

"The Cybernetic Art Research Project's (CARP) production of "The Wall V-2". In 30 shows we performed to 2200 avatars and raised over $L200,000 for charity. And had a blast of a time doing it!"
This weekend saw the release of two full length machinima's of 'The Wall V-2'.... The first is filmed and edited by reknowned SL machinimatographer Gary Hazlitt
http://www.justvirtual.com/
This one is filmed and edited by Debbie Trilling
Performed by The Cybernetic Art Research Project at NMC Campus West in Second Life in August 2008

The Wall was one show I enjoyed immensely and found used the platform to its fullest extent - machinima are great but do not show the full impact of what was achieved - but if you missed it then its great to be able to show it in part.
Dana

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Pilot Theatre Establishes an SL Presence

Pilot Theatre, the innovative theatre company from England, has established a presence in Second Life. Pilot Theatre is an award winning National Touring Theatre Company and is currently in residence at York Theatre Royal in the United Kingdom. Pilot's Second Life representative, Katie Reve, and I met for an introductory chat and she was most gracious in allowing me this interview.

Read Nazz's interview in M.A.C.E

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