In conjunction with the EDIS conference, Edie Campbell is acting in multiple performances of "Emily Dickinson & I: The Journey of a Portrayal", a self-defined "one woman play about writing, acting and getting into Emily Dickinson's dress." I was fortunate enough to see her second performance yesterday evening (with two remaining shows this week). She begins, well, at the beginning, saying: "There she is. Emily Elizabeth Dickinson. Poet." (she subsequently ends the play with Dickinson's own words "Poets -- All --"). Soon she confesses "I am in love with Emily Dickinson. Infatuated. Obsessed." To me, it seems she may have something 
in common with a few other tourists wandering the streets of Oxford this week.The play is the story of her journey to write and perform a piece of work that shows the true nature of Dickinson, without being the sort of "playwright [that] puts words in the poet's mouth" -- an admittedly difficult task. Campbell's story is an interesting one; and I suspect many conference attendees are able to empathize with Edie's personal discovery, long-term relationship and eventual love affair with Emily Dickinson. Campbell interweaves her own personal struggles and inspirations 
alongside Dickinson's poetry, life-story, and letters, bringing forth a united story of two women and the power of the written word to both connect and affect one's essence in the world. That said, what probably moved me most was her observation (and I've seen it is a recurring one throughout many of the conference lectures) that Emily has an unnerving and powerful ability to distill things down to their essence. In fact, it seems, by the end of her days, she was a master of this.
With Emily to guide her way, Campbell, in her creation and performance of "Emily Dickinson and I", is able to "Comprehend the Whole --", and unites the poet with the stage. It was truly a great performance.
"Emily Dickinson & I: The Journey of a Portrayal," was devised by Jack Lynch and Edie Campbell, directed by Jack Lynch, and performed by Edie Campbell, LynchPin Productions Theatre Company. Tickets for this production may still be purchased at the Theatre Box Office.
The Burton Taylor Studio (Gloucester Street)
Wednesday Aug 4th, 8:00 pm
Thursday Aug 5th, 8:00 pm
Saturday Aug 7th, 8:00 pm
Sunday Aug 8, 2:30 pm
alongside Dickinson's poetry, life-story, and letters, bringing forth a united story of two women and the power of the written word to both connect and affect one's essence in the world. That said, what probably moved me most was her observation (and I've seen it is a recurring one throughout many of the conference lectures) that Emily has an unnerving and powerful ability to distill things down to their essence. In fact, it seems, by the end of her days, she was a master of this.With Emily to guide her way, Campbell, in her creation and performance of "Emily Dickinson and I", is able to "Comprehend the Whole --", and unites the poet with the stage. It was truly a great performance.
"Emily Dickinson & I: The Journey of a Portrayal," was devised by Jack Lynch and Edie Campbell, directed by Jack Lynch, and performed by Edie Campbell, LynchPin Productions Theatre Company. Tickets for this production may still be purchased at the Theatre Box Office.
The Burton Taylor Studio (Gloucester Street)
Wednesday Aug 4th, 8:00 pm
Thursday Aug 5th, 8:00 pm
Saturday Aug 7th, 8:00 pm
Sunday Aug 8, 2:30 pm
For reviews and Margaret Drabble's forward to the published text, see www.lynchpinptc.co.uk
-Rebecca
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