Back from the Theater

I've had a crazy couple of weeks. Sweeney Todd sold out almost every night and it was so much fun to do. The makeup and hair design was even mentioned in a review as being "appropriately disturbing", which is exactly what I was going for.

In an earlier blog I mentioned that I would next be doing Fiddler on the Roof. I've had to step away from that committement (thank goodness for an understanding director). I will be stopping in at Fiddler on Tech Sunday to help with the look of the show and I will be doing makeup Friday night because the wonderful Rebecca, who took over for me, will be watching.


Now I have some unexpected free time while at home and want to keep occupied with non-television activities. What to do? Do I continue my French Revolution Research? I did come up with a great character while doing Sweeney. One of the actors has the manners and personality of someone who must be in Versailles.

Or, do I continue editing or go back to working on the sequel to To Walk in the Sun?

One thing I know, I won't be doing is cleaning. I learned a few interesting facts about dust bunnies yesterday. You can read all about it at http://www.ladyscribes.blogspot.com/.


So, what do you do when you have unexpected free time on your hands? Does it throw you for a loop and you find yourself standing in the living room wondering what to do? Or, do you not miss a beat and immediately move onto another project?


I am still looking for more French Revolution or Marie Antoinette sites for research purposes. If you know of any, please pass them on. Thanks.

Day in the Life of . . .

My brain has moved to research mode. Even though I am currently working on two separate WIPs, I would rather step away and research. The bug hit me this weekend and I haven't written a thing since. If I needed to, I could pick back up on either story without hestitation, but I want to delve into the past of real people, not fictional.

What is calling to me? Versailles. I've had a series rumbling around in my brain for well over a year now and it can no longer be ignored. So, I am off to France via books and the internet to find out how Marie Antoinette spent her day, or anyone else living or visiting Versailles, from the time she married to the day she died. Of course, once she leaves Versailles, so will my research and I will move onto Paris, with a side trip toward Austria before being caught.

I also need to figure out a ligitimate reason why an Englishman would be in Versailles. Any suggestions?

Which historical figure would you like to spend the Day in the Life of? And, do you have any great French Revolution research sites they want to pass on?

My Trip(s) to Paris (Day 4) – Part 3

With the inside tour of Versailles complete, it is time to venture outside. As I mentioned in previous posts, the weather on my first visit was perfect. All we needed was a light jacket. On the second visit, not so much. In fact, it was raining, the wind was harsh and it was cooooolllllldddddd. Still, I refused to remain inside.

The gardens of Versailles are amazing and I could go on forever. The pictures show the main avenue toward the Fountain of Apollo and the Grand Canal. On my first trip I walked to it. What is hard to see are there are paths venturing out on both sides leading to separate avenues, groves and gardens. Those I have not yet visited, but I’ve seen photos and read descriptions. A few would include “The Ballroom” which is a Circular garden with a cascading waterfall. In the center of the grove, balls had been held. Can you image a formal ball, dancing under the stars, the sound of tinkling water in the background? Others include The Dauphin’s Grove and the Candelabra Grove, The Salle Des Marronniers, The King’s Garden and the Colonnade. Each and every one of these includes amazing statues. In addition to the numerous gardens, there are fountains aplenty but one place I would love to see is The Baths of Apollo, which is a grove, which looks more like a grotto with statues within and without. Before it is a pool, which looks more like a pond in contrast to the fountains.

If you continue walking you will eventually come to the Grand Trianon. This place was reserved for concerts, festivities and a place to eat. It was also the location where Louis XIV invited ladies o the Court to visit him. The grand Trianon is also surrounded by flowers and were chosen for a variety of colors as well as their perfume. Either the queen and/or the king must have spent a good deal of time here because they both have bedchambers, at least four drawing rooms and Louis-Philippe’s Family Drawing Room, as well as a gaming room and a Gallery and Chapel.

Further out is the Petit Trianon, which Louis XVI gave to his queen as a gift to “make a life for herself away from court”. Among the many rooms includes a Theatre.

Lastly, if you go far enough you will come to the Queens Hamlet. This is a picturesque cottage, with supporting farm and quaint gardens. Marie Antoinette would come here to “get away” and relax. She liked to shepherdess. However, unlike most true shepardess, the queen insisted the sheep be died to match her gown before she played.

My Trip(s) to Paris (Day 4) – Part 2

Once inside Versailles we begin the tour with the State Apartments which include the following:

The Royal Chapel: We are not allowed to go in but can stand a look through the door from the first floor. It is a gorgeous, two story chapel with carved white pillars. The ceiling is a painting The Heavenly Father in His Glory Announcing to the World the Promise of Redemption, by Antoin Coypel. The center is God and he is surrounded by adoring, winged angels, both male and female and of all ages.

The Hercules Drawing-Room: This had been used as the chapel until the Royal Chapel was complete in 1710. The redecoration was complete in 1712 with Veronese’s painting, The Meal at the House of Simon¸ originally painted and given to the Refectory of the Convent of the Servites in Venice around 1570 and gifted to Louis XIV in 1664. The ceiling is a painting by Francois Lemoine, The Apotheosis of Hercules.

The Drawing-Room of Plenty: I believe this room eventually became King XVI’s game room. On “apartment” evenings, when people visited, buffet tables were set about with refreshments.

Venus Drawing-Room: This is the main entrance into the State Apartment. More artwork abounds from more paintings on the ceiling to a statue of Louis XIV by Jean Warin.

Diana Drawing-Room is adjacent to the Venus Drawing-Room and served as a vestibule and at one time the billiards room for Louis XIV.

Mars Drawing-Room: A guards room until 1684, and has a military theme, became a music and games room. Red papered walls and crystal chandelier hang from the ceiling. Musicians would set up in on or both of the marble galleries. On the ceiling Claude Audran painted Mars in a Chariot Drawn by Wolves.

Mercury Drawing Room: The king’s bedchamber and also has red papered walls. The original gold headboard was melted down by the king to meet the expenses of war. It was in this room where Louis XIV lay in state for 8 days in 1715.

Apollo Drawing-Room: Also, the Throne Room. The original furniture was silver, but these furnishings were also melted down by Louis XIV in 1689.

War Drawing-Room: Magnificent with its silver, gold and mirrors. Military victories were celebrated here

Hall of Mirrors: Perhaps I should have saved the word Magnificent for this hall. It was built on the site of the original terrace. Along one wall are mirrors, separated only by statutes. On the opposite side are windows which look out over the vast gardens of Versailles. There are no words I can use to describe the beauty of this hall. Used for state events, only on occasion, and it was the place for the celebration following the wedding ceremony uniting Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

Peace Drawing-Room: Separated from the Hall of Mirrors and turned into the Queen’s Apartments.

Queen’s Bedchamber: It is the only place she slept (unlike the king who had more than one bedchamber), and the room where the king would visit her. This room also saw the birth of nineteen children.

Salon Des Nobles: This is basically the queen’s throne room, where she would gather her court and grant audiences.

This is just a sampling of what can be seen at Versailles. There are rooms I have yet to visit such as the King’s private apartments, which include his bedchamber, Cabinet room, Library, dining room and Games room and the Queen’s private apartments and the rooms where the children were raised. Someday I hope to take in the entire palace before stepping outside into hopeful sunshine.

Because my notes were really, really hard to make out, I used the book I picked up while in Versailles to help me recall the order of the tour and which room held which artwork. And, I apologize if this post read more like a dry tour brochure than my memories. Even though I have been there twice, it is difficult to remember the details with regard to history, use, and the amazing artwork of each individual room. For a illustrated guide to Versailles, I recommend your visit to VERSAILLES, by Simone Hoog (Honorary General Curator of the Estate) and Beatrix Saule (head Curator). It is sold at Versailles, in every language imaginable, but can also be purchased at Amazon, though no picture of the cover is offered or I would have put it here.

My Trip(s) to Paris (Day 4) - Part 1

Day 3 in Paris and we are going to visit my favorite place. I am so excited when I wake. I dress quickly, not that it matters because we are on a schedule, and head downstairs for breakfast. That is when I look outside. The sky is overcast and threatens rain. NOOOO, I cry inside my mind. Rain any day but today, pleaassseeee! I anxiously watch the sky from the moment we leave the hotel and all through out drive. Before we left I reluctantly went back upstairs for my umbrella, but was determined not to need it.

The bus pulls into the gravel drive and still no drops. So far so good. We are early and need to sit in the bus for another twenty minutes before we will be let inside. I can see my destination in the distance and want to get out so I can walk closer.

We are finally allowed to step outside and move toward our destination. No sprinkles yet, but the wind is stronger than a breeze. However, I will not let it dampen my mood. As soon as we reach the entrance, a few drops fall. Still, it isn’t a downpour and I am certainly not going to melt in the rain. The last thing I am made of is sugar. However, I have eaten enough of it in my life one has to wonder.

Modern technology has become a fixture at the entrance and we need to place our bags on a conveyor belt to be taken through x-ray and we walk through the metal detector. On the other side we are handed MP3 players. These are to assist us with our tour through VERSAILLES. Did I mention this is my favorite place in France? Well, so far at least. The last time I visited was a beautiful day. Absolutely gorgeous and I wish I had the pictures to post but my eldest has those as she was the photographer on that trip.

Originally, when the palace was built, there were two sets of gates. To the left of the first were the stables and to the right, the kitchens. The second was torn down during the French Revolution. When the kings lived here everyone could enter Versailles. Several guards were posted to confiscate weapons, search carriages and to ensure the visitor was properly dressed. It was built by Louis XIV because he wanted to get away from Paris. Versailles is not too close but neither is it too far and large enough for him to have his court permanently around him, including aristocracy, ministers, advisors, etc. Anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 people lived at Versailles at one time. From 1682 until 1789 it was the seat of the absolute monarchy of France, where the King rules alone. Well, we know what happened in 1789, but this post is not about the French Revolution, it is about the palace.

Versailles was originally the hunting lodge for Louis the XIII but refurbished. The construction lasted over 50 years. And in 1682 it became Louis XIV’s official residence and in ten years the expanse was ten fold.

We need to tour the inside first so we can hand out MP3 players off before we step outside. Because of the threatening weather I wish we could do this the other way around, but I don’t have that choice. My plan one day is to travel here, without being part of a tour, so I can stroll and explorer on my own schedule. There is just so much to see that this post will cover at least two days. Today, we are going to tour the inside, or what we were able to see anyway.