Courtney Herber, Ph.D. – Historian
Politics, gender, performance, and theatre in the early modern world
Howdy! I’m super excited to get this up and posted! The second series on HistoryPop – in this first episode we will explore a bit of the motivations behind the show and do a bit of a historical prologue to where the show begins. Stay tuned! Next week, I’ll be talking about some of the events and characters from the first couple seasons of Victoria!
In which we reach the final episode of our Rose of Versailles series. Thanks for sticking around – and stay tuned for our next series on Victoria! I’ll post the first of series two on the first Friday in November!
Rose of Versailles – In this series, we will examine some of the complicated and fascinating history behind the French Revolution and how the 1970s women’s lib movement in Japan influenced the making of the smash hit anime and manga Rose of Versailles!
Let’s talk about Marie-Antoinette and LADY OSCAR!
Whelp. Second podcast out in the world. Let’s keep going! Look out on this space next Friday for the conclusion of the first series: Rose of Versailles!
S01E01- Rose of Versailles – In this series, we will examine some of the complicated and fascinating history behind the French Revolution and how the 1970s women’s lib movement in Japan influenced the making of the smash hit anime and manga Rose of Versailles!
First podcast – posted. Wish me luck.
In an upcoming presentation at the Kings and Queens conference at University of Winchester, I’ll be talking about the Stuart memory of Katherine of Aragon through the use of popular culture, namely plays and ballads. There are two ballads here – published in a Victorian collection, but that date to just before the Restoration in 1659.
A quick review of Joss Whedon’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”
This movie, released in 2013, was filmed at Joss Whedon’s home with a few of his close friends. Amy Acker plays the role of the quick witted Beatrice, who has decided never to marry after being hurt by love previously. Alexis Denisof takes on her would-be wooer, Benedick. The two utilize both entertaining verbal repartee as well as physical comedy. I particularly enjoyed the scene where the Prince, Leonato and Claudio talk about Beatrice’s supposed love for Benedick and we get to see Denisof rolling around just outside the patio door. It reminded me a bit of laser-tagging Barney Stinson (portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris, who, as a Whedon actor, I was hoping to see make an appearance in this film) with exaggerated ninja-ing and dramatic barrel rolls.
Also particularly entertaining was Nathan Fillion, who did such an amazing job playing the dunce Dogberry, as though he were the straight man of a comedy duo. His timing and delivery helped him to steal every scene he was in.
All in all, I really enjoyed this film, but as it is quite late, I’ll be heading off to bed. Hopefully tomorrow I can either watch more Shakespeare, explore a bit of Milwaukee’s history, or get even more studying for the GRE done! Wish me luck!
