Presenter quotes from the 2003 Geoffrey Chaucer and Co. U.K. tour of the Clerk and Merchant's Tales
Dee Ashworth, Gulbenkian Theatre Presenter, Kent University in Canterbury, England.
"The Clerk and the Merchant's Tales performance here at the Gulbenkian Theatre was excellent! Geoffrey Chaucer and Co.'s American perspective on the Canterbury Tales is fantastic!"
Viv Green, Longborough University Presenter,
Longborough, England.
"I haven't seen seen anything better than this at the [Royal Shakespeare's] Swan Theatre.
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Quotes from our US productions
Phyllis Brown, Associate Professor of English,
Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California:
“I first became acquainted with John and Becky Geist when they staged a performance for a meeting of medievalists at Stanford University several years
ago. Since then I have attended their thoughtful and engaging productions every year. Because my experience with them has been so positive and pleasurable, I welcome the
opportunity to express my praise for their work...
Their performances are always delightful and lively, as well as intelligent and thoughtfully nuanced, inviting experienced medievalists and students new
to Chaucer’s art to engage with themes and language of the poem in significant ways.
I have also been pleased and encouraged by the professional business relations I have had with Chaucer & Co. over the years... John and Becky have
always been extraordinarily flexible and generous with their time.”
Sally Hogarty
Managing Director Committee for Lectures, Art and Music,
St. Mary's College
We were fortunate to have Geoffrey Chaucer and Company as part of our 2001-2002 season. The company performed Fortune and the Flattered Cock, a retelling of Chaucer’s tales of the Monk and Nun’s Priest. The production
was sponsored by the Committee for Lectures, Art and Music and our Collegiate Seminar program. Students in the seminar program are required to read several of The Canterbury Tales during the school year.
Fortune and the Flattered Cock was well received by our combined audience of students, faculty, staff, and community members. Approximately 320 people attended the one time only performance. The actors were excellent, using
their myriad of talents to make Chaucer’s characters come alive. For many of our students, studying Chaucer can be a daunting task. However, following the performance by Geoffrey Chaucer and Company, our students returned to
their studies with renewed enthusiasm and understanding.
In addition to the actors’ considerable talents, the music composed by John Geist made these tales enjoyable and accessible to our wide audience. As important off stage as the performance is on stage, is the company’s
ability to adjust to the presentor and the venue. I found both the production and artist teams quite flexible as we attempted to meet each other’s needs. The company was very professional, and truly fun to work with
on this project. I would highly recommend Geoffrey Chaucer and Company to any presentor!
Carol Spain, Executive Director, Tahoe Tallac Association
South Lake Tahoe, California
“The performance was marvelous, the music a delight and the acting superb. It was our first experience with showcasing a piece by Chaucer,
and it was great fun! Geoffrey Chaucer & Co. was a pleasure to collaborate with, they were competent, professional and a dream to produce the performance.”
Educators
As part of our residency options, Geoffrey Chaucer & Co. performs in high schools. Here are a few comments of teachers who have invited us to perform for their
students:
“It’s the best way to bring the power of Chaucer’s insights and worldly wisdom to today’s youth. They love it and they understand it, too!”
Debi Pavlecie, Washington High School, Fremont
The performance was professionally done and kept the students engaged with its energy and wit. It brought the written word to life, thereby making
the tale more accessible.”
Tia Brown, Pinewood School, Los Altos Hills
“Very engaging. Our students reacted positively to the performance and were turned on to Chaucer by the lively acting and humor.”
George Wallach, Washington High School, Fremont
“The Geoffrey Chaucer & Co. performers have given me a gift to share with my students. The richness of the performers’ talents and
authenticity of their portrayals offers students a framework on which to ‘hang their hats.’”
Ellen Howerton, Washington High School, Fremont
Community setttings
Here are a few comments of activity directors and senior residents for whom we have performed in retirement communities:
“Many, many thanks for a wonderful performance! Residents were delighted!’”
Activity Director Scott Sebastian, St. Paul’s Towers, Oakland
“Thank you so much for bringing us these Canterbury Tales. They are simply wonderful. Please keep inviting them back!”
resident, St. Paul’s Towers,
Oakland
“A real treat and a full house. We’d love to have you back.”
Activity Director Sue Barnes, University Retirement, Davis
“You were simply magnificent!”
Resident, Claremont House, Oakland
College & University Presenters: |
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- Canterbury Foundation
(benefit), Berkeley***
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- Sonoma State University**
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- University of San Francisco, San Francisco
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- College of Notre Dame,
Belmont**
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St. Mary’s College,
Moraga**
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- University of California,
Berkeley
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- The Gulbenkian at Univ. of Kent,
@10 miles N.W. of Canterbury Cathedral www.ukc.ac.uk/gulbenkian
Box Office #01227 769075
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| Schools: |
· San Francisco University
High School, San Francisco |
· Irvington High School,
Fremont |
· Pinewood School,
Los Altos Hills |
· Washington High School,
Fremont*** |
· Newark High School,
Newark** |
· Galileo High School,
San Francisco |
· Tehijah Day School,
Berkeley** |
· Andros Karperos Middle School,
Yuba City |
| Theatres & Art Centers |
| · Tahoe Tallac Association, South Lake Tahoe* |
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| Retirement Communities: |
| · Villa Marin, San Rafael** |
· St. Paul’s Towers,
Oakland**** |
· Smith Ranch Homes
San Rafael** |
· San Francisco Towers,
San Francisco |
· University Retirement,
Davis* |
· Rossmoor, Walnut Creek** |
| · Claremont House, Oakland |
· Baywood Court,
Castro Valley |
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† For Medieval Academy of America & the Medieval Association of the Pacific joint conference
* indicates number of presentations when multiple
Corporate Events - Schools - Retirement Communities
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