Dear Mr. Shakespeare,
It is with unbridled enthusiasm that I write across four centuries and one ocean to send my greetings as a fellow playwright embarking on an exchange to your revered neck of the woods. Soon, I will walk the streets of historic Norwich, studying and writing at the University of East Anglia, which, as you may not yet know, is renowned for its Creative Writing program, one of the most prestigious in all the United Kingdom!
However, there is a snatch, dear Bard. As you aptly noted, ‘all the world’s a stage,’ and nestled within that stage is nature, the wondrous backdrop to our human drama (As You Like It). Today, that backdrop is threatened by a climate crisis, urging us all to leave a lighter footprint on our planet. Accordingly, I will set forth with a notebook full of play ideas and sustainability plans, in harmony with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, namely Climate Action, Goal 13, and Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 11 (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/).
Upon arriving, I will traverse by train rather than flying or renting a vehicle to reduce carbon emissions (long gone are the days of horse and cart!), and I’ll use National Rail (https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/) and the Trainline app (https://www.thetrainline.com/) to find efficient connections. In Norwich, I shall tread lightly and sustainably, cycling or walking and taking advantage of the city’s Pedalways network on a Beryl Bikes e-bike or e-scooter (https://beryl.cc/scheme/norwich). I’ll also be sure to use the Community Active Travel Initiative’s travel planner tool to plan my routes (https://www.travelnorfolk.co.uk/journey-planner/).
For food, I’ll shop at Norwich Market and frequent sustainable restaurants, such as Wild Thyme, a vegetarian cafe that minimizes food waste and uses compostable packaging (https://wildthymenorwich.co.uk/_), and Nourish, known for its locally sourced, organic foods (https://nourish.norwich.cafe/). When out for a jaunt, I’ll pack a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, shopping bags, and containers to minimize single-use plastics. On campus, I’ll attend the Sustainability Society’s walking tour (https://www.instagram.com/p/DAWrvMBgnsJ/?hl=en).
But what would a trip to Britannia be without what you and I are most passionate about—the theatre? I swear, Good Sir, that I shall haunt the Norwich Theatre, which has embraced “green room” in all its glory. Partnering with Julie’s Bicycle, they’ve reduced energy use per performance by 76% and waste to landfill by 79% (https://norwichtheatre.org/about-us/sustainability/). This inspires me to consider how art can serve as both a mirror and a model for ecological responsibility. As I develop new play ideas in Norwich, I will strive to write works that entertain and enlighten, prompting audiences to consider their relationship with nature. On that note, you’ll be pleased to know the Globe does its part, too, selling eco-conscious products of which I hope to indulge (https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/discover/blogs-and-features/2023/06/05/sustainable-shakespeare-2023/).
So, Master Will, I thank you for the inspiration and promise to travel with wit, write with care, and leave every stage, forest, and hostel better than I found it.
Yours in creative and carbon-conscious camaraderie,
Lloyd, the Playwright
