Burnt by the sun – National Theatre 2009
A play of two halves – it took a bit of warming up – but was nicely crafted – and the timing had improved greatly from the previews, full review to follow. i can’t decide between 3 or 4 tubs.… Continue reading
King lear – Young Vic 2009
Thoughts. Earlier in the week I had been putting together some props for my directing course and Oedipus scene. I had decided on an organic red and yellow building block and sand tray affair – I was feeling rather nervous about introducing my madness to the actors – Continue reading
England people very nice / Mrs Affleck / Pitman Painters – National Theatre 2009
Thoughts: England People very nice – looked like the animation guy had fun
Billed as a riotous journey through four waves of immigration – and I guess that is exactly what you get. The direction, animation and design were all very pleasing to the eye – Continue reading
Appris Par Corps – Mime Festival. 2008
Thoughts: A must for everyone
Appris par corps.
Absolutely – terrific. Breathtaking!! This goes down as one of the best things I’ve seen in ages. Conceived and devised by Frederic Arsenault & Alaxandre Fray – ‘ Un Loup Pour I’Homme’ – which translates to ‘man is to man a wolf’
This was part of the mime festival – it was just beautiful, I had a lump in my throat and they had cheers of appreciation at the end. Continue reading
The reader – Film 2008
Thoughts: What a sad film. Beautifully performed and directed. The tapestry and heart ache of life.
Adaptated by David Hare and directed by Stephen Daldry
Set in the 1950’s. Kate Winslet plays Hanna, who accidentally meets Michael (David Kross), a teenage school boy. They end up Continue reading
Oedipus – Sophocles – National Theatre 2008
Thoughts.
The thing I liked most about this production was not the lead part, but Alan Howard – playing the blind Teiresias – what a lovely performance. He’s marvellous to watch, quirky, interesting and slurring his way through the text.
Oedipus by Sophocles – a new version by Frank McGuinness. Continue reading
Middle c – Wapping power station 2008
Thoughts: what an interesting building. Unfortunately Wapping is almost impossible to get to now the London underground is out of action – so a long walk from Tower Hill to the power station. I went to see the video art installation – a 16 minute film based on the sea – Continue reading
Royal Opera House – open house day 2008
Thoughts: Well done to the roh who pulled out all the stops for a wonderful open day – ROH OPEN UP – was the first time the roh had participated in Open Rehearsal. Celebrating the launch of the Cultural Olympiad.
Walworth Farce – National Theatre 2008
Thoughts: A masterpiece of madness – though in the first half I wasn’t sure – it’s a farce, though dark. A play performed within a play. Some of the frantic moments of the play, within the play, so to speak, were less interesting than those quieter darker moments of the family shut in a Walworth flat.
Monkey. Journey to the west – Royal Opera House – 2008
Thoughts: Despite my two tub rating, there were some good points. A young audience which gave the foyers a pop concert buzz and a smile. The idea as a whole which was created by the team behind Gorillaz (Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn), Monkey: Journey to the West, is an opera which premiered at Manchester International Festival in 2007. With lyrics based on ancient Chinese texts and performed in Mandarin.