A friend of mine insisted I should go to the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park <http://parktheatre.co.uk/> as she went to see something there and was very impressed by a new venue in north London. She was right, it is a lovely space and it has only been open since May this year.
The main auditorium - Park 200 - is an intimate space, which is perfect for Oliver Cotton's new work Daytona. You are literally in the living room of the apartment in New York where all the action takes place. Joe and Elli's happy little world is thrown into turmoil by the arrival of Joe's brother Billy after a 30 year absence. What does it all mean? What secrets will be revealed? In all fairness I cannot say too much about what happens as it spoils the surprises and twists in the plot.
I can talk about the actors and their performances. Harry Shearer as Joe is good but the night I was there had a few fluffed lines. John Bowe as his brother Billy, is a volcanic presence - a bit too loud in the bits between Billy and Joe. The strongest performance is that of Maureen Lipman. It's a long time since I have seen her on stage and forgotten what a presence she has. She is a fine actress with a great sense of timing.
Go! Support this new theatre. I will be going again!
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Gloriana - Benjamin Britten - Royal Opera House
It seemed a good idea on paper to restage Britten's Gloriana, which was written for the Coronation, in the Jubilee year. But somewhere along the line the production sunk the opera in waves of distracting 'business' from characters not part of the action.
The opera was set as a production being done in a village hall to celebrate the Queen's Coronation, this meant that we had lots of slow scene changes, prompters waving their hands around at the side of the stage and a reduction in the size of the stage space to allow for all of this to go on. And it was distracting.
The opera gets bleaker as it goes on.....The scene where the Queen takes the dress and parades around in it, is cruel. The Elizabeth and Essex scene in her bedroom is strong and dramatic - one of the the few scenes to work well as the action was focused around the two principal characters.
Susan Bullock's Elizabeth was well sung. Her diction did away with the need for surtitles. Toby Spence was a dashing Essex. He seemed to be having great fun in the dances.
I think, like a number of things I have seen this year, it was another wasted opportunity all round - but not a total disaster!
The opera was set as a production being done in a village hall to celebrate the Queen's Coronation, this meant that we had lots of slow scene changes, prompters waving their hands around at the side of the stage and a reduction in the size of the stage space to allow for all of this to go on. And it was distracting.
The opera gets bleaker as it goes on.....The scene where the Queen takes the dress and parades around in it, is cruel. The Elizabeth and Essex scene in her bedroom is strong and dramatic - one of the the few scenes to work well as the action was focused around the two principal characters.
Susan Bullock's Elizabeth was well sung. Her diction did away with the need for surtitles. Toby Spence was a dashing Essex. He seemed to be having great fun in the dances.
I think, like a number of things I have seen this year, it was another wasted opportunity all round - but not a total disaster!
Political Mother: The Choreographer's Cut - Hofesh Shechter - Sadlers Wells
I had seen Political Mother before and I enjoyed it. When it was brought back to Sadlers Wells <http://www.sadlerswells.com> as part of the Sadler's Sampled season it seemed a good show to take some friends along to.
By and large they loved it, particularly the music. My favourite quite being "Nine Inch Nails isn't as loud as this!" And the music is very exciting - strings, rock guitars, drums, drums and more drums. They weren't so wild about the piece itself with comments ranging from - what was going on, what was it about, repetitive and a bit long. And none of the three people I was with realised that the final section was the whole thing being rewound.
My view is still - what's with the socks, Hofesh? I will be interested to see his new work, later in the season.
By and large they loved it, particularly the music. My favourite quite being "Nine Inch Nails isn't as loud as this!" And the music is very exciting - strings, rock guitars, drums, drums and more drums. They weren't so wild about the piece itself with comments ranging from - what was going on, what was it about, repetitive and a bit long. And none of the three people I was with realised that the final section was the whole thing being rewound.
My view is still - what's with the socks, Hofesh? I will be interested to see his new work, later in the season.
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Behind the Candelabra
I know it is unusual for you to see a film review here, but it is well worth going to see Behind the Candelabra.
Hopefully it isn't Steven Soderbergh's last film....he has said he is giving up directing to concentrate on painting....as it's great to look at.
And the characters...well, there is plenty to draw on and you could turn them both into terrible monsters - and to a certain degree that's how they appear - but both have some (however slight) redeeming qualities. Both Michael Douglas and Matt Damon have roles that are totally at odds with their usual filmic incarnations!
Michael Douglas's Liberace is over the top, as he should be. And does sound like the man himself (what a confession, that surely gives my age away!). Oh and the costumes! The piano playing is very well done, you'd almost believe that it was Douglas himself.
Matt Damon as Scott, holds off being a vapid queen, although there are flashes here and there. He does look a bit like a young gay hustler of the period, without trying too hard!
Won't give away too much, go and see it for yourself!
Hopefully it isn't Steven Soderbergh's last film....he has said he is giving up directing to concentrate on painting....as it's great to look at.
And the characters...well, there is plenty to draw on and you could turn them both into terrible monsters - and to a certain degree that's how they appear - but both have some (however slight) redeeming qualities. Both Michael Douglas and Matt Damon have roles that are totally at odds with their usual filmic incarnations!
Michael Douglas's Liberace is over the top, as he should be. And does sound like the man himself (what a confession, that surely gives my age away!). Oh and the costumes! The piano playing is very well done, you'd almost believe that it was Douglas himself.
Matt Damon as Scott, holds off being a vapid queen, although there are flashes here and there. He does look a bit like a young gay hustler of the period, without trying too hard!
Won't give away too much, go and see it for yourself!
The Book of Mormon
Well, after the hype and the wait, was it worth it? The Prince of Wales Theatre (<http://www.princeofwalestheatrelondon.info>) was certainly full to overflowing!
Yes it was. In some respects I wasn't nearly as shocked as I was supposed to be. Perhaps I am just too old and jaded! The cast (and audience) were having a whale of a time. Lots of taboos brought into a completely strange context (AIDS, female circumcision, religion to name but a few!) - a jolly piece of musical theatre. And that's what it is...musical theatre, it's not political, it's not full of deep meaning - it's a lot of fun. And it is very camp!
Yes it was. In some respects I wasn't nearly as shocked as I was supposed to be. Perhaps I am just too old and jaded! The cast (and audience) were having a whale of a time. Lots of taboos brought into a completely strange context (AIDS, female circumcision, religion to name but a few!) - a jolly piece of musical theatre. And that's what it is...musical theatre, it's not political, it's not full of deep meaning - it's a lot of fun. And it is very camp!
Othello - The National Theatre
It is a few years since I have graced a theatre for a Shakespeare play, but the glowing reviews for Othello at the National (http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/) persuaded me it was time I went again. Indeed several of my friends had posted glowing comments on their Facebook pages.
Othello isn't a play I know intimately, I have the gist of the story and the characters. I did not realise it was so long, nor so funny in parts.
Nicholas Hytner's version with lighting by Jon Clark and designs by Vicki Mortimer is a triumph. The contemporary setting works well, without any obvious clunky references to objects that couldn't possibly be lying around! After all, it is about a general!
The cast is great and all equally deserving of praise. Olivia Vinall's Desdemona's final scene was very moving. Adrian Lester, well known on television, gave a gripping performance as Othello. And Rory Kinnear's Iago was compelling. To see him playing one person off against another, inciting murder or revenge was fascinating.
Othello isn't a play I know intimately, I have the gist of the story and the characters. I did not realise it was so long, nor so funny in parts.
Nicholas Hytner's version with lighting by Jon Clark and designs by Vicki Mortimer is a triumph. The contemporary setting works well, without any obvious clunky references to objects that couldn't possibly be lying around! After all, it is about a general!
The cast is great and all equally deserving of praise. Olivia Vinall's Desdemona's final scene was very moving. Adrian Lester, well known on television, gave a gripping performance as Othello. And Rory Kinnear's Iago was compelling. To see him playing one person off against another, inciting murder or revenge was fascinating.
Friday, 24 May 2013
La Donna Del Lago at the Royal Opera House
Well, not being hugely knowledgeable about Rossini, I was keen to see the new production of La Donna del Lago at the Royal Opera House ( <http://www.roh.org.uk> ) - if only to see Joyce DiDonato (for the second time and in a very different role). <http://www.joycedidonato.com>
I had (foolishly?) read some reviews before going along last night (23.5.13) and so knew a little of what was in store. Should we believe reviews? Should we let them colour our views? Hmm, hard to decide.....anyway, all the reviews I read suggested that the staging caused problems with the enjoyment of the opera. And, sadly, I am inclined to agree with them. Too much "business", too much time spent running up and down the large staircase in Act 1 (thankfully it is destroyed for Act 2!). The staging is fussy and confusing. The lighting, however, in parts, was extremely effective.
Musically it was fabulous! Coming 'cold' to the piece turned it into a complete revelation! Some lovely arias. Some lovely duets. Some clever bits where three or four characters were singing. Of course we have to mention La DiDonato as Elena - sensational. What a voice! What a performance! And she was supported by a great cast too: Juan Diego Flórez as the King of Scotland ('Uberto') was brilliant. Daniela Barcellona as Malcom (Elena's lover) has a fantastic voice and the duet with Elena was spine tingling! Words of praise must also go to Colin Lee as Rodrigo, Simón Orfila as Duglas, Justina Gringyte as Albina and Robin Leggate as Serano (the latter two drifting in and out of the Scottish action to be rooted in the 19th century museum.
If you get a chance - go. Difficult as it's a sellout. If not, try one of the live relays to a cinema near you!
I had (foolishly?) read some reviews before going along last night (23.5.13) and so knew a little of what was in store. Should we believe reviews? Should we let them colour our views? Hmm, hard to decide.....anyway, all the reviews I read suggested that the staging caused problems with the enjoyment of the opera. And, sadly, I am inclined to agree with them. Too much "business", too much time spent running up and down the large staircase in Act 1 (thankfully it is destroyed for Act 2!). The staging is fussy and confusing. The lighting, however, in parts, was extremely effective.
Musically it was fabulous! Coming 'cold' to the piece turned it into a complete revelation! Some lovely arias. Some lovely duets. Some clever bits where three or four characters were singing. Of course we have to mention La DiDonato as Elena - sensational. What a voice! What a performance! And she was supported by a great cast too: Juan Diego Flórez as the King of Scotland ('Uberto') was brilliant. Daniela Barcellona as Malcom (Elena's lover) has a fantastic voice and the duet with Elena was spine tingling! Words of praise must also go to Colin Lee as Rodrigo, Simón Orfila as Duglas, Justina Gringyte as Albina and Robin Leggate as Serano (the latter two drifting in and out of the Scottish action to be rooted in the 19th century museum.
If you get a chance - go. Difficult as it's a sellout. If not, try one of the live relays to a cinema near you!
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