Gareth's Culture and Travel Blog

My life is an open book…..

Here you’ll find reviews of all the shows I’ve seen, travelogues (some with links to photo albums) for most of my overseas trips and, at the end of each month, a round of other stuff including opera, classical & contemporary music, film and art – in effect, it’s my diary in cyberspace. Read, comment or ignore as you wish!

17 Comments »

17 Responses

on April 13, 2010 at 9:56 am | Reply Fabienne Bernard

Hi Gareth,
Do you remember me? I am Yves Vidal wife.
Great to get intersting news from you.
Yves and I are not only stranger but worldwide travellers too.
All the best Fabienne
- on April 15, 2010 at 10:22 am | Reply garethjames
  
  Of course I remember you! As you can see from the ‘Travel’ archive, I continue my wanderlust! I now post a blog with photos after each trip (last one Ukraine this month) and have uploaded e-postcards from pre-blog trips going back as far as 1999. Hope you’re well and still enjoying your travels.
on August 23, 2010 at 12:55 pm | Reply Kenon Man

Hey Gareth,

Glad you had enjoyed Speechless! How was it different to the Opera?
- on August 24, 2010 at 7:33 am | Reply garethjames
  
  It’s by Erollen Warren and was at Almeida Opera. If I remember correctly, it focused almost entirely on the girls themselves and their relationship – there were no other characters? The trouble with opera is that the music helps create atmosphere and emotion but gets in the way of narrative and story-telling; the play has much more depth. I’ve told all my Welsh friends to catch the tour. If you bring it to London (like the equally wonderful Deep Cut) I’ll bring a coach party!
on December 10, 2010 at 12:13 am | Reply Richard

Good to see the contemporary music and food categories are holding up so well, but sorry to see circuses and rodeo not afforded greater prominence. The word “polymath” comes to mind, so its got to be dictionary compilation or the House of Lords. Hey! Am I really in the blogosphere?
on May 13, 2011 at 3:25 pm | Reply Megan

Hello,
I came across your website and found it alluring and exciting. I am a big fan of travel. If you could e-mail me back, that would be great. I just had a couple questions.
I look forward to hearing back from you soon! Have a great day.
- on May 14, 2011 at 7:20 am | Reply garethjames
  
  You can put your questions here in ‘comments’ and I’ll reply by email asap.
on June 14, 2011 at 8:59 am | Reply Betsan

What a revelation! Such fun to read and so much information. Keep up the good work Gareth.
on September 8, 2011 at 10:35 am | Reply Zoe Thomas-Webb

Hi Gareth,

I was wondering whether I could request a review for our production of “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” at the Bridewell Theatre from the 27th Sept – 1st Oct.

We will put 2 comp tickets on the door on any night you wish to attend.

I’ve attached some information I thought you might find useful. If you want any more information please do contact me.

Thank you in advance

Zoe

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
by Steven Adly Guirgis

27 Sept – 1 Oct 2011
The Bridewell Theatre, Bride Lane, London EC4Y 8EQ
Box Office: sedos.co.uk

Judas Iscariot feels alone. Vilified by all Christians for the last 2000 years for his betrayal of Jesus Christ, and has allegedly been condemned to the ninth circle of hell. It is a story with which we are all familiar. Perhaps the time has come for a reprieve?

Where better to try the case of Judas Iscariot vs God and the kingdom of Heaven and Earth than in a courtroom poised between heaven and hell. As the attorney for Judas’ defence states: “This is Purgatory…I got all day.”

In a contemporary dramatic exploration of an ancient debate we are given the chance to re-examine our own betrayals, our personal lapses of belief and who we need to look to for forgiveness. We are also reminded that the Jesus story is about normal people who swear, drink and sin – because sometimes it’s the best thing to do!

A rowdy and raucous ‘Comic-Biblical-Courtroom-Drama’ this production will grab you by your lapels, draw you in and deposit you right in the thick of the action. You’ll be sitting alongside the souls in the massiveness of God’s waiting room; you never know you might be sat next to Satan…

Tue 27 Sept – Sat 1 Oct, 7.30pm
Matinée Sat 1 Oct, 2.30pm
Tickets £12.50 (£10 concessions)

Charity night – Weds 28 Sept 2011, in aid of Half Moon

Saints & Sinners night – Fri 30 Sept 2011, tickets £15 (£12.50) including a heavenly programme and a wicked cocktail

Gala night at the Royal Courts of Justice – Thurs 13 Oct 2011, tickets £10 – £40, welcome drinks and canapés at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start

Box Office: sedos.co.uk
More information: sedos.co.uk/2011/lastdaysofjudasiscariot.htm
- on September 8, 2011 at 10:44 am | Reply garethjames
  
  Zoe – I’m afraid I’m out of the country for the entire run. Sorry!
on February 6, 2012 at 1:43 pm | Reply rawmatterial

Hello, if you are in London and free on the 18th Feb, it would be great to hear your view about Rawmatterial’s piece Relinquish, presented for the Vault Festival at the Old Vic Tunnels. Please let me know and I will reserve a ticket for you.

http://www.rawmatterial.org/blog
Facebook Rawmatterial
Twitter Ramanthiserevos

Thx

Looking forward to seeing you.

Best Wishes,
Maria Gaitanidi

Rawmatterial
Artistic Director
- on February 6, 2012 at 1:59 pm | Reply garethjames
  
  Thanks, but I’m afraid I’m in Wales on 18th. I will be at the Tunnels on 14th for The Sea Plays though!
on February 15, 2012 at 9:36 am | Reply Zoe Thomas-Webb

We would very much like to invite you to review our upcoming Shakespeare double-bill at the Etcetera Theatre, Camden from 21st February to 4th March. If you or one of your colleagues is interested in reviewing our show, please let me know at and I will notify the theatre to provide two complimentary tickets. The Etcetera Theatre website can be found at http://etceteratheatre.com/index.php?id=2&wod=02/21/2012.

I have included a short press note below for your information.

Thanks very much

Zoe
http://www.soitgoestheatre.com

‘After the success of our debut production of new writing, So it Goes decided a season of classics would solidify the company’s blooming reputation. Producer Charles Golding retained the double-bill format, challenging the directors to produce a fringe abridgement of a Shakespeare comedy and tragedy. So it Goes partner Douglas Baker took the tragedy slot choosing Othello, with guest director Zoe Thomas-Webb joining the company and selecting the comedy with Much Ado About Nothing. These young, hungry creatives are keen to take up the task!

Othello is set against a timeless backdrop in a familiar world of ambition and deception; viewed through the eyes of anti-hero Iago. Baker’s vision centres on the experience of bereavement and the power that personality can have over friends, colleagues and lovers.

Much Ado About Nothing skips forward to a post-war 1940′s Sicily, where cynicism brought about by years of conflict and a macho culture is atoned for by irrepressible love and friendship. Zoe-Thomas Webb has focused on the wit of the script, avoiding slapstick and sentimentality.’
on April 4, 2012 at 5:22 pm | Reply Isabelle Gill

Hi Gareth

Do let us know if you can make it

The Courtyard Theatre is pleased to invite you to a staged reading of ‘Einstein’s Daughter’ by Rob Johnston, winner of The King’s Cross Award for New Writing 2011, at 1pm on Thursday 19th April 2012.

The Courtyard Theatre

proudly presents:

The King’s Cross Award for New Writing 2011

You are cordially invited to a staged reading of the winning play, Einstein’s Daughter by Rob Johnston on:

Thursday 19th April at 1pm

at:

The Courtyard Theatre

Bowling Green Walk

40 Pitfield StreetLondon

N1 6EU

Please RSVP to

Isabelle Gill isabelle@thecourtyard.org.uk 020 7739 6868

Rob Johnston and the judging panel will be available for interview via email and telephone before and on the day of the reading.

Refreshments will be provided before and after the reading.
- on April 5, 2012 at 12:19 am | Reply garethjames
  
  Thanks but I’m afraid I won’t be able to come. Gareth
on April 18, 2012 at 11:05 am | Reply rawmatterial

Dear Gareth

Rawmatterial is delighted to invite you and a guest to Tauris City – Crossbred Dialogues on Tuesday 1 May (please see details below). After a successful performance at the Old Vic Tunnels in February, exploring British new writing, Rawmatterial is making its debut with an unexpected take on classical masterpieces, interpreting fragments from Euripides’ Iphigenia in Tauris and Plato’s Critias. This celebration of ancient dramatic dialogues is based on a pioneering theatre approach developed by Russian Director Anatoli Vassiliev (more info here), not yet seen in the UK, and will be followed by an open discussion with the public.

Please find all information about our orgnisation on http://www.rawmatterial.org/blog, and do not hesitate to contact us if you would like.

I hope you will be able to join us and look forward to meeting you.

With all best wishes

Sylvain

Tauris City – Crossbred Dialogues

Hellenic Centre

16-18 Paddington Street London (map here)

Tuesday 1 May, 7.15pm

Across the Black Sea, on the shore of Tauris, a land prone to violent sacrifices, two Greeks arrive, finding redemption on their way back to Athens. Tangled in Plato’s dialogical webs, two actors, Maria Gaitanidi and Stephane Poliakov, weave nets and construct traps.

RSVP: Please send your RSVP to Sylvain at info@rawmatterial.org or call him on 07955061763

http://www.rawmatterial.org/blog

Sylvain Malburet

General Manager

Rawmatterial – International Artistic Laboratory

Challenge your senses
- on April 18, 2012 at 11:10 am | Reply garethjames
  
  Sadly I won’t be able to come. Good luck!