OPERA & MUSIC
Well it was a busy month for opera, with three each from Opera North in London and WNO in Cardiff plus one each at the ENO and Covent Garden.
I suppose none of the Opera North offerings were really opera. Skin Deep was a modern operetta about cosmetic surgery – a great idea with [...]
Archive for February, 2009
The Rest of February
Posted in Classical Music, Contemporary Music, Film, Opera, Theatre, tagged Classical Music, Contemporary Music, Film, Opera, Theatre on February 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Little Shop of Horrors
Posted in Theatre on February 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I’ve always loved this musical based on Roger Corman’s B movie and this is the third production I’ve seen.
With a chorus of three 60’s girl singers (called Crystal, Shirelle and Ronette – I had to explain why to my 20-something companion!), a man-eating plant and a sado-masochistic dentist, how could you not love it? There [...]
A Weekend in The Hague
Posted in Architecture, Art, Food & Wine, Travel, tagged Architecture, Art, Food & Wine, Travel on February 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
‘Why?’ I hear you ask. Before I went I would have said ‘Why Not?’ After the visit, I can report lots of good reasons for visiting this welcoming and interesting city with lovely buildings, canals and green spaces.
I landed on my feet accommodation-wise at one of the best examples of the ‘boutique’ hotel in a [...]
Shun-Kin
Posted in Theatre on February 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Complicite is a highly inventive theatre company and this is their second Japanese collaboration. If only the Barbican surtitles weren’t so far to the left and right and so high up! Many in the audience are faced with the choice of missing much of the gorgeous visual imagery or failing to understand the story as [...]
Saturday Night
Posted in Theatre, tagged Theatre on February 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
It’s a very early (the earliest!) Sondheim, but provided you don’t expect a fully fledged masterpiece, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this musical comedy fable with early examples of the wonderful music and clever lyrics that were to come.
This production betters the Bridewell (RIP) world premiere, largely because of the terrific ensemble. The musical standards are very [...]
Lucky Sods – Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds
Posted in Theatre, tagged Theatre on February 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This was more of an outing to see this newly renovated Georgian theatre than it was to see this play.
The play is ‘production line’ John Godber – four actors, basic set, populist theme (lottery winners), short scenes and a few laughs. Years ago this was safe Edinburgh fringe fare, now it’s staple touring fare. It’s [...]
Woman in Mind
Posted in Theatre on February 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This was a departure for Ayckbourn when it was first produced at the same theatre 23 years ago. It has less impact today and despite its timeless story – descent into madness – seems somewhat dated.
The biggest problem is the pacing as the first half drags and the second zips along.
There is no doubting Janie [...]
Spring Awakening
Posted in Theatre on February 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
When you go to the theatre as often as I do, it’s rare that you come out thinking ‘I’ve never seen anything like that before’. Well, here’s an exception.
A 19th century German play about adolescent sexual awakening in period costume with original character names and a barely changed storyline……where the actors frequently take a microphone and express [...]
