What is with all the romantic comedies about abortion at the moment? I really came away from this plat with the same feeling I would about a film rom com: the complicated female character who has some things to deal with, the slightly flatter characterisation of the male character, who is supportive and nice and […]
Having read through a few reviews of the play, I don’t think I was the only one who disliked the 1970s setting of this staging of Richard III, currently on at Trafalgar Studios with Martin Freeman in the title role. In fact, not having purchased a programme on this occasion, I didn’t really understand the […]
This is a small but focused exhibition which readily achieves its dual aims of presenting the history of colour photography in Russia, and the history of Russia through colour photography. Spread over two floors of the Photographers’ Gallery in Central London, it is divided into chronological sections which show how colour technology developed in Russia […]
Nobody’s Baby Staged in the Paul Hamlyn Hall at the Royal Opera House, which is normally a pre-show bar and restaurant, Nobody’s Baby instead transformed the space into a 1930s American dance hall. And we, as the audience, became spectators at a dance marathon. Depression-era dance marathons, eventually outlawed, preyed on the destitute and […]
I was definitely in my art-geeky element in this exhibition, based on research by the National Gallery’s scientific department, and largely using works from the permanent collection. As the name suggests, it’s about making colour – the exhibition space is divided like a colour wheel, with rooms moving from blue to purple through green, yellow […]
Wow. Having been to see the Crucible last weekend at the Old Vic, I can safely say that time sometimes flies when you’re being emotionally wrung out. The intensity and power of this staging of Arthur Miller’s play are incredible, and are a credit to the actors, director and production team. The running time of […]
As exhibitions go, Paris 1900 is a very well put together one. It couldn’t be more relevant to its hosting institute (le Petit Palais was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle which is the early focus of the exhibition), sensibly divided into clear themes from art nouveau to women’s fashion to Parisian nightlife, and from […]
For those of you who, like me, have never seen a Cheek by Jowl production, or an Albert Jarry play for that matter, Ubu Roi is a shock to the system. The original play opened and closed on the 10th of December 1896, following an opening night riot which led to it being outlawed […]
Ok, I will admit it, I was somewhat prejudiced going into this exhibition as fashion is not really my thing and wouldn’t be my ideal choice of exhibition topic. And was I won over? Mostly, I think. There is no denying that the exhibition design is wonderful, and creates an immersive world, particularly through the […]
It seemed odd to me at the outset to revive a play about former lovers, with Bill Nighy in the same role he played in the initial West End transfer 18 years ago, and Carey Mulligan playing opposite him, but I was utterly convinced by the end of the evening. The star power of the […]