A review of London: Port City, an exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands based on archival material from the Port of London Authority. A reminder that this city on the Thames was once home to the world’s busiest port. London: Port City The last time we were at the Museum of London Docklands, it […]
A review of a visit to the Canal Museum near London’s King’s Cross Station. Another of London’s nice little specialty museums, this time with a dual story to tell. The Canal Museum I used to see signs for this museum from a bus route near King’s Cross Station. So the Canal Museum has been on […]
A review of Red Pitch, a new play by Tyrell Williams at the Bush Theatre. Contemporary, funny and generous, this energetic production is a great effort by a talented team. Red Pitch I don’t know quite what I expected from a coming of age play about football, friendship and gentrification. But by the (figurative) final […]
An item off my museum bucket list as I visit the Bethlem Museum of the Mind in Beckenham, South London. A very contemporary look at mental health diagnoses and treatment, as well as an intriguing temporary exhibition featuring the cats of Louis Wain. A Potted History of Bethlem Hospital Few institutions that we now know […]
A review of an outing to English Heritage’s Ranger’s House and Wernher Collection, on the border between Blackheath and Greenwich Park. A homeless collection and a collection-less house: a match made in heaven? Ranger’s House – A History Have you heard of the Ranger’s House? I don’t blame you if you haven’t, I’m sure many […]
A review of An Unfinished Man at the Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick. Dipo Baruwa-Etti’s innovative new play explores belief, tradition and mental health through the character of Kayode. An Unfinished Man Belief is an interesting thing. Particularly the ability of different belief systems to coexist. This is explored to great effect by Dipo Baruwa-Etti […]
A review of Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 1950s – Now, on at Tate Britain. An interesting exhibition, but does it go far enough in exploring what lies beneath the art? Life Between Islands There’s an interesting statement at the entrance to Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 1950s – Now, which sets out the Tate’s […]
A review of Cyrano de Bergerac at the Harold Pinter Theatre. This new version by Martin Crimp treads an interesting line between the classical and contemporary. Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmond Rostand Cyrano de Bergerac is a relatively well known story. A witty poet, in love with his cousin Roxane, employs his way with words […]
A review of Hogarth and Europe, on at Tate Britain. This sprawling exhibition certainly has a great number of Hogarths on display. If only it was a little more focused. Hogarth and Europe I had seen some reaction to this exhibition before I saw the exhibition itself. So I knew the Tate had done something […]
A description of a visit to the South London Gallery, including their two current exhibitions, Bloomsberg New Contemporaries 2021 and Shut the Club Down. Intriguing gallery spaces show the development of South East London’s suburban communities. The South London Gallery The South London Gallery is an arts venue close to home for me. Just around […]