A review of Jack Absolute Flies Again, a reworking of Sheridan’s The Rivals, by Richard Bean and Oliver Chris. A rollicking romp set in a commandeered WWII airfield. The Rivals Reborn Long-time readers will know that I actually quite like walking in as an unprepared audience member. No prior assumptions, just taking things as they […]
A review of Canaletto’s Venice Revisited, opening 1 April at the National Maritime Museum. This impressive exhibition is a wonderful chance to see Canaletto’s largest commission up close. But with strong messages about climate change and mass tourism, you may wonder if you should visit La Serenissima for yourself. Canaletto’s Venice Revisited This review follows […]
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 […]
Two very enjoyable yet very different performances at London’s Barbican theatre have me asking – what is mime, anyway? Ok Tell Me – What Is Mime, Anyway? If this is a question I’m having to ask myself, then the London International Mime Festival seems like a good place to start. Although on the other hand, […]
A review of Young Poland, an exhibition exploring a very interesting movement in art, literature and music circa 1890-1918. Thoughtfully curated to connect to the William Morris Gallery, and a great opportunity to see art that is little represented in UK collections. Young Poland / Młoda Polska Here we are back again at the William […]
A review of Manor, now on at the National Theatre in London. What a misfire – where to start? Manor It’s not a good sign when National Theatre bar staff are politely deflecting questions from audience members about how something ended up on stage. After watching Manor, I was wondering this myself. Of all the […]
A review of a visit to the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga in Lisbon. This very traditional national art museum in the European tradition nevertheless has some distinctive sights to see. Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga Lisbon’s Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art) feels like a slightly odd place. It is […]
Once again we take a look at two plays currently on at the National Theatre. This time we have The Normal Heart, a passionate and heartbreaking play written during the AIDS epidemic, and East is East, the first production in the National’s Lyttleton theatre since early 2020. All Three Theatres In Action Once More! I […]
A whirlwind introduction to the British monarchy through royal portraits turns out to be refreshingly frank and interesting. A good avenue for the National Portrait Gallery to present their collection in a new way while they renovate their own building. Am I At The National Maritime Museum Or The National Portrait Gallery? A few institutions […]
A review of Paradise and Rockets and Blue Lights, both currently on at the National Theatre. Adapted by Kae Tempest and featuring Lesley Sharp, Paradise is a mostly successful modern version of a work by Sophocles. While Rockets and Blue Lights is a layered story exploring the historic trauma of enslavement and its legacy in […]
