A review of On The Ropes, a dramatised true story co-written by former boxer Vernon Vanriel. Over twelve rounds in the ring we chart heady highs, personal lows, and a case study in the inhumanity of the ‘hostile environment’. Vernon ‘The Entertainer’ Vanriel You may have seen renewed press coverage this week of Vernon Vanriel’s […]
A review of Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery. This is an exceptionally good opportunity to get up close to Freud’s works and see the development of his artistic style. Just don’t expect it to be a comfortable experience. Lucian Freud Like so many 20th Century artists (and the point of this previous […]
The Salterton Arts Review of Antigone at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park. A clever retelling, but in a production that may be too much of a blunt instrument. Hello Again, Antigone The last time I came to Baker Street it was to see an updated retelling of Sophocles’ Antigone (Anti-Gone by Xameleon at […]
A description of a visit to Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge. This National Trust property primarily tells the story of an Anglo-American family’s tenure in a site steeped in history. Anglesey Abbey, Home To 1st Baron Fairhaven As stately homes go, the story of Anglesey Abbey is quite an interesting one. It’s not like a Blenheim […]
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 the exhibition Late Constable at the Royal Academy. This small and self-contained exhibition has me reflecting on the very British nature of Constable’s art and legacy. Late Constable Constable is an interesting artist. He is a well-liked figure within his native Britain (nowadays, that is – he was late to find success […]
A review of Frans Hals: The Male Portrait, a temporary exhibition now on at the Wallace Collection in London. This intimate look at a selection of Hals’s works shines a light on broader questions of masculinity as well as celebrating the artist’s skill. Frans Hals: The Male Portrait It has been some time since I […]
A description of a walking tour around Battersea, following a 1970s guidebook. An autumnal stroll reveals that there is much more to Battersea than parks and power stations. Discovering Battersea It has been a while since I have published any walks from the assorted 1970s books of John Wittich, but autumn is quite a nice […]
In Part I of this write-up of my recent experience walking Hadrian’s Wall, I give you a potted history of the Wall, as well as some practical info on what it’s like to trek along its 135 km (84 miles). In Part II we will look at some of the forts and museums you can […]
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 […]
