An article added to my blog on “The End of Term …” (LINKED) in schools then and now. It’s under ELT articles, but is possibly also “a rant.” It is of general interest rather than just ELT.
David Hare has re-imagined Ibsen’s Peer Gynt at the National Theatre, as PETER GYNT (follow link). This is a long, hugely theatrical production of the fantasy story with James McArdle in the lead role. It’s all in a contemporary setting with modern references. Incredible stagecraft (take a look at my review) but it veers from spectacular to boring. Unusually for the National Theatre, there were plenty of empty seats. You would get in. It’s worth it.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged David Hare, James McArdle, Jonathan Kent, Oliver Ford Davies, Paul Englishby | Leave a Comment »
Review added of PRESENT LAUGHTER by Noel Coward at The Old Vic (FOLLOW LINK). This version stars Andrew Scott and has been noted for ‘gender fluidity.’ Few plays ever get so many five star reviews as this production. I’ve given it a mildly mean four. Go to the review and find out.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Abdul Salis, Andrew Scott, Enzo Cilenti, Indira Varma, Joshua Hill, Kitty Archer, Liza Sadovy, Luke Thallon, Matthew Warchus, Sophie Thomson, Suzie Toase | Leave a Comment »
Review of the third of ther RSC’s major 2019 Shakespeare productions, MEASURE FOR MEASURE (linked) directed by Greg Doran. A major version … but read my review. Picture: Sandy Grierson as Angelo.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Amanda Harris, Antony Byrne, Claire Price, David Ajao, Graeme Brooks, Greg Doran, Jamres Cooney, Joseph Arkley, Lucy Phelps, Michael Patrick, Sandy Grierson, Tom Dawze | Leave a Comment »
Review of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” at the Theatre Royal Bath. This is a major production, starring Jennifer Saunders as Madame Arcati, the medium who conjures up the spirit of Charles Condamine’s first wife, much to the annoyance of his second wife. Great classic comedy. Definitely worth the trip to Bath.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Emma Naomi, Geoffrey Streatfield, Jennifer Saunders, Lisa Dillon, Lucy Robinson, Noel Coward, Richard Eyre, Rose Wardlaw, Simon Coates | Leave a Comment »
The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School “West Country Tour” is an annual highlight in smaller venues. This year they did a modern version of THE CANTERBURY TALES (linked). Great performances, but I thought the actual play text very poor. Not the fault of the young actors.
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Review added of Terence Rattigan’s THE DEEP BLUE SEA (LINKED) at The Minerva Theatre at Chichester. This is a key play in the Rattigan revival of the last 25 years, and this is the finest version of it we’ve seen. it avoids the slightly camp approach so often taken with Rattigan and reveals the play as a powerful piece of theatre.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Denise Black, Gerald Kyd, Hadley Fraser, Helena Wilson, Laurence Ubong Williams, Matthew Cottle, Nancy Carroll, Paul Foster, Ralph Davis. | Leave a Comment »
Review if David Hare’s play PLENTY (follow link to review) at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Seen at the end of its run, but so many Chichester productions move on to the West End. Considered one of David Hare’s best plays in 1978, it zig-zags back and forth between 1962 and 1943, with an agent from the SoE in France and the traumatic post-war effects.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Anthony Calf, Gemma Dobson, Kate Hewitt, Michah Balfour, Nik Sampson, Rachael Strirling, Rory Keenan, Rupert Young, Yolanda Kettle | Leave a Comment »
Here is the link to the full article on Nancy Sinatra. It is much longer than The Toppermost with many more quotes and pictures, plus details on the less well-known material. A quote from a 2004 NY Times article:
JODY ROSEN: In part, Ms. Sinatra was a victim of the cultural politics of her time. Rock ‘n’ roll divided the nation along generational lines, but Ms. Sinatra remained agnostic, a stubbornly independent hip square who kept a foot in both camps. Her high hemlines, big boots and tough-girl vocal style were nothing if not modern. But she also recorded standards, and she remained closely associated with her father, the towering symbol of the previous musical era. (The pair sang several duets, including the fizzy No. 1 hit “Somethin’ Stupid.”) From today’s perspective, her refusal to choose musical sides looks refreshingly cosmopolitan; but in the eyes of the first wave of rock critics, it placed her on the wrong side of the generational gulf.
New York Times, 26 September 2004
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Go to Toppermost for my latest article for the site (then explore the site for a toppermost on your favourite, or offer to do one if they’re not there. The latest one is on Nancy Sinatra. (LINKED) A must too for all Lee Hazlewood fans. This is a short version of a much longer article on my blog.
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