A grand day out
Last few hours of solitary before husband arrives home from his trip. Made the most of a fabulous day in London yesterday with kehlen_crow, who is currently having a holiday with a group of friends in the city. We managed to pack a huge amount into the day, commencing at Baker Street, where after viewing the statue to Sherlock Holmes which stands on Marylebone Road, we visited the Sherlock Holmes museum. Went to Speedy's for a lunchtime snack. The weather was good enough to sit outside, whereupon we were genially accosted by two women, one of whom runs a media studies course at an English university, and has done detailed research on Sherlock filming locations in London. Very interesting.
After Speedy's, changed fandom hats so to speak, and took a walk along the Euston Road to Kings Cross. Pointed out the platform 9 3/4 'trolley in the wall' situated adjacent to the real platform 9 of the station's new western concourse. Incidentally the old station concourse is looking very bleak and boarded up. Hopefully development of that gloomy space will begin soon.
Hopped on the trusty tube to Hampstead, and enjoyed another little respite in the sun - such a rare treat this year - in the square behind the theatre prior to our matinée. The revival of The Judas Kiss by David Hare has received good reviews, and I must say that we both enjoyed it immensely.
The two acts take place just before Oscar Wilde's arrest, and then shortly after his release from prison two years later. In both instances, Oscar (Rupert Everett) is being torn between the (Selfish? Deluded?) demands of Bosie (Freddie Fox) and the (Sensible? Self-preserving?) advice of his first male lover and supporter Robbie Ross (Cal Macaninch). These three characters make up the main tug of war upon Wilde's physical persona and conscience. The dilemma in both instances is very real, finances very finite, Wilde's love of his children a heartbreaking feature - although of course there is much wit amidst the pathos. All three actors were fabulous. The supporting cast of three in the first act and one in the second, were also excellent. Was not expecting quite so much male nudity, but hey, who's complaining? Oscar certainly wasn't! The entirely Italian speaking 'Galileo' in act two deserves especial mention for his totally unselfconscious abandon. I would give you a few deliciously naughty descriptive quotes about him straight from Oscar's own lips, but alas I gifted my play script to my companion of the day. :-))
Of course the play ends on a sad note, as we know that Wilde's days were numbered. Ill health and disappointment were Wilde's most constant companions until his early death aged 46 only three years after these events. Robbie Ross, his doggedly faithful friend fared little better, also a social outcast and not seeing the age of fifty. Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas on the other hand lived a long and full life - beset by problems, including a stint in gaol himself, but always displaying that aristocratic sense of entitlement and talent for self-preservation. It is hard to like the character, but Oscar's adoration of Bosie despite his petulant faults is understandable as they had together experienced the perfect example of the love that dared not speak its name - that is, the love between an older man and a classically beautiful youth. With Bosie as played by Freddie Fox, as with Jude Law's film portrayal to Stephen Fry's Wilde, this appeared entirely credible.
We reeled out of the Hampstead Theatre and made our way to the National. Scenes from an Execution is a new play still in preview, and whilst very thought provoking - and indeed covering quite similar themes about the life and integrity of an artist, in this case fictional - seemed slightly muddled and incoherent in comparison. I'm not sure that the 16th century/modern day mix always worked. The cast is lead by Fiona shaw and Tim McInnery, both of whom were extremely strong as expected. Nice to see Jamie Ballard again, recognised from both Antigone plus Emperor and Galilean, and also Ian Hallard (spouse of Mark Gatiss) for the first time. Staging was dramatic and interesting. Good use of movement via various set moving devices. However it's a huge, rambling piece right now that overall just seems to lack punch. Presumably things will be tightened up before press night. I await with interest to read what the critics have to say.
All in all a massive day out. Many thanks to Kehlen for agreeing to join me in one of my madcap pursuits to make the most of an off-peak day return train fare. Very happy to do it all again sometime, but have to admit to total exhaustion right now. Luckily all I have to do today is open the gates to let my husband and his motorbike back into the driveway. :-))
After Speedy's, changed fandom hats so to speak, and took a walk along the Euston Road to Kings Cross. Pointed out the platform 9 3/4 'trolley in the wall' situated adjacent to the real platform 9 of the station's new western concourse. Incidentally the old station concourse is looking very bleak and boarded up. Hopefully development of that gloomy space will begin soon.
Hopped on the trusty tube to Hampstead, and enjoyed another little respite in the sun - such a rare treat this year - in the square behind the theatre prior to our matinée. The revival of The Judas Kiss by David Hare has received good reviews, and I must say that we both enjoyed it immensely.
The two acts take place just before Oscar Wilde's arrest, and then shortly after his release from prison two years later. In both instances, Oscar (Rupert Everett) is being torn between the (Selfish? Deluded?) demands of Bosie (Freddie Fox) and the (Sensible? Self-preserving?) advice of his first male lover and supporter Robbie Ross (Cal Macaninch). These three characters make up the main tug of war upon Wilde's physical persona and conscience. The dilemma in both instances is very real, finances very finite, Wilde's love of his children a heartbreaking feature - although of course there is much wit amidst the pathos. All three actors were fabulous. The supporting cast of three in the first act and one in the second, were also excellent. Was not expecting quite so much male nudity, but hey, who's complaining? Oscar certainly wasn't! The entirely Italian speaking 'Galileo' in act two deserves especial mention for his totally unselfconscious abandon. I would give you a few deliciously naughty descriptive quotes about him straight from Oscar's own lips, but alas I gifted my play script to my companion of the day. :-))
Of course the play ends on a sad note, as we know that Wilde's days were numbered. Ill health and disappointment were Wilde's most constant companions until his early death aged 46 only three years after these events. Robbie Ross, his doggedly faithful friend fared little better, also a social outcast and not seeing the age of fifty. Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas on the other hand lived a long and full life - beset by problems, including a stint in gaol himself, but always displaying that aristocratic sense of entitlement and talent for self-preservation. It is hard to like the character, but Oscar's adoration of Bosie despite his petulant faults is understandable as they had together experienced the perfect example of the love that dared not speak its name - that is, the love between an older man and a classically beautiful youth. With Bosie as played by Freddie Fox, as with Jude Law's film portrayal to Stephen Fry's Wilde, this appeared entirely credible.
We reeled out of the Hampstead Theatre and made our way to the National. Scenes from an Execution is a new play still in preview, and whilst very thought provoking - and indeed covering quite similar themes about the life and integrity of an artist, in this case fictional - seemed slightly muddled and incoherent in comparison. I'm not sure that the 16th century/modern day mix always worked. The cast is lead by Fiona shaw and Tim McInnery, both of whom were extremely strong as expected. Nice to see Jamie Ballard again, recognised from both Antigone plus Emperor and Galilean, and also Ian Hallard (spouse of Mark Gatiss) for the first time. Staging was dramatic and interesting. Good use of movement via various set moving devices. However it's a huge, rambling piece right now that overall just seems to lack punch. Presumably things will be tightened up before press night. I await with interest to read what the critics have to say.
All in all a massive day out. Many thanks to Kehlen for agreeing to join me in one of my madcap pursuits to make the most of an off-peak day return train fare. Very happy to do it all again sometime, but have to admit to total exhaustion right now. Luckily all I have to do today is open the gates to let my husband and his motorbike back into the driveway. :-))