A day in Birmingham

[nineveh_uk]

I had a bit of a holiday on Saturday and took myself to Birmingham. By dint of finding myself breakfasted, dressed, and with things in the right handbag by 9:40am I headed off for the train in time to fit in several things before the day's main event of a matinee at the theatre.

First stop was the Hall of Memory on Centenary Square, which I might

Comments

[azdak]

That sounds like a truly fab day out. I can see why adult you is unconvinced by Midsummer Eve, though

[nineveh_uk]

I don't claim to have high tastes in Edwardian art, but apparently glowing fairies are where I draw the line.

[sonetka]

Sounds fantastic, but I have to know more about the vampires -- they're immortal, of course, and sleep in the day; was Sleeping Beauty turned into one? That variation never occurred to me before, but now that I think of it it seems completely natural.

I don't think I've ever seen a dance performance with a recorded score. Of course, I've only ever seen them done in large theaters in large cities, or else in college venues where they can at least scrape together a student orchestra. (I was in one, once upon a time).

[nineveh_uk]

The vampires are a bit random. The rationale (so far as there is one) is that Sleeping Beauty, prior to the sleep part, is having some sort of secret romance with the gardener. But how can young love survive the princess sleeping for a hundred years? By the lover being bitten by vampire!Lilac fairy at the last moment before the interval, obviously! SB is not herself a vampire until right at the end (when there is also a vampire baby. The baby puppet, who opens and closes the whole thing, is one of the best bits).

The recorded score did work very well from a technical POV - I didn't actually realise until after the interval, when I thought "hang on, why aren't we clapping the conductor?" - and of course it is much cheaper, but I still don't really like it. I think the company has done a mix of live orchestra and recording according to production, and I know that recordings have been used by others for recitals, but I like a real band.

[mobile_alh]

Oh, yes! Now I remember seeng the telvised version all unexpectedly and enjoyng it no end.

Sounds like a wonderfully fulfilling day.