Two shows: one based on a novella, the other a warning of the rise of Nazism done as a Kafka-esque comedy. Guess which one was better? That's right, I'm all about plot over politics, and Turn of the Screw floated my boat in ways the Captain of Kopenpick could only hope to. Yeah, I do like plays to be political some times, and there's something to ( Read more... )

I managed to make it to opening night of Port at the National Theater on Monday - my first show of 5 in seven days. Am I really seeing that many? A puppet show Saturday, this on Monday, Turn of the Screw last night, a matinee (and half day) to see Phantom with lucybond and cavalorn and their daughter tomorrow, then The Captain of Köpenick on Friday ... actually it ( Read more... )

My theater going has taken a real hit since the New Year, as I vowed not to buy any more tickets until I'd actually gotten well. That said, I still had some tickets bought back in December when I thought I'd be returning to a healthy me in January, and I have managed to get all of them reviewed (except for the ballet I saw - but if I'm only seeing ( Read more... )

Well! Things are settling in post-kayak trip, and I'm seeing less theater, as expected. Okay, well, I've been to Sadler's Wells to see the San Francisco Ballet Company three times in seven days, but I've only been to see two plays: the Tiger Lillies Hamlet (tonight the last night) and Jonathan Pryce's King Lear at the Almeida. One was art, one was ( Read more... )

I will apparently never get around to writing up Sweeney Todd. The leads were obviously professional actors but the passion was gone and my night was very negatively affected by the rudeness of the audience up in the star-spangled rooftop of the theater. Use your phone? Talk? WHY NOT ( Read more... )

I've managed to make it out twice this week (despite my cold - number five since October), so I have reviews to share. The first is for a ballet show, "Draft Works at the Linbury," 10 different pieces by 10 different choreographers. This kind of thing is for hard core ballet fans - it's a way to see up and coming dancers and choreographers - kind ( Read more... )

I've been very naughty this December as I've seen about 15 shows and only bothered to write up about half of them. I'm trying to catch up over Christmas break (in between playing with Mary's potbellied piglet and reading "The Devil You Know") and this is where I am: one combo review for Richard II at the Donmar (good value for ten quid but not life ( Read more... )

After my oil class finished up, I came home and wrote up my review of Matilda. It's a fun musical, way better than anything I've ever seen on stage with that many kids before. I didn't think the songs were particularly memorable but since the story and production were so engaging that didn't bother me ( Read more... )

Well, I'm getting obsessed about getting a cat. I got a hot tip on some kittens in Lewes, but now it looks like it would be a month before I could go out and get them. Meanwhile there are kittens galore available in London. I suspect I will have a kitten soon one way or another ( Read more... )

After taking a bit of break from theater in general, I've come back with a vengeance this week. I went out for ballet both Thursday and Friday night, catching Dutch National Ballet at Sadlers Wells (last piece a bit Kirk/Spock slash a la Tom of Finland) and the Royal Ballet's new McGregor on Friday which turned out to have a much better debut piece ( Read more... )