Review : The Stories Behind London's Streets.

One of the goals I had set myself this year was to read more. I initially didn’t want to put down a target but eventually decided to try for at least one book per month. Two weeks after starting my first book, I have completed The Stories Behind London’s Streets by Peter Thurgood.  

I purchased this book a few years ago and have referenced it in previous blog posts about Secret London but had not previously read it from cover to cover.

As the title suggests, the book tells the stories behind some of London’s most famous streets, the buildings on the streets and the people who lived and worked there, including Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson.

Having grown up in London and visited many of the streets mentioned, I found this book fascinating. Many of the names and the stories featured were familiar, but the details added, enriched what I already knew and made me want to visit these places again to see them with new eyes and understanding.

The first newspaper to set up business in Fleet Street was The Daily Courant which started in March 1702. It consisted of news articles copied and pasted from European publications with a few items of local news. In 1785 it decided to spice things up a bit by reporting the murder of a young man who had become involved in another argument with a man on Fleet Street. The young man died after the other man slit his throat from ear to ear, almost taking off his head in the process.

Murder was not uncommon at that time, but serial killings were unheard of. However, what was to start became the stuff that books, films and musicals were based on. Not long after that murder, a young apprentice of 14yrs old was found dead at the back of St. Dunstan’s Church, his throat had also been slashed. Three days later, a second victim was found, murdered in the same way and in the following two weeks, three more bodies were found, all had been murdered and their throats slashed.

Around the same time that these murders were occurring, a young man opened a shop at 186 Fleet Street next door to St. Dunstan’s Church. No sooner had the man moved into the street, than the murders stopped – or at least no further bodies were found.

On the other side of St. Dunstan’s church there was another shop, the owner was a woman in her thirties who was forever looking out of the windows in the hope of catching some passing trade. Business was not doing well and she feared she would have to close if things didn’t improve.

The young man was having similar problems as he wasn’t getting the customers he had expected. Six weeks later however, both businesses were thriving. It seems the two had met by chance and entered into a partnership of crime together.

Their crimes were discovered when people at St. Dunstan’s church started complaining about awful smells which seemed to be coming from under the floors. The churchwarden contacted a friend who was a Bow Street Runner and together they entered the catacombs to investigate the smell. They eventually discovered a passageway with a number of rooms coming from it. 

The rooms were piled high with bodies - some of which were just skeletons, others were in various states of decomposition, but many with slices of flesh removed. Leaving the rooms they went back up the passageway and discovered that another passageway lead to both the young man’s shop and the woman’s shop.

The gruesome pair was none other than Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Margery Lovett whose shop was doing a roaring trade in meat pies made from the flesh of Todd’s victims, both were arrested and Sweeney Todd was taken from Newgate Prison and hung from a portable scaffold in front of thousands of people. Mrs Lovett escaped the gallows by killed herself by poisoning.

This was perhaps one of the more chilling stories in the book but it was also filled with a lot of historical information around various buildings that were destroyed during the Great Fire of London or the Blitz. It mentions what remains of various buildings and streets and so, when you are next in London, be sure to look out for them.

Next book: Alchemy, The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don’t Make Sense by Rory Sutherland.

The Taming of the Shrew and Twelfth Night - Propeller Theatre Company

If you’re one of those people who think a Shakespeare comedy isn’t funny, then you’ve clearly never seen one performed by the Propeller Theatre Company.

Recently I had the opportunity to see Propeller’s latest productions of The Taming of the Shrew and Twelfth Night at the Lowry Theatre in Salford and can honestly say that I can’t remember when I had enjoyed theatre so much. The energy and enthusiasm the cast invest into each scene had the audience in stitches from the opening scenes and held them captive until the end.

Propeller is an all-male theatre company formed back in the late 1990s under the direction of Ed Hall. They are renowned for the way in which they bring Shakespeare’s plays to life, offering a very modern take on such stalwart classics, making them both entertaining and enjoyable but also thought-provoking and comparable to society today. This year, their performances of Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew proved no exception. The liveliness and fast-paced delivery of the lines directed to the other performers as well as the audience created an informal atmosphere which drew the audience into each scene.

 

Once you get used to the language style, it is easy to get caught up in the stories being played out before you. Because of Propeller’s modern approach to each play, you find it easy to relate to the situation and characters and can empathise with them.

 

This was particularly so in the case of the Taming of the Shrew. At the beginning you admired the feisty character of Kate (Katherine) whilst also sympathising with her father for having such an unruly and headstrong daughter. On the other hand you were drawn to his other daughter Bianca but soon realised that your ideas were about to be tested. As the play progresses, you can see how much is made of Bianca’s beauty and that Kate’s boisterous behaviour is not admired but needs to be tamed. She is then subjected to cruelty and humiliation until she yields to the commands of her husband and becomes almost recognisable as the person we admired in the beginning. The transformation was at times comical but as you thought upon the situation more, you could see how Shakespeare and Propeller were challenging the concepts that beauty is to be admired and wild behaviour and out-spoken characters controlled. They also examine the theme of marrying for love and marrying for money and how sometimes the difference between the two is a very fine line. The cast performed this brilliantly but I particularly enjoyed Vince Leigh and Dan Wheeler as Petruchio and Kate respectively.

In Twelfth Night we see the classic tale of mistaken identities, transformations and deception. It looks at the question of what happens when you fall in love with the wrong person and the answer is often comical and heart wrenching. Having a man play a girl who in the course of the play disguises herself as a boy is also humorous but draws many parallels with situations in society today with people often hiding their sexuality to be accepted by society.  The way that Propeller’s male actors portray the female characters is done so cleverly that like the language, once you get used to it, you often forget about the actor as you are so engaged with the character and the play itself - their speech and movement as well as their facial expressions are so true to the female nature. This production was side-splittingly funny at times but also had some very poignant moments and you felt each of these emotions with the main characters.

 

I would thoroughly recommend seeing Propeller for yourself, not only will it give you a deeper appreciation and understanding of Shakespeare’s work but will keep you entertained and amused for hours. Be warned though, once you have seen them once, you will want to see them again and again. These were the  5th & 6th productions I have seen by Propeller and I have thoroughly enjoyed every one.

Look out also for the cast performing during the intervals of the shows. This year they are raising money for Target Ovarian Cancer and invite donations to be made through their just giving page www.justgiving.com/Propeller13.


For more details of Propeller’s current productions and tour dates see http://propeller.org.uk/current-productions

Review: Paul Stone - Reprise of Swing

It’s likely that you may not have heard of this guy before now, but the way things are going for Paul Stone, it won’t be long before his name is as familiar as some of the singers he pays tribute to with the release of his debut album Reprise of Swing.

Yorkshire based Paul, a former student at Leeds College of Music is currently touring the globe withhis 11-piece orchestra, bringing back the sound of Swing with that big band style in his own inimitable way. He’s appeared on local and national radio and also performed at a charity gala concert with pop legends The Osmonds last year.  His debut album, Reprise of Swing had a limited release just before Christmas 2012 but has just been released globally through itunes this month. 

Paul learned to love music at an early age and by the time he was 14yrs old, could play the piano, the violin and drums. He enjoys performing and for many years has entertained  as a solo artist or with his band at corporate events, charity nights and on cruise liners. He saw the way that his style of Swing appealed to the audiences and so set out to record his own album.  He has a fresh faced look with a smile that would rival a Cheshire cat. His voice and personality are well suited to Swing and it is impossible to see him perform without feeling upbeat, such is the energy and enthusiasm he exudes in his performance. I have known Paul for quite a few years now, having first met him when he sang as part of the duo Stone & King. I don't think he's aged a day since I last saw him and his positive attitude and cheerful disposition are quite contagious, you can't help but be happy when you're around him.

Reprise of Swing includes many well known and much loved favourites from both rock and pop genres, but with that added “Swing”. The songs included on the album work surprisingly well with this new sound and although I had been a bit dubious when I first read the track listing, I have to admit that the arrangements flow smoothly and give each song a new appeal.  That big band style  sound possesses quite a nostalgic feel with the cheerful and optimistic beat giving even the more sombre songs like With or Without You a positive feel.

 Watch Paul Stone live at Lakeside



 Album Tracklist
1.Don't You Forget About Me    
2.With or Without You
3.Lovely Day
4.Wicked Game
5.Beautiful Stranger
6.Long Train Running
7.Sex On Fire
8.Rise and Fall
9.Englishman in New York
10.Could It Be Magic
11.I Need Your Love
12.On the Road Again



I would find it hard to pick one favourite from amongst the tracks on offer but do have A Lovely Day, Long Train Running, An Englishman in New York and I Need Your Love on repeat on my ipod quite regularly.

To find out more about Paul Stone and his music click on one of the links below or order his album through Amazon, iTunes or Linn Records
Paul Stone Official Website
Paul Stone Twitter
Paul Stone Official Facebook Page

Remember in music, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing!”

Yinka Shonibare MBE - Fabric-ation

Yorkshire Sculpture Park 02March – 01Sept 2013.


This week I had the opportunity to attend a blogger’s event arranged by the lovely Emma Bearman  (www.theculturevulture.co.uk/blog) at Yorkshire Sculpture Park to preview the new exhibition for Yinka Shonibare MBE. I didn’t think I was familiar with his work until I did some research and saw that he had previously had a piece of work displayed on the 4th plinth at Trafalgar Square, a piece that I had seen and photographed on many occasions.

We were greeted at the park by YSP deputy curator Sarah Coulson, who led us through the exhibition, explaining more about each piece and the inspiration behind it as well as a brief biography of the artist himself, Yinka Shonibare.

Yinka was born in London in 1962 to Nigerian parents. He returned to Lagos aged three and remained there until his teens when he returned to London to study art.  In his work, Yinka often challenges the misconceptions that people have whether it is about a certain place or period in history.

The exhibition is set out over several rooms in the underground gallery with a couple of pieces also outside, although at the time of our visit it was a little too dark to see and appreciate these works. The pieces within the gallery though were very colourful and eye catching and engaged you immediately so that you wanted to study them in more detail.

What I liked about the exhibition and Yinka’s work is that it can be enjoyed on many levels and by people of all ages. Firstly, with every piece, you instantly notice the use of colour and bold prints on the fabric which are quite beautiful. However as you study each piece in more detail you are drawn into it and become aware of the other themes that are being explored. In many instances there seemed to be a reference to childhood, whether it was the size of the sculptures or the children’s toys used as part of them. These prompted me to think of how children often have more simplistic and fantastical views of things and yet are also blatantly honest in what they see - something which as adults we often fail to see.

Black Gold - photo from www.yinkashonibarembe.co.uk
 

I had many favourite pieces amongst the collection including: New York Toy Painting, consisting of many painted globes each adorned with figurines representing something traditionally associated with America or New York; Black – Gold a large piece of artwork adorning one wall which looks like a splash of oil with several smaller circles inside. It tells how Nigeria has been one of the main oil producers since the 1980’s with 80% of its exports being in oil yielding high values to government revenue. But Nigeria is also a place rife with corruption and the production of oil also raises many environmental issues. Despite all the wealth produced from the export of this oil, it is of little benefit to the Nigerian people; Alien Family, fabric sculptures that were bright, colourful and rather cute to look at but riding on flying machines that looked like they were designed by Leonardo da Vinci rather than the hi-tech spaceships you would expect.

Dysfunctional Family - photo from www.yinkashonibarembe.co.uk
 

I also enjoyed the room that seemed entirely devoted to Lord Nelson – from the brightly coloured cannon made as replica from HMS Victory to the paintings copied from old masters and imposed with a dying Nelson and other characters such as women and people from different nationalities that you might not have expected to see around the time of Nelson. However, if you study Nelson’s column in Trafalgar Square you will see at the bottom of the plinth 4 carvings from scenes on HMS Victory. One of them portrays how they were 19 different nationalities on board with Nelson, so what might have seemed artistic licence by many was actually correct.

My favourite piece though was the ballerina on a cloud. Like many of Yinka’s sculptures, the ballerina is headless and the skin tone used makes it impossible to identify a nationality. What immediately stood out for me was how beautiful and graceful the ballerina was, posed whilst dancing en Pointe with her arms stretched out either side of her. The attention to the detail of her leg and arm muscles was incredibly lifelike and the colours of her tutu and shoes all added to the aesthetics of the piece. Whilst you are busy admiring all of this, you perhaps don’t notice that the cloud she is dancing on is actually a black mushroom cloud. What Yinka alludes to here is that the ballerina is representative of the higher echelons of society who are so removed from reality that they are stood on a cloud and unaware of what is going on around them.

Flower Cloud - photo from www.yinkashonibarembe.com
 

Of the exhibitions I have been to, I found this to be one of the most enjoyable, not just because each piece was so visually captivating but because you are drawn in to study in greater detail and get to appreciate the thoughts and themes behind each work. Each piece challenges your initial perceptions leaving you with much to ponder over and talk about afterwards. I would thoroughly recommend a visit to this exhibition.

Thanks to Emma Bearman from www.theculturevulture.co.uk for organising the event and to Sarah Coulson for a fascinating insight into Yinka's work.

For more information on the artist http://www.yinkashonibarembe.com/
For information on Yorkshire Sculpture Park http://www.ysp.co.uk/

To read more about cultural events in the Yorkshire area http://www.theculturevulture.co.uk/blog

Julius Caesar - RSC

Late September, I had the opportunity to see not one, but two Shakespeare plays; Macbeth at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and Julius Caesar at The Alhambra Theatre in Bradford. Both were enjoyable in their own way, but my favourite by far was the RSC production of Julius Caesar, the on stage drama was gripping and the drama continued into the interval with a set malfunction adding to the intensity.

Set in Africa, the production was captivating from start to finish. I had initially wondered how it would translate to being set in Africa but have to admit it worked exceptionally well. The cast was made up from many well known actors who will have been familiar to many from their previous work in film and television and this had been part of the appeal for me to see the play. It was not a play I had studied or seen before so I made sure I read up on it before going to see it and was impressed by the reviews that I had seen.

The acting throughout was incredible, the famous soliloquies were exceptional and really captured the mood of the play. The entire cast gave outstanding performances but the real drama came from Paterson Joseph as Brutus and Ray Fearon as Mark Anthony.

The interval had a drama of its own when the safety curtain refused to raise at the end. The stage manager, theatre manager and RSC manager all came out to apologise for the delay which then turned into a cancellation. Everyone was offered a refund or the chance to see the evening performance. Someone asked if the cast might come out into the stalls area so that we could applaud their performances so far. In good nature they all came out and took bows and chatted to the audience at the front of the stalls. As they took their final bows, the safety curtain suddenly rose like a phoenix from the ashes and the RSC manager told a now delighted audience that the show would go on.

The second act seemed just as gripping and I was glad I hadn’t left early like so many others. Mark Anthony’s speech “Friends, Romans, Countrymen” was so powerful that he really brought the text to life. I wish I had seen productions like this when I studied Shakespeare at school as it really brought out the feeling and emotion of the piece.

At the end of the performance, the actors all came on stage to take their bows and applauded the audience for staying with them. It was a fantastic production and I dearly hope it gets released on DVD in the future.

Carousel – Opera North, Press Night, Leeds.

Last night, Opera North and The Grand Theatre in Leeds played host to a group of people it is always important to try and impress – the press. Critics, bloggers and news paper reviewers were amongst the audience to see Opera North’s production of Carousel. Obviously, the review I write for my blog will not have the same readership numbers as a reviewer from a national newspaper, but our views can nevertheless influence the public and whether or not they go and see the show for themselves.


For my part, having had the privilege of attending the sitzprobe for Carousel, I was eager to see the show in its entirety and see the set, the costumes and the music brought together on stage. I felt the same sense of anticipation from amongst my fellow bloggers who had also attended sitzprobe  and from my friend Jenny who I had brought along as my guest – she is also an avid fan of musicals and I thought it would be interesting to get her take on the evening as well.

There’s is something quite comforting about visiting The Grand in Leeds. Like its name suggest it is an impressive theatre; richly and intricately decorated and yet you feel very much at home there. The staff are always very welcoming and having attended quite a few events there, I feel like I am amongst old friends. Having attended sitzprobe and seen the orchestra and singers in a more informal setting, I felt like I was going back to re-visit friends and there were times throughout the evening when I felt an immense sense of pride for them as though watching a family member perform.

The show was everything it was promised to be; colourful, engaging, emotive, beautiful and inspiring. From the costumes to the music, the dancers, the staging, the orchestra, the principals and the chorus, everything came together so beautifully it seemed completely flawless.

I loved so many elements of the staging; the opening was particularly beautiful as the curtain rose to reveal another curtain with the world printed on it. Behind this, on the stage sat a young child and as the lights went up, it gave the appearance that the child was sitting on top of the world, it was so simple and yet so visually captivating. On another occasion spotlights on strips that had been used to illuminate parts  of the stage were bought in and set up in between carousel horses to make the fairground carousel – this too was wonderfully created and added a real feeling of nostalgia for the ride we knew and loved as children.

Another highlight for me was the dancing that appeared throughout the show but particularly during the song June is busting out All Over. The choreography was so well executed that you sat in amazement at how agile this dancers were. They complimented the tone and the feel of the music superbly and this gave the audience great pleasure and enjoyment.

Obviously being a musical, the main focus of the evening should be to the music and the musicians. To me they all sounded incredible and I think the fact that this is an opera company performing a musical as opposed to musical theatre singers really added to the richness of the sound and quality of the performances. The chorus were superb and there were some outstanding performances from amongst the principal singers in their various solo parts. I particularly enjoyed the duet between Gillene Herbert as Julie Jordan and Eric Greene as Billy Bigelow “If I Loved You”. This is one of the 3 most recognised songs in the musical and was sung with such emotion and feeling, it was easy to get caught up in the romance of the piece. Both my friend and I loved Eric’s voice which we felt had a great depth and richness to it but was also very powerful and yet soothing. The entire cast singing June is Busting Out All Over was also very enjoyable, not only because of its upbeat tempo that made you want to sing and clap along but because we had seen this piece rehearsed at Sitzprobe and now we were getting to see it in all its glory.

I think for most people though, the highlight of the show was the song You’ll Never Walk Alone. As I mentioned in my previous blog, this song takes place at one of the most heart wrenching points in the musical and judging by the reaction of the audience around me touched many people. The song is sung three times in the show; firstly, part of it is sung by Julie Jordan but because of the emotion her character is experiencing is continued by Nettie Fowler. At the start of this song when Julie is singing, she has just a piano accompaniment and as Nettie takes over the song she is joined by the full orchestra. The contrast between the two is hard to describe but it was incredibly powerful, moving and poignant and I doubt there were many dry eyes in the house following Elena Ferrari’s outstanding rendition of the piece. The third time the song is sung as a reprise at the end of the show and includes the full orchestra and chorus. This time the song has a more emblematic feel to it and although still highly emotional, it is also inspiring and moving.

Opera North never disappoint me with their productions. Whether it is an opera or musical theatre, each is performed to an incredibly high standard and always hits the spot both musically and emotionally. Carousel was no exception to this in that it was lively, engaging and beautiful as well as deeply moving, emotional and yet inspiring. Yes I would encourage you to go and see it but with two words of caution – wear waterproof mascara and take plenty of tissues!

Carousel will be at Leeds Grand Theatre from 2nd May – 19th May before moving to The Lowry at
Salford Quays 23rd-26th May and then The Barbican centre London 15th Aug – 15th Sep. For more information on Opera North’s production of Carousel and to book tickets go to http://www.operanorth.co.uk/productions/carousel

Carousel - Bloggers Event, Leeds

For someone who loves musicals and musical theatre as much as I do, the opportunity to attend the sitzprobe for Opera North’s forthcoming production of Carousel was one not to be missed.

Carousel was the second stage musical written by the collaborative team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein which premiered in 1945 and tells the story of Carousel barker Billy Bigelow and his romance with millworker Julie Jordan. Their romance costs them both their jobs and in attempt to provide for Julie and their unborn child, Billy gets involved in a robbery which ends disastrously. However, Billy is given the opportunity for just one day to go back and make amends for the mistakes he made in his life.

I am familiar with the musical having seen the 1956 film version starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. Like many of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, this one is filled with incredible songs, including the beautiful love song “If I Loved You”, the upbeat “June is Busting out all over”  and the heart wrenching “You’ll Never Walk Alone” which will be familiar to many as the adopted anthem of a certain UK football team. This is probably the most iconic song from the musical and although it is sung at the most tragic moment in the show, it is nevertheless an uplifting and inspiring piece and is guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye.

Having arrived at Leeds Grand Theatre, the home of Opera North, my fellow bloggers and I were introduced to Julia Gregg and Hannah Stockton from the press office along with other staff members from Opera North. We were shown pictures of the stage and set design as well as the costumes some of the cast would be wearing. We also had the opportunity to meet Opera North’s chorus master Timothy Burke who explained about the rehearsal process and the sitzprobe we would be seeing that day.

Whilst the orchestra and cast had been in rehearsals for a few weeks now, sitzprobe (literally translated as seated rehearsal) refers to when the orchestra and cast come together to rehearse. The sitzprobe was to be held in the Howard Assembly Room, a large and spacious hall which had excellent acoustics and from our seats in the balcony area afforded us a great view of the orchestra, the chorus and the principle singers. Tim had explained to us that whilst opera singers usually sing without microphones, they would be singing the musical wearing hidden mics usually concealed in their hair. During rehearsals though, they were without microphones and he said this would explain why they may not sound as loud. Tim’s job is to rehearse the chorus and singers but during the sitzprobe they are conducted by the orchestra director with Tim on hand to make notes of any changes to the score or where extra rehearsing might be needed.

It was quite thrilling to be sat with my fellow bloggers and get a preview of the show we would be seeing when it opens in just under 2 weeks time.  Whilst we did not see the entire rehearsal, we did get to hear the carousel waltz and the lively and catching June is Busting out all Over. The music was incredible and there were times when I could feel myself swaying along in time to the music. I think there was also more than just myself that left sitzprobe that day singing “June is Busting Out all Over”.The whole afternoon was quite insightful and I felt really privileged to have been able to attend and get a sneak peek behind the scenes. I felt that the whole experience gave me a deeper appreciation of the hard work that goes into putting on a show and will add to my enjoyment of seeing the show in its entirety.

If the taster we had of Carousel at the sitzprobe is anything to go by then the show is going to be sensational. Not only is it an incredible score but the fact that you have opera singers (and chorus) performing the numbers adds an extra special quality to the performance. The richness in their voices really compliments the lyrics and overall tone of the pieces performed and brings out the emotion in the more poignant songs.

Carousel will be at Leeds Grand Theatre from 2nd May – 19th May before moving to The Lowry at
Salford Quays 23rd-26th May and then The Barbican centre London 15th Aug – 15th Sep. It is also set for a run at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris in 2013 (which my friend Nick Garrett will be appearing in!)

For more information on Opera North’s production of Carousel and to book tickets go to http://www.operanorth.co.uk/productions/carousel

Look out for my next blog when I shall be reviewing the entire show after attending the press night on 5th May.

Review - Henry V (Propeller Theatre)

If the thought of going to see a play by William Shakespeare fills you with the same amount of excitement as a visit to the dentist for root canal work, then you clearly haven’t seen it performed by Propeller Theatre Company.


Their all-male cast present Shakespeare in such a way, that each play is given an innovative and contemporary setting but without tainting the original text and its intricate and eloquent language. Never more so was this the case than in their current production of Henry V which is charged with machismo, emphasizing physical strength, aggression and courage – quite fitting when telling the tale of one of the greatest leaders and warriors in English history and at a time when there is much attention on our troops serving abroad in Afghanistan. The sight of so many men in uniform – all extremely physically fit following their military fitness training was also enough to appeal to all of the females in the audience too!

Henry V has proven to be very popular in the past with many great actors playing the title role including Sir Richard Burton, Sir Laurence Olivier and more recently Kenneth Branagh. With such acting giants as these previously playing the title role it might have been tempting to copy some of their qualities but Propeller, in their own inimitable style have produced a Henry V unlike any other. Not only do you get superb performances in the acting, but this cast also sing and play their own musical accompaniments - and move the scenery as they go!

The staging was cleverly done, making full use of every inch of the performance area and using several props repeatedly for different scenes. I particularly liked the use of large crate lids which became the ramps on the landing crafts – reminiscent of the beach landings in Normandy during World War 2. Several scenes were visually dramatic including the fight scenes when the stage was filled with smoke and flashing light but also in the more sombre scenes when just a torch or a flame lit the actors face. The music also played a huge part in this production whether performed on or off stage to compliment the many soliloquies. Written and arranged by cast members Gunnar Cauthery and Nicholas Asbury, the harmonies were exquisite and rousing which really helped to bring out the various emotions of the play. There were also occasions when the music helped to introduce some of the lighter hearted moments of the play and my only disappointment was that we didn't get a singing performance in the interval as had been done in previous years.

The whole ensemble worked brilliantly together, a true band of brothers from which you felt a great sense of camaraderie between them. Several members of the cast played more than one part which often required a quick change of costume (and character) in the wings but was achieved with a seamless ease. There were many standout performances including; John Dougall as the French King and Duke of York, Karl Davies as “the boy” and Princess Katherine - forming an amusing sort of double act with Chris Myles as lady in waiting Alice and Tony Bell as always adding some light hearted moments in his portrayal of Mistress Quickly and Fluellen (with a brilliant welsh accent)


Dugald Bruce-Lockhart added a new dimension to King Henry in that as well as being an inspiring leader and military hero, you also saw a softer more vulnerable side when seeking the approval of his men and when mourning the dead. His delivery of the famous St. Crispin’s day speech came across as heartfelt and sincere as well as  quietly inspiring. Whilst other actors in the past have tended almost to shout out this speech as if addressing the entire audience as their troop, Dugald addressed his “happy few” in a much more sombre and quieter tone which made it feel more personal as though addressing a friend or brother and yet also gave a sense of the nervous anticipation felt at the thought of the impending battle. He also showed a great variety of emotion when seeing “the boy” dead, his sadness turned to anger and then when hearing of the number dead  a softer, humbler side as he declared that God had fought with them that day. There was also an irresistible, boyish sort of charm about him as he set about wooing Katherine which made his character even more likeable and appealing.

Propeller knows how to push the boundaries without going too far and without detracting from the original text. If you’ve never had much time for the works of Shakespeare before, then seeing them perform will change your whole perception of them.

For more details of the Propeller Theatre Company and their current tour of Henry V and The Winter’s Tale go to http://propeller.org.uk/home

Review - Behind the Scenes at the Hepworth Gallery

They say that Art is subjective in that it will mean something different to each person, indeed, ask several people how they would define art and you are likely to get many different definitions.

Art is not a subject I would claim to know a lot about, I have always enjoyed visiting art galleries and can remember being introduced to the works of Rembrandt and Van Gogh around the age of eight. I studied the Pre-Raphaelite era as part of my degree through the Open University and have always had a fondness for the Impressionist painters and what I guess might be termed traditional or classical art. When looking at paintings I like the kind that draws you into it and makes you feel part of the scene and I enjoy learning not just about the piece of art itself but the story behind it.

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a bloggers event at the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield for a behind the scenes glimpse of their forthcoming exhibition which opens 11^th February. I am ashamed to say that despite living in Wakefield for many years I had not visited the gallery since it opened in 2011. This visit therefore was a chance not just to see the gallery but also to learn more about their latest exhibition.

We were warmly welcomed by several of the curators and Simon Wallis, the director of the Hepworth Gallery. He spoke to us about the vision behind the gallery in encouraging the people of Yorkshire to embrace the arts and how they were trying to make art more accessible to people of all ages. Since its opening just 8 months ago the Hepworth Gallery has received some 385,000 visitors which is no small feat when you consider its location and the fact that all of these visitors are intentional rather than just passersby. The information in my press kit also told me that the gallery has already won several awards including The British Design Awards 2012  - Best Architectural Achievement and winner of the Conde Nast Travellers Award 2011 – Culture. It has also been nominated for the Art Fund Prize which if successful would not only afford them the prestigious title of Museum of the Year but also £100,000. For more details on this award and to vote for the Hepworth Gallery www.artfundprize.org.uk  

I was suitably impressed with the building which is very light and airy. The plain walls meant that you concentrated more on the art rather than being distracted by the decor and it complimented the art and sculptures on display, both being contemporary in design.

The new exhibition features the work of four contemporary artists; Ben Rivers, David Thorpe and Heather and Ivan Morison – using film, sculpture and installation and performance to explore our relationship to nature in the first of a series of spring exhibitions.

Knowing that the works on display were going to be of a contemporary nature, I was concerned that I wouldn’t fully understand the pieces or appreciate what the artist was trying to convey. I envisaged an Emperor’s new clothes scenario with everyone else looking on in great admiration whilst I just saw the bare materials. I was relieved therefore that we had the assistance of several curators and also two of the artists to explain their work and the inspiration behind it. As this was a behind the scenes look at the Preview, the galleries were still in the process of setting up the exhibitions which gave us the opportunity to see just how much work goes in to the opening.

The first exhibition we saw was the exhibition by David Thorpe which I liked immensely as it reminded me of William Morris and John Ruskin whose works I am familiar with. What I found interesting about the work on display was that David uses mediaeval techniques to create his work rather than mechanically mass produce it. Every piece is therefore done by hand including carving, leather cutting and painting. The exhibition includes two watercolours A Necessary Life (2011) and Revived Pattern (2010) and three sculptures Private Lives, Quiet Lives and The Collaborator (all 2010). I liked the detail of the leaves and berries and the intricacies of the carving and cutting but also enjoyed hearing how the underlying theme was that of a shield or defence. Whilst the installation of all the pieces was not quite complete it looked to be a very interesting and thought provoking exhibition.

The Collborator - David Thorpe

The next gallery we visited had been blacked out in order to showcase the award winning film made by Ben Rivers  - Slow Action. When the curator described the film as a post apocalyptic science fiction film I began to wonder just exactly what we would be seeing. The film was produced on 16mm film reel and is a combination of documentary, fiction and ethnographic study -  narrated by American writer Mark von Schlegell.

Ben was on hand to explain that the piece had been commissioned for Darwin’s 200^th anniversary by Picture This who are based in Bristol. He had started his research into the project by rereading some of Darwin’s better known publications such as Voyage of the Beagle and The Descent of Man. Ben’s idea was to show how islands’ biogeographys evolve differently when isolated and surrounded by unusual habitats. Based on a concept of Earth sometime in the future when sea levels have risen creating utopias that appear as future mini societies. For his film Ben travelled to the islands of Lanzarote, a popular island known for its beach resorts and yet one of the driest places on the planet; Gunkanjima, an island off the coast of Nagasaki containing a deserted city built on the rocks and formerly the home to thousands of families mining its reserves; Tuvalu, a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean; and Somerset a fictitious island.

Whilst we did get the chance to view some of the film footage, they were still in the process of setting up the wireless headphones and sound system so we were unable to hear any of the accompanying narration. Some of the scenes on the film looked incredible but it was hard to fully appreciate it without the sound and so I am determined to go back and visit the exhibition again in order to get the full effect. It was interesting though to meet the artist and to hear about his inspiration for the piece and the work involved in putting it together.

The final exhibit was by Heather and Ivan Morison whose work also includes a large sized sculpture of a black cloud which is located in the grounds of the Hepworth Gallery. In their latest work, they use objects, puppets and narration to present a piece of object theatre that tells the tale of love in foreboding times. It is based on the life and works of British Novelist Anna Kavan.

This was perhaps the exhibition that I found the hardest to identify with despite the explanations from the curator. Whilst I did admire the craftsmanship used in many of the objects and the materials they used, I found it hard to fully understand what was being portrayed. Admittedly this exhibition was also still being put together and so many parts of it were as yet unfinished but hopefully when it is completed it will be easier to comprehend and appreciate.

Overall I had a very enjoyable evening and gained a fascinating insight into the work of the gallery and that of the individual artists; what inspires them and how they go about their creative process. If you haven’t already been to the Hepworth Gallery, I would recommend a visit – especially during this upcoming exhibition – or during the half term holidays when they are holding special events for children.

I would like to thank the staff at the Hepworth Gallery for the opportunity to attend this behind the scenes preview and also Emma Bearman for organising this event with them .

 For more information about the Hepworth Gallery and its forthcoming exhibitions  http://www.hepworthwakefield.org/

Follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/HepworthGallery or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheHepworthWakefield

Review - The Winter's Tale (Propeller Theatre Group)

King Leontes seems to have it all; a son and heir (Mamillus) upon whom he dotes, a loving and adored Queen (Hermione) who is pregnant with their second child and a lifelong friend in King Polixenes. The beginning of the play is the” Happy Ever After” that so many stories conclude with except that in this instance, eternal happiness is short lived and the overall theme of the play is rather melancholic. King Leontes driven by some sort of mad jealousy begins to suspect his wife and friend of having an affair and his obsession with this sees him lose everything he once held dear; his son dies, his friend flees and his wife dies shortly after giving birth to their daughter. From this point, we watch how the characters rebuild their lives and how time plays a great part in the healing process.

Hermione’s daughter Perdita is abandoned in the wilds of Bohemia (by Antigonus who himself is killed by a bear) and is discovered by a kind Shepherd who raises her as his own daughter. Sixteen years pass and we see Perdita, now a young lady in love with Polixenes’ son Florizel. Polixenes on discovering his son’s romance with a shepherd’s daughter objects to their relationship and the pair flee to Sicilia - back to Perdita’s own country. Here we find that time has done much for Leontes who has repented of his earlier jealousies and is looking to make amends. Haunted by the memory of his son, who appears as a ghostly reminder in many scenes, he mourned the death of his wife and son every day and had ordered a statue to be erected in memory of Hermione. Eventually he is reunited with his daughter, her fiancée and his old friend Polixenes and upon visiting the memorial statue, discovers that his own wife Hermione did not die but had been hidden away for the last 16yrs. Their reunion is a happy one, but still we are reminded that not all ends well as we remember the death of Mamillus and Antigonus.

Ed Hall’s production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale was both touching and humorous and held the attention of the audience from start to finish. Even the weather outside seemed to pay a fitting tribute to the title of the piece. The staging whilst simplistic and minimal complimented the mood of each scene perfectly and the accompanying music cleverly arranged and superbly performed. The use of crystal glasses being played by the cast during the more sombre scenes added a very eerie but intensifying quality to them.

There were great performances from Robert Hands who portrayed Leontes’ downward spiral into despair and misery with such credibility and Richard Dempsey who gave Hermione gentle nobility and elegant dignity that you could not help but be drawn to their characters. Karl Davies provided some light hearted moments as the young and lovable shepherd but it was the incomparable Tony Bell who stole the show during these moments as the comical villain and con man Autolycus. His portrayal of Autolycus as a combination of Fagin and aging rock god as he stole from all the other characters had the audience in fits of laughter. Indeed it seemed that following on from last year’s performances, Tony was on a mission to have his character act even more outrageously than before – something which he accomplished with great ease and flair!

The whole ensemble is brilliantly cast and at times you forgot that the female roles where being played by men. The way the actors moved and gesticulated were so perfectly tuned you looked more at the character than the person portraying them.

Whilst the overall tone and theme of the play is rather melancholic, it is nonetheless entertaining and enjoyable. Propeller’s production of Shakespeare is both contemporary and traditional and appeals to and captivates its audience on many levels.

This is the third production by Propeller that I have seen and I have enjoyed each one for different reasons. Whilst The Winter’s Tale is not one of my favourite pieces by Shakespeare it was nevertheless compelling and entertaining and this production went a long way in improving my opinion of the play. I loved that the play contained a balance of comedy and tragedy as it emphasized the dichotomy of emotion in each scene and made it more captivating and enjoyable.

Propeller is currently on tour with The Winter’s Tale and Henry V. For more information on tour dates, http://propeller.org.uk/current-productions/henry-v-and-the-winters-tale/tour-details

One More Dawn , One Year On.........

A year ago, following the encouragement of a dear friend, I started writing a blog. It was to be a way of writing down my thoughts and musings on various themes and topics and also a way to share some of the experiences I had throughout the year. I wasn’t sure if anyone would read it, but I hoped it would help to improve my writing and give my thoughts a means to express themselves. Now approaching 8000 hits, it seems that my little blog has caught more than just the interest of a few close friends (even if the biggest search on it seems to be for pictures of Alfie Boe and his wife Sarah!) and I am thankful for the encouragement and support I’ve had to continue writing it.

As I look back over the past year I, like many others I know, can say it has truly been a rollercoaster of a ride. There have been many occasions of sadness and worry, both in my own life and in the lives of those dear to me. There have been some sad events experienced by members of my family this year; death, divorce, long term illness and redundancy being just some of them. I know of quite a few friends who will be starting the year facing difficult challenges in their lives and I’m sure we will all experience some difficulties in this New Year. However, hard as it may be, it is important to learn from these times and face the challenges head on, hoping that they will pass and leave us a stronger and better person. It’s also important to enjoy the happier times and enjoy each opportunity that comes our way. No day in our life will ever be the same and just as I said a year ago, each new dawn brings with it a new day and new opportunities and we should make the most of them. Come What May and Love It!

I have been very fortunate this past year to indulge in my passion for the arts and as I look back, I can count seeing six Shakespeare plays including Patrick Stewart in the Merchant of Venice, Dominic West in Othello, David Tennant in Much Ado About Nothing and my friend Dominic Tighe in Richard III and A Comedy of Errors.  I also attended the 447^th birthday celebrations of William Shakespeare in his home town of Stratford on Avon with my nephew Bradley & introduced him to some of the Bard’s work.

I was thrilled to see two light operas; Ruddigore and the Mikado and two operas; Carmen and Fidelio. Three of these productions were performed by the brilliant Opera North and I was delighted to be given the opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at both Carmen and Ruddigore through  social media networking events organised by Leeds based Emma Bearman and also to write an article for her own blog Culture Vultures. The insight I gained from these events gave me a deeper appreciation of all the work involved in putting on a production and the arts as a whole.  Seeing Fidelio, the only opera ever written by my favourite composer Beethoven was one of the hi-lights of my year and although I had been worried that the performance wouldn’t live up to my anticipation, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I was also fortunate to see Beethoven’s 5^th Symphony and Missa Solemnis performed by the wonderful Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra at the beautiful Lichfield Cathedral. My other musical highlights of the year were The Classic Brit Awards, 25^th Anniversary Concert for Phantom of the Opera, A Night with the Phantom (Ramin Karimloo) and also seeing old friends Blake and Thomas Spencer Wortley in concert.  When I see the events listed like this, I realise just how many great opportunities I have had and how lucky I am to have seen them all.

I met some wonderful people in 2011 including some of my favourite West End Stars such as John Owen-Jones, Ramin Karimloo, Hadley Fraser and David Tennant. I have also made some great friends along the way through social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook and as ever, my friends and family are my most treasured blessings. Their unwavering support throughout the year has been a great source of strength to me and I hope that in my own way I have helped them in their own times of difficulties.

I know that things won’t always be easy but I hope that we can all endure the trials we have to face and be there to support others as they face them. My new year’s resolution is to be a better friend and better person; to tell my friends how much I love them and look for ways to make new friends from strangers. One of the books I read this year was The Seventeen Second Miracle by Jason F Wright. It talks about looking for opportunities in your daily life to serve and help others and by doing so change your life and the lives of those you serve in just a few seconds.

As I look ahead to this New Year, I have many hopes for my own future and for my friends. I don’t know if they will come to pass but I look with a renewed determination to do all that I can to make the most of every opportunity, to seize the day and make each day one to remember. A New Year brings with it, new beginnings, new hopes and new opportunities and it is up to us what we do with them.

Tonight’s the night, the world begins again

Tomorrow we’ll discover what our God in Heaven has in store; one more dawn, one more day, one day more!

Happy New Year!!

Review: Autumn Greats – Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra & Jack Liebeck

How I came to be writing this review is quite a story in itself, in that one day I happened to start talking on Twitter to a guy who shared my interests in TV talent shows such as Strictly Come Dancing. I liked his honest and often hilarious comments about performances and we became Twitter pals. The man was none other than Alex Laing, Artistic Director of Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra (DECO).When I saw that the Orchestra were performing a concert of Autumn Greats at Lichfield Cathedral, which included works by some of my favourite composers and featuring as their special guest the Classical Brit award winning violinist Jack Liebeck, I just had to go!

Lichfield Cathedral

Despite living in nearby Burton on Trent for many years, I don’t think I have ever visited Lichfield Cathedral until now. It is a magnificent imposing building, very gothic in style and so intricately decorated with carvings of saints and apostles as well as other adornments – the detail in the stonework is quite remarkable. It is a stunning and beautiful piece of architecture that also has the most amazing acoustics inside and was a highly suitable venue for the evening’s performance as it really enhanced the sound of the orchestra.

Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra with Artistic Director Alex Laing

The Orchestra started the evening by playing Mozart’s Overture to Cosi fan tutte; a piece I am familiar with having seen the opera performed previously by Opera North. Despite being a fan of Mozart’s music, this opera isn’t one of my favourites as the storyline seems overly melodramatic. The music nevertheless is quite spectacular and in this performance, DECO brought out all the characteristics of the piece; the oboe solo, the frenzy of the strings as they build to a crescendo and are joined by the entire orchestra in quite a triumphant flourish. The sound quality was superb no doubt enhanced by the acoustics of the building which made it all very enjoyable.

Classical Brit Award Winner Jack Liebeck

The Orchestra were then joined by Classical Brit Award winner Jack Liebeck. I had seen Jack win his Classical Brit for Young British Classical Performer in 2010 at the Royal Albert Hall and had met him and his wife briefly afterwards. This was the first time that I had heard him perform live though and was eager to see just how good he was. He was accompanied by the orchestra in playing the sublime Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor. This is a well-known piece that always features high in the Classic Fm Hall of Fame and is considered to be an essential piece to master by all concert violinists. That’s not to say that piece is easy but it is a great opportunity to showcase the violinist’s technique and talent. The first movement opens with an almost immediate entry of the solo violin which is then repeated by the orchestra building up to some quite elaborate and intricate passages. At times Jack’s bow just seemed to fly across the strings in quite a frenzied manner and yet the sound produced seemed so effortless.

Jack Liebeck in rehearsal with DECO

I often think that the sign of a great piece of music is when you get so totally absorbed by it that everything else around you is lost and you get transported into the piece itself. Sitting in the Cathedral listening to this was just like that for me, the music was so exquisite and so wonderfully performed that you were totally transfixed by it.

The second movement is linked by one note from the bassoon and is so serene it has a great calming effect and is sublimely beautiful and almost sorrowful in places but this only adds to the beauty of the piece. In 1906, the year before his death, celebrated violinist Joseph Joachim told the guests at his 75th birthday party:
“The Germans have four violin concertos. The greatest, most uncompromising is Beethoven's. The one by Brahms vies with it in seriousness. The richest, the most seductive, was written by Max Bruch. But the most inward, the heart's jewel, is Mendelssohn's.” Listening to this piece being performed on Saturday, it was easy to see why this was considered the heart’s jewel.

The third movement starts in a similar vein to that of the second but soon builds up to a lively and quite vibrant finale which seemed so fast in places that it looked like Jack was playing twice as many notes than everyone else. It was a spectacular piece which Jack and the orchestra brought to life and had the audience in rapturous applause at the end. Truly spectacular!

After such an energetic performance, it was time for a break but the second half of the concert proved to be just as enjoyable in that it was Beethoven’s Symphony No 7.Whether consciously done or not I don’t know, but it linked well to the previous piece by Mendelssohn given the association between the two composers. In 1821, Beethoven had heard Mendelssohn play and had made quite a prophetic entry in one of his conversation books “Mendelssohn - 12 years old- promises much."

Anyone who knows me will know how much I love Beethoven and having grown up listening to his music have always enjoyed his symphonies particularly the 5th and 7th.I can still picture the 33” LP we had of his 7th symphony and when being asked as a child what I liked about Beethoven said that it was because you could play it loud! Listening to this performance tonight, transported me back to my childhood and the stories I would imagine in my mind whilst setting it to this music. For me, the piece is so expressive and full of emotions and I think the orchestra did a brilliant job in portraying this in their performance. I could go on in much more detail about this, detailing each movement but I would probably go on for longer than the concert itself!! Suffice it to say, each of the four movements was performed superbly and was incredibly emotive and poignant. Again the acoustics played an important part in the overall sound of the piece, but the orchestra did an outstanding job in bringing the music to life.

The concert lasted almost two hours but seemed to fly by so quickly, which was obviously a sign that it had gone well. Having now discovered this incredibly talented set of musicians for myself, I can assure you it won’t be the last time of seeing them perform.

For more information on their upcoming concerts: www.darwinensemble.co.uk/deco


Follow them on twitter: www.twitter.com/darwinensemble


Or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Darwin-Ensemble-Chamber-Orchestra/135743199796317

Review - A Night with the Phantom

“With one look, I can break your heart, with one look I play every part...when I speak it’s with my soul, I can play any role”.
These words were sung by the character Norma Desmond in the musical Sunset Boulevard and whilst it was not one of the songs performed in the concert, it certainly epitomised the characteristics of the performer.


Ramin Karimloo, famous for his roles in Phantom of the Opera and its sequel Love Never Dies and as revolutionary Enjolras in the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Miserables was for one night being himself and singing from a whole host of musicals in an evening entitled A Night with the Phantom.

I have been fortunate enough to see Ramin perform in Love Never Dies and at the 25th anniversary concerts of both Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera and always enjoy his performances. There is no doubt that he takes on the character of each of these roles brilliantly but I was eager to see how he would be minus the stage lights, make up and costumes – I was not disappointed.

Ramin performed at the Bridgewater Hall with the Manchester Concert Orchestra conducted by David Shrubsole and with special guests Olivia Jade Archbold and Celia Graham who played Christine in both Phantom musicals. For over two and a half hours they delighted the audience with songs from Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and many more well known and much loved musicals. It was also an opportunity to hear tracks from Ramin’s own album which is due for release in January 2012. If the tracks are representative of the album as a whole, we can be assured of a real treat.

What I enjoyed about the concert was not only the variety of musicals sung, but also the different musical styles performed. Ramin showed the versatility in his voice by performing Jazz numbers as well as up tempo numbers and powerful yet heart wrenching ballads. The expression in his voice and his mannerisms emphasised the beauty of the lyrics of each song and even if you weren’t familiar with the musical itself, you could feel the emotion of the piece. He has an incredibly powerful voice that can also be soft and calming and quite mellifluous. An example of this for me was the exquisite “If Ever I Would Leave You” from Camelot which was so poignant and beautiful it gave me goose bumps. I also enjoyed his performance of “Bring Him Home” which again was full of feeling and emotion and in many ways reminded me of Colm Wilkinson’s rendition - a great compliment. It was also lovely to hear him sing “Do Your Hear the People Sing” in its native language of French – not only that, but he got the audience to join in with the chorus which was very enjoyable.

One of the hi-lights was hearing Ramin perform songs from his new album and I particularly enjoyed the song “Constant Angel”, the lyrics to which will resonate in the hearts of all those that hear it and will be one of those songs that everyone will be able to relate to and bring their own meaning to.  The show ended (far too quickly in my mind) with some of the most gorgeous songs from Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies and I was glad to see this included Til I Hear You Sing Once More. This to me is one of the most beautifully stirring and yet heart wrenching song, so full of passion and longing and Ramin manages so effortlessly to convey each of these emotions, he was a joy to watch from start to finish.

After the performance I went to stage door to try and say a quick hello and can honestly say I have never seen such a reception as the one that awaited him as he left, there must literally have been hundreds there! Ramin came outside to rapturous applause and cheers and then stood patiently talking to the fans, signing autographs and posing for photographs. Ramin is a genuinely lovely guy, extremely polite and was truly touched by all the positive comments people made. Having heard some of the tracks appearing on his album, I can hardly wait for the release and eagerly wait til I hear him sing once more.

Ramin is making one more concert appearance for A Night with the Phantom at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton on Friday 4th November - to book tickets go to
http://www.mayflower.org.uk/event.asp?show=RAMIN11

Ramin will be taking over the role of Jean Valjean in the west end production of Les Miserables at the end of November. For more information and to book tickets contact Queens Theatre, London.
Ramin’s debut album due for release in January 2012 is available for pre-order through amazon.co.uk.

For more information on Ramin see his official website www.raminkarimloo.net or his twitter page www.twitter.com/raminkarimloo