Virginia Ironside’s take on reaching 60 and beyond at the Mercury in Colchester last night was a warmly funny 75 minute show, if a little formulaic in the topics discussed. Memory, book clubs, cruises, ridiculously energetic friends and ‘foot care’ all featured in a series of wry observations.
redandwhiterag
Comfy Cotswolds
Just back from a very pleasant week in the Cotswolds, preceded by a weekend in Bath with friends. The weather wasn’t always kind but it improved as the week went on. It was, however, very difficult to believe that it was the end of June on a couple of days when the temperature was more typically representative of a typical cold British autumnal day.
The Audience – Live Theatre Stream
A live screening of the Audience (from London’s Geilgud Theatre) at the Riverside Theatre, Woodbridge. Thoroughly enjoyed the play, which is a funny and moving if somewhat slight conceit where we get to see the imagined detail of the weekly meetings between prime minister(s) and Queen.
A Game Of Golf
Saw this last night at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester. Part of the Intimate Exchanges season, for a number of reasons this was the only one we got to see. Typically Alan Ayckbourn in its themes and humour, in this particular setting the two actors played seven distinct characters. Or, to be more accurate, Ruth Gibson played five and Gynfor Evans just the two.
Zero Dark Thirty
Finally got around to seeing Bigelow’s film about the search for and subsequent discovery and killing of Bin Laden. Undoubtedly a fine piece of film making but not without its issues. Whilst it has received many critical plaudits, it has also attracted a certain amount of controversy and criticism.
Spain Sojourn
Other than Barcelona, we have spent little or no time visiting the Spanish cities that are renowned for their history, architecture and culture which is, I’m sure you’ll agree, a remarkable oversight. Very pleased therefore to report on a pleasant week in a couple of lovely Spanish cities coupled with a pleasant trip down the Guadalquivir River. Fascinating to watch a relatively large ship navigate its way down quite a narrow river and its accompanying locks…..
Conviction Politics, Legacy and Controversy
As we await Margaret Thatcher ‘ceremonial’ funeral and continue to witness the ludicrous level of debate around the playing or not of a certain song on Radio 1, it’s a salutory lesson to rethink one’s own opinions of the Thatcher legacy and, importantly, her approach to political delivery. Sadly for me, the character traits I reluctantly admired in Thatcher appear, on reflection, to be shrouded in ambiguity……
War of the Worlds – Next Generation
Filmed in front of the sell out audience at the London O2 arena in December 2012, caught this Next Generation – Alive On Stage at the Riverside in Woodbridge. Part of its new digital and streaming service, although this obviously wasn’t streamed as most of the specialised productions are. Spectacular production, great sound and incredibly skilled playing from strings ensemble and (very) large band. Very enjoyable although …
Down The Mississippi (Big Wheel Keep On Turnin’)
We have a Frommer’s Guide to New Orleans dated 1996, which indicates just how long ago we first showed an interest in visiting the city. So when we spotted a trip down the Mississippi that finished in the ‘Big Easy’, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Especially as it took place on a beautiful paddle steamer river boat and visited a number of other southern state towns and cities, famous for both their civil war heritage and blues, soul, country and jazz music pedigrees. What’s not to like. We could never be accused of being tardy, it only took us 17 years to get round to it. And yes, we did still use the Frommer’s Guide.
Here are a few highlights….and in the spirit of the Simpsons’ “comic man” – longest post ever!…..
Ben Affleck’s Argo
I know Van Morrison once declared that “When I cleared up my diction I had nothing left to say” but is that really any excuse for half the dialogue in this film to be virtually unintelligible. Someone should have had a quiet (not too quiet) word with the sound editor!
Hitchcock
Excellent performances, particularly from Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren as the Mr and Mrs of the title and a pretty impressive overview of an ageing director still desperate to prove his relevance in an ever changing film business. Focusing on the 18 months or so during the production of Psycho, it doesn’t shy away from the manipulative and voyeuristic nature of the director, but also examines his …
Inspector Norse – Ipswich New Wolsey
The latest spoof from Lip Service’s Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding, this one plays mercilessly with our current fascination for all thrillers Nordic. The show ‘starts’ when the duo come on stage as a stage hand is still constructing the set with a cheap DIY flat-pack, which when assembled became a giant, reduced-to-clear paperback…..