Theatre, Film, Arts

Norwich Birthday Bash

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A three night break in Norwich to celebrate the not to be mentioned birthday of an individual who goes under the moniker of Mrs. No Name. Riveting news includes the imparting of our mode of transport, which was the train, and a new hotel for us – I decreed that was a very risky thing to do but it proved to be a delightful break …

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Rushed But Not Radical

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Only booked three days or thereabouts before departure, so a ‘rushed’ reservation, but a two night break at the Wentworth Hotel is certainly not ‘radical’ as we have stayed there many times before. It was however disconcerting to note that our last visit was around two years ago. Far too long a gap before a return visit to our favourite Aldeburgh abode.

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The Artist and the Art….

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Tangentially prompted by a recent posting in the R&B Q&A section (specifically about Van Morrison and his lack of presence in the Primer section of this website), I have somewhat precariously decided to place an R&B music derived article into the main musings section – although, in my defence, this is fundamentally about more than one artist’s simple inclusion in a fan’s on-line tribute to a musical genre…it goes beyond the specifics of Larry’s question and debates the merits of valuing an artist’s work, irrespective or in spite of the individual’s own personal characteristics. As such, it has a far broader reach than Van The Man and yet he remains very much at its core. A complicated and divisive topic, but I’ve started now…..

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Sudbury, famous for…..

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being the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough and for the house within which he spent his childhood. We’ve been threatening to go for many years and, on Friday, we finally did. He later resided there (again), following the death of his father in 1748 and before his move to Ipswich.[6] The building still survives and is now a house-museum dedicated to his life and art. Thee house was (predominantly) the focus for the journey.

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Allelujah

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Went to the pictures on Sunday after a (very) long break to see the film of the Alan Bennett play Allelujah. I should note however that the film is actually scripted by Heidi Thomas (of TV’s Call The Midwife fame). It is set in a geriatric hospital unit in Yorkshire populated by lovable eccentrics and starring a formidable selection of seasoned British acting talent (Judi …

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It Snows In Benidorm

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Spent yesterday afternoon popping up to Aldeburgh to catch the late afternoon matinee of “It Snows In Benidorm“, primarily because it starred Timothy Spall, one of our favourite actors. Heard it described as “part noirish story about corruption and a missing person, part romantic comedy about a buttoned-up Brit who discovers a sensual side in a southern clime“. Not too sure as whilst anything with …

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London

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…..and then what?? Well, following the Seville trip and a measly four or five hours sleep, a quick pack and we were on the train to London for a three night stay. Originally set up before we managed to squeeze in the Seville break, hence the short turnaround time between trips. As we were at the Albert Hall the first night, we decided to try the delights of the Gore at Kensington….

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William Hone (You ask?)

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Another matinee at Wolsey Theatre yesterday, this time a comedy about a man I’d never heard of (neither man nor deed) by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman. Called ‘Trial by Laughter‘, the play focused almost exclusively on the three trials in three days that a man called Hone faced in December 1817. William Hone was a threadbare but talented London pamphleteer who was both persecuted and prosecuted …

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Habit Of Art at the Wolsey

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Popped along for a quick lunch followed by the matinee performance of Alan Bennett’s “Habit of Art” at the Wolsey Theatre yesterday afternoon. Excellently acted by Matthew Kelly and David Yelland as the two principals it is at its sharpest when the two old friends/rivals play a game of chance or luck with the words and music; and the play within a play is both …

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Bury Blast

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Spent yesterday in Bury, ostensibly for a matinee of “The Case of the Frightened Lady” at the intimate Bury Theatre Royal. Well, I say intimate but as a result of a late purchase we were up in the gallery. A combination of moderately uncomfortable seats, extreme heat and less than optimal acoustics lead to an early departure at the interval. I suggested leaving early and, …

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