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.
Theatre, Film, Arts
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.
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 …
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…..
Amour in Aldeburgh
No, not a romantic trip to Suffolk’s favourite haunt for weekend Londoners with more money than sense, but a visit to the town’s cinema to catch the very fine French film “Amour”, directed by Michael Haneke…….
More Comedy In Ipswich
Back into the metropolis that is Ipswich (fading by the day, it has to be said) for two consecutive nights of comedy. Both stand-up, but very different approaches, themes and styles. One overtly political and satirical, the other more whimsical, the humour to be found in the mundane….
Dara O Briain – Ipswich Regent
Thoroughly entertaining, high energy and intelligent stand up. TV psychics, astrology and school nativity plays in secular schools all come in for a gentle hammering and the speed he picks up on material from his interaction with the audience is truly remarkable. Clearly ‘big of brain’ and wide ranging in his subject matter, it’s refreshing to see him also hit the easy target with relish …
Importance of Being Earnest – Mercury, Colchester
Good, solid production of the Oscar Wilde ‘classic’. Played as naturalistically as the period will allow, the dialogue was delivered crisply and clearly; and given that the script is everything in this play, both cleverly delivered monologues and wordy interplay needed to be spot on. All the performances were well executed, and Diane Fletcher’s Lady Bracknell was particularly good. How to deliver the ‘Handbag’ line? Cleverly avoided …
London and Heritage in a package
Having sadly had to recently wrestle with personal bereavement and subsequent funeral arrangements et al, a two night break to London was a chance to relax a little and recharge the batteries. Coming after Mum’s sad death (October 4th 2012), it was a welcome distraction…