Month: August 2015
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Stratford-Upon-Avon: Othello
Shakespeare’s funerary monument, Holy Trinity Church. We had seen a remarkable Othello two years ago at the National Theatre, with Adrian Lester as Othello and Rory Kinnear as Iago, set in a contemporary military garrison resembling those in Iraq or Afghanistan. We almost decided to skip Othello this time, so as not to overlay our…
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Grimeborn: Alternative Opera at the Arcola Theatre
The bar at Arcola Theatre, an exellent place for a glass of wine before the show. (You can take it in with you.) We love the Arcola Theatre, London’s most vibrant and ambitious alternative theatre. It’s up in Dalston, a maelstrom of multicultural life, once an area of dubious repute, but now verging on getting…
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“The Beaux’ Stratagem” at the National Theatre
National Theatre, London “The Beaux’ Stratagem” is usually thought of as a late example of Restoration Comedy, and that’s how I was thinking of it as we entered the Olivier. I didn’t know the play, but I was ready for a saucy, boisterous romp. It took a little while before I adjusted to its more…
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“A Number” at the Young Vic
Opera Singer Busking at Blackfriars Bridge The Young Vic is just a stroll east from the Old Vic, along the street called The Cut. (The two theatres have no connection with each other, by the way.) We like the Young Vic very well, for its adventurous programming and its pleasant and affordable cafe. So it…
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Back in London, August 2015
Judith at Gabriel’s Wharf We’re back, but we almost missed the plane! We arrived at the airport three hours before departure, pre-booked tickets and boarding passes in hand, checked in our luggage, and went off to have something to eat. They’d closed the Swiss Chalet in Terminal 3 (something to do with the PanAm Games)…