Category: Culture

Tosca

A trip to Covent Garden last night .

We have seen this before in Wellington but I did not remember the details. The ending is rememberable as Tosca commits suicide-last night by jumping through a window and for the Wellington performance by jumping off a wall.

I was up in the gods so the warmth became an issue. I enjoyed it, it became better as it progressed and I enjoyed the ‘hits’. The story was stronger and clearer than in some other operas and so easier to follow.

I have been listening to the music again today along with a few other operatic classics.

The Importance of Being Ernest

We went to this at the weekend and the effort to note it has come from reading a review in the FT.

A positive review and we certainly enjoyed it. I have seen it at least once before-many moons ago in Cannizzaro park as part of the outdoor theatre festival.

Stephen Fry makes a dominant impact and yes the performance of Merriman is very ‘Mrs Overalls’ and ‘soup…..’- great.

Well worth seeing the classic play done with a sting nod to gay life and identity.

More Tate

Another trip but this time to Tate Modern along with Joe. An option to use the membership again!

Some aboriginal art- some with a more modern presentation

Plus some good photos from a Czech including from the Soviet invasion of Prague.

Downpatrick and Prague

The one on the right is the same event I believe from which there is an iconic picture of a woman Pitt a flower in the barrel of a tank. Plus echoes of Tiananmen Square image.

Plus some other notables:

Tate Britain

As a result of this visit we are members again.

A recommendation from EQ to see Edward Burra:

I enjoyed most of his work. Early stuff less stimulating and later UK scenery less appealing. Interesting images of Franc and USA in the 1920 and 30s.

The violence of war in Spain then WW2 are hard to view.

He also loved music and helped in design for operas. One o f which was about the Govan area of Glasgow:

Proms 2025

During my recent trip to London for work I slipped in some culture. One event was a trip to the Royal Albert Hall to watch and listen to a Proms concert.

The main attraction was Beethoven’s Fifth.

The paino concerto was good to listen to and technically a great exhibition. The piece ‘Bruckner’s Skull’ was quite different and interesting.

I obtained my ticket on the day and so was a ‘Prommer’ for the first time- in the standing area in front of the stage. A good experience but hard on the feet by the end!

BBC radio

A trip to a theatre in Shepherds Bush to watch a pilot of a future BBC radio show ‘The Matt Forde Focus Group’. It’s the first time I have been to such a thing and was interesting to see how these things are done as well as enjoy the comedy and political commentary.

Thanks to Linda and the Perc.

Last week

A trip to London to work for MP prior to Easter and the trip was extended to see someone about my hip. More of that later.

A trip to see Brentford play at the Emirates- butI could only watch the first 30 minutes because I had to go off to Harrow for my quickly arranged MRI.

No Adrian there as he was apparently too mentally tired from the Real Madrid Champions League QF win. So Ben’s turn.

A trip to the National Portrait Gallery again. Hockney. Apparently he had little time to do it- still very good.

National Portrait Gallery

An afternoon of culture.

I have never been here before- but I have been to the National Gallery next door.

I was not really familiar with Francis Bacon beforehand. His work did not really get me going- but some more interesting pieces.

Based on his style and relationships, I suppose he had a troubling life.

The Planets with the NZSO

A trip with Shaz and Murray to the Michael Fowler last night.

We sat in row A- as I think we have done before. It does allow a great view of watching the very skilled performers close up- though it does give some neck ache and you do miss out on the members of the orchestra at the back.

Listening to ‘The Planets ‘was a great experience. So many ‘hits’ and so much t enjoy. Very much a proof that seeing music live provides something more and better.

The final movement -Mystic- contains errie voices singing at the end. So well done with the NZ Chamber Choir.

And this man played Elgar violin concerto.Again we could see his work close up in addition to the sweat coming down his face with all his work. Amazing to see. Remarkable skill on view. The music was good but I would need to listen again to see if a ‘grower’. He was featured on TVNZ during the week- teaching up and coming violinists.

WOMAD 2

A late update.

So here are some acts that made a greater imptession on us and were well worth the effort to see.

Local paper loves it

DAKHABRAKHA

A eclectic band from Ukraine whose music was varied and very interesting. They certainly were there to promote support their country’s current war with Russia.

GOOD HABITS

An English folk couple who play cello and accordion and who make innovative use of their instruments and ideas. They have spent a lot of time in New Zealand before, having become ‘trapped’ here during the pandemic lockdown.

LISA O’NEILL

The folk singer from Ireland who was the inspiration for us togo to the festival. She was on twice and the second time, at the more intimate stage, was bettr. A great voice aided simply by the guitar.

PONGO

An artist from Angola wasa good and surprise find. She was very engaging with he crowd and brought some liveliness to the proceedings.

Otherwise, Ziggy Marley was ok and Shaz loved Lady Shaker a Kiwi dance music purveyor/ DJ.