So Shaz read the book when doing her A levels and I read it a while back.

My memory was of finding it difficult to to fathom. I assumed because of my imperfect French. However after watching the film we both decided that the story itself is not straightforward to comprehend!

An interesting film and the shooting in black and white adds to its ambience. A challenge understand the different threads of the story.

A good experience .

Originally a big success at the National Theatre, the play has transferred to the commercial sector. That is good for us as we missed the chance to see a performance at the NT. We were in the ‘gods’; high up and steep!

It must be good as Tom loved it.

The reviews are positive; The Guardian loved it and Time Out appreciative and more from the Standard.

On the walk back to the Elizabeth Line it sparked discussion with Shaz. Yes a good play, a great personal performance but still a 4stars rather than 5.

The performance by Rosamund Pike is very much worthy of the praise and awards. Amazing of her to maintain the intensity and versatility throughout and for so long.

The content of the play was everything experienced by a professional woman. Career v caring for your son, the guilt of the imperfect parenting job, the protection of your son, professional challenges as a woman; the sexist male lawyers, the jealousy at home of the barrister husband who has not made it to the bench, the conflict of professional role and protecting your son- accused of rape when as a judge you handle rape cases. Of course he husband plays the guitar. A smorgasbord of interactions that seem to lack direction and with so many, plausibility.

I feel more in line with The Observer view point;

‘Yet Miller’s play does not live up to the threat of its subject: a teenage boy accused, a family in disarray. Too much is familiar; too much is spelled out.’

A modern interpretation which worked, with modern. version of gang violence and suitable track suits/ shell suits with matching trainers.

On Friday I used the membership card to see the works of two well known artists of whom I know not very much.

An enjoyable trip in the company of Mark H. with pub lunch after with the Winter Olympic Games running on the tv in the background.

So before seeing the exhibition I had no idea that these two artists were contemporaries and rivals. Their styles and trajectory of success were quite different.

I appreciate Constable’s work particularly when he moved onto large canvases. This was when he gained more success and obtained membership of the Royal Society-I think.

The details in these large paintings is remarkable.

Turner’s works are different use of light. Some images struck me, more so his practice pieces! Later he incorporated the effect industrialisation on landscape and gave a greater reality to the scenes. Something Constable was slower to do.

The comparison of views of the new Waterloo bridge-one of celebrations of the opening with ships and flags and the other of a bridge difficult to see in the smog.

Overall nice time and good experience.

It is the most successful battery train so far apparently.

I don’t think it is the first time that I used the line, but it is not many. One stop to Drayton park after our Pilates class.

The train was full of nerds of many ages. Very excited, taking lots of pictures and videos.

Great

This time it was a fabulous experience. The choir of 99 and the orchestra did a great job.

The choir sang so well, perfect timing and a great vocal range. The soloists all did a fine job. We thought they the female alto coped with great vocal demands.

The orchestra was not huge in number but provided a great sound. I did not the work of the female bass player. She stood for the whole performance. Her accompaniment for ‘My Redeemer Liveth’ to the singing soprano was great to admire.

The music particularly after the first act just got better and better. One the better Messiah events for us. Great.

And the views from the bar’s balcony:

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.

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.