My friend and colleague Jem Bloomfield has once again allowed me to insinuate myself into his Quite Irregular blog, this time with some thoughts on blindfolded musicians. I wrote this after the image of a blindfolded pianist glimpsed during the National Theatre’s current production of Edward II put me in mind of blindfolded musicians in … Continue reading
Author Archives: Caitlin McDonald
The Arras and I
If it has not yet come to your attention, I’ve developed a mild obsession with the word ‘arras’. I don’t mean the town in France, or the WordPress theme, or the Belgian cyclist, but that thing Polonius hides behind right before Hamlet stabs him. I don’t know what it is exactly that amuses me so. … Continue reading
Enchanted Evening
The London of my imagination is a nighttime city, a city of twinkling lights reflected in the Thames, of old-fashioned lampposts, of warm windows full of laughing people glowing into dim streets. Sometimes it’s even like that in real life. One night I walk home from seeing a show at the Globe and I feel … Continue reading
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread, and Code
“A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread–and Thou Beside me singing in the Wilderness– Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!” Quatrain XII, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, 5th ed. (trans. Edward FitzGerald) On the first Tuesday of every month, Victualler in Wapping hosts a wine tasting of organic, biodynamic … Continue reading
Powerful Contemporary Relevance: Blue Stockings at Shakespeare’s Globe
In a time when young women are still shot in the head for pursuing the right to an education, the conflicts explored in Jessica Swale’s first play, Blue Stockings, could not be more urgent. John Dove directs a witty and rousing production at Shakespeare’s Globe. Read on… Continue reading
Return to the Horniman
Following my successful book signing at Hayaam Belly Dance Showcase in London, I took the day off work. Wrist fatigue from all that signing, you know. I decided to spend the day at the Horniman Museum. Last time I was at the Horniman I didn’t actually get to look around all that much because we … Continue reading
A Beautiful Dream: Go to Sleep, Goddamnit! at Camden People’s Theatre
The Krumple’s inaugural offering in London is sweet, touching and very funny. Here’s hoping it won’t be the last. Go to Sleep, Goddamnit! is their first show and it roars onto the stage without speaking a single word. At the Camden People’s Theatre. Read on… Continue reading
Book Signing at Hayaam Belly Dance Showcase
I am so excited to share with you that I will be holding a book signing for Belly Dance Around the World: New Communities, Performance and Identity at Hayaam Bellydance Showcase on Sunday 1 September! It will be in the lush surrounds of the Jewel Piccadilly, W1B 5DQ and the doors open at 6:30 for a … Continue reading
Invitations: Latin Late at the Horniman Museum
Latin Late at the Horniman Museum. I had to go just because of the name, right? The Horniman Museum is a fascinating little jewel tucked away in Forest Hill. I’d often thought about going but not as yet made the effort. Fortunately a friend spotted the Latin Late for Friday night, an event which promised … Continue reading
Top of the Class: The Other School at St. James Theatre
Thoughtful, boisterous and poignant, The Other School is an enjoyable collaboration between National Youth Music Theatre, Dougal Irvine and Dominic Marsh at the St. James Theatre. Read on… Continue reading
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