In which two middle-aged men take a knowing glance at the changing nature of their friendship, the thing that is theatre, and the myriad shades of meaning that can be ascribed to the word “mate”. Tim Crouch and Andy Smith provide a thoughtful opening to the Almeida Festival. With a sensibility as minimalist as its … Continue reading
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One Stop Arts review: Fitzrovia Radio Hour at the Horse Hospital
At last, at last, I got to review the sublimely humorous Fitzrovia Radio Hour for a real, honest-to-goodness publication! Here’s the teaser: Watching the Fitzrovia Radio ensemble pad around on slippered feet at the Horse Hospital creating sound-pictures would make anyone want to be a foley artist. The dulcet sultry tones of Natalie Ball display … Continue reading
One Stop Arts review: Twelfth Night at Abney Park Cemetery
In the green wilds of Abney Park Cemetery, Kelly Eva-May endowed Viola with an elegiac tenderness for Orsino, keenly expressing a desire felt all the more deeply for its denial. Alex Southern’s Orsino had a languid sensuality highlighting the capriciousness of his character’s disbelief that women could ever be as constant or feel as deeply … Continue reading
Connections at the National Theatre
It was a privilege to attend the closing night of Connections at the National Theatre on Monday. The first performance, “What are they Like?,” was a sweetly evocative look at the relationships between parents and children, with young actors dressed as parents recounting advice and stories about their parenting techniques. It was in turns funny, moving, frightening and touching … Continue reading
Reviewing for One Stop Arts
In addition to the very exciting news that my second book, Belly Dance Around the World, has now been published, I’ve also embarked on another creative outlet in the last couple of weeks: I am now reviewing theatre in London for One Stop Arts! You can check out my profile here and my first review, … Continue reading
Publication of “Belly Dance Around the World”
I am so pleased and proud to announce that the volume I have been co-editing, Belly Dance Around the World: New Communities, Performance and Identity, has just been published by McFarland press! My parents forwarded this photo of my author copies–they arrived at their house in the US a few days ago, along with a … Continue reading
The Kid from Paris: Jean Brassard at Crazy Coqs
Last time I went to Brasserie Zedel’s Crazy Coqs, I was there for Fitzrovia Radio Hour. This time, I was rounding off my day at RegentTweet with Jean Brassard’s homage to Yves Montand, “The Kid from Paris”. I’ve already described how Brasserie Zedel leaves me longing for the trappings of sophistication and elegance. While I … Continue reading
RegentTweet: Theoretical Questions on ‘Lifestyle’
Let’s talk about ‘lifestyles’. Yesterday I found myself invited to a “lifestyle and shopping event for professional bloggers” called RegentTweet organised by some clever marketers over on Regent Street. I signed up for a chance to attend through London Girl Geek Dinners, a group which should be pretty self-explanatory. I didn’t think I’d get selected … Continue reading
Joss Whedon’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’
I think the thing about adapting a classic production like “Much Ado About Nothing” for the sceen is that the audience should walk away feeling like they understand why the director chose that play. It’s a little different in, say, annual summer Shakespeare festivals, where the directors just have to make sure they don’t stage … Continue reading
Once
I went to see ‘Once’ at the Phoenix Theatre last night with some friends. I hadn’t, I admit, been super keen to see it, but if there is theatre on the cards I am always willing to take a gamble. At first it appeared that the cards may not be in our favour as we … Continue reading
Caitiewrites 