I have frequently commented upon the streak of madness that simmers gently below the surface of English people. You might think, at first appearance, that the English are rational creatures. Polite, thoughtful, reserved: these are all characteristics for which the English are renowned throughout the globe. However, I posit that it is all a ruse, … Continue reading
Tag Archives: theatre
The Tempest
I went to see The Tempest at the RSC Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon while I was there. This was the first performance of that particular play I’d ever seen, though I was vaguely familiar with the plot. To start with the theatre itself: what an absolutely remarkable building. The play’s staging made full use of the … Continue reading
Fitzrovia Radio and Cantina
It being the last weekend of the London Wonderground festival, I thought I would stock myself up until next season by going to two shows one after the other. The delectable Fitzrovia Radio Hour, upon whom I have written many times before, were first with a new show fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe. I was … Continue reading
Barry and Stuart at the Spiegeltent
London is a terrifically wonderful place to be right now. Many, many people have remarked on the transformed atmosphere in the place in the last few weeks due to the Olympics, the fabulous weather, the remaining goodwill from the Jubilee, or what-have-you. Whatever it is, London is certainly charmed at the moment. And oh, my … Continue reading
Witching Hour Shakespeare
I’d never been to the Globe before, and it seemed that a midnight matinee was the perfect introduction. I went to see The Taming of the Shrew, a play that has always troubled me. At first glance and even on further examination, it looks very much like a play about the virtues of female submission … Continue reading
Posh (the play)
After a truly indulgent day attending ‘Off the Shelf at Black’s’, a writing workshop at Black’s members club (for more upon which, stay tuned), I traipsed off to ‘Posh’ at the Duke of York’s Theatre. During the interval I remarked to a friend that it was a bit like the first half of ‘She Stoops … Continue reading
Watching and Listening
I find magic captivating. There is something about the illusion of rising beyond the mundane, the tantalizing imagined possibility of defying physics and chemistry and logic and even death that unfailingly draws me in. And it’s not just me: every seat at ‘Show and Tell’, Barry and Stuart’s show at the Bloomsbury Theatre was sold … Continue reading
Staged Magic
I went to the last performance of ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ at the Old Vic. When I entered the theatre clouds of frankincense wafted over me. What an evocative scent, one that will always remind me of trying to find calm in a turbulent time. I burned frankincense candles in Egypt when all was going … Continue reading
The Fitzrovia Radio Hour (or, What-Ho at the Ambassador!)
Neither of us had wine with dinner. Mild surprise registered on the face of the waitress, given that it was Valentine’s Day. After she disappeared, we looked at each other. “She probably thinks we’re having a…” “Completely non-romantic evening. Which is exactly right, of course!” The waitress returned with our pot of tea and no … Continue reading
A Fitzrovian Evening
For those of us of a Wodehousian disposition, life can occasionally be very difficult. There are few Jeeveses in today’s harsh modern world. There are yet fewer bemonocled Psmiths, impeccably dressed and always up for some sort of dashing adventure. We wander about, us Wodehousians, reading away in every spare moment and heaving the occasional … Continue reading
Caitiewrites 