Sandi Toksvig’s Bully Boy
“The rawness of her writing, when performed by two such gifted actors, has a profoundness and power worthy of attention.” Sandi Toksvig’s Bully Boy at the St James Theatre…
Browsing: The Culturist
The Grandfathers of Victorian Art
This autumn sees an unprecedented assembly of works by the Pre-Raphaelites, launching at Tate Britain before touring worldwide, offering a rare chance to view over 180 pieces, including textiles, stained glass and furniture.
Hedda Gabler at The Old Vic
“Sheridan Smith has come one heck of a long way from the days of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.” Rachel reviews Hedda Gabler at The Old Vic…
Fauré’s Requiem at St Martin-in-the-Fields
“We had a direct view of the English Chamber Choir and orchestra; the Belmont Ensemble of London, conscientiously tuning their instruments and awaiting the conductor’s signal to begin…”
Magnificent Mozart: The Magic Flute
“Long considered a masterpiece in the ENO repertoire, the opening night of the final ever revival of Nicholas Hytner’s well-loved production of The Magic Flute was seen as many as like parting from a good friend.”
The Judas Kiss
‘The everyday world is shrouded. We see it dimly. Only when we love do we see the true person. The truth of a person is only visible through love. Love is not the illusion. Life is.’
Sue Me: Guys and Dolls
Any audience would have understandably high expectations of a concert version of the hit Broadway…
An Emotional Roller-Coaster: Carousel
”If it weren’t so enjoyable, one might be tempted to call it opera” – so said theatre critic Brooks Atkinson re-assessing Carousel some years after its first premiere.
Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond
“The bitch is dead now.” This is the final line that James Bond utters in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel, Casino Royale, the first of the Bond series. It’s a sentence laced with anger and despair…
The London Chamber Orchestra
“With Julian Lloyd Webber on cello, it was an awe-inspiring conclusion to a programme of some of the finest English music ever produced.” Rebecca visits the LCO at Chelsea’s Cadogan Hall…
Cape Town Opera’s Porgy and Bess
To my mind, not enough operas open with a fist fight. La Boheme – just…
The Bliss of Benny Goodman
“Julian Bliss is surely a case for the progressive education movement, a shining example of nature versus nuture. At the age of five he decided to pick up a clarinet of all things, and learn to play it.”