.....to Paddington last night - a disused fire station and possibly part of an office block had been transformed by Punchdrunk into the venue for a promenade performance of 'A Drowned Man'.
Quite extraordinary, quite different from a normal night's theatre going, quite amazing.
Te venue had become 'Temple Studios' - an old film lot laid out over three floors. Arriving at out specified time- 7.10 to be precise- we were allowed in in groups of 3 or 4 to make out way through a dimly lit labyrinth to the first set - a small town square in old time America. Given masks to wear and asked not to speak, we were invited to wander through the sets and see what we could see.
The effect of all these silent, white masked people soundlessly inhabiting the locations was quite strange- it felt as if we were background characters for a film but uncertain of where to be. Gradually, We became braver, examining the artefacts that dresses the sets and sitting down in the rooms and saloon. Without warning, 'real' characters drifted in and played out a scene in movement and barely audible sound - it was left up to us to interpret the action .
As we were wandering freely without direction, there was no warning when things might happen or where; we, sometimes literally, stumbled upon the moments. At times, was very moving especially in the house, where our presence as onlookers incapable of helping gave added pathos to the situation.
All in all, a thoroughly creatively satisfying experience ......though my feet ached by the end and I wondered how they had managed to fill the top floor with such a quantity of sand!
Wednesday 26 June 2013
Thursday 20 June 2013
Success- and aching feet!
My dear- just back and been soaking in a very long, hot, Jo Malone perfumed bath! Oh Vanity! Thy name is Woman! Those heels! What can I say....'on doit suffrir pour etre belle' as they say in 'Little Women' - though I don't think they were referring to Ascot costumes!
However, a great day, lots of fizz, lots of fun and, thanks to 'Mam', finished the day £25 up!
And so, as said by Samuel Pepys, to bed!
However, a great day, lots of fizz, lots of fun and, thanks to 'Mam', finished the day £25 up!
And so, as said by Samuel Pepys, to bed!
Ladies' Day!
Well, my dear, I'm in quite a rush! We have to leave soon for Ascot, load up the hamper, pack 'The Widow' in ice so she's ready for the off and, of course, make myself stunning for the occasion!
What am I wearing? One of Zedra, the Spanish designer's ensemble - pale creamy yellow silk patterned with pale pink roses and a shocking pink little jacket. I asked Deborah Dalton to make 'Left Bank Lipstick' (such a pretty shape - have you looked at it on her website? ) in the same colour as the dress and trimmed with large roses. She made the brim a little bit bigger to balance my height - so useful to have something exactly right. And, with the hair band, I feel pretty sure it won't blow off!
As for the weather- I think Russell will have to take his largest umbrella and be prepared to haul me out should my quite ridiculously high heels sink into the turf!
Fingers crossed for a happy day - I might even back a winner!
Chat soon xxxx
www.deborahdaltonmillinery.co.uk
What am I wearing? One of Zedra, the Spanish designer's ensemble - pale creamy yellow silk patterned with pale pink roses and a shocking pink little jacket. I asked Deborah Dalton to make 'Left Bank Lipstick' (such a pretty shape - have you looked at it on her website? ) in the same colour as the dress and trimmed with large roses. She made the brim a little bit bigger to balance my height - so useful to have something exactly right. And, with the hair band, I feel pretty sure it won't blow off!
As for the weather- I think Russell will have to take his largest umbrella and be prepared to haul me out should my quite ridiculously high heels sink into the turf!
Fingers crossed for a happy day - I might even back a winner!
Chat soon xxxx
www.deborahdaltonmillinery.co.uk
Wednesday 12 June 2013
Wonderful productions at The National Theatre
Well, my dear, have you heard about the fantastic plays on at The National?
I think I will have to watch 'Othello' at the cinema as, understandably, there are no tickets left.
However, we did manage to get in to see 'Strange Interlude' with the amazing Anne-Marie Duff as Nina in this 1928 play by Eugene O'Neil. She is, in my opinion, one of the best actors of her generation. ( Her St Joan was one of the highlights of a lifetime of theatre going.)
Many interesting questions to consider- would the love of a simple but devoted man make up for the trauma of losing one's fiancé at the very end of the 1st World War? Would hereditary insanity still be a closely guarded family secret and a wife urged to take a love in order to conceive a child? Should duty prevail over love ? Questions to consider; as valid now as then.
The following night, to 'Amen Corner' - a new play by James Baldwin. Very different, obviously, in production style and content but a vibrant and memorable performance. Marianne Jean-Baptiste in the lead as the hardline leader of a Harlem church. Again, a woman driven to do what she felt was right, to do her duty whatever it cost her in terms of her happiness and status - even if, in the end, she had lost the most important things in her life. Her downfall was to fall foul of those who decided her way was too rigid so, At the curtain, it was an 'interesting' decision to decide whether to applaud enthusiastically the brilliant portrayal of the leader of the conspiracy or to boo for her part in the palace revolution!
It's great to have so much enjoyment and so much to think about. Theatre has to be the best art form!
I think I will have to watch 'Othello' at the cinema as, understandably, there are no tickets left.
However, we did manage to get in to see 'Strange Interlude' with the amazing Anne-Marie Duff as Nina in this 1928 play by Eugene O'Neil. She is, in my opinion, one of the best actors of her generation. ( Her St Joan was one of the highlights of a lifetime of theatre going.)
Many interesting questions to consider- would the love of a simple but devoted man make up for the trauma of losing one's fiancé at the very end of the 1st World War? Would hereditary insanity still be a closely guarded family secret and a wife urged to take a love in order to conceive a child? Should duty prevail over love ? Questions to consider; as valid now as then.
The following night, to 'Amen Corner' - a new play by James Baldwin. Very different, obviously, in production style and content but a vibrant and memorable performance. Marianne Jean-Baptiste in the lead as the hardline leader of a Harlem church. Again, a woman driven to do what she felt was right, to do her duty whatever it cost her in terms of her happiness and status - even if, in the end, she had lost the most important things in her life. Her downfall was to fall foul of those who decided her way was too rigid so, At the curtain, it was an 'interesting' decision to decide whether to applaud enthusiastically the brilliant portrayal of the leader of the conspiracy or to boo for her part in the palace revolution!
It's great to have so much enjoyment and so much to think about. Theatre has to be the best art form!
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