• Detroit film review *****

    Detroit, 29th August 2017 I sheepishly admit that, up to now, I had not see a film directed by Kathryn Bigelow in its entirety. I have tried to get going on The Hurt Locker a couple of times but seemed to recall interruptions and general life business got in the…

  • From Selfie to Self-Expression at the Saatchi Gallery review ****

    From Selfie to Self-Expression Saatchi Gallery, 20th August 2017 I hadn’t really intended to seek out this exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery. I had forgotten it was on but realised I would be passing when engaged on another mission (taking a twirl around the relatively newly opened National Army Museum,…

  • Queer British Art at Tate Britain review ***

    Queer British Art 1861-1967 Tate Britain, 18th August 2017 I learnt a lot from this exhibition. A damming reflection of my ignorance of gay history in Britain over the period under review. However I am afraid I didn’t really see much in the way of compelling art or artists which…

  • Rabbits at the Park Theatre review ***

    Rabbits Park Theatre, 17th August 2017 Even after seeing Rabbits I am scratching my head somewhat as to why I did. Others have remarked on the slightly wayward output of the Park Theatre under Jez Bond’s tutelage but you can’t fault the breadth of the offers and it is all…

  • Alexander Melnikov and the Latvian Radio Choir at Cadogan Hall review ****

    Alexander Melnikov (piano), Latvian Radio Choir, Sigvards Klava Proms Chamber Music No 5, Cadogan Hall, 14th August 2017 Dimitri Shostakovich – Preludes and Fugues Op 87 – Nos 1, 2, 3, 4, 7. 8 Dimitri Shostakovich – Ten Poems on Texts by Revolutionary Poets, Op 88 – Nos 5,6,7,8,9 Previous…

  • Bodies at the Royal Court Theatre review ****

    Bodies Royal Court Theatre, 10th August 2017 Bodies is my first exposure to the writing of Vivienne Franzmann and I hope it will not be my last. A few quibbles aside this is overall a thoughtful play which sympathetically explores the issues that it chooses to highlight. Here’s the set…

  • Grayson Perry at the Serpentine Gallery review ****

    Grayson Perry: The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! Serpentine Gallery, 8th August 2017 Grayson Perry has set himself up as an “astute commentator on contemporary society” as the blurb for his current exhibition would have it. And very good at it he is too. If you haven’t seen any of…

  • Dessert at the Southwark Playhouse review ***

    Dessert Southwark Playhouse, 5th August Dessert is the first play I have seen from actor/playwright Oliver Cotton and I have to say that overall I enjoyed it. Subtle it ain’t but it makes its points with a deal of humour, and occasionally, an enlightening punch. The title gives an insight:…

  • Pink Floyd exhibition at the V&A review ***

    Pink Floyd: Their Mortal Remains V and A, 4th August 2017 Now I have always been slightly suspicious of Pink Floyd. I was only a nipper for the first few “psychedelic” albums pre and post Sid and whilst the classic trio of Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were…

  • Queen Anne at the Theatre Royal Haymarket review ***

    Queen Anne Theatre Royal Haymarket, 3rd August 2017 Tricky customers history plays. How to introduce the characters and explain events without slackening the dramatic pace. It’s OK if your Will Shakespeare. He wrote the history. Or at least someone before him wrote something, which he then purloined and turned it…