Last night despite protest, increasing legal threats and worldwide dis-reputation growing, Northampton Borough Council and leader David Mackintosh sold the ancient Egyptian statue, Sekhemka. It made a touch under £16 million so alls good?
Or is it and will it be? We now await decisions from the Arts Council and the Museum Association regarding loss of funding or accreditation. If we do lose accreditation we shall be one of only three in the country and struck from a list of eighteen hundred. What this means is unknown, Bury and Croydon have both lost their accreditation with MLA (they say nothing has changed for them) due to their own sale of a museum item, so some would say the writing is on the wall for Northampton Museum. History shows we are about to go it alone.
However we now have £8 million in the pot which is ring-fenced for the museum to build the new world (or maybe keep the place going?). It is interesting that the mention of ring-fencing was hastily mentioned in the statement issued. It's as if they think we don't trust councils to spend money correctly...
So all we need to do now it await and see the fallout. Will the Egyptian Ambassador (David Mackintosh quite rudely said he did not recognise what he had to say) bring down a legal curse upon us? Will the museum become an outcast with loss of recognition?
We also have the question of possible other Egyptian items in the museum. If these exist, now the crowning jewel has gone from the collection, perhaps we may as well sell the rest of them. I think this story is far from complete and we have still much to learn.
Incidentally in October, the Question Time is to come from Northampton with presenter David Dimbleby on loan for it from the BBC. What price we auction him off?
Friday 11 July 2014
Monday 30 June 2014
The Eighties, My Eighties, No Longer My Eighties - The Saville, Hall and Harris Effect
The eighties were my decade. During the eighties I went from a bright eyed three year old to an Adrian Mole thirteen year old.
For me it will always be my decade for the unique style, be it dress, film or music; which I listen to as I write this. Ninety odd percent of music I listen to to this day was created in my decade. I still live there in a large part of my brain.
As well as the music, dress and films, there was of course the television. My television included the silly antics of It's A Knockout as people wearing bizarre costumes inevitably fell over in a comical way while Stuart Hall in his most wonderful style commentated on proceedings. Then I may have seen Jim'll Fix It, this wasn't a requirement for me, but I watched it now and again as lovely Jimmy Saville filled the eyes of young children with wonder as he gave them everything that they wanted. After school in the later eighties I would have rushed home to watch Rolf's Cartoon Club and marvelled as he hummed away as he filled us with wonder as a splodge evolved before my growing eyes into the most spectacularly drawing or painting.
Oh the wonderful Stuart Hall, Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris.
Now one is in prison, one dead in disgrace and one about to go to be sentenced.
It fills me with tears that this, my childhood has come to this as bit by bit it picks itself apart and takes all my wide eyed wonder away.
However now as a thirty seven year old adult I think and wonder, yes my dreams of a childhood are being destroyed as a thirty seven year old adult, but that makes me the lucky one. My childhood was happy, I went through it with wide eyes and delight as I watched my TV. For those that these three evil and wicked men assaulted, their childhood was taken when they should have enjoyed it like me and that is the true horror in this very sad story.
For me it will always be my decade for the unique style, be it dress, film or music; which I listen to as I write this. Ninety odd percent of music I listen to to this day was created in my decade. I still live there in a large part of my brain.
As well as the music, dress and films, there was of course the television. My television included the silly antics of It's A Knockout as people wearing bizarre costumes inevitably fell over in a comical way while Stuart Hall in his most wonderful style commentated on proceedings. Then I may have seen Jim'll Fix It, this wasn't a requirement for me, but I watched it now and again as lovely Jimmy Saville filled the eyes of young children with wonder as he gave them everything that they wanted. After school in the later eighties I would have rushed home to watch Rolf's Cartoon Club and marvelled as he hummed away as he filled us with wonder as a splodge evolved before my growing eyes into the most spectacularly drawing or painting.
Oh the wonderful Stuart Hall, Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris.
Now one is in prison, one dead in disgrace and one about to go to be sentenced.
It fills me with tears that this, my childhood has come to this as bit by bit it picks itself apart and takes all my wide eyed wonder away.
However now as a thirty seven year old adult I think and wonder, yes my dreams of a childhood are being destroyed as a thirty seven year old adult, but that makes me the lucky one. My childhood was happy, I went through it with wide eyes and delight as I watched my TV. For those that these three evil and wicked men assaulted, their childhood was taken when they should have enjoyed it like me and that is the true horror in this very sad story.
Tuesday 29 April 2014
David Mackintosh And The Curse Of Abington Street
At Monday's council meeting, leader of Northampton Borough Council, David Mackintosh gave his final, final, final, decision on reopening Abington Street to traffic. And he was unanimous in that.
However as he chose to ignore his final chance of not going against the majority of the Northampton people, did he lay prostrate on the sacrificial slab his political ambitions in next years General Election?
Mr Mackintosh has proven himself since taking charge a man of dedication to his cause and his place as leader. A local person (as he keeps telling us), with a will to do what (he thinks) is right for his home town. At all costs?
There is something to be admired of someone who has such dedication and belief that what he is doing is correct. However when by chance of life, you find yourself in so much power that you actually can do (albeit locally) almost what you chose, it makes your beliefs and dedication inherently bad to everyone else.
It perhaps comes with the territory of a politician that they can be a little self centred and only interested in their own opinions, except when it comes round to voting time. Therefore perhaps in this respect Mr Mackintosh is the ideal politician. Self interest at all times.
However a touch of humility wouldn't be a bad thing. Knowing you just might be wrong on the odd occasion is useful perhaps. Whether it be that you really shouldn't have claimed for that item on expenses, or maybe this bus station really isn't going to be big enough. It wouldn't hurt the odd politician once in a while to look human. One of us.
However back to the subject in mind here. There is no question that Mr Mackintosh truly believes that his parties plan (it was in the manifesto) to open the street is, unquestionably the right thing to do. So much so, he has totally and thoroughly ignored the majority of the Northampton public, even going as far as to ignore everything that their own "public consultation" found.
So we reach the point of no return? Whether it is successful or not time will tell. Most doubt it will be.
However time will also tell whether Mr Mackintosh, who, let me remind you again, needs your votes next year, will get them.
To be continued...
However as he chose to ignore his final chance of not going against the majority of the Northampton people, did he lay prostrate on the sacrificial slab his political ambitions in next years General Election?
Mr Mackintosh has proven himself since taking charge a man of dedication to his cause and his place as leader. A local person (as he keeps telling us), with a will to do what (he thinks) is right for his home town. At all costs?
There is something to be admired of someone who has such dedication and belief that what he is doing is correct. However when by chance of life, you find yourself in so much power that you actually can do (albeit locally) almost what you chose, it makes your beliefs and dedication inherently bad to everyone else.
It perhaps comes with the territory of a politician that they can be a little self centred and only interested in their own opinions, except when it comes round to voting time. Therefore perhaps in this respect Mr Mackintosh is the ideal politician. Self interest at all times.
However a touch of humility wouldn't be a bad thing. Knowing you just might be wrong on the odd occasion is useful perhaps. Whether it be that you really shouldn't have claimed for that item on expenses, or maybe this bus station really isn't going to be big enough. It wouldn't hurt the odd politician once in a while to look human. One of us.
However back to the subject in mind here. There is no question that Mr Mackintosh truly believes that his parties plan (it was in the manifesto) to open the street is, unquestionably the right thing to do. So much so, he has totally and thoroughly ignored the majority of the Northampton public, even going as far as to ignore everything that their own "public consultation" found.
So we reach the point of no return? Whether it is successful or not time will tell. Most doubt it will be.
However time will also tell whether Mr Mackintosh, who, let me remind you again, needs your votes next year, will get them.
To be continued...
Tuesday 1 April 2014
Theatre Review: National Theatre Connections - The Wardrobe and Heritage at Royal & Derngate (Royal and Underground)
The National Theatre of ten new plays for young people reached Northampton this week on its countrywide tour, and I was able on the first day to see two of them. Good fun they were too.
The first, The Wardrobe by Sam Holcroft was probably a cleverer idea on paper than the success on stage. The idea was that it told the tale of various interludes through time of the very same wardrobe and was made up of small parts, some of which worked more successfully than others. It was perhaps actually on the part of the performers than some parts felt more alive. Particularly the boys convent section which was superbly played by the group, as well as an earlier part where a young Alan Carr literally stole the show with his upper class performance.
Another thing that jarred a little was the actual staging and use of the wardrobe. It was bizarrely big at times and seemed in one section to have another exit. Fair enough for freedom of the play, but if you are really going to restrict your play idea to a wardrobe, you really need to work with the confines of it for the audience to accept it. A pleasant enough play though with a great idea, but did not really fulfil its promise.
Heritage, written by Dafydd James and performed by Stopsley High School however was a completely different story. Dark, funny and sometimes gloriously rude, this was a wonderful little play. A group of young people have been gathered together to perform a village anthem, but as the play develops, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems.
For the most part this feels like a modern day Lord Of The Flies, with a band of youngsters together, but not really getting on with one another and exchanging insults, potential romance and some really very funny conversations. The young performers were also excellent, with some huge potential in the future I should imagine if they stick with it.
This really is a very dark comedy and it is actually made I think much more powerful by the fact that the performers are so young. A real gem!
Sunday 30 March 2014
Theatre Review: Elements Of War at Royal & Derngate / Lies, Love And Lust at The Holy Sepulchre, Northampton
It was the young and the really young that provided my theatre experiences this weekend. First up in the form of the Royal & Derngate Youth Theatre and their fascinating performance of Elements Of War. As much a physical artistic performance as a play, this was a very different kind of show.
Broken up into four lightly connecting parts, the cast gradually got older with the first act portrayed by what I would guess seven to nine year olds and their trusty suitcases. It told the tale of their evacuation from the coming war between Wind and Fire. Although there would have been undoubted nerves from these youngsters and a few of them were a little low on voice for the large (for them) stage. They were mostly very impressive little performers, with a few more obvious future stars than others.
A neat piece of work throughout the show was the telling of developments through letters home, via broken and interconnecting stories. One ending as another started, telling the concerns of those even away from the war very well.
The second act concentrated on journalists and politicians, with gaggles of media hounding the leaders of Wind and Fire for answers. In this second act, a nice little light hearted moment came from a bored television viewer flicking through the channels. The television framed by umbrellas by the young performers.
The second part moved up the age bracket with the performers and was the domain of a little more serious story development with the doomed romance of Isabella and Noah, the latter an immigrant. The second part also featured some striking choreographed pieces, with battle, misery and eventual total death. The battle performance was striking, bold and with loud crashing sound, very powerful.
The final part courtesy of bottles of water (who would think this could possibly work!) was a suitably emotional ending. Its funny how a simple little play like this can really tell the real pointlessness of war so well and I have to say the young performers were on the whole, very, very impressive.
Broken up into four lightly connecting parts, the cast gradually got older with the first act portrayed by what I would guess seven to nine year olds and their trusty suitcases. It told the tale of their evacuation from the coming war between Wind and Fire. Although there would have been undoubted nerves from these youngsters and a few of them were a little low on voice for the large (for them) stage. They were mostly very impressive little performers, with a few more obvious future stars than others.
A neat piece of work throughout the show was the telling of developments through letters home, via broken and interconnecting stories. One ending as another started, telling the concerns of those even away from the war very well.
The second act concentrated on journalists and politicians, with gaggles of media hounding the leaders of Wind and Fire for answers. In this second act, a nice little light hearted moment came from a bored television viewer flicking through the channels. The television framed by umbrellas by the young performers.
The second part moved up the age bracket with the performers and was the domain of a little more serious story development with the doomed romance of Isabella and Noah, the latter an immigrant. The second part also featured some striking choreographed pieces, with battle, misery and eventual total death. The battle performance was striking, bold and with loud crashing sound, very powerful.
The final part courtesy of bottles of water (who would think this could possibly work!) was a suitably emotional ending. Its funny how a simple little play like this can really tell the real pointlessness of war so well and I have to say the young performers were on the whole, very, very impressive.
*
Later that day I sneakily found myself at the first public performance of first year BA (Hons) Acting students from Northampton University. Having been mighty impressed by the third year and their performances of Animal Farm and Love And Information, I was interested to see what a two year previous performance would look like.
First of all, unlike the third year performance, which was readily accessible material, the first were performing work by John Donne and all his gloriously olde English. Dost's and thou's a plenty, and much like Shakespeare for me, a confused look on my face now and again.
However, this was as much about the performance as anything else, and without a shadow of a doubt, this was striking. Certainly that first year must have covered projection and emotion especially, as it was written over the performers like a clowns red nose.
Nerves? Maybe, well almost certainly, its got to be the case for a first public performance. Maybe even more so in front of family and friends. However if there were nerves, they certainly didn't show. This was a performance of confidence and boldness, and for me incredible for first years. I greatly look forward to seeing how far these performers can go over the next couple of years.
I am also already looking forward to seeing the current second years. Although I shall need to brush up on on my Shakespeare first. Double, double and lots of some toil and all that, I believe.
Sunday 23 March 2014
Theatre Review: Love And Information at The Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton
The second performance I saw from the Northampton University Actors was a version of Love And Information by Caryl Churchill. Although I do not know whether this was an adapted version or not, this was a very fast paced and snappy show.
Short snippets, much like watching a sketch show, but with an much serious as comedic. Because of the shear pace, nothing ever really outstayed its welcome if there were dud parts (of which there were a couple). However the performers presented it with such style that even the poorer parts were easily ignored.
I particularly loved the running joke presented from the back of the stage of the poor lady failing to get any interest whatsoever from her partner. Likewise the glorious "red flower" speech was superb and delivered perfectly, sadly who by, my mind is a blur (Edit: It was Zoe Habour. *applause*). This was due to the countless characters and scenes, and never due to the performers. By the time one scene was finished, I had already forgot who was in the previous one.
Actually this once again highlights for me the skill involved in these stage performers. I could go to the shop to get bread and milk and come back with bread and cheese. So I truly tip my hat to those that can perform such a complicated play as this, or even any play over two minutes, if it was down to me.
Also the shear style with how tables and chairs were placed was lovely. I may be easily pleased, and not a snooty theatre critic, but put simply, I like what I see and it was glorious on the eye. I am thinking this would be Nik Corral and Lily Bootman to thank for this?
The ear was also pleased (I have discovered that my selected seat is rather close to the speaker), with a nice mixing of music to connect the scenes, I shall name check DJ Walde again for this, who was equally impressive on Animal Farm.
Finally I would like to return to the play proper and highlight what for me was the best scene and for what generally was a light-hearted show, it was a very serious one. The "piano" scene as I will call it was just so simple and yet so powerful at the same time. It was also superbly played, and you know who you are. Unfortunately I don't, and I must stop now as I have to go and get some milk...
Short snippets, much like watching a sketch show, but with an much serious as comedic. Because of the shear pace, nothing ever really outstayed its welcome if there were dud parts (of which there were a couple). However the performers presented it with such style that even the poorer parts were easily ignored.
I particularly loved the running joke presented from the back of the stage of the poor lady failing to get any interest whatsoever from her partner. Likewise the glorious "red flower" speech was superb and delivered perfectly, sadly who by, my mind is a blur (Edit: It was Zoe Habour. *applause*). This was due to the countless characters and scenes, and never due to the performers. By the time one scene was finished, I had already forgot who was in the previous one.
Actually this once again highlights for me the skill involved in these stage performers. I could go to the shop to get bread and milk and come back with bread and cheese. So I truly tip my hat to those that can perform such a complicated play as this, or even any play over two minutes, if it was down to me.
Also the shear style with how tables and chairs were placed was lovely. I may be easily pleased, and not a snooty theatre critic, but put simply, I like what I see and it was glorious on the eye. I am thinking this would be Nik Corral and Lily Bootman to thank for this?
The ear was also pleased (I have discovered that my selected seat is rather close to the speaker), with a nice mixing of music to connect the scenes, I shall name check DJ Walde again for this, who was equally impressive on Animal Farm.
Finally I would like to return to the play proper and highlight what for me was the best scene and for what generally was a light-hearted show, it was a very serious one. The "piano" scene as I will call it was just so simple and yet so powerful at the same time. It was also superbly played, and you know who you are. Unfortunately I don't, and I must stop now as I have to go and get some milk...
*
I have to take this opportunity to applaud the young actors involved in these two performances over the last few days. I have seen a few plays now on stage, mostly in London and for me these young performers for the most part entertained me in the same way as the "stars" of the West End. Likewise I have seen enough television over the years with some substantially inferior acting than that on stage at the Royal in the last couple of days and for me that should stand them well in the future. I look forward to seeing them again, wherever that may be.
Friday 21 March 2014
Theatre Review: Animal Farm at The Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton
There was an impressive number of boxes on display in the Northampton University Actors performance of Animal Farm at the Royal & Derngate. Poor old Boxer (Jamie O'Grady) seemed to be the only one dealing with them for a while.
These boxes turned out to be more or less the only bit of the set (bar an occasional ribbon "can I still wear my ribbons?" and an old style microphone), and they sure worked well in this heavily stripped back eighty minute version of Orwell's classic tale of power and destruction.
However as well as the boxes, there was some mighty fine talent on display from the student (who would know?) actors. Playing serious, playing for laughs, or clucking and mooing, the cast was exemplary. I don't doubt that we shall see a lot more of many of these performers.
Its difficult to single out any individuals from such a quality bunch of performers, but Harry Bradbury was commanding as Comrade Napolean, Brigette Wellbelove clipped and precise as Squealer and Richard Harley really was superb in the small role of Minimus, including impromptu mid-show round of applause for his perfectly performed song.
The production also has some glorious fight sequences excellently choreographed by Tom Jordan, which coupled with quality music from musical director DJ Wade added the drama of the story.
Having watched the solid, masterpiece A Tale Of Two Cities a couple of weeks before from the same seat, I did wonder whether a student production could live up to it. However I am thoroughly wrong in ever having a doubt, because this is super solid show of immense quality, with a highly confident cast, and one that can only be highly recommended.
These boxes turned out to be more or less the only bit of the set (bar an occasional ribbon "can I still wear my ribbons?" and an old style microphone), and they sure worked well in this heavily stripped back eighty minute version of Orwell's classic tale of power and destruction.
However as well as the boxes, there was some mighty fine talent on display from the student (who would know?) actors. Playing serious, playing for laughs, or clucking and mooing, the cast was exemplary. I don't doubt that we shall see a lot more of many of these performers.
Its difficult to single out any individuals from such a quality bunch of performers, but Harry Bradbury was commanding as Comrade Napolean, Brigette Wellbelove clipped and precise as Squealer and Richard Harley really was superb in the small role of Minimus, including impromptu mid-show round of applause for his perfectly performed song.
The production also has some glorious fight sequences excellently choreographed by Tom Jordan, which coupled with quality music from musical director DJ Wade added the drama of the story.
Having watched the solid, masterpiece A Tale Of Two Cities a couple of weeks before from the same seat, I did wonder whether a student production could live up to it. However I am thoroughly wrong in ever having a doubt, because this is super solid show of immense quality, with a highly confident cast, and one that can only be highly recommended.
*
You have just one more chance to see this performance on Saturday 22nd at 7:45
Thursday 6 March 2014
Theatre Review: The Body Of An American at The Royal & Derngate (Underground), Northampton
There was a moment for me right at the start of The Body Of An American that left me wondering if I had overstepped my intellect to come and see this play. After having traipsed through pretend snow and seated myself on my unreserved seat in what appeared to be an Underground tube tunnel (very well named). I was challenged to understand the opening, fast, frantic exchange of conversation between William Gaminara and Damien Molony.
Following an overwhelming collection of images on the screens at either end, the two performers set to one another in fast and frantic conversation, myself understanding a little of it, and concerned that I was being stoopid in not keeping up.
Thankfully quickly, either the play began to work for me, or more importantly maybe, my brain kicked into gear, because all of a sudden I was living the story.
The play is probably one of the most stripped back you could imagine. Two people, two chairs and two screens depicting photos and video, occasionally harrowing. However it all worked. Although the two actors were undoubtedly the stars of the show, those chairs offered quality support, depicting chairs (unsurprisingly), vehicles and a sledge, while being liberally thrown about the performing area. Also the use of light and sound was excellent coupled with that magical click of the fingers.
The story, based on true material and events was very cleverly constructed, challenging Gaminara and Molony to the extreme with multiple characters and accents. I truly never cease to be amazed by the memory of these performers, true stars, rather than those retake kings we hear about.
Weaving about, the play offers challenging thoughtful ideas of the viewer, culminating for me in the ultimate scene towards the end of the telephone call between Paul and the brother. A scene that must either bring a lump to the throat, or a tear to the eye. For my part, it was just me sweating and I shall stick to that story.
Summing up, a sharp, occasionally very witty play, that will make you think a damn sight more than the next episode of whichever soap you wish to name. You could do yourself a favour and go and see it, but be quick it departs on Saturday.
Tuesday 4 March 2014
Gridlock Northampton - Trouble At North Gate
At five this morning I found myself lying awake thinking about a bus station (possibly an interchange). I live in a funny world it has to be said.
However, it was a sort of dominant building for residents of Northampton yesterday, as around lunchtime anarchy descended on the users of the roads of the central area. Turning into an episode of On The Buses without the added seventies humour, roads around the new £7 million bus station (interchange) became gridlocked.
That place of modern talk Twitter became alive with activity about it, people trapped, people laughing, people saying I told you so.
For my part I had remained relatively silent on the ins and out of the situation as a relatively rare bus user due to my central location. However many knew better, this new building was never going to work they said. I saw a mention on Twitter that people stating "I told you so" was distasteful, a lot of people were seriously being inconvenienced. However what where they meant to do? They had put up for months the council saying it was vital and was going to work.
Many of these people knew it was not going to work because they were bus users. Much of this had been thrown up in a generally ignored public consultation anyway. Local people, the voting public were concerned that neither the size or location was correct. On first inspection yesterday, it appears they were right.
The old bus station is a mess and needed replacing. The first part is correct there, I have seen it. However if you have a building that you haven't touched for the best part of thirty years, its going to be a mess. Greyfriars problem wasn't the building, it was the countless administrations that had neglected it.
However we are now stuck with our new building, so somehow they are going to have to work out how to use it. On BBC Look East, Mr Hadland explained that they would work through the night to make sure the chaos did not happen again. With a latter statement, this turned out to be a trip to the DIY shop to buy a lot of yellow paint and even more oddly to enforce a law that should have already been active. We shall see today, if any of this works.
However, it was a sort of dominant building for residents of Northampton yesterday, as around lunchtime anarchy descended on the users of the roads of the central area. Turning into an episode of On The Buses without the added seventies humour, roads around the new £7 million bus station (interchange) became gridlocked.
That place of modern talk Twitter became alive with activity about it, people trapped, people laughing, people saying I told you so.
For my part I had remained relatively silent on the ins and out of the situation as a relatively rare bus user due to my central location. However many knew better, this new building was never going to work they said. I saw a mention on Twitter that people stating "I told you so" was distasteful, a lot of people were seriously being inconvenienced. However what where they meant to do? They had put up for months the council saying it was vital and was going to work.
Many of these people knew it was not going to work because they were bus users. Much of this had been thrown up in a generally ignored public consultation anyway. Local people, the voting public were concerned that neither the size or location was correct. On first inspection yesterday, it appears they were right.
The old bus station is a mess and needed replacing. The first part is correct there, I have seen it. However if you have a building that you haven't touched for the best part of thirty years, its going to be a mess. Greyfriars problem wasn't the building, it was the countless administrations that had neglected it.
However we are now stuck with our new building, so somehow they are going to have to work out how to use it. On BBC Look East, Mr Hadland explained that they would work through the night to make sure the chaos did not happen again. With a latter statement, this turned out to be a trip to the DIY shop to buy a lot of yellow paint and even more oddly to enforce a law that should have already been active. We shall see today, if any of this works.
*
Last night Mr Hadland was incorrectly introduced as Leader of Northampton Borough Council, an interesting moment, whether mistake or intent. Maybe, quite rightly the BBC thought that such an important event would result in the Leader being the only person being put forward to speak and assumed he was? Turns out that on the very first day of proper activity at the station, Mr Mackintosh was unavailable mostly. Convenient? Couldn't possibly say.
*
Abington Street reopening, pray tell? Much like the bus station, the majority of responses have been against this taking place and with the cars driving up it and out of Wellington Street, they will be heading straight into yesterdays motionless Greyfriars. Maybe a quick rethink might be required for this? However on past experience, it doesn't look like Mr Mackintosh is a man for turning. Well except from turning away when the doo doo hits the fan, just ask Mr Hadland...
Sunday 2 March 2014
Theatre Review: A Tale Of Two Cities at The Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton
The last few years, in particular 2013, it is simple to say, I have "found" theatre. What started from an accidental drop in for a play on the spur of a moment in London a few years back, kindled an interest that I frankly didn't know I had. Since then, money allowing, I have made my way to London on a Saturday to do a matinee and an evening performance in the theatre land of the West End. The place of the best plays, the best performers, the best experience.
Turns out, this isn't true. Having been a bit snobby about the situation, I failed to realise that a mere ten minutes or so walk from home, there was a place of equal, no, better quality. Having witnessed overly positive comments on Twitter this week of the new "Made In Northampton" play at the Royal, an adaptation of Dickens' A Tale Of Two Cities, I suddenly thought why not! Having been a fan of Dickens' stories for as long as I can remember (adaptions rather than reading, having always found him a difficult author to get into), I thought maybe this was the time to give the local theatre land a go.
What a quality decision it was to make, as for less than my train fare to London, I was presented with probably the most polished and absorbing plays, maybe superior to all I had seen in London. Oddly, I believe I had already been won over that this was going to be quality before the play even started. As the members of the audience gathered and found their seats, the whole company were visible through a shear curtain moving gently through the stage singing. The ladies moved through singing then froze, the gents walked through and froze. Wonderfully choreographed, hard to explain without seeing it, but a detail outside of the main performance that smacked that this was going to be a polished show.
Not having been for many a year, I was surprised at how compact the Royal is. This was emphasised by the fact that from the outset the stage was billowing with people as the large ensemble took to the stage (and indeed the first scene Waldorf and Statlers boxes). This was the first time I had seen a play in recent times where I wasn't actually familiar with any of the cast, but as the program clearly showed these were all actors of stage calibre and it showed throughout the performance.
Although not really wanting to single out anyone, as I really think there wasn't a dud performer amongst them. I have to say that Yolanda Kettle and Oliver Dimsdale stuck out for me personally. Both playing single, leading roles were brilliant. Kettle, effervescent as Lucie and Dimsdale as the self confessed failure Sydney, but eventually far from it, was gripping and effortless in his performance.
The stage, costume, props and scenic wise was also exemplary. Quiet scenes played simply with just tables and chairs, grander moments with France collapsing into anarchy with more dramatic settings towards the back of the stage. Nothing however was too big, and for the small setting of the Royal this was appropriate, but powerful in its own way.
Much has also been said of the music composed by no less, an Oscar winning artist in the name of Rachel Portman. This was indeed perfection, soft when needed and loud and dramatic as scenes required. Mike Poulton's adaption is also a wonder, breaking a meaty story into a manageable two and a half hours would never be easy, but he has done a most sterling job. Finally director James Dacre, who has gelled it all together to perfection in his first at the Royal & Derngate.
It is safe to say, I have done the hometown theatre a disservice, but rest assured in 2014, I think I shall find myself quite a few times. Indeed my ticket for The Body Of An American awaits its use.
Turns out, this isn't true. Having been a bit snobby about the situation, I failed to realise that a mere ten minutes or so walk from home, there was a place of equal, no, better quality. Having witnessed overly positive comments on Twitter this week of the new "Made In Northampton" play at the Royal, an adaptation of Dickens' A Tale Of Two Cities, I suddenly thought why not! Having been a fan of Dickens' stories for as long as I can remember (adaptions rather than reading, having always found him a difficult author to get into), I thought maybe this was the time to give the local theatre land a go.
What a quality decision it was to make, as for less than my train fare to London, I was presented with probably the most polished and absorbing plays, maybe superior to all I had seen in London. Oddly, I believe I had already been won over that this was going to be quality before the play even started. As the members of the audience gathered and found their seats, the whole company were visible through a shear curtain moving gently through the stage singing. The ladies moved through singing then froze, the gents walked through and froze. Wonderfully choreographed, hard to explain without seeing it, but a detail outside of the main performance that smacked that this was going to be a polished show.
Not having been for many a year, I was surprised at how compact the Royal is. This was emphasised by the fact that from the outset the stage was billowing with people as the large ensemble took to the stage (and indeed the first scene Waldorf and Statlers boxes). This was the first time I had seen a play in recent times where I wasn't actually familiar with any of the cast, but as the program clearly showed these were all actors of stage calibre and it showed throughout the performance.
Although not really wanting to single out anyone, as I really think there wasn't a dud performer amongst them. I have to say that Yolanda Kettle and Oliver Dimsdale stuck out for me personally. Both playing single, leading roles were brilliant. Kettle, effervescent as Lucie and Dimsdale as the self confessed failure Sydney, but eventually far from it, was gripping and effortless in his performance.
The stage, costume, props and scenic wise was also exemplary. Quiet scenes played simply with just tables and chairs, grander moments with France collapsing into anarchy with more dramatic settings towards the back of the stage. Nothing however was too big, and for the small setting of the Royal this was appropriate, but powerful in its own way.
Much has also been said of the music composed by no less, an Oscar winning artist in the name of Rachel Portman. This was indeed perfection, soft when needed and loud and dramatic as scenes required. Mike Poulton's adaption is also a wonder, breaking a meaty story into a manageable two and a half hours would never be easy, but he has done a most sterling job. Finally director James Dacre, who has gelled it all together to perfection in his first at the Royal & Derngate.
It is safe to say, I have done the hometown theatre a disservice, but rest assured in 2014, I think I shall find myself quite a few times. Indeed my ticket for The Body Of An American awaits its use.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)