theatre – Mark In London

A Great Theatrical Experience

My friend James works at the Barbican, an arts complex in the City of London. He and his wife and daughters are among my favorite people to visit in London. James invited to see a production called ‘Lacrima,’ at the Barbican’s theatre.

The story takes place in France and India where a French Fashion House is chosen to design a wedding dress for “a princess of England.” The dress will include elements of a fragile Victorian era wedding veil that is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection. The story is told and the actors primarily speak in French (with some Hindi and English). The French is translated on overhead TV monitors that also give closeups of the action at multiple locations. “Woven” into the story is also the tale of the lacemakers from Northern France and bead and precious stone embroiderers in India. The Princess (a fictional character) gives the creators of the gown an unrealistic schedule that unravels along with the lives of some of the main characters. This was a long production (3 hours) that played without an interval. The French theatre company preferred no stoppage, but finally agreed to a 4 minute ‘comfort break.’

The quality of the acting was outstanding, the French language was lyrical and beautiful. The superscript screen translations were not bothersome. This was an evening of pure theatrical pleasure.

More Music at Wigmore Hall

Another pleasant Sunday late morning concert at Wigmore Hall. The music was performed by a talented pair of musicians, Stephen Waarts, violin andElizabeth Brauss, piano.

They played three selections: Schubert’s Rondo in B minor; Schumann’s 3 Romances, Op 94; and Strauss’s Violin Sonaa in E flat.

These young musicians gave a wonderful performance.

London Life

Regular readers of my blog know of my love of London life, be it a cheery wave from a street vendor, a warm welcome in a cafe, or just the incredible experience of the parks. Today, Russell Square unveiled it’s latest Public Sculpture selections. Three pieces by Michael Craig Martin, an Irish conceptual artist who is 84 years young. Three sculpture are placed strategically around the park. Tehy include: “Umbrella,” “Headphones,” and “Bright Idea.” What a great surprise as the Autumn leave continue to fall.

Throughout my life, I have felt like a late bloomer. Like the tortoise in the old story, I usually get where I am going, but it may take a while. That describes this year’s sojourn to London. My recalcitrant foot slowed me down some and made me modify plans, but as the weeks have gone by, I have regained my poise and my equanimity. So, it is in this spirit that I present some of the last blooms of the season from Brunswick Square and Russell Square Parks.

Fear and Lehman’s

In the course of one week, I went to two outstanding theatre productions, “Fear of 13” and “The Lehman Trilogy.”

Adrien Brody and Nana Mensah led the cast in “Fear of 13,” the story of man unjustly convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Brody inhabited the role of Nick Yaris, the unjustly convicted man and Mensah, the woman who believed in him. The supporting cast playing prisoners and guards were all more than up to the task. Brody’s youthful looks bely his age (51) and he was believable as he recreated vignettes from Yaris’s life. Mensah was amazing as a smart, sensible woman whose heart leads her as much as her head. The story had highs and lows and the audience loved it. It was perfect for the more intimate venue of the Donmar Warehouse.

“The Lehman Trilogy” tells the history of Lehman Brothers, from three immigrant brothers from Germany who moved to America through the end of Lehman Brothers Bank in 2008. The story is told in three acts with three actors playing the three Lehman Brothers and all other major characters, male, female, adult and child. John Heffernan, Howard W. Overshown, and Aaron Krohn are the principal actors who start out playing the immigrant brothers, but with a change of accent, a mannerism, a raising or lowering of the register of their voices, they created a myriad of believable characters. How the Lehman Brothers empire rose and fell was a tale of the changes in American business and banking, mores and morals.

Many of us will remember the tragic deaths of many Lehman Brothers Bank associates in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 (an event not discussed in the play) and shocking end of Lehman Brothers Bank when we saw pictures of Lehman staff leaving their jobs for the final time. It is a remarkable American tale.

A Visit to Richmond and ‘Lasso Land’

Several friends have recommended that I visit Richmond, one of the outer boroughs of London. It was put on the map of many Americans by the television show “Ted Lasso.” Animal lovers may also have seen the lovely town on “Vet on the Hill,” Veterinarian Scott Miller’s successful series, seen now on YouTube. I took the London Underground to the stop after Kew Gardens and found myself on a pleasant high street. I made my way to Richmond Park, a wonderful green space near the city center and then wandered through streets and alleyways filled with charming shops and pubs. Among the interesting shops was one dedicated to the Ted Lasso TV show.

Richmond Park, above is a peaceful place, with dog walkers, joggers and residents using the paths to enjoy the outdoors.

Above, streets and alleys of Richmond. One of the gorilla statues around town. This one is titled “Noah, Nest Building.”

And. of course, Ted Lasso!

If I hadn’t already had plans to spend stupid money at the Fulham FC store, I would have come out of here with my credit card smoking. I’ll be back, Richmond, BELIEVE!

Mark In London

Drama and Music (and London Life)