“Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course.”
Given my not infrequent comments over the last 20 years regarding markets’ attitude to uncertainty, and the possible scenarios that may occur under varying economic situations, you may not be surprised to see me commenting on the current political and associated economic situation.
Sarah SiddonsIn the late 18th Century Sarah Siddons was the object of superfluous admiration and recommendation. Theatrical reviews were having a heyday and while an actor could be criticised for playing the King in Lear as if somebody somewhere was about the play the Ace, Mrs Siddons’ appearance was always greeted with excess praise. Hence… Continue reading Sarah Siddons→
Recently I heard a young actress on TV discussing her latest role as the Duchess of Malfi in John Webster’s play of the same name. As a schoolboy aged 17 this play made a great impression on me. Two or three days later the Globe Theatre Company announced that work was in progress to create a replica of the Blackfriars indoor theatre, where so many great Jacobean plays, like The Duchess, were first presented. Continue reading The Man Who Played Bosola→
On 22 June the Marlborough Theatre was packed on-stage with Brighton Branch Equity members and off-stage with a full house. Carole Bremson had miraculously condensed Shakespeare’s forest scenes, offering a pine-fresh perspective on transformation, displacement, temporary loss of inhibitions in five plays and several sonnets. The sylvan inter-cutting, like grafting, functioned as a fine critique, a hypertext of Shakespeare’s sylvan forest scenes. With masterful shifts in and out of character, eighteen actors were seamlessly re-deployed. Continue reading A Midsummer’s Night Madness→
Brighton Dome’s Chief Executive, Andrew Comben, launched the Dome’s autumn season recently.
Akram KhanThe season has a glittering line up of events that will brighten up the dark evenings to come. There are two mini festivals: a celebration of Shakespeare with international and local theatre groups presenting Macbeth and Shakespeare a la Carte, as well as workshops; and Storyville, with 3 days of women’s literature events ranging from Clare Short to Lionel Shriver.
This bumper season also hails the legendary music of Paco Peña, the brilliant and popular choreographer and dancer Akram Khan, a special recital from the Heath Quartet, young theatre especially commissioned for Brighton Dome in Robin and the Big Freeze, the hip hop extravaganza, Breakin’ Convention, a laugh-athon at the Comedy Festival, and a whole Christmas season of events that truly sparkle.
Brighton Dome is open daily to the public, with the Foyer Café Bar open Tues-Sun from 10am to 5pm, plus bank holiday Mondays, trying to encourage people to experience the wonderful building outside event times. You’ll find a warm welcome from the attentive staff there.