The final play in Michael Grandage's West End season is Henry V with Jude Law in the title role.
I went to see it last night, and it was still in previews, and there wasn't a spare seat to be had. Is it a desire to see the Bard or (more likely) it is a keeness to see Mr Law.
The staging was fantastic - a simple set of wooden planks, bringing to mind the unadorned stage mentioned in the prologue. Very little props were used, but the use of lighting was very effective.
The cast was very good. All playing up to the accents and foibles of the characters. Jude Law in the title role was excellent. Rousing the men to action wasn't a problem to him at all. He shone in the 'love' scene with the French princess, showing a real lightness of touch.
I should think the only way to see this now is to try for tickets on the day, I am sure it must have been sold out for months and months! But, it is well worth a look.
Wednesday 27 November 2013
Friday 15 November 2013
An Evening with Bryan Ferry
I know I am a bit behind with some of the reviews, where does the time go?
On the 4th November Bryan Ferry performed at the Royal Albert Hall.
Starting off with the jazz of The Bryan Ferry Orchestra (without the great man himself), the evening got off to a rousing start. All his musicians are consummate professionals. When he himself took to the stage (in a very dapper jacket) the atmosphere went up a level. Starting slowly he built up the tension, the power and the volume.
Ferry has an extensive catalogue from which to choose material and some of his choices were rare and unusual. He avoided Avalon (could mean he was worried by the female vocalists). Sadly he included Jealous Guy. On one level I don't mind this song, however, it's not a Ferry or a Roxy Music composition (despite being a number one). I just feel that too many people come along just for that song and there is so much more to Bryan Ferry than that.
By the end he had the whole of the Albert Hall on their feet dancing the night away!
On the 4th November Bryan Ferry performed at the Royal Albert Hall.
Starting off with the jazz of The Bryan Ferry Orchestra (without the great man himself), the evening got off to a rousing start. All his musicians are consummate professionals. When he himself took to the stage (in a very dapper jacket) the atmosphere went up a level. Starting slowly he built up the tension, the power and the volume.
Ferry has an extensive catalogue from which to choose material and some of his choices were rare and unusual. He avoided Avalon (could mean he was worried by the female vocalists). Sadly he included Jealous Guy. On one level I don't mind this song, however, it's not a Ferry or a Roxy Music composition (despite being a number one). I just feel that too many people come along just for that song and there is so much more to Bryan Ferry than that.
By the end he had the whole of the Albert Hall on their feet dancing the night away!
Martyn Ware Presents Heaven 17 (Koko)
As part of Virgin's celebration of 40 years Heaven 17 appeared at Koko (the erstwhile Camden Palace) earlier this week.
Support was provided by Scritti Polittie, with Green Gartside in fine voice.
It was an interesting Heaven 17 show. For those of you who don't know, Heaven 17 was formed by Martyn Ware after Phil Oakey split from the Human League. The new vocalist was Glenn Gregory. What made the show interesting was that the first half was drawn exclusively from the first two (pre-split) Human League albums. I am sure some of these songs have never been sung in public. Whilst there is a big difference in style and tone between Glenn and Phil, Glenn's versions were excellent. He even convinced Martyn to take mic and centre stage for Nightclubbing.
Once we moved to the second half of the set we were back in familiar Heaven 17 territory - drawn mostly from Penthouse & Pavement and The Luxury Gap. Sometimes I wish they'd remember all the other albums too!
Support was provided by Scritti Polittie, with Green Gartside in fine voice.
It was an interesting Heaven 17 show. For those of you who don't know, Heaven 17 was formed by Martyn Ware after Phil Oakey split from the Human League. The new vocalist was Glenn Gregory. What made the show interesting was that the first half was drawn exclusively from the first two (pre-split) Human League albums. I am sure some of these songs have never been sung in public. Whilst there is a big difference in style and tone between Glenn and Phil, Glenn's versions were excellent. He even convinced Martyn to take mic and centre stage for Nightclubbing.
Once we moved to the second half of the set we were back in familiar Heaven 17 territory - drawn mostly from Penthouse & Pavement and The Luxury Gap. Sometimes I wish they'd remember all the other albums too!
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