Thursday 12 December 2013

A Novel Idea



So this weekend I once again drifted away from my usual weekend excursion of culture and embarked on an evening with Joanna Trollope, discussing her new book Sense and Sensibility at the first Hidden Prologues event at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street.

Yes I know, Jane Austen wrote Sense and Sensibility not Joanna Trollope, but this is a modern re-working and tribute to the 19th Century romantic novel. Same characters just different time setting.

The main issue is how do you make it relevant to audiences today? Well that's what Hidden Prologues, a new literary salon chaired by journalist Sam Leith, aims to uncover. 

Firstly, things that shocked and caused scandals back in Jane Austen's day, are common place today. To have a child out off wedlock is not frowned upon and buying a horse isn't always what you'd expect from a new suitor - well maybe if you are of royal blood you can still expect this. Joanna instead had to disregard these and find something that appeals and resonates with today's audience. So the horse is swapped for a car and we even see a hint of Towie inspiration. 

Is this the first of many for Joanna? She doesn't host any other ambitions to re-work any other great classics for which I'm glad. She's a great writer herself and we should look to create new tales rather than just revisit popular stories. You also can't help but admire Joanna especially when she calls Fanny Dashwood, a wonderful bitch.

Ironically, Joanna Trollope isn't the only one bringing classics back to life for the "new generation". P.D.James re-imagined Pride and Prejudice as a murder mystery, an adaption of which is due to air at Christmas, and even though Poirot demised on national TV he is being resurrected in the world of literature by Sophie Hannah.

The next Hidden Prologues is anticipated to be early next year. Who'll be next to take the hot seat? Well I'll guess we'll have to wait, but if it's like the first chapter I expect there's more twists and plots yet to be unfolded at the Bloomsbury Street Hotel.

For more information visit www.radissonblu-edwardian.com.

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Once Upon a Time in Covent Garden


So this weekend I found myself, on a late Sunday afternoon, sitting in an office opposite a very angry and frustrated elf. Why was I there? Well my mission was to save Christmas.

No I haven't gone completely insane - well not yet! It's all part of theatre company Look Left Look Right and Covent Garden's re-imagining of the classic panto, which takes you on an adventure around the historic market. Look Left Look Right are a theatrical troupe, well known for taking performances away from the stage and their recent artistic residency at the Corinthia Hotel was an instant hit. Unfortunately I missed out last time, but this time I was determined to see them in action.

Now I've been sworn to secrecy by Cinderella, but I can tell you snippets without giving away too much. I mean I didn't sign a contract before the performance began....oh no wait I did.

Anyway, as I mentioned at the beginning, my mission was to save Christmas. So what's the background detail? Cinders and Prince Charming have run away from Pantoland to the human world. Wild and outrageous rumours are circulating of scandalous affairs, but worst of all if we, as the elves helpers, don't find them then Christmas is cancelled. I'm quite possibly one of the biggest fans of Christmas so I took this mission very seriously. Maybe a little too seriously.

So off I went, scuttling around Covent Garden meeting with different characters to try and piece together the truth and save Christmas.

I would say that I did well in this mission, but on reflection maybe not. Apparently trying to get Buttons drunk on schnapps isn't part of the script nor is it advisable to convince Snow White to run off with the Huntsmen. It's also not nice to tweet that Cinderella is a bald #slut. In my defence I was pressured to come up with something mean by Prince Charming's best friend Dandini - well that's what Cinderella thinks.

Interactive theatre isn't everyone's cup of tea, my sister positively shudders at the idea, but I love it! Maybe I see it as my chance to act or maybe it's just a good way for me to vent my over abundance of energy. It also makes the whole experience more exciting not only for us as the audience, but also for the performers plus it can't help but get you excited about Christmas. 

If you or anyone you know is struggling to get into the festive spirit this year then this will certainly shake off those Scrooge like feelings. It's certainly got me festive!

Once Upon A Christmas runs till the 15th December and tickets are available to buy from here www.ltmuseum.co.uk. 

To learn more about Look Left Look Right visit www.lookleftlookright.com. I'll certainly be checking out what they'll be doing next.

Sunday 1 December 2013

One Queen to Rule Them All


So this weekend I indulged my obsession with the Tudor dynasty by taking in the latest exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

Queen Elizabeth I and Her People not only looks at the regal Queen herself, but it also explores the people who lived and worked in the Elizabethan court. We are introduced to key players such as the explorer Sir Walter Rayleigh through to merchants and writers via their portraits. 

The Elizabethan period was deemed a prosperous and adventurous time. Not only were the wealthy thriving, but cities were expanding and opportunities were opening up for many people in Elizabethan society. We begin to see merchants, butchers and brewers establish pivotal roles in the flourishing of the economy in the 16th Century.

It always fascinates me how curators take the artefact's or works of arts they already have and how they create natural links to weave a story. Normally, these portraits would be on display in different areas and grouped according to rank or profession, but once they are placed together you understand the significant role each person played in making Elizabeth's reign a success.

I was especially pleased to see a portrait of Bess the Countess of Shrewsbury. She is an extraordinary woman who outlived four husbands and ended up as the second richest woman in the Elizabethan era - second to Elizabeth I of course. This is what makes this exhibition all the more interesting and enticing as it invites visitors to learn more about the people around the Queen. Yes, everyone knows about Queen Elizabeth, but do they know who were her favourites? Who fell out of her favour? Did they win it back or live a life banished from court? Even I have to confess there were quite a few things I didn't know.

No trip to the National Portrait Gallery is complete without running up the escalator to pay my respects to Anne Boleyn and what is that I spy on my way down to leave? A Vivien Leigh exhibition yet to be opened to the public. Why I just may find myself back at the gallery next week!

Elizabeth I and Her People runs till 5th January. For more information or to get tickets visit www.npg.org.uk.

Now below are some famous Elizabethans, but can you guess who they are?