Weekend Dose of Culture

So this weekend I would take a trip back in to the past to the world of famous novelist Charles Dickens and his home on 48 Doughty Street.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Holborn and Bloomsbury you could quite easily miss this gem of a museum. Home to the Dickens family in the late 1830's you can explore the life of one our most beloved writers and social reformers. From his glamorous dining room where he hosted his contemporaries to the desk in his study where he wrote some of his greatest novels each room weaves a tale of Victorian life.


I've long been a fan of Charles Dickens, so much so that he featured in my dissertation and I class Great Expectations as one of my favourite novels, and its a museum I've long wished to visit. It's not the largest museum I've visited, but it's like an Aladdin's cave packed with facts, quotes and trinkets that will leave any Dickensian fan giddy with excitement.

I'm certainly eager to return for one of their literary evening performances. Who wouldn't want to hear a reading of a classic Dickens tale by a roaring fire.


Five Things I Learnt:

1. In the Victorian period it was not uncommon to have a hedgehog living in the kitchen. Their purpose? To eat all the insects of course 

2. This wasn't Charles Dickens only London home, but its the only one you can visit  

3. He may only have lived there for only two years, but he wasted no time. He completed The Pickwick Papers and wrote in its entirety Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby

4. Most of his characters were inspired by real life experiences. Little Nell in the Old Curiosity Shop was based on his sister in law and his tales of characters living in Marshalsea Prison were based on his own experience of his father being imprisoned in a debtors prison

5. Dickens was a great orator. People would often come over for dinner and expect a theatrical reading
 
The Charles Dickens Museum

Extras: For a small museum it's packed with lots of events that take place all year round. At the moment you can go behind the scenes of BBC drama series Dickensian - the dresses on display are beautiful and I want to wear them all.

Cost:£9

Opening Dates: All year round expect for public holidays
Website: http://dickensmuseum.com

 

Last Chance Culture

So this weekend I suggest you set sail for the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich to check out the amazing Samuel Pepys exhibition which is due to close at the end of the month.

A day off work last week found me venturing south of the river to indulge my interest in the famous diarist Samuel Pepys. The exhibition takes you on a journey through his life, from the teenager who witnessed the execution of the Charles I in 1649 through to the Great Fire of London which devastated our capital in 1666.

His life and the life of those from the 17th Century is cleverly brought to life with costumes (including gloves worn by Charles I) before his execution, documents and paintings. However; it was the digital and interactive elements which marks this exhibition as one of my favourites of 2016 so far. Sit back and watch a silhouette performance of Macbeth or see how the fire of London spread and destroyed buildings via an interactive map. 

One thing you'll certainly take away is how naughty the court of Charles II was and how the actresses of the age not only ruled the stage, but also the hearts of men and the monarchy although maybe not the women - duly note Catherine Pepys (the wife of Samuel) description of popular stage actress Mary Davis "the most impertinent slut...in the world."

Why not complete your visit with a leisurely stroll (well depending on the path you take) through Greenwich Park to enjoy the views of our grand city.

Five things I learnt:

1. In 1665 around 20% of Britain's population died in the Great Plague. The exact figure was around 100,000 people
 
2. The amount of land destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666 was the equivalent to 247 football pitches 
 
3. When the Great Fire started Samuel Pepys sent his money to Bethnal Green and buried his parmesan cheese and wine in his garden for safe keeping 
 
4. Samuel Pepys was at one point in his life imprisoned in the Tower of London
 
5. He also became the President of the Royal Society despite not being a scientist. He confessed that he didn't understand a lot of the research shared by some members of the society

Samuel Pepys: Plague, Fire, Revolution Exhibition

Where: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Getting there: Cutty Sark (DLR) is the nearest tube

Cost:£12

Opening Dates: Closes 28th March 2016
Website: www.rmg.co.uk

Weekend Dose of Culture

So this weekend I call on all fashion and photography fans to head to the National Portrait Gallery to see Vogue 100: A Century of Fashion.

It's hard to believe that this fashion bible is turning a hundred. Whilst many of us are familiar with supermodels, actresses and singers gracing the hallowed covers, there was a time in the early days of Vogue when artists adorned the covers with beautiful fashion illustrations.

As you wander through the exhibition from the present back to the past you'll see how the magazine paid homage to the supermodels of the 90's, reported on the war and helped to inspire women of all ages. Personally I'm obsessed with a photo called Modern Mariners from the 1930s - something I absolutely need to own.

Similar to the Audrey Hepburn exhibition this is proving popular so make sure you book.
 
Vogue 100: A Century of Style

Extras: Why not enjoy the exhibition in the evening? The National Portrait Gallery are hosting a special late edition where you can enjoy cocktails, talks, music and if you are not too distracted looking at the artwork then strike a pose in the pop-up photo studio.

Cost:£19

Opening Dates: Now till 22nd May 2016
Website: www.npg.org.uk 

Weekend Dose of Culture

So this weekend I call on all crime buffs and CSI fans to visit the Museum of London's latest must-see exhibition, The Crime Museum Uncovered.

Set up in 1870 by the Metropolitan Police, the Crime Museum has only ever been  accessible to the police and specially invited guests. Now for the first time ever, objects and trinkets from the museum will be put on display for all to see.  

As you venture through the exhibition you'll discover more about some of the most notorious crimes in English history including the Great Train Robbery and the widely-known Kray twins.

I've been very impressed by the Museum of London's exhibition offerings over the past years. The Cheapside Hoard and Sherlock Holmes exhibition's were fantastic so there's high expectations that this one will be amazing.

One word of advice. Pre-book your tickets as it's already proving popular and selling out fast. 
 
The Crime Museum Uncovered

Extras:Want to to test your detective skills? Then join the MoL for a night of crime solving. With a little help from Forensic Outreach, you'll be given a case to solve along with all the essential tools. Your up against a clock though so maybe try not to get carried away drinking at the bar! Visit the website for more information.

Cost:£10

Opening Dates: Now till 10th April 2016
Website:www.museumoflondon.org.uk

Yes I Do Like It

So this weekend I headed south of the river to the National Theatre to see a preview of their latest Shakespearean offering - As You Like It!

I feel like Autumn has been transformed into a Shakespeare orientated season for me. Aside from As You Like It, I saw Romola Garai tread the boards at the Young Vic in Measure for Measure last week and in December I'll be back to see Macbeth - a personal favourite of mine.

The exciting thing about all these productions is the fresh new talent emerging in the land of theatre. From directors to actors, Shakespeare's plays are being revitalised in a way that doesn't demean the original language, but instead brings a fresh perspective and relevance to a modern audience.

As You Like It, Old Vic, 1890 (Internet Shakespeare Edition)

So As You Like It. It's one of Shakespeare plays you hear about, but like many of his other works seems to fall under the shadow of Hamlet, Macbeth, Midsummer Nights Dream and Romeo and Juliet the play I studied so much at school that I can't stand to see performances of it - sorry Shakey! Fortunately, there appears to be a growing appetite fo see the lesser performed Shakespeare plays with the National Theatre, The Globe and the Young Vic bringing forth some amazing productions. I particularly enjoyed the Globe's production of Titus Adronicus - thank goodness I wasn't one of the fainting victims.

For those who are not familiar with the story, here is a very brief synopsis. Frederick has banished his older brother and taken over the Duchy to become Duke of the kingdom. To keep his daughter, Celia, company he decides to allow his niece Rosalind to stay.  

Meanwhile Orlando, the youngest son of a Duke who was in favour with Rosalind's father, meets Rosalind and falls in love with her. However; he is being persecuted by his older brother and therefore flees to the forest of Arden for safety. 

Rosalind's Uncle then decides to exile her from the city and out of love for her cousin, Celia flees with Rosalind in to the Forest of Arden - disguised as a young man and poor lady. For added comedy value the court clown Touchstone naturally accompanies the ladies just cause even more comedic chaos. As you can imagine with most false identity plays there's laughter, absurdity, star crossed lover and naturally a conclusion that satisfies all. I expect I've also caused a lot more confusion.

In this production, director Polly Findlay, brings the play forward a few centuries and the court in France is now an office, with jazziest carpet I've ever seen, and the forest of Arden is what can only be described as a technical marvel - I won't say anymore, but the stage transition is truly magical.  

Besides the modern appearances, the language is still retained and every single actor (main and ensemble) delivers a perfect performance. Rosalie Craig and Joe Bannister's Rosalind and Orlando are the ideal duo who deliver the perfect partnership as the lovers trying to find their happy ending - Rosalie's turn as a man and outwitting everyone on stage is brilliant. However; as this is a comedy, you can't help but be drawn to Touchstone and Celia. Mark Benton does a fabulous routine of the many ways to be killed and Patsy Ferran's Celia has the ability to steal scenes without even uttering a word. A simple gesture and she has command of the stage and the audience.

Whilst in many performances the leads steal the limelight and the praise in reviews, a special round of applause must go to the ensemble cast. Not only did they entertain us as office staff whilst we took our seats, but without them the atmosphere and the elements of the forest of Arden would not be possible. It's amazing what the human body can accomplish.

All the world's a stage and this is certainly a stage that needs to be seen. The play opens on the 4th December 2015 until the 5th March 2016. For more information or to book tickets visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. I'm heading back in the new year with my family in tow!

Now to leave you with some of my favorite lines from Shakespeare:

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts" As You Like It (Act II Scene VII)

"To be, or not to be: that is the question" Hamlet (Act III Scene I)

"A horse! a horse! My kingdom for a horse!" King Richard III (Act V Scene IV)

"When shall we three meet again in thunder, lightning, or in rain? When the hurlyburly's done, When the battle's lost and won" Macbeth (Act I Scene I) 
 
"The course of true love never did run smooth" Midsummer Night's Dream (Act I Scene I) 
 
 NB:Images featured are courtesy of the National Theatre