Pages

Saturday 14 January 2017

How long is a generation?

I have been pondering this question for a few weeks as I see publicity for revivals of three theatrical / dance productions that I saw in 1982, 1990 and 1992 respectively. Two of these have been publicised as “ not seen on stage in the UK for a generation”.

All three of these stand out in my mind after all this time for different reasons, and it seems important to me to embrace these works again as we are in such troubled times as a species sharing this planet.

So I would encourage anyone reading this to go and see:

"Ghost Dances’ by Christopher Bruce, performed by Ballet Rambert, touring and at Sadler’s Wells, London. A first exposure for me to contemporary dance when I saw it in 1982 and a  production that has stayed with me -  for 34 years: music, movement, costumes all superb - tickets booked.

The Trackers of Oxyrhynchus” by Tony Harrison at the Finborough Theatre, London, on until 28th January.  This was my first exposure to performed verse in 1990 and I have never forgotten the experience. Brilliantly updated, and in this 50 seat setting, an intimate encounter with very physical theatre.

“Angels in America” by Tony Kushner at the National Theatre, London. Such a moving, but occasionally baffling, pair of plays when I saw them in 1992. They were staged in the Cottesloe, which then seated around 350 people. The new production will be in the Littleton, seating 890 people, therefore presumably all to be done on a much larger scale. It will be fascinating to see how well this play translates to 2016, particularly as it starts in April, 3 months after the start of Trump’s term of office.  The National box office have already warned that these tickets will sell out quickly.

And the drawing? Yes it continues:

Feather from the “nature table” that seemed to have been attacked by some sort of mite, leaving a big gap along the shaft. Pencil and ink pen.

20170114_093812

Serendipitous charcoal rubbing of the back of a section of last week’s collage of vases and jugs made me rub over the whole lot. Charcoal.

20170114_093825

Corn cob and husk, pencil and charcoal. I could not get my eye in for this at all. Too much going on , so I then focused on a tiny bit of one of the husks.

20170114_093837

Tip of a corn cob husk. Pencil. I was very pleased when I “saw” the hole in the husk and the light falling through that in to the cast shadow.

20170114_093904

Paint can, pencil. Two in one day as I knew it would be difficult to fit in drawing time the day after.

20170114_093916

Waiting for a break in the rain, to run to the Finborough Theatre. The reflective tray was very difficult. Pencil.

20170114_093956

And the sewing? There is another shirt underway - yes for my younger son, he hates boring clothes.

20170114_143923

Perfect placket, thanks to Off the Cuff.

20170114_144026

Cuffs with contrast inside fabric - amazing what I find in the fabric stash.

20170114_143859

2 comments:

  1. Wow,this blog entry has it all...theatrical musings,art work (yes!) and stitching...eclectic city!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The generalisation on a "generation " intrigues me - husband's sister is 9 years old than him, I'm 5 years younger than him, my brother is 5 years younger than me and his wife is 5 years younger than him. Both my sisters in law are my "generation " but Brian's sister has a son (my nephew) the same age as my other s-i-l! My girls are in the 20s and have cousins in the U.K. who are on their 40s and in Australia who are not yet in their teens but are the same generation!

    Sorry that got longer than intended! I've never heard of any of the productions, hope they all do well! I love the sketch of the feather, and you've really caught the reflection in the tray! Son was obviously pleased with shirt #1- not often we get asked for stuff!!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comment. I love to read them, but can't always respond.