Richard III.

theatre: Trafalgar Studios, London
author: William Shakespeare
director: Jamie Lloyd

with: Martin Freeman, Philip Cumbus, Jo Stone-Fewings, Gina McKee, etc.

plot: In the aftermath of civil war, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, makes a hateful resolution to claw his way to political power at any cost. A master of manipulation, subtle wit and beguiling charm, he orchestrates his unlawful ascent by spinning a ruthless web of deceit and betrayal. His staunch ambition soon begins to weigh heavy, as the new ruler finds himself utterly alone and steeped in dread, forced to answer for his bloody deeds and face the horrifying consequences.

In the aftermath of civil war, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, makes a hateful resolution to claw his way to political power at any cost. A master of manipulation, subtle wit and beguiling charm, he orchestrates his unlawful ascent by spinning a ruthless web of deceit and betrayal. His staunch ambition soon begins to weigh heavy, as the new ruler finds himself utterly alone and steeped in dread, forced to answer for his bloody deeds and face the horrifying consequences. - See more at: http://trafalgartransformed.com/whats-on/richard-iii/about-the-show#sthash.oP7IgrxM.dpuf

In the aftermath of civil war, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, makes a hateful resolution to claw his way to political power at any cost. A master of manipulation, subtle wit and beguiling charm, he orchestrates his unlawful ascent by spinning a ruthless web of deceit and betrayal. His staunch ambition soon begins to weigh heavy, as the new ruler finds himself utterly alone and steeped in dread, forced to answer for his bloody deeds and face the horrifying consequences. - See more at: http://trafalgartransformed.com/whats-on/richard-iii/about-the-show#sthash.oP7IgrxM.dpuf

In the aftermath of civil war, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, makes a hateful resolution to claw his way to political power at any cost. A master of manipulation, subtle wit and beguiling charm, he orchestrates his unlawful ascent by spinning a ruthless web of deceit and betrayal. His staunch ambition soon begins to weigh heavy, as the new ruler finds himself utterly alone and steeped in dread, forced to answer for his bloody deeds and face the horrifying consequences. - See more at: http://trafalgartransformed.com/whats-on/richard-iii/about-the-show#sthash.oP7IgrxM.dpuf

what I liked: I sat directly on the stage so was never further away than five metres from all the (bloody) action which was great. The actors all were very good despise the limited space they had. Even though the Mad Men inspired 60´s wood panelled and spider plant office set has been seen several times on stage (more so in director´s theatre dorado Germany) I liked it and didn't miss a Tower of London replica or likewise.

what I didn't like: It is a tricky play to understand with all it's plotting and machinations and this shortened version didn´t make it any clearer so some preparation is required. Martin Freeman is an odd Richard, not sly and lacking any "beguiling charm" but just a short, cold-blooded and mousy pencil pusher.

verdict: A very interesting performance that was refreshingly modern compared to some of the still quite stuffy London productions.
The entire ensemble was great but there is the thought that Martin Freeman was only casted because of his popularity. On my way out I nearly slipped on all the stage blood drips, that´s Shakespeare for you!

Antwerpen, Anvers, Antwerp

On our recent drive from England heading to Germany we stopped in the Flemish city of Antwerp for a night - walked around for a bit and did what you do best when in Belgium: eating.
It´s a busy place with perfect shopping opportunities, some charming little backstreets and the most impressive station I have ever seen.
Well worth stopping and a completely different story compared with touristy Bruges.
Next year: Ghent.

Gone Girl

author: Gillian Flynne
published: 2012

plot: 
Who are you?
What have we done to each other?
These are the questions Nick Dunne finds himself asking on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. The police suspect Nick. Amy's friends reveal that she was afraid of him, that she kept secrets from him. He swears it isn't true. A police examination of his computer shows strange searches. He says they weren't made by him. And then there are the persistent calls on his mobile phone. So what really did happen to Nick's beautiful wife?

what I liked: The idea of dividing the story into her and his perspective works well, the writing is fluid and the language precise and convincing. Couldn´t put it down towards the end...

what I didn´t like:...but then I was "surprised" by the anti-climatic ending. The book is divided into two halves and the first one is a bit slow-going and overall it is not a traditional thriller.

verdict: It is really difficult to voice an opinion without including any spoilers - now that the film is out I thought I better read this much hyped thriller before I find out about the big plot twist.
I was entertained, it is definitely thoughtprovoking and well written but I wasn´t as shocked as apparently most other readers have been (and probably should be worried now). No matter what happened, I didn´t care about any of the characters and am not fully convinced if every plot twist is 100% credible.

God save the King

Sitting in the park, reading, enjoying the warm September morning sun.
I´m turning over a page, look up and there she is as I remember seeing her in the yellow press:
Prince George´s Spanish nanny...with the bundle of joy waddling beside her, William and Kate´s son, the future English King.
I start shaking, I want to take a picture but hesitate as I don´t wanna be rude, don´t want to upset anyone and destroy the moment.
I pretend to read, I can´t stop staring though. I take some photos when it is nearly too late, pretending to look at flowers.

Little George is playing with chess figures that are his size - if I would be a sleazy journalist I would conclude "already a great strategist".
I walk away, a bit wobbly on my legs, ecstatic...I will never forget this encounter.
London, I love you.

everyday (part 35)

Long time no see - I apologize for my long absence from blogging.
The last weeks have been very busy travelling through what felt like half of Europe, shooting two large weddings and a nasty cold caught me on the wrong foot*cough
But now I´m back again - thank you for staying put :-)


one first time each and every day - a new taste, a new experience, a new route, a new song, a new whatever. 

27. August - 2. September 

27.8. used my lovely home-made pizza dough to make a calzone - worked out brilliantly, no difference to a restaurant at all!
28.8. explored Notting Hill, went to the absolutely wonderful Patisserie Lisboa and tried their delicious pasteis de nata, definitely a reason to return as often as I can - then I bumped into Paloma Faith
29.8. ended up in West London again to go to the Royal Albert Hall and another BBC prom, this time Mahler´s  symphony no 2
30.8. baked and ate a German "Little Red Riding Hood - cake", it´s like a simpler version of a Blackforest gateau
31.8. visited the puppet barge in Richmond again and saw "A child´s garden of verses" which was a little bizarre but charming as usual
1.9. bought some rough gemstones in Brighton in order to make a necklace - saw them in the shop window, liked them immediately. In their sealed plastic bag they look like drugs though.
2.9. had a spontaneous bbq in the garden and prepared the fire and the coal all by myself

aesculus

Autum has come early this year and as much as I hate coming to terms with the bleak reality that summer might really be over and done with once again - it has it´s positive sides as well.

Conker season!

Yesterday on my walk to Kingston I spotted the first ones in Bushy Park - shiny and auburn they were flying from the trees, peeping out of their spiky green shell and waiting to be picked.
And that´s exactly what I´m doing, every year again.

I don´t need them (who ever has had a real need for them anyway?), I won´t be feeding any wild animals with them, play typical British childhood games with them nor will I craft some funny little figures with toothpicks and string.

I just can´t leave them rotting on the ground.
Round, smooth and in a colour I would love my hair to be I will always have one or more disappearing into the realms of my handbag...or coat pocked. Until they are all dry, small and lacklustre again. My granny believed the helped against clothes moths and rheumatism - I just like them :-)

Tell me, can you resist the utterly useless temptation to pick up fresh horse chestnuts?

curtain call

In Germany the applause after a theatre performance or a concert is usually long, the actors have a pre-written routine who walks out in front of the curtain when and with whom. If the audience hated the evening they will applaude as often put in the reviews only "politely" for several minutes. During some especially emotional performances you will get some "Bravo!" or "Buuuuuh!".
Normally the curtain shuts, the last note is played and the last word spoken and there is a small moment of silence - partly insecurity on the part of the audience if it´s finished now or not, partly to breath out and let the just experienced sink in a little.

In the UK this is quite different. Normally the applause has a strict routine as well and doesn´t take longer than 2-3 minutes. There can be some excitement expressed through "Wooooo" shouting and feet stomping (which in some of the dilapidated theatres in London can get very scary, I´m only reminding you of this). There are exceptions from the rule as just experienced in The Royal Albert Hall after a Prom concert were the audience got quite exstatic and applauded for well over five minutes.
Another difference - last word spoken and: boom, the clapping starts.
No moment for reflection, no nothing.

So, if you are British and visit a theatre or concert hall in Germany - don´t get bored and clap rhythmically along if you really liked it.
If you are German then don´t be surprised or count it as dissatisfaction with the performance when the applause is short.

edit: As Alice quite rightly pointed out - the same goes for cinema. In the majority of cinemas in Germany the light stays out the first few minutes of the end credits, in the UK (and outside of arthouse cinemas) people storm out straightaway and don´t give a shit about the credits.