Kenwood House, Hampstead

Kenwood House

What a great place to visit!  Free!!  Two great Rembrandts - one a self portrait of him quite old.  A face of putty, with such soulful eyes. Beautiful, earthy colours and broad brush strokes.  The rest of the place is full of Reynolds, Gainsborough, Romney - tall, statuesque women with beautifully coiffed hair, some dressed as romantic female figures from history, all with creamy complexions and clearly portrayed as beautiful (rather than, shall we say, warts and all).  One of the highlights is, of all things, a shoe buckle collection.  A woman collected them in the 60's for ten years and it must be quite unique.  Having seen it you suddenly become aware of the amazing shoe buckles in all those portraits - especially the men.  One of them appeared to have a kitchen garden growing on each foot.  Fab views over London, although the trees of this country idyll and a little big to really see a lot.

Recommended.

Crucible, Arthur Miller, Old Vic. September 2014

Great set, in the round, many chairs.  Terrific teenager scary girls whirling their long hair around and spookily speaking together.  Strong performances from everyone - although so clear that Richard Armitage (Lord of the Rings, Robin Hood, Spooks) was the star - not only as the leading part (John Proctor) but because he has got the bums on seats (expensive seats, £85 or £55) - major clapping and bowing at end.   Bit puzzled by the wife (as a woman said in the lengthy queue for the toilet - 3 portakabins at the back of the theatre, come on Old Vic, use a bit of imagination and have less contempt for the physical comfort of your female audience - 'why did he marry a woman with learning difficulties?') who spoke very, very slowly.  But a very tender reconciliation at the end.   R himself will surely never last the whole run as his voice sounded hoarse from the beginning - why do stars with less stage experience seem to think you have to SHOUT in the theatre from the v beginning. It's alright, we can hear you.

Three and a half hours flew by.  

Such a moving play with some amazing lines.   Had to keep on reminding myself that there would not be a Hollywood ending and sure enough...

Recommended as a performance. Useful review in Telegraph, below.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/10943954/The-Crucible-Old-Vic-review-The-intensity-of-a-thriller.html

Not to recommend: Not enough toilets for women (and these were especially put in).  Seats too expensive.  If you came to see Richard Armitage because you thought this was going to be like his films you will not like the Crucible.  Several people left in the interval...