Theatre Review: Pygmalion

Plot: The clever, eccentric bachelor, Henry Higgins, professor of phonetics (Tim Pigott-Smith) transforms a young flower seller, Eliza Doolittle (Michelle Dockery), into a lady that enters high society as a duchess. This transformation is achieved in six months by elocution lessons in his ‘phonetic laboratory’ with the kindly and gentlemanly assistance of Colonel Pickering (James Laurenson) another expert on dialect.

George Bernard Shaw is indeed becoming popular again, what with the National’s success in Saint Joan last year and the still playing to the rafters production of Major Barbara, we have another serving of Shaw in Pygmalion currently making waves at The Old Vic. It’s always nice to return to The Old Vic, and I have also noticed now that the good guys from the West End Whingers have also mentioned it, that the seats are well-oiled, as I hear no squeak when I try to reposition myself. Good work indeed Mr. Spacey!

I have never seen My Fair Lady, the musical inspired by this GB Shaw play and for one thing I am glad as I don’t have any claim of reference as to which is the much better production, so I will reserve that judgment until I have the chance to see the musical.

Michelle Dockery as Eliza Doolittle whom I saw before at the National’s Pillars of the Community was amazing and mesmerizing. I would love to see more of her work on stage and believe that she will be among the brightest names in the world of British theatre if not already. Tim Pigott Smith was hilarious as Professor Higgins, who was just the opposite the character I remember him play in the BBC’s North and South, but apart from this two major characters, I must say that it was Tony Haygarth, who played Eliza’s father, nearly stole the show away from the two leads. His scenes were absolutely cracking!

I suppose it will not hurt now to add My Fair Lady to my DVD rental queue?

Pygmalion: 4/5

Theatre Review: Beau Jest

Plot: When Sarah Goldman (Lara Pulver), a lovely young school teacher wants to please her parents, she invents a boyfriend that she believes will be the man of her mother’s dreams. When her parents insist on meeting the man, Sarah hires Bob (Adam Rayner), an actor, to pretend to be her “beau”. Although the plan works flawlessly for a time, a combination of some hilarious situations lead to their lives being irrevocably changed.

I was quite keen on watching this production mainly because Susie McKenna is directing it, as I was impressed with her work in Dick Whittington and His Cat, one of the Empire’s pantomime hits. To being with, I got there just when it was about to start and I was quite disappointed when I was ushered in to find out that the theatre wasnt even half full, there were just about 15 of us in the Dress Circle and i didnt think the stall section was full either. This was quite the opposite with what the guy who took my order told me, as he said there were only a few seats left in the Dress Circle, I suppose if I had known otherwise, that the Upper Circle and Balcony were not being filled, it would put me off seeing the play altogether.

The play didn’t really do anything for me full stop. I know it’s not meant to be deep, or that it had to provoke a discussion or anything but entertainment value wise, when you just want to come out of the theatre feeling satisfied or even slightly entertained, but this one didnt cut it even for just that reason. I heard this off-Broadway production written by James Sherman packed the crowds for 2 years during its run, but perhaps the Times was right when it said it wouldnt quite be the same phenomenon over here. I quite enjoyed the performances of the actors but it wasnt a good enough reason to actually care for the play. It had been a forgettable evening and all I really longed for was to go home straightaway- this was one of the times living close to the Empire proved to be a real blessing.

Beau Jest: 2/5

Film Review: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

1981. I was 11 years old and was in the 5th grade when Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark was released. All I can think of was Han Solo is now Indiana Jones! I also thought Mr. Spielberg was brilliant, and I already knew that Mr. Lucas who gave me Star Wars 3 years ago was a genius.

1984. I just entered my teenage years and started secondary school when Indiana Jones & Temple of the Doom, the much awaited sequel comes out, and although it was not as good as the original, it was still a good film and had its own merits.

1989. I was 19 and was in university trying to make sense with my life when Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade graces the silver screen once more of what we all thought then was the end of the saga. Well, not quite.

2008. I just turned 38 and one of the few notable films of my childhood decides to make a comeback, this time around with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull reminding me of the good old days, and of how much fun it is to go the movies, movies that will always be a part of you. I went to see this film regardless of the consensus that it will not work, that Lucas will not get the old magic back because he failed to do so in the Star Wars prequels, that Harrison Ford is way too old to play a swashbuckling character, that the moviegoing audience have had enough of trilogies, or in Indy’s case, a quadrilogy, if I had forgotten to mention what you might be thinking, then you get my drift. I went to see it because it would just be a sacrilege not to, because it would be utter disrespect, because it would be like betraying my childhood, my teenage years and my adolescence. Because this is what the Indiana Jones films mean to me if not to most of those born in my generation.

I can not explain why it’s only Spielberg and Lucas can give me that kind of childlike exciteme neven before the lights grow dim. I can not even begin to explain how John Williams’ familiar score seems to transport me in another place and time reminding me of my younger and much happier days with my family with whom I saw all the Indy films. I will not even attempt to defend why Harrison Ford can still make me believe that after 19 years of waiting, he was able to bring back to life a much loved character with such passion you seem to feel that you also grew up with him and has never outgrown him.

This Indy film scored very high on the nostalgia factor. It also felt like the beginning of a new era that left a lot of open room for Shia Labeouf who played Indy’s son to be the next Indiana Jones. It tied up loose ends when we see Indy reunited with Marion Ravenwood, played by Karen Allen. It boasts of a great supporting cast with Ray Winstone, John Hurt and a really amazing Cate Blanchett who again proved her versatility. But then again it’s Harrison Ford who is the heart and soul of all the Indy films, and he shows us here that he’s still got it.

Once the whip’s out and the fedora’s put in place, it’s going to be one helluva fantastic ride. So welcome back Indy and thanks for restoring my faith in the movies.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: 4/5

Ain’t It Cool News Harry Knowles review

Gobbets – Charlene April

The best feeling in the world is realizing you’re perfectly happy without the thing you thought you needed. -Forwarded by Charlene April via SMS

Opera Lover

Puccini’s Tosca and Turandot.

Donizetti’s Anna Bolena.

So far these are the only opera productions that I have seen and enjoyed in the last 2 years since I became an opera fan. As opera tickets doesnt come easy on the pocket unlike theatre, I usually wait till it’s a production that I really wanted to see that I will be tempted to book it.

So after having been introduced to Bernstein’s comic operetta Candide recently, via the National Theatre’s revival that I only listened to when I got the soundtrack, I found out after browsing the ENO’s website this week that they are staging Candide from 23 Jun 08 – 12 Jul 08! I am really tempted to book it even if Pangloss would not be played by Simon Russell Beale who incidentally won the 1999 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. (Have you noticed that whenever I get the chance I would mention a snippet or two about SRB?) And then there is the staging of the much loved double bill of Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci from Sat 20 Sep 08 – Thu 23 Oct 08 also from the ENO.

Now tell me, what’s a girl got to do?