Tudors and Stuarts

Fascinating exhibition at the Queens Gallery (round the back of Buckingham palace).

 The exhibition focuses on the clothing/costumes of the royal court during the Tudor and Stuart periods through a mixture of paintings, jewellery and some original clothing (one of the highlights being a beautifully embroidered bodice). 

Made me yearn for the days of true excess when people wondered around in silks and stains with jewels and pearls sewn on their sleeves and hats the way we now walk around with studs attached to our coats,shoes and handbags. 

Charlie and the chocolate factory -go get your Golden Ticket

So went to a preview of Charlie last night and its got to be said Sam Mendes has managed to combine the charm of the 70's film with the wonder and pzazz of the more recent film but without the Michael Jackson overtones of Johnny Depp's Wonka. 

The songs are new being a mix of melodies, disco, pop, rap etc although none have the catchiness of "pure imagination", so it's lucky that is the one song they have kept from the original film as that's the only tune you'll be humming

Visually this show is simply WOW. Ever scene feels like you're stepping into your imagination. Big, slick, witty and quirky. 

Finally, a note on the casting, Nigel Planer is a revelation as grandpa joe, Douglas Hodge really is how I imagined Willy Wonka as a child and the children are amazing. Special highlights, the oompa lumpa's and the introduction to Augustus Gloop

Seriously, go get your golden ticket. http://www.charlieandthechocolatefactory.com/mobile/

And to put you in the mood: http://youtu.be/RZ-uV72pQKI

Park theatre: Yellow face

So last night went to see Yellow Face at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park. My first ever visit to thePark  Theatre and it didn't disappoint. In brief the play is an entertaining take on the concept of residual racism in relation to the east asian community. Ie the idea that it's ok for Caucasians to play oriental figures eg Charlie Chan and Fu Manchu or Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's. specifically it relates to objections to Jonathan Pryce's casting as a Eurasian pp in the Broadway production of Miss Saigon.

The topic of residual racism and the pc ness of addressing the subject in auditions is dealt with deftly in this fast paced production but it was the perennial and non race related topics of parental/child relations which raised the most laughs. No matter your race or creed I defy you to watch the interaction between the main character and his father without a wry smile.

Highly recommended if you get the chance before it closes!

http://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/yellow-face

 Gemma Chan & David Yip in Yellow Face