Sunday
The Madcap Laughs at Communism
We've just returned from a play and dinner. Awfully civilized, no?
A couple of SWMNBN's work mates joined us in Covent Garden to see Rock 'n' Roll, a new work by British playwright Tom Stoppard. Everyone liked it: I thought it was some of the most brilliant theatre I've ever seen. Its themes ran from a discussion of Communism in the former Czechoslovakia and in Cambridge academic circles, to family, to Sapphic poetry, but it was largely about the rebellious, emancipating power of rock 'n' roll music. Scenes were separated by musical snippets from The Rolling Stones, Guns 'n' Roses, The Beach Boys, and others. I've certainly never seen a dramatic work that required so much familiarity with the history and work of Pink Floyd and - especially - Syd Barret.
Brian Cox and Rufus Sewell were both in it, and were both excellent (although Sewell had to call for one line, bless him). It was a complex play, one that took some work to follow. In the end, though, it felt informative, joyous, intellectual, and redemptive to me. I really, really enjoyed it. The critics and the public like it, too: after it finished its run at Royal Court theatre, it's moved to its present home at the Duke of York's theatre.
Afterwards we all went to Chez Gérard in Covent Garden where the She-Aussie joined us for dinner. It was nice: warm enough to sit and eat outside, where we could watch the crowds and listen to the bands busking for the tourist crowds below.
Another super day.
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A couple of SWMNBN's work mates joined us in Covent Garden to see Rock 'n' Roll, a new work by British playwright Tom Stoppard. Everyone liked it: I thought it was some of the most brilliant theatre I've ever seen. Its themes ran from a discussion of Communism in the former Czechoslovakia and in Cambridge academic circles, to family, to Sapphic poetry, but it was largely about the rebellious, emancipating power of rock 'n' roll music. Scenes were separated by musical snippets from The Rolling Stones, Guns 'n' Roses, The Beach Boys, and others. I've certainly never seen a dramatic work that required so much familiarity with the history and work of Pink Floyd and - especially - Syd Barret.
Brian Cox and Rufus Sewell were both in it, and were both excellent (although Sewell had to call for one line, bless him). It was a complex play, one that took some work to follow. In the end, though, it felt informative, joyous, intellectual, and redemptive to me. I really, really enjoyed it. The critics and the public like it, too: after it finished its run at Royal Court theatre, it's moved to its present home at the Duke of York's theatre.
Afterwards we all went to Chez Gérard in Covent Garden where the She-Aussie joined us for dinner. It was nice: warm enough to sit and eat outside, where we could watch the crowds and listen to the bands busking for the tourist crowds below.
Another super day.
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