Unrestricted #4

Film: Election

Election, adapted to screen by Alexander Payne, follows a career minded and determined senior, Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), throughout her student body election campaign. Matthew Broderick brilliant plays Tracy's teacher, Jim, who not only slowly becomes more and more attracted to Tracy, but whose life literally crumbles before your eyes. Although not your run of the mill comedy film, Election is quirky, witty, funny and extremely well written, therefore making it an extremely good film. 

Literature: Margaret Attwood - Oryx and Crake

Mararet Attwood's eleventh novel is fascinating, bleak and gripping all at the same time. Set between a series of flashbacks and 'real-time', we follow the character of Jim as we learn what became of the world and how it got to the state that we can see it in through the eyes of Snowman. The concepts and characters in Attwood's slick dystopia are beautifully rendered and are formed with the up most intelligence. Attwood has stated that she sees this novel as a niece of 'speculative fiction' and not science fiction, and I can see why. Whilst the technology featured may be deemed futuristic, the overarching themes are of humanity and what we are capable of in a society which keeps growing and advancing. This book is stunning, whilst also not over confusing itself and its reader which is easy to do when dealing with this genre. I would not only recomend this book, but I would also rank it as one of the best of the decade.

6 Week Theatre Challenge: 16 -20

16. What is the best use of set you have seen?

The set for Frankenstein was brilliant, imaginative and highly visual.

17. What is your favourite regional theatre?

The Liverpool Everyman is a charming theatre which is currently undergoing a renovation. I really hope that it keeps all its unique qualities and doesn't lose any of its quirkiness.

18. What is the best opera you have seen?

The best opera I have seen is Opera North's staging of Wanger's Die Walkure. You can see my review of it here.

19. What is the most recent thing you have seen at the theatre?

Metamorphosis Titian: 2012 is the most recent thing I have seen. You can view my review here.

20. What is the saddest thing you have seen at the theatre?

I haven't found that many productions highly emotional, however Machina nearly brought a tear to my eye. The end of King Lear always has me feeling glum.

Metamorphosis Titian: 2012 - Review Roundup

I was highly impressed with Metamorphosis Titian: 2012, a collaboration between the Royal Ballet and National Gallery, giving it a full five stars. This is what the critics made of it:

The Independent

Zoe Anderson in The Independent have given Dame Monica Mason's last production as Director of the Royal Ballet four stars. Anderson begins by stating that it is 'a coherent, stylish evening', continuing by commentating that Machina is the 'boldest' of all three works. The robot is described as 'big and delicate' and Acosta and Rojo's duet is called 'alert'. Anderson remarks, however, that Diana and Actaeon is 'weaker' and how the story has 'far too much repetition'.

Evening Standard

Viv Groskop in the Evening Standard, like me, has awarded Metamorphosis Titian; 2012 five stars. Machina onwards, Groskop explains, showed 'the Royal Ballet at its best'. 'Precise, sinewy movements' is how Groskop describes Watson's dancing, assessing how they 'evoked mechanical grace'. The second ballet, Tresspass, is described as 'episodic', 'haunting' and 'mesmerising', whilst also stating how Marianela Nunez's performance as Diana in the final ballet was 'majestic'.

Financial Times

Clement Crisp in the Financial Times has given the ballet under discussion four stars, commenting how the dances were 'handsome, assured and intruiging'. Machina is described as 'advenurous', the dancing in Tresspass is called 'stunning' and 'ravishing' and the final ballet's score is 'luscious' according to Crisp.

The Telegraph

Mark Monahan in The Telegraph's three star review begins by saying how the ballet is 'one of the most visually arresting dance programmes of recent years'. Diana and Actaeon is called the 'triumph of the evening', whilst differs from the other reviewers by calling Tresspass 'fussily over-the-top'. The robot in Machina is described 'ultimately distracting'.

6 Week Theatre Challenge: 11-15

11. What was the fist thing you saw at the theatre?

Besides from pantomimes and the occasional trip to an Agatha Christie play, I'd have to say the first thing I saw at the theatre was Sean Mathias' production of Waiting for Godot - I'd also have to say that it was this production which really inspired me to see more theatre and go more regularly.

12. What is the worst production you have seen?

I am lucky in the respect that I haven't seen many terrible productions, however, there have been one or two which just haven't clicked with me. The Late Middle Classes at the Donmar, although well acted, was a big disappointment and from the start did not grip me. The fact I left at the interval says it all. More recently Zach Braff's All New People left me feeling cold, completely failing to lift one smile from my face.

13. What is the production you're most looking forward to?

I am very excited to see The Globe's Richard III and Twelfth Night later this year (I am seeing them very late in their runs). Mark Rylance, in my opinion, is the best actor you can possibly see on stage and so hopefully these two productions are just as good as everything else he has been in. The rest of the cast also looks intriguing - Johnny Flynn as Lady Anne and Stephen Fry as Malvolio.

14. Who is your favourite theatre director?

Katie Mitchell hands down is my favourite theatre director. The sheer originality of her work really excites me and you never quite know what she will do with a text, classic or modern.

15. Which play would you most like to see?

Although not specific, I would like to see more of Shakespeare's obscure work (Pericles, Titus Andronicus).  If I had to be specific and pick a non-Shakespeare I would like to see Beckett's A Piece of Monologue performed.

Metamorphosis: Titian 2012 - Royal Opera House

There are a number of reasons why Metamorphosis: Titian 2012 is so special. The first being that it is part of the London 2012 Festival and so brings together artists from across many disciplines to collaborate on one big project. The second is that it marks the end of an era for not just one, but two familiar faces at the Royal Ballet. This production marks the end of Dame Monica Mason's tenure as artistic director of the Royal Ballet, whilst also being the last production principal dancer Tamara Rojo will dance in. The ballet itself comprises of three ballets inspired by three of Titian's works which are currently on display in the National Gallery (Diana and Actaeon, The Death of Actaeon and Diana and Callisto). The three ballets are named Machina, Trespass and Diana and Actaeon. The final reason why this ballet is so spacial is that it is brilliant.

Machina, the first offering of the night, was brought to us by choreographers Wayne McGregor and Kim Brandstrup. Taking the form of a series of lyrical duets on a stark stage, this ballet resonated throughout the evening and for me, Machina is the one to see. The inclusion of an impressively large tripod playing Diana not only added spectacle but also helped define the atmosphere from the outset, creating light throughout and showing her as an omnipotent and omnipresent being. The performances from Tamara Rojo, Carlos Acosta, Edward Watson and Leanne Benjamin showed the dancers at the top of their game. Acosta and Watson danced like their lives depended on it and Rojo and Benjamin gave sensual performances, undulating around their partners. The juxtaposition of music also added another dimension. The robotic sounds from Diana beautifully contrasted with Nico Muhly's music.

The second ballet, Trespass, offered a completely different dimension to Titian's paintings than Machino. In Trespass, we were transported to a winter wonderland with a set which comprised of a cylinder standing tall in the centre of the stage which allowed, at times, light to pass through to create various effects. Although not as stunningly beautiful as the first ballet, Wheeldon presented a unique take on Titian's work which the audience clearly loved. I did, however, think that he might still be stuck in Alice in Wonderland mode as some of the scenes echoed those chaotic ones in Wonderland. As a whole, this was an accomplished piece of dance.

The third and final ballet, Diana and Actaeon, was clearly the weak link. Given the most inexperienced choreographers (Scarlett, Tuckett and Watknins) this ballet took place in the wilderness of flowing vines. Compared to the previous two ballets, this offered a much more literal take on the story of Diana and subsequently failed to ignite any passion (the costumes were also horrendous). Saying this, it did round of the evening well and again, gave a different perspective on the paintings.

I believe that we must judge Metamorphosis: Titian 2012 as a complete cross-discipline piece of work. From the great exhibition in the National Gallery to the poems written and now the ballet, this epic event offers an invaluable insight into three of the most treasured works in the art world. As a whole experience I would have to give it five stars. It is the most fitting end to Dame Monica Mason's tenure as I can think of, showcasing talent both old and young - paving the way for new practitioners, artists, dancers and choreographers.