| By Eve Rowan The N16 arts
menu is fantastically flavoursome this Spring. Without further ado…
Play date
Toys are us at the Hackney Museum where the top toys of the Victoria
and Albert museum are on loan (7 March – 7 July). We’re
talking dolls, teddies, train sets and board games among other things,
dating from the 16th century to the present.
Sitting room only
At the Geffrye Museum – the museum of great pads of years
gone by – an exhibition called Domestic Archaeology explores
personal spaces, histories and uses of the living room’ (25
April - 28 August). This is reminiscent of my current flat-hunting
experiences but probably much more enjoyable.
Say tease
The very velvety Hackney Empire is visited by Rococoagogo ‘a
night of subversive theatrical performance and magnificent music’
on 16 March. The event is a burlesque collaboration, featuring the
talents of the Irrepressibles and the Whoopee Club. A version of
Peter and The Wolf, (complete with a prequel!) runs between 30 March
and 16 April. Then, Trainspotting (the play) is on from 18 April
till 22 April. And the play, they say, is more extreme then the
film and the book – shudder.
Wanderful world
In Dalston, The Rio Cinema is showing some of the films in the London
International Gypsy Film Festival, including Irish traveller film
Pavee Lackeen (see review). Also worth a look are dance-themed short
films of the 6th Constellation Change Screen Dance Festival (25
March).
Lots of love
Over at the Arcola Theatre, one 19th century drawing room romance,
Anatol (see review), is followed by a 21st century university romp-a-trois,
Gaudeamus and a Very Liberal Education. The latter is a new play
from Paul Morris, whose previous play The Age of Consent was hailed
as hilarious and wonderfully sharp. So this is promising.
For more information on events and tickets:
Hackney Museum, hmuseum@hackney.gov.uk, 020 8356 3500
Geffrye Museum, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk, 020 7739 9893
Rio Cinema, www.riocinema.ndirect.co.uk, 020 7241 9410
Arcola Theatre, www.arcolatheatre.com, 020 7503 16 46
Hackney Empire, www.hackneyempire.co.uk, 020 8510 4500
Reviews
Anatol
Anatol is a play about a reckless romantic named Anatol. And when
it comes to romance, Anotol is one of those dandies who is at times
victor, at times victim. The play starts out as a trip down memory
lane, with analysis and flashbacks of his various loves –
played somewhat indistinctly by the same woman (Anna Francolini).
Then, at some point in the second half, the play whips itself into
a chaotic crescendo which nods directly towards Oscar Wilde. Unfortunately,
Arthur Schnitzler’s play is less funny and more convoluted
than those of Wilde.
When faced with two hours of ceaselessly posh inflections, it is
nice for an audience to have a rich and sumptuous set to admire.
This time, the set was tasteful but scant, putting a greater focus
on the performances. Which led to a question. Whose play is it anyway?
One would suppose it would be the Anatol of the title. Alas Sam
Hodges’ performance lacks vim. His sidekick Max (Andrew Fallaize),
gets more out of his lines and actually makes a greater impression.
But then the every-woman gets the last line of the play –
‘I will be back!’ -?
Anatol plays at the Arcola until 18 March.
Review by Eve Rowan
Pavee Lakeen – Traveller Girl
An eye-catching photo with a title in an unfamiliar language might
lead one to think that Pavee Lakeen’s promo poster is an add
for the newest in Scandinavian pop, but it is in fact for a film
about an Irish traveller girl, Winnie. A debut feature by Perry
Ogden, this docu-drama is cast directly from the travelling community
and is largely devoid of sentiment. The wandering narrative remains
engaging due to beautiful photography and a splendid lead performance
by Winnie Maughan.
Pavee Lakeen plays between March 26 - 29 at the Rio as part
of the London International Gypsy Film Festival.
Review By Mary Deely
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