Culture & Literature – Page 27 of 37

The National presents Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”

8Jan

By Jordan ThorneNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

The National presents Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”

When the National takes on a Shakespeare play, we all expect great things, and this season’s production of the comedy, "As You Like It", with Polly Findlay at the helm, lives up to the high standards the company have set themselves. (more…)

1Jan

By Zara.gillick.2014No Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV, Theatre & Performance

Theatre… in the Cinema?

Lyndsey Turner’s production of Hamlet, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, was the fastest selling theatre show in London’s history. But for those who didn’t get tickets and didn’t want to queue in the early hours of the morning to get a ticket for £10, of which there were a handful set aside for each performance, National Theatre Live were broadcasting the play live to cinemas worldwide. NTLive broadcast many big London theatre productions so far, including Simon Stephens’ ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time’ and Stephen Daldry’s ‘An Audience’. It was an extremely slick and well produced production. The camera work arguably enhanced the experience, allowing you access to the nuanced facial expressions and emotions of the actors, not to mention allowing you to see the s...

7Dec

By Beth CarrNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

RAG’s Cinderfella Reviewed

“I wish I could go but I just can’t face going out in the cold. I’m also not a great fan of pantomimes…” And within three hours of uttering those words I was out of the house, on my way to the SU to see Cinderfella, this year’s RAG Christmas Panto. As a self-confessed pantomime sceptic, I was slightly concerned about being sat in the aisle for something that heavily involves audience participation, but when we established that 'custard pie-ing' the audience was a pantomime tradition that only exists in Cornwall, I relaxed into the panto atmosphere. What is evident from the beginning is that this is an original production tailored to Royal Holloway, making it relatable to the audience. From Monkey’s to Medicine and the new Stumble Out, there are few places familiar to Holloway students t...

Savoy sets sail with the astounding ‘Anything Goes’

1Dec

By Beth CarrNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Savoy sets sail with the astounding ‘Anything Goes’

Beth Carr reviews the latest production from Savoy Opera Society. Photo from rehearsals, credit: Harriet Kennerley Jane Holloway Hall, as the old swimming pool, seems a fitting venue for the Savoy's Autumn term production of Anything Goes, following the SS American's voyage from America to Britain. As the oldest society on campus, Savoy Opera Society has been delivering fantastic shows for almost 50 years and this one was no exception. It was not an easy journey from bid to production but from the amount of smiling amongst the cast and crew, it is not hard to tell that they all love the show. One of the strengths of the show was its inclusivity. The production team and cast included members from all years and from departments such as History, Geography and English as well as the usu...

27Nov

By Laura LawrenceNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Harry Potter and The Fight for Tickets

This month saw the release of the long awaited Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatre tickets which opens in the summer of 2016. It is safe to say that the fight for tickets was not a pleasant experience for many fans as thousands attempt to secure their place at the show. For the smart fans who signed up for pre-sale tickets their journey started a week before general release when they had to sign up to the ticket merchant to be in with a chance of getting tickets. This saw some fans waiting for up to five hours in order to get tickets which did not even guarantee tickets. Under eight hours 175000 tickets were sold and cheaper tickets sold out within the first hour leaving younger fans unable to afford the £130 for higher priced seats. Presale tickets immediately went of sale on second...

26Nov

By GeorgiahannahaustinNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Review: Vernon God Little

On November the 19th I attended The Student Workshop’s second performance of ‘Vernon God little’, what I didn’t know is that I would be transported into the shoes of an almost 17-year-old teenager from Texas. The murder mystery follows through the eyes of Vernon; he is wrongly accused of being an accessory to a school massacre which we find out was committed by his best friend. This later becomes the talk of the local town in which by the end reaches national news. The further Vernon runs, the more he is assumed to be a serial killer which lands him on a reality ‘I’m a celeb get me out of here’ kind of show, in which people have to vote for the next life to be ended on death row. We learn no one is who they really seem to be, the local TV repairman may be an on-the-spot TV reporter a...

Something Wicked This Way Comes: ‘Faustaff’ Premieres at The Cockpit

25Nov

By George SomersNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Something Wicked This Way Comes: ‘Faustaff’ Premieres at The Cockpit

“Say it like you did in the asylum” – “You’re going to kill your wife, and then you’re going to kill yourself”. Written by Holloway alumni Diego Sosa, ‘Faustaff: or the Mockery of the Soul’ commenced its limited three-week run on the London stage on the 18th, bringing its demonic, experimental vibe to the theatre of the capital. Merging the raw physicality of brutal murder scenes with the psychological mind-meddling trickery of a playful demon - played by ‘Doctors’ Eddie Chamberlin - ‘Faustaff’ will leave you pondering on the story long after you’ve left The Cockpit. The stage, much like the cluttered laboratory of a crazed scientist, is a place to experiment, crashing ideas together, ramming thoughts into test tubes and observing what happens. ‘Faustaff’ poses some brain-bogglin...

24Nov

By Nebiu SamuelNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV, Music

‘Amy’ Documentary Review

Many documentaries struggle to find a cinematic style and voice which warrants it to be released in cinemas however in the case of ‘Amy’, it delivers on giving you an emotional, cinematic and musical experience. The documentary focuses on the rise of Amy Winehouse, through her time in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and singing in blue clubs in North London to her international success, her problematic personal life and her tragic death. The main feature of ‘Amy’ is how director Asif Kapadia (Senna) and editor Chris King uses Winehouse’s poetic and autobiographic lyrics from songs like ‘Stronger than Me’, ‘I Heard Love is Blind’, ‘What is it About Men’, ‘Rehab’ or ‘Back in Black’ to build the narrative around and is able to make it seem Amy has a voice in the film. Through the documenta...

24Nov

By Beth CarrNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Di and Viv and Rose

Beth Carr reviews The Student Workshop's first production of the term. Upon reading the synopsis for Di and Viv and Rose, it became impossible to resist buying a ticket and heading to see it. Following three girls from the beginning of their friendship at university into adulthood and the changes it brings, the Student Workshop's rehearsal room production brought the story to life intimately. With only 35 seats at each performance, the audience is sucked into the drama and humour of the lives of the three characters, and it is hard to imagine the play being performed in any other way. Putting three unknown first years in the spotlight was a risk that paid off and each reflected the different personalities of the characters with ease. To the women watching, as well as I hope the men, ...

24Nov

By Olivia AtkinsonNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

A Royal Review

Based on the novels by Lily Blake and dramatised by Laurie McCarthy and Stephanie SenGupta, the new television series, ‘Reign’ has stolen the spotlight on The CW - a popular American channel - and, of course, the wonderful Netflix. Following the life of Mary, Queen of Scots and her engagement to the future King of France, Francis; a politically arranged union based on forming an alliance against the English Queen, Elizabeth I, this American, historical, fantasy has proven to be worthy of not just my praise but renowned awards. Examples include the People’s Choice Award and Hollywood Post Alliance Awards, and as Series 3 unravels this month, I am sure there will be many more awards to come. Filming takes place in a variety of stunning locations, some of which include Toronto and Irel...