Much Ado About David Tennant

Opening Night Review :-

Wyhdham’s Theatre is in the heart of sprawling London Town by the well worn steps of Leister Square’s Underground maze. All around, tourists barter for discounted West End seats, coffee and bagels scent the air and the chu-ching of one armed bandits ding to flashing neon lights as the hustle and bustle of a thriving capitol discombobulates the senses. However, currently the renowned starry walkway of the glittering stage, Leister Square, is closed for renovation which is fairly hilarious in itself, not possessing the ability to ‘break-down’ as such or require painters, plumbers or candlestick makers except to grace its lawns in summer’s prize picnic weather.

The Theatre itself is the very image of sophistication and ornate beauty with the pale pastel blue and cream theme, laced with gold, sculptures in antiquated style and a ceiling that would make Michael Angelo proud and causes much less neck ache with its more diminutive proportions. It is intimate and welcoming. The curtain cascades down in sky blue, the building smells of love, passion and age and the seats are filled with eager patrons and probably quite a few whovians!



‘Much ado about Nothing’ – ‘Two star-crossed lovers’ Benedict and Beatrice are NOT; perhaps two sparring pragmatists, duelling with scabbards crossed, though they are more likely to cross wits or cross-dress, in Benedict’s case, for an impious charade. The set design is neoclassical and grand with marbled white flooring and pillars and a Mediterranean backdrop to establish the scene. The curtain rises to reveal a relaxed, sun bathing and casually dressed Beatrice (Catherine Tate) and an aerobicising Hero to modern, strong beated music.



The crowd goes wild – yes a strange metaphor for Shakespearean theatre – on the arrival of the sexy smooth Tennant in a golf caddy car with high spirited horn. He has definite ‘5-o’clock’ shadow for ruggedness and is wearing stylish sunglasses. Benedict and his compatriots are arriving at their good friends, Leonato’s after an undefined war and are clad in crisp, white military regalia. Love a man in uniform!



The script is faithful to the original Shakespearean which praises its author with natural modernity and biting wit. Chronologically, the scenes have a distinct 80s feel and the metered songs are set to contempory up-beat rock music. There is a focus on visual slapstick comedy which, during the false love testimony scenes, includes Catherine squirming around mid air on a painter’s pulley and Tennant layered in supposed white paint, forgetting his hand slipped folly and plastering the stuff all over his wild, full hair, face and summer clothes. The effect, with two such strong, energetic and facial expressive actors, is hilarious though one does feel that perhaps the hi-jinxes detract from the genius of the penned script in favour of wooing audiences to fits of giggles that drown out the dialogue. Certainly far from a traditional RSC production.



The characterisation of Benedict and Beatrice play on the actor’s natural crazy charisma as egregious, energetic and demonstrative fools with such comfortable banter and exaggerated peevish insults. There’s a lot of Catherine’s comedy style and David is cavalier and teasing with innate magnetism and presence. However what I really loved was the vivid flip to intense drama in the wedding scene when somehow they managed that mix of serious acting and uncomfortable humour as the dialogue is both potent with impetus and silly and ironic with the pre-determined personalities that the audience is half laughing and half crying.



This was opening night, the first preview but ostensibly very little went wrong, a dropped beer can, cigarette and David half crashed into the screen flats when making a hasty exit on the buggy – not the best driver – bless! The whole house exploded with applause and a standing ovation that left David Tennant in particular, looking a little bashful and humbled but grinning from ear to ear and giving his customary mock salute on exiting.



I am forever awed by that man who is certainly one of the most powerful and expressive actors of our time, if not the most and yet the man, seems genuinely miffed by his acclaim and is likeable and conversational in person that one cannot help but grace him with a fond, goofy smile!



I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about being so close to the man that this inspired me and filled many a fantasy (often naked) for years but strangely I found that he still felt unreal, like I was watching from a detached screen though perhaps that is defensive, to protect the heart from truly wishing!



I really hope that this is converted to DVD but I doubt it. I think Hamlet was the exception and not the rule, justified but its prominent place in theatre history and the educational value but this is a Delfont Mackintosh theatre production and was definitely theatre for the masses, bridging the boredom many might have felt at straight and incomprehensible Shakespeare (not that I’m condemning that as in Shakespeare’s time the playhouse was plebeian entertainment for all).



Just an aside to say – wow has Catherine Tate lost weight – she looked absolutely stunning, breathtaking really and David in hot pants and Hawaiian shirts AND conversing in his natural Scottish accent well blow me down with a feather and take me out of the oven for I’m done!!! You could really see a great bond of friendship in the chemistry between the two and a lot of excitement in their new undertaking. Oh that I wasn’t such a good girl or I would have loved to snap some shots or discreetly video the entire production. After turning up two years ago and watching Hamlet THE NIGHT BEFORE David returned to the leading role, I am thrilled to have the privilege of attending that night and am besoughted with London and the arts all over again. Now just to beat depression, get a job and have some money to actually live there! Sigh!

Movie Review: Salt 2010

SALT, poses one question whose answer has serious ramifications for the nuclear aged world and which will, in my humble opinion, entrance the viewer to watching through to the credits for its resolution.  Who is Evelyn Salt? However the mystery and dissembling agendas of this piece just barely make up for the unoriginal and lax dialogue and lack of character empathy I experienced throughout.
Angelina Jolie is, of course, stunning even in her various disguises and exhibits feminine strength and vengeance that is titillating but the convoluted plot, that begins well, is rather far-fetched and full of political agenda and fanatical terrorism. Espionage is notoriously sexy and Jolie handles this mission with her usual savvy and professional detachment.
Some of her survival kit inventions are indeed interesting and different to conventional machine gun overdoses.  Who doesn’t want to see an athletic woman try to undermine national security with a glue gun and ball of string but the attempts at pace are distracted by sitcom clichéd flashbacks of sprouting love between Salt and her target, German academic husband (played August Diehl) that are shallow and saccharine as they attempt to form back-story and sympathy.
The cinematography is grey scale and macabre and the casting choices, somewhat obvious and spoilery, especially that of Liev Schreiber and Andre Braugher roles is unfortunately brief.  Still it is spies and moles and conspiracy, handled in a different light and worth the watch but not the purchase.  There is one vertigo inducing scene and an adorable dog plus spiders if that's your thing.
A story of the C.I.A. suspecting one of their own but not the conventional and idealistic agenda of clearing the hero’s name, it detaches from this sentimentality and skewers the perspective of right and wrong.
Hopefully the Russians will take this as pure entertainment and the Americans, once again, laugh at the incompetence and heavy handed methodology implied.
This film is another look at the ‘dark’ action hero with a personal agenda and weak allegiance and zero introspection.  Salt is a breed warrior designed to be an autonomous drone and the attempts at making her appear ‘normal’ are uninventive and stereotypical.
Two and a half stars for this production, directed by Philip Noyce and running at 100minutes long.

A Movie Review of Knight and Day (2010)

Knight and Day

Tom Cruise, the ageing, diminutive star of high tension drama and adventure, leads this cast with a practiced and familiar character, Roy Millar, a secret agent, supposedly framed and declared ‘rouge’ by his fellow patriots.  Yes, this has type casting all over it as the bicep-ed hunk of ‘Mission Impossible’ and intense, invasive and confident romantic of ‘Days of Thunder’ or ‘Top Gun’ reappears for this superman, good guys versus bad guys romp of violence, catch phrases and sexy damsels in distress.

However obvious the casting may be, begrudgingly, it is also perfect and the tried and tested action/adventure hero and unsuspecting blonde companion receives a refreshing breathe of fresh air with re-invigorating dialogue that is both witty and potent and a small injection of the ridiculous to add hilarity and likeability to this quirky, larger than life hero.

The plot is modern and simple enough to follow but with enough grey areas and dissimilitude to keep the audience guessing and wanting to believe.  In many ways it’s a parody of conventional films in this genre as it takes what the viewer expects and laughs at itself saying, ‘Yeah. We’re going to use this device but we refuse to be subtle and will tweak it for originality’.  It credits the audience as being modern, movie connoisseurs, mocking the audacity of far fetched scenes and typical clichés just far enough for the conventional action lover to still switch off and enjoy but for the bored, seen everything, nay-sayer to appreciate as well.

The ‘devil may care’ and matter of fact way Cruise handles the impossible situations and heavy bullet use, car chases adds levity and pace and the banter between Cruise and Cameron Diaz (the beautiful blonde, underachieving, small town, thrill seeker) is endearing and comical.

The story is moved along realistically using a funny and faux-pas device of drugging the damsel to allow time passage and to add a reality to her character – most women don’t become brave, stealth soldiers overnight no matter what handsome interloper shakes them out of their safe reality.

The cinematography is crisp in the action scenes and humorous and affective in single person perspective shots.  The 109 minutes of James Mangold’s directing is a pleasure to watch and holds the spectator’s attention and interest.

In conclusion this film doesn’t claim to be some epic love story nor deep intellectual critique on society or politics; it is merely fun and thrilling and delivers an enjoyable and memorable production of crazy antics and addictive characters for all the family.

Review : The Giant's Causeway Hotel

The Giant’s Causeway Hotel exudes history and charm.  Over one hundred and fifty years old, this sturdy, white washed building perches on the majestic cliffs of the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland.  The Mountains of Mourne Coastal Route is known as an area of natural beauty and is steeped in geological and mythological lore.

Location, as they say, is everything and you can’t quantify the priceless scapes of the strange, hexagonal pillars of the Giant’s Causeway and the sea caves and picturesque walks that abound throughout.

The Hotel stands beside the National Trust Visitors Centre.  It is free entry to the Causeway however (unless you are staying at the Hotel) the car parking is charged.  The story of the Causeway as many variations passed down from oral tradition over the years.  A favourite, more Irish in tone, goes as follows:

Finn MaCool was a family man who also happened to be a Northern Irish giant, who lived on the North coast of the Island.  Finn bragged about his giantly heroism and combat, slandering Scotland’s giant, Benandonoor in the process.  As one would imagine, Benandonoor was not pleased or privy to having his good name debunked and fuming with rage he built a bridge (Causeway) between Northern Ireland and Scotland to challenge Finn to a dual.

When mighty Finn heard this he was rightly, afraid and ran back to his wife and baby at home (probably from the pub!).  MaCool dawned his baby’s bonnet and climbed into its crib, rocking back and forth, snuggled in a blanket so that whenever Benandonoor barged through the door and caught sight of the, apparently sleeping, baby, he fled for fear of the size of the father that would bare such a child. 

As he retreated he tore up the middle of the causeway, throwing huge chunks of land into the sea (that would later be known as the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man) so that he couldn’t be followed.

Now-a-days thousands of visitor’s journey for all walks of life to see the weird rock formations left behind.  Many choose to stay in the isolation Hotel that stands weathered and white against the night sky on the edge of a cliff.  The vista’s from the rooms are indeed spectacular however if you are seeking modernity and neutral, minimalistic accommodation, the Causeway Hotel is not for you.

The Hotel shows signs of age and the passage of time.  It is large and was very grand in its day, opulent, with rich warm décor.  Now the wallpapers peeling slightly and the carpets are worn but the cosy, friendly atmosphere is welcoming and friendly.

Photographs and landscapes of the area adorn the walls.  The restaurant bar and pub is old fashioned with brash family crests and heavy mahogany furniture.  The space is large, yet has private booths and a good range of drinks.  The food is fairly priced and of a high quality, if not haute cuisine, it is none the less a hardy and enjoyable meal.

The restaurant proper is a little sparse and less attractive but again the service and food on offer is of a high standard.  The Hotel also offers many conference rooms and suites.

The rooms are large and in keeping with mid-eighteen hundred style though with a lot less opulence.  There is an historic feel throughout and the rattlely, prominent windows are a little drafty and spooky, the corridors, echoy and lengthy.  The ambience is enchanting for ghost stories and watching sea frets move in over the coast and the whole building retains a level of dignity and splendour of a bygone age.

For a period escape with epic scenery and outdoors walks the Causeway Hotel is most apt however if you are not interested in the countryside or the Causeway, the Hotel is fairly remote and you would be better staying in the touristy sea side town of Portrush a few miles away with 24 hour shops and good public transport, many a traveller has been stranded at the Giant’s Causeway without transport.