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Another reviews backlog
Dec. 22nd, 2011 10:41 amThis is getting silly - far too many fun things, and not nearly enough time to review them properly!
Hood by Stephen Lawhead:
This was an interesting audiobook - a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, only set in 11th century Wales, with a hero named Bran leading a rebellion against the Normans. It was a fun story, with several familiar characters crowbarred in, but the narrator's accent was rather offputting. I think he was an American trying to do RP and failing miserably.
The Silver Locomotive Mystery by Edward Marston:
It's been a long time since I've read a Railway Detective book, but the familiar tropes were all in place - lots of unnecessary exposition by characters who should already know it, Sergeant Leeming complaining about having to travel and then being hit over the head during the course of the investigation, inexplicable lack of progress in Colbeck's relationship with Maddie, etc, etc. It was still fun, and a very light, fast read - plus the very end provided something I've been waiting for through several previous books - although it was done in such an abrupt and tacked-on way that it wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped. Still, it makes me look forward to the next in the series a bit more, to see how things might change.
The Wonderful World of Captain Beaky:
This was an odd ensemble piece at the Royal Albert Hall, with various celebrities reciting poems from the Captain Beaky collection to orchestral music, with interpretative dance accompaniment. It was a bit patchy, and the best one by far was Captain Beaky himself, which they unfortunately did first. Still, it was a fun night out, and very nostalgic.
One Man, Two Guvnors:
I have a less than brilliant relationship with comedy as a general rule, but I do like the Restoration variety. However, this 60s set adaptation seemed to lose the funny in translation, and Dave and I left in the interval.
Olympia:
Always a highlight of the year - as ever, the Shetland Pony Grand National was worth the ticket price alone, and the company was as much of a draw as the actual event.
Three Days In May:
I didn't do this excellent play justice, since I very nearly fell asleep in the first half. Considering it was pretty much confined to one room, with five men essentially debating whether or not to try and make a peace deal with Hitler, it was impressively dynamic and engaging, also provoking much discussion of history and politics afterwards.
The Ladykillers:
I don't remember enjoying the film that much, but this was an ingenious production - the stage revolved, there were clever tricks with windows and furniture, and a silly sequence involving toy cars driving up and down the outside of the house. I think I enjoyed the staging more than the actual play, but all the performances were excellent, and it had several very amusing bits.
Hood by Stephen Lawhead:
This was an interesting audiobook - a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, only set in 11th century Wales, with a hero named Bran leading a rebellion against the Normans. It was a fun story, with several familiar characters crowbarred in, but the narrator's accent was rather offputting. I think he was an American trying to do RP and failing miserably.
The Silver Locomotive Mystery by Edward Marston:
It's been a long time since I've read a Railway Detective book, but the familiar tropes were all in place - lots of unnecessary exposition by characters who should already know it, Sergeant Leeming complaining about having to travel and then being hit over the head during the course of the investigation, inexplicable lack of progress in Colbeck's relationship with Maddie, etc, etc. It was still fun, and a very light, fast read - plus the very end provided something I've been waiting for through several previous books - although it was done in such an abrupt and tacked-on way that it wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped. Still, it makes me look forward to the next in the series a bit more, to see how things might change.
The Wonderful World of Captain Beaky:
This was an odd ensemble piece at the Royal Albert Hall, with various celebrities reciting poems from the Captain Beaky collection to orchestral music, with interpretative dance accompaniment. It was a bit patchy, and the best one by far was Captain Beaky himself, which they unfortunately did first. Still, it was a fun night out, and very nostalgic.
One Man, Two Guvnors:
I have a less than brilliant relationship with comedy as a general rule, but I do like the Restoration variety. However, this 60s set adaptation seemed to lose the funny in translation, and Dave and I left in the interval.
Olympia:
Always a highlight of the year - as ever, the Shetland Pony Grand National was worth the ticket price alone, and the company was as much of a draw as the actual event.
Three Days In May:
I didn't do this excellent play justice, since I very nearly fell asleep in the first half. Considering it was pretty much confined to one room, with five men essentially debating whether or not to try and make a peace deal with Hitler, it was impressively dynamic and engaging, also provoking much discussion of history and politics afterwards.
The Ladykillers:
I don't remember enjoying the film that much, but this was an ingenious production - the stage revolved, there were clever tricks with windows and furniture, and a silly sequence involving toy cars driving up and down the outside of the house. I think I enjoyed the staging more than the actual play, but all the performances were excellent, and it had several very amusing bits.
