Rendering on theatre (4)

The article I’m going to discuss is entitled “Viagogo warns of rising number of ticket scams” It was published on guardian.co.uk by Rupert Jones on March 28st, 2013. The article reports at length that  ticket buyers more likely to be duped by fake ticket websites and other online sources than by a 'traditional' venue tout. The article takes a critical view of the ticket scams. They are "on the rise" with Britons being ripped off to the tune of £50m over the past year alone, according to a study.

It’s reported here that the research from ticket resale website Viagogo names Coldplay, the Rolling Stones and One Direction as the acts most targeted by fraudsters during the period, but its findings were disputed by a leading ticket fraud expert. Moreover, it added that people are now more likely to be duped by fake ticket websites, auction sites and via Facebook and Twitter than the "traditional" tout outside a venue.

It soon becomes clear that young people were most at risk, with 18-24-year-olds the most likely to buy from unknown online sources. However, Viagogo's findings were criticised by ticketing expert Reg Walker, who has been responsible for anti-counterfeiting operations at a number of major events. Walker, who is operations director of the Iridium Consultancy said that ticket fraud over the past 12 months had declined.

In this connection it’s also worth mentioning that he added that losses from fraud had fallen dramatically over the past three years, partly as a result of Operation Podium, the Metropolitan Police's dedicated team dealing with serious and organised crime affecting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which is currently being disbanded. A large part of the team's work was targeting those engaged in ticket crime. Walker said many fraudulent websites had had their online payment facilities switched off, making it harder for them to operate.

In resolute terms the author of the article praises that in November 2012 it was reported by the BBC and others that between 100 and 200 people were turned away from a Mumford & Sons gig in Portsmouth after being found to have fake tickets. Some had bought them on Viagogo. It’s made clear that Viagogo has also been at the centre of other controversies. It raised eyebrows when it moved its headquarters from London to Geneva in March 2012, and in November 2012, following a supreme court ruling, the company was ordered to hand over to the Rugby Football Union the names and addresses of people who sold-on tickets to England rugby matches via its website.

Frankly speaking, I cannot but agree with the author that spurious sells has spread all over the world. Our society must try to avoid and stop it, while these organizations should be strictly punished.

Rendering on theatre (3)

The article published by Vanessa Thorpe on the website  observer.guardian.co.uk  on the 24th o March, 2013 is headlined “Reality TV is harming the theatre”. The article reports at length that the doyenne of dance, Gillian Lynne, who is soon to receive an Olivier special award, believes culture of instant fame is bad for stage shows.

Speaking of the situation it is interesting to note that the woman behind a host of bestselling West End shows over the past 30 years is worried about the future of the industry. Gillian Lynne, the doyenne of live dance as choreographer of Cats, The Phantom of The Opera and Aspects of Love, is to receive an Olivier award for lifetime achievement next month. She told the Observer she senses a growing threat to musical theatre from television.

It is an open secret that at 87, Lynne is the most successful choreographer of several generations. The Olivier award will celebrate her contribution to theatre and a career she believes has been built ona commitment to her art and a dislike of shortcuts. In spite of a close working relationship with Lord Lloyd-Webber, who uses TV contests to pick out his new stage stars, Lynne fears the reliance on celebrities has undermined her craft.

There is some comment on that her Olivier award means she joins an elite list of previous recipients, including Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Dame Maggie Smith and Sir Alan Ayckbourn. The ceremony in London will crown a career in which she has danced with both Frederick Ashton and Fred Astaire. It’s necessary to note that Lynne danced the Black Queen in Checkmate, among other leading roles, at the Royal Opera House, where Dame Ninette de Valois picked her out as a rebel.  Eventually, Lynne left Covent Garden, returning much later to choreograph and dance in opera interludes. In recent years, she has complained that the Royal Ballet has let its dancers forget the sensuality of dance.  

The article draws a conclusion that in the West End, where she appeared on stage with Dudley Moore and then worked with Anthony Newley on the revue show The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd, Lynne blossomed. To my mind, we must be proud of such magnificent choreographers. Gillian Lynne is a doyenne o dance nowadays and what a pity we know so little about her interesting life and her brilliant career.

Rendering on theatre (2)

The article published on the website artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com on the 19th of March, 2013 is headlined “New ‘Guy,’ New ‘Girl’ Joining ‘Once”. It was written by Patricia Cohen.

 The article reports at length that the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Once” is having a cast makeover. Sunday will mark the last scheduled appearance of the show’s Tony-winning star, Steeve Kazze and his colleagues Elizabeth A. Davis and Will Connolly.

There is a lot of comment on casting actors for parts. Ben Hope, Mr. Kazee’s understudy as the Dublin street musican called simply “Guy,” will take over full time. “Girl” (Ms. Milioti’s role) will be played by Laura Dreyfuss, who appeared in the Broadway revival and national tour of “Hair.” Carlos Valdes will succeed Mr. Connolly as Andrej and Claire Wellin will play Reza, Ms. Davis’s part.

As it turns out, Mr. Kazee has been absent from the stage since Feb. 6 when he went on leave for vocal rest. (Mr. Hope has been in the role during that time.) A spokeswoman for the show said on Tuesday that it was still unclear whether Mr. Kazee would be able to appear again before the official turnover on Monday.

Analyzing the situation, it is necessary to emphasize that  “Once” is based on a 2007 film about the relationship between an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant. Moreover, the show, featuring songs by Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard, won eight Tony awards in 2012.

As for me, I think such projects should be created. It’s not only a wonderful experience for the actors but it’s a good entertainment for public, much better than various reality shows and soap operas.

Rendering on theatre (1)

The article I’m going to analyze is headlined "Love Never Dies back to the West End". According to data provided, it was published in The Guardian on the 19th of March, 2013 by Matt Trueman

In this article  the author tells us that Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to Phantom is set to return for a UK tour after successful Australian staging. It’s a well-known fact that the London premiere was widely judged to be a flop, but Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical “Love Never Dies” could return to the West End following a UK tour next year.

According to the author while recording an ITV special celebrating his 40-year career, the composer let slip that a revival was in the works later this year or early next one. That prompted David Ian and Michael Harrison, producers of the West End production of The Bodyguard, to announce that they would be taking the musical – a sequel of Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera set on Coney Island in New York. However, it’s necessary to point out that the pair are in the process of booking a 75 to 80-week run around Britain with an eye towards a West End return should it prove a success. Ian also raised the possibility of further international transfers, including North America and south-east Asia.

Speaking of the play, the author says the new production would be based on the Simon Phillips's Australian staging, which premiered in Melbourne in May 2011, shortly before the show closed in London after 15 months. The original had a tricky run, struggling to shake off a handful of negative reviews. However, it still picked up seven nominations at the 2011 Olivier awards.

Analyzing the situation in whole, it should be emphasized that in Australia, Phillips's production went three better, scooping up 10 nominations at the Helpmann awards and winning three. It was subsequently filmed for DVD.

The author concludes by saying that during filming for the ITV programme, which will be broadcast on Easter Day, Lloyd Webber joked that its success was the result of having had "very little involvement from me". He also revealed that his latest musical, based on the Profumo scandal, is now ready for production.

As for me, I can’t say how I’m glad for this news. I enjoyed this play deeply and it’s pleasant to know that many people can see now the sequel to Phantom.

Film Review 1

Movie Info

Genres: Biography, Drama

Taglines: Study for a portrait of Francis Bacon.

Runtime: 90 min

Release Date: 18 September 1998 (UK) 

Also Known As: Love Is the Devil 

John Maybury's film presents artist Francis Bacon as an uncaring, disturbed, unhinged, genius who used people and life to feed his bizarre artistic talent.

This movie was very dark. Calling it a biography is going too far. It gave you a very small slice of Bacon's life, i.e., his affair with George. I am left with too many unanswered questions. Definitely an "art" film.

Francis Bacon was one of the most acclaimed artists of his generation, and Derek Jacobi is one of the finest actors of his, but even this combination can't make 'Love is the Devil', John Maybury's biopic of Bacon's life, especially interesting. The problem is that the film lacks a central point of sympathy, Bacon comes across as selfish and spoilt, while his hapless lover (George Dyer, as nemesis, and muse, is also very good ) is too clearly out of his depth from the start, and never manages to become someone in whom one can invest any hopes.

Francis Bacon was not capable of love. His male lover was. And so the brilliant Bacon took joy in berating his lover. Bacon may have been a talent but his evil nature begged for punishment. If his death did one just thing it removed him from society. And though he knew his lover was suicidal he just remained indifferent. 

 In terms of its overall feel, the film tries to reflect Bacon's artistic sensibility.  Unless you're a particular fan of Bacon, you can afford to miss this film.

This film is ultimately frustrating, difficult, and perhaps a pointless exercise as far as giving us any lasting impression of Bacon's character. But, like his well-known paintings, it is snatches of images you will remember. Many viewers would find this film difficult viewing as the life and style of the painter are less than immaculate. But for those who love expressionistic figurative art and the joy of creative film making, this is a very fine work to add to the library.

I did not like this movie very much. I guess (as I don't really know the biography of Bacon) the director did a good job in his characterisation of Bacon. Nevertheless the film is not really special or interesting.

Ind. Reading "The Moon and The Sixpence". Part 6

The story tells us about an Englishman Charles Strickland, an ordinary man without any talent or aim in his life. He had a wife and two teenage children. It seemed they are close and loving family until one day Strickland left England and went to France to become a painter. Nobody couldn’t believe in it and even tried to appeal to the conscience but it was unavailing.

Meanwhile Strickland continued painting and overcoming various perplexity. He didn’t have much money and couldn’t afford a comfort life. In the last visit the narrator knew that his close friend Dirk Stroeve knew Strickland and considered him a great artist. Dirk was so kind and trusting that didn’t even notice how his wife, Blanche, fell in love with Strickland. She loved him so passionately that after a serious scandal, she committed suicide. Dirk was terribly upset and left France to live with his parents. Strickland also left Paris.

The narrator didn’t see him again but knew what had happened with him. Strickland lived in Marseille and from that he went to Tahiti, where he found a wife and had two children. He was happy and continued creating his art. In the end of his life he became blind because of leprosy but even in that case continued to paint. His last painting was a real masterpiece but his wife burnt the wall and the house itself. Strickland was a person who wasn’t understood during his hard life. But he was successful after his death.

Ind. Reading "The Moon and The Sixpence". Part 5

About a month the narrator didn’t think about that sad business but one day he suddenly met Strickland. The narrator didn’t pay attention to him, but Strickland was very glad and followed him. They didn’t speak much and the narrator thought how to get rid of him and couldn’t do it. Strickland was in a perfect mood and had an aim to talk. So they go to the narrator’s flat where Strickland told a real story of him and Blanche’s relationship and suggested to show his paintings. The narrator agreed and was deeply impressed; he didn’t think that Strickland was so genius.

After that, Strickland left France and the narrator didn’t see him anymore. But he visited Tahiti where he knew the rest information about Strickland till his death.  He met with a captain Nichols who had knew Strickland and told many interesting facts. They got acquainted in Marseille and became like friends, help each other to survive. They searched for a work, for food and for a place to sleep. Strickland waited a ship to go Tahiti because he thought and dreamed that it would be better there and Nichols was of the same opinion. They were employed to the ship going to Australia.

In Tahiti Strickland seemed to find himself, he created a family and had two children. Unfortunately one child died in infancy. He worked hard and continued painting. He was happy and full of life but once he found that had leprosy. His wife didn’t left him and they went to live in the forest in a small house where he painted his last works of arts. When Strickland died, his wife burnt the house and the masterpiece of all his life was damaged. During his life he wasn’t rich and popular and only with his death he became successful and his paintings became valuable masterpieces.

Ind. Reading "The Moon and The Sixpence". Part 4

All day and night Blanche had to take care about Strickland. He was so week and sickly that the narrator began to think Strickland would die. Nevertheless, several weeks passed, and the first signs of his convalescence began appearing. Strickland was unusually pale and thin, but even in this case he didn’t afford any comfort. Dirk was happy and didn’t notice strange changes that occurred with his wife. She stopped hating Strickland and in her eyes it was possible to notice a small light of the passion.

Once the narrator was disturbed by Stroeve. Dirk was breathless and dismayed and when he began his story the narrator felt the same feelings. Dirk told that his wife left him and decided to live with Strickland, that she was ready to suffer from hardships but lived with her lover. Strickland didn’t comment this, so Dirk left the house and even suggested to live them in it. He was confused and understood nothing. Day from day, Dirk looked for Blanche in the market trying to talk but she didn’t even want to listen to him.

Dirk hardly bore this situation, until one day a terrible accident happened. Blanche and Strickland abused one another and he left the house to live alone. She couldn’t bear it and committed suicide. But a servant heard this, so the ambulance arrived in time and Blanche was moved to the hospital. Dirk got restless but in few days Blanche died. It was a dark period for him, so he decided to change his life completely. Dirk sold all his goods and went to Amsterdam to search a new life.