Henry V

A bit of culture last night - we all (that's all four of us - yes hubby came too) went to the Playhouse in Liverpool to see a new production of Shakespeare's Henry V.

The production is a collaboration with the Globe Theatre and is directed by Dominic Dromgoole.  Last night was the opening night of the play and it is being performed in Liverpool until the 28th April.  After that it is touring the country before having a run at the Globe Theatre in June. 


It was a brilliant production,  I'm not familiar with this particular play but it wasn't too difficult to follow the action.  

Thankfully it wasn't a modern dress version.  The acting was excellent all round and there was a surprising amount of humour in the play (I thought it was all about fighting!).  This production featured significant musical accompaniments and a great dance scene at the end. 

We all enjoyed it and if you get a chance, I'd recommend you go and see it - even if just for the dancing at the end.  

Swallows and Amazons

One of my favourite children's books is Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome.  I have read it several times - plus all the other books in the series.

In 2010, the story was adapted into a musical with music by Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy and it premièred in Bristol.

In December last year the play moved to London and this year it is doing a tour of the country.  This week it was in Liverpool, at the Playhouse - and we were there.

It was wonderful - so very cleverly done, lots of fun.

The children are all played by adults and despite the fact that 7 year old Roger was played by a well-built adult male with facial hair and the props consisted of sticks and streamers carried on by actors wearing overalls, it was very easy to suspend your disbelief and enjoy the fun.

The Amazon Pirates

Making a pact

Sailing in Swallow

That's seven year old Roger - second from the right!

The play continues on tour until the end of May, so if you can catch it I would definitely recommend it.

The Ladykillers

Grace, Eve and I went to the Playhouse in Liverpool last night and saw the play The Ladykillers.  The Playhouse celebrated its 100th birthday on Friday and this play was a fitting way to celebrate. 

It is the stage adaptation of the classic Ealing comedy film that starred Peter Sellers and Alec Guinness.

This version starred Peter Capaldi, James Fleet, Ben Miller and Clive Rowe amongst others and it was excellent.  So funny - lots of slapstick, amazing scenery and all the acting was top quality. 

We were lucky to get tickets because it was so popular, it sold out quickly.  The show moves to London, to the Gielgud Theatre on 26th November - if there are any tickets left, I'd definitely recommend it. 

Antony and Cleopatra and a New Hat

We had a great night out last Monday. We went to the Playhouse in Liverpool and saw Antony and Cleopatra.

Cleopatra was played by Kim Cattrall (from Sex and the City), who apparently was born in Liverpool!

It was a fun night out - I always enjoy visiting the theatre.

I haven't had much of a chance to get on the computer this week. The assignment I had to complete took up more time than I had anticipated (but it's finished now) and my DH is working at home this week, so he has a habit of hogging the computer all day.

Despite the assignment (a 2000 word essay on children's literature!), I have managed to fit in a new hat.

This pattern is called Naked Star and is by my friend Ira from the Ukraine. The pattern is available as a free Ravelry download and is very easy to make.

I used the same yarn I have used to make my Olive cardi - Sirdar Click dk. The Olive cardi is now finished and is just waiting to be photographed. Full details of the hat project can be found on my Ravelry page here.

The 39 Steps

We had a great afternoon out on Saturday at the theatre. We went to the Playhouse in Liverpool to see The 39 Steps.

Here's the blurb about it:

Direct from the West End comes Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, The 39 Steps, brilliantly and hilariously recreated by Patrick Barlow as the smash hit Olivier Award Winning Best New Comedy.

This blissfully funny show follows the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache, as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.

This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four fearless actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.

It really was superbly funny - with a cast of only 4 it was amazing the way they managed to shift between characters. We'd definitely recommend seeing this play, if you get the chance.

After the play, I even managed to pop into John Lewis and buy the wool I need for the snow queen - so it was also a very productive day out!