9 Lessons and Carols @ St. Gabriels Aldersbrook

@matthewtaylorx: 9 lessons & carols@ st gabriels. Prof orchestra & vg choir get you into xmas mood - welcome spiritual reminder after a materialistic weekend of shopping x/xx

No score given 'we don't do god'. As a non believer one can still enjoy and be moved by religious worship and by individuals celebrating their faith. An excellent orchestra and good acoustic with church choir emboldened by their voluntary helpers. This was a reflective calming end to the weekend

Underbling & Vow @ Hoxton Hall

@matthewtaylorx: Underbling&Vow@HoxtonHalla wonderful music hall currently having major refurb. Funny Ed fringey music hall act with modern world twist. 7/10

Quirky double act get the audience involved from the off with knees up mother brown including all the actions.

Simple idea of time travel allows this act to take the audience back to Dickens and return to the modern day having paused for a number of sing songs, a raffle and a game of pass the parcel along the way. Interesting audience included a few folk like me, a lot of 20 to 30 somethings and a small female posse of local youf. Who despite sitting at the front found their attention swinging between the show, apparent blank disinterest in everything and the lure of their mobile phones. Nanna the lead (only) female (still not sure if it was a feminine man in drag) of the double act gave us a lesson in audience engagement and handling including drawing the youf into the show.

Hoxton Hall is one of two music halls in London. It has secured heritage lottery funding to improve its basic M&E infrastructure and some back office facilities initially (phase 1). Phase 2 will renovate the Hall and other areas. Very exciting times for this social enterprise charity that seeks to provide arts related development opportunities for young adults and school children in the area.

They have invited me to be their chair of trustees from March.

Goodbye Barcelona @ The Arcola

@matthewtaylorx: Goodbye Barcelona @ The Arcola Dalston. Excellent musical play about English anti fascists who went & fought in the Spanish civil war 8/10

Strong cast in this shabby chic theatre in trendy dalston

John Wilson Orchestra @ The Royal Festival Hall

@matthewtaylorx: John Wilson orchestra@royal festival hall. MGM musicals from the 20s to 60s. Lovely music played a little too quietly. Great vocalists. 8/10

Nice family night out. Average age over 55, possibly higher. A few children (saw 2), not many my daughters ages. The lady who fainted in the choral seating behind the orchestra did not prove to be too much of a distraction despite the tooing and froing of the crowd of helpers she attracted.

3 encores reflected the warmth of the audience and the entusiasm of the artists

John Martin @ Tate Britainx

@matthewtaylorx: John Martin - Apocalypse @ Tate Britain. C18/19th artist famous for his large colourful depictions of old testament events. Bit samey. 6/10

Penultimate room with light projected overlay to 3 large pictures with accompanying sound track was both interesting and entertaining.

Good but over priced gift shop rounded off a pleasant evening

Sorry I haven't got a clue @ The Colloseum Watford

@matthewtaylorx: Sorry I haven't a clue @the colloseum watford. 2 show recording of this uniquely British antidote to panel games. Crazy fun, good venue 8/10

Jack Dee, Graham Garden, Barry Cryer, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Andy Hamilton. Two and a half hours of recording for Two 30 minutes shows. It will be interesting to see which bits get aired and which not. More pre show scripting than I expected and and the truth about Samatha was a surprise.

The hall was full with over 1,000 seated.

Very good pre show meal in the large well appointed theatre restaurant.

Very good night

The Kitchen at the Olivier Theatre

The Kitchen@The National. Definitely not the way mama used to make them. No real story or characters & poor sound. Left at the interval 1/10

Very disappointing. Excuse the pun but it had all the ingredients for a fast paced emotionally charged rollercoaster of a production. It served up none of that. A lame storyline and scenes designed to capture the frenzied organised chaos of a busy west end kitchen did not deliver. Perhaps I have seen too much masterchef and clever TV editing to render the staging of a busy kitchen drama an impossible task.

A bland and very large cast, an expensive set and the kudos of playing the Olivier. What an opportunity. What a shame.

Vermeers Women @ The Fitzwilliam Museum

Vermeers Women @ The Fitzwilliam. Only 5 Vermeer pictures (which is odd) in an otherwise good display of Dutch painters & their muses 6/10

Pitmen Painters @ The Duchess

Pit men Painters @ The Duchess. True story of the rise of an art school whose members were N East miners. Interesting social commentary 7/10

Set in pre and world war II years. The play covers the true events that lead to the creation of an art group in ashlington not far from newcastle in the scouts and guides hut. The play successfully explores the social norms of the day and ideas around class, nationalisation, unionisation, community, the meaning of art and how art can be inclusive and how money can make it exclusive at the same time.

Hosted at the Duchess theatre. Its spartan architecture suits this play. But otherwise possibly the dreariest theatre I have been to in London.

Bound @ the Southwark Playhouse - take 2

This is the 2nd time me and Mrs T have seen Bound. The 1st was an intense encounter in a small performance space to a full house at the Edinburgh Fringe. We loved it. Since then I have been following the Bear Trap production company online as it has toured the country doing one night stands over the last 2 years.

Tonight we saw them at the grungy Southwark Playhouse Vault venue sadly to an almost empty house. The show was good but that original impact could not be repeated. The same actors with only modest changes to the 80 minute show made one realise that acting is just as much a trade as an art.

Well worth a visit. They will be touring the UK again after their run at the Playhouse has finished. 6/10 on second viewing.

The Playboy of the Western World, Old Vic | Theatre | The Arts Desk

http://www.theartsdesk.com/theatre/playboy-western-world-old-vic?utm_source=theartsdesk.com+newsletter&utm_campaign=a94d6ea90c-Weekly_Newsletter9_29_2011&utm_medium=email<

Playboy of the Western World @ The Old Vic

Playboy of the Western World @The Old Vic. An earthy, warm Irish tale of courting & gbh: a sons murderous loathing of his father & blarney fuelled allure to the ladies 7/10.

Good debut by leading actor.

Several members of the audience left at the interval. Not sure why. Perhaps they did not know the play was set in a 19th century small irish community with accents.

I found the 2nd half as entertaining as the first. Always a relief since so many plays fail to sustain their initial engagement.

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Wanstead Arts Trail

A 75 venue exhibition of what appeared to be amateur artists' works in churches, shops, cafes, community centres, a pub, a library and a golf course. Sunday was probably not the best day to do the trail since many venues were shut and the art could only be viewed through their windows. This particular Sunday was also open house day in London and neighbouring Leytonstones car free day.  The art I saw revealed that many in our community participate in this rewarding past time. The quality was variable which was to be expected. The standout pieces for me were to be found in Majestics (the vintners) and in particular works by Brian O'Leary. As a community venture 8/10, as a feast of art 5/10 and in term of accessibility.

Breakfast briefing by John Armitt. Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority

Very good breakfast briefing by John Armitt Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority 8/10. A massive achievement already and the games are still 47 Thursdays away. Art? Well it is a massive creative exercise and it certainly provokes a human reaction. So it must be.

Terry Alderton @ Pleasance Cabaret

Terry Alderton @ Pleasance cabaret. Show 7 today. Terry was excellent. Fresh material based on a particularly warped look at the world. 8/10 I had only seen Terry on live at the Apollo prior to this show. I preferred his live performance by far. Good audience interaction and incorporation of his physical environment into his act. There was a pillar on the stage that he worked into his act. A highly entertaining end to a long day and the last live show we we would see at the 2011 Fringe. Over and out from the Ed Fringe. Matthew.

The News at Kate 2011

Kate Smurthwaite @ Ciao Roma free fringe. Standard standup with iphone clips of her appearance on BBC1 Heaven and Earth - the Sunday morning god slot morality show. She was OK but we have been spoiled by the talent we have seen today and previous days. So a standup would have to be very good to score well. Nicholas Parsons in the small basement of this restaurant venue 4/10.

Thirsty at Pleasance 2

Thirsty@pleasance 2. Two hander play about the perils, pressure and social acceptability of alcohol amongst the young and middle aged. 7/10

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Skitsophrenic @ the Ed Fringe at the Pleasance

Skitsophrenic@The pleasance. A slapstick yomp. Very funny but the camp Hitler great escape sketch upset the audience participation guy. Clever comedians with clever material and good acting skills. The Hitler sketch needs to be dropped though 8/10

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Bouncers @ Zoo Ed Fringe

Bouncers by John Godber @ Zoo. Great play and great London based theatre group. Well attended, especially by young (18+) girls. Simplest of sets powerfully delivered. 3rd show today. No fatigue setting in yet 8/10

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The Games @ Zoo the Ed Fringe

The Games @ Zoo. If simulated nudity is what you want then look no further than this funny skit on the ancient Greek Olympics. This highly entertaining 3 person play features the central character of Haemephradite (CHECK SPELLING) and his/her success in the all male games. Its a hoot & captures the spirit of the Fringe. Strong performances all round 8/10

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Day 3 Ed Fringe: Two @ Surgeons Hall

'Two' @ Surgeons Hall. Another 2 hander with multiple roles set in pub. Clever & well acted. Despite 10:00 start well worth seeing to get your fringe day off to a solid start 7/10

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Galileo @ C aqilla the Ed Fringe

Galileo @ Ed Fringe. The background, trial and consequences of Galileo's alleged heretical theory placing the sun at the centre of the universe. Echoes of Thomas Moores high stakes choice and his refusal to condone or otherwise the divorce of Henry VIII. But in Galiloes case when faced with torture by the rack - which would lead- which would to an eventual painful death he agreed to disown his theory and never to write or publish any ideas on the subject again. Very well acted by XXXX. The husband of the actress in XXXX 7/10

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'Are there more of you?

'Are there more of you?'@Caqilla. Solo multi role piece. Jilted wife, Italian restuaranteer, spiritual masseur, northern entrepreneur 5/10

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Edinburgh Fringe: Day 2: 'Ducks' @ The Pleasance Upstairs

'Ducks'@pleasance. Well acted 2 hander about....well that is a good question. Intriguing script, tight theatrical choreography but baffling. Seemed to be about lads on a youths opportunity scheme. The older of the 2 more worldly wise, angry and a drinker. The second more innocent, T total but a 'garagey, housey' type dj getting his 1st public performances at the local community centre. And then there are the ducks and the dead duck, without a head.... 6/10

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Dinner by Moira Buffini

'Dinner' by Acorn productions written Moira Buffini. Middle class intrigue @ the dinner table ending in assisted suicide with a twist 7/10

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@matthewtaylorx: 'Haverfordwest'@edfringe Young Welsh theatre grp do teenage angst as they take their A levels. Some perceptive lines & performances 5/10

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Day 1 and show 1 of the Edinburgh Fringe. Julian Sands reads the poems of Harold Pinter and reflects on his life. A Nick Brooke production directed by John Malkovich. 6/10.

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Con Air. Starring Nicholas Cage.

Did I really watch Conair last night? All it lacked was a singing Nun, snakes & Dr. Shirley. Cliched & hammed up....but it was escapism. A bunch of the most dangerous convicts collude to take over a prison transfer flight. Guess what? The hero, Vietnam veteran, now a convict on the day of his release, and victim of harsh US justice, Po, played by Nick Cage manages to kill most of the bad guys, save most of the good guys and gets the gel 4/10

Paz at the Bulls Head Barnes

Paz are a Jazz Band

The Taylor's were first introduced to Paz when we happened to book the same Simply Turkey two centre holiday in the early 1990s with Geoff Castles family. Geoff is a driving force behind Paz and has written both music and lyrics for their jazz funk fusion music

Tonight's performance was another treat. Well groomed musically if not sartorially, apart from tom tom and vocal legend Frank Holders syrup, the ease with which the group knock out their catchy and intricate tunes, songs, music is just a joy.

Frank Holder is credited with helping Cleo Laine to perfect her vocal warbling. Frank is getting on a bit now, closer to 90 than to 80 he still gives a full on performance with vigorous tom tom and bongo playing interspersed with his trademark vocal gymnastics and vocal duals with Geoff Castle a talented song writer and keyboard player. The sax NAME TO BE INSERTED tonight deserves a special mention. Nice clear sound and musical. No flugal horn on this occasion or backing singers but for all that they add when they are present they were not missed tonight. 8/10

Fela at Sadlers Wells

High tempo music, song and dance story of Fela Khuti a night club owner in Lagos, Nigeria in the 60's and 70's. Found the story a little hard to follow in places and the impact of the first numbers is difficult to sustain through out the show. 6/10.

Help for Heroes concert at North Weald Burial Park

An afternoon and evening of music organised by Julia Rolf. Unable to stay for all of it. Aldersbrook brass quintet and ten string fever particular local favourites. 5/10

Bowled Over at Aldersbrook Bowls Club

Bowled over@aldersbrook bowls. Once a month opportunity for new musical talent to share their wares. Real wealth of potential. 6/10

Further thoughts after the event. 4 memories.

1. Impressive debut for male acoustic guitar and female singing duo. Played a nice range of material including one by the young female vocalist. She had a rich whispering huskiness to her voice which worked well with the well played guitar in support.

2. A self penned set by ray davies/calm john otway solo blind male musician! Songs inspired by local places and far flung constellations. On reflection the standout performer of the evening. Interesting lyrics and musicality.
3. The headline acts impressive instrument pass the parcel. A 'scratch' band provided a nostalgic set of music and song. Talented group of adolescents
4. Stand out song was a female acoustic guitar duet. A stripped down, slow paced, understated cover of 'Anarchy in the UK' by the Sex Pistols. This was genius and if it was on You Tube had all the ingredients to go viral.
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The story so far.....

I have been writing short tweets (matthewtaylorx) and slightly longer facebook entries about the arts events I have attended over the last year. Whilst I rather enjoy the 140 character challenge I often feel the urge to write more. Hence this blog. The blog is primarily a record for me, but others might be interested also......

Here are the tweets so far:

What would HelenMirren do?@bridportartscentre. 1 woman show about a checkout asst with managerial potential who uses HM as a role model 6/10

Derren brown @ the Shaftesbury theatre. He asked the audience to say nothing about the show. Suffice to say very clever. 8/10

One man two guvners@thenational: I laughed, everyone laughed, but I like my comedy to move me. 8/10

Public viewing of forthcoming christies & sotherby impress/modern art auction. Chance to see works normally held in private collections 6/10

Takeaway@stratfordeast: some good bits & fine individual performances & songs & they packed alot in but the script had too many words 4/10

Caroline duffy - poet laureate. Her work is thoughtful, serious and fun. She is eloquent, modest and intelligent#lincolnhayday

Simon napier bell 'a life in music' band manager, song writer and producer. Very interesting. Will buy the book #lincolnhayday

Tom Bergin 'Spills and Spin' the story of bp and corporate crisis. Will not be buying it. Sorry Tom.#lincolnhayday

Chico & Rita@Lincoln film soc. Experience 7+/10 An animation about 2 black musicians & their stormy relationship in vibrant cuba & US 6/10

London Road@The Cottesloe. Interviews with those affected by the Ipswich prostitute murders set to music. Clever, moving and humorous 9+/10

club night@concert artists assoc. Variety acts of yesteryear meet for free concert performed by their own peers. Quality 5/10 intrigue 9/10

Evening of jazz, songs(including a singalong of mud mud glo..)and louise jameson doing her one woman show "pulling faces'. Great combo. 8/10

National Theatre Live @ stratford picture house. Frankenstein. Brilliant 9+/10

Candi Staton@jazz cafe Camden. Wow this lady certainly has had some hits & at 71 she & her great band gave a real musical treat tonight 9/10

Woodford singers @ north weald burial park. Promising 1st performance for this new group. More variety needed. Good dress code 6+/10

Aldersbrook Players 60th anniversary concert. A decoupage of sketches and songs with a cockney knees up to boot & comical compere. 7/10.

Funk it up @ stratford east theatre. Excellent hip hop version of Shakespeare's much ado about nothing. 7+/10.

Million dollar quartet @ noel coward theatre. I was underwhelmed. Poor narrative, ok music, very good close harmonys, dodgy sound 5/10

Miro @ Tate Modern. What a load of tut. Lots of people pretending to find it interesting. Including me. 2/10

Betty Blue Eyes @ Novello theatre. Very good. Especially the brilliant "pig in the house" number. 8/10

A flea in her ear at the old vic. Of all the farces I have seen recently this is the best. 9/10

The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Brecht @ Greenwich Theatre. Excellent 10/10


The Rivals @ Theatre Royal Haymarket. Wordy, pacey, farce. Play includes Mrs Malaprop giving the english language a new word 9/10

National gallery - sculpture exhibition - good range of very old and very new 8/10

Pre auction viewing - christies - impressionists and modern art - 8/10

End of the Rainbow @ Trafalgar Studios. Great leading actress (Tracie Bennett). 9/10

When we were married: JB Priestley: a traditional british farce 8/10

Pulling Faces. Greenwich (heatre 6/10

Tony Benn and Shirley Williams - memoirs and diaries talk - very interesting but too short. 6/10

John Standing sings Noel Coward at Wilton Music Hall - a charming 7/10

Plan B: The Defamation of Strickland Banks: EastEnd meets retro soul with dusting of harsh rap 8/10

Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre 8/10

The Railway Children at Waterloo station 7/10 - would have been 8/10 if the real steam train had some real rather than fake steam.

Imogen heap and the docklands sinfonia an intriguing 8/10

stephen sondheims passion at the donmar a very high 8/10 (according to Mrs T)

Wanstead House murder mystery a very solid 7/10. Given it was an amdram then actually 8/10

Eadweard Muybridge at Tate Britain low 7/10

La Soiree on the Southbank 6/10

Another Year released yesterday 7/10

Gauguin at Tate modern 5/10

Reasons to be cheerful @ strateford East theatre royal 9/10