The Artiste @ Stratford Picture House

@matthewtaylorx: The Artiste@Stratford pic hse. Expected more from this given reviews. It was good but did not engage me. Mind on b&w films of my youth 6/10

I guess I just found it all just a bit too sacarin. Not that it was a bad film, far from it. It was a good film, but just not my type of film.

I was very pleased to support this cinema since it now has to compete with the recently opened Stratford City Vue cinema complex in the new Westfeild shopping centre. In fact we want to support it so much we took out annual membership that gives you 10% off drinks at the bar and at the pizza express on the ground floor as well as introductory free tickets.

Richard II @ The Donmar Warehouse

@matthewtaylorx: Richard II @ The Donmar Warehouse. Even managed to follow the story. 8/10

Let me say I am not familiar with Shakespeare and at I would usually not attend one of his plays through choice but might be drawn to a production if an acknnowledgeed celebrity was in the lead, pariticularly one not known for that type of work e.g Lenny Henry in Comedy of Errors. However, circumstances on this occassion meant that we were offered the tickets by friends who were unable to make it. I was glad I googled the story before I went, I had a good idea of what was going to happened .....and that helped a lot. I did enjoy it. Whether this was due to novelty value, the fact I had done a bit of research first or because it was a good production I really cannot say.

The young lead was taken by Eddy Rxxxxxxx who in the same week had achieved extra notoriety for playing the lead in the BBCs adaptation of Birdsong by Sabestian Fawlkes. The Earl of Xxxxxxx was also played by the lead in the BBCs Callows Law. Both actors did well.

This was my first visit to the Donmar warehouse.

2012 annual miners brass band competition

@matthewtaylorx: So here we ago again. The annual miners brass band competition at Butlins in Skegness. Good luck Becontree & Redbridges#butlins2012

See link for full results. http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=14562

Another great if not surreal weekend. Well done to Becontree Brass for coming first in their section and to Redbridge Brass for coming fourth in theirs. Might one have had too much of a good thing....possibly....lets see if we go again next year!

Tosca @ The Coliseum

@matthewtaylorx: Tosca @ The Coliseum. ENO english sung opera with surtitles. Good story & staging (lighting & set). Full and appreciative audience 9/10

I have never been to the Coliseum before. It is a lovely theatre and a great place to stage an opera. The show was truly terrific. Not because of any outstanding individual perfmancne but because of the compelling story and the Strength of the whole ensemble. Bravo.

Like the John Wilson performance we went to last year an elderly member of the audience fainted. It was quite a distraction. The poor old thing had to be stretchered out.

Backbeat @ The Duke of Yorks

@matthewtaylorx: Backbeat@DukeofYorks. Found this pretty lame. Wife liked it. Programmes account of Beetles early years just as entertaining as the show 3/10

Jerusalem @ The Apollo

@matthewtaylorx: Jerusalem@The Apollo. Mark Rylance gives a magnificent performance in this drug & expletive ridden story about a west country outcast. 9/10

Three act play set in the woods where john 'Rooster' Byron lives in his caravan. Popular with local youth for the easy access he offers to drugs and booze. He faces eviction to make way for new housing. Plenty of plot developments and strong performances all round.

Highly entertaining.

Panorama by Gerhard Richter @ Tate Modern

@matthewtaylorx: Panorama by Gerhard Richter@Tate Modern. Varied exhibition with interesting subject matter. Well crafted portraits & abstracts. 6/10