UK May 22 Show 1: First visit to (ex NT AD) Nick Hytner’s new(ish) theatre Bridge Theatre . Stunning space, and a terrific David Hare play filled with ideas and history, and a captivating, powerful performance from Ralph Fiennes.

UK May 22 Show 2: (ex Kneehigh) Emma Rice’s Wuthering Heights w new Co. Wise Children Brighton Festival Beautiful moments, wonderful movement, music, staging. But a little ‘knowing’ in delivery, wanted to feel they were discovering it on stage. And half hour longer than it needed to be

UK May 22 Show 3: 12 Last Songs from Manchester theatremakers Quarantine - durational piece w local people working on stage - dog grooming, wallpapering, whatever, talking about their work, lives... Fascinating and re-affirming the essential dignity in the diversity of human work.

UK May 22 Show 4: Dead Cats by proto-type as part of Caravan / Brighton Fest. Cleverly written, but unsatisfying piece about power/control of media/government. Not much to let audience in, and let down by choice of venue which made hearing / seeing the nuance of the piece tricky.

UK May 22 Show 5: Brilliant to see Circa European premiere of Sacre Brighton Festival. Proud @Merrigong helped a little as commissioner of the work. It’s further developed/refined since Wollongong premiere. UK audience rapturous in appreciation of an achingly beautiful show.

UK May 22 Show 6: This may be the greatest performance I’ve ever seen live by any actor. Row B seats meant at times we were 2m away from Mark Rylance‘s ‘Rooster’ Byron. Honestly felt like a privilege to witness. Play, production, cast all gob-smackingly brilliant. Jerusalem The Play

UK May 22 Show 7: Punchdrunk new immersive show The Burnt City is BIG. 3 huge multilevel buildings of amazing design, lx, sound, performers. But it’s also frustrating, chasing threads of story you can’t quite put together. Inspired by Troy/Ancient Greece (you need to be told)

UK May 22 Show 8: Our first COVID cancelled show, Royal Court having to cancel performance at short notice due to cast illness. So we grabbed some cheap last minute tix to a show I’ve seen before, but Josh hadn’t. Come from Away is irresistible, and enjoyable on multiple viewings

UK May 22 Show 9: Another hugely entertaining, clever, new future history play from Mike Bartlett (King Charles III), this time The Old Vic, w Trump, Biden, Kamala playing out a Shakespearean history/tragedy in blank verse, about who will be the 47th US President. Loved it.

UK May 22 Show 10: Unusual piece Donmar Warehouse. Reflection on life of amazing Jamaican historical figure, Mary Seacole, told through contemporary experiences of Jamaican women caregivers in UK/US. A bit too fragmented. Older mothers’ end monologue was extraordinarily powerful.

UK May 22 Show 11: Beautifully staged and performed epic piece National Theatre about the assassination of Ghandi, Indian partition etc. Really used the expanses of the Olivier stage well. A wonderful central performance. Great theatre.

UK May 22 Show 12: @LifeOfPiWestEnd is visually stunning, w incredible puppetry, stage design & bucketloads of unexpected theatre magic. Sadly, acting is uneven from supporting cast, but Hiran Abeysekara, as Pi is stunning. Some casting/script tweaks would put this over the top.

Come on Ticketek Australia AFL Sydney Swans got through, allocated seats, entered credit card details, Amex sent me one time code, entered that, then hung forever processing, then timed out - wtf! Do we have tix or not?

Respect! Daisy Pearce on Whateley re why minutes’ silence for Queen in AFLW indigenous round inappropriate. Bravo! Clear, articulate explanation. A female football commentator speaking truth on mainstream Melbourne talkback radio gives me hope where this country is headed!

Lon/Edi23 Day1/Show1: Brilliant Ivo Van Hove stage adaptation of the book A Little Life. Staged with his signature use of screens / technology, but a bit more restrained. Harrowing, exhausting, with wonderful performances from all #HowManyShowsIn16Days?

Lon/Edi23 Day2/Show2: A charming As You Like It The RSC in Stratford-on-Avon. Played across ages with a wonderful collection of ‘veteran’ actors - great fun. #HowManyShowsIn16Days?

Lon/Edi23 Day3/Show3: Spectacular Guys & Dolls Bridge Theatre reminded me why it’s one of my fave musicals. Ingenious staging, platforms rise/fall, standing audience constantly have to move/reconfigure. If I had more time in London I’d go again. Brilliant #HowManyShowsIn16Days?

Lon/Edi23 Day4/Show4: Gripping, fascinating play transferred from Almeida Theatre to the West End, explores the rise of Putin and the Russian Oligarchs. Wonderful central performance by Tom Hollander as Boris Berezovsky. We should be worried about Russia #HowManyShowsIn16Days?

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