English National Ballet - Lest We Forget

Milton Keynes Theatre

20th October 2015

2014 marked the centenary of the Great War.  Families in much of the Western world were torn apart by its unprecedented horror - though soon, for the worst reasons, it would have to renamed the First World War.

Young men eagerly responded to the call of their national leaders to enlist and defend their country and homes, while their mothers, wives, lovers and sisters flocked into the support services and armaments industry. 

Millions died in many countries, millions were blighted or bereaved - the world's grief was as overwhelming as the relief of survival or the ecstasy of victory.

Lest We Forget features three works expressing the experiences of those who fought the war, and those who stayed behind.

No Man's Land (Liam Scarlett), Second Breath (Russell Maliphant) and Dust (Akram Khan) - this compelling and extremely emotional work brings together superb design and evocative scores.

Scarlett, Maliphant and Khan, three of the most sought-after choreographers working today, have created dance works full of unforgettable and haunting images.

The whole company of dancers were sublime, their expression and emotion was captivating - a very memorable production from the ENB.

Lily B x

King Charles III - Milton Keynes Theatre

12 - 17 October 2015

Mike Bartlett's ingenious future history of the Windsors is a theatre must see.  Director Rupert Goold with Whitney Mosery has been described as producing "a brave piece of work" and I totally agree, it is very deserving of its must see status.

It is written and performed in a very Shakespearean style, with the dialog delivered in prose (which was unanticipated)  It is staged against a minimalist backdrop...bare brick wall and a few candles.

The language lends a musically to the speech laden scenes and a ghost of Diana adds to the Shakespearean tragedy style

The idea of a play about our monarchy serves up images very different to the gripping story of the Windsors.  Following the death of Queen Elizabeth after a reign of 70 years (putting us in 2022)  It tells the tale of Charles who has waited in the wings more than any other Prince of Wales in history.

It is both funny and deeply serious as it speculates on the future history of our monarchy.

Charles has a point to be made, to prove he is not just a puppet to be manipulated by our government - he has a voice and he wants it to be heard.

The cast is superb across the board with Robert Powell, although not attempting to impersonate Charles, does employ his hand movements and stiffness to give a sense of the would-be King.

Richard Glaves as Harry adds an air of levity to the proceedings with Ben Righton as the dutiful son William and Jennifer Bryden as a very surprisingly powerful and determined Kate.

The play reveals the difficulties for the monarchy in this age, although is not irreverent in its treatment of the royal family but is balanced in its approach to the issues surrounding the Windsors.

It leaves the audience with much to consider, it is thought provoking and powerful.


Lily B x