I saw Skylight starring Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan last night and it was WONDERFUL. I’ve been walking past the theatre for weeks, gazing at the posters and dreaming of getting a ticket so I was absolutely over the moon when a little email pinged up in my inbox inviting me along!
Skylight centres around Kyra and Tom – a young woman and older man – who brought an end to their six year affair after Tom’s wife discovered their illicit relationship. The play joins them three years after this, in which time Tom’s wife has died of cancer without giving him the forgiveness he so craved and Kyra has dispassionately removed herself from the situation.
In Kyra’s cold London council flat in late December, Tom and Kyra reminisce, flirt, argue, shout and throw. It’s thrilling to see them slipping back into their old and familiar relationship while past tensions quickly rise to the surface.
Bill and Carey are utterly convincing in their roles – Carey has a maturity to her performance (I think it’s that amazing voice of hers) that makes the age gap completely plausible. And there’s a youthfulness to Bill’s portrayal of Tom's desire for forgiveness and poorly concealed feelings of ownership.
The show is directed by powerhouse director Stephen Daldry, who recently directed Helen Mirren in The Audience and also created the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony with Danny Boyle. Yeah, pretty big-time hey?!
Skylight is one of those shows that feels like a pure master class in acting. Bill and Carey act their socks off and I suggest you find a way of getting a ticket.
Tickets...
It’s on until 23rd August 2014 at the Wyndham’s Theatre by Leicester Square/Covent Garden. There is the odd ticket left still and they can be booked here. Or alternatively you can queue very early in the morning on the day you’d like to see the show and try and get Day Seats at 10am – these are a bargain at £15 and usually on the front row of the Stalls so well worth the early rise!
Or, if your can’t get yourself down to the box office, there is an NT Live broadcast of the show on 17th July. That’s right - an actual live performance will be played in lots of cinemas in London! All the info is here. There’s been a fair bit of controversy surrounding NT Live broadcasts as some people believe it discourages people from physically going to the theatre as they can see a show on the cheap at their local cinema. Personally I disagree – I think it’s the perfect way for people to access what they usually couldn’t, then tempt them into the theatre to see the real deal. What do you think?
So yes, there you have it gang, another bloody good play is on in fair London town. Get yourself along and witness the wonder.
Have any of you seen it already? I’d love to know your thoughts!
xXx
“I know this great little place...”
I don’t know about you but I feel ultra cool when I get to say that. “I know this great little place....”. Well gang, I do indeed know a great little place so I thought I’d share!
I went for a drink with some pals last week to gossip about discuss newly acquired jobs, job changes and our career aspirations. We wanted somewhere fun and buzzy, but quiet enough to conduct our very important chats. I knew just the place.
Hidden just of the Strand, Bedford & Strand is a secret Central London treasure. When you find yourself bobbing around Zone 1, surrounded by chain restaurants and crowded cocktail bars this is the ideal place to steal away to. The Guardian hits the nail on the head, describing it as "A neighbourhood bar in an area without a neighbourhood." Just skip down these inconspicuous stairs and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind.
Ideal for a date or catching up with friends, this dark wood and hops-covered bar is a Londoner’s heaven. Full enough to show its popularity but spacious enough to always find a cosy table or bar stool, this has been a fave of mine since I moved to the Big Smoke many moons ago. Many an evening has been spent propping up the bar, putting the world to rights and laughing uproariously.
It’s known primarily for it’s cracking wine selection (which you can buy by the glass, carafe or bottle) but for me it’s the cider. I’m a big cider fan – not in a ‘lads, lads, lads’ way, but in a country pub garden kind of way – and Bedford & Strand serve one of my absolute faves called Bolée d Armorique Cidre Brut. It is scrummy and slips down a little too easily....
And with cider
you must of course have cheese. You can choose your own selection if you
like but I left it up to the handsome barman to choose and he didn’t
disappoint. Within minutes all that was left was de-brie....haha!
So there you have it folks - a blooming lovely bar in central London that takes you away from the madness for a little while...and into the comforting arms of cider and cheese! We had such a lovely evening and I know I'll be back again soon.
Have any of you ever been? How did you discover it? Do you have any similar places that you would recommend?
And, most importantly, please share any cheese jokes. Cheese jokes are ALWAYS funny.
xXx
