The first Proms concert took place on 10 August 1895 and were named after the manager of the newly built Queen’s Hall in London who ‘created’ the idea.  “Mr Robert Newman’s Promenade Concerts’ began and the programmes lasted around 3 hours each!  I February of 1895 Newman offered Henry Wood conductorship of a permanent orchestra of the first Proms season.

Despite moving to the Albert Hall, a few World Wars which briefly stopped play, the Proms continue today in with much the same concept; to present the widest range of music, performed to the highest standards, to large audiences.

And you are still able to promenade in the Royal Albert Hall’s arena in the central area, lending the Proms its unique informal atmosphere.

This evening, the Director of Fun and I headed off to the Albert Hall clutching our tickets to see and hear Debussy – Pelléas et Mélisande.  Surprisingly enough the sun was shining (albeit not warmly) and the light showed some of the buildings in the vicinity a true delight.

Inside the Albert Hall, I can’t help but once again be in awe of the beauty of the building, the splendour and design.  Tier up on tier of seats, boxes and gallery.  Below us is the open plan ‘arena’ where ticketholders can sit, stand, promenade or dance (just so long as they do it quietly!).

The concert was amazing, the voices reaching the upper echelons of the building.  The audience captured in the music, voice and story unfolding before us.  You could hear a penny drop but fortunately there were none!  In the first intermission, many people begin clearing their throats – always a funny moment to think they’d been trying hard not to do so during the performance but together sounds more like a musical cacophony of illness!

Beautiful performances and I will try hard to get to the Albert Hall for another before the end of the Proms season in September.

A few piccies on our walk home.  I just love the Béla Bartók sculpture in South Kensington… particularly since there seems to be his dashing Grandson stood behind him!

As you know from previous posts Sadlers Wells’ have produced a fabulous array of different dance shows this year as part of a World season.  Tonight we were back again to the Peacock Theatre to see the Wah! Wah! Girls, billed as ‘A British Bollywood Musical’.

When I chose this addition to ‘our season’ I was hoping for a colourful performance of bollywood dancing and indian music and a contrast between the traditional and modern  in London.  Sadly the performance we received was short of everything.  Short of bollywood dancing, short of story and short of indian music!

My feeling was that they had produced something that appeared more like an amateur dramatic version of Bollywood Glee!

That said, the stage set was creatively put together with each house, street front or bedroom wall pictured on curtains that were then pulled on and off with a trainer.  A wonderful set change in seconds and it meant that we, as the audience, was taken from the inside of a house, to the street, to a club etc in seconds and could easily move with the storyline.  I loved the London bus that was created from a metal frame and material.  Many of the costumes were colourful and flowing however perhaps too many others were bedecked in ‘British’ outfits that had been rescued from a charity shop in the East End of London.

Tonight was the final performance of the show in London but I don’t think you missed anything that your hard earned £££ wouldn’t have been better spent elsewhere.  I’d been looking forward to this show and really feel that they missed a great opportunity to showcase the Bollywood dance style.

Guardian review – 1 June 2012
Telegraph review – 1 June 2012

Our world season of dance continues with a trip to Sadler’s Wells for Danza Contemporanea de Cuba.  Tonight’s show promised an exciting performance set to a Cuban beat, a frisson of suggestive movement to connect the story to the dance and music and an energetic modern finish to the run at Sadler’s Wells.

Certainly the energy was truly visible as the dancers twisted, turned, jumped and were thrown into the air.  The music was there but somehow missing the crescendo entirely and the show ended with more of a fizz than a bang… you could tell by the delay in the audience applaud whilst we worked out whether it was indeed over!

The evening’s show was split into three parts, each part with their own style and interpretation.  I can’t confess to understanding the storyline of each or perhaps there wasn’t one.  Why were they all wearing boxing gloves for one part?  But how could they do the jumps and catches to cleverly whilst wearing them?  At times I wondered if I’d wandered into a gymnasium rather than the esteemed Sadler’s Wells theatre.

I think I would summarise the show by saying it was ‘interesting’.  There were parts that left us wanting more and there were parts that left us simply, wanting.

Telegraph review – 8 June 2012
Guardian review – 1 June 2012

Wow! Just returned from seeing Ballet Revolucion at the Peacock Theatre in London. This is another of the Sadlers Wells’ world dance.

The dance company are from Cuba and are not only dancers but also gymnasts! Well that’s how it seems. What a high energy show with a permanently increasing tempo. Great music and soul!

Love love loved this show. It’s finishing in London shortly but I’m quite sure will be on a world tour – or damn well should be! Seriously, if you can get a ticket and see this show, you will not be disappointed.

 
Guardian review
YouTube highlights

My wonderful and talented friend, Daphne, and a few of her friends have written and choreographed a play specifically for a fundraising event this evening at the Leicester Square Theatre in London.

A charity dance and musical event to aid the British Red Cross in Syria. Performances by Alia Alzougbi, Galit Mersand, Daphne Pena, Tara, Anne White, Zoonation Dance Company and our fabulous Guest Star Jillina!

Live Music by the amazing Baladi Blues Ensemble with singer Camille Maalawy.

This will be a very special one off performance to raise one and awareness for the people of Syria and the work being done by the British Red Cross.  Funds are urgently needed to help the Syrian Arab Red Cross continue to provide aid including food parcels, first aid, and support to healthcare facilities.

http://www.redcross.org.uk/syriacrisis/?approachcode=102697_syriahero

An incredible evening and I was so pleased that several of my friends also bought tickets and came along to support the event.

I didn’t know the story of Fela Kuti before tonight.  Fela was a Nigerian musician that shaped and changed future generations.  His music is crazy, buzzing, fun, lively, energising and engaging.  I can totally understand how he was able to influence people and become a political activist.

The show Fela! is representative of his life and journey through his music and dance.  You can’t help but tap feet and, if you feel so inclined, get up and dance!  A hugely high energy show but with a strong storyline and truths behind it that you can’t help feel drawn in by the messages.

We were fortunate enough to be there when Femi Kuti, the son of Fela, was in the audience.  Amazing evening.  Such a shame it had to end.  YouTube of this special encore

I’m quite sure this show will run and run.  Go see it!

Sadlers Wells info and video
Evening Standard Review