As we approach the end of lockdown in many ways - and whether or not that will turn out to be a good thing or not, only time will tell - we're coming to the end of some of the culture we've had offered to us free over the past few months.
The National Theatre At Home is streaming its last play in the programme, which is Peter Shaffer's play "Amadeus". If you haven't seen it, it's a great study in how it can be agony for someone very good who recognises a genius when he sees one, and yet that genius is also not a very appealing person and certainly not a virtuous one! That will be on until Thursday afternoon.
I'm sure there will be the usual offerings continuing from the Met in New York if you like opera, and we've got something from the Royal Opera House here, as well as Shakespeare's Globe, so it's not all over yet.
But this week I wanted to share with you a bumper email I received from TED Talks. They say it contains details of 114 podcasts, books, TV shows, movies and more to nourish you. So there is something to read, something to listen to , and something to watch, depending on your fancy. I'll be honest, I haven't checked these out, but I've usually found the TED Talks people to have thought-provoking and entertaining offerings. It might well be worth checking out here:
I wish you a thoroughly lovely time for the rest of the weekend, and hope to catch up properly soon. I feel like it's been such a busy week for me that my feet haven't touched the ground yet!
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Hi Bella_Figura, Thank you. I've had a relaxing weekend and I hope you've enjoyed yours too.
Also many thanks for the tip-off to make the most of the free cultural programs that have been available to us, as we begin to emerge from lockdown. I must make sure to catch Amadeus, as I've only ever seen the film version. Also had a quick look at the Ted suggestions and there's an awful lot there of interest. So once again, thanks so much for providing your always useful hints for finding the best of events out there🙏👍!
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You're very kind. I could get used to all the positive strokes I get from sharing this kind of thing! It's what I'm always looking into anyway, so it's no hardship to me to pop in and say hello and leave something behind that I hope might be useful or interesting to people!
Thanks. All set to watch it. I wasn’t feeling well enough to focus on the plays to begin with but really enjoyed last weeks and looking forward to Amadeus. Also going to look into the Globe. Been a few times and it is amazing, but not the most comfortable of seats. Will look up TED as well.
I'm really sorry, I just haven't had time to look at what's on and where this week, but I wanted to make some kind of contribution because I know how miserable it can feel if you're below par and you want something to do that's entertaining and uplifting as well. And whatever has gone on with coronavirus (which could be the subject of a book, and probably will be, it's so long!), I think the mental health aspects of feeding the spirit with thought-provoking or cultural input are probably under-rated.
A spot of culture is for everyone, not just the rich who can afford the best seats! And it lifts you out of yourself and the humdrum of everyday life, which let's face it, there has been plenty of during lockdown. So it's a no-brainer for me to share what has helped me so much.
you are quite right about culture being for everyone, but sadly a lot of theatres are financially out of reach - that's where the cinema showings come into their own. Been to a few of those. Going to google what else is on.
At least, and long may it continue, most London museums are free and you could probably spend most of your time just going round the British Museum!
I understand your point of view and agree with it completely. I've even booked for the cinema showings of things and been unable to get to see them because of pain issues on the day.
In fact, that happened to me for two of the NT At Home shows ("One Man, Two Guv'nors" and "Fleabag") and one of the "Shows Must Go On" Andrew Lloyd Webber things, where I spent a fortune on tickets for the O2 in London (before my mobility became much worse), and then couldn't go. All three of these were things I was able to see and enjoy free during lockdown.
I know it's not logical, but I felt like it was God's way of compensating me for missing them the first time around! I don't live in London so I have to be up to the journey physically and able to afford the tickets for things, so there you have it. One of my favourite activities (in my 20s I used to see a show almost once a week at the National because I had built up so much flexitime and I was only a short bus ride away in Westminster) is now very much less available to me than it was.
Personally, I wouldn't stop at the British Museum. There are museums all over the world offering free tours at the moment. I read a great article about it. I'll dig it out if I can. I thought it was brilliant! (I used to love the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery - on my way home from work, bliss!)
Oh, and one last thing. Theatres may be out of reach financially and for some of us physically too, but the ones that survive this lockdown will be changed forever by it, and I suspect that means the prices will go up enormously because of social distancing. I think it's going to be "the new champagne" - meaning that most ordinary people haven't got a hope of going. I hope not.
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