Do This Or Regret It: My Weekly Dose Of Capital Culture
Another week; another dose of Capital Culture.
FILM: It’s A Wonderful Life, The BFI Southbank, until 27th December
Frank Capra’s glorious American classic returns to the BFI this Christmas, for its annual run of screenings. James Stewart delivers a pitch perfect performance as George Bailey, a small town family man on the brink of bankruptcy and contemplating suicide. Guided back to happiness by an intervening Angel; the film is an enduring tribute to humanity. Sentimental? Yes. Overblown? Perhaps. Ridiculous levels of heart-warming loveliness? You can bet your bottom dollar.
ART: Listening Post, The Science Museum, until 31st December.
I chanced upon Listening Post whilst aimlessly wandering around the Science Museum, and was blown away. Created by Mark Hansen and Ben Rubin, the work displays uncensored fragments of text – visually and sonically – snatched in real time from internet chat rooms and bulletin boards. The samples are filtered and ordered by the sculpture, creating a symphonic portrait of online communication. Ephemeral, witty, thought-provoking, hypnotic: it’s stunning.
MUSIC: Matthew Herbert: One Pig, Dead And Alive, Café Oto, Thursday December 15th.
One Pig, Dead And Alive marks the launch of Matthew Herbert’s celebrated album, One Pig. Documenting the life cycle of an anonymous swine – the recording is incredibly crafted, as beautiful as it is disturbing. Alongside live performances from Herbert and his band, the event will feature and a pop up dining experience, an introductory talk and a chaired debate. As a vegetarian since the age of three, I must admit I find the work challenging – but am fascinated by the questions it raises; questions I hold close to my heart.
THEATRE: A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings, Little Angel, until January 29th.
Kneehigh (one of my favourite companies), collaborating with Little Angel (one of my favourite theatres) on a fable by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (you guessed it – one of my favourite authors); A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings is a fantastical festive treat. Charming, beautiful, dream-fuelled puppetry: all-age theatre at its best.
WILDCARD: Circus Bites Back, The Albany, Thursday December 15th.
A contemporary clash of Circus and Cabaret, this promises to be an exhilarating evening of gravity-defying proportions – featuring work from Upswing, Long Spoon Circus, Dodgy Whiskers, Leo Hedman, Alice Allart, Tumble Circus, Dusty Limits and Tricity Vogue. The wonderful Alberteen will also be performing live, providing a heady soundtrack of darkly cinematic psych-pop. Think Nick Cave strutting with David Lynch, to a beat provided by Preminger…prepare to dance!
Have a great week!
My fav film deffo its a wonderful life watched it friday night