Sunday, February 29, 2004
Ballet
On Monday Rae and I went to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden to see the Royal Ballet perform a Balanchine triple bill. What a treat! The ballets we saw were Agon, The Prodigal Son and Symphony in C. The Royal Opera House was renovated a couple of years ago and is very impressive. During the intervals we explored the different areas around the theatre, but still inside the complex. In one huge room the high ceiling was made of glass and a big mirror reflected the glamour back into the room, in another there were beautiful chandeliers and paintings on the wall. If you felt peckish there were a couple of restaurants and bars serving food during the intervals.
The ballets were executed very well. I saw several of my old class mates performing which was great. We were keen to see the Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta perform. He did not disappoint although we thought the piece he was in, The Prodigal Son, didn’t show his talents off to the full. He had a perfect muscular body and technique….and lots of joosh! You know, that X factor that some performers have. I’m definitely keen to see him perform again. Sylvie Guillem was supposed to be dancing with Carlos but unfortunately was injured.
Of Mice and Men
On Friday we went to a play of the John Steinback novel “Of Mice and Men”. Jo’s sister Kris was able to get us half price tickets. The play was very well acted and moving. The story is set in California, USA, in the 1930s and focuses on a couple of migrant workers working on a farm bucking barley. They start at a new job and build up new hope for a better life, only to see it all fall to pieces. I think there is a movie of it as well.
Flat hunting
We’ve been flat hunting for a few days and are already a little frustrated. It’s a bit like job hunting. You’ve just got to see what’s out there and you never know what’s around the corner. We’ve seen two flat shares and one studio flat so far. The studio flats are self contained but not very spacious. We are keen to check out some one bedroom flats because they will have slightly more space and a separate living room. Hopefully we’ll find a nice place with in the next couple of weeks. It is fun going to visit the flats as it gives you a chance to see a new area. Today we saw a flat near Little Venice so after we took a stroll down the canal and looked at the houseboats and little cafes that line it.
Weather
The weather today was crazy. One minute it was cloudy, then it started snowing and then it cleared and the sun was out. This circle of weather conditions occurred at least twice. It’s always nice to see snow floating down and luckily it didn’t settle so we won’t be slipping and sliding on icy footpaths tomorrow…hopefully. It may snow overnight and then we’ll be in trouble! I want Spring to come soon! Having two Winters in a row is just starting to take its toll on me. I need some constant sunshine…..balmy nights….hmmm (o: I hope the weather is improving in New Zealand. About three people we know are going home for a break this week. One said that he’d ordered better weather for NZ so hopefully Mother Nature will oblige.
On Monday Rae and I went to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden to see the Royal Ballet perform a Balanchine triple bill. What a treat! The ballets we saw were Agon, The Prodigal Son and Symphony in C. The Royal Opera House was renovated a couple of years ago and is very impressive. During the intervals we explored the different areas around the theatre, but still inside the complex. In one huge room the high ceiling was made of glass and a big mirror reflected the glamour back into the room, in another there were beautiful chandeliers and paintings on the wall. If you felt peckish there were a couple of restaurants and bars serving food during the intervals.
The ballets were executed very well. I saw several of my old class mates performing which was great. We were keen to see the Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta perform. He did not disappoint although we thought the piece he was in, The Prodigal Son, didn’t show his talents off to the full. He had a perfect muscular body and technique….and lots of joosh! You know, that X factor that some performers have. I’m definitely keen to see him perform again. Sylvie Guillem was supposed to be dancing with Carlos but unfortunately was injured.
Of Mice and Men
On Friday we went to a play of the John Steinback novel “Of Mice and Men”. Jo’s sister Kris was able to get us half price tickets. The play was very well acted and moving. The story is set in California, USA, in the 1930s and focuses on a couple of migrant workers working on a farm bucking barley. They start at a new job and build up new hope for a better life, only to see it all fall to pieces. I think there is a movie of it as well.
Flat hunting
We’ve been flat hunting for a few days and are already a little frustrated. It’s a bit like job hunting. You’ve just got to see what’s out there and you never know what’s around the corner. We’ve seen two flat shares and one studio flat so far. The studio flats are self contained but not very spacious. We are keen to check out some one bedroom flats because they will have slightly more space and a separate living room. Hopefully we’ll find a nice place with in the next couple of weeks. It is fun going to visit the flats as it gives you a chance to see a new area. Today we saw a flat near Little Venice so after we took a stroll down the canal and looked at the houseboats and little cafes that line it.
Weather
The weather today was crazy. One minute it was cloudy, then it started snowing and then it cleared and the sun was out. This circle of weather conditions occurred at least twice. It’s always nice to see snow floating down and luckily it didn’t settle so we won’t be slipping and sliding on icy footpaths tomorrow…hopefully. It may snow overnight and then we’ll be in trouble! I want Spring to come soon! Having two Winters in a row is just starting to take its toll on me. I need some constant sunshine…..balmy nights….hmmm (o: I hope the weather is improving in New Zealand. About three people we know are going home for a break this week. One said that he’d ordered better weather for NZ so hopefully Mother Nature will oblige.
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