Hope you are all keeping safe and well in these unprecedented times. I thought I'd stop by and share with you some of the art that has been keeping me sane during Lockdown. I don't know about you, but even with all this available time, it has been a struggle to settle down and do more of the things I would normally so enjoy. Whilst I was writing my novel I was literally craving this kind of down time. Quality time just to sit and read and think and be me. However, this global catastrophe wasn't exactly the change of pace I had in mind! Nevertheless, things are as they are! I have tried to be constructive, making sure I read each day, and/or watch something interesting where possible.

Special mention must go to National Theatre Live, where would we be without them? I thoroughly enjoyed the solid production of ‘Jane Eyre', it was slick, and theatrical, in the truest sense of the word, with its distilled, stylistic, use of movement and language, I found the character of Mr Rochester especially engaging.

It has been a dream come true to see ‘Frankenstein’ released for viewing also, since it is my favourite, favourite novel, and having missed the production I knew they were not likely to release it to DVD. I appreciated the quality of the adaptation which felt interpretive in a way that facilitated further exploration of the text whilst still feeling fresh, I particularly loved how the Creature was able to teach his Creator something about love but also how their suffering was destined to go on as it had before. There is also the interesting aspect of the main actors alternating the main roles with this production, and while I enjoyed the experiment I came away thinking there should be one version. A play should become the best version of itself. The different actors in opposite roles provided different interpretation and shades of meaning which communicate very different messages to an audience. While interesting, I felt there was one vision in this body of work that feels instinctually more right than others.

I also want to give special mention to the Royal Ballet production of ‘The Metamorphosis', a very polished and stylistic production that, like ‘Frankenstein’, gave fresh interpretation of the story, choosing to focus upon Gregor's position within the context of his disfunctional family and the lead up to his change. We see both the struggle, and the mournful effect, upon the family afterward. In the end, the company appears to view Gregor's change as a freeing or hopeful one - whether this is achieved through Death or Escape, here the Audience is left to speculate, imagine and interpret.

I also read the novel ‘Little’ written and illustrated by Edward Carey, which is a fictionalised account of the life of Madame Tussaud. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was a real page turner, with compelling charactisations and a distinct situation. The story was often very poignant and the dialogue careful and precise in a way that always felt truthful. The author has great instincts and is a real discovery.

I also thoroughly enjoyed reading Graphic Novel ‘The Dark Crystal-Creation Myths Complete Edition which really acts as a prequel to the film and serves to expand the lore, explaining how the Crystal cracked and how it was the Mystics and the Skesis came to be. I found it well written and the artwork amazing, time well spent!

So, if I find anything new and noteworthy out there, I'll keep you posted. If you have discovered something you have really enjoyed why not drop a recommendation in the comments down below?

Stay safe, 'This too shall pass …’

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