Culture Wrap Up: September 2021

19/09/2021

September Culture Wrap Up 

Hello, hello. Nothing to see here. Just me, popping by on October 19th to deliver my September Culture Wrap Up. You nearly got it a couple of days ago but as this delightful website opted to delete the post I wrote yesterday, we’ve now surpassed the halfway-through-October-mark. However, I do think it was worth the wait as September was a classy as heck month for culture for me and I have lots to tell you about.

Not only did I break my reading rut (I tip my hat to you Sally Rooney) but I also dove headfirst back into the theatre life and whew has that been invigorating. This wasn’t an easy choice per se, even when I was venturing out to restaurants I was still quite cautious about theatre. I felt quite a bit of pressure to be going: as part of the industry I wanted to be involved and support everyone else but I wasn’t keen on being  hemmed in by a bunch of strangers in close quarters. You can’t exactly move seats when someone coughs in the middle of a play. What finally pushed me was a bit of FOMO (there’s so much great stuff on again) and the realisation that if (and I dearly hope not) there are any cancellations again, I wanted to grab my chance to see at least some of it.

So whether you’re looking for recommendations or still shielding and need to know what the heck is going on out there…I hope you enjoy. As always, books first:

BOOKS

NORMAL PEOPLE by Sally Rooney:

I won’t go on about this because a) I’m quite late to the Normal People party and b) my full review is already right HERE. This was my first Sally Rooney and, unsurprisingly, it took a bit of effort to tune out from all the hype, particularly as Beautiful World, Where Are You is having its mega launch. This book however really did help to get me back into reading. It was an easy read and I found myself reaching for the book (rather than my phone - woo!) whenever I had a spare moment. I can’t say I absolutely understand why people LOVE IT SO MUCH, it doesn’t stand out for me more than so many fantastic books I’ve read, but I genuinely enjoyed it and will certainly be reading more Rooney. Plus, I can finally watch the BBC adaptation of Normal People!

THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS by Lisa Jewell:

Lisa Jewell is an author whose books I tend to turn to whenever I fancy a thriller that’s likely to be pretty darn good. Oddly her first book, and the one I most often hear people link to her, Then She Was Gone was my least favourite because I just found it so heartbreaking and depressing. Since then though I’ve read a few more of her novels, particularly enjoying Watching You which melded a thriller with a really good look at how quickly we judge people. Similarly, The Family Upstairs was more of a mystery/family story with some elements of a thriller. This story was told from the perspective of various characters, through different time periods, with at least one questionably reliable narrator. The style kept me engaged and guessing right through to the end. I don’t think this is a book that will stick with me, I’m actually already starting to forget the characters and storyline (although that might say more about my sieve of a brain) but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and will pass this one on to my sister-in-law.

CULTISH by Amanda Montell:

This was an absolute delight. I listened on audio and started recommending it to friends before I’d even finished. Amanda Montell is a linguist and, throughout Cultish, she explores how cult leaders use language to manipulate and control their members. Though Montell touches on other forms of control within cult settings - such as financial or physical - at the heart of the book is the point that it’s what these leaders say, and how they say it, that is so often the catalyst that ensnares members in the first place. I love language and am oddly intrigued with all things cult-like, so this was a deeply satisfying read for me. The word ‘cultish’ is coined by Montell to encapsulate all sorts of cult-like behaviour, allowing her to explore the use of language without automatically marking something as good or bad. In this way she explores how words are twisted to control people to various degrees within organisations such as Soulcycle and LuLaRoe all the way up to Jim Jones and the People’s Temple. There’s so much to take from this book so I’ll probably pop a fuller review up in a few days, once my brain has sifted through all Montell’s delicious information. 

THEATRE

FEVER PITCH by Joel Samuels, adapted from the book by Nick Hornby.

Hope Theatre, Angel.

This was Joel Samuel’s stage adaption of Nick Hornby’s memoir of the same name. It follows Hornby’s experiences of a lifetime of being an intensely devoted Arsenal fan. I’ve never read the book but I thought the adaptation was well done and very funny, with most actors multi-roling around one central actor who played Hornby himself. Despite my lack of love for the beautiful game, I really enjoyed the show and it felt like a great exploration of what it means to be a football fan. I myself am married to one so I particularly enjoyed the scenes between Hornby and various girlfriends who tried to understand and live alongside his obsession. The cast were dynamic and engaging, working well as an ensemble and switching seamlessly between characters, though I will give a particular shout out to Louise Hoare for her hilarious performance/s. There were moments when the piece felt a bit long and I began to tire of the constant football references, but this is a minor complaint compared to what was my favourite aspect of the whole show. The little black box theatre at the Hope was packed the night I saw the play and, because of Fever Pitch’s source material and central topic, the audience was a mixed bunch. Theatre etiquette was inconsistent, with some members sitting quietly and laughing at key moments while others were more enthusiastic, joining in with the football chants and shouting out the dates of memorable matches along with the characters. As theatres reopen I found this sort of crossover delightful, everyone there for a different reasons but all, nonetheless, together and enjoying the same performance. Lovely. 

PIPPIN by Stephen Schwartz, directed by Stephen Dexter, choreographed by Nick Winston, MD Chris Marr.

Charing Cross Theatre, London.

Right, full disclosure, I did not fancy this theatre trip. Though I’m ‘getting myself out there again’, I still have mixed feelings about the risks we opt to take each day and seeing a show I wasn’t particularly bothered about didn’t seem like one worth taking. Anyway, my husband booked the tickets as a surprise so I headed off reluctantly on a Sunday evening and whew am I glad I did! I didn’t know much about Pippin in advance, apart from a few songs, and I’d heard from friends that the musical itself wasn’t one of the best. Now having seen it I won’t necessarily disagree with this. I enjoyed the musical, particularly the music itself, but really the majority of the kudos for this particular production must go to the company itself. I absolutely loved it from beginning to end! The actors were phenomenal, each getting the chance to have their moment in the limelight, and there wasn’t a weak link amongst them. Though I don’t usually love seeing empty seats in the theatre the Sunday when I attended it wasn’t full so we had plenty of room around us and I did find that that added to how relaxed I felt. The space itself felt cosy and looked gorgeous, decked out with draped fabrics and strings of light. The choreography was fabulous, the band were great, it was utterly hilarious at moments. I genuinely don’t have a bad word to say about any of it! Though I love big West End and Broadway theatres and shows, both Pippin and Fever Pitch reminded me that what I really love in the theatre are the smaller spaces where you’re up close to the performers and sharing the experience with a comparatively small group of others. I came out of the Charing Cross Theatre on a high and, had the show not finished its run days later, I most likely would have been back for a second viewing. 

LEOPARDS by Alys Metcalf.

Rose Theatre, Kingston.

We went to see Leopards because we know the writer and it’s a pretty big deal to have your show open the season at Kingston’s Rose Theatre! I actually can’t write too much about the show because the posters around the theatre implored us to #KeeptheSecret. When Leopards opens, an older man Ben (Martin Marquez) and a younger woman Niala (Saffron Coomber) are sitting in a private room at a hotel bar. He’s a bit of a hero in the charity world. She’s asked him there for career advice. Outside a storm rages. As the night goes on, old secrets surface, difficult questions are asked, champagne is drunk. Then the evening takes a sudden turn. Cautious of dropping spoilers I’ll simply say that the play is a really good exploration of power dynamics (amongst many other topics). Throughout there’s a sense of unease that keeps you intrigued and anxious, but when all is revealed the play becomes a more complicated, messy tangle of questions. 

THE NORMAL HEART by Larry Kramer.

Olivier, National Theatre.

Ooooh. I’m really not sure how to tackle this one. The mainstream reviews have been pretty positive and it’s certainly an incredible play. In fact it’s one of my favourite plays and Larry Kramer is one of the most interesting people I’ve come across. The Normal Heart was one of the first plays I read where I could visualise it all the first time I read it. It’s based on Kramer’s real experiences advocating for support from the US government during the AIDS epidemic and a totally fascinating story. For all these reasons I’m aware it was always going to be difficult for a stage production to fulfil all my expectations. There were some wonderful moments in this production at The National. I really enjoyed Ben Daniel’s breathless, neurotic performance as Ned Weeks (essentially Kramer himself) as well as an emotional climatic moment from Daniel Monks as Mickey Marcus. The pacing was excellent and the scenes in the mayor’s office gripping. I also really enjoyed Danny Lee Wynter’s performance as the outlandish Tommy Boatright. But there was something missing for me. My Mum (who accompanied me) suggested it felt like it was too intimate a story for a space like the Olivier and I think I’d agree, but then again we all now know how much I like a small theatre space. The production was very pared back and from high up in the dress circle it was difficult to feel fully absorbed. I saw it on press night when there were no doubt nerves, so while there were a couple of performances I found quite lacklustre, I also expect these might change over time. Despite my whirling thoughts as outlined above I did enjoy the show but I sadly didn’t love it the way I thought I would. 

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG by Jonathan Sayer, Henry Lewis & Henry Shields.

Duchess Theatre, London.

I’ve seen this so many times it would be impossible to review it - and also I assume inappropriate as my husband is one of its three writers. However I did indeed go to see it again in September for its seventh birthday show, so it belongs in this wrap up. The production always has an annual celebration marking another year running in the West End although this year was quite a different experience to previous ones. In 2020, there was naturally no show, no event to mark its sixth year. The year before that though, for the fifth birthday, we celebrated in style with a five year old themed party post-show with cake, drinks and adorable party bags. This year there was thankfully a show again which was full of people just delighted to be back at the theatre. Having seen The Play That Goes Wrong multiple times, I should say that the current West End cast are fantastic and I thoroughly recommend a watch! There was no big party this year, the show was the centrepiece of the celebrations. As, let’s be honest, it should be! 

TV

TED LASSO created by Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Bill Lawrence & Jason Sudeikis.

Apple TV.

Ted Lasso has my heart. If you haven’t watched any yet then do get on it. It’s on Apple TV but I think the first month or something is FREEEEEE if you haven’t already signed up. Anyway, Ted Lasso is just a really lovely TV show about football (I know, I can’t stay away), community, mental health and so much more. I found the very first couple of episodes a little bit touch-and-go. The characters are all slightly caricatured and I wasn’t completely sold, but suddenly I realised I’d fallen totally in love with them and it all. A true example of a great US-UK collaboration, It features a wealth of British Comedy talent including Nick Mohamed and Brett Goldstein as well as one of my favourite actors, Juno Temple. Season 2 is not quite as cohesive as season 1, episodes are a little different depending on the lead writer but ultimately it all comes together beautifully. 

THIS WAY UP created & written by Aisling Bea.

4 On Demand.

(TW: Suicide)

I’ve meant to watch this forever and my best friend nudged me towards it recently. Written by Aisling Bea and starring Bea and the inimitable Sharon Horgan as sisters, it’s an incredibly moving comedy-drama. Bea plays young sister Aine, who has come out of rehab after suffering a breakdown and a suspected suicide attempt and returns to her job teaching English as a Foreign Language. Horgan is Shona, a career woman who is desperately concerned about her much loved and vulnerable sister. Though really very funny, This Way Up is, for me, more of a drama at its heart. Bea writes from experience (she lost her father to suicide) and, between the jokes and sisterly squabbles and navigation of sex lives, the show is a wonderful exploration of mental illness, recovery and sibling love. I laughed, I cried and I couldn’t stop watching. Highy recommend. Also, This Way Up does the best introduction of the impending coronavirus pandemic in a TV show that I’ve seen to date. 

PODCASTS

THE DROPOUT

BAD BLOOD: The Final Chapter

Both of these podcasts are focused on the Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos court case currently taking place in the USA. I listened to the first season of Bad Blood when it came out a year or two ago. Written and hosted by investigative journalist John Carreyrou (author of the book Bad Blood) it’s an absorbing and detailed explanation of who Elizabeth Holmes is, what her company Theranos promised to do and how Carreyrou himself burst their bubble and broke the story publically when they didn’t deliver. The Dropout follows the same story but from an external journalistic point of view, hosted by ABC news chief Rebecca Jarvis. As a brief catch up, Holmes is a Stanford drop out who, in her early twenties, raised millions for her company Theranos to develop a brand new, less invasive way to take blood for medical testing using just a single drop. Ultimately, the company overestimated their abilities, mislead investors and delivered incorrect results to thousands of people. Now, Holmes’ trial is taking place in California and the podcasts are breaking it down week by week. I’m listening to both, although I have a slight preference for Carreyrou’s style.