Discoveries

The Brodsky Quartet gave a lively weekend of Shostakovich quartets last weekend at Kings Place. I could only make the first concert on the Friday evening – and had been enticed there by a friend, unused to classical music, who had been ‘sent’ there as part of her Open University module. Not only was it a delicious re-introduction to the delicacy and clarity of small bands rather than a full symphony, but the points my friend had been told to pay attention to (how the musicians communicated when there was no conductor; how the composed had conveyed dissent through the music) gave a fresh framework that saw me paying close attention. And with attention goes reward.

In a different sphere, one of my earliest clients, Julie McNamara, has announced a new production company that will be disability led and “sets out to expose hidden voices, often existing on the periphery of our communities with extraordinary stories to tell. The artistic style is highly visual, blending strong visual imagery with provocative literary narrative.”

The company launches on 9^th June – read more here and here.

And at the other end of the scale, a big welcome to www.thespace.org - the Arts Council and the BBC’s joint online (and some TV) arts channel that will take us through the summer. And hopefully beyond.

Only problem is, there’s so much content … but I don’t want to sit and stare at my computer any more than I have to. This content should be absorbed in a pleasurable, attention-paying way.

I have FreeviewHD TV, but when I reached channel 117 as instructed I got a message saying my device isn’t compatible. So I fear I won’t be viewing the site much after all.

New ideas

Two websites with interesting suggestions for attracting new and wider audiences:

The Roundhouse’s slick but fun videos of preparations for and audience reaction to it’s current CircusFest offerings – especially Cirque Mandingue’s Foté Foré.

And Jordi de Nadal, a Catalunya-based fine art dealer and writer, who proves that appreciating art from a researcher’s perspective is no bar to coming up with flexible suggestions for widening the audience base for an exhibition. 


And a flag for a free surgery day to talk about audience development in touring performing arts: Audiences London's Support for Touring day.

Hit and miss

I’ve been left feeling underwhelmed by some theoretically bog-ticket outings recently.

Take ‘The Most Incredible Thing’ at Sadler’s Wells last Friday. Pet Shop Boys + Javier de Frutos + Fairy tale. What’s not to get excited about? Oodles of money evident in the live orchestra, the large cast, the bells-and-whistles staging. And yet, and yet … it was all at the service of an incredibly light storyline and woefully muddled setting. Forgivable as a Christmas show for children maybe but with 4* reviews, perhaps we should be asking more of our critics.

Or take ‘Bingo’ starring Patrick Stewart at the Young Vic. In this case, maybe I should have read at least one of the reviews before booking (Ah, but there’s the rub!). A perplexing, overlong shamble through the last months of Shakespeare’s life, focussing on some small, circumstantial events that bear no relation to the importance of this man to our history. I’m a Patrick Stewart fan. Why have his recent roles been so disappointing?

And as for the David Shrigley show at the Hayward. No, it really doesn’t justify any words.

Maybe the lesson for me should be to leave big names well alone.