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Historic place review: Quebec House (National Trust), Westerham, Kent

June 15, 2013 by Alexa

Historic place review: Quebec House, (National Trust)
Quebec Square, Westerham, TN16 1TD
Quebec House – map
Telephone: 01732 868 381
Email: quebechouse@nationaltrust.org.uk
OS Grid Ref: 187:TQ449541
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: ***** (out of 5)

For those who love old English architecture – including the wood floors, staircases and other interiors of the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as the large windows and rooms of these houses, then you will love this house, which was the birthplace (in 1727) and childhood home of General James Wolfe, the general that helped win the Battle of Quebec in North America in 1759.

This house is beautiful, quiet, on the small side and stately. It is an interesting contrast to its National Trust neighbour Chartwell (Winston Churchill‘s former home). Where the large Chartwell (4 miles away) is in the nearby rolling hills of the Weald of Kent and has magnificent landscaped gardens, Quebec House is in the charming village of Westerham and is equally lovely on a smaller scale (and Quebec House’s kitchen garden is sweet and sunny with flowers and herbs).

A visit to this house is nice because you get to witness what it was like to live in an 18th century house, in a bustling village, as it is decorated for the period of General Wolfe, there are many historic paintings, prints and exhibitions to commemorate his winning the Battle of Quebec and his death. The property also has regular historic events to help one appreciate the history of the house and there is a lovely shop and tea room in Mrs Wolfe’s garden. A peaceful and educational step into the past to be had here.

Further information:
Quebec House (official site – National Trust)
General James Wolfe (Wikipedia)
Quebec House (Wikipedia)
Chartwell review (The London Reviewer)

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Historic place review: Chartwell – Winston Churchill’s home (National Trust)

June 10, 2013 by Alexa

Historic place review: Chartwell – Winston Churchill’s home (National Trust)
Mapleton Road, Westerham, TN16 1PS
Chartwell – map
Telephone: 01732868381
Email: chartwell@nationaltrust.org.uk
OS Grid Ref: 188:TQ455515
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: ***** (out of 5)

As most know, Winston Churchill was a strong, organised and strategic-thinking prime minister who led Britain through World War II and beyond. He was also a good painter, historian and overall accomplished person who had excellent taste in books (as seen by his collections) and places to live.

Chartwell is a beautiful stately home in the rolling green hills of Kent that dates back to the 1500s, with lots of wood in the interior, as well as large, colourful gardens, interesting ponds and a wonderful lawn that could be used nicely for kite flying. Adults, and their families, will love a day out here on a sunny, warm day due to the wonderful areas to play, read or sit and chat/enjoy the scenery and a large house to explore.

There is also Winston’s art studio – his work is confident and easy to understand.  As is to be expected there also is much history available about Winston and how he led Britain during his time as prime minister – and, this all marries in nicely with the interior of the house.

Indeed, the house is particularly nice as it is decorated with furniture from various time periods and is left the way that the Churchills lived in it.

The staff are nice, polite and knowledgeable, amenities such as a shop and restaurant are available and the lawns are well kept.

A beautiful place to come and enjoy the sunshine on a warm day – and also learn about Mr Churchill, his family and lifestyle.

Further information:
Chartwell (National Trust)
Winston Churchill (Wikipedia)
Quebec House (nearby National Trust historic property) review (The London Reviewer)

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Theatre review: The Way to Keep Him by Arthur Murphy (Clandon Park, West Clandon, Surrey)

June 10, 2013 by Alexa

Theatre review: The Way to Keep Him by Arthur Murphy
9 June 2013
Clandon Park, West Clandon, Guilford, Surrey GU4 7RQ
Clandon Park – map
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: ****1/2 (out of 5)

No matter what century it is, relationships always need to be worked at and this wonderful, comic period piece shows that this is the case in the 18th century (ie the Georgian era) just as it is now.

For those who like lovely period theatre, which includes excellent acting and costumes, then look no further than work by the period production company Artifice.

Written by Arthur Murphy in 1760, and directed by Kate Napier, in this piece we meet Mrs Lovemore and Mrs Bellmour, two women who have to learn that once you find a husband you must also do your best to be pleasant so that you can ‘keep’ him. Maybe this sounds a little bit sexist, but it is in keeping with tradition of the period and the husbands are not faultless and they are put through their paces and taught lessons on how to treat women well or suffer the (amusing) consequences. The script isn’t the most intellectual but Artifice present it very well to make the whole piece seem interesting and give us an inkling of how life, manners and protocols were carried out in Georgian times.

Humourous, entertaining and the marble hall of Clandon Park is beautiful – a lovely setting for this piece. Artifice are clever, talented and put on the piece very well indeed with a minimal set and only their acting skills, the script and costumes as their tools to create the show. Recommended and enjoyable theatre.

Further information:
Arthur Murphy (Wikipedia)
Clandon Park (National Trust)

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Historic event review: Reunion: The Glorious Revolution historical panel discussion (6 June 2013, Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey)

June 6, 2013 by Alexa

Historic event review: Reunion: The Glorious Revolution historical panel discussion
Event date: 6 June 2013
Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU
Hampton Court Palace – map
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: ***1/2 (out of 5)

How much do you know about the Glorious Revolution? That is when James II, due to his Catholic leanings, was removed from the thrown without a war and then William III of Orange and Mary II came to England to rule as joint monarchs. For those who are interested in the Glorious Revolution, this panel discussion which focussed on a creative historic debate between King James II, his daughter Queen Anne and Edward Russell, one of the noblemen (part of the group known as the Immortal Seven) who began the revolution by bringing William to England, is an interesting way to learn about the events leading up to King James being thrown off of the throne, William and Mary’s coming to the UK, the baroque period that followed their coronation and Queen Anne becoming Britain’s monarch after William and Mary died from ill health. Edward Russell was an interesting addition to this mix but of course it would have been nice to have had William and Mary (or even just one of them) as part of this debate as it focussed very much on their usurping James II, inter-family relations and their reign. All of the actors in the debate knew their history very well so it was a pleasure to “meet” the historic figures.

Unlike the Salacious Gossip Tours and other recent historic talks at Hampton Court Palace (all of which relate to the current exhibition Secrets of the Bedchamber*), this talk seemed more heavy and slow moving. It was not as focussed as some of the talks, maybe because it was not as linear. However, it was still interesting  and a good introduction to what life was like for King James II, Queen Anne and those who opposed King James II, plus the historic events of the time.

*Secrets of the Bedchamber is a delving into the tradition of “court” being conducted in the Royal bedchamber – very similar to how French court was conducted during the time of Charles II. This was begun in England after Charles II returned to England and the throne and “brought over” the tradition from France.

Further information:
Hampton Court Palace (official site – Historic Royal Palaces)
Historic Royal Palaces (official site)
The Glorious Revolution (Wikipedia)
King James II (Wikipedia)
Queen Anne (Wikipedia)

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Film review: The Help (2011)

May 30, 2013 by Alexa

Film review: The Help
Released in: 2011
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: ***** (out of 5)
Credits: Screen play by and directed by: Tate Taylor. Book by: Kathrynn Stockett. Stars: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer.

So what was it like to live in Mississippi (in America’s ‘Deep’ South) just as Martin Luther King was campaigning for equal rights for African Americans in the 1960s? The Help looks at life during this time from two sides – that of an African American maid and also the rich white people that employed them. Being black and having to work for white people that wouldn’t advance you money from your employment so that you could send your children on their school trip or even let you use an indoor toilet in a rainstorm was hard and degrading. This film goes into detail to show exactly what life was like if you were black and had to work for bigots. Things were hard and not very good. This is a stereotyped but excellent film. ‘The North’ is shown as progressive and maybe it was but this film over does it.  Overall a good film, however, and the storyline and character development are both good, (as is the acting and directing)  despite feeling slow moving.

Worth taking the time to watch.

Further information:

The Help (IMDB)

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Historic place review: Osterley Park (National Trust), Isleworth, Middlesex, England

May 25, 2013 by Alexa

Historic place review: Osterley Park (National Trust)
Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 4RB (sat nav TW7 4RD)
Osterley Park – map
Telephone: 020 8232 5050
Email: osterley@nationaltrust.org.uk
OS Grid Ref: 176:TQ146780
Date of visit: Sunday 19 May 2013
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: **** (out of 5)
Review commentary follows after history

Osterley Park  – Nutshell history from Wikipedia: “Osterley Park is a mansion set in a large park of the same name. It is in the London Borough of Hounslow, part of the western suburbs of London.

Osterley Park’s Elizabethan history
The original building on this site was a manor house built in the 1570s for banker Sir Thomas Gresham, who purchased the manor of Osterley in 1562. The “faire and stately brick house” was complete in 1576. It is known that Queen Elizabeth visited.The stable block from this period remains at Osterley Park. Gresham was so wealthy he also bought the neighbouring Manor of Boston in 1572. His widowed stepdaughter-in-law built the present Jacobean manor house there which still stands to this day.“

Review: Osterley Park is a lovely and interesting place. Right in a back street that leads to a park, in Osterley, by the time you get to the park and are surrounded by the horses and pastures, you truly feel like you are in the countryside. The house is from the 1500s and has been well taken care of by the National Trust. Because of this gentle and caring approach, the rooms, furniture, paintings and other accoutrements are all in lovely shape and the gallery and bedrooms are stunning – whether it be the amazing wood floors, furniture, paintings, canopy beds or friezes.

At Osterley Park, you will see a lovely house, but my favourite part is the manicured gardens as they have many beautiful flowers in them and the grass is also well kept and short. Plus, there are outdoor lounge chairs you can sit in and read or relax on a sunny day. There are also large grounds, in the front of the house, where you enter, if you also want to sit quietly or with a group and a picnic there (for free). This property also has period events at times and those are probably fun as well.

This is an excellent retreat from the confines and closeness of London. If you want to go somewhere where you don’t have buildings all around you and still be in the outskirts of London, plus having the pleasure of gardens and a historic house (with a polite, nice and knowledgeable staff to help you learn the history of your surrounds), then this is a wonderful place to come.

Further information:
Osterley Park (official site – National Trust)
Osterley Park (Wikipedia)

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Opera review: La Donna Del Lago (Royal Opera House, London, WC2)

May 25, 2013 by Alexa

Opera review: La Donna Del Lago (Royal Opera House, London, WC2)
Performance run : 17 May to 11 June 2013
Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden London, WC2E 9DD
Royal Opera House – map
Review date: 23 May 2013
Review by: Alexa Williamson
Rating: ****1/2 (out of 5)

Nutshell review:
Overall production: ***** (out of 5)
Singing and choreography – ie overall performance by cast: ***** (out of 5)
Singing: ***** (out of 5)
Costumes: ***** (out of 5)
Sets: ***** (out of 5)
Music: ***** (out of 5)
Libretto: ***** (out of 5)
Lighting: ***** (out of 5)
Creative interpretation: ***** (out of 5)

Credits: Music – Giochino Rossini, Libretto – Andrea Leone Tottola, inspired by Sir Walter Scott’s poem The Lady of the Lake. Director – John Fulljames, Set designs – Dick Bird, Costume designs – Yannis Thavoris, Lighting design – Bruno Poet, Choreographer – Arthur Pita. Performers: Orchestra conductor – Michele Mariotti, cast: Elena – Joyce DiDonato, Uberto – Juan Diego Flórez, Albina – Justina Gringyte, Serano – Robin Leggate, Malcolm – Daniela Barcellona, Douglas – Simon Orfila, Rodrigo – Colin Lee, Bertram – Pablo Bemsch, Un Bardo – Christopher Lackner, Royal Opera Chorus, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

Wow! The Royal Opera House has outdone themselves and it is no wonder that this amazing production sold out as they have truly created an amazing fairytale like journey and world. Inspired by Sir Walter Scott’s poem The Lady of the Lake, we have an opera about Scotland performed by a British opera but sung in Italian. To begin with, this is an odd twist but the opera is amazing and actually very easy to follow. Here we have the story of the Scottish woman Elena who, simply, loves her Scottish lover Malcom and would like to be with him but is trying to be convinced by  her father that she should marry Rodrigo to do a duty to her country. She refuses and with the help of the King of Scotland (who also admires her) is united with her lover, Malcom, who she has been faithful to the whole time. This opera has us seeing many people in kilts and running up and down battlement (ie tower) steps and also looking at the rugged mountains of Scotland a s a backdrop.

The singing, staging, storyline and sets and costumes are amazing. The cast is stellar and this and with the orchestra and direction that they have bring you into a world of song and amazing drama. Although the production is 3 hours and 20 minutes you are amazed, stunned and enthralled by what you witness. This is an absolutely beautiful time and spectacular for the senses of sight and sound. Truly touching stuff. Much worth the time. Again, amazingly inspired and a credit to the opera world. The advertising for this production does not do it justice. It is stellar!

Further information:
Royal Opera House (official site)
Giochino Rossini (Wikipedia)
Andrea Leone Tottola (Wikipedia)
Sir Walter Scott (Wikipedia)
The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott – poem information (Wikipedia)

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