Friday, June 24, 2005

Post-modern wallowings at the South Bank

What a great day was had in my latest expedition to London...I was a tad excited about the concert in the evening (more of that later) but wasn't quite sure what i wanted to do in the afternoon..so...i decided to go and see the new 'Batman Begins' film at the Imax cinema in London...not only the biggest screen in the country but the image is so sharp you could cut with it and the surround sound was absolutely stunning!...but i guess thats just a boy thing! lol. The film itself was great, wasn't quite sure about the renewal of the Batman image but it works, it definitely works. Christian Bale was great as Batman, quite nasty and very very dark indeed. Cinematography and story were also excellent....go see it, go see it...now!

After that, I had an hour to kill before the evening events started so i went and took tea amongst the bohemains on the South Bank..it was a glorious atmosphere where people of artistic integrity mingled together in an oupouring of collective idealism... the coffee was good too! I spent the time listening to a band from the West African region and then trundled over to the Royal Festival Hall to see 'Stand Bravely Brothers' which was part of Patti Smith's Meltdown Festival. The concert was one of the last to take place at the Festival Hall before it shuts until Jan '07 and what an amazing event it was...all the artists sang the songs of Bertol Brecht and Kurt Weill. The line up included the mighty Marc Almond (first time singing since the bike crash that almost killed him..god he was magnificent). Patti Smith, Martha Wainwright, Antony and the Johnsons, and the fantastic 'Sparks' who have evolved to godlike status. The whole evening was just stunning with the capacity crowd left stunned as Patti Smith waved and waved and wafted slowly off the stage...

The journey home was funny as I got on the train and sat next to Joseph (off non celebrity dancing winner Joseph and Sadie)...he is such a jerk (allegedly) he was just so up himself and decided to hide behind a pair of huge pimp sunglasses covered in diamontes. What a wanker. He is also very small and this no doubt added to his arrogant outlook...funny but i know someone else like that.

A great day which ended as peacefully as it began...

So be it...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a fab afternoon and evening, did you get straight into the pool on your return? Could really do with a pint tonight, if you go, have one for me. Gx