As an opera virgin, I leapt at the opportunity to attend the performance of Verdi’s La Traviata by The English National Opera. Opera aficionados often say that La Traviata is one of their favourite operas, so I was very excited to see it first-hand – especially given its location at the gorgeous London Coliseum, a beautiful traditional theatre set in the heart of the West End. This year marks the 50th year that the English National Opera has been in residence at the London Coliseum. Unlike most operas which are performed in Italian, performances at The English National Opera are in English to ensure they are accessible to everyone. Behind-the-scenes tour at the London Coliseum Our evening began with a behind-the-scenes tour of the London Coliseum, which provided us with a glimpse of what happens backstage to bring the magic of the performances to life on stage. Being both in the orchestra pit and behind the stage gave me a newfound sense of appreciation for the wealth of people it takes to create a seamless production. Indulging in the new spring menu at the American Bar at the London Coliseum After the tour was complete, we headed to the dining room at the American Bar to try the new spring menu. The petite dining room reminded me a bit of Swiss chalet thanks to its abundance of wooden panelling. Diners can choose from either two courses (£20) or three courses (£25). Starters included: spiced parsnip, coconut and apple soup and toasted pine nuts; baked candied beetroot and heritage carrots with a mango chutney dressing; smoked salmon and Cornish crab parcel, crème fraiche, caviar, orange reduction; seared scallops, butternut squash puree and chorizo, parmesan and rocket oil. Mains included: Roast chicken breast, raz el hanout couscous, aubergine caviar, smoked yoghurt, pistachio and pomegranate dressing; seared hake fillet, shrimp and mussels, pickled shallots, purple sprouting broccoli; miso roasted sea bream, bok choy, mange tout and enoki mushroom broth; fillet of beef, celeriac puree, cavalo nero, king oyster, red wine and truffle jus; cannellini bean stew, roasted courgette and butternut squash, parsley oil. All the dishes we tried (the parsnip soup, crab parcels, seared hake and the roast chicken) were delicious and beautifully presented. The performance La Traviata is a tragic love story about a fallen woman, Violetta, a high-class Parisian prostitute (played by Irish soprano Claudia Boyle), who falls in love a young man named Alfredo (played by tenor Lukhanyo Moyake) who attended one of her lavish parties. After a whirlwind romance, Violetta and Alfredo leave the chaos of the city for a peaceful life together in the French countryside but alas their happiness was short-lived thanks to Violetta’s ill health (she had tuberculosis) coupled with a forced breakup instructed by Alfredo’s father who feared that her sinful past would prevent Alfredo’s younger sister from marrying into a respectable family. The entire cast gave a strong performance, although it was Violetta who really drew the audience in thanks to her beauty and emotion-laden vocals. The costumes were also gorgeous - I adored Violetta's elegant satin gowns and the fabulous statement hats she donned! The verdict
It's easy to see why this classic opera has been loved for many years. We liked that the performance was in English, which makes it easier to follow - especially for those who are not familiar with the story. The details London Coliseum St Martin’s Lane London WC2N 4ES For a full list of upcoming performances at the English National Opera, visit https://www.eno.org. Ashley Miln *With the exception of the images from Catherine Ashmore all other images copyright of Ashley Miln
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We love Soho and eating and drinking, so what could be better than a food and drink walking tour of Soho? We recently joined the Eating London: Twilight Soho Food Tour with a handful of other tourists, to see what Soho had to offer in terms of historical facts and scrumptious food and it didn't fail to deliver! Historically an old hunting ground ('Soho' was a cry that hunters shouted when they caught a hare), Soho reinvented itself in more modern times as the home of London's thriving theatre scene, the sex trade and some of rock's biggest legends. It's fair to say that Soho isn't exactly the 'shy and retiring' type. Attracting creatives, bohemians and tourists alike, this buzzing area of London is a must-see destination for anyone visiting London. Being a London local, I found the tour just as interesting as any tourist might, as I learned a wealth of interesting facts, including that there is a defunct WWII bunker under Soho Square, soon to be transformed into a trendy restaurant. We can't wait to see that! As any food lover in London knows, Soho is also home to a bevy of fabulous restaurants and trendy watering holes, making it a popular area for post-work drinks and late night nibbles any day of the week. During our tour, we visited an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and food shops, including: La Bodega Negra, The London Gin Club, Enrique Tomas, Pix Bar, Opium and Said Chocolate. At each stop on the tour, we learned about the host venue and its foodie credentials and also enjoyed a small bite to eat and a tipple.
Given the uniqueness of all of the places we visited during the tour, we can't pick a favourite. That being said, don't be surprised if you find us sipping a classic G&T at The London Gin Club or enjoying a smoky tea at Opium... A.A. Miln This cinema rocks. With so many incredible films coming up and things getting very chilly outside, I wanted to share this little gem of a cinema with you. Tucked away in Kensal Rise, North London (only a 5 mins walk from the station), this small independent cinema gives you a unique cinema experience that's akin to watching a film in your front room. This 80-seater cinema is the UK’s first social enterprise cinema, with 100% of its profits going to support The Sustainability Institute, a pioneering sustainable living and learning centre based in rural Stellenbosch, South Africa. The Lexi offers a fantastic mix of blockbusters, arthouse films, live National Theatre and opera films and often has Q&A events with producers to inspire serious film buffs. The front of house and the bar is run by volunteers (myself included). With its recent extension, there is even more space to relax in the bar area, where you can mingle with an eclectic crowd of fellow theatregoers, while you admire the artwork on display. One of the best bits about The Lexi is that you can pop to the bar mid-performance, enjoy popcorn served in bowls, and drink coke from a glass bottle, while munching on as many jelly beans and as much organic chocolate as you desire. I also love the gorgeous ceiling lights, which continuously change colour to further enhance the magical atmosphere.
If you're not sure what you'd like to see, I'd recommend A Bigger Splash, Renoir: The Unknown artist, The Railway Children the upcoming live Met Opera screenings. For the full list of upcoming events, visit: https://thelexicinema.co.uk/special-events So, indulge in a bit of 'Lexi love' and spread the word about this great cinema! The Lexi Cinema 194B Chamberlayne Rd London NW10 3JU https://thelexicinema.co.uk Elinor Seath |
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