Son et Lumiere
I can't believe the amount of festivity, celebration and general things-to-do in the next few months. Greenwich & Docklands Festival the Create festival, which I don't quite understand but wholly applaud, the general Henry VIII celebrations centred around the Old Royal Naval College plus shows, picnics, open studios, free screenings - not least, I should mention in particular, that Bubble Theatre's promenade extravaganzas are back after a stormy time with the Arts Council - book your tickets for The Odyssey now... It's definitely summertime - you name the diversion, it's on.
But the one thing that has really caught my eye is something that is so much fun on the surface that no one seems to have bothered to look behind the concept to find that Greenwich has yet another historical precedent...
Whilst trying to find the website for the Son et Lumiere being presented as part of the Greenwich & Docklands Festival, it popped back into my head that Greenwich was the very first place in Britain to stage such an event - in 1957, projected onto 'Greenwich Palace' - I'm assuming that means the Queen's House.
It sounds as though it was quite a production. It seems as though Laurence Olivier was one of five actors involved and John Hotchkis composed it, but I can't find any more information than that about it. The University of Kent at Canterbury holds a theatre programme that advertises it - the ref is UKC/PRG/READ/SON GRE : F173078, if you're interested...
This year, from the publicity graphics, at least, implies that the same 'screen' will be used this time. It will have live music - Handel's Water Music - first performed on a barge down the river Thames, celebrating the composer's 250th anniversary, a light/video show and spoken word (hope there's not too much of the latter; I want to hear the music...)
It starts quite late - 10.00pm - but if it's a fine evening it should be an incredible experience.
But the one thing that has really caught my eye is something that is so much fun on the surface that no one seems to have bothered to look behind the concept to find that Greenwich has yet another historical precedent...
Whilst trying to find the website for the Son et Lumiere being presented as part of the Greenwich & Docklands Festival, it popped back into my head that Greenwich was the very first place in Britain to stage such an event - in 1957, projected onto 'Greenwich Palace' - I'm assuming that means the Queen's House.
It sounds as though it was quite a production. It seems as though Laurence Olivier was one of five actors involved and John Hotchkis composed it, but I can't find any more information than that about it. The University of Kent at Canterbury holds a theatre programme that advertises it - the ref is UKC/PRG/READ/SON GRE : F173078, if you're interested...
This year, from the publicity graphics, at least, implies that the same 'screen' will be used this time. It will have live music - Handel's Water Music - first performed on a barge down the river Thames, celebrating the composer's 250th anniversary, a light/video show and spoken word (hope there's not too much of the latter; I want to hear the music...)
It starts quite late - 10.00pm - but if it's a fine evening it should be an incredible experience.
Labels: Events, Son et Lumiere Greenwich, Things to do
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
07:56
9 Comments:
Indeed. It is going to be a great summer for arts and culture in Greenwich.
And all credit to Greenwich Council who are behind all the events you mention and are funding all the activities.
....Simon, are you starting a late campaign for something on Euro polling day.........
Benedict - from your response it looks like there is only one person who has a political agenda herw and it is not me.
I didn't bring party politics into my post.
I'm merely giving credit where it is due and Greenwich Council has made all these events possible by funding them.
So go and try and score political points elsewhere Benedict please instead of detracting from a post about local events.
I'm with Benedict..it was those last six words...
Yes, SOC, they don't do it very well, do they?
*Rolls eyes in disbelief at the above comments*
How very very sad some people are on here...
If you dont agree with someone else's comments the trolls are out in force.
I simply mention a fact and people assume I'm a member of a political party on a bandwagon.
I am neither - but as I said you have to question the reason why some people are always so quick to make a political point themselves...
Gosh, Simon...you ARE grumpy...
I don't think people assume you're a member of a political party on a bandwagon but they may suspect that you are connected with the council and have suffered a drastic sense of humour failure. So yes, good that the council are funding some arty stuff. Bad that it all feels a bit grudging and unpleasant after reading your comments in response to what was a mild joke from Benedict. Hope the events will be less bad temoered...
I only get grumpy when people abuse others on blogs and made snide comments aimed at belittling them...a bit like you did bod.
Worse still one has to suspect there is a strong case of reinventing themselves as others on this string of replies...
How very sad.
I went to some lovely open gardens at the weekend! The manor house's garden is fantastic and the man who owns the White House by the park was so friendly and very welcoming!
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