London Summer News and Views

London Summer News and Views: The Staff Band of the Grenadier Guards Marching up The Mall, London, towards Buckingham Palace. In honor of the US Presidential State visit, the Stars and Stripes were hung alternately along The Mall with the Union Jack flag. //Photo: ANGrove — The Staff Band of the Grenadier Guards marching up The Mall towards Buckingham Palace. In honor of the US Three-Day Presidential State visit, the Stars and Stripes were hung, alternately along The Mall, with the Union Jack flag.

Plays, Pagentry and Blockbusters…

Plays, pageantry and blockbuster exhibits are highlights of London summer news and views. I just returned from London so here are some of my kaleidoscopic impressions of the busy summer season.

The backdrop was glorious, as ever. Trees in full leaf, flowerbeds crammed with pink peonies and purple poppies. In St. James Park new ducklings and cygnets made their debut. Garden parties, Ascot, Wimbledon, summer auctions and exhibits were in full flourish. So were floral frocks and glorious hats.

London Summer News and Views; Pink Peony iblossom n St. James park where flower beds were in full glorious color. //Photo:ANGrove — Pink peony blossom in St. James Park where flower beds were in full summer glorious colour.

On The Theatre Scene

There are 241 theaters in London. They range from grand to diminutive, and more are being built, reports the Financial Times. New Wave of theatres. I was lucky to get tickets for two sold-out plays, Anna and The Lehman Trilogy.

Anna, a spy thriller, is at the National Theatre. Each member of the audience is given a headset to listen to the play set behind a translucent screen. The result is you feel you are spying on the action. The drama is set in 1950’s East Germany, a notorious surveillance state, and one of the most spied upon societies known in history. The production was unique and the play riveting. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The second play I saw was The Lehman Trilogy, another National Theatre Production. This, which is also playing in New York, has been nominated for the Oliver Awards for Best Actor, the British equivalent of the Tonys.

I saw the play with the original London cast. Its long, 3 1/2 hours but I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Another unique production with just three actors and a revolving glass cube where the action takes place.

London Summer News: The Harvey Weinstein drama, Bitter Wheat with John Malkovich opened as I left, however reviews were disappointingly scathing.

London Summer News and Views: Dior Gowns at the "Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams" Exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum. This blockbuster exhibit is now extended to September 1. The production of the show is also dreamy, with rooms in the new wing filled with the glorious presentation of gowns, accessories, film clips and memorabilia of half a century of design elegance. //Photo: ANGrove — Dior Gowns at the “Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams” Exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The production of the show is also dreamy, with rooms in the new wing filled with a glorious presentation of gowns, accessories, film clips and memorabilia of half a century of design elegance. This blockbuster exhibit is now extended to September 1

Blockbuster Exhibits

At the Victoria and Albert Museum “Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams” is a blockbuster, sold-out costume exhibit. Here are over 200 rare Haute Couture garments drawn from the V&A’s couture collection and the extensive Dior Archives. There are also photographs, accessories, film clips and memorabilia.

True to its title it is a dream exhibit, the layout is amazing, and the clothes breathtaking. Situated in the spacious newly opened lower level wing, this is a perfect space for Christian Dior. The exhibit has been extended to September 1.

London Summer News and Views: Dior Exhibit at Victoria and Albert Museum: A dress is made in the style of a pointillist impressionist painting. It is a field of flowers. Tiny silk chiffon flower buds cover the dress, individually stitched on with silk threat in corresponding shades. It
was worn by actor Natalie Portman, the face of Miss Dior perfume. Raf Simons, Haute Couture, 2012. Silk, organza, chiffon. //Photo: ANGrove — This dress is made in the style of a pointillist impressionist painting. It is a field of flowers. Tiny silk chiffon flower buds cover the dress, individually stitched on with silk threat in corresponding shades. It
was worn by actor Natalie Portman, the face of Miss Dior perfume. Raf Simons, Haute Couture, 2012. Silk, organza, chiffon

Lee Krasner: Living Colour

London Summer News and Views: Lee Krasner: Bird Talk, 1955. One of the vibrant pieces of work on display at the Barbican Art Gallery, London. Krasner, an American abstract expressionist painter is one of the few women to have a retrospective at MOMA in New York. //Photo: ANGrove — Lee Krasner: Bird Talk, 1955. One of the vibrant pieces of work on display at the Barbican Art Gallery, London. Krasner, an American pioneer of Abstract Expressionism, is one of the few women to have had a retrospective at MOMA in New York.

Lee Krasner: Living Colour, at the Barbican Art Gallery is another summer blockbuster. This is a major retrospective which shines a light on Krasner’s work, too often overshadowed by her husband, and fellow artist, Jackson Pollock.

Krasner’s work displayed here is from 50 international collections including the Met, National Gallery in Washington, and Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. The Barbican architecture provides the perfect two level space for this brilliant exhibit of Krasner’s vibrant, and in some instances vast, pieces of work. Until September 1.

Lets Not forget Brexit

Brexit, of course, is omni-present this summer. To Brex or not to Brex…. I walked down to Parliament Square to see some of the action. There was plenty, though in well-manned British style. Here are three images from different sides of the road…

London Summer News and Views. The Brexit discussion is played out in Parliament Square. Here is The flag of the EU with a very British comment. This statment is clearly in the remain camp. Photo:ANGrove — The flag of the EU with a very British comment. This statment is clearly in the remain camp.

London Summer News an Views: The Brexit controversy. Here is a red banner which supports Brexit. //Photo:ANGrove — In the Brexit camp – a banner on the other side of the road from the above EU flag proclaims the benefit of Brexit.

London summer news and views. This is Steve. He has become quite a fixture on evening broadcasts. Always good for a pithy comment. He is pictured here outside the railings of the houses of Parliament. There is quite a sub-culture of Pro an Anti-Brexit characters outside the Houses of Parliament.//Photo: ANGrove — This is Steve. He has become quite a fixture on evening broadcasts. Always good for a pithy comment. He is pictured here outside the railings of the houses of Parliament. There is quite a sub-culture of Pro an Anti-Brexit characters outside the Houses of Parliament.

No One Does Pagentry like the English

I needed my fix of Pagentry so headed to Horse Guards Parade for Beating Retreat. This is prelude to the Queens official birthday celebrations, is a traditional military ceremony dating back to the 16th century.

The performance had it all; soldiers of the Queen’s Guard, horses, military music, bagpipes, fireworks. A member of the Royal Family takes the salute. On the evening I was there it was taken by the Duchess of Cambridge.

London Summer News and Views: Duchess of Cambridge during the National Anthem at Beating Retreat. This spectacular military ceremony dates back to the 16th century. It includes military bands, horses, precision drills and fireworks.//Photo:ANGrove — Duchess of Cambridge during the National Anthem at Beating Retreat. This spectacular military ceremony dates back to the 16th century. It includes military bands, horses, precision drills and fireworks.

London Summer News and Views:Beating Retreat in London's Horseguard's Parade. This is held each year as a prelude to Her Majesty, The Queen's official Birthday celebrations.//Photo: ANGrove — Beating Retreat in London’s Horseguard’s Parade. This is held each year as a prelude to Her Majesty, The Queen’s official Birthday celebrations.

There was so much more to do. In Regent’s Park there is the annual Frieze Sculpture Exhibit which turns the gardens into an outdoor art park. This is an opportunity to see creations of an excellent roster of international artists.

In Kew Gardens, works by American glass sculptor, Dale Chihuly, mingle with the flowers. If you have not yet seen Kew’s beehive, it looks better than ever.

Pagentry, Plays, Exhibits all set against a backdrop of London’s Parks. Summer in London is always unique, always different and always exciting. I am always sad to leave.

London Summer News and Views: Geese with new fluffy family members watching the action in St. James Park, London. Photo//ANGrove — Geese with new fluffy family members watching the action in St. James Park

I hope you enjoyed London Summer News and Views. As you know I love sharing travels.

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Comments

Barbara tuffli says

July 14, 2019 at 2:01 pm

Felt like i had been there. Brilliant summer update!
- Angela says
  
  July 14, 2019 at 4:27 pm
  
  Thank you barbara! I thought of you when i uploaded the peony!
kathleen stark says

July 15, 2019 at 7:26 am

beautiful post! I will be in london in early august so I especially loved reading this!!