Plum Viewing
Welcome to the latest edition of Plum Viewing, my weekly roundup of arts and culture to view online.
Well, dear readers, it has indeed been an interesting week. I’ve had a little bit of unfortunate family news that, while certainly unwelcomed, is a lovely reminder to enjoy yourself and your loved one. A good lesson for us all.
So, with the sun shining in my part of the world at least, here are this week’s picks. Enjoy!
The UK’s National Theatre has launched a new interview series called Life In Stages, featuring conversations with leading names from the British theatre scene. Here’s who we can look forward to in May: On May 13, how’s this for a reunion: Tony nominee Bill Nighy (Skylight), Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, and The Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln, who starred together in Blue/Orange at the National Theatre in 2000 and then appeared together in Love, Actually. To me, this is perfect. (I KNOW but I had to!)
And, in case, like me, you are just discovering this little gem, the first three episodes premiered in April and are available to watch now on NT’s YouTube channel. Those episodes feature the Queen herself, Olivia Colman and Rufus Norris, stars of the recent NT Romeo and Juliet film Jessie Buckley and Prince Charles (aka Josh O’Connor) and Adrian Lester and Meera Syal. Fun, fun, fun! Episodes are available to stream for free on National Theatre’s YouTube channel on Thursdays, beginning at 2 pm ET.
The Village Vanguard, that wonderful New York institution, is back with all new live performances. This weekend we can look forward to Joel Ross & Immanuel Wilkins Duo, making their Vanguard debut. Here’s how the NY Times this duo, “Anyone trying to tune into the present moment in jazz could do a lot worse than starting with Immanuel Wilkins, an alto saxophonist whose playing is at once dazzlingly solid and perfectly lithe. … Studious and self-assured, with a casually debonair style and a warm but faraway air, the Chicago-born Mr. Ross, 25, became ubiquitous on the scene over the last few years without forcing himself in, by virtue of his rhythmic distinction and his adaptive spirit.”
Performances stream Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm ET. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.
Let’s stay in New York (honestly, why would we ever leave!) and revisit an old favourite: Cocktails with the Curator. Every Friday at 5 pm ET, Xavier F. Salomon, Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator at the Frick Museum treats us with an art lesson and a cocktail lesson. What could possibly be better than this? Nothing, actually. This week’s feature is Veneziano’s Coronation of the Virgin, which has been described as “the most important work by the 14th-century Venetian outside Europe.” And, the cocktail of choice — Mint Julep. You can join the fun here.
Again, as we’re already here, it would be downright rude not to pop in to see New York City Ballet and enjoy their spring gala, which features a film shot by none other than Sofia Coppola. As you can imagine, it is beautifully and delicately shot, telling the story of the company’s return to the theatre, from first steps in the rehearsal room to on-stage finale. At just under 30 minutes, it is truly exquisite. You can enjoy it for free here.
Okay, let’s finish back in Canada at Vancouver’s Art Club (led by the delightful Peter Cathie White) and their new podcast series, This is Something Else, hosted by playwright Andrew Kushnir. A five-part series that starts on Wednesday, May 12, the series investigates life and death in the theatre world — artists taken by AIDS or old age, plays that come and go and then are heard no more, and institutions such as the Vancouver Playhouse, which shut down in 2012 and left the Arts Club, the city’s de facto “regional” theatre. I can’t wait to learn more!
And, here’s a hopeful if not cheeky depiction of what our post-COVID world will look like. Well done Extra Gum for making us all smile. Enjoy!
See you next week my lovely readers!
And, and ask: While we’re enjoying these wonderful performances, let’s remember that for the arts organizations producing this incredible content, this is their livelihood; not a hobby. If we can, now is our time to continue to support our incredible arts community!
And, if you’d like to receive Plum Viewing weekly, send me a note at maggiefairs@gmail.com and I will add you to my mailing list.