Living in London brings with it the opportunity to take in the vast amounts of cultural activity that permeate the city, unless of course, like me, you're too busy and too disorganised to take advantage. Fortunately, some of my friends are much better at this, and Peter Ladanyi, an old friend from my youth politics days, was thoughtful enough to suggest that I join him and other friends for a night at the Olivier Theatre on the South Bank this evening for a performance of "The Alchemist" by Ben Jonson. With most tickets at just £10, and Simon Russell Beale and Ian Richardson, amongst others, in the cast, it was bound to be good.
And indeed it was. It took a little while to get up to speed with the language (the play was first performed in 1610, after all) and you did have to pay attention, but it was worth the effort. Alex Jennings was superb in his leading role and all in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable night out.
The Olivier is a wonderful theatre, with great sight lines everywhere and no seat is that far from the action. So if you do get a chance to take in the play, I guarantee that you'll be wholly entertained. I'm almost inspired to book some concert tickets next. But that will have to wait for a little while yet...
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