Hello, yes I know, where have I been? All sorts of places, doing
all sorts of things including learning how to successfully commute along the
towpath without falling in the canal! One of the great things about living in
London is that there is always something new and interesting to look at. This
week I consider 2 of the ways WWI is being commemorated here in London.
War Horse - New London Theatre
This amazing stage play started life as
Michael Morpurgo's children's book of the same name. Young Albert Narracott is
born at the turn of the century on a farm he has a passion for horses but not a
lot of money . He is astounded when his father, buys a thorough-bred colt at a
show and decides he will ride and train it. even when that means subjugating
this athletic horse to plough work. The show follows this close relationship
from the farm to the war-fields of WWI.
The play features all that I have come to
expect from the National Theatre, revolving stages, lovely A/V, and a talented
cast. For a show that is primarily about a boy and his horse, you may be
surprised to hear that the show doesn't actually feature any live horses but
puppets. The puppeteers are seriously talented at copying the attitudes of
horses and making hydraulics, bamboo canes and reins come alive in this way
complete with neighs and braying.
By the interval I was in tears. Such was
the success of the puppeteers in producing something so believable. Credit
ought also be given to the young Jack Loxton who plays Albert. If you are under
25 you can see this show for £15, do it!
British Museum
As far as museums go the penchant for acquiring foreign
objects is second to none at the British Museum. So it should come as no surprise that the
British Museum has a fair quantity of German WWI artefacts. The BM have got a
whole year of memorialisation coming up; but exhibiting artefacts so closely
linked to ethnic identity, at a museum where the nation is mentioned in the
name is not without its difficulties! Anyway, what should you see?
Hidden away, just off the Citi Group sponsored room about
money is the numismatist and medals department. It is hidden in a squat little
metallic box far more akin to space than the BM’s typical spaces. But on
display here they have a selection of German WWI medals. Unlike British medals
made in their hundreds by the state to high quality, German medals are more
like small artisan artefacts reflecting the heart of a nation. Amongst the
medals death often features leading the both sides of the war in a merry dance
of death, Japan and America are depicted as the real winners, and the
controversial stockade of German ports after WWI by the allies is also shown.
The medal series are a unique way to depict the German perspective – the
exhibition is free to visit, take a look!
Whilst you’re at the BM go and look at the series of prints,
‘Germany Divided: Baselitz and his generation’. I ought to warn you early on
that this exhibition is not for the faint-hearted; these are the drawings of
men who grew up in post-WW2 East Germany, they knew the horrors of war and held
out little hope for their nation; this is reflected in their work.
Like I say this is not the last we will hear of the BM and
WWI. Keep your eyes peeled for an exhibition in the Autumn.
See you soon, perhaps for Shakespeare!
