September 2014 – Page 2 – I am Ashley Elsdon

BP Portrait Award

Posted by ashleyelsdonon September 20, 2014in Exhibitions

I do like the National Portrait Gallery. They have some really excellent pieces and they put on interesting exhibitions. The BP Portrait Award is just one. I went this year and on the whole really liked the entries although I’m not sure I completely agreed with the ones that won, but that is of course just a matter of opinion.

I do like portraiture, but often I prefer prefer portraits which don’t immediately seem to be portraits. Some of the paintings in the BP Award were like that, and those were the ones I enjoyed the most.

It’s interesting to see how the idea of the portrait is developing and moving forward, not that I know a huge amount about art or art theory or stuff like that. But I do know that I’ve seen a change in this sort of award / exhibition over the time I’ve been going to the National Portrait Gallery, which is more than 20 years now. As with all art forms it’s evolving and changing, and that’s to be expected.

I wonder what it will be like next year.

Edinburgh Fringe: Bromance

Posted by ashleyelsdonon September 20, 2014in Edinburgh Fringe, Events, Festivals, Theatre

A truly astounding piece of dance / physical theatre. Visually it was totally amazing and I loved it. I’m not sure I entirely got what the piece was actually about, but then that’s true of a lot of dance pieces I go to, so probably says more about me than the piece itself or the performers. Having said all that, I can safely say that I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like this or even anything close before. It was unique as far as I’m concerned, and thoroughly enjoyable too.

I’d certainly take the opportunity to see it again.

Goodbye D84, all the best, we will miss you

Posted by ashleyelsdonon September 20, 2014in TV

After watching The Robots of Death recently I had to look out some of my favourite D84 quotes as his character was brilliantly written.

So here they are:

DOCTOR: Well, if Taren Capel is on board, he’d have a workshop, and we must find it before it’s too late. Would you like to come with me?
D84: Yes, please.
DOCTOR: Good. Come on then.

D84: I heard a cry.
DOCTOR: That was me.
D84: I heard a cry.
DOCTOR: That was me!
D84: I heard a cry.
DOCTOR: That was me.
D84: I heard a cry.

D84: It is a Laserson probe. It can punch a fist sized hole in six inch armour plate or take the crystals from a snowflake one by one.

D84: Please do not throw hands at me.

D84: Poul is damaged. I do not understand what has happened to him. This may be because I am not human.

D84: Goodbye, my friend.

What an excellent story. I might have to go and watch it all over again now.

Virginia Woolf Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery

Posted by ashleyelsdonon September 19, 2014in Films

Whilst I’m not a huge fan of Virginia Woolf, this was a really interesting little exhibition and I actually found out a lot about her and her life from it. Probably like a lot of people, I knew snippets about her, but didn’t have the stuff to connect all the dots, and this exhibition was really useful from that perspective. Also going along with a friend who knew a lot more than I did helped a great deal.

It’s left me tentatively wanting to read more of her work, although I’m still not entirely sure where to start with that. Orlando is the only one I know slightly and that’s really only because of the film, which was excellent of course. Perhaps I’ll start simple, and watch the film again first.

All the tracks from the NOiZE sessions at SoundLab BOC

Posted by ashleyelsdonon September 18, 2014in Mobile Applications, Music

Awesome sounds, great software.

Edinburgh Fringe: Shakespeare for Breakfast

Posted by ashleyelsdonon September 17, 2014in Edinburgh Fringe, Events, Festivals, Theatre

This is one of my favourite shows at the Fringe. One of those that I always go to see. Which ever play, or indeed, whatever number of them are mashed up it’s always good. Always fun, always inventive. This year was no different at all. It was a great show, lots of popular culture references and plenty of mentions about the referendum too.

Shakespeare for Breakfast has become an institution and long may it continue.

National Theatre: Medea

Posted by ashleyelsdonon September 14, 2014in Theatre

This has got to be one of the best productions I’ve seen in ages. When I say seen, what I actually mean is that I saw it via the National Theatre Live rather than being there in person. Having said that, it’s a pretty good experience. It isn’t as good as actually being there, but it is a very very close second.

The production itself was, in my opinion, flawless. The music, the individual performances, the set, the choreography, all completely brilliant. But by far the best was the lead play by Helen McCrory was stunning. It isn’t often you see a performance with this depth and conviction. Completely believable and completely stunning. I was mesmerised.

Also the music was excellent and worked so well with the physical elements of the production.

In hindsight, I wish I had actually been at the NT to see it, but it wasn’t possible. However, it has made me much more aware of other productions that I really should try and get to.