On a clear day, you can see for miles
It’s been far too long since I last put pen to paper. No body’s fault but my own, I’m afraid, although – to be fair to myself – the last few weeks have been pretty frantic. There’s been a lot to do to get the Heritage Protection Bill into shape for its Parliamentary progress in the next session. I’ve also had a number of ‘hard cases’ to decide upon in the field of listed buildings and export licence deferrals, not to mention the round of speeches, debates, ministerial visits and bread-and-butter policy meetings.
But it’s a privileged and wonderful life too, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So what have I seen, experienced and enjoyed over the last few weeks? I enjoyed The Lure of the East at Tate Britain but was bowled over by the parallel This is that Place, a collection of huge photographic tableaux by the British Iranian artist and film maker Mitra Tabrizian. These are compelling images – not quite dreamlike or ‘imaginary’ but some way, also, from realism or reportage. Heartily recommended. Meanwhile at the Hayward, Psycho Buildings has rightly been lauded from all sides. It’s one of those exhibitions (collections of installations, would probably be more accurate) that are at once utterly breathtaking, quietly moving and, frankly, often hilarious.
On stage, I saw Akram Khan’s brilliant Bahok, a collaboration with the National Ballet of China; Oxford Street, The Royal Court’s production staged in the Elephant and Castle shopping centre; Rosmersholm at The Almeida; and the amazing, incredible, heart-breaking Blackwatch at The Barbican. This last production, rightly hailed by critics from all sides, will take a hatful of awards when the juries come to judge this year’s theatre, and I only hope there is some way to keep it on the stage longer than the short run currently scheduled.
Wearing my Heritage Minister hat, I also visited Charles Darwin’s home in Downe, near Bromley. Downe House is a surprisingly little known gem which offers real insights into the life and work of Charles Darwin. I thoroughly recommend a visit, especially as this year and next we are celebrating both 200 years since Darwin’s birth, as well as 150 years since the publication of On the Origin of Species.
Finally, a word of praise and recommendation for the extraordinary (an over-used but – on this occasion – justified expression) Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. Originally a millennium project, it is a glorious attraction for the city, and a thing of wonder and amazement for people of all ages. A burning local issue, I discovered, is whether to have an outside glass lift providing panoramic views for visitors on the way to the observation platform at the top. If this goes ahead, I promised to go back to open it formally, which I am looking forward to.
Have a great summer.