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Kingston Rose Theatre opens

The new theatre at Kingston, 'The Rose Theatre', has just opened to a blaze of great reviews for the first performance and it is at the end of the 65 bus route from Brentford.http://www.rosetheatrekingston.org/homePeter Hall is the director, a master stroke, who is at the time of his life when he can pour in his love for the theatre and his experience in producing what he feels is needed. David Jacobs is the chairman and has been a real stalwart, doggedly moving ahead when the treacle threatened to stop all progress.See the reviews this morning:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml;jsessionid=FXLCOUUE4LKXFQFIQMGCFGGAVCBQUIV0?xml=/arts/2008/01/28/btvanya128.xmlhttp://arts.guardian.co.uk/theatre/drama/reviews/story/0,,2248062,00.htmlhttp://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/015dc8be-cd41-11dc-9b2b-000077b07658.htmlAnd they've achieved this with no government funding so far. A great achievement. good luck to them.

Duncan Walker ● 6390d24 Comments

Thanks for that link Michael. I have one of the cameras it mentions, the Olympus SP 550uz but haven't done much with it I must admit. I'll have to get out and use it more!

Audrey Walton ● 6378d

Another term used for anti-shake is "image stabilisation" for example in http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/digitalcameras/0,39030233,49278657,00.htmThe camera/lens I used was at a low focal length also which helps as the movement / blur is related to big 300mm zoom lenses also.And digital cameras are relatively better than film cameras in low light conditions.Kingston is conscious of its attractiveness and lights up buildings at night.  I couldn't capture the full impressiveness of the Bentall building though.

Michael Fletcher ● 6378d

That's interesting Michael. I always try to take pictures of Xmas decorations etc and end up with a mess!

Audrey Walton ● 6378d

Michael, the photos are superb, they do capture an inviting atmosphere of a town centre, with mixed architectures, preserving a lot of old features and it looks well lit and well looked after. A good example for Brentford's new development - if I live to see it begun!!I also have booked for another play 'Blackbirds' and the Michael Pennington one evening, discussion about Shakespeare looks interesting too.There was a good review in this week's Guardian for the theatre and Uncle Vanya:http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2251323,00.html

Duncan Walker ● 6379d

No Audrey.  To help an anti-shake chip is in cameras now.  It detects if there's movement and corrects for it.  I think it's OK up to about 1/2 second exposure.

Michael Fletcher ● 6379d

Beautiful pictures! Did you use a tripod?

Audrey Walton ● 6379d

Just a couple more shots.  I noticed that there were many local names in the shops “Chiswick Accessories”, “Richmond Model”, “Kew”

Michael Fletcher ● 6379d

Just a couple more shots.  I noticed that there were many local names in the shops “Chiswick Accessories”, “Richmond Model”, “Kew”

Michael Fletcher ● 6379d

I went back again tonight for another show.  I think there was a small bit left out this time about referring to a map of Africa.I was in upper circle and had quite a good view for £10.  I noticed that the seats near the stages were empty because of restrictive viewing.Again Kingston is an impressive town and I find that at night its buildings really stand out.  Some more photos:-

Michael Fletcher ● 6379d

I have just seen Uncle Vanya and enjoyed it.The theatre space inside is superb, you can see and hear clearly from all seats up to the upper circle. I think the entrance and bar spaces could do with some furnishings such as sofas and armchairs, lighting and paintings on the wall and furniture to give a warm inviting feel.I couldn't find a pub or wine bar in Kingston with a feel I liked, but the wine in the theatre bar was very good.Vanessa, you should go and see it for Neil Pearson, he is tremendous, he does it so naturally, the two leading women are very good. The actor playing Uncle Vanya, was not convincing, but overall it was very good.A great arena, and I hope they serve it well with good material.

Duncan Walker ● 6384d

I didn't like that either I'm afraid, I do find some of this stuff really heavy going, so even for the lovely and gorgeous Neil I cannot do it.

Vanessa Smith ● 6385d

Sounds like you had a wonderful evening, Michael. That was a nice touch they had of placing you alongside the Polish lady! The photos help paint the scene and I agree, Kingston does have a charm around the Market Place and riverside. It is a welcome addition to our theatre choices around Brentford (Orange Tree Theatre; Richmond Theatre; Bush Theatre; Tabard Theatre). I see that "the aim is for the Rose to become a vibrant producing house, not a theatre like the one in Richmond that receives shows that are on tour or en route to the West End." The 65 bus route is perfect for going there, but also there is a great walk along the river from Brentford - From Brentford Bridge through the alleyway to Syon Park; Old Isleworth; turn left at the hump backed bridge and along the river front past the Town Wharf pub; onto the road and then about 500 metres, turn left down St Margaret's Drive to the river front again; cross at Richmond Lock then follow the Surrey side of the river path all the way to Kingston Bridge. I would guess 1.5 hours, if you don't stop off at too many watering holes. Back by 65 bus!I am looking forward to my visit on Saturday.

Duncan Walker ● 6386d

Yes Jim.  Although cars can go the same way as the 65 they don't have the unique British feature of having a double deck so one can sit on the upper deck and watch the vista of the surrounding countryside.  I always prefer the upper deck front seats.  The 65 is also one of the oldest bus routes in London.Vanessa, I suppose a modern day equivalent to Uncle Vanya would be the TV series the Royal Family about that Liverpool family.

Michael Fletcher ● 6386d

MichaelIf only those super pictures were in fact of dear Brentford.Sounds as though you had a great Route 65 evening.

Jim Lawes ● 6386d

“Ibsen is just a tad to deep for me”Val it’s OK to see – it’s written by Chekhov not by Ibsen as you thought.  The Russians seem to do true-to-life dramas.  Anyway as a classic it’s stood the test of time and there are many sections which are completely up to date.The Rose Theatre is excellent, it was full to about 90% capacity.  The seats fit 2 so I was sat next to this blonde Polish girl of a party of 10. I think they’re a huge positive impact on our life. Many of the audience seem to be academics from the University.  When this beautiful girl sat next to me there was a pungent smell of garlic I thought was puzzling which continued throughout the first half.  It was only at the interval I discovered it came from the middle-aged British group in front who’d brought garlic sandwiches wrapped in tinfoil.  But as they ate them the smell progressively disappeared.Kingston is a beautiful city/town and the Rose is situated in the old quarter opposite the Guildhall.  It’s just behind the market place and 5 minutes from the Thames.  A big plus in travelling there is you get to travel on the 65 bus which has an attractive route through Kew, Richmond, Ham and covers north and south Thames banks.  On the 65 I got to  the Watermans at 10:45.Here are some pictures of Kingston at night around the Rose Theatre.  Rose TheatreArcadeMarket HallMarket Place ShopsKingston HistoryRiver At NightKingston Bridge

Michael Fletcher ● 6386d

Thanks Duncan, the right hand slider was the problem.  Anyway I've booked for Thursday night.Notice their on-line booking section needs to come up to scratch - it doesn't seem to be a secure facility.  Maybe I'm wrong.

Michael Fletcher ● 6389d

Michael, I've just tried the web address http://www.rosetheatrekingston.org/buy-tickets-online-now just now and what comes up is a window, with the performances from the future ones first down to the older ones. There is a slider on the right side of the window which you need to drag down.

Duncan Walker ● 6389d

Thanks for the information Duncan.  When I use that web address Uncle Vanya isn't listed for booking.  When I get home I'll phone for the matinee or maybe go to Kingston to book.

Michael Fletcher ● 6389d

Wow - that's made my year so far - scrumptious - oops sorry - forgot we are talking serious stuff here.

Vanessa Smith ● 6389d

Michael, I've just now booked two seats for Uncle Vanya for this Saturday matinee performance. I used the On-line booking on their website: http://www.rosetheatrekingston.org/buy-tickets-online-nowThey have a very good idea of 'The Pit' where you sit on the floor so need to bring your own cushions, at only £7. It says these are unreserved. Great for young people who don't mind a comfortable seat.Vanessa, Neil Pearson apparantly is fantastic in the performance.The FT says:"In an evening of excellent characterisations, Neil Pearson's Astrov is foremost. Pearson is a master of the kind of mild, rumpled deprecation (of both himself and everyone else) which works beautifully in the role . . . and certainly doesn't deserve the over-finicky directorial decision to have his name pronounced "Arse-trov" throughout. I am also amazed that, when last I saw him in Pinter's Betrayal , I failed to notice how adept he is with pauses: never drawing them out but letting them speak succinctly for themselves."I agree with you Michael, about Brentford having some great resources in easy reach, I would add add Richmond Film House and The Bush Theatre to your list of great venues in easy reach of us.

Duncan Walker ● 6389d

I only knew about it as the Brentford & Chiswick or whatever it now is had an interview with the gorgeous Neil two weeks ago. I've seen him in quite a few productions but even for him I thought Uncle Vanya would have to pass me by - Ibsen is just a tad to deep for me.

Vanessa Smith ● 6389d

It seems UncleVanyo is fully booked.

Michael Fletcher ● 6389d

I think "Uncle Vanyo"  is the first production.  I'll go there if I can get a ticket.  But I haven't been able to find a web summary of the plot.Excellent Duncan to bring this to our attention and the no 65 bus route.  But I suppose Jim will be cycling along the river bank to it though he better be careful at not falling in the river after the play.THe new theatre illustrates how lucky we are for the arts and entertainment in Brentford.  It's so easy to get to cother cultural centres - the Tabard at Chiswick, Richmond Theatre at Richmond, Kingston, Ealing and its theatre and music and jazz festival.  Just as last weeks Brentford & Chiswick Local History talk showed how canal folk and boat people view their home as rather a linear structure of intermediate towns/villages on the river canal  eg Chiswick, Kew, Brentford  or Uxbridge, Cowley, Hayes, Brentford so we can view Brentford's culture as part of a map of West London.  At least I do.

Michael Fletcher ● 6389d

Is this the one that has done 'Uncle Vanya' with the delectable Neil Pearson?

Vanessa Smith ● 6389d