John Shand Posts

February 2, 2018 / Concert Reviews - Archive

City Recital Hall, January 20 7/10 It was advertised as a “unique” double bill. I think “weird” is the word. What should have been the main – arguably the only – event came on first and only played for 40 minutes. That was the Iraqi duo of Rahim AlHaj (oud)…

January 31, 2018 / Concert Reviews - Archive

Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, January 16 9/10 It flares up like a sudden tongue of flame as when a fire catches in the dark. Were it light rather than sound you’d shield your eyes from its glare, and if suffering is the human condition, Amy Sacko’s singing is the soundtrack. Hers…

January 28, 2018 / Theatre Reviews - Archive

Reginald Theatre, January 13, until January 26 7.5/10 Long before its practitioners came up with the wretched notion of purporting to represent reality, theatre did something infinitely more magical: it obliged its audiences to use their imaginations. In this lay-everything-out-on-a-platter era it sounds improbable, I know, but if most contemporary…