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Easter weekend
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Easter weekend

by
12th Apr 2017
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What should the accountant about town be doing with a four-day break?

The saddest answer to this simple question would be working his or her socks off on behalf of an ungrateful client. It seems all too likely that some readers might be doing exactly that over at least part of the weekend.

At the other end of the scale, heading off for a sun-kissed holiday in the Caribbean might well score highly. Having said that, after the United Airlines scandal where a doctor was literally dragged off the plane, that is beginning to sound a risky proposition. Going a step further, airlines and hotels have public holidays firmly marked in their diaries, ensuring that prices double. Why can’t we get away with something like that?

At present, the most likely scenario for your dedicated columnist is a mixture of sleep, golfing, TV/music/reading and catching up with friends.

However, to an extent, this will depend on the weather. If there is another weekend like the one just gone, there will be a temptation to spend a great deal of time outside.

On the other hand, if we get the standard British Bank Holiday with wall-to-wall rain, then indoor activities and possibly some art galleries might seem like a better bet.

Lately, the David Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain was characteristic rather than sensational. By far the best work is the most familiar, which is great if you have not seen too much of the artist in the past. Even so, it is a worthwhile retrospective.

Far more exciting is America after the Fall at the Royal Academy. Even allowing for this visitor’s impending horrendous bout of labyrinthitis on a viewing a few weeks ago, this collection of work from the United States in the 30s was a knockout.

The combination of a couple of Edward Hoppers with the best of Grant Wood, a sample of Jackson Pollock and examples from so many others is too good to miss – so don’t.

Inevitably, I feel compelled to recommend some theatre outings. This spring has seen openings of three big musicals in London’s largest theatres.

An American in Paris at the Dominion is largely ballet-based and look stunning, while Carousel with ENO at the Coliseum inevitably has an operatic slant. It also features the unlikely trio of Katherine Jenkins making her West End debut, Alfie Boe and Nicholas (Rodney Trotter) Lyndhurst.

Best of all though is a lavish revival of 42nd Street featuring 80s pop star Sheena Easton showing an unexpected vocal range in a spectacular production that will remind viewers of just what live musical theatre has to offer.

Easter is always a good time for sports fanatics, with the football and rugby union seasons coming to a climax at the same time as cricket starts up again in earnest.

If anyone has some better suggestions for ways to spend the next few days, I’m certainly open to ideas and I imagine that many other readers will be looking for the kind of excitement that our day job is never supposed to give us – perhaps about of spring cleaning?

Replies (5)

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FT
By FirstTab
12th Apr 2017 13:20

I am doing what I love most, working on my practice. It really is the best time.

I fail to understand the appeal of theater. For a start the tickets are so expensive, you then have to dress up and make sure you get there at an a paricular time. Put it on video! This way, I get better angles and the poor actors do not have to repeat the same lines over and over again.

The modern world, thankfully works around me.

Maybe theatre going is class/caste/level of income thing.

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Replying to FirstTab:
Red Leader
By Red Leader
17th Apr 2017 08:34

You're wrong about dressing up for theatre. That ended decades ago.

You could try live performances broadcast live to the cinema. The Curzon chain do this, also for opera. It's usually cheaper than going to the theatre itself, seats are better, you can take drinks in from the bar, and probably most important, I found that the experience of the play or opera was better than being in the theatre.

Thanks (2)
Replying to FirstTab:
By mrme89
18th Apr 2017 09:46

FirstTab wrote:

and make sure you get there at an a paricular time.

An odd comment.

You have to get their for a 'particular time' for most events, whether it be football or the cinema.

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Routemaster image
By tom123
16th Apr 2017 18:29

We recently went to see Abigails Party, which is currently touring - 40th anniversary stylee.

It was v. funny, and we loved the 70's décor.

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Routemaster image
By tom123
16th Apr 2017 18:30

@FT - the cinema costs about the same as theatre in our town - once you have added in the cost of popcorn!

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