Carnival Fever, Public Enemy Plays: London Weekend
Mark Rylance has come a long way from his scallywag days in “Jerusalem.” He’s now a king.
As Richard III at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Rylance is a scheming, homicidal liar. Yet he shows spectators a far more likeable face, and interacts with them in ways unforeseen. During his stern opening soliloquy, Rylance stoops and hands one audience member a rose; in the tragic closing moments, he grabs another’s arm and won’t let go.
All of this adds up to quite a spectacle, and makes up for the few “Jerusalem” mannerisms that Rylance seems to have a hard time shedding.
At Shakespeare’s Globe. Information: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com or +44-20-7401-9919.
Tas Pide restaurant, opposite the Globe, serves Turkish dishes that are authentic and inexpensive. There is another Tas restaurant, on Borough High Street, if the New Globe Walk location is too full. Information: +44-20-7633-9777 or http://www.tasrestaurants.co.uk/ or
Saturday
A London drunk snoozes on a littered pavement as the crowd directly above him eagerly awaits George VI’s coronation parade.
This hilarious 1937 shot by Henri Cartier-Bresson is a star display in Tate Britain’s survey of photos by foreigners, “Another London.” The images by Cartier-Bresson and his fellow French photographers stand out. In another funny snap, Marc Riboud in 1954 pictures three well-dressed Londoners peeking through scaffolding at a bombed-out site’s reconstruction, even as the sign above warns ‘Dangerous Fence.’
Some of the other pictures are more banal, and seem included just to illustrate the capital’s cultural diversity. One exception is Leonard Freed’s 1971 reportage on the Lubavitch Hassidic community in London, and his moving photo of a community member embracing his young daughter.
Information: http://www.tate.org.uk or +44-20-7887-8888. The exhibition runs through Sept. 16.
Saturday Night
Public Enemy and Carl Cox top the bill at the two-day South West Four festival, which brings summer rock season to a loud dance conclusion.
U.S. electronic-music producer Skrillex will be playing his only London festival date. The festival ends at 10 p.m. each night, so plan ahead for an after-show party.
Information: http://www.southwestfour.com. While the event is fast selling out, some tickets are available online.
If you’re heading for Clapham Common, you might try to book ahead for lunch at Chez Bruce. The cooking is excellent in this low-key restaurant, a favorite among chefs and food lovers. Be warned: It can be tough to get a table. Information: http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/ or +44-20-8672-0114
Sunday
Strap on your banana belt: It’s carnival time.
Thousands of Londoners are getting ready to shake, shimmy and rattle through Notting Hill from Sunday for the annual Caribbean crawl. Calypso, soca and steel-band floats will provide musical accompaniment, as will more than 40 DJ-operated sound systems.
Foodies can sample West Indian specialties at stalls along the way, such as jerk chicken and curried goat. The carnival ends Monday, a U.K. public holiday.
Information: http://wwww.thenottinghillcarnival.com.
(Farah Nayeri writes for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are their own.)
To contact the writer on this story: Farah Nayeri in London at farahn@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
'Richard III'
Simon Annand/Shakespeare's Globe via Bloomberg
Mark Rylance in the title role of "Richard III" at Shakespeare's Globe in London. The play is directed by Tim Carroll.
Mark Rylance in the title role of "Richard III" at Shakespeare's Globe in London. The play is directed by Tim Carroll. Photographer: Simon Annand/Shakespeare's Globe via Bloomberg
'Richard III'
Simon Annand/Shakespeare's Globe via Bloomberg
Johnny Flyn and Mark Rylance as Lady Anne and Richard III in "Richard III." The play runs through Oct. 13, 2012.
Johnny Flyn and Mark Rylance as Lady Anne and Richard III in "Richard III." The play runs through Oct. 13, 2012. Photographer: Simon Annand/Shakespeare's Globe via Bloomberg
'People around a fire, Spitalfields Market'
Marketa Luskacova/Tate via Bloomberg
"People around a fire, Spitalfields Market, London 1976" by Marketa Luskacova. Luskacova moved to London in 1970 from her native Prague, and began to photograph life in Spitalfields and Brick Lane.
"People around a fire, Spitalfields Market, London 1976" by Marketa Luskacova. Luskacova moved to London in 1970 from her native Prague, and began to photograph life in Spitalfields and Brick Lane. Photographer: Marketa Luskacova/Tate via Bloomberg
'View From St Paul's Cathedral'
W. Suschitzky/Tate via Bloomberg
"View From St. Paul's Cathedral, August 1942" by Wolfgang Suschitzky. The photograph documents the destruction of London in the Second World War.
"View From St. Paul's Cathedral, August 1942" by Wolfgang Suschitzky. The photograph documents the destruction of London in the Second World War. Photographer: W. Suschitzky/Tate via Bloomberg
'Mike Eghan at Piccadilly Circus'
James Barnor/Autograph ABP/Tate via Bloomberg
"Mike Eghan at Piccadilly Circus, London 1967" by James Barnor. Born in Accra in 1929, Barnor has worked both in Ghana and in London.
"Mike Eghan at Piccadilly Circus, London 1967" by James Barnor. Born in Accra in 1929, Barnor has worked both in Ghana and in London. Photographer: James Barnor/Autograph ABP/Tate via Bloomberg
Chuck D
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images via Bloomberg
Chuck D of Public Enemy on stage. The group will be performing at South West Four festival, which ends at 10 p.m. for each of its two nights.
Chuck D of Public Enemy on stage. The group will be performing at South West Four festival, which ends at 10 p.m. for each of its two nights. Photographer: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images via Bloomberg
Flavor Flave
Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images via Bloomberg
Flavor Flave of Public Enemy, who will be performing at the two-night South West Four festival in London. Tickets are selling out rapidly.
Flavor Flave of Public Enemy, who will be performing at the two-night South West Four festival in London. Tickets are selling out rapidly. Photographer: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images via Bloomberg
Carl Cox
Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images via Bloomberg
DJ Carl Cox at the 'Nature One' massive rave in Kastellaun, Germany. Cox will be performing at the South West Four festival.
DJ Carl Cox at the 'Nature One' massive rave in Kastellaun, Germany. Cox will be performing at the South West Four festival. Photographer: Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images via Bloomberg
Skrillex
Theo Wargo/Getty Images via Bloomberg
Electronic music producer Skrillex performs at the Samsung Galaxy S III launch in New York. Also headlining the South West Four festival, this will be his only London festival date.
Electronic music producer Skrillex performs at the Samsung Galaxy S III launch in New York. Also headlining the South West Four festival, this will be his only London festival date. Photographer: Theo Wargo/Getty Images via Bloomberg
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