Nick Hennegan's Bohemian Britain
Lifestyle tales from the city
As we know, being an artist can often be a lonely life. So it was great to be invited to the Irish Cultural Centre for a networking event for all #artists based in #Hammersmith and Fulham.
There was a free glass of wine and lots of good will! We’re going to start a West London Artists page on here, listing talents and events, etc.
Contact Nick for details if you’re a West London artist.
Now I’m not an expert on Choirs but I think I do know a great night out when I happen upon it. Especially a happening Upon A Winters Night. And this is a great Winters night out. And not just because traditionally everyone ends up in the Pub!
There are numerous choirs around the country – it doesn’t seem fair to call them ‘vanity’ choirs – because the members pay to be part of the Choir. People pay for individual singing lessons or to join gyms or take Zumba classes, but none of these activities ‘share the love’ or give pleasure like a brilliant choir can. In some cases, as with amateur theatre, the passion outweighs the talent, but this usually makes for a more enjoyable experience. You know the performers do it for the love, not the profit.
And so it proved tonight. A surprisingly short performance (but look… it’s FREE!) included audience participation for Jingle Bells and Hark The Herald Angels Sing and was a mix of classical and contemporary songs.
But mainly and perhaps crucially, with what is happening around the world at the moment, an hour on a Monday night in a small church in West London encapsulated, celebrated and reminded me of all that is essential about goodwill to all men and women. I was, on occasion, nearly moved to tears by the event. There are lovely people in the world. And this gig reminded me of that.
And then we all went to the Pub!
Our occasional request show, where Nick Hennegan plays your requests… includes George Holmes and the 7 Dimensions, Romeo and Juliet, Wicked and Dylan Thomas.
So, hive mind, thanks to the generosity of all concerned, we will show our acclaimed Edinburgh Festival Fringe show ‘Winston and David’ on Zoom on Sunday 1st December, at 3pm to mark the 150th Birthday of Winston Churchill. (The Churchill Arms, Kensington should stream it! Lol!)
The tickets will be free, but because it is a fundraiser do you think ‘Buy me a Coffee’, KO-FI, or another platform would be best to help raise funds for our charity? Whaddyathink? Thanks in advance.
Nick Hennegan celebrates the recent birthdays and famous works of writers who have had their books televised – J. G. Ballard and Margaret Atwood. (Margret is still with us, despite social media rumours!)
Sad I can’t make it, but our tour starts tonight in Nottingham! Guy Masterson’s fab performance of Dickens’ festive favourite. Adapted & directed by … er me! Nick Hennegan. Original Music by Robb Williams. THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREAT! Bless us all, every one! x
★★★★★ Bath Chronicle
★★★★★ Bristol Post
★★★★★ (BBC Radio) http://www.TheChristmasCarol.co.uk
Considered one of Shakespeare’s ‘problem plays,’ All’s Well That Ends Well joins Measure for Measure, The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of …
All’s Well That Ends Well – Shakespeare’s Globe
Nick Hennegan celebrates the birth of Bram Stoker, writer of Dracula… and the ‘birth’ of his new Radio Science-Fiction Young Adult Drama, George Holmes and the 7 Dimensions. Hear the first-ever episode here.
The Business of Murder, by Richard Harris.
Theatre at The Tabard, The Tabard Pub, Bath Road, Chiswick, London W4.
🍷🍷🍷🍷 🥃 4 out of 5 Wines. A small vodka. And a large Whiskey!
They’re killing it at the Tabard Theatre – and it’s easy to see why with this latest offering from writing legend Richard Harris.
I’m personally not a great fan of murder mysteries. I’ve had numerous friends perform in Agatha Christie’s The Mouse Trap in the West End – and I’ve still never seen it. But this offering is more than a simple whodunnit. Because for most of the play, you are not sure what’s been dun! Unlike most in this genre, it cleverly does NOT start with a murder we have to solve. But a series of events set in a first-floor flat in London sometime in the early 1980’s. With three apparently unconnected strangers. But we find out, as things develop, they are all involved in The Business of Murder! Writer Richard describes the piece as a “WhyDunnit rather than a WhoDunnit…” and he’s right!
It’s a clever thriller dripping in quality. I had no previous knowledge of the play, but once again the tiny Theatre At The Tabard are punching above their weight. The set looks more West End than Fringe! As do the technical effects. And the cast, award-winning professionals, are all perfect too. From (ex-Minder) Garry Webster’s, seen-it-all copper, Hallet, through Charlotte Hunter’s creatively alluring prim writer, Dee, through to Miles Gallant’s pedantic but charming flat owner, Stone, none of them put a creative foot wrong and give complete, solid performances.
And Nick Bromley’s direction is assured and detailed too. From little touches like the fourth wall mirror, to Stone’s constant buttoning and unbuttoning of his jacket, Bromley ensures the pace never falters and we are drawn into their world.
If there’s a slight niggle, the second act felt a little bit overlong, but it’s just a niggle. This is theatre of the highest quality in all its elements. I can completely see why Richard Harris and The Business of Murder ran for years in the West End.
Kill for a ticket! You know it makes good Business sense!
Nick Hennegan.
The Business of Murder continues until 23 November.
Standard price tickets cost £23.50/£19.50 concessions. Final 2 weeks £25.50/£21.50 concessions. Running Time Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 15 minute interval.
Coming up at the Tabard
Theatre at the Tabard is at 2 Bath Road, Chiswick (W4 1LW).
Another great night on the London Literary Pub Crawl with thinking drinkers from London, Kent, Birmingham… and China! 🇨🇳
