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Ruthless People: Ruthless - Arches Lane Theatre

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What is it about the Madoff’s that writers can’t resist writing about? Sure, it may have been the largest Ponzi scheme to collapse (so far), but there isn’t much more to explore. Or is there? In Ruthless by writer Roger Steinmann, Ruth Madoff is imagined as a wronged, gun-toting woman anchored in the past while trying to move on with her life. It’s not entirely successful but a fascinating look at life and wig choices, It’s currently playing at the theatre now known as the Arches Lane Theatre in Battersea. Ruth Madoff, played by Emily Swain, is here wearing a wig. I thought it was an odd look until I reviewed how closely it matched the photo of her interview in  The New York Times .  Typically, it’s the sort of wig you might see worn by Ladies on a night out in central London, not someone who once had over $80m in assets. With Bernie in Jail and both her sons now dead - one by suicide and one due to cancer, she is setting a table for the men who have left her. And ordering p...

Brief flames and passion: Nabucco at the Royal Opera

Liudmyla Monastyrska as Abigaille in Nabucco © ROH / Catherine Ashmore 2013
The Royal Opera's new production of Nabucco has received some mixed reviews - particularly with the sandpit staging - but catching the final night where Leo Nucci was playing the title role, it was clear that fine music making and some extraordinary singing will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The production has updated the period to the twentieth century but for the most part this does not get in the way of the story, or more importantly the singing.

My side view of the production (which restricted seeing the rear projections that "comment on the action") probably helped as it looked like it was pretty busy back there at times to the point of distraction. But it was hard to deny the beauty and power of some of the set pieces, including where Liudmyla Monastyrska as Abigaille sings lit only by flames (pictured above, photo credit Catherine Ashmore).


If you can't get tickets (particularly now since Plácido Domingo has taken over the title role the remaining dates seem to be sold out), it is going to be broadcast in cinemas on April 29 as part of the Royal Opera House Cinema series.


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