QUINTESSENTIALLY | Insider | Culture

‘The most hilarious play you’ll see all year!’ the ads breathlessly proclaim. ‘Essential….unmissable…a once-in-a-lifetime experience.’ If there was an Olivier award for best hyperbole, Bruce Norris’ new play Clybourne Park would be the frontrunner. Ever since its triumphant opening at the Royal Court last summer, it has become a cause celebre, and now its much-heralded transfer to the Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End allows audiences to judge it for themselves. Is it the timeless masterpiece the critics suggest, a triumph of hype over substance, or, as is more usual, something in between?

The play takes place in two time zones. The first, set in 1959 Chicago, sees a traumatised couple, Russ and Bev, preparing to sell their house. Their neighbours, good Rotarians all, are not-so-secretly appalled to find that the potential vendors are a black family. In the second, in 2009 Chicago, the roles are reversed; another couple, Lindsey and Steve want to demolish the house, now in a predominantly black area and build their dream home. Again, they meet with local opposition, this time buried under a thin veneer of liberal sensibility.

Norris’ play asks many interesting questions about issues of race, society and property in both contemporary and recent historic America (One wonders in passing what the play would have been like if it had been set in 1909 and 2009, or even 2109). It’s certainly as relevant to Britain as it is to America, with countless neighbourhoods changing and gentrifying all over the country. And the already justly infamous scene at the end of the second act, where the couples are goaded into telling ever more outrageous racist jokes against one another, is hilarious yet horrifying.

Dominic Cooke’s vivid and fast-moving production grabs the attention and makes for an enjoyable evening out. Performances across the board are excellent, especially from Stephen Campbell Moore (replacing Martin Freeman, in New Zealand on Hobbit duty), Sophie Thompson in a dual role as a trembling housewife and an ignorant lawyer, and Lorna Brown as a ‘yes ma’am, no ma’am’ maid and a cynical contemporary woman. It seems destined to become a talking-point drama so you’d be well advised to see it.

Until 7 May. Wyndham’s Theatre, W1. www.clybournepark.co.uk

Polo – a game of thundering horses, near miss clashes, champagne, strawberries, and the odd prince or two.
But sadly with the warm balmy days of summer still months off, an afternoon at the Polo feels like a whole world away… Or does it?

On the 24th February, luxury Argentine restaurant group Gaucho will be hosting the first Gaucho International Polo at the O2 Arena. Polo tournaments in Argentina attract the most talented players and passionate fans from across the world, and it is this vibrant and adoring atmosphere that Gaucho will be recreating at the O2.

For those polo novices out there, Arena Polo differs from the traditional game as it takes place on a reduced size pitch with only three players per team (rather than the usual four), creating non-stop end-to-end action where the spectator is as close to the match as possible.

Three world class international matches will be played culminating in a historical match between EFG’s England and Camino Real’s Argentina for the coveted Churchill Cup. For those of us looking for something a little less competitively orientated, there will be fun matches featuring our favourite celebrities, fantastic live music, as well as fashion shows and a luxury retail village, so you can draw some style inspiration from the polo set.

If you’re feeling really authentic, why not head to Gaucho O2 for a luxurious lunch experience where you can dine on the finest Argentine steak cuts in a world renowned setting.

Events start at 2.00pm, so you will have plenty of time to take advantage of all the fabulous entertainment and dining options available before the drama of the first match begins at 5.00pm.

Quintessentially Insider is delighted to be able to offer 3 pairs of tickets to the Gaucho Polo! Your ticket will allow you access to the arena to watch the tournaments and live music performances, entry to the luxury retail village and access to the have-a-go polo sessions.

For your chance to win a pair of these amazing tickets, simply tell us how many players are there in an arena polo team? E-mail your answer along with your name, age and contact details to editorial@quintessentially.com before Tuesday 22nd February.

Fade In

Late Evening: A contemporary boutique hotel, Marylebone, London. Through the distinctly un-hotelish doors of a handsome Georgian façade, past a brace of plush red armchairs by Christopher Guy, we pan round to find a stylish, heated cigar terrace. An air of sophistication and (steadily growing) self-satisfaction curls among the twenty or so cigar aficionado’s, now down to the last inch of their hand-rolled 6inch Trinidad Robustos. Attentive staff breeze in and out with wines and spirits.

Large Chap: …Sunday night in Rome, you have to go with the Julieta
Svelte Swedish Banker: 7 Inch vintage 98?
Large Chap: Or the Double Corona 7.6
Svelte Swedish Banker: You’re kidding?
Large Chap: I don’t kid.
Me: Why can’t I get up? I want to check out the humidor. I’m here to write this place up, you know?
Large Chap: Last inch will do it to you.
Me: Seriously. Why can’t I stand up?

Cut To

Same Terrace. Robustos have been replaced with dark liquor and flutes of Champagne. Filmy eyes accompanied by happy grunts. A Patrick Bateman look-a-like hands over a subtle, off-white coloured business card to a pretty new comer. Man with slick-backed hair sits down opposite the Large Chap, takes a sip of coffee liquor.

Me: The receptionist looks like a queen on that golden throne-like creation. Where did Frederick go?
Large Chap: Who’s that?
Me: That guy with the quiff.
Large Chap: No, that!
Me: Oh, that’s my lady-friend, you know? We have dinner now.
Large Chap: Stay for a while. I’ll buy you the Prince of Wales?
Me: Medium bodied, mild, and you can taste the cedar in it?
Large Chap: (grunts) Exactly. Best paired with a sweeter spirit before dinner.
Girl: Heya. I passed through the Lounge. Very fancy. Someone was eating something that I really want.
Large Chap: Come, take a seat. Let’s get you a drink?
Waiter: Mam, would you like to try a cigar?
Large Chap: Yes, she would. The Petit Julietas. With Scotch?
Me: Or Champagne? But no, we really have to go. Business card?
(Large Chap hands over the card)
Me: Asset Management? (laugh) I took you more for a professional boxer.
Large Chap: I got my nose flattened in Cuba…long story, if you care for it?
Girl: Or a quasi-professional cigar smoker?

Cut To

Behind a Japanese-style lacquered screen lit with minimalist pin lights, a lady in her sixties sits by a window, a lonely romantic, serenaded by the sound of falling rain. The small and cosy Lounge next door is a-glow in rich shades of browns and golds. On one table, a steak with potato wedges in a copper saucepan, and another plate of spinach and ricotta. A bottle of Cheval des Andes is poured out by a distinctive gentleman with emerald cuff-links. Man with slicked-back hair, blue suit and pointy loafers is taking notes.

Me: I should eat something before I come next time. The last inch of your Julietas hit me way too hard.
Girl: You need to put some weight on. Are you eating breakfast?
Me: Nice place, though. Definitely five star since the make over. Wait till you see the room.
Girl: Superior, right?
Me: Two massive flat-screens. Technology all there. Rain shower…I spent ten minutes opening the curtains though. You need to use this remote control.
Girl: Mini-bar with comedy pricelist?
Me: It’s a boutique hotel in Central London. What do you think?

Cigar evening at Ten Manchester Street. Time: 6.30pm. Prices: GBP 30.00 To find out when our next evening is and book your place, please call T 44 (0) 207 3175 900. Places are limited to 20 on the cigar terrace.

www.tenmanchesterstreethotel.com

“VIP” is a common expression in the world of luxury – but this week it has been given a totally new meaning.  Saturday, 23rd January was the inauguration of the VIP Art Fair, but here the famous letters stand for ‘Viewing in Private’, and describe the world’s first major online art fair.

The founders of this ground-breaking fair are James and Jane Cohan, art dealers in New York, who, for the past 3 years, have been dreaming of and planning the fair which finally launched last weekend, and is scheduled to close on 30th January. With more and more transactions happening online – for example some galleries sell in a similar fashion to amazon.com and major auction houses accept online bids – it seems that art collectors don’t necessarily have to view works in person before knowing they love and want it. And so begins the online art fair.

The circuit is already so crowded with fairs from Hong Kong, London, Miami, Basel, New York, Dubai to Paris, that the cost of travelling and shipping make it almost impossible for galleries or collectors to see them all – in this climate it makes sense to go virtual. Although galleries still have to pay for booths, ranging from $5,000 – $20,000, the expense saved from not having to transport works is significant.

The fair’s first major success was in convincing big hitters like Gagosian, White Cube, Hauser and Wirth and an interesting range of younger galleries to buy booths and set up a display of works. Beyond that the basic logistics of the site were successful – the lay out and interface were extremely user-friendly allowing visitors to search galleries and chat with their staff 24 hours a day.

So was it a success? I would say yes and no. The major failing has been that due to high user demand the website has been incredibly slow, to the point that they have had to disable the chat feature, suggesting visitors email or call the gallery instead.  The problem with this is that specific prices are not listed, and not a lot of details are provided about each work; while you can see the artist’s CV and biography there is no actual description provided, meaning some works’ significance and purpose can, unfortunately, be lost.

Having said that, I think the idea of the online art fair is a major step forward. This fair has more than 1900 works on view, and the whole reason the website has had problems is because of overwhelming interest and demand – there have been a staggering 3.3 million views on the site, from 130 countries and it’s still  only half way through the fair.

Whether sales have been high is still unknown, but it cannot be contested that even if people aren’t buying online, they are being made aware of different galleries and different artists to investigate in the future.

Technological glitches aside, the Cohans should be proud of what they’ve accomplished and hopefully will do it again next year with a bit more experience under their belts.

vipartfair.com

The last time I put on a leotard and ballet shoes I was 5 years old and demonstrating my ability to perform good toes, naughty toes… So it was a surreal moment to find my now grown up self staring back at me from the mirror of the ballet studio, with my good toes once again primed for action.

If you hadn’t noticed, the world is experiencing something of a ballet moment, thanks to the arrival of Darren Aronofsky’s latest film The Black Swan. Fashion has fallen for the ethereal charms of Natalie Portman, and the Rodarte designed costumes ensure that layers of delicate tulle, be-ribboned shoes and sequin embellishments are firmly on the fashion agenda.

And so I found myself arriving at Frame Studios in London’s edgy Shoreditch to try my hand at their Black Swan inspired ballet class, where I would supposedly be transformed from ballet duckling into the Swan Queen.

For my transformation to properly begin I was provided with a complete ballet ensemble courtesy of contemporary dancewear company BLOCH – the sugar pink satin pumps elicited a sigh of joy from my lips – the all-in-one leotard on the other hand, not so much.

To complete my look I was placed in the hands of one of the lovely team from M.A.C –my eyes were winged with feathery lashes, my lids covered in shimmering coal black glitter and my lips coated in shades of electric pink. With my hair swept into an elegant chignon I was ready to take to the barre – but not before a glass of something fizzy had passed my lips to calm my nerves.

Channeling my inner Margot Fontaine I walked into the studio and took my place at the barre. The lovely Craig from Frame was our teacher for the night (a far cry from The Black Swan’s menacing Vincent Cassell) and as the soundtrack to the film struck up, he lead us through a 30 minute taster session of demi plies and tendu’s ending in some ‘light’ jumps – although mine were slightly more fairy elephant than sugar plum fairy.

Feeling incredibly poised and with slightly burning thighs, I indulged in a post class Black Swan inspired ‘whoopee pie’ (although I am sure this is not the typical way to end a ballet class) – before shedding my ballet persona and changing into my jeans – the ballet shoes however stayed on.

The Aubin Cinema was my next destination where a private screening of the film had been arranged to show the would be ballerinas how it’s really done. Part of the Soho House Group , the Aubin Cinema is full of lush velvet arm chairs complete with Aubin and Wills blankets to snuggle under (or hide your eyes behind), throw in a glass of red and some organic olives and you have a truly unique cinema experience.

The Black Swan undoubtedly lives up to the surrounding hype – Natalie Portman’s portrayal of the beautiful yet disturbed Nina Sayers is bewitching and the dancing itself simply mesmerising. I was told that Portman performed 90% of the dancing herself – an incredible feat when training for just a year, and one that made my efforts look considerably less impressive.

I doubt I will be earning an Oscar for my ballet moves anytime soon – but as far as exercise goes, ballet is definitely a winner. In fact I am going back for more – as of 5th February, Frame is launching its Black Swan Season, classes take place every Saturday for 4 weeks and cost £12 per class.

Toned legs, improved posture, inner poise and fabulous shoes – ballet is clearly the fashionistas exercise du jour… good toes, naughty toes, good toes, naughty toes.
www.moveyourframe.com

Tuesday evening at the Royal Opera House and there wasn’t a seat left in the house for the opening night of the revival of Rossini’s buffa opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia. From the moment the orchestra, led by the Scottish conductor Rory Macdonald, began their overture and built the atmosphere the audience was transfixed – a marked difference from the opera’s premiere in 1816 when the audience are reported to have jeered and hissed throughout. Still, despite this the opera has flourished to become a staple part of the comic opera repertoire.

On what was my first trip to the Royal Opera House I was enraptured by the beauty and design. The circular main hall rising upwards in a lavish display of design gives it the feeling of a temple to the arts. By the time my eye reached the ornate ceiling I had vowed to myself this would not be my last trip. If there is a more beautiful place to watch opera in the UK then I am yet to see it.

It is the atmosphere, the knowledge that each night will be slightly different and the interaction between crowd and performers which sets a live performance ahead of any recording. All these were present to such an extent that at the first note of Count Almaviva’s serenade such was the electricity present in the room that the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up.

The story – a blissfully farcical tale of disguises, plots and counter-plots as Count Almaviva, with the help of the eponymous barber, Figaro, attempts to save his love Rosina from the grasp of her lecherous guardian, Dr Don Bartolo, and the superbly Machiavellian music teacher, Don Basilio – pops and fizzes as the performers are encouraged to flex their acting muscles as well as their vocals to inject real humour into the opera through impeccable comic timing and authentic physical comedy.

In a performance low on star names the execution is undiminished, in addition to the extraordinary performance by Ildar Abdrazakov as Don Basilio – all malevolence, hunch and duplicity. As he navigates his way through the role with great humour, Levente Molnár, a young Hungarian baritone, delivers a commanding performance full of fire and vigour as Figaro, the eponymous barber.

All were, however, overshadowed by the rising star Aleksandra Kurzak as Rosina. Her perfect portrayal captured the duality of the character’s fiery determination and her vulnerability through sublime vocal skills and coquettish foot-stamping anger. Indeed, so convincing is this anger that when, after throwing darts into the set, she turns to the audience and feints throwing one into the audience, the first four rows all instinctively ducked out of the way. The audience hung on her every note and her every action it is a remarkable performance.

Overall I took many things from this performance – a newfound love of the venue, the excitement of seeing talented young performers at the beginning of their careers, and lastly and most importantly, a profound sense of pleasure, and that, after all, is what art of all kinds should deliver.

http://www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=13799

Cambridge is only an hour from London, but how different the light, the air, the sounds! And how unexpected this boutique hotel – The Varsity Hotel & Spa – right on the river, where the cobbled streets tinkle with bookish thoughts, where, when the sun falls, the spires of St Johns and Trinity find their reflection in waters on fire with lilac clouds.

You can see all the colleges from this room – the Trinity Suite, with its Venetian beauty dim like candlelight, so that the art nouveau inside bows to the magnificence without; the greens and creams and browns sleeping beneath the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the tremors of 13^th century ghosts whispering in the willows along the banks bring me out onto the private terrace; a Friday of hard work has just been washed away under the monsoon shower, and the wine brought up by a very friendly gentleman is sweet like the heady alpine winds that seem to reach me up here.

Yes – this is why, since its opening, all the punters have been raving about it; back inside the palatial suite, modern conveniences abound – under-floor heating, iPad, wi-fi, Illy espresso on tap, luxury spa products, LCD and a separate lounge with a mini-sports car just sitting there to convince us that the 21^st century means progress, and a painting of the formidable Newton guides the eye above the four poster bed of sighs. And yet, it’s all about this sublime view, of a time when we all had time to sit and read beneath the willows, when medieval became renaissance and gothic beauty was crowned queen.

Upstairs, on the roof – a hang-out lounge & bar come summer – you can see even more…but you get the point – and it’s officially the most unimpaired view of Cambridge ever to see sunset. I recite some Shakespeare and Byron, and my date laughs, and then we walk back inside as the effervescent hotel manager takes us on a tour just to drive home the point that the words boutique and hotel and spa and Cambridge haven’t ever really come together like this before.

To the Conran-designed Spa next door then, with its Jacuzzi that foams against the one-way glass window, the roguish punts drifting on by (perhaps), or cackling students that are dim to the magnum opus of scent and the murmur of shimmering skin within (the beauty treatments here are so popular that the swan-inspired clientele give us a passing wink as they too sigh in anticipation). The gym is good for Pilates and Yoga and any other desired or undesired exertion. But its time to eat – somewhere, we hope, where thoughts do serenely sweet express. Our host leaves us at the restaurant with a firm hand shake, and the plates are large and the steak and baked potato infused with flavours like a lover’s sonnet…

But I knew Cambridge intimately once, and want to see it, and am so inspired now that the words on my tongue are like the night reflected in the water…’all that’s best of dark and bright, meet in your aspect and your eyes, us, mellowed to that tender light…’

The January Package includes breakfast, hour session with a personal trainer, an Aveda massage and facial and access to the Spa: this exclusive offer is available until 10^th February with prices starting from GBP 99 based on two sharing.

The Bespoke Valentines Package: opt for a Byronic candlelit meal, with a bed of roses and champagne awaiting in your Valentine’s Suite of choice.

www.thevarsityhotel.co.uk

01223 30 60 30