Alfred Munnings and Pinter 5

[smallhobbit]

Since SM was off singing Christmas songs (of the Handel's Messiah and Berlioz Shepherd's Farewell sort) I had the Saturday morning to myself.  So I went to the National Army Museum to see an exhibition of Alfred Munnings war paintings.  Munnings was known as a painter who specialised in painting horses and he was commissioned by the Canadian War Office to accompany the Canadian mounted troops in the early part of 1918 to record life on the Western Front.

The paintings were excellent.  He painted some of the officers, but also the ordinary troopers.  When this commission was finished he was invited to go further south to see where many Canadian soldiers (frequently ex-lumberjacks) were involved in the logging process to provide the wood which was needed.  Again his paintings were a fascinating insight into life at the time.  And not only the horses, but the way he painted the men really captured them.

I sketched some of the paintings - the ones which spoke to me in particular ways - and then bought a pack of postcards.

In the afternoon I went to see Pinter 5.  This autumn/winter the Harold Pinter theatre are putting on a season of all of Harold Pinter's one act plays.  Pinter 5 comprised The Room, Victoria Station and Family Voices.  My sole reason for going was seeing Rupert Graves on stage, because it's many years since he was last on stage.  I didn't like Pinter before I went, and I think I like his plays even less now.  But I can say I've seen Rupert Graves on stage.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Hee! Lestrade! Did he take his shirt off?

[smallhobbit]

Nope - most he took off was his overcoat.

[tripleransom]

Munnings foxhunting paintings are famous, but I didn't know he did War paintings as well. I'll have to look them up - thanks for the tip!

[smallhobbit]

I wasn't aware of it until I saw a recommendation for the exhibition. If you click on the link there's a video which shows some of the paintings.

[out_there]

"My sole reason for going was seeing Rupert Graves on stage"

Very valid reason. *approves*

[smallhobbit]

I thought one or two of my flist would approve ;)

[mafief]

The paintings are amazing and I’m glad you had a good time there.

And thumbs up for seeing Graves on stage. :D

[smallhobbit]

They are and thank you.

Yes it was good.

[vix_spes]

Hahaha! I love that we all have the same opinion of Pinter! I've sucked it up and have a ticket for Hiddles in Betrayal and everyone keeps telling me it's one of the better Pinter plays so fingers crossed it isn't excruciating!

[smallhobbit]

I wish you the best of luck. I've seen Betrayal and even Hiddles didn't persuade me to see it again. I preferred The Homecoming.

[lestradeloves]

I saw Pinter 5 yesterday, and could not agree with you more. But I really wanted to see Rupert on stage, and now I never have to watch another Pinter play in my life....

[smallhobbit]

Sums it up perfectly. "Ooh, Rupert Graves on stage. I must go." and then "Oh no, it's Pinter!"

[lestradeloves]

Haha yep :)