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Photo: Matt Crockett.
Extra shows have been added for Christmas at WICKED, the untold story of the
Witches of Oz, playing at Apollo Victoria Theatre.
NEW MUSEUM AT THE
CHARTERHOUSE OPENS IN JANUARY
The Charterhouse, set deep within
stone walls in the heart of Clerkenwell,
is a remarkable assembly of historic
buildings dating from the 14th century.
Over the years it has been a religious
site, a grand Tudor mansion, a school
and, as it has remained for over 400
years, an almshouse. In January 2017,
parts of the Charterhouse will be open to
the public for the first time in its 660
year history, revealing to the public the
great story of this sprawling urban oasis
at the heart of London. With its partner
the Museum of London, the
Charterhouse is creating a new museum
within the Tudor mansion, as well as a
Learning Centre and an exhibition space,
which will tell the story of the
Charterhouse and its role in key
moments in English history, using
artefacts from its own collection,
together with others from the Museum
of London and other collections. This
new facility will bring to life the history
of the building, highlighting its place in
national affairs and securing its future.
The Charterhouse is at Charterhouse
Square, EC1M 6AN. You can combine a
visit to the museum with a tour of the
site, visit www.thecharterhouse.org
WRITTEN ON SKIN
AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
George Benjamin’s Written on Skin
received its world premiere at the Aixen-Provence
Festival in July 2012 and
received its UK premiere in March 2013
at the Royal Opera House. The opera
marks the second collaboration between
British composer George Benjamin and
British playwright Martin Crimp,
following their first opera Into the Little
Hill, which had its London premiere in
2009 in the Linbury Studio Theatre.
Written on Skin was director Katie
Mitchell‘s first production for the main
stage of the Royal Opera House. The
opera is based on an Occitan ballad
from the 13th century. A landowner
invites an artist into his house to create
an illuminated book that will immortalize
both his political power and his
domestic contentment.
However the creation of the book
becomes a catalyst for his wife Agnès’s
rebellion. After she successfully seduces
the illuminator, Agnès uses her new
intimacy with him to change the very
content of the book and so forces her
husband to see her as she really is.
This opens the path for an extraordinary
final act of defiance. The drama takes
place under the dispassionate gaze of
three 21st-century angels who comment
on the action.
Written on Skin will be performed on
13, 18, 23, 27 and 30 January at the
Royal Opera House.
t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g a z i n e • t h i s i s l o n d o n o n l i n e