This Is London - 31 January 2020

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Antonio Verrio The Sea Triumph of Charles II
c.1674 The Royal Collection Trust
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019
BRITISH BAROQUE: POWER AND
ILLUSION AT TATE BRITAIN
Opening at Tate Britain on 4 February,
British Baroque: Power and Illusion will
be the first ever exhibition to focus on
baroque culture in Britain. From the
Restoration of Charles II in 1660 to the
death of Queen Anne in 1714, the
exhibition explores the rich connections
between art and power in this oftenoverlooked
era. The show includes many
new discoveries and works shown in
public for the first time, many on loan
from the stately homes for which they
were originally made.
The baroque is usually associated
with the pomp and glory of European
courts, epitomised by that of Louis XIV,
but baroque visual culture also thrived
in Britain under very different
circumstances. From the royal court’s
heyday as the brilliant epicentre of the
nation’s cultural life, to the dramatic shift
in power that saw the dominance of
party politics, this exhibition shows how
magnificence was used to express status
and influence. As well as outstanding
paintings by the leading artists of the
day, including Sir Peter Lely, Sir Godfrey
Kneller and Sir James Thornhill, the
show also uncovers pivotal works by
lesser known names.
NEW DECADE, NEW INTENT AT
HACKNEY EMPIRE
At the start of a new decade, Hackney
Empire plans to build on its commitment
to community and championing of
young people, alongside an exciting
programme of work for audiences to
enjoy, plus innovative collaborations
with artists, venues and theatre makers
around the country.
Since Artistic Director Yamin Choudury
and Executive Director Jo Hemmant were
appointed in 2018, the theatre has seen an
average of 83% new bookers for many
productions – a huge achievement for a
1000+ seater theatre in London. In 2018-
19 there were over 62 productions with
over 100,000 people attending.
Previous collaborations with theatres
and organisations include Birmingham
Repertory Theatre, RSC, Scottish Opera,
Royal Court, English Touring Opera and
LIFT Festival. The theatre will now expand
upon and increase collaborations in the
future, and in autumn 2020, Headlong
Theatre will bring their first production to
the venue – August Wilson’s Jitney,
playing from 20-25 October as part of its
UK tour. Debris Stevenson’s hit show Poet
in Da Corner will finish its national tour at
Hackney Empire, and the venue are
working to develop her new show,
Write to Rave.
Hackney Empire Artistic Director, Yamin
Choudury. Photo: Katherine Leesdale.
Hackney Empire.
IT'S ON! BEKELE TAKES ON
KIPCHOGE
The gladiatorial match-up the whole
world has been waiting for – Eliud
Kipchoge versus Kenenisa Bekele – is
on and will take place this April at the
2020 Virgin Money London Marathon.
The two greatest distance runners in
history and the two fastest men ever over
the marathon distance will go head to
head on the streets of London on
Sunday 26 April in a contest the world
has been waiting to see.
Kipchoge and Bekele have previously
met four times over the marathon
distance, including twice at the Virgin
Money London Marathon (2016 and
2018), with Kipchoge coming out on top
each time. But Bekele has the better
head-to-head record over all distances
and surfaces.
The two men spearhead the elite
men’s field at the 2020 Virgin Money
London Marathon which also includes
the second and third-placed finishers
from last year, Ethiopia’s Mosinet
Geremew and Mule Wasihun.
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