FuturBalla: Life Light Speed – Ester Coen Editor

Born in Turin in 1871 Giacomo Balla was in time to see Rome become the new capital of Italy. Turin up to then the political focal point of the Risorgimento, and capital, was impoverished. This persuaded his mother to move to Rome in 1895 to give her son greater opportunities.

It seems that the move to this burgeoning city, still raw in many ways but growing into itself, mirrored what was happening to Balla. New sights, sounds and energy fascinated him. He loved the countryside, abhorred the filthy streets and determined not to become used to them. He learned from the artistic work of others, and applied it to the foundations of the perceptions that he had absorbed in Turin, not Rome, from lithographer Cassina and the photographers of the Bertieri family. It was these early years that honed Balla’s love of detail, and unusual and personal angles, and Rome that appeared to give him the breadth to develop his style, and create subjects which ooze life, personality, and that indefinable ‘past’ which creates the present of a person.

All this I garnered from FuturBalla: Life Light Speed – Ester Coen Editor.

The illustrations of Balla’s work are breathtaking, the presentation simple and without adornment. The works featured are from public and private collections in both Italy and abroad and clearly  illustrate the path of his creativity. There are more than 200 of these illustrations, accompanied by essays from the editor and contributors. It is not just an homage to an artist but an examination of one who developed an original style. A style which progressed from rich glowing streaks, to molten contrasts of light and dark, always employing bold perspective. Ultimately,  and inevitably one feels, moving to futurism – what else.

The presentation of the monograph is as clear yet detailed as the artist himself. Bravo. Fascinating and enhancing.

FuturBalla:Life Light Speed – £32 Skira  ISBN 978-88-572-3386-4

This for me is the book of the decade.

Finding Gobi is hailed as a true story of a little dog and an incredible journey. Well, it is. But it’s so much more. In fact, for me it’s the book of the decade. Beautifully written, full of pace, tension and sensitivity,  it charts Dion Leonard’s journey from a single minded seasoned, and highly competitive, but solitary ultra-marathon runner, into an empathetic companionable rounded young man. A young man, moreover who becomes driven by far more than the need to win. He has to save Gobi, who has, in so many ways changed or even saved him.

This true story is about a man and a small stray dog, Gobi, adopts Leonard as the ultra-marathon runner participates in the gruelling 155 mile race across the Gobi Desert. Gobi extraordinarily keeps up with him, mile after mile, day after day,  in scorching heat until balked by a wide river..Dion  Leonard is a quarter of the way across the river when he realises that Gobi is not able to follow him into the fast flowing water. Does he drive on to keep up his time, or does he go back to help this little stray, who has chosen him? It’s not an easy decision but reluctantly Dion Leonard finds himself jeapardizing his chances of achieving a win. He turns around, collects Gobi and carries her across the torrent. And on they go, together. Soon the other runners are rooting for Gobi too, and many thousands on social media as well, not to mention the press.

By the end of the race Leonard knows he can’t leave Gobi here, to whatever fate might await her, He must bring her ‘home’ to Edinburgh.. His beloved wife supports him in this, as do those who have been following Gobi’s progress. Money is raised. But that’s not by any means the end, and it’s a spoiler to tell you more.

What I will tell you is that Dion Leonard had little interest beyond running, but not just running – winning. By the end running has been relegated into a part of his life and hope, resilience  and friendship have taken first place. All because of Gobi.

The book for me was unputdownable. It is a voyage of discovery, a coming to terms with his difficult past for Dion, a past that is seamlessly introduced and explored seamlessly throughout the book.

In Goby and Dion’s journey things go wrong, things go right, and the support of strangers is heart warming, not just for the reader, but for Leonard who at last begins to accept help and support, and to realise that others, apart from his wife, have his best interests at heart.

As I said, beautifully written and love triumphs but boy, does it have to be worked for.  I hadn’t realised that the Marathon des Sables and the Yukon were two of the hardest marathons as is mentioned in the book

My son did them.. One day Matt, an ordiinary  marathon runner, said, ‘Oh, forgot to tell you,  I’m off to run across a desert.’ He did, finished, and then a short time later he did the Yukon but came across another competitor in danger in the extreme cold and stayed overnight, to keep her stable, forfeiting his place. He returned the next year and finished. Therefore, yes I have an interest in  ultra-marathon running:  the concentration and training, but also the need to be aware and involved in the other competitors when need be. A bit like life really.

I also have dogs, but even if I hadn’t, this book would have hooked me. Two days straight reading, lump in throat, relief, lump in throat, relief…

This book should be required reading for schools, colleges and basically everyone. The message is:: keep going, keep hoping,  support others as well as yourself and accept support. Be aspirational but know how to be a open to others. Keep your moral compass, in other words.

Brilliant: in a world of derivative books, this is a diamond.

There is a child’s version too. This is your Christmas present list sorted for all ages.

 Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard Harper Nonfiction. 1st June 2017 hb £12.99

Finding Gobi. Young readers edition. pb  £5.98

Both available  in ebooks.

KWV is an interesting South African winery, one of the established names which has modernised; part owned by a Black Empowerment business they have a young enthusiastic team and are powering on with the production of some absolutely excellent wines.

So, onto the wine.

The Granache Blanc 2016 is dry, fruity, (was there a faint taste of almond?) and just right for al fresco salads, or, quite frankly, on its own, sipping as the sun goes down. Reasonably priced too.

£7.99 Co-op

KWV Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Another begging to be tried. Refreshing, with a slight edge of grapefruit, or so we thought, and a hint of pepper. We tried it with a  fish curry, and it worked well, but could as easily join the KWV Granache Blanc as a drink on its own.

£9.00 Morrisons

KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2014

I’ve just reviewed a book discussing the early trade routes, and these included the spice routes. This robust and gorgeous wine has a hint of just those spices, plus a dollop of ripe fruit all of which adds up to an elegant but robust wine.

What to eat with it? Cheese worked well, but so too did a venison dish.  Well, let’s say anything. This is a treat to buy for yourself.

Would it improve if laid down for a year or two. Possibly, if you can resist it.

£14.95, Ocado, Slurp, SH Jones

Antic Disposition presents William Shakespeare’s Richard II1

at The Temple Church, London

“Everyone is close to the action and can delight in the deviousness of the play”

The Temple Church echoes with the sounds of footsteps and hushed voices, as it has for centuries. But on this evening, the noises are from an audience bristling with anticipation. A small, raised walkway down the aisle is the performing space. Thrones at one end, a coffin at the other. This is the coffin of the newly-deceased King Henry VI – we are in ‘the winter of our discontent’.

The royal court arrives and positions itself around the ailing Edward IV. Richard of Gloucester limps through them and then gloriously allows his sonorous voice to echo loud and clear.

image courtesy of Scott Rylander

Antic Disposition have toured this production to a variety of UK and French cathedrals and churches, including Leicester Cathedral – hitting the headlines because the real Richard now lies there. The tour concludes here, in London, with a three-week run.

The wonderful setting adds a layer of gravitas to a production that, at times, it struggles to deserve. The play, especially before the interval, slips into a plodding rhythm, that smothers some of the actors. After the break, though, the cast come out fighting and regain their lost control. Toby Manley’s Richard, now as King, slips into despotic unpredictability, spreading humour and viciousness in equal amounts. His turmoiled pinnacle comes when he awakes from his nightmare, just before Bosworth, where we witness a Golem-esque bipolar moment as he battles the demons and voices within; in one breath wanting revenge, the next despairing at his own loneliness. Shocking and touching at the same time.

Manley handles all this with confidence. As does Joe Eyre, playing the Duke of Buckingham with a quirky, camp lightness that beautifully contrasts with the darkness of his King.

Some of the cast are better than others at using the acoustics to their advantage, but overall, this is a solid version of the play, albeit at times lacking a little bite. Directors Ben Horslen and John Riseboro have a reputation now for quality shows and Richard III is no exception. Some of their choices are inspired (the ghosts of Richard’s victims standing, impassive, throughout), whereas some (like the appearance of Boris Johnson as The Mayor of London) feel a little cheap and unnecessary.

At the end, Richmond, after a fast and bruising fight with Richard, holds his injured arm and struggles with his wounded leg, to close the proceedings. Then he limps off to become the awful Henry VII – history repeating itself …

image courtesy of Scott Rylander

The whole event – quality Shakespeare-in-a-grand-church – is quite different from the now-customary theatre experience. Everyone is close to the action and can delight in the deviousness of the play. It should not be missed.

Running Time: 2 hours 20, with an interval.

Production Photographs: Scott Rylander.

Box Office: Tickets are available from www.richardiii.co.uk or by calling 0333 666 3366.

Twitter:               @anticdispo, #RichardIII

Instagram:          @anticdispo

Performances at The Temple Church, London, until September 9th

Tuesday-Saturday at 7.30pm (£30-£40, Under 18s £10 off).