Something you should see… Protest song

Laura Thornley — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:00:31 +0000

The Shed is a new temporary venue associated with the National Theatre, and one that specialises in a more alternative line-up. With a tag line claiming ambition, adventure with a hint of the unexpected, the NT seems to promise a fringe experience in the middle of theatreland. The venue has received great reviews thus far and their December listing, Protest Song, has resonated on the TCé radar.

Based on the Occupy Movement – a protest that attempts to inspire change in economic inequalities and social wrongs by moving in – the play follows the story of Danny, a man who sleeps rough on the streets of central London. Waking up one morning, Danny finds himself amidst the occupiers on the steps of St Paul’s and is swept up in the peaceful protests that consume the streets he lives on. The campaign hits a nerve with Danny and inspires the anti-hero cord within him.

Rhys Ifans stars as Danny in this monologue style play; he’s certainly a name to draw the crowds. The story itself gives a great window into a protest movement that rarely gets a representation in the mainstream and reflects on a powerful moment in recent history. Written by Tim Price, the play promises to be a funny heart-warmer for the festive season, especially since the story is based on a true story.n Seats come at a bargain price of £10-20… the economic inequality of theatre land gets a revision too. (Words: Laura Thornley)

From December 16 to January 11th 2014. For more info visit: www.theshed.nationaltheatre.org.uk

The post Something you should see… Protest song appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Somewhere you should eat… The Shed

Laura Thornley — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:00:50 +0000

The Gladwin brothers’ rural upbringing makes them prime candidates to join the foodie revolution. Spending most of their youth on the Nutbourne Farm in Sussex, the trio have decided to bring their experience as chef, restaurant manager and food supplier together to bring a bit of the country to the Notting Hill food scene. The exterior of their new restaurant on Palace Gardens may resemble its moniker, but don’t let that fool you, The Shed offers some interesting, authentic British dishes. Training at River Cottage HQ, chef Oliver Gladwin has been in good company, and it shows. The menu reads with a balance of refinery, ingenuity and farmhouse inspiration, with many of the ingredients coming from their family farm. Using the small plates concept, the menu includes their farm-cured
meats and creatively designed twists with British ingredients. We opted for the sardine rollmop and goat cheese and endive ‘mouthfuls’– amuse bouche if it were in a French restaurant. After these came the slightly larger plates for sharing – a concept that may have been over egged of late, but which still makes for a more fun and varied dining experience. Being sat next to the pass, we managed to see the restaurants orders flying out. Popular amongst the crowds were the most amazing ‘lamb chips’. Made from shredded lamb formed into rectangles, breadcrumbed and fried, the ‘chips’ are a dish that could make them famous: fatty, rich and well balanced with harissa and lemon. We also tried the homemade Thyme crumpet with wild mushrooms, the veal carpaccio and the oak smoked potatoes – crunchy and smoked to perfection. The drinks menu also features some of Nutbourne Farm’s own wine and mead. The mead is brewing quietly in a corner of the restaurant, yet to reach maturity, but we sampled a glass all the same. It was fruity and dangerously drinkable. One criticism is the extreme branding the place has undergone. The theme seems to be anything and everything remotely agricultural: tractor parts, hung birds, leather tool belts. It was so over the top, I feared they were prepping their brand for expansion, which drew unfortunate comparisons in my head to the Leon’s food chain. Still, the food here is a high standard and whilst the décor slightly cheapened their cause, the authenticity of the food speaks volumes. They are the genuine article and for that, a good addition to the hearty British food scene in London. (Words: Laura Thornley) For more info, visit: www.theshed-restaurant.com

The post Somewhere you should eat… The Shed appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

the shed – The Cultural Exposé

Something you should see… Protest song

Somewhere you should eat… The Shed