Liverpool, Vivat!
“Liverpool’s heritage was evident the minute we stepped out of Lime Street station and caught sight of St George’s Hall, standing proud, like a Victorian Parthenon.” Larry ventures north for music, majesty and mayhem…
Author Toby 'Lawrence' White
Cool Cats In St. Ives
As Gabrielle headed west to Fifteen in Watergate Bay, Larry ventures further along the coast, to St Ives, for a weekend in what he thinks is a classic Cornish cottage…
Henley Literary Festival Preview
With festivals of all kinds now two-a-penny during the summer, Larry previews one that’s avoiding the rush and taking things (and books) at its own pace…
The Better Bizet
“I much prefer it to Carmen,” I heard the lady in front of me say as we left the auditorium. I think so, too. Of Bizet’s operas, I’m not entirely sure why Carmen is the most performed.
Monastrell
Coupled to the Hospes hotel in Alicante, across an atrium courtyard that doubles up as…
Hospes Alicante
“Last week I had the misf-…occasion to go to the Costa Blanca. I know, I don’t know what possessed me either. In many ways I should have known what I was letting myself in for.”
Ariadne auf Glyndebourne
“There’s something about donning black tie, dusting off one’s dress shoes and slipping on a silk scarf that seems synonymous with the way opera can be appreciated in a manner befitting it as an art form.”
Greece’s Two Graces, II: Mykonos
Our next port of call, literally, was to be Mykonos. And here was a taste of the infamous island hopping so inclined by itinerants, backpackers and lunatics.
Greece’s Two Graces, I: Santorini
This trip feels like it’s been a long time coming. It was conceived nearly two years ago over dinner at Quo Vadis, when I was told about the Grace hotels on Mykonos and Santorini in the Greek Cyclades.
Pavillon de la Reine
“Don’t forget,” I called from the bathroom, mid-shave, “this is Paris. We can’t set foot outside the hotel without looking like we’re stepping onto the catwalk.”
Opera Holland Park 2013
Win a pair of top price tickets to Madama Butterfly at Opera Holland Park, including a pre-show backstage tour with producer James Clutton, meet the cast, and sip champagne in the interval!