Tag: 10.26.04

Digging Up Buried Treasure In The UK

The number of archaeological finds by citizens in the UK has greatly increased after a new law regulating so-called “treasure” finds. “Everyone’s excited by the idea of buried treasure. It also provides a unique insight into our history, and it is good that the number of finds being reported is increasing rapidly and may reach around 500 by the end of this year, representing almost a 100 per cent increase on 2002. This rise is testament to the effectiveness of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, the expansion of which last year led to an average five fold increase in the reporting of Treasure.”

Graham Greene In A Time Of Bush-War

“Greene has always been a difficult writer for Americans to deal with, so frank was his contempt for American materialism and, especially, he noted, ‘American liberalism.’ Were Greene alive and writing today, it would be this liberal—not reactionary—spirit he would identify in the Bush administration’s crusading zeal, the endless terrifying unrealizable bromides on freedom, democracy, etc., that animated poor Alden Pyle in The Quiet American. Paul Wolfowitz would be the Pyle who survived, and made it to the top.”

Modern Maturity (Needed For Levine & Boston)

James Levine may indeed be what the doctor ordered for the Boston Symphony. But his first concerts indicate that the relationship needs consderable maturing, writes Justin Davidson. “The classical music world is hoping for a golden age in Boston, and the inscrutably genial Levine isn’t lowering any expectations. This concert was not the apotheosis of that relationship, but the prelude. Let the work of subtlety begin.”

Will Mary Poppins Be Mackintosh’s Ticket Back?

Producer Cameron Mackintosh is trying to hit another home run with a production of “Mary Poppins”. It contains songs from the old Disney movie plus some new music. “The oft-predicted demise of the blockbuster musical is still a long way off, the impresario, unsurprisingly, believes. ‘The only thing that really changes is the writers. The profession can often be wrong about what the audience wants, but then someone will come up with something different’.”