Yesterday the two Lizzes, Liz's sister, Ruth (not pictured) and I went to The Rep in Birmingham to see Coming To England, the stage play based on Floella Benjamin's early life.
In 1960, at the age of 10, Floella, along with her 11 year old older sister and two of their younger brothers sailed unaccompanied from Trinidad to be reunited with the rest of her family in England. Two weeks later they arrive in a cold and unfriendly London. Despite being aimed at children, the play makes no bones about the racism and bigotry the family experienced but with Floella's trademark joyfulness the overall message is that courage and determination can always overcome adversity and we left the theatre with big smiles on our faces.
Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE is probably best known for her appearances in the iconic children's TV series Playschool and PlayAway but she's achieved so much more than that, you can find out about her HERE. Coming to England, the book on which the stage play is based has been used in schools to help tell the story of the Windrush Generation.
Ravenous, we headed to York's, recently relocated from Stephenson Street to Paradise Circus, for lunch with all three of us opting for Moroccan avocado toast with hummus, pink pickled onion, coriander, avocado, Aleppo & urfa chilli and dukkha served on focaccia bread. Delicious!
Neither Liz had been to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery since it had re-opened following its refurbishment. It's a regular haunt for Nikki & I but I'm always happy to reacquaint myself with its many treasures.
Benny's Babbies by Cold War Steve, the genius Brummie satirist, find him HERE.
The wonderful Benjamin Zephaniah, one of Birmingham's greatest sons. RIP Benji.
We caught the train back to Walsall and popped into Spoons where we met up with Jon. After a pint we met up with Liz's husband Al outside the New Art Gallery, which was throwing a party to celebrate its 25th birthday party.
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| Courtesy of Phil Buckley |
Before the speeches we had a wander around, checking out some of the new exhibits and reacquainting ourselves with the Garman-Ryan collection comprising 365 artworks created by the key artists of the 19th & 20th Centuries including Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Turner and Degas. The collection was bequeathed by the sculptor Jacob Epstein's widow, Kathleen Garman who was born in nearby Wednesbury and the American sculptor, Sally Ryan, to the people of Walsall. We grew up with these pieces and have visited them throughout our lives. Being a Walsall girl I can proudly say that I own an original Burne-Jones, a Picasso and a Rosetti.
This little bronze Study of a Cat by Jacob Epstein (1920) is one of my favourite pieces.
Here's our Picasso...
Second Portrait of Isobel by Jacob Epstein (1933)
Our Modigliani....
Jon between two sketches by Theodore Garman (1924 - 1954).
Tamil poet, freedom fighter and friend of the people of Walsall, Rabindranath Tagore by Jacob Epstein.
Another work by Jacob Epstein, Esther With Long Hair.
Our benefactor, Katherine Garman immortalised by Lucien Freud.
Dante Gabriel Rosetti's study of his wife, the artist Elizabeth Siddal.
Despite his tragic life, Theodore Garman's work was always so colourful and full of joy,
The Martinique by Sally Ryan.Walsall is the only UK museum to feature her work.
Laura Ford's Beast.
Tracey Emin...
Polly Morgan's Myocardial Infarction.
Study for the Pygmalion series by William Byrne-Jones.
My mum and probably thousands of others had this Pierre Bonnard print on their walls in the 1970s, here's the 1894 original.
Jacob Epstein, Study for Rock Drill
One of several works by Albrecht Durer
Mine (and Liz's) personal favourite, the heart-breaking Sorrow by Vincent Van Gogh. Produced in 1882, Van Gogh claimed this sketch of pregnant 32 year old Sien was the best figure I've drawn. Its been part of our lives since we were schoolgirls and it's still utterly captivating.
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| Pinched from Liz HERE |
After an uplifting performance by Blue Lights Choir, we treated ourselves to wine and pizza in the foyer of The Light, our town's Indie cinema.
What a fabulous day!
What a fabulous day out with friends. Catriona
ReplyDeleteIt was! Thanks, Catriona! X
DeleteThat sounds like a truly wonderful day! Loving the museum - another thing to visit when I finally make it make it to the West Midlands. Nearly made it a fortnight ago but daughter not well so we had to cancel. All three of you women looked fabulous! xxx
ReplyDeleteI hope your daughter's feeling better now, Vronni! Xx
DeleteSurrounded by amazing art and chosen family, I couldn't imagine a better day! Wonderful to see you and the Liz's, Jon (he's got that pose down pat) and your pals. Thank you for sharing the pictures and the art!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheila! Jon's such a poser after a couple of wines! X
DeleteOh, such a fabulous day! I will mention the Trinidad play to my boss, since she is from there, she did study in England. Awesome to see you and the Lizzes in such amazing outfit for this day. What fun! Love seeing the art pieces as well. Oh, such good times! Thanks so much❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellie! I bet your boss would find Floella's book and play really interesting! X
DeleteWhat a great day out! Coming to England sounds amazing, I must have a look for the book, as I just adore Floella. X
ReplyDeleteIt was a fabulous day! Floella's play was wonderful, I bet the book is amazing! X
DeleteWow! A grand day out indeed! even better with friends. Hasn't Tracey Emin just become an MBE or something similar? Could never take to her. I adored Floella on Playschool, such a gentle voice. Imagine Benny from Crossroads making an appearance!!xxx
ReplyDeleteI've just had to check, Tracey Emin's a dame! I know Liz is a fan and follows her on Instagram. She's an interesting woman but I can't say her art is my thing.
DeleteBenny's Babies makes me smile every time I see it. It features a cafe called Mr Eggs where we always used to end up after the nightclubs chucked us out...Eat Like A King For 99p!
Floella is a star! X
Fab post thank you. All a joy for you to visit and us to be invited to shared with you. I always love your visits to galleries and stately homes etc. Love the Benjamin Zephania portrait photo and the Epstein cat. You girls all look fab too. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sue! X
DeleteWhat a truly fabulous day! I very much enjoyed seeing all the art, I am going back now to have a further browse!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carole! The New Art Gallery has a really good website, have a look if you get a chance and see more of our amazing stuff! xxx
DeleteThat looks like a tremendous day out. You really crammed it all in. The avocado toast looks delicious, I could just eat it myself for lunch! Too many wonderful pieces of art to choose a favourite xx
ReplyDeleteThat avocado toast was delicious, Louise! xxx
DeleteHi Vix, many thanks for giving us Pre-Raphaelite fans a taste of such lovely Burne-Jones and Rosetti pieces ( two of my favourites artists). I love the Bonnard too as I feel he does not get the recognition he deserves in this country. You and your friends see all suitably stylish and know what vintage/ second-hand pieces suit their personal style. Well done too on continuing to highlight the rich artistic heritage of the W Midlands ( again this is something that tends to get overlooked I feel by the London-centric press. )
ReplyDeleteHello Alysia! I'm happy that you enjoyed those Pre-Raphaelites and the Bonnard - you're right, he tends to get overlooked in favour of Lautrec and Mucha, doesn't he?
DeleteI hear so much rubbish spouted about the West Midlands its got its problems but when it comes to art and culture we can give London a run for its money.
The three of us all love our vintage 1970s gear, we're often mistaken for one another when we're apart! xxx
What a brilliant day out!!
ReplyDeleteBaroness Floella Benjamin was the Play School presenter of my children's childhood so I watched her so many times, never talking down to children and always inspiring them. I would love to see the play based on her life. I was thinking that the children were so brave to be travelling to England alone, but then after reading of what happened to them while they were waiting to be sent for, I should imagine it was such a relief to be heading to their parents.
The play was an absolute joy, Sue! It didn't shy away from the "No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs" days but showed that with the right mindset and tremendous parental support, she was able to triumph.
DeleteI think I was about 10 when she first presented Play School, probably a bit old for it but Mum loved her so much we watched it anyway! xxx
Hello Vix,
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you that I envy you the chance to visit all those cultural places you visit. I would love to visit them too, well I do it through your eyes and btw I don't think you go unnoticed with your looks full of personality! I loved this post, the play must have been very interesting too!
Happy weekend!
Thanks, Marisa! We are really lucky living where we do, in easy travelling distance (and walking distance) to so much culture and so much free stuff, too! xxx
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ReplyDeleteImpressive, I love everything in the museum. The photos are inspiring and wonderful.
Your outfits look great.
Thanks, Andrea! xxx
DeleteWhat a fantastic day out and another place to visit...my list is getting longer!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I've given you more inspiration! xxx
DeleteWhat a fabulous day indeed!
ReplyDeleteI'm truly amazed at the number of jaw-droppingly fabulous works of art in Walsall's New Art Gallery. The Van Gogh is very moving indeed, but I'd have a hard time choosing a favourite. xxx
It was great fun, Ann! Our art gallery is amazing, we're so lucky to have it! xxx
DeleteLooks like a great day Vix!
ReplyDeleteFirst theater, an amazing show,
then so much art and finally conversation with friends!
Your look is amazing as always!
Have a nice Sunday,
thanks for the nice ride!
Thanks, Katerina! xxx
DeleteWhat a great exhibition!!! The pieces you shared are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love Floella! She was my childhood presenter!
I read Coming to England and the sequel, Rule Britannia a few years ago-great books! I loved hearing of her great Jazz musician Father and the accounts of the racist treatment are awful - I'm glad to have read of it though - tis important to acknowledge! Xx
We had a fabulous day! I didn't know there was a sequel to Coming to England, I shall track a copy down. What she & her siblings endured living with those people after her parents had gone on to England ahead of them was awful and the racism they faced on arrival to our dismally grey shores was really horrible. xxx
DeleteThe art is amazing! How fun to spend so much time with your friends too. I have not heard of most of these people including Floella. Lovely outfits as always!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheila! What a shame Floella wasn't as big in Canada as she is here, she was such a joy as a TV presenter when I was a kid! xxx
Deletewoow, what a fabulous day!, I totally agree!. Lovely to see you three looking so gorgeous, dressed in lovely & colourful outfits (love particularly those embroideries on black you wore).
ReplyDeleteAlways lovely to enjoy some art and so interesting to read about Floella (totally mesmerized by her fabulousness). Thanks for a great post!
besos
That play sounds wonderful. Nothing like a day of culture and spending time with friends.
ReplyDeleteIt's a privilege living near to a great museum or a gallery....
Your local gallery is fabulous, and it has so many amazing originals. Picasso, Rosetti and so on...Sorrow is masterpiece. I was familiar with it, bug I had to google it again and dive into the story. I glanced at other versions, studies and sketches of this work...and while they are all fascinating, this one is the best one. It really is as he wrote in a letter to this brother- the best figure he has drawn. The drawing simply conveys a variety of emotions, from sorrow, to despair to hope....Van Gogh was always one of my favourite artists. He was truly unique.
I also love the sculptures. Are those parrots eating a heart?
So great you were able to experience all this. You seem to have had a fantastic time with your friends.
We have some amazing art in Mostar, too. When an Israeli businessman bought a local company, he opened an art gallery The Hub of Fine Art that is filled with priceless modernist works: Modigliani, Metzinger, Kleint, Matisse, Dagas....I haven't blogged about my visits to that gallery yet (no photos are allowed), but the art there is truly spectacular.
I also always felt it was a great privilege growing up in my hometown Split that besides having great museums is a museum in itself- being a palace of a Roman emperor.
Art is food for the soul!
Strangely of all the varied art in this post the one liked I best was the 'Beast' yet it is simple and at first glance almost cheeky, but it made me keep going back to look again, I guess that's what art is - not perfection but captivation. We have a Light cinema too! and they do pensioners tickets for a fiver on Thursdays! yay! Betty x
ReplyDeletedont think my post made it, but was just to say I liked 'Beast' best out of all the art and was trying to justify it as it's so simple and possibly cheeky - I concluded art isn't a particular medium, or created with perfection, it's captivation! if the viewer keeps going back to look, its a winner! betty x (Elderberry)
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice day out with friends. Art galleries are always wonderful. X
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