Edinburgh

[anef]

Travel to Edinburgh uneventful but hot in a crowded train which, on the hottest day of the year, had lost its air-conditioning.  In the seats behind us men were drinking beer and talking more and more loudly as the journey progressed, occasionally breaking into song.  After Durham the train started to empty and they moved.

Taxi to the flat which is in Royal Crescent.  It’s incredibly quiet.  Not sure if the ceilings are 10 foot or 12 foot high.  All very comfortable, and decorated in Farrow and Ball, with muted, restful colours.

M and K went to Tescos while I went flop and put away my clothes.  Then out to our first actual Festival event, Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company at the Royal Lyceum Theatre.  K and I dressed up.  We headed to the bar for white wine in plastic cups and sat on the steps in the sunshine.

The performance was terrific.  I had never seen traditional Kathak dance before.  The dancers wore ankle bells that rattled as they whirled and stamped.  Head, neck and arm movements were as graceful and precise as classical ballet.  The movements were clearly a language, but one which was closed to us. In the first part they wore traditional clothes, the women in golden bodices and skirts of gold net, or silk red, yellow, orange.  The men wore gold tunics.  Musicians were on the stage, singing and drumming.

The second half was modern, the dancers in grey linen without ankle bells.  I thought that this would be less entertaining, but it was fascinating.  The moves were influenced by yoga – I recognised the sun salutation - and apparently by Indian martial arts.  Afterwards we walked home, M and K discussing how it was better than ballet.  Hold on, I thought, perturbed.  Nothing is better than ballet!

We had dinner at Nargile’s, mezze and kebabs.  The mezze were fresh and full of herbs, dill and maybe tarragon. 

Comments

[dalmeny]

That dance company will be playing in Adelaide for the OzAsia Festival next month. I have been dithering on whether to book to see them but now I definitely will.

[andrewducker]

That's a nice part of town. Handy for The Botanics, if you have a free hour or two.

[anef.livejournal.com]

We are very fond of the botanics, so will hopefully be able to dodge the promised thunderstorms for a vist.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Both forms of dance are fine.
Have fun.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

This feels like a postcard - a small bright glimpse of Somewhere Else. A treat. Thank you for sending it.

[athenais.livejournal.com]

This sounds like so much fun.