Simon Schama, a renowned historian, was born in London in 1945. He attended Cambridge University and published his first book, Patriots and Liberators, in 1977. However, it was his 1989 work, Citizens, a history of the French Revolution, that brought him widespread recognition. In addition to his successful writing career, Schama has also created numerous TV series, including A History of Britain (2000-2002) and Simon Schama’s Power of Art (2006). Knighted in 2018, Schama currently resides in New York with his wife, Virginia Papaioannou, who is a geneticist. On August 27th, he will be speaking at Edinburgh College of Art to discuss his latest book, Foreign Bodies: Pandemics, Vaccines, and the Health of Nations, published by Jonathan Cape.
1. Theatre
A Doll’s House at Hudson Theatre, New York
Normally, I wouldn’t be eager to attend another revival of an Ibsen play. However, Jamie Lloyd’s electrifying production of A Doll’s House in New York has reimagined the classic for our modern era. The stage is devoid of any set or props, even during the climactic moment of removing a wedding ring. This minimalist approach allows Amy Herzog’s brilliant adaptation, exploring themes of suffocating marriages and financial anxiety, to resonate more deeply than ever before. As Nora, Jessica Chastain delivers an incredible performance, commanding the stage with a wide range of emotions while remaining seated. It is truly astonishing and unforgettable.
2. TV
Colin from Accounts (BBC iPlayer)
Colin from Accounts is an impeccably executed comedy series from Australia that revolves around an unlikely romance. The show features outstanding performances, particularly from the titular character, Colin. It delves into a variety of topics, including a fateful mishap, craft beer, a nightmarish mother, and endearingly charming male and female leads, who are also the show’s talented writers and happily married in real life. Despite its humorous nature, the series occasionally delves into serious themes, such as the male protagonist’s battle with cancer. It strikes a delicate balance between comedy and sincerity, resulting in a truly wonderful and incredibly funny viewing experience.
3. Place
Lord’s Cricket Ground
Lord’s Cricket Ground holds a special place in my heart, as it was a location my father would often take me in the 1950s, claiming he needed to “get some sleep” while watching Middlesex versus Glamorgan matches. When I had the opportunity to meet Harold Pinter, he asked me in a joking manner, “Simon, do you truly love cricket?” I initially thought he was teasing me. However, living in Boston during the 1980s led me to switch my allegiance to baseball, unknowingly setting myself up for the tragic saga of the Red Sox. Fortunately, thanks to a generous friend, Andrew, I recently attended the second day of the second Ashes Test match, reigniting my passion for cricket in a grand way.
4. Art
Anselm Kiefer: Finnegans Wake at the White Cube Bermondsey, London
At first glance, the collaboration between Anselm Kiefer, a German artist known for his exploration of historical calamities, and the overflow of words in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake seems unlikely. However, upon visiting the exhibition, one realizes that Kiefer brings an element of playfulness to the pairing, albeit in his typical gallows-humor style. Kiefer employs lines extracted from the book, scrawling them amidst chaotic sculptures and paintings reminiscent of entropy and towering mounds of rusted debris. Surprisingly, it all works! One of the most striking aspects of his new artistic medium is the use of parched gold backgrounds against which breathtaking visions of landscapes, both watery and sylvan, emerge, dissolve, and resist the fragility of our troubled times. The result is a darkly spectacular and gloriously unique showcase. No one executes art quite like Kiefer.
5. Nonfiction
Thunderclap: A Memoir of Art and Life & Sudden Death by Laura Cumming
Laura Cumming’s latest book, Thunderclap: A Memoir of Art and Life & Sudden Death, is an exquisite masterpiece. The book delves into the life of Dutch painter Carel Fabritius, whose existence was cut tragically short by the Delft gunpowder explosion of 1654. Cumming expertly intertwines Fabritius’ story with her own personal experiences, including reflections on her father, the painter James Cumming. Throughout the memoir, Cumming beautifully captures the power of art to evoke a true sense of life. Her poetic vision shines through in every page and lingers with the reader long after reaching the end. It is a work that leaves one wanting more, as I found myself wishing it was even longer.
6. Fiction
London Fields by Martin Amis
Missing its author dearly, I recently indulged in the unsavory and wild world portrayed in Martin Amis’ masterpiece, London Fields. This novel, which should have undoubtedly won the Booker Prize in 1989 but was strangely overlooked, immerses readers in a city that is burning, worn-out, scarred, and pierced with a punk aesthetic. Within this landscape, we encounter Nicola Six, a siren with a death wish, and Keith Talent, a cunning and cheating character who Dickens himself would envy. Despite the dark and surreal nature of the story, Amis peppers the narrative with moments that incite uncontrollable laughter. As the phantasmagoria unfolds towards its tumultuous conclusion, it leaves an indelible mark on the reader’s memory.
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