River Tiber, Rome

First night dinner was in a restaurant near to the River Tiber

Palermo to Rome

Departing Palermo

Flying over the Tyrrhenian Sea

Descent into Rome

Campo Dei Fiore (Rome, Italy)

We took possession of a five bedrooms apartment for our week's long stay in Rome in the district of Campo Dei Fiori. The apartment block was within 100 metres of a thriving marketplace to the east and the beautiful Piazza Navona a similar distance to the west.

After dumping our bags in the apartment in the early afternoon the five of us enjoyed sharing three pizzas in a cafe located literally on the doorsteps of our apartment building. We were famished after having risen at 4am for our morning flight out of Palermo. Then we went for a wander through the market and the lanes leading into it.

Palermo, Sicily

A day wandering around Palermo, Sicily.

Monreale, Sicily

Monreale is a township on a mountain adjacent to the Sicilian capital Palermo.

Dark clouds rolled in as we adjourned to a cafe alongside the Church.

A heavy storm hit whilst we were ate lunch in the cafe.

But it wasn't long before the sun returned and we prepared to return to Palermo.

Cabaret

Hayes Theatre Company

Expatriates and locals alike live life to the full in 1930s Berlin as the Nazis begin their menacing infiltration to power.

'Cabaret' has been stunning audiences in its stage versions dating from 1966 and the film adaptation released in 1972.

This production is available for a limited period at the Hayes Theatre.

Bawdy, thrilling, provocative. Highly recommended.

✮✮✮✮

Moonlight

'Moonlight' is presented in three sections; boyhood, adolescence and young adult. An African-American struggles in the face of bullying, difference and the evolving discovery of his sexuality.

This is a rites of passage tale rather than a plot driven story. Gentleness pervades the general brutality of a life lived in poverty and disadvantage.

An intriguing portrait.

✮✮✮✮

Split

Three young women are kidnapped and held hostage by a rather strange and menacing man who soon reveals himself to possess a number of diverse personalities.

'Split' is the latest work of M Night Shyamalan whose films focus on a strange activity climaxed by an awe inspiring twist. Well, that's the intention anyway. 'Split' gives James McCoy an opportunity to display his acting versatility and virtuosity but otherwise the menace is never quite menacing enough and the climax doesn't really 'wow'.

A near miss.

✬✬1/2

The Testament of Mary

Sydney Theatre Company

I would normally run a mile from a performance piece like 'The Testament of Mary'. My powers of concentration and tolerance for eighty minutes long monologues are not high. So it is with some surprise and a degree of pleasure that I can recommend this production.

Mary (Alison Whyte) speaks of the concern she has for the direction her son's life is taking, the dangers he faces and the friendships he is keeping. This down to earth mother's perspective of Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection is stunningly performed.

✮✮✮✮

Evening in Palermo, Sicily

Numerous laneways packed with cafes

Food, glorious food

And more food, glorious food

Endless food, glorious food

Locals and tourists enjoyed the nightlife

Teatro Massimo, the Opera House, where scenes for The Godfather 3 were shot

Strolling the piazzas

A florist shop

Briefs: The Second Coming

Another offering in the 2017 Sydney Festival.

This ninety minute performance piece is a type of gay Cirque du Soleil. Seven performers present a range of acrobatic, juggling and dance and drag pieces with mime. Briefs: The Second Coming tantalises, teases, shocks and delights in equal measures.

Be open-minded.

✭✭✭✭

Celia Pacqoula: The Looking Glass

Last night at the Sydney Festival 2017 we enjoyed an hour with Celia Pacquola.

I really like Celia in her television comedies such as Utopia and Rosehaven and also her serious work such as The Beautiful Lie.

In her standup presentation, 'The Looking Glass' Celia revels in explaining her relationships, friendships, loves and life as a contented single.

Very funny.

✭✭✭✭