What’s on our shelves: The Scottish Play, British pop history, and apocalyptic politics…
Last updated on: 1st May 2025|1st May 2025 | Open Fifth | WOOSH
Performance: Macbeth directed by Lucy Cuthbertson
Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank: Macbeth, Shakespeare’s Globe
We had a fantastic day out in London recently to see Macbeth at Shakespeare’s Globe – and it turned out to be a real highlight for the whole family.
It was a modern take on the play, with the actors in contemporary clothes but sticking to the original Shakespearean language. That mix worked really well – it made the story feel fresh and relevant without losing what makes it special. Our 16-year-old daughter is studying Macbeth at school at the moment, so she was totally engaged (and took notes in her head, I think!) Even our 10-year-old, who’s done a bit of Shakespeare at primary school, got into it and followed more than we expected.
One surprise that really stood out was a new scene they’d added with a bit of a modern twist – it involved some cheeky social media references that had the audience laughing. It was clever and didn’t feel out of place, which is impressive given how easily that kind of thing could go wrong. We had a good laugh, and it actually helped bring some of the themes home in a really accessible way.
It helped that the sun was shining – always a bonus for an open-air theatre! There’s just something special about being at the Globe on a bright day, surrounded by the buzz of London and immersed in live performance.
All in all, we loved it. It was thoughtful, creative, and genuinely entertaining – and great to share with the family. Definitely a memorable day out and a great way to connect with Shakespeare in a way that felt both classic and completely current.
Martin Renvoize, Head of Development and Community Engagement – Open Fifth
An update from Helen’s ‘To be finished’ shelf
Listened to:
The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein
Once again I’ve picked a book that makes me incredibly angry but I’m fascinated so have to keep listening. Why do I do these things to myself? More importantly, why do humans keep doing things like introducing economic concepts that require governments to brutally and violently enforce them on their populations who don’t want them because they cause so much damage to everyone except the super rich and corrupt.
Read:
Faithbreaker by Hannah Kaner
I loved the first two in this series so have been so excited to read this one. Although I did enjoy it overall and feel that it was a fitting end to the series, I did think that it lacked some of the impact the first two had, primarily because the three main characters were separated from each other. This meant that not only did we lose that dynamic but we were having to learn more about newer characters only mentioned in the previous books, and adjust to the new dynamics between them and the main three characters. All whilst hurtling to the finale. I still love the concept and world.
Helen Symington, Sales Executive – Open Fifth
Book: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
I was first interested in this novel because I heard of weird prophetic parallels in this apocalyptic vision and today’s USA. It even has a Leader who claims he will “Make America Great Again”. Most is not quite as parallel, for example the said Leader is a young ex-preacher who is handsome and charismatic! But it perhaps shows where the current situation might lead. So the so-called prophecies are why I began reading but I carried on reading because the writing is excellent. Butler was one of the few female black authors of science fiction and her perspectives are so refreshing and interesting; being a big science fiction fan, I was surprised I had never come across her work before.
Our young heroine is born and raised in a walled community of families in California who protect their homes from the extreme poor outside the compound that threaten their lives, this means no young people go to school, there are no jobs, and travel is deadly dangerous. Adults still hark back to better times and still hold to hope of everything ‘going back to before’. As things become more and more desperate in her early teens, resulting in the death of a sibling, the protagonist has a revelation about the nature of God as Change. In secret she prepares for the end of their community and when it comes to pass we find her and a small band begin their long trek North.
The apparent creation of a religion in a desperate world is very plausible and you are really invested in the characters who are well written and unique; all from the perspective of this young black girl. I will certainly be seeking out more science fiction by Octavia Butler.
Sam Goldsmith, Business Development Manager – Open Fifth
Book(s): The Tragedy of Heterosexuality by Jane Ward and The Will to Change by Bell Hooks
On the non-fiction front, last month was a gender theory month for me. Jane Ward’s The Tragedy of Heterosexuality and Bell Hooks’ The Will to Change together constitute such a pleasingly symmetrical double whammy that I am singing their praises in the same breath here. It was a comforting experience to be reminded that people have indeed thought about these things at great length, and have put proper care into the work of charting the cultural soup into which we are all so unceremoniously pitched.
I recommend both books wholeheartedly to any and all readers. I have felt the need to recommend them widely, as I worry they are less commonly read by those of us who might find them the most interesting – men and straight people. As one might be able to guess, The Tragedy of Heterosexuality discusses heterosexuality and its assorted difficulties as a cultural institution, and The Will to Change discusses men and masculinity in a similarly critical, sympathetic way. Together they contain a number of keen insights about the nature of the modern human condition, and are not at all the attacks on straightness or maleness that works on these topics are sometimes made out to be. Borderline required reading, 5/5 stars.
Jake Bateman, Linux System Administrator – Open Fifth
A 90s-00s pop medley
Book: Reach for the Stars: 1996–2006: Fame, Fallout and Pop’s Final Party written by Michael Cragg
Film: Spice World directed by Bob Spiers
Film: Trainspotting directed by Danny Boyle
I received Reach for the Stars for Christmas and have been waiting for some poppier weather to dig into it. The book is written in an oral history format with interviews from the movers, makers and shakers of the period. The author’s passion for and knowledge of pop is apparent on every page – no guilty ‘gym playlist’ excuses found here. I’ve come away with a whole new appreciation for the Spice Girls and Sugababes, I wish the book came with a playlist to listen-along!
After finishing up the book and looking for a film to watch on a Friday evening, only Spice World (1997) would do. I highly recommend rewatching (or just… watching it if you haven’t seen it already) this inflatable sofa of a film. It follows the Spice Girls and their Union Jack double-decker bus as they prepare for a show at the Royal Albert Hall. The plot is so fun and surreal, overflowing with the most incredible cameos, including Meat Loaf, Roger Moore and Elton John.
We ended up having a double-bill, following Spice World with another iconic film from the period with an ensemble cast and fantastic soundtrack – Trainspotting (1996). I choose girl power.
Lauren Purton, Marketing Executive – Open Fifth
*Spoiler alert* Film: Sinners directed by Ryan Coogler
Set in the 1920s in the American deep south. This is a “From Dusk Till Dawn” vampire scenario with a twist. Micheal B Jordan plays the dual part of twins Smoke and Stack, who have returned home from Chicago with money stolen from the mob. They buy an old mill to create a club, unbeknown to them, they are sold the property by the local KKK leader, who has planned to return the next day to rob and kill the twins.
As the opening night progresses the music draws in unwelcome visitors…
Very enjoyable and the cast, music and characters are excellent. 8/10
Sam Goldsmith, Business Development Manager – Open Fifth