A bigger picture - talk on David Hockney exhibition at Royal Academy

By Terry Emery

The exhibition itself is stunning - and I suspect would be even if ‘traditional’ Hockney isn’t to your taste. Currently one of the ‘hot tickets’ in town if you manage to get in (and the talk was a useful ‘backdoor’ way of doing this), try to just take in the overall effect - there are a large number of exhibits which can overwhelm if all examined in detail. The talk was ... a little mixed. Lots of enthusiasm, some helpful pointers on ‘motifs’ and how the latest paintings and films evolved, but occasional lack of clarity - sometimes including a tendency to wander away from the mic that was being used by some people to boost their ‘hearing’ perception.

Having attended several excellent events with lipspeakers at the Academy, it was a very comforting addition to have STAGETEXT screens when needed as well (a first for me here). STAGETEXT appears to be expanding the range of events they support way beyond just the theatre, and it is hugely welcome.

See the exhibition if you can, widen your STAGETEXT experience if you’re a theatre-goer, don’t give up on enjoying cultural activities just because of dud hearing! Them’s my thoughts anyway.