Week 7

It is not easy to find a classic comedy on London's stage today, but London Assurance greatly fulfils all the absences. Sir Harcourt, a Belgravia's dandy in his late fifties, goes to the country to marry a much younger relative he never met. By accident his son turns up there as well and a farce follows with super camp Hartcourt falling for cigar smoking Lady Gay Spanker. The play is set in 19th century with all character stereotypes broken and doesn't leave a single viewer not laughing out loud in the full Olivier hall. Apparently the original play is much duller, but the director improved the text and it is performed so vibrantly by the cast including Fiona Shaw and Richard Briers. Lines like ''My wife left me with my best friend – oh, how much I miss him!'' do bring the house down and I can't remember when was the last time I left theatre with such a broad smile lasting the rest of the night.

I was left in a totally different mood after watching Fish Tank on DVD – one of the best British movies from the last year, which won Prix du Jury at Cannes. It's a grim story of a teenager living in a derelict Essex estate with a single mother, deep poverty and nearly no prospects. Swearing, drinking, anger outbursts, etc is everyday life here. It's striking how realistic this film is and you are left wondering what little the future holds for the real kids growing up on Woolwich and Poplar estates. And a prospect of the Conservative government with its cuts on social services would make life even worse for them (if it could be any worse) (sorry to go all political yet topical here).

Also this week: started reading Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd (one of the best living writers, but, I fear, this book will be his worst!), admired Italian Renaissance drawing at the British Museum.