My London Cultural Highlights 2022

When I looked back through my blog to find the post on my cultural highlights of 2021, I discovered there wasn’t one, perhaps less surprisingly there wasn’t one for 2020 either.  My last annual cultural highlight post was in 2019, before the world changed.

On reflection, I realise, I had lost the habit of planning ahead and booking tickets, never quite knowing if things would be cancelled. Gradually throughout 2022 I began to find my way back into London’s cultural scene. Although I didn’t see perhaps quite as much as I would have liked I have still managed to make my way to some wonderful exhibitions, and cultural events over the previous 12 months.

As I begin to plan a few cultural forays in London and beyond for 2023, it’s good to look back on those that filled me with joy during 2022

FILM: Mrs Harris Goes to Paris

This adaptation of the book by Paul Gallico was a joy from start to finish.  It is the story of a widowed cleaning lady in 1950s London who falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, and decides that she must have one of her own.  Paris looks glorious, the gowns are are like confectionary and the story is one I found myself completely absorbed in.  Mrs Harris is played by Lesley Manville who was perfect, just the right balance of sass and vulnerability.

This was the kind of feel good movie I often find myself seeking out. I walked out of the cinema with a wide smile and feeling a little bit lighter.

THEATRE: A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic

This is the last event I attended in London this year. We went on the 29th of December during one of those lovely betwixtmas days when life is a little calmer.  I last saw this annual production at the Old Vic in 2017 and absolutely loved it.  This Christmas classic is given some very special treatment at The Old Vic ensuring it remains nostalgic but introducing some a contemporary slant too.  This year Scrooge was played by Owen Teal. He was perfect for the part, imposing and fierce making it all the more powerful as he began to crumble and repent of his miserly ways.  I laughed and cried my way through this performance.  We sang carols, ate mince pies given out by the cast, and basked in the glow of a Dickens Christmas

EXHIBITION: Amy Beyond The Stage at The Design Museum

I was surprised by how much I got from this exhibition.  It was beautifully put together and a moving tribute to the voice and music of Amy Winehouse.  It did not shy away from the more difficult parts of her life but also focused on her startling voice and what made her so unique.  It was interesting to see her progression, hear and watch some of her early recordings, and of course see so many of her iconic outfits.

I can’t pretend this exhibition didn’t make me sad.  Her death was such a loss to art and music and creativity and it became even more apparent during this detailed exhibition.

MUSIC: Coldplay at Wembley – Musics of the Spheres World Tour

This was the dream. I have wanted to see Coldplay for so long and finally on one of the hottest days of the year when the thermometer hit 39 degrees in London, I made it. It was a perfect mix of songs old and new all played as the sun went down over Wembley.  The sky was lit up by fireworks during Sky full of Stars and the stadium was constantly alight with the wrist bands that changed colour we had all been given.  There is something incredibly moving about so many people coming together through music and this was a magical night.

A highlight was a guest appearance by Craig David. Despite the size of the venue, an intimacy with the audience was maintained and despite the length of the tour, Chris and the band seemed as fresh and excited to be performing as ever.

GALLERY or Museum: The Museum of The Home

Previously known as the Geffrye museum, The Museum of The Home, recently changed its name and underwent a refurbishment, reopening in 2021 with a range of new galleries.  This is a wonderful example of one of London’s lesser known museums.  Situated in Hoxton it takes a little more effort to get to than some of the bigger galleries. It is really worth the effort though.  The series of rooms through time, set out like IKEA room sets are a lovely way to step back in time and re acquaint yourself with memories from the home you grew up in.  The museum explores the meaning of home during the pandemic, worship at home, and loss when someone leaves home. It also investigates the connections we make with the possessions in our homes.  The shop is wonderful and the cafe housed in a Victorian pub just off site serves great coffee.

MISCELLANEOUS: Super Bloom at The Tower of London

My summer was filled with flowers, with visits to Giverny, Sarah Raven’s Garden and lots of visits to Kew Gardens, but perhaps the place which stood out to me because it was so surprising and unexpected was Super Bloom  at The Tower of London. The wide moat was overflowing with wild flowers to celebrate the late Queen’s platinum jubilee.  This glorious meadow of brightly blooms was grown from 20 million seeds which flooded the moat, turning it into a wildflower haven in the centre of London. We visited on a warm July evening when the light was soft and the abundance of poppies, cornflowers, cosmos, gypsophila and marigolds danced in the gentle breeze.  Being part of this calm landscape with the iconic Tower and of London and Tower Bridge as the backdrop is something I won’t forget.

So there you have it, my cultural highlights of 2022.  As always it was difficult to choose and there were so many other wonderful exhibitions and places I visited which I could have included.  I

am looking forward to documenting here my progress through all of the places and events I hope to visit in London over the next year.

If you would like to read about some of the other places I visited during 2022 you can find many of them on my Cultural and Quiet London Pages.

Coming next: My Reading Highlights of 2022