ROH Programmes

Grand Opera House, Belfast, and Arts Council of Northern Ireland: Read, learn, and inwardly digest.

The Bargain

By Jove, £52.50 for bed and full Ulster breakfast at the Old Inn, Crawfordsburn, County Down, in December.

I'm attending an annual National Trust bash.

That's not far off the price of a dress circle cost for a grand opera or Gilbert & Sullivan at the Grand Opera House, Belfast; when they used to produce decent grand opera in our capital city.

Of course, the polyester suits and skirts in the GOH now appeal to the more popular - or populist - taste.

Ooops. Sorry; that is not politically correct.

Hansel and Gretel

It's a night at the opera for Timothy Belmont tonight. Fortunately I was able to find one parking space in Amelia Street.

I'm presently seated in the Piano Bar of the Europa Hotel, Belfast. Service at the bar was annoyingly slow, given that there was a waiter chatting and joking to a waitress at the far end of the counter. Eventually I had to walk over to him and request a drink.

Given that about a dozen people stand up at the counter, effectively blocking those of us who wish to place an order, is unhelpful.

Thence I strode across the street to the Grand Opera House. This evening's production is Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. I am seated in A3 in the Dress Circle.

The scarlet curtain raised. I groaned despondently. Indeed, the Ulster Orchestra has been splendid as usual. The singing is most satisfactory. However, the props and costumes are spartan and contemporary. Humperdinck may well have turned in his grave.

Frankly, had I been aware that this was going to be a modernized production, I'd have saved my £27. That could have bought a cheap seat at the London Coliseum for Eugene Onegin.

I do hold a grudge against the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and its offspring, NI Opera. I certainly have not forgiven them for their maltreatment of Castleward Opera and its consequent demise.

Tonight's production of Hansel and Gretel, in its contemporary form, has been a disappointment to me. In future I shall inquire as to the kind of production before I part with any money.

It's such a shame that we cannot afford grand opera of the calibre and standard of the Royal Opera.

Moreover, many dress casually or informally in denims and bovver boots or whatever they are called. Coughing, spluttering, talking during performances. Oh, by the way, I am writing this review as I sit in A3 at nine o'clock!

Never mind!

UK's Future Within EU

If there were ever a time for the United Kingdom to consider leaving the EU, it is now. I have absolutely no love for the institution at all.

Let us remember the late, great Sir James Goldsmith, son-in-law of the 8th Lord Londonderry; husband of Lady Annabel;  founder of the Referendum Party.

Jimmy Goldsmith was a "Francophile". Despite this, he recognised our position within the European Union as being detrimental to our fundamental interests. Lord Belmont has always admired Sir James and concurs.

The Prime Minister seems to be reluctant to hold a referendum on our future within the EU; mainly because, I suggest, it is feared what the inevitable result from the electorate would be. Grasp the poisonous nettle!

I cannot see any reason why we could not continue to trade with Continental countries, having left; moreover, we could do more business with the Commonwealth and former countries of the British Empire.

Daniel Hannan MEP has provided us with ten reasons to get out:-

1. Since we joined the EEC in 1973, we have been in surplus with every continent in the world except Europe. Over those 27 years, we have run a trade deficit with the other member states that averages out at £30 million per day.

2. In 2010 our gross contribution to the EU budget was £14 billion. To put this figure in context, all the reductions announced by George Osborne at the Conservative Party Conference would, collectively, save £7 billion a year across the whole of government spending.

3. On the European Commission’s own figures, the annual costs of EU regulation outweigh the advantages of the single market by €600 to €180 billion.

4. The Common Agricultural Policy costs every family £1200 a year in higher food bills.

5. Outside the Common Fisheries Policy, Britain could reassert control over its waters out to 200 miles or the median line, which would take in around 65 per cent of North Sea stocks.

6. Successive British governments have refused to say what proportion of domestic laws come from Brussels, but a thorough analysis by the German Federal Justice Ministry showed that 84 per cent of the legislation in that country came from the EU.

7. Outside the EU, Britain would be free to negotiate much more liberal trade agreements with third countries than is possible under the Common External Tariff.

8. The countries with the highest GDP per capita in Europe are Norway and Switzerland. Both export more, proportionately, to the EU, than Britain does.

9. Outside the EU, Britain could be a deregulated, competitive, offshore haven.

10. Oh, and we’d be a democracy again.

Opera Ticket

I managed to reserve a seat in Row A of the dress circle at the Grand Opera House in Belfast, for a production of Rigoletto this June.

It cost me £47, including their administration "fee"! Almost as dear as an amphitheatre seat at Covent Garden.

I do hope it's worth it; I haven't been to the GOH for more than a year.

And I shan't let our Worthies sitting on the Arts Council of Northern Ireland forget that they destroyed one of our few half-decent seasonal events of the social year in the Province, Castleward Opera, by withholding adequate funding (doubtless preferring to squander our money on something else).

Menotti's Medium

I have just received a "flyer" from the new-born "NI Opera" advertising "NI Opera, in association with Second Movement, is delighted to present The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti. For a limited time only, NI Opera is offering a 2 for 1 ticket deal. Book now to avoid disappointment. (Offer ends 9th Feb 2011.)".

Eh? Book now to avoid disappointment? I shan't be disappointed, believe me.

When is grand opera and, for that matter, Gilbert and Sullivan, going to return to the Grand Opera House in Belfast?

The last time I attended the Grand Opera House was on the 7th May, 2010, for a very good amateur performance of The Pirates Of Penzance.

The Little Bercow

I am not at all surprised that a number of Conservative MPs are "running a whispering campaign" against the Speaker, little Bercow.

I cannot stand the man being Speaker, quite intolerable. I know that I can be reactionary at times; however, little Bercow is beyond the Pale.

The man is a "Modernizer" and refuses to wear the traditional ceremonial attire of the Speaker. How he ever got elected as a Conservative MP is incomprehensible to Timothy Belmont.

I imagine that almost all right-wing MPs are unfavourably disposed to him.

Let the Commons have a debate and vote on the man, dismiss him as Speaker and cast him adrift without a life peerage.

Opera House Woes

I have read that Belfast's Grand Opera House has experienced "a difficult time" and suffered "a shortfall of 50% in sponsorship funding. We had to look at our internal costs and make really difficult decisions."

I haven't been to the opera house for almost six months, when there was a production of Gilbert and Sullivan.

If I indulge in a pre-theatre snifter, I invariably head to the Europa Hotel's Piano Bar which I find more conducive than the opera house extension.

There has been no grand opera in the theatre, to the best of my knowledge, since then.

I have had a look at their new website and, indeed, readers shall be unsurprised to learn that I preferred the previous one. Is this the result of another cost-cutting measure? How is the renovated website improved by trendier fonts and colours?

The Grand Opera House is essentially a Victorian theatre, with Victorian - and even Edwardian - décor and plasterwork. Any website and letter-heading ought to reflect and celebrate such sumptuous surroundings and grandeur, to my mind at least.

Timothy Belmont designed his own website - within limitations - making use of fonts and colours which reflect my ethos and beliefs; using the Edwardian Script sparingly. I hope that traditional fonts and quiet colours reflect traditional, classic values.

Blatant advertising is loud and vulgar, utterly inappropriate; however, I suppose we must accept it, given that the sponsors demand it.

I invite the Management of the theatre to respond.

Does Castleward Opera Still Exist?

What, on earth, is going on at the NI Arts Council? The Chairman and Board wish to "broaden" opera's appeal in the Province. Perhaps they consider Castleward Opera too "elitist" or "exclusive" for their egalitarian tastes? Does this mean that Castleward Opera has had its financial support stopped; and that a more populist company will prevail?

I do hope I am wrong. The Season at Castle Ward has always been a highlight of the year, with picnicking al fresco and black tie, in the true tradition of grand opera. Has the company been summarily wound up? How much consultation did the arts quango undertake?

What is the meaning of this article?

The National Trust: New Image Rot

The National Trust has refreshed its image and brand. This has manifested itself on their new website; documents; magazine; handbook; cards and car stickers. They plan to introduce the new "brand" to clothing and vehicle livery, too.

The National Trust's management expects that this new image will make the Trust "more approachable and engaging".

The most significant changes include the loss of the word "The" from the National Trust to reduce "the feeling of formality"; a bolder use of the oak leaf; and the use of "a much wider palette of colours" for the logo.

What utter rot. How much did this exercise cost? My loyal readers can rest assured that I shan't be travelling down that progressive, egalitarian road of those at GHQ in The National Trust.

Omitting the definite article? "Let's go to National Trust property today"; or "National Trust method is best"; "I'm a supporter of National Trust." Quite preposterous.

Rest assured that Timothy Belmont will be maintaining the original and best, at his reactionary best; including continuation of the definite article and the green colour.

Long live the National Trust.

Restore Harrod's

I do wish that the House of Fraser would buy back Harrod's. They owned the store from 1959 till 1985, when it was bought by the Fayed brothers for £615 million. I care not whether it is taken back in a hostile manner or otherwise, because Fayed would doubtless be resistant to its sale.

Harrod's is a national institution and tourist attraction. The great store proudly used to hold four royal warrants, till about 2002 when Fayed withdrew them himself, thereby pre-empting senior members of the Royal Family.

I insist I am not being xenophobic; I simply disapprove strongly of Fayed's attitude and behaviour towards the Royal Family. I know the man has resented being unsuccessful in his attempt to acquire British Citizenship. That is different matter; one decided upon by the Government.

The House of Fraser was injudicious to sell Harrod's in the first place, to my mind.

No Police Presence

I haven't had much faith in the police force in Northern Ireland since the 4th November, 2001. Shortly after Northern Ireland Police was created, we suffered a burglary and the theft of our car; and we found them less than helpful in the apprehension of the perpetrators - or even contacting us to keep us abreast of any developments in the crimes.

I have never recognized the outlandish badges of rank and cap badges they wear, utterly out of step with other British police forces - thanks to the Patten Directive.

Of course I fully support Law and Order, which includes effective policing.

My attention has come to this article about Strandtown police station in east Belfast.

How frequently do the police patrol the Belmont area of Belfast by foot? Let us take an example of Belmont Road at Strandtown: are there regular foot patrols there half a dozen times per day?

How can a credible and effective police constabulary operate without a base - or police station - open to the general public; where citizens can visit personally to report a crime or, simply, speak to an officer for advice?

I have listened to their spokesmen and women claiming that they are tackling crime; that crime rates are down; that we don't need police stations; and there is more public confidence in Northern Ireland Police.

I am unconvinced. I do not believe them.

Are they telling us that, because of modern communications like mobile phones, the Internet etc we no longer need police stations? Or would the truth be that they don't have enough money - resources - to do the job?

Her Majesty's Ministry

Ever since it came to Power, the Labour Government has been eager to repeal many of our traditions and British ways of life; not least the Executive, and the Legislature, viz. the abolition of our hereditary Peerage in the House of Lords.

The socialist Government has almost irretrievably meddled with the Offices of State within Her Majesty's Ministry and, in particular, the Cabinet.

The four great Offices of State, namely Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury; Secretary of State for the Home Department; Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; and Chancellor of the Exchequer remain in name at least. The Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; the Secretary of State for Defence and some other departments remain.

One of the primary New Labour casualties has been the Office of Lord High Chancellor, now known commonly as the Justice Secretary.

The New Labour regime has unceremoniously got rid of these traditional departments:-

• the Secretary of State for Industry
• the Secretary of State for Employment
• the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
• the Secretary of State for Trade
• the Secretary of State for Education and Science

They have whimsically added several new ministries as pet projects of their own, viz. International Development; Communities and Local Government; Women and Equalities; Children, Schools and Families; Climate Change; Work and Pensions; Culture, Media and Sport; and Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Feeling a measure of reactionary zeal today, I wish Mr Cameron's new government would reinstate our traditional ministries within eighteen months of Office, thereby saving many millions of pounds to the Taxpayer, courtesy of socialist lavishness at our expense.

The Brown Imbroglio

The Prime Minister's standing, according to the opinion polls, is at its lowest ebb ever. He is desperate to ward off mounting and sustained criticism about his handling of the economic situation here, and his role in its severity during his lengthy tenure as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Many maintain that Mr Brown steered us into this mess in the first place.

Issues like the global recession and Sir Fred Goodwin's pension are red herrings, designed by the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Gordon Brown, MP, and his lieutenants to deflect condemnation. Goodwin is a wealthy man anyway. This recession is, indeed, a world-wide phenomenon. The effect, however, has been much more severe in the United Kingdom.

It would be easy to suggest that the retired banker, Sir Fred Goodwin, has his knighthood revoked; and that we - the taxpayers - enact legislation in Parliament to have his pension stopped. We would undoubtedly pay a very heavy price, literally, for this course. Goodwin, I'm afraid, is standing on quite firm ground. If the matter did, eventually, end up in Court, Goodwin would expostulate some most unpalatable, not to say embarrassing, home truths for the Prime Minister and his Government.

Of course, were we ever to reach that stage, we'd probably have a new government with a new Prime Minister at the helm.

Mr Brown is desperately seeking scapegoats for his current woes. As far as he is concerned, nothing is his fault; despite a decade of fiscal stewardship at the Treasury.