June: What's On This Month?

Returning to the Royal Opera House stage is one of the most loved pieces from classical ballet's canon, a powerful tale of love, betrayal, redemption, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. While out on a hunt, Prince Siegfried unexpectedly encounters a flock of swans. Among them, one transforms into the human form of Odette, and he is instantly enamoured. However, Siegfried soon learns that Odette is under a spell that binds her to the form of a swan during daylight hours. Will Siegfried find a way to break the spell and set her free? Tchaikovsky’s score melds with choreographer Liam Scarlett's vivid imagination and designer John Macfarlane's artistic vision to amplify the poignant drama of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s timeless ballet masterpiece. Performances are scheduled for the 12th, 14th, 17th, 20th, 25th, 27th and 28th of June.

Image Source: "Swan Lake" Accessed Via: https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/swan-lake-by-liam-scarlett-details

This exhibition is the third in the National Galleries' Discover series, which explores lesser-known masterpieces in a new light. From the 6th of June until the 1st of September 2024, in the Sunley Room, Degas’s 'Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando’ (1879) takes centre stage in this exhibition that delves into this piece with newly discovered information about the painting and its subject, the circus artist Miss La La, also known as Anna Albertine Olga Brown (1858-1945). Featuring new material, from rare, previously untraced drawings by Degas to entirely unpublished photographic portraits of Miss La La, the exhibition turns the spotlight on her and the painting, telling their story for the first time at the Gallery.
 

Image Source: "Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando, Edgar Degas, Oil, 1879, The National Gallery, London". Accessed Via: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/discover-degas-and-miss-la-la

The 7th of June will mark 70 years since the death of Alan Turing who took his own life at the age of 41 years, 1954. Alan Turing was a British mathematician, logician and computer scientist. He played a pivotal role in cracking the Enigma code during World War II, helping the Allies decipher German messages. Turing is considered the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, laying the groundwork for modern computing. Tragically, he faced persecution for his homosexuality and died in 1954 at the age of 41. To learn more about this heroic individual, visit Bletchley Park in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, an estate that became the principal centre of Allied codebreaking during the Second World War. The galleries in Block B house a range of displays and exhibitions that all tell part of the history of Bletchley Park, including the Enigma collection and a brand new Alan Turing £50 note gifted from The Bank of England.

Image Source: "Bletchley Park" Accessed Via: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bletchley_Park

The National Portrait Gallery’s first exhibition of historic portraiture since its reopening brings together Tudor paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger and contemporary photography by Hiroshi Sugimoto. Titled "Six Lives," this exhibition explores the lives and legacies of the six women who married Henry VIII: Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Katherine Parr. "Six Lives" chronicles the representation of these queens throughout history and popular culture, revealing how their stories have fascinated writers and artists for centuries. The exhibition delves into various portrayals of these women—through historic paintings, drawings, ephemera, contemporary photography, costume and film—uncovering both factual and fictional narratives. This comprehensive collection highlights the enduring impact these six women have had on English history and their continuing legacy in modern culture.

Image Source: "Collection of Odawara Art Foundation" - Hiroshi Sugimoto. Accessed Via: https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2024/six-lives

Set in the beautiful historic grounds of Windsor Great Park, the Royal Windsor Flower Show is a fantastic one-day event celebrating gardening, nature, cookery, traditional crafts and classic fun. Opened by Honorary President Alan Titchmarsh, it's a wonderful way to spend memorable time with friends and family, enjoying life’s simple pleasures. There’s plenty to see, do and enjoy at the Royal Windsor Flower Show! Alongside the quintessentially British competition marquees and extraordinary planting displays, there are thought-provoking talks, craft workshops and a variety of exhibitors. The Competition Marquee is the heart of the show, welcoming all ages and abilities to enter, with no previous experience necessary. Everyone has a chance to win prizes and rosettes!

Image Source: "Beautiful flowers arrangement indoors" Accessed Via: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/beautiful-flowers-arrangement-indoors_42089039