Speak Frog

Mar.20
0

The Plague

Posted by in Blog

Francophile theatre-goers are in for a treat this spring. The Arcola Theatre in Dalston is bringing to life one of the most famous French novels of all times: La Peste by Albert Camus, adapted and staged by multi-award-winning director by Neil Bartlett. Written on 1947, The Plague is an electrifying story about living through a time of crisis and fighting back against despair. Neil Bartlett says: “Seventy years after its publication, the central question posed in the novel has never felt more urgently contemporary; what can we find in our hearts to get us through…read more

Mar.10
0

Francophonie

Posted by in Language, London, Theatre

The French are so passionate about their language that they have made up a word  to describe the act of speaking it: ‘francophonie‘. Made up of the word ‘Franc’ (the ancient tribe that gave its name to modern France) and the greek ‘phono’  (meaning ‘sound’ or ‘voice’), francophonie is a non-exclusive club open to any country or person who speaks French. As every year, London will join the French-speaking world in celebrating the week of francophonie. And on this occasion, we will be heading to the fourth edition of the International Improvisation Match on March 22nd in the beautiful Clapham Grand, just across from Clapham junction. Last…read more

Jun.29
1

The Truth/ La Vérité

Posted by in Blog, Humorous, London, Theatre

Florian Zeller is French theatre’s enfant chéri and he is taking the UK and the world by storm. Following the success of his play The Father (Le Père) the most acclaimed new play of the past decade (2014 Molière Award for Best Play, Olivier nomination and currently nominated for Best New Play at this year’s Tony Awards) Zeller’s latest success The Truth (La Vérité) transferred last week to the Wyndham’s Theatre. This elegant and slick take on boulevard comedy tackles hypocrisy and unfaithfulness: two favourite French themes since Molière and Feydeau. It is seamlessly…read more

Jun.14
0

Haim – In The Light Of A Violin

Posted by in Blog, Language, London, Music, Theatre

Last night, I was lucky to see Haim – In The Light Of A Violin (or Haim – A La Lumiere d’un Violon, as it is known in French). The true story of violinist prodigy and Holocaust survivor Haïm Lipsky is written and directed with great sensibility by Gérald Garutti and performed in French with English surtitles in a new translation by Christopher Hampton (Dangerous Liaisons, Atonement). The UK premiere opened last weekend at the gorgeous Coronet on Notting Hill Gate. This was the first great discovery of the evening. Built…read more

Mar.08
0

Le Français dans tous ses états!

Posted by in Blog, Language, London, Theatre

Prepare to experience the French language in all its accents! Actors from France, Quebec, Belgium and Switzerland meet in a wild improvisation match to celebrate the week of the French Language. It’s hosted by the FBI, not the US secret services, but the friendlier French British Improvisation league, in the beautiful Clapham Grand, on March 16th at 7pm. If you don’t know much about improvisation, you can read about it here, in French: Né au Québec, ce genre théâtral se veut un mélange entre l’improvisation théâtrale et le hockey sur…read more

Jan.05
0

January promotion

Posted by in Blog

Oyez! Oyez! Free trial class for new students who book before the end of the month. Because new year resolutions need a little support…  

Nov.23
0

Paris

Posted by in Blog, Music

This is a love/hate song to Paris in the form of a break-up letter by French singer Camille. The word pari is pronounced exactly like the city-‘Paree’ to English ears- and means ‘bet’. Un pari: a bet. And the verb parier, ‘to bet’ is derived from it. In this song Camille bets that she can leave Paris. She threatens the city of dumping it. It’s over, it’s finished! C’est fini! Or is it?.. Have a listen and use the translation below if you need to.   https://youtu.be/fxQWbMenYCc Paroles/Lyrics Fini les balades:…read more

Sep.07
0

Voulez-vous?…

Posted by in Blog

Have you always wanted to learn French but kept putting it off? Maybe you’re in a relationship with a french guy or girl (lucky you) and fancy being able to say a bit more than ‘bonjour’ to his or her mum? Now is the time to get speaking. Book before September 21st and get your trial class for half the price! Just to whet your appetite…

Aug.03
0

Consolation by Theatre Volière

Posted by in Blog, London, Theatre

The Bridewell Theatre is hosting an Anglo-French summer season in the heart of London. Strasbourg-based touring company Theatre Voliere  -whose Poilu and Tommy received a Best show nomination from the Off West End Awards in 2014- are back in town from August 12th to September 4th with two bilingual shows! In the evenings, they will perform their new show Consolation: a tragicomedy set in modern day Southern France. Written by Mick Wood, directed by Natasha Wood and designed byRūta Irbīte. The play explores the relationship between a young Frenchman, who plays a Cathar knight at the local Visitor’s Centre, and a middle-aged Englishwoman…read more

Jul.24
0

I have other cats to whip

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Other Cats to Whip, The Book of French Idioms is out now. Idiomatic expressions are the personality of a language. So what does it say about us French that when meaning to say ‘I have more important things to do’ what comes out of our mouths is ‘I have other cats to do whip’? J’ai d’autres chats a fouetter. Mmmm… It apparently comes from the 17th century expression Il n’y a pas de quoi fouetter un chat which meant ‘it’s not worth whipping a cat about it’ or ‘this is a harmless fault’. From…read more

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