A Triumph
14 July

Triumphs don't come round very often.

I had held out high hopes for Gangs of New York, for example. And though it is, eventually, a good film, it's not exactly the great one that I'd been wishing for. Perhaps if we'd all had less high expectations of it, we'd all have been a little more satisfied.

It's a particularly engrossing history lesson - especially the second half when the film steps out of the limitations of its genre and really begins to sock it to you. There's a splendid barnstorming performance from Daniel Day Lewis and many of the supporting roles are more than adequately taken. But the underpinning story is slight and our Leonardo have severe limitations as a serious actor. He's really finding it hard to make the move from teen heart throb to established adult actor. So, no more than three stars, I'm afraid.

No, it took a dance company to provide the real shot of adrenalin.

We wnet out to the Lowry on Saturday evening. We've been there a lot this year. Must say something about the programming. The offering this time out was by DV8 Physical Theatre probably one of the most exciting Dance companies around. They set out to challenge what dane is and what dance should be about and they do just that in a way which is approachable and accessible. It was without a shadow of a doubt one of the best evenings I have spent in a theatre this year.

Called The Cost of Living, the piece was about all sorts of things - perfection, pretence, trust, body images, relationships, how we judge ourselves and others and on. As people passed through a park, we were given glimpses into an assortment of lives. I was spellbound. Though only 90 minutes in length, it felt much longer. Not because I was bored but because I was so stimulated by content and presentation that time extended.

I've been very circumspect about the way that I've been handing out stars of merit as I've been attending events. I've given a number of four stars - for The Messiah, for The Two Towers, for the Royal Opera's Falstaff, for To Kill a Mockingbird, for Isaac Julien's video installation Baltimore, for The Matrix, for the Imperial War Museum North and for WNO's Jephtha. So many good things already in one year.

However, I've only given a couple of five star rating so far - for the Aztec Exhibition at the Royal Academy and the Sutton Hoo display at the British Museum . I'm happy that I've not been dolling them out like lollipops. And I'm happy now to add a second because it was a truly outstanding experience. I laughed. I was moved. I lusted after Scots Eddie. I was challenged by the dancing of David Toole - a performer with no legs. I was captivated by the design and the use of music. I was enthralled by the humanity of the piece. Marvellous. I would go again in a shot.