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[IanT]

Difficult to put it better than the Guardian, it's a three hour long "surreal, plot-free play written in Germany in the late 1970s, exploring alienation, post-war Teutonic guilt and mid-cold war existential angst over the environment, individuality and the discreet lack of charm of the bourgeoise".

Not the easiest sell then, but playing to full houses at the Barbican as Cate Blanchett takes the lead. And, to be fair, her performance is of the very highest order. The lack of plot serves to focus attention on the performances and Blanchett is centre stage and impossible to take your eyes off for almost every second of the (rather protracted) three hours..

Barbican has served up a couple of "challenging" events in recent weeks with this following a Sufjan Stephsn/Nico Muhly/Bryce Dessner prog-out. Much to admire but leaves me wanting some meat and potatoes.