Wonders & blunders

My pet hate is the National Theatre in London. I detested this drab concrete block when it was first designed. They thought they could improve it by adding a lighting scheme to illuminate the exterior of the building. It just looks awful. About three years ago, I went to Bratislava, Slovakia, to look at the new national theatre they were building on the banks of the Danube. It took almost 20 years to build and the architect told me that he took his inspiration from the National Theatre in London. I told him that they might have made it out of concrete, but at least theirs was covered in marble. I don't like the interior of the NT either. Nevertheless, I go there to attend performances.

Modern miss Standing on the South Bank of the Thames, the National Theatre was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun and opened in 1976. Built in reinforced concrete, its brutalist style has been a source of criticism since its creation.

A world of difference away is a wonderful theatre in Prague called the Estates Theatre. It is one of the oldest opera houses in Europe and is exquisite. It stands on its own with beautiful Corinthian columns outside and is such an elegant example of classical style. The inside is just as amazing as the exterior.

Classical beauty Mozart conducted the world premiere of Don Giovanni in 1787 at the Estates Theatre in Prague, which had opened four years earlier. Designed in the classical style, it is one of the few European theatres that has been preserved in close to its original state.