Teatro Olimpico

And a short video of the magnificent Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza by Palladio and Scamozzi, and completed in 1585. The bleached wood of the backdrop contrasts with the rich dark wood of the street tableau behind, using false perspective to exaggerate the depth of the scenes. Despite 8-hour performances of Greek theatre continuing well into the night, children were deployed at the far ends of the set to further reinforce the illusion of distance, if necessary being woken for their small walk-on parts.

Palladian tubs

After watching for the date so carefully, I then forgot all about this man on the occasion of his 500th birthday on 30 November. Spotted at the exhibition transferring to the Royal Academy in London from Vicenza are bins of Palladian components - so that the kids can create great architecture effortlessly, and in jaunty primary colours. Fortunately the work of the master elsewhere in the show is treated with an appropriate gravitas and intellectual insight. Fantastic models - look out for it in 2009.