London & Partners

ENTERTAINMENTEntertainmentWith David G. TaylorWhat’s hotSomething completely differentJust opened, Argentina’s Fuerza Bruta (until27 Jan, p. 72) probably isn’t like anything you’veexperienced before. Unless that is, you caughttheir last London dates in 2006.Audiences at the Roundhouse stand for theentire show, as performers create ingeniousvisual scenes right above their heads. From aman bursting through a series of false walls, toa balletic performance in water on a transparentrubber sheet, this is a unique theatricalexperience where the usual physical boundariesbetween performer and audience are blurred,and observers might even get slightly wet.From 10-27 Jan there’s puppetry, illusion,drama and much more during the 37th LondonInternational Mime Festival (p. 72). It’s achance for London theatregoers to catch showsby top talents from around the globe. Worksrange from the whimsical to the surreal, andtake place at a range of venues, including theSouthbank Centre (p. 76), Barbican (p. 76)and Royal Opera House (p. 75). This year’sprogramme of performances is complementedby a series of public workshops and fascinatingartists’ talks. Pictured clockwise from the top arethe Mime Festival acts Zimmermann & De Perrot(Barbican) and Circle Of Eleven (SouthbankCentre), plus the Roundhouse’s Fuerza Bruta.From 5 Jan Cirque Du Soleil combines the circus traditions ofacrobatics and clowning in their exhilarating new production, Kooza.Making London the first leg of its European tour, the show follows theadventures of a child-like innocent as he encounters curious characters,including a mischievous dog, a pickpocket and a king. Watch out forimpressive stunts ranging from nail-biting high wire peril, to breathtakingWheel Of Death thrills. For the ultimate experience, including five-starhospitality, find out about Cirque’s exciting VIP Rouge package.Kooza, p. 72.Great for kidsThere are plenty of shows to keep young ones entertained thismonth. Among them, the limited-run play Goodnight MisterTom (pictured, until 26 Jan, p. 68), based on the children’sbook by Michelle Magorian. It’s the story of a young boy whoescapes his abusive mother when he’s evacuated from theLondon Blitz during World War II. Sent away to live with thecurmudgeonly old loner Mister Tom, the unlikely pair soon forgean unexpected friendship. For more ideas for family-friendlyshows, turn to p. 68.KOOZA IMAGE COURTESY OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL; ZIMMERMANN & DE PERROT © MARIO DEL CURTO; CIRCLE OF ELEVEN, LEO, PHOTO BY HEIKO KALMBACH;GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM IMAGE © CATHERINE ASHMORE66| visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|January 2013