This Is London 23 September 2016

CONTENTS 

Matt Crockett. 

Events 4 

London Marathon Fundraising Record 

Cirque Eloize 

Music 8 

Schubert Ensemble Quintessentials 

Amatis Piano Trio in Concert 

Taiwan’s Ju Percussion Group 

Exhibitions 14 

Top of the Pop at Royal Opera Arcade 

Great Fire of London at St Paul’s 

Theatre 18 

The Truth 

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory 

The Plough and the Stars 

Proprietor Julie Jones 

Publishing Consultant Terry Mansfield CBE 

Associate Publisher Beth Jones 

Editorial Clive Hirschhorn Sue Webster 

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This is London congratulates WICKED 

on their landmark 10th birthday 

The multi award-winning London production of 

WICKED, the West End musical phenomenon, will 

celebrate its 10th birthday at the Apollo Victoria Theatre 

on Tuesday 27 September, and is already 

the 8th longest-running show currently 

playing in the West End. 

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magazine and in the handling of all the material 

supplied, neither the Publishers nor their agents 

accept responsibility for any damage, errors or 

omissions, however these may be caused. 

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4 

LONDON MARATHON SETS NEW 

CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING RECORD 

The 2016 Virgin Money London 

Marathon raised a record-breaking 

£59.4 million for charity, setting a new 

world record for an annual single day 

charity fundraising event for the tenth 

successive year. 

The total raised was up more than £5 

million from the £54.1 million raised in 

2015 and takes the total raised since the 

event was founded in 1981 to more than 

£830 million. 

The 2016 event saw a record number 

of finishers with 39,140 runners 

crossing the famous line in the Mall in 

front of Buckingham Palace. Shannon 

Foudy, a serving police officer from 

Hemel Hempstead, became the millionth 

finisher in the history of the event. 

Virgin Money Giving is the not-forprofit 

fundraising partner of the London 

Marathon, and donations to charity 

through the online service reached a 

record £26 million, including gift aid, 

linked to the 2016 race. 

The NSPCC, the Charity of the Year 

for 2016, raised more than £2million 

through its team of runners. Peter 

Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: ‘The 

NSPCC is delighted to have raised £2 

million from this year’s Virgin Money 

London Marathon. The money raised is 

going towards the project to transform 

our Childline service.’ 

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the 

London Marathon, said: ‘Every year, the 

Virgin Money London Marathon inspires 

thousands of runners to take on the 

challenge of running the famous 26.2 

miles and to raise record-breaking 

millions for charity. Since 1981, the 

London Marathon has been an 

extraordinary force for good that has 

inspired profound social change.’ 

REPLICA COMMONS GREEN BENCH 

GOES ON A MINI TOUR OF LONDON 

The Visit Parliament team has taken a 

replica House of Commons green bench 

on a whistle-stop tour of London to 

highlight that Parliament is open to UK 

and overseas visitors. 

On 1 September, the replica green 

bench visited Wembley Stadium, the 

Royal Albert Hall and Marriott Hotel 

Grosvenor Square. The bench will 

appear at other events and exhibitions in 

the coming months. 

The bench spent about an hour pitchside 

at Wembley Stadium (pictured 

above) and then on the south steps 

outside the Royal Albert Hall. Finally, the 

bench was placed in the foyer of the 

Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square for an 

overnight stay where it quickly became a 

popular meeting place for the hotel’s 

guests. The green benches of the House 

of Commons were designed by Giles 

Gilbert Scott when rebuilding the 

Commons after the Second World War. 

Benches in the Commons Chamber have 

been green for at least three hundred 

years, to contrast with the red benches 

UK Parliament/Colin Whyman. 

in the House of Lords Chamber. 

Ian Lacey, Visit Parliament’s 

Marketing & Travel Trade Manager, 

commented: ‘We wanted to do 

something different to highlight that the 

Houses of Parliament are open to 

visitors all year round. Taking the replica 

bench on a tour of London venues was 

only possible because of the fantastic 

support we received from our hosts at 

Wembley Stadium Tours and the 

Football Association, Royal Albert Hall 

Tours and Marriott Hotel Grosvenor 

Square.’ 

Individual visitors and groups can 

choose between the Blue Badge Guideled 

tours and the self-guided audio tour 

option. Discounted group rates are 

available for groups of 10 or more. 

Stylish afternoon tea in one of 

Parliament’s riverside rooms can be 

added on most of the tour dates. 

Tickets can be booked for Saturdays 

until the end of February 2017 and most 

weekdays between 16 September and 

7 October by calling Parliament’s 

Booking Team telephone 020 7219 4114 

or online at www.parliament.uk/visit 


HIDDENCITY LAUNCH MIND OF 

THE MAKER 

Cryptic city trail innovator HiddenCity 

has announced the launch of Mind of 

the Maker, a real world adventure along 

London’s waterways. In this latest game, 

teams will solve clues, deliver 

codewords and uncover secret locations 

as they go in search of the makers of the 

city, from ancient architects to ice cream 

artisans. Mind of the Maker is available 

to play from 29 September. 

Teams of up to four will be guided by 

the mysterious and sometimes 

mischievous Wayland, a mythical Norse 

craftsman, who will send clues to your 

phone. A three-hour cryptic challenge 

starting in King's Cross, teams can 

choose to explore at a leisurely pace or 

unleash their competitive side in a bid 

for top ranking on the HiddenCity 

leaderboard. 

Wayland is a mythical Norse 

craftsman, a visionary metalsmith, once 

sought by gods and kings alike. But he 

fears that the age of the makers has now 

past. To find out, Wayland invites you on 

a trail of cryptic clues, to see if you can 

think like a maker. 

The challenge is to carve the ice trail 

across London, inspired by creators 

from Victorian times, culminating at a 

crafty drinkery... one most fitting of your 

challenge. 

Don’t let him down: he has no time 

for idle minds. Succeed, and Wayland’s 

name will grant you access to the legacy 

of ice empires, lyrical scents and frozen 

fiery cream. Rise to the gods, and 

perhaps drink with them too. 

Each clue is delivered via text 

message and directs participants to a 

hidden location within walking distance, 

and asks a specific question about the 

surroundings. If participants reply with 

the correct answer they receive the 

next clue. 

In Mind of the Maker, explorers 

interact with the real world, chatting to 

locals, meeting craftsmen and asking for 

help in unexpected places. 

www.inthehiddencity.com/maker 

WEST END MUSICAL PHENOMENON 

WICKED 10th BIRTHDAY 

The multi award-winning London 

production of WICKED, the West End 

musical phenomenon, will celebrate its 

landmark 10th birthday at the Apollo 

Victoria Theatre on Tuesday 27 

September and is already the 8th 

longest-running show currently playing 

in West End. Around the world, Wicked 

has now been seen by 50 million people 

in 14 countries, and won over 100 major 

awards. The new cast includes Rachel 

Tucker (Elphaba) and Suzie Mathers 

(Glinda), Oliver Savile (Fiyero), Anita 

Dobson (Madame Morrible) and Mark 

Curry (The Wizard), 

The show, which tells the incredible 

untold story of the Witches of Oz also 

opened its 22nd booking period this 

month with over 500,000 new tickets 

going on sale for performances until 

4 November 2017. 

Based on the best-selling novel by 

Gregory Maguire that ingeniously 

re-imagines the stories and characters 

created by L Frank Baum in ‘The 

Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, Wicked tells 

the incredible untold story of an unlikely 

but profound friendship between two 

sorcery students. Their extraordinary 

adventures in Oz will ultimately see them 

fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good 

and the Wicked Witch of the West. 

Wicked is produced by Marc Platt, 

Universal Stage Productions, The Araca 

ORDER, ORDER 

Book your tour today 

Oliver Savile (Fiyero) & Suzie Mathers 

(Glinda) in WICKED. Photo: Matt Crockett 

Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. 

Executive Producer (UK) Michael 

McCabe. 

Through its FOR GOOD programme 

and other charitable endeavours, Wicked 

supports the remarkable work of the Anti- 

Bullying Alliance (ABA); the Cybersmile 

Foundation; the Helen Bamber 

Foundation; the Rainbow Trust Children's 

Charity; Stonewall's ‘Education For All’ 

campaign; The Woodland Trust and the 

National Literacy Trust. Further details at 

www.WickedForGood.co.uk 

Box Office telephone 0844 871 3001. 

www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk 

020 7219 4114 

5 


6 

THE BEST OF BRITISH POP AT 

THE LONDON CABARET CLUB 

The London Cabaret club offers a 

sophisticated entertainment concept 

combining a dining experience with an 

innovative live cabaret show. Set around 

a distinctly British theme, the show 

celebrates the rich heritage of British 

culture past and present. Featuring stars 

from London’s West-End, original 

choreography, and premium production 

values, it presents a truly unique 

addition to London’s nightlife scene. 

Get ready to proudly wave the Union 

Jack all night long as The London 

Cabaret Club pumps up the volume 

showcasing London’s most exciting new 

show, ‘The Best of British Pop’. 

Packed with beloved hits, impressive 

staging, mesmerising dancers and 

themed costumes, the show is a 

celebration of British pop throughout 

the decades. The night kicks off with 

recollections and memories from the 

freedom days of the 60’s and 70’s to 

London’s punk movement in the 80’s, 

Britpop’s glory days of the 90’s as well 

as a great collection of today’s leading 

anthems. A DJ will then take over, 

opening up the dance floor to guests 

until 3am! 

The experience isn’t just limited to the 

stage. From being served top quality 

British Tapas, to enjoying bespoke 

drinks and being greeted by glamorous 

hosts and hostesses embodying the 

theme of the night, it truly is a 

completely immersive experience. 

An evening at The London Cabaret 

Club is an impressive production of 

music, dance, food and drink but also an 

appreciation of Britain as a leading hand 

in creating some of the world’s most 

exciting music genres, fashion trends 

and movements – a true cultural 

goldmine! 

There are three ticket categories 

available; a show only ticket, a show and 

three course dinner ticket or a VIP 

experience. For further information, visit 

www.thelondoncabaretclub.com 

FLOYD COLLINS – THE MUSICAL 

AT WILTON’S MUSIC HALL 

It is 1925 in Kentucky, and fearless cave 

explorer Floyd Collins dreams of finding 

fame and fortune deep underground. When 

the unthinkable happens and he becomes 

trapped, it is a desperate race against time 

as Collins’ friends and family fight to set 

him free and keep his spirits up through a 

dark and dangerous time. 

Above ground, his plight catches the 

eye of the local press, and as the days and 

weeks pass, the whole country is riveted by 

his story and the media circus that 

surrounds it. In a touching tale of family, 

friendship and survival, Wilton’s provides 

the perfect backdrop to this powerful 

musical based on a remarkable true story. 

Accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful 

score, this all-new production of Adam 

Guettel and Tina Landau’s award-winning 

musical takes audiences on a journey of 

determination and hope, as an entire nation 

prays for Collins’ safe return. 

Directed by Jonathan Butterell, critically 

acclaimed Floyd Collins is a unique and 

bold piece of work, hailed by New York 

Magazine as ‘the original and daring 

musical of our day’. 

Box Office telephone 020 7702 2789. 

STAND UP FOR WILDLIFE AT 

ZSL LONDON ZOO 

Do you cackle like a hyena or roar 

like a lion? Prepare your chosen chortle 

as for the first-time ever the Comedy 

Store Players will be hosting an evening 

of hilarity at ZSL London Zoo on 

Thursday 13 October. Inspired by the 

huge success of its annual comedy 

event, Roar with Laughter, international 

conservation charity the Zoological 

Society of London (ZSL) has joined 

forces with London’s most famous 

improv group, the Comedy Store 

Players, for a wild new fundraiser. 

The popular group create stories, 

songs and sketches based on audience 

ideas, for an evening of quick-wit and 

entertainment sure to have the audience 

howling with laughter. 

Regular Comedy Store performers 

Neil Mullarkey, Pippa Evans, Andy Smart 

and Richard Vranch will take to the 

stage. The comical quartet will be 

raising a giggle and vital funds for ZSL’s 

worldwide work to tackle the illegal 

wildlife trade. With iconic species 

including elephants, rhinos and tigers all 

facing unprecedented threats from the 

illegal trade, urgent action is needed to 

ensure their survival. 


8 

The Schubert Ensemble. 

THE SCHUBERT ENSEMBLE 

QUINTESSENTIALS 

In a fascinating survey of one of 

chamber music’s most satisfying 

medium, the Schubert Ensemble’s 

‘Quintessentials’ series at King’s Place 

juxtaposes six of the best-known and 

most popular piano quintets with six 

more overlooked gems which are 

personal favourites of the Ensemble. 

The first concert, on 6 October 

(19.30), features Brahms’s Piano Quintet 

in F minor, one of the greatest works in 

the chamber music repertoire, alongside 

the rarely performed and charmingly 

lyrical Piano Quintet by Max Bruch. 

The second, on 10 November, places 

Faure’s sublime and ethereal First Piano 

Quintet alongside Franck’s explosively 

passionate Piano Quintet in F minor, 

written while the composer was in the 

grip of an infatuation with a beautiful 

student, Augusta Holmes. 

Photo: John Clark. 

Each concert will begin with one of 

the Ensemble’s highly acclaimed ‘Behind 

the Notes’ sessions, in which they will 

explore and iluminate the lesser known 

work usnig live performance to strip 

down the music and reveal its inner 

workings. Part Two will be a performance 

of both quintets. 

Since its first concert in January 1983 

the Schubert Ensemble has established 

itself as one of the world's leading 

exponents of music for piano and 

strings. The ensemble has performed in 

over 40 different countries, has over 80 

commissions to its name, has recorded 

over 30 critically acclaimed CDs and is 

familiar to British audiences through 

regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. 

In 1998 the Ensemble's contribution to 

British musical life was recognized by 

the Royal Philharmonic Society when it 

presented the group with the Best 

Chamber Ensemble Award, for which it 

was shortlisted again in 2010. It is 

currently enjoying the eighth year of its 

Residency at Birmingham Conservatoire. 

In the past few years, the Ensemble 

has enjoyed a busy international 

schedule, with performances in 

Bermuda, Canada, the Czech Republic, 

China, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, 

Romania, Spain, the United Arab 

Emirates, and the USA. The Ensemble 

has also released recordings for the 

Chandos label of works by Martinů, 

Fauré, Enescu and Dvořák, all of which 

have been widely praised. The Dvořák 

disc and the most recent of two Enescu 

discs were chosen as CD of the month 

by the BBC Music Magazine. It has 

recently released a new recording of 

piano quartets by Chausson and Saint- 

Saëns. Engagements in 2015-16 

included tours to Bermuda, the USA, 

Holland and Italy, and performances at 

the Cambridge, Petworth, Spitalfields, 

Buxton, Gower, Tetbury and Bath/Mozart 

Festivals as well as a two-concert 

Fauré/Schumann series at London’s 

Wigmore Hall. 

King’s Place box office telephone 

020 7520 1490 or www.kingsplace.com 


International Entertainment Corporation presents for the first time in the UK 

THE 

Ju Percussion 

Group 

30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 

STUNNING VIRTUOSITY FROM TAIWAN – 

PERCUSSION WITH PASSION 

AND POWER 

BARBICAN, LONDON 5 OCTOBER 2016 7.30 PM

10 

Marco Borggreve. 

PARKHOUSE AWARD WINNERS THE 

AMATIS PIANO TRIO IN CONCERT 

The Amatis Piano Trio, winners of the 

2015 Parkhouse Award, were the 

unanimous choice of the jury which 

comprised John Gilhooly, Colin Lawson, 

Hamish Milne, Madeleine Mitchell and 

Moray Welsh under the guiding eye of 

chairman Chris de Souza. 

The members of the Amatis Piano 

Trio: Mengjie Han, piano; Lea 

Hausmann, violin; Samuel Shepherd, 

cello are based in Amsterdam and their 

performance for the Parkhouse Award on 

Tuesday 27 September (19.30) at 

Wigmore Hall is the only chance to hear 

them in the UK during 2016. They will 

perform trios by Schubert and 

Shostakovich. 

Their programme is one of 

beginnings and endings: Shostakovich’s 

first piano trio, youthfully impetuous and 

lyrical followed by his second bearing 

the pain of a friend’s untimely death and 

the siege of Leningrad, preceded by 

Schubert’s gigantic masterpiece, his 

Piano Trio No 2 in E flat major, Op 100, 

D929, written in the last year of his 

short life. 

The Amatis Piano Trio was founded 

in Amsterdam in 2013. In addition to 

winning the Parkhouse Award in 2015, 

this year they won second prize and 

audience prize at the International 

Joseph Joachim Chamber Music 

Competition in Weimar which was 

followed immediately by a tour of Hong 

Kong and Indonesia. The trio has 

performed extensively throughout 

Europe and has appeared at many 

festivals including Salzburg Chamber 

Music Festival, Grachtenfestival 

Amsterdam, Beethoven Festival Bonn, 

Janine Jansen’s Utrecht Chamber Music 

Festival and Festival Pablo Casals in 

France. 

In 2015, the trio members became the 

youngest finalists of the International 

Chamber Music Competition ‘Schubert 

und die Musik der Moderne’ in Graz, 

Austria and shortly after were named 

‘Dutch Classical Talent 2015/16’. The 

trio has been part of the European 

Chamber Music Academy since 2015 

and most recently were selected as one 

of the BBC New Generation Artists 

Scheme. 

Tuesday’s concert is the chance to be 

there at the beginning of what will 

undoubtedly be a stellar career. 

There is also a restaurant and bar at 

Wigmore Hall, telephone 020 7258 8292 

for reservations. 

For tickets, telephone the box office 

on 020 7935 2141. Further details at 

www.parkhouseaward.com 

WORLD PREMIERE OF THIS LITTLE 

LIFE OF MINE 

The world premiere of This Little Life 

of Mine will run at Park Theatre for a 

limited season from 4 – 29 October. 

This brand new production will be the 

first musical drama to examine the lives 

of modern Londoners, with the pressure 

of high expectation and the worry of 

underachieving. 

A story about the gulf between desire 

and reality, the show speaks with 

honesty and candour to a generation 

spoiled for choice, and challenged by it 

too. While exploring contemporary 

themes, from dating to infertility to 

getting on the property ladder, the show 

has a timeless love story at its heart. 

The book for This Little Life of Mine 

is written by Michael Yale, who will also 

be directing the world premiere. The 

music is written by Charlie Round- 

Turner, with musical direction by 

Thomas Duchan. 

Audiences take a bitingly funny and 

deeply touching tour of modern London 

life with Izzy and Jonesy. With exciting 

jobs, great friends and even a tiny 

overpriced flat in Zone 2 – they’ve got it 

all. Or do they? Maybe having a baby is 

the one last thing that would make 

everything perfect. Or perhaps life has 

other ideas... 

We’re all busy people chasing our 

dreams and looking for instant 

gratification from the things we do – our 

online posts, our careers, our loves and 

our lovers. We’re told we can have 

anything we like, and that we have more 

choices than any other generation in 

history. Set against an instantly 

recognisable backdrop of eye-watering 

house prices, unreliable dating apps and 

over-friendly coffee baristas, This Little 

Life of Mine looks at what happens when 

we can’t have everything that we want. 

The musical is produced by Stage 

Traffic Productions, a newly formed 

theatre company set up by Michael Yale 

and Eilene Davidson to produce theatre 

based on strong storytelling and 

powerful performances. 


CIRQUE ÉLOIZE CELEBRATES 

THOUSANDTH PERFORMANCE 

Canadian contemporary circus crew 

Cirque Éloize blasts back into the West 

End this week with iD, a smash-hit show 

of daring stunts and dazzling 

theatricality. iD is an exciting family 

friendly production, blending circus, 

street dance and hip hop and comes to 

Sadler’s Wells’ West End venue, The 

Peacock, until 8 October. 

The show will celebrate its 1000th 

performance having previously toured 

the world and visited countries including 

South Africa, Japan and Mexico. 

Directed by Jeannot Painchaud and 

blending circus arts, acrobatic skills and 

breakdance, iD transports audiences to a 

vibrant urban streetscape. The stage 

fizzes with infectious energy and 

phenomenal physical feats, as the 15 

talented cast members perform against a 

kaleidoscope of video projections. 

Cirque Éloize has become a world 

leader in contemporary circus since the 

company was founded in 1993. They 

specialise in creating shows that 

fuse circus arts with music, theatre 

and dance. 

For tickets, telephone Sadler’s Wells 

box office on 020 7863 8222. 

NATALIA OSIPOVA RETURNS 

TO SADLER’S WELLS 

Following the summer World Premiere, 

multi-award-winning ballerina Natalia 

Osipova returns to Sadler’s Wells from 

27 Septembeer to 1 October with the triple 

bill of work created for her by renowned 

contemporary choreographers Sidi Larbi 

Cherkaoui, Russell Maliphant and Arthur 

Pita. Natalia Osipova is a Principal with 

The Royal Ballet. She joined the company 

in 2013 after her guest appearance in 

Swan Lake, and has performed lead roles 

in Giselle, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, 

La Fille mal gardée and DGV: Danse à 

grande vitesse. Once again, Osipova will 

be joined on stage by former Royal Ballet 

dancer Sergei Polunin. From 10 - 12 

November, the production visits New York 

City Centre, marking its US Premiere. 

Cirque Eloize iD – Jump Rope at The Peacock Theatre. 

11 


12 

CARLOS ACOSTA – THE CLASSICAL 

FAREWELL 

Carlos Acosta bids farewell to 

classical ballet with his final 

performances at the Royal Albert Hall 

from 3-7 October. The Classical Farewell 

celebrates highlights from Acosta’s 

career which led him to become the 

most famous male dancer of his 

generation and marks the final time for 

audiences to watch the ballet superstar 

dance classical works. 

The production follows the popular 

format of his 2006 show Carlos Acosta 

with Guests of The Royal Ballet, for 

which he won an Olivier Award, and 

A Classical Selection which was 

performed at London Coliseum in 

December 2015 to critical acclaim. 

The farewell production includes a 

number of the most famous pas de deux 

from the classical and neo-classical 

canon. The programme features Acosta 

dancing classical works, including 

Winter Dreams, Mayerling and Requiem 

by one of the greatest ballet 

choreographers of the 20th century 

Kenneth MacMillan, George Balanchine’s 

story about the Greek God Apollo, 

Marius Petipa's Don Quixote and 

Memoria by Rambert’s Miguel Altunaga. 

Also part of the evening’s programme 

is an extract from George Blanchine’s 

Rubies set to score by Stravinsky 

alongside an extract from one of 

Frederick Ashton’s last works, the 

playful, romantic, and elegant Rhapsody. 

Completing the bill are Raúl Reinoso’s 

Anadromous, Manon and Gloria by 

Kenneth MacMillan and Michel Fokine’s 

Scheherazade and solo Dying Swan. 

Acosta has thrilled audiences 

throughout the world with his breathtaking 

performances, including principal roles in 

many ballets in the classical repertoire. 

For The Classical Farewell Acosta has put 

together a programme presenting some of 

his favourite pieces from the classical 

repertoire for the final time. Acosta will be 

joined on stage by some of his closest 

contemporaries from The Royal Ballet. 

The programme features Yuhui Choe, 

Sarah Lamb, Laura Morera, Marianela 

Nuñez and Valentino Zucchetti alongside 

Cuban dancers Gabriela Lugo and Luis 

Valle. 

The evening’s programme is 

accompanied by a live orchestra 

conducted by Paul Murphy and features 

Pegasus Choir, one of London’s most 

accomplished chamber choirs. Pegasus 

has previously performed with Acosta in 

productions at the London Coliseum and 

the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. 

Acosta trained at the National Ballet 

School of Cuba and won the Gold Medal 

at the Prix de Lausanne (1990). He was a 

principal with English National Ballet 

(1991–2), danced with National Ballet of 

Cuba under Alicia Alonso (1992–3) and 

was a principal with Houston Ballet under 

Ben Stevenson (1993–8). He joined The 

Royal Ballet in 1998 and became a 

Principal Guest Artist in 2003. Acosta has 

frequently appeared worldwide with 

companies including American Ballet 

Theatre, Paris Opera Ballet, Kirov, Bolshoi 

and Australian Ballet. 

WEST END CASTING ANNOUNCED 

FOR AN AMERICAN IN PARIS 

Full casting has been announced for 

Christopher Wheeldon’s stunning 

reinvention of the Oscar® winning film, 

that starred Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. 

An American in Paris features the sublime 

music and lyrics of George Gershwin and 

Ira Gershwin and a new book by Craig 

Lucas. Directly following celebrated 

engagements in Paris and New York, this 

critically acclaimed and multi awardwinning 

new musical bursts into life in the 

West End from 4 March 2017. 

An American in Paris features many 

of George and Ira Gershwin’s most 

iconic songs including I Got Rhythm, 

‘S Wonderful, and They Can't Take That 

Away from Me, together with George 

Gershwin’s sweeping compositions 

including ‘Concerto in F’ and ‘An 

American in Paris’. 

Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope in 

An American in Paris. Original 

Broadway Cast. Photo: Matthew Murphy. 

Jerry Mulligan is an American GI 

striving to make it as a painter in a city 

suddenly bursting with hope and 

possibility. Following a chance 

encounter with a beautiful young dancer 

named Lise, the streets of Paris become 

the backdrop to a sensuous, modern 

romance of art, friendship and love in 

the aftermath of war. 

Further information available at 

AnAmericanInParisTheMusical.co.uk 


TAIWAN’S JU PERCUSSION GROUP 

PERFORMS IN THE UK 

On 5 October, Taiwan’s pioneering 

percussion ensemble, the Ju Percussion 

Group, will perform in London for the 

first time as part of their 30th 

anniversary tour. Appearing at The 

Barbican Centre, the group presents 

their dynamic fusion of traditional Asian, 

Western classical and contemporary 

drumming that has gained them national 

treasure status in their homeland. 

Made up of twelve musicians on 

gongs, drums, marimbas and over 300 

pieces of exotic percussion instruments, 

the Ju Percussion Group offer audiences 

a demonstration of their sheer virtuosity 

and theatrical performance. 

Formed thirty years ago by Ju 

Tzong-Ching, the Ju Percussion Group 

has revolutionised percussion playing in 

Taiwan. The group has played in 28 

different countries around the world to 

date, and has cultivated more than 

130,000 percussionists by means of its 

well-established instruction system, 

while also commissioning the creation 

of as many as 214 pieces. The growth of 

the Ju Percussion Group is a reflection 

of the development of contemporary 

percussion on the island of Taiwan. 

The ensemble’s anniversary tour 

comprises four concerts in four 

European capital cities, performing in 

four major European concert halls. 

Earlier this year, Ju Tzong-Ching was 

awarded induction into the Percussive 

Arts Society Hall of Fame. Established in 

1972, The Percussive Arts Society Hall 

of Fame recognises the contributions of 

the most highly regarded professional 

leaders in percussion performance, 

education, research, scholarship, 

administration, composition and the 

industry. The Society has only given 

this, the highest honour in the 

percussion world, to 120 drummers and 

percussionists since its inception with 

Ju now joining the likes of Ringo Star, 

Dame Evelyn Glennie and Steve Reich. 

For tickets, telephone the Barbican 

Centre box office on 020 7638 8891. 

Winners of the 2015 Parkhouse 

Award, the Amatis Piano Trio will 

perform works by 

Schubert & 

Shostakovich 

Supported by 

The Gordon Foundation 

The Tertis Foundation 

Registered charity 1014284 

WIGMORE HALL 

Director John Gilhooly 

36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP 

www.wigmore-hall.org.uk 

Taiwan’s Ju Percussion Group. 

AMATIS 

PIANO 

TRIO 

Mengjie Han 

piano 

Lea Hausmann 

violin 

Samuel Shepherd 

cello 

Tuesday 

27 September 

2016 

7.30pm 

13 


14 

THE HOUSE OF FINE ART PRESENTS: ‘TOP OF THE POP’ 

A unique Pop Art Exhibition featuring a selection of very 

rare, original works by Andy Warhol is on view at The Royal 

Opera Arcade Gallery until 1 October. 

The exhibition has been 

carefully curated by Georg F 

Hesselbach with an exclusive 

selection of original works by 

Austrian ‘spontaneous realist’ 

Voka, complemented by the 

distinctive style of Oxana 

Prantl and the contemporary 

Spanish artist Gustavo 

Pen?alver Vico. 

Unequivocally the leading 

pioneer in Pop Art, the 

original masterpieces provide 

an overview of the crucial 

years in Andy Warhol’s career, 

and give an insight into how he shook 

the foundations of the academic world of 

painting and criticism in the second half 

of the 20th century. The exhibition 

features the complete series of 10 

original ‘Marilyn’ works by Andy Warhol, 

never before presented in London. Andy 

Warhol works are provided courtesy of 

Ovega Art AG / Switzerland. 

Voka coined the term ‘Spontaneous 

Realism’ as a trademark for his art. 

He defines this style as a revival of the 

significance of contemporary art, a valued 

tradition in a new era, with a new 

interpretation reflecting today’s spirit of the 

time. His distinctive style, emerging from 

the dynamic of the moment, enables him 

to strikingly capture immediate reality 

while the observer is able to palpably feel 

the imbedded movement. 

Oxana Prantl works are created 

without sketches, the most important in 

her work is the colour selection, the 

image emerges of its own accord. For 

the artist the blooming of the idea is like 

a mosaic of colours. The different 

Andy, 180 x 220 cm, Acrylic on Canvas by VOKA. 

colours are added one after the other 

until the painting arises. 

Gustavo's breakthrough is said to be 

his retrospective in 1986 in Bonn ‘10 

Jahre in Berlin’ at the city hall in 

Tempelhof where Gustavo met the later 

mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit who, 

from then on, used to open his 

exhibitions in the capital. On behalf of a 

housing association Gustavo designed a 

multicolored house facade in Berlin- 

Lichtenberg, which is widely known as 

the ‘Gustavo-Haus’ and the ‘biggest 

artwork of Europe’. In 2014 his 

work out of 1,700 tiles on the quay 

wall of Cala Ratjada was completed. 

Gustavo lives and works near 

Capdepera, Mallorca. His oeuvre 

contains more than 35,000 works. 

The Royal Opera Arcade Gallery 

is at 5b Pall Mall, SW1Y 4UY. 

Further details at the website 

TopofthePop.co.uk 

Right: Blue Fire, 80x80cm Acrylic 

paint on canvas by OXANA PRANTL 

ENAMOURED 

The broad spectrum of luminous work 

in enamel by some of the country’s 

leading and upcoming enamellers is 

showcased in a fascinating and colourful 

exhibition organised by the British 

Society of Enamellers (BSoE), on view 

at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell 

from 12 October until 18 November. 

In displaying the very best of 

contemporary enamelling, the exhibition 

celebrates this complex and ancient art 

form in all its multiple guises. The 

majority of the works featured in the 

exhibition are by members of the BSoE, 

including some of its experienced, 

distinguished members such as Jane 

Short, Ruth Ball, Tamar de Vries Winter, 

Joan Mackarell, Sheila McDonald and 

Jenny Edge. 

All the different enamelling techniques 

and usages are vividly revealed and 

explained through the wide variety of 

works, preparatory pieces and drawings 

on display. 

Each demonstrates how enamellers 

working in Britain today are constantly 

experimenting and breathing new energy 

into this ancient art form. Examples of 

enamel used in regalia and commercial 

work complete the enamel story. 


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TRANSLATION NOW AVAILABLE IN 9 LANGUAGES

16 

BE PERFORM LIVE INSIDE THE HIVE 

AT KEW GARDENS 

For the first time ever, BE – the 

musical collective behind the beguiling 

soundscape that fills Wolfgang Buttress’ 

Hive – will perform live inside The Hive 

at Kew Gardens, amongst a thousand 

flickering lights, glowing against the 

night sky, and the sound and energy of 

40,000 bees. 

Having wowed audiences with their 

immersive, ambient soundscapes at 

Glastonbury, BE will perform their 

critically acclaimed album ONE, for two 

nights only, within the multi-award 

winning installation inspired by the 

plight of the British bee – the initial 

inspiration for the musical project. 

Visitors will find themselves inside 

The Hive, lost within a symphony of bee 

and man, experiencing a beautifully, 

hypnotic live projection of bees moving 

across a black gauze that engulfs the 

band. A fiercely immersive experience, 

visitors will be able to sense the vital 

role that pollinators play in this world, 

through music, science and art. 

BE will also perform their newly 

released single, Blue Lullaby, 

showcasing never before heard 

vibrational messages between 

honeybees, discovered by Dr Martin 

Bencsik – an expert in bee 

communication, whose previous 

discoveries can be heard within The 

Hive’s soundscape. 

Dr Martin Bencsik says about this 

new discovery; ‘One of our aims is to 

exhaust the repertoire of vibrational 

messages that honeybees use. This 

latest discovery is an additional string 

to the bow of bees, a word in their 

vocabulary that we did not know of, 

until now.’ 

The evening will give visitors the 

chance to immerse themselves in the 

world of the British bee, with Kew 

experts and beekeepers on hand to 

reveal the fascinating world of these 

remarkable insects. 

Towering 17 metres high, The Hive 

twists out of the ground in a shape 

suggestive of a swarm of bees and 

creates the perfect setting for a truly 

magical and meditative evening of live 

music. 

KIM SMITH – DREAMERS 

Kim Smith’s artistic creativity stems 

from an early age. Born in Sidcup, South 

London her Swedish and English- 

Romani heritage gives her a rich 

background of eclectic influences. 

As a young artist, Kim is already 

receiving a lot of attention. She has been 

featured in the last few group shows at 

the Laurence Alkin Gallery and has been 

picked to participate in the charity 

exhibition ‘All Our Hearts Beat As One’ at 

Gallery Different (13–15 October). 

Kim has also been selected to show a 

poster reproduction of her acclaimed 

neon piece – ‘Dreamers’ at Regent’s Park 

station during Frieze week and beyond, 

through Art Below. This respected 

organisation has chosen a small group 

of progressive and talented artists to 

showcase their work to a massive 

audience in the art world. This will 

culminate in a group show at the Truman 

Brewery, Brick Lane (27–30 October), 

where other original neon works and 

limited prints piece will be displayed. 

‘Dreamers’ is very much a signature 

piece exploring her understanding the 

complex nature of the human condition, 

as it is in twilight-blue neon it has a 

seductive, come closer feel, yet 

expresses an honest and pure sentiment, 

of how we love, we laugh and we cry, 

sometimes all at the same time. 

This is all leading up to a solo show 

(aptly entitled ‘Dreamers’) at the 

Golborne Gallery from 17–27 November. 

The show will feature her neon pieces as 

well as some more experimental work, 

tackling ‘dreams’ in a broader sense. 

The personal and romantic nature of 

Kim’s own narrative now crosses over into 

a socio-political context, where someone 

else’s story and their interpretation of 

‘dreams’ will have a different meaning. 

Kim presents ideas of hope and salvation 

on an emotional and spiritual level but 

also in terms of practical action and 

personal involvement. This notion is 

reflected further in her work with the 

David Lynch Foundation of Education 

based Consciousness and World Peace. 


THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON AT 

ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL 

The year 1666 was catastrophic for 

London and St Paul’s Cathedral. On 

Tuesday 4 September, a combination of 

factors caused the building to burn with 

great ferocity. The catastrophic blaze 

consumed the cathedral which had stood 

at the heart of London life for over five 

hundred years. Tens of thousands 

around the city were made homeless. 

As smoke rose from the ruins, 

Londoners considered how to rebuild 

their city - and bring their cathedral back 

to use. Designs were submitted and 

Christopher Wren emerged as the man 

to help St Paul's rise like a phoenix from 

the devastation. 

A new exhibition ‘Out of the Fire’ and 

a programme of walks, talks and tours, 

special sermons and debates to mark the 

350th anniversary of the Great Fire of 

London is taking place at St Paul’s 

between May 2016 and April 2017. 

Visitors of all ages can learn about the 

colourful life of one of London's great 

lost building. Join a Fire Tour and hear 

how raging fire made the Cathedral 

stones ‘explode like grenades’, learn 

more about how the fire tore through the 

Cathedral and its subsequent redesign at 

the The Great Fire: Revisited Conference. 

Hear how various cities have coped in 

the wake of subsequent catastrophes 

with the Out of the Ashes: Sunday 

Sermon Series; Follow a Family Trail to 

learn fun fire facts and earn a Flame the 

Phoenix badge; See objects that 

survived the flames at the Great Fire 

Exhibition; Visit the Cathedral after 

visiting hours with St Paul’s Lates, 

where visitors are encouraged to take 

photos; or go along on a Triforium Tour 

to see designs which introduced a 

radical new architecture to the capital. 

For more than 1,400 years, a 

Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood 

at the highest point in the City. The 

present Cathedral is the masterpiece of 

Britain's most famous architect 

Sir Christopher Wren. 

 

17 


18 

Frances O'Connor (Alice) and Alexander Hanson (Michel). 

THE TRUTH – Wyndhams 

The union between Europe’s Florian 

Zeller and Britain’s Christopher Hampton 

is a win-win for Anglo-Franco relations – 

regardless of the current EU controversy. 

36 year-old Zeller, hitherto largely 

unknown outside Paris, has, thanks to the 

success of The Father – become a 

wunderkind on both sides of the Atlantic. 

In London his breakthrough play stars 

Kenneth Cranham, who received an 

Olivier best actor award, and on Broadway 

Frank Langella who recently won a Tony 

in the same category. 

Enigmatically structured, The Father 

takes an affecting look at an elderly man 

suffering from Alzheimers. The fragile 

contours of what is real and what isn’t 

are deliberately blurred and gives the 

piece a baffling, yet also intriguing 

dreamlike quality as Zeller probes a 

broken mind. 

In his play The Truth – first seen at 

the Menier Chocolate Factory and 

Tricycle Theatre and now securely 

ensconsed in the West End, Zeller again 

offers a theatrical conundrum in the form 

Photo: Marc Brenner. 

of a French boulevard comedy as we 

watch the sexual machinations of Michel 

(Alexander Hanson) a successful 

Parisienne businessman who is having 

an affair with Alice (Frances O’Connor), 

the wife of his jobless best friend Paul 

(Robert Portal). Completing the quartet 

is Laurence (Tanya Franks), Michel’s 

wife. 

The premise couldn’t be simpler – 

but don’t be fooled. Zeller continues his 

fascination with what is real, what isn’t, 

what is truth, who’s telling lies – and 

why. As the playwright himself 

acknowledges, there’s more than a touch 

of Pinter’s Betrayal on hand. Not only 

Pinter, but also the ground-breaking 

Italian experimentalist Luigi Pirandello, 

who believed that ‘we need to deceive 

ourselves constantly by creating a 

reality, which, from time to time, is 

discovered to be vain and illusory.’ 

Illusion, delusion, male vanity, and 

the lies people tell (some for good, 

some not) comingle in this 90 minute 

roller-coaster ride in which truth and 

fabrication create a comic, yet at times 

serious narrative, in which nothing is 

ever what it seems, and in which the 

protagonists, as they did in Christopher 

Hampton’s Les Liaisons Dangereuse, are 

constantly playing games. 

In The Truth it is Michel on whom the 

soupcon of narrative hinges. As 

brilliantly played by Hanson, Michel is 

at once the least likeable of the quartet. 

Yet with such a jaw-dropping capacity 

for deception and a shameless ability to 

blame others for the worst of his lies and 

indiscretions, it is hard not to warm to 

his sheer unadulterated chutzpah. 

Right from the start, when we first 

encounter him in bed with Alice in some 

anonymous Paris hotel room between 

afternoon office appointments, there isn’t 

a smidgen of guilt in him and, if 

anything, he actively embraces the fact 

that Alice’s husband is his best friend. 

As the affair escalates and Laurence 

and Paul are predictably sucked into it, 

Zeller’s variations on the theme of 

marital infidelity reach psychological 

levels most domestic farces rarely 

approach, and it is the questions Zeller 

asks (without supplying answers) that 

makes The Truth not only one of the 

most humorous plays in a long while, 

but most thought provoking as well. 

There are no weaknesses in the cast 

with Frances O’Connor’s demanding 

unfulfilled Alice, Tanya Franks’ dignified, 

stalwart Laurence and Robert Portal’s 

solidly blokish Paul all rising to this 

happy occasion and serving Hampton’s 

lean adaptation most tellingly. 

The chic minimalistic set – 

functioning as a hotel bedroom, a 

doctor’s office and both couples’ 

Parisienne apartments – is by Lizzie 

Clachan and the seamless direction by 

Lindsay Posner. 

Vive la France! 

CLIVE HIRSCHHORN 


20 

Dominic Cooper as The Libertine. 

Photo: Johan Persson. 

PLAYS 

THE GO-BETWEEN 

Michael Crawford returns to the West End in a 

new stage adaptation of L.P Hartley's classic 

novel which lyrically captures the wit and 

humour of Hartley's novel of romantic tragedy 

wrapped up in the loss of innocence. 

APOLLO THEATRE 

Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (0330 333 4809) 

THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY 

One enormous diamond, eight incompetent 

crooks and a snoozing security guard. What 

could possibly go right? 

CRITERION THEATRE 

Piccadilly Circus, (020 7492 0810) 

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG 

A Polytechnic amateur drama group are 

putting on a 1920s murder mystery and 

everything that can go wrong... does! 

DUCHESS THEATRE 

Catherine Street, WC2 (0330 333 4810) 

Theatre last year. The company now come to 

the National, offering a unique chance to 

explore the birth of a revolutionary dramatic 

voice. 

THE THREE-PENNY OPERA 

Simon Stephens’ vivid and darkly comic new 

translation of Brecht’s book and lyrics meets 

Kurt Weill’s extraordinary score. Rory Kinnear 

plays Macheath. Until 1 October. 

LYTTELTON THEATRE 

THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS 

Sean O’Casey places a fixed lens to watch as 

a dozen vivid characters come and go – 

selfless, hilarious and desperate by turns – 

while the heroic myth of Ireland is fought over 

elsewhere. 

DORFMAN THEATRE 

OUR LADIES OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 

The story of six girls on the cusp of change. 

Funny, sad, rude and beautifully sung. 

NATIONAL THEATRE 

South Bank, SE1 (020 7452 3000) 

DOMINIC COOPER IN 

THE LIBERTINE 

Dominic Cooper is starring in 

Stephen Jeffreys’ sexually charged 

masterpiece The Libertine at Theatre 

Royal Haymarket, directed by Olivier and 

Tony Award-winning Terry Johnson. He 

makes a return to the stage to play 

debauched 17th Century rake the Earl 

of Rochester alongside Jasper Britton 

as King Charles II, Mark Hadfield as 

Etherege and Ophelia Lovibond as 

Elizabeth Barry. 

John Wilmot, the second Earl of 

Rochester is a charismatic poet, 

playwright and rake with a legendary 

appetite for excess. Yet this most ardent 

of hedonists is forced to reconsider 

everything he thinks and feels when a 

chance encounter with an actress at the 

Playhouse sends him reeling. With flair 

and wit, this wild romp through 1670s 

London offers an incisive critique of life 

in an age of excess. 

The Libertine was first performed at 

the Royal Court Theatre alongside the 

Restoration comedy, The Man of Mode. It 

later transferred to Chicago’s Steppenwolf 

starring John Malkovich and directed by 

Terry Johnson before Johnny Depp took 

the title role in the 2004 film adaptation. 

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES 

Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious tale of matrimonial 

mishaps receives its first West End revival. 

DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE 

St Martin’s Lane, WC2 (020 7492 1552) 

THE WOMAN IN BLACK 

An innocent outsider, a suspicious rural 

community, a gothic house and a misty marsh 

are the ingredients of this Victorian ghost story. 

FORTUNE THEATRE 

Russell Street, WC2 (0844 871 7626) 

THE ENTERTAINER 

Set against the backdrop of post-war Britain, 

John Osborne's modern classic conjures the 

seedy glamour of the old music halls for an 

explosive examination of public masks and 

private moments. 

GARRICK THEATRE 

Charing Cross Road, WC2 (0330 333 4811) 

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG 

IN THE NIGHT-TIME 

Based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, 

the play follows a 15 year-old maths genius 

who tries to unravel the mystery of his 

neighbour’s murdered dog. 

GIELGUD THEATRE 

Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (020 7452 3000) 

Royal National Theatre 

Plays in repertory 

OLIVIER THEATRE 

THE YOUNG CHEKOV SEASON 

The Young Chekhov trilogy opened to 

overwhelming acclaim at Chichester Festival 

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED 

CHILD PARTS I & II 

A brand new stage play based on the Harry 

Potter franchise written by Jack Thorne based 

on an original story by J.K Rowling. 

PALACE THEATRE 

Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (0844 412 4656) 

1984 

Following a sell-out international tour, the 

five-star smash hit production of Orwell's 

dystopian masterpiece 1984 is back in the 

West End. 

PLAYHOUSE THEATRE 

Northumberland Ave, WC2 (0844 871 7631) 

THE LIBERTINE 

Dominic Cooper returns to the stage to play 

the debauched 17th Century rake the Earl of 

Rochester in this major revival, directed by 

Terry Johnson. 

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET 

Haymarket, SW1 (0845 481 1870) 

MACBETH 

The title role is Shakespeare’s most brutal and 

poetic creation and his unsettling engagement 

with the supra-natural and the nature of evil. 

IMOGEN 

In this thrillingly raw and modern production, 

created by young Londoners, Shakespeare’s 

Cymbeline is vividly re-told. 

SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE 

Bankside, SE1 (020 7902 1400) 


THE MOUSETRAP 

Agatha Christie’s whodunnit is the longest 

running play of its kind in the history of the 

British theatre. 

ST MARTIN’S THEATRE 

West Street, WC2 (0844 499 1515) 

MAMMA MIA! 

Hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, set 

around the story of a mother and daughter on 

the eve of the daughter’s wedding. 

NOVELLO THEATRE 

Aldwych, WC2 (0844 482 5170) 

21 

DAVID BADDIEL 

MY FAMILY: NOT THE SITCOM 

A massively disrespectful celebration of the 

lives of David Baddiel's late mother, Sarah, 

and dementia-ridden father, Colin. 

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE 

The Strand, WC2 (0330 333 4814) 

NO MAN’S LAND 

Following their hit run on Broadway, Ian 

McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to the UK 

stage in Sean Mathias’ acclaimed production, 

one of the most brilliantly entertaining plays 

by Nobel Prize laureate Harold Pinter. 

WYNDHAMS THEATRE 


MUSICALS 

KINKY BOOTS 

Inspired by a true story and based on the 

Miramax film, the show tells the story of Charlie 

Price who has reluctantly inherited his father's 

Northampton shoe factory. 

ADELPHI THEATRE 

Strand, WC2 (020 3725 7060) 

WICKED 

Hit Broadway story of how a clever, 

misunderstood girl with emerald green skin 

and a girl who is beautiful and popular turn 

into the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda 

the Good Witch in the Land of Oz. 

APOLLO VICTORIA THEATRE 

Wilton Road, SW1 (0844 826 8000) 

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL 

This new musical is the untold story of her 

journey from school girl to superstar, featuring 

the Carole King classics. 

ALDWYCH THEATRE 

Aldwych, WC2 (0845 200 7981) 

MATILDA 

Critically acclaimed Royal Shakespeare 

Company production of Roald Dahl’s book, 

directed by Matthew Warchus. 

CAMBRIDGE THEATRE 

Earlham Street, WC2 (0844 800 1110) 

THE BODYGUARD 

The musical based on the smash-hit film that 

starred Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. 

Starring Beverley Knight as Rachel Marron. 

HAROLD PINTER THEATRE 

Panton Street, SW1 (0844 871 7627) 

Dinner at The Twits – Adam Lock with 

writing chair. 

Photo: Steve Ryan. 

DINNER AT THE TWITS 

The award-winning team behind the 

Olivier Award-nominated smash hit 

Alice’s Adventures Underground and 

The Game’s Afoot, in association with 

gastronomic wunderkinds Bompas & 

Parr, are presenting Dinner at the Twits, 

an interactive theatrical dining 

experience running until 30 October at 

The Vaults, in celebration of Roald 

Dahl’s 100th birthday. For tickets, priced 

at £80-£110, telephone 0844 248 1215 

or at www.twitsdinner.com 

SUNNY AFTERNOON 

The Kinks exploded onto the 60’s music scene 

with a raw, energetic new sound that rocked a 

nation. With music and lyrics by Ray Davies. 

DOMINION THEATRE 

Tottenham Court Road, W1 (020 7927 0900) 

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 

Long running epic romance by Andrew Lloyd 

Webber, set behind the scenes of a Paris opera 

house where a deformed phantom stalks his prey. 

HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE 

Haymarket, SW1 (0844 412 2707) 

THE LION KING 

Disney‘s phenomenally successful animated 

film is transformed into a spectacular stage 

musical, a superb evening of visual delight. 

LYCEUM THEATRE 

Wellington Street, WC2 (0844 871 3000) 

THRILLER – LIVE 

High octane show celebrating the career of the 

King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Over two hours 

of the non-stop hit songs that marked his 

legendary live performances. 

LYRIC THEATRE 


THE LAST TANGO 

Strictly Come Dancing superstars Vincent 

Simone & Flavia Cacace have created their 

most moving production yet as they prepare to 

dance in their final ever London show. 

PHOENIX THEATRE 


JERSEY BOYS 

Rags to riches tale of four blue collar kids 

working their way to the heights of stardom 

as Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. 

PICCADILLY THEATRE 

Denman Street, W1 (0844 871 3055) 

ALADDIN 

The classic hit film has been brought to thrilling 

life on stage by Disney, featuring all the songs 

from the Academy Award winning score. 

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE 

Old Compton Street, W1 (0844 482 5151) 

THE BOOK OF MORMON 

Broadway musical takes shots at everything 

from organised religion to consumerism, state 

of the economy and the musical theatre genre. 

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE 

Coventry Street, W1 (0844 482 5115) 

LES MISERABLES 

A spectacularly staged version of Victor Hugo’s 

epic novel about an escaped convict’s 

search for redemption in Revolutionary France. 

QUEEN’S THEATRE 


FUNNY GIRL 

Starring Sheridan Smith, the show transfers to 

the West End following a sold out run at 

Menier Chocolate Factory. 

SAVOY THEATRE 

Strand, WC2 (020 7492 0810) 

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL 

Featuring all the much loved classics from 

Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and the Jackson 5, 

the show tells the story behind the hits. 

SHAFTESBURY THEATRE 


CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY 

Roald Dahl's story of young Charlie Bucket 

and the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonka 

is brought brilliantly to life by Sam Mendes. 

THEATRE ROYAL 

Drury Lane, WC2 (0844 858 8877) 


22 

Fionn Walton (Jack Clitheroe) and Judith Roddy (Nora Clitheroe) in The Plough 

and the Stars. 

Photo: Johan Persson. 

THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS 

National Theatre 

We are in a tenement house in 

Dublin. A char lady pops in from the 

hallway to receive a parcel for her 

neighbour. She is soon pirouetting in the 

hat which was delivered, declaring it to 

be worth more than a shilling and its 

purchaser the mistress of all 

extravagance. An elderly uncle is called 

a lemon whiskered old swine. It is 

November 1915 and we all know what 

will follow. 

But the first Act of Sean O'Casey's 

play is a delightful romp through the 

social mores and sexual intricacies of 

Irish working class life at home during 

the First World War. 

Judith Roddy is Nora, a pretty young 

thing not long married, whose passion 

for her husband is slowly turning to 

despair, as his interest in the militia 

which will rise up in the Easter Week of 

1916 overtakes his tenderness for her. 

In the end she is literally mad with 

grief – stark staring bonkers, despite 

being the only one who is clear sighted 

enough to discern the fear in the 

soldiers' eyes as they go off to defend 

their country in the narrow lanes around 

their meagre homes. 

The political is deeply personal in 

Jeremy Herrin and Howard Davies' 

co-production. Before the bloodily put 

down uprising, a young fitter attempts to 

explain the meaning of Socialism to a 

prostitute who just wants another drink. 

He is right – there can be no revolution 

unless it is economic – but no one hears 

him. Nora tries to warn the freedom 

fighters that the net result of their 

struggle will be death and failure, but 

male camaraderie trumps her concern. 

We are drawn into the lives of these 

dun coloured Irish men and women 

with the tug of real heart strings. A 

consumptive young girl tries to reassure 

her mother all is well, but she is carried 

out in a wooden box and we know 

poverty and ignorance are the causes. 

A costermonger sings Rule Britannia out 

of her bedroom window but is shot by 

mistake through an open window and we 

have to wonder what it is all for. 

There may be no fathoming of right 

and left, oppressor and oppressed. But 

in this comi-tragedy there is much to 

think about and even laugh at. A 

hundred years ago there were people as 

brave and as stupid and as wrong 

headed as we are today. We can only 

pray to do things better – and thank the 

playwright for his lesson. 

Sue Webster 

THE RED BARN BY DAVID HARE 

The Red Barn a new play by David 

Hare, based on the novel, La Main, by 

Georges Simenon, opens in the Lyttelton 

Theatre on 6 October. 

The great detective writer Georges 

Simenon escaped France at the end of 

World War Two, and arrived in the USA 

to start again. 

With his American wife, he settled at 

Shadow Rock Farm in Lakeville, 

Connecticut. Years later, he wrote La 

Main, a psychological thriller set in a 

New England farmhouse. 

David Hare has taken this novel and 

forged from it a startling new play that 

unfolds in Connecticut in 1969. On their 

way back from a party, two couples 

struggle home through the snow. Not 

everyone arrives safely. 

The cast is Elizabeth Debicki, Hope 

Davis, Michael Elwyn, Stuart Milligan, 

Anna Skellern, Mark Strong, Oliver 

Wilson, Nigel Whitmey and Jade Yourell. 

NATIONAL THEATRE SHAKESPEARE 

Released to mark the 400th 

anniversary year of Shakespeare’s death, 

National Theatre Shakespeare draws 

together a wealth of incredible archive 

material from the 55 main-house 

Shakespeare productions the NT has 

staged to date, from Peter O’Toole as 

Hamlet in 1963 and the 1964 all-male 

production of As You Like It, to the 

critically acclaimed 2013 Othello and 

Sam Mendes’ production of King Lear 

in 2014. 

Packed with videos, production 

photographs, costume and set designs, 

annotated scripts and more, it gives a 

unique glimpse behind the scenes of the 

NT, and demonstrates Shakespeare’s 

continuing relevance to the modern 

stage. 

The history of the creation of the NT 

is inextricably linked with William 

Shakespeare. Effingham Wilson’s 

proposal for a national theatre was partly 

inspired by the purchase of 

Shakespeare’s Birthplace for the nation 

in 1847.

This Is London 23 September 2016

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