This_Is_London_7 December 2018

62 Years Informing International 

& UK Visitors to London 

Est.1956 Issue 31 

Friday 7 December, 2018 

DAWN 

french 

JULIAN 

clary 

PAUL 

zerdin 

NIGEL 

havers 

GARY 

wilmot 

vincent&Flavia 

DANIELLE 

hope 

AND 

CHARLIE 

stemp 

8 DECEMBER 2018 – 13 JANUARY 2019 

020 7087 7747 | SnowWhitePalladium.com

Welcome to London 

3 

CONTENTS 

Events 4 

Alice in Winterland 

Art For Love at Devonshire Square 

Hidden London 

Christmas Lights Tours 

Music 8 

Come From Away 

Ex Cathedra Christmas Music 

Family Opera from Bampton Classical 

Exhibitions 12 

Giant Leopard Slugs at Tate Britain 

A Jewel of a Christmas at the Tower 

Theatre 16 

Switzerland 

A Box of Delights at Wilton’s 

© This is London Magazine Limited 

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Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of this 

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supplied, neither the Publishers nor their agents 

accept responsibility for any damage, errors or 

omissions, however these may be caused. 

VISITOR INFORMATION 

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What better place to be at Christmas than London – the most exciting city 

in which to spend the festive season and undoubtedly the Theatre Capital of 

the World! 

Two years ago, we re-established the tradition of large-scale, spectacular, 

star-led pantomime at the London Palladium with Cinderella, which played to 

packed houses and critical acclaim. Last year we followed that success with 

Dick Whittington in which Elaine Paige, Julian Clary and a host of other 

household names sent themselves up superbly (and hilariously) following in 

the footsteps of the pantomime greats. We were truly thrilled to win an Olivier 

Award for Dick Whittington, which was the first Oliver Award ever for a 

pantomime production. 

With mega-panto now firmly a part of London’s Christmas tradition, as it 

always was in days gone by, we’re delighted to be back on Argyll Street this 

year with Snow White at The London Palladium. This gloriously funny show 

will star national treasure Dawn French – incredibly making her pantomime 

debut – alongside returning pantomime royalty Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, 

Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ll be joined by 

Strictly Come Dancing’s Vincent & Flavia, West End and Broadway star 

Charlie Stemp and the superb Danielle Hope. 

Snow White will feature all the scale, sparkle and spectacle that Londoners, 

and those visiting from elsewhere, have come to expect from our West End 

pantomime. It may be a bit of a marketing cliché, but tickets really are selling 

incredibly quickly (yes, really!) so be sure to catch the UK’s most lavish and 

entertaining festive production if you can. 

All the noises coming from the rehearsal room indicate that this year’s 

show will once again be packed full of laughter, music, extraordinary special 

effects and theatrical magic. So as you’re in London over the festive season, 

we hope you’ll be able to join us for Snow White at the London Palladium – 

we’re on that famous stage from Saturday 8th December for a strictly limited 

5 week run. 

NICK THOMAS & MICHAEL HARRISON 

Qdos Entertainment Group 

Producers of Snow White at The London Palladium 

t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g a z i n e • t h i s i s l o n d o n o n l i n e

4 

ALICE IN WINTERLAND AT 

SOUTHWARK PARK 

Over 160 giant lanterns and 29 

interactive experiences bring to life the 

timeless classic of Alice in Wonderland 

in epic proportions at London’s 

Southwark Park. Slide down the Rabbit 

Hole as you gaze up at 5 metre tall, 

hand-made lanterns that will take your 

imagination beyond the Looking Glass. 

Visitors will be grinning from ear to 

ear as they interact with an animated 

Cheshire Cat before taking part in a 

larger-than-life chess game, as well as 

joining the Mad Hatter for an 

extraordinary Tea Party. Interactive 

scenes are narrated with childhood 

innocence, bringing this imaginative 

classic to the next generation. 

The Alice in Winterland Lantern 

Spectacular is open until 5 January, 

from 15.30 to 22.00 every day except 

Christmas Day, 25 December, and is a 

perfect festive treat for children and 

adults alike. Music, food stalls and 

even Santa will be part of this limitedtime 

only, world’s first, event. Adult 

tickets start from £15 and are available 

at www.AliceinWinterland.co.uk 

ART FOR LOVE CHRISTMAS 

FESTIVAL AT DEVONSHIRE SQUARE 

The 5th edition of Devonshire 

Square’s ‘Art for Love’ Christmas Festival 

will be dedicated, as the previous ones, 

to support The Connection, London’s 

busiest homeless charity. This year’s 

programme will include weekly free 

attendance lunch time performances by 

international musicians and dancing 

shows, including ballet, contemporary 

dance and traditional river dance, all 

executed by some of the finest 

professional dancers in UK. 

Performances will take place in 

Devonshire Square’s Western Courtyard 

where attendees will also be able to pay 

a visit to the Devonshire Square’s Giving 

Tree, a unique Christmas tree entirely 

adorned with red paper hearts on which 

wishes of those in need have been 

carefully transcribed in order to give 

them a chance to be read and honoured 

by visitors. All collected gifts will be 

delivered to The Connection charity on 

Christmas Eve. 

On Thursday 6 December, there will 

be a lunch time Christmas concert by 

Abraxas Ensemble (string orchestra), 

and guests will also be able to enjoy a 

complimentary mulled wine tasting and 

delicious mince pies by The Devonshire 

Club’s Executive Chef Adam Gray. 

On Saturday 8 December, Devonshire 

Square will also be launching the first 

edition of its Soul Royalty Winter 

Festival, a soul music live concert that 

will see the participation of international 

touring artist Zalon and his guests Jodie 

Abacus, Leonn, Stephanie Sounds, 

Gavin Holligan and Teshay Makeda, 

some of the finest soul, funk and R&B 

artists. Full Festival event are available 

at www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk 


6 

THE POSTAL MUSEUM BRINGS 

FESTIVE SPIRIT 

The Postal Museum is set to spread 

the Christmas cheer far and wide this 

December with Mail Rail featuring a 

festive twist on its Mail Rail Ride and a 

whole host of activities for both kids and 

adults to make this yuletide extra jolly. 

For a short time only, Mail Rail’s 

subterranean ride, taking visitors back in 

time to the heyday of the postal railway, 

will get a Christmas makeover. From 

wartime wives wishing husbands Merry 

Christmas from afar, to the broadcast of 

the first King’s Speech on the BBC, the 

new projection is set to get visitors into 

the Christmas spirit in a very unique 

way. 

As well as the Ride, underground 

adventure-seekers will be able to see 

Mail Rail’s 100-year-old-tunnels like 

never before as part of the network 

hidden under our feet is opened to the 

general public for guided walks for the 

very first time. And there’s plenty going 

on above ground too. Whether it’s 

wreath-making (pictured), floral centre 

pieces, seasonal stationery or 

personalised present sacks, visitors will 

have the chance to get crafty in artist-led 

workshops and join engaging 

storytelling sessions across the 

Christmas period. 

To top it all off, The Postal Museum 

will be extending its opening hours on 

Saturday 15 December, so that visitors 

can enjoy everything the museum has to 

offer for longer (from 10.00 until 21.00, 

last Mail Rail ride leaves 19.20). All 

activities are limited capacity, so book 

online to guarantee your place and get a 

dose of that fuzzy Christmas feeling. 

Activities take place every weekend from 

1 December to 23 December with most 

included with ticket entry on a first 

come, first served basis with the 

exception of the wreath and floral 

centrepiece workshops and the Mail Rail 

tunnel walk, which all require advanced 

booking and have an additional fee. 

The Postal Museum reveals five 

centuries of British social and 

communications history as seen through 

the eyes of its iconic postal service. 

Alongside permanent exhibition galleries 

and a temporary exhibition space, Mail 

Rail, London’s secret Post Office 

Underground Railway, has been opened 

to the public for the first time in its 100 

year history, including a subterranean 

ride through some of the original 

tunnels. For further information, visit the 

website at www.postalmuseum.org 

CHRISTMAS AT PHOENIX GARDEN 

A festival of entertainment spanning 

the worlds of musical theatre, comedy, 

drag, cabaret and more, called 'Christmas 

at the Phoenix Garden’ will take place 

during December in the beautiful Phoenix 

Garden Building. This multi-purpose, 

newly built, wheelchair accessible space 

features just sixty seats, underfloor 

heating, mood lighting and glass wall 

overlooking the garden. This is the first 

time the venue has been used for an arts 

festival. 

The Phoenix Garden acts as a much 

needed escape from the busy streets of 

London’s West End. The festival’s 

founders and co-creators of Phoenix 

Theatricals, Peter Dunbar and Colin 

Savage, are best known as the creative 

team behind the multi-award winning 

theatrical venue The Phoenix Arts 

Club which is celebrating its 30th year 

of business. 

In a joint statement they said ‘The 

Phoenix Garden has been an asset to the 

local community for over three decades, 

and an escape from the hustle and 

bustle of the West End’s busy streets. 

There’s nowhere else like it.’ 

Christmas at The Phoenix Garden will 

feature a fully operational bar which will 

open 30 minutes prior to showtime, and 

close straight after each performance. 

Attendees will receive 24 hour access to 

the Phoenix Arts Club, located moments 

from the Phoenix Garden. 

www.thephoenixgarden.org 


CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR 

To fully enjoy one of the oldest 

Christmas Lights displays in the world, 

The Original Tour have designed two 

excellent Christmas Lights Tours to see 

London’s world famous landmarks. As a 

visitor to the Capital, what better way to 

get in the festive spirit than to join one 

of the experienced guides who will take 

you on the magical journey through the 

streets of London? 

Whether you prefer a relaxing ride on 

an open top bus with a blanket to keep 

warm or want to explore on foot through 

pedestrianised streets tucked away 

behind the main thoroughfares, the two 

options suit every taste. These tours 

combine not just a view of the superb 

Christmas windows in many stores, but 

will also take visitors through the 

beautiful architecture of central London 

with the knowledgeable Original Tour 

guides recounting Christmassy history 

and fascinating facts of the areas as you 

pass through. 

If you opt for the London’s Magical 

Christmas Lights Tour, sit back and relax 

as the bus passes under the lights of 

Regent Street and admire the majestic 

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree gifted to 

London from Norway each year. The 

stunning windows of Harrods and 

Harvey Nichols are not to be missed as 

these upmarket department stores reveal 

windows that have likely been months in 

the planning. 

On the Christmas Lights Winter 

Walk, the group weaves through the 

pedestrianised back streets around 

Oxford Circus such as the Sixties mecca 

of Carnaby Street and on to Covent 

Garden, not missing the striking Oxford 

Street and Regent Street Lights as the 

guide takes in some of the less well 

known but equally beautiful and 

entertaining spaces in London. The 

Walking Tour operates daily and does 

not need to be booked in advance. 

As a seasonal treat, anyone travelling 

between 1 November and 28 February 

will receive a free Christmas Lights Tour 

with 48 hour and 72 hour tickets. 

The Original Tour is the perfect way 

to see London at this time of year. For 

tickets, visit www.theoriginaltour.com 

Sara Macann 

THE LONDON ARTISAN 

The London Artisan is a curated 

marketplace in the heart of East London. 

Taking place on a quarterly basis 

throughout the year, it showcases over 

50 contemporary designer makers in 

Old Truman Brewery for a two-day 

design event. The next market, on 15 & 

16 December, offers a diverse, quality, 

shopping experience that celebrates 

independent producers and makers. 

The London Artisan presents a unique 

selection of jewellery, ceramics, 

glassware, textiles, homewares, graphic 

design and children’s products from 

designers based in the UK. The two day 

selling event is consumer oriented and 

offers visitors the opportunity to meet 

the designers and view, buy or 

commission products. 

The London Artisan is a must for 

those passionate about handmade, 

organic and sustainable goods. Founded 

in 2010, Designers / Makers has grown 

from a local design market in London 

into an agency supporting freelance 

designers – an essential resource to 

help create a strong and supportive 

design community across the UK. 

The Old Truman Brewery, East 

London's revolutionary arts and media 

quarter, is home to a hive of creative 

businesses as well as exclusive, 

independent shops, galleries, markets, 

bars and restaurants. 

www.designersmakers.com 

7 


8 

Photo: Matthew Murphy. 

COME FROM AWAY LONDON 

PREMIERE 

The Tony Award winning musical, 

Come From Away, will land in London for 

its long-awaited UK premiere at the 

Phoenix Theatre in the New Year with 

performances from 30 January. 

This joyous new musical recounts the 

incredible true story of how the residents 

of Gander, Newfoundland, welcomed the 

7,000 passengers of planes from around 

the world. Cultures clashed, and nerves 

ran high, but as uneasiness turned into 

trust, music soared into the night and 

gratitude grew into enduring friendships. 

On 11 September 2001 the world 

stopped. On 12 September, their stories 

moved us all. Earning widespread critical 

and audience acclaim, the multi awardwinning 

musical continues sold-out, 

record-breaking engagements on 

Broadway, and in Canada, with a 60-city 

North American Tour recently launched in 

Seattle. Come From Away is produced in 

the UK and Ireland by Junkyard Dog 

Productions and Smith & Brant 

Theatricals. Don’t miss it! 

For tickets, telephone the box office 

on 0844 871 7615. 

The Original Broadway Cast of Come From Away. 

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS: 

A FAMILY OPERA FOR CHRISTMAS 

Gian Carlo Menotti’s Christmas opera 

Amahl and the Night Visitors was 

composed in America in 1951, initially 

as the first opera for television (and 

broadcast by NBC in New York), and it 

rapidly brought its Italian-born 

composer international renown. Its 

popularity is hardly surprising since 

both the story (with English text by 

Menotti himself) and the music are a 

delight – Menotti was far from being at 

the cutting edge of progressive trends in 

post-war music, and Italian operatic 

lyricism was in his blood. It’s possibly 

one of the most influential operas ever, 

because for thousands of people it has 

been their first introduction to the whole 

genre of opera. 

Bampton Classical Opera, celebrating 

its 25th annual season, is a regular 

visitor to St John’s Smith Square, 

London’s most beautiful concert venue, 

which provides a grand setting for a 

semi-staged production of Amahl. 

Although originally composed for small 

orchestra, Menotti also created an 

exciting two-piano version which will be 

performed in the expert hands of 

Anthony Kraus, music director for the 

project, and Keval Shah, winner of the 

Accompanist’s prize in the national 

Bampton Classical Opera Young 

Singers’ Competition 2017. 

Amongst a cast of leading young 

professional singers will be mezzo 

Emma Stannard as Amahl’s mother, who 

won first prize in the same competition. 

But at the heart of this composition is a 

remarkable role for a boy, performed by 

11-year old Felix Gillingwater, a 

chorister at Southwark Cathedral. 

Menotti said Amahl ‘is an opera for 

children because it tries to recapture my 

own childhood’, and it is hoped that this 

performance will attract families and 

children. The opera lasts a little under an 

hour and is ideal for all ages. It’s a piece 

that seems to get to the heart of 

Christmas through its sincerity and 

unaffected sentimental power. The 

matinée performance at St John’s is at 

15.00 on Sunday 16 December – expect 

melody, magic – and a miracle! 

Tickets are available by telephone on 

020 7222 1061 or www.sjss.org.uk. 

Sam Pantcheff plays King Melchior 


A MAGICAL, SPECTACULAR 

CHRISTMAS BALLET 

Following a critically-acclaimed 

season in 2017, Birmingham Royal 

Ballet is bringing its especially-created 

version of The Nutcracker back to the 

Royal Albert Hall. This enchanting 

production wowed audiences with its 

spectacular setting, grand ensemble 

pieces and ravishing Tchaikovsky score 

– it is without a doubt the quintessential 

Christmas treat for all the family. 

The audience joins Clara in the 

Victorian setting of her family home. As 

midnight strikes, the Christmas tree 

grows and grows through projections 

that make your ‘eyes grow wide with 

delight’ (The Stage), and Clara’s 

nutcracker doll and his army of toy 

The Nutcracker – Birmingham Royal Ballet by Annabel Moeller. 

9 

Brandon Lawrence as the Prince with Celine 

Gittens as the Sugar Plum Fairy. 

soldiers come to life for a spectacular 

battle. Clara is swept away through a 

winter wonderland of dancing 

snowflakes including ‘the magical 

moment it snows in front of the awestruck 

audience’ (Daily Express) to the 

kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. 

Created especially for the Royal Albert 

Hall, with gorgeous period costumes, 

stunning lighting, and dazzling 

projections by Tony Award-winning 59 

Productions, the spectacular staging of 

this Christmas classic is brought to life 

by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s worldclass 

dancers and the London 

Philharmonic Orchestra. There are seven 

performances from 28-31 December. 

Tickets telephone 020 7589 8212. 

Christmas Music 

by Candlelight 

S 

Thu 13 December, 7.30pm 

St John’s Smiths Square. 

W 

A deeply atmospheric 

concert from ‘one of 

Britain’s very best choirs’ 

(New York Times) 

020 7222 1061 


10 

SEE AN OTHER SIDE OF ST PAUL’S 

St Paul’s may offer the best 360 

degree views anywhere in London but 

the interior of this magnificent Cathedral 

is beautiful beyond description. As well 

as being an age old place of worship, it 

is full of exceptional art and history, 

inspiring architecture and sublime 

music. Daytime visitors can explore the 

underground Crypt for encounters with a 

wealth of historical figures from Florence 

Nightingale and JMW Turner to Admiral 

Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. 

To properly appreciate the interior, you 

can ascend the 257 steps to the worldfamous 

Whispering Gallery with its 

unique acoustics. 

The London landmark has been the 

setting, not only for Royal Weddings and 

State Funerals, but also for Paralympic 

sports and films from Mary Poppins to 

Harry Potter. You cannot appreciate the 

sheer size of this iconic building until 

you are inside and take the time to see 

the other side of St Paul’s. 

Visitors can join Advent services 

including Light in the Darkness on 

Sunday 16 December (15.15), for the 

Blessing of the Crib and Lighting of the 

Christmas Trees and celebrity readers 

will join the Cathedral Choir and City of 

London Sinfonia on 13 December 

(18.30) for the Celebration of Christmas, 

conducted by Andrew Carwood. 

HANDEL HOUSE CHRISTMAS 

SHOWCASE 

Handel House Christmas Showcase 

will take place at St. George’s Hanover 

Square on Tuesday 18 December. 

Musicians from the Handel House Talent 

scheme will perform Baroque music 

both as soloists and ensembles. The 

programme will include pieces from 

Handel's Messiah, his operas Alcina & Il 

Pastor Fido, and music by Henry Purcell 

and other Baroque composers. There 

will also be a world-premiere of a new 

piece composed by Composer-in- 

Residence Alex Groves inspired by a 

year working inside Handel’s House at 

25 Brook Street. 

Handel's masterpiece, Alcina, will 

also be performed as part of the London 

Handel Festival Prelude on Tuesday 

22 January at St. John's Smith Square. 

For the first time, it will be presented as 

Photo: Rankin. 

a bilingual performance with a specially 

commissioned English script, freely 

translated from the Italian Libretto by 

June Chichester, sitting alongside the 

magnificent Italian arias. The English 

script will be narrated by Joanna Lumley 

(pictured) and the arias performed by 

La Nuova Musica. 

A plot thick with twists and turns, 

fairies and wild beasts, the drama of 

Handel’s score will be brought to life by 

a cast including Lucy Crowe, Patrick 

Terry, Madeleine Shaw, Rebecca Bottone, 

Christopher Turner and William Berger 

LONDON MOZART PLAYERS PIANO 

EXPLORED CONCERT SERIES 

London Mozart Players’ 70th birthday 

season continues with the December 

concert (12 December, 13.05) in the 

acclaimed Piano Explored lunchtime 

series at St John’s Smith Square in the 

heart of Westminster. In a whistle-stop 

hour, Conductor Laureate and soloist 

Howard Shelley will lead the orchestra in 

his engaging repertoire deconstructions, 

followed by a performance of the work in 

question, this time joined by LMP 

musicians performing double and triple 

concerti alongside him at the piano. 

This concert sees two pieces 

examined by Howard Shelley: Finzi 

Eclogue and Mozart Sinfonia 

Concertante for Violin and Viola. Finzi’s 

Eclogue brilliantly balances a flowing 

piano part with a simple yet rich string 

accompaniment. Howard Shelley leads 

from the piano accompanied by the 

string sections of the London Mozart 

Players in this beautiful and popular 

piece. The delightful Sinfonia 

Concertante is a Mozart favourite for 

many, and displays Mozart’s love of the 

viola, particularly in the Andante, when 

the dialogue between soloists is simply 

ravishing. 

These lively and popular lunchtime 

concerts are perfect for London daytrippers 

or workers – truly ‘the best 

lunch-break you’ve ever had’ 

(International Piano). As it’s the final 

Piano Explored concert before the festive 

season kicks off, there will be a massive 

Christmas cake to share with the 

audience. Unmissable! 

For tickets, telephone 020 7222 1061. 


CHRISTMAS MUSIC BY 

CANDLELIGHT WITH EX CATHEDRA 

Ex Cathedra, a leading UK choir, will be 

performing its annual Christmas Music by 

Candlelight concert at the St John’s Smith 

Square Christmas Festival on Thursday 

13 December (19.30). 

This deeply atmospheric concert is 

aimed at the heart of Christmas. Muchloved 

favourites, little-known gems and 

stunning new works are accompanied by 

a selection of readings, which together 

capture the meaning, and humour, of the 

season. The programme this year includes 

such favourites as Away in a manger and 

Morten Lauridsen’s O magnum mysterium 

– one of 13 living composers represented. 

There will be music from the French 

Baroque, Latin America, and much more. 

Each piece connects to those around 

it, creating an uninterrupted sequence and 

narrative. The choir uses the space 

imaginatively, sometimes surrounding the 

audience, and the concert concludes with 

an audience hymn. As a concertgoer wrote 

last year: ‘Christmas Music by Candlelight 

is to be transported to another place, 

timeless, almost unbearably beautiful, 

intense and joyously uplifting! Christmas 

begins here.’ 

Founded in 1969 by Jeffrey Skidmore, 

Ex Cathedra is known for its passion for 

seeking out the best, the unfamiliar and 

the unexpected in the choral repertoire 

and for its dynamic performances. 

Tickets are available at 020 7222 1061. 

FISHER STEVENS MAKES WEST 

END DEBUT IN A BEAUTIFUL NOISE 

Award-winning Fisher Stevens will 

make his West End debut in ‘A Beautiful 

Noise’ celebrating the life and music of 

Neil Diamond from the producers of 

Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre on 

Monday 11 February. 

‘What a beautiful noise / Comin’ up from 

the street / Got a beautiful sound / It’s got a 

beautiful beat’... these lyrics from his 1976 

hit song, A Beautiful Noise, underscore 

more than any others the evergreen appeal 

of Neil Diamond, a performer, songwriter 

and entertainer whose name will echo 

down through the ages. 

Though he has declared his touring 

days over, Neil Diamond’s star will burn 

forever. Featuring a live band, including 

a brass section and backing singers, 

A Beautiful Noise is now the best way for 

UK audiences to enjoy his wonderful 

songs in a live theatre setting. Over half 

a century since the first hit single from 

an artist that has sold over 100 million 

albums, A Beautiful Noise is a joyful 

celebration of Neil Diamond‘s music, 

delivered with an assured virtuosity by 

Fisher Stevens to the standard and scale 

that these timeless songs deserve. 

Fisher and his sensational band 

journey through five decades of 

Diamond’s biggest hits including 

Brooklyn Roads, Heartlight, September 

Morn, Hello Again, Longfellow 

Serenade, Love on the Rocks and He 

Ain’t Heavy. 

Box office telephone 0330 333 4812. 

www.flyingmusic.com 

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12 

A JEWEL OF A CHRISTMAS AT THE 

TOWER OF LONDON 

An exclusive and private viewing of 

the Crown Jewels, with dinner at 

The Four Seasons Hotel, will take place 

on Saturday 15 December. 

Guests will be met at the West Gate 

of the Tower of London by one of the 

Yeoman Warders who guard the Tower 

and the Crown Jewels, before being 

taken on a short tour of the Tower. You 

will then enter the Jewel House and hear 

the full history of these rare and unique 

pieces. 

Drinks and canapés will be served in 

the Hall of Monarchs before the private 

view where visitors will have ample 

opportunity to study the jewels. This will 

be followed by a three course dinner at 

The Four Seasons Hotel in Trinity 

Square. Within sight of the Tower of 

London, it is the perfect place to end 

this exclusive evening. 

To celebrate the opening of Coal Drops 

Yard, Christmas at King's Cross is all 

about championing design – from 

international guest artists to local 

designer makers. There are also plenty 

of opportunities to eat, drink, shop and 

be merry. 

TATE BRITAIN LIGHTS UP WITH 

GIANT LEOPARD SLUGS 

Renowned British artist Monster 

Chetwynd has unveiled a pair of 

spectacular giant leopard slugs outside 

Tate Britain, each measuring over 10 

metres long. These huge sculptures made 

of compostable materials are illuminated 

by LED rope lighting and accompanied by 

swathes of blue and white LED slug trails 

across the façade of the building. In place 

until 25 February, the work is the latest in 

Tate Britain’s series of annual commissions 

to mark the winter season, following last 

year’s installation by Alan Kane. 

Lighting up the gallery at the darkest 

time of year, Chetwynd’s work reflects 

her interest in alternative energy sources 

and the idea that we may one day use 

bioluminescence to light city streets The 

artist also took inspiration from a David 

Attenborough nature documentary, Life 

in the Undergrowth, which revealed the 

mating rituals of leopard slugs. In order 

to reproduce, these slugs slither up a 

tree and dangle on a glittering thread of 

slime, typically in darkness, entwining 

tube-like growths from their heads which 

glow blue as they mate. The trails of LED 

lights are also reminiscent of other 

bioluminescent animal life, such as 

plankton in the ocean, as well as stars 

and galaxies in the winter sky. 

Through these otherworldly slugs and 

their hypnotic mating rituals, Chetwynd 

reminds us that the darkness of winter 

can be a time of renewal and rebirth. As 

light fades, many animals slow down 

and take shelter, often fattening up and 

hibernating, knowing that life and light 

will be restored after the darkness. 

Ancient civilisations built structures to 

align with the sun on solstice days and 

celebrated deities concerned with birth 

and renewal at this time of year, while 

Christians hail the birth of Jesus just a 

few days after the December solstice. 

Chetwynd’s slugs may appear irreverent 

and somewhat perplexing, but the artist 

uses them to raise serious ecological 

concerns as well as to show that even 

supposedly repulsive creatures can be 

transformed into something wonderous. 

This year’s commission will be 

celebrated with host of festive activities 

at Tate Britain. On 15 December, the 

gallery will host a Winter Fair featuring a 

pop-up market, performances from 

English National Opera and drop in 

tours, talks and workshops. 


14 

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH 

WINDSOR HOUSE ANTIQUES 

The Christmas present dilemma is 

upon us again. What to get the wine 

lover who has everything? An 18th or 

19th century antique wine cooler! Once 

you have chosen one, Windsor House 

Antiques will deliver it with their 

compliments. Bottoms Up! 

Perhaps a present for you? Celebrate 

the tercentenary of Thomas Chippendale 

and choose a serpentine mahogany 

silver table or a tea caddy by him? 

Still not sure? Look no further than 

www.windsorhouseantiques.co.uk, the 

broadest collection of antiques from the 

16th century to the Art Deco period, 

available online from a globally 

recognised company known to interior 

designers, architects and collectors. 

Chippendale period silver table. 

18th century hexagonal wine cooler. 

Need to brighten up Christmas, 

choose from a large collection of pairs 

of table lamps, or individual Imari or 

Cantonese pieces. Glass candlesticks or 

George III sweetmeat jars to dress the 

table and add a glow to the drawing 

room. A stag horn chandelier to add 

Tyrolean flavour. 

Christmas is a time for games. 

Choose a pair of cue holders for the 

billiard room or a gaming table for an 

after lunch game of chess or scrabble – 

do you have the energy? You could opt 

for a glass of port from a spiral twist 

goblet. Although a porter’s chair may be 

better for a snoozing relative. 

Presents for the kitchen and dining 

room are covered with 19th Staffordshire 

hen baskets for free-range eggs. A KPM 

porcelain tea and coffee service or an 

entire dinner service in 19th 

Staffordshire, and a George III period 

copper salmon kettle. A large 19th 

century ceramic swan drinks dispenser 

would be a talking point. Perfume the air 

with Staffordshire pastille burners. 

For the child in us all choose from a 

model of a Mail Coach, a 19th century 

model of the frigate Pomone, a cold cast 

model Rhinoceros, or a bronze 

Triceratops. 

Animalier sculptures include 

alabaster bulls, a Staffordshire stag, 

bronze Brahma bulls, majolica elephants 

and porcelain poultry. A bronze fawn for 

the park? Perhaps a Meissen figural 

group? 

Other potential presents for under the 

tree include vases in glass, tôle or 

porcelain, 18th century tapestry 

cushions, a Dresden porcelain inkwell 

for the study. Or a pair of papier-maché 

crib figures to add to a nativity scene. 

Visit Windsor House Antiques at 

www.windsorhouseantiques.co.uk or 

+44(0)1832 274 595. All pieces can be 

delivered before Christmas within the UK 

and Northern Ireland if ordered before 

20th December. 

Barnwell Manor – home of Windsor 

House Antiques. 


Art for Love Christmas Festival 

Devonshire Square 6-18 December 

World-Class Artistic Performances, organised and curated by 

the Devonshire Square Artistic Events Team to support 

The Connection – London's busiest homeless charity 

All performances will take place in Devonshire Square’s Western 

Courtyard where attendees will also be able to pay a visit to the 

Devonshire Square’s Giving Tree, a unique Christmas tree entirely 

adorned with red paper hearts on which wishes of those in need 

have been carefully transcribed. 

www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk

16 

SWITZERLAND 

Ambassadors 

In a lifetime of theatre-going, I cannot 

recall reviewing a play about someone 

with whom I socialised several times 

over a period of about two years. She 

was the celebrated crime writer Patricia 

Highsmith who happened to have had an 

intimate relationship with one of my 

closest friends. I had just acquired a first 

edition of Highsmith’s first and bestknown 

novel Strangers on a Train 

(which, in 1951 was brilliantly filmed by 

Alfred Hithcock) and asked this friend 

whether she, in turn, would ask Ms H to 

inscribe the book for me. 

Warning how difficult, unpredictable 

and serially disagreeable a woman she 

could be, I was delighted to be told that 

not only would she inscribe the book, 

she’d like to meet for lunch. And 

although ‘lunch’ for her was several 

Scotches and nothing else, there was 

little in our meeting that reinforced her 

reputation for being rude and 

unpleasant. When I told my friend how 

civil she was, she said ‘Well, I guess you 

got her on a good day. She’s usually 

chronically impossible.’ 

Thirty years later, sitting in the 

Ambassadors’s Theatre watching Joanna 

Murray-Smith’s Switzerland, a twohander 

in which Pat Highsmith (Phyllis 

Logan) is the central character, a side of 

her I’d only heard about, suddenly came 

into sharp, unpleasant focus. 

The time is 1995 and the setting is 

Locarno, Switzerland. As Highmith died 

on February 4th that year, aged 74, from 

lung cancer (she was a chronic smoker 

as well as an alcoholic) there is, it would 

appear, a slight disconnect with the 

chronology. During the play Highsmith, 

we learn, has only three or six months to 

live, but there are no signs at all of 

physical or mental frailty when we first 

Phyllis Logan as Pat Highsmith in 

Switzerland at the Ambassadors. 

Photo: Nobby Clark. 

meet her. Far from being on her deathbed, 

she’s razor sharp and as toxically 

vituperative and acerbic as her 

reputation dictates. 

The current victim of her vile 

disposition is a young man called 

Edward Ridgeway (Calum Finlay), a 

publisher’s assistant who has travelled 

all the way from New York hoping to 

persuade Highsmith to write one last 

novel featuring her most famous 

creation, the charismatic Tom Ripley, a 

serial killer who always eludes justice. 

At first she adamantly refuses, insults 

Edward with a series of lethal invectives, 

and demands that he gets the hell out of 

her house. 

But Edward is made of sterner stuff 

than would initially appear and as the 

play (performed without an intermission) 

progresses, a cat and mouse game 

ensues with Highsmith relenting slightly 

and even eager to play the game. The 

fact that Edward has gifted her a 

magnificent dagger to add to her large 

collection of lethal weapons (her other 

passion is snails) buys him some time 

during which her barbs return to their 

scabbards long enough for her to reveal 

some of the parental childhood traumas 

that psychologically transformed 

themselves into an unhealthy fascination 

with evil and the boundaries to which it 

could be stretched. 

Though the Pat Highsmith I briefly 

knew a decade earlier was nowhere in 

evidence, what I did recognise was her 

wit, her erudition, her uncompromising 

dismissal of authors she loathed such as 

Tom Wolfe and Kurt Vonnegut, her 

slovenly appearance and, of course, her 

addiction to booze and liquor. I had no 

idea, however, how racist and anti- 

Semitic she was, or her capacity for 

cruelty. 

Playwright Murray-Smith’s portrait of 

a woman haunted by demons and who 

considered herself to be Tom Ripley’s 

alter ego and secretly wanted to be him, 

is undeniably entertaining without in any 

way involving you emotionally. There is, 

in the last twenty minutes or so, a sting 

in the tale which I won’t reveal, but which 

convincingly mirrors the psychological 

in-roads Highsmith made to the thriller 

genre. One question though: emails are 

mentioned. How likely would this have 

been in Switzerland in 1995? 

Though the play received the kind of 

critical abuse Highsmith herself might 

have meted out to something or 

someone she disliked, I found this 

imaginary encounter really rather 

engaging. It’s efficiently directed by 

Lucy Bailey and convincingly performed 

by Logan (unrecognisable from her 

Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper in 

Downton Abbey) and super-foil Finlay. 

The problem is, just how interested are 

audiences in Patricia Highsmith? 

CLIVE HIRSCHHORN 


discover the remarkable true story of 

a small town that welcomed the world 

because we come from everywhere we all 

COME FROM AWAY. Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. 

Musical Staging by Kelly Devine. Directed by Christopher Ashley. 

winner! best musical all across north america 

OPENS 30 JANUARY AT THE PHOENIX THEATRE 

COMEFROMAWAY.CO.UK

18 

Theo Ancient 

THE BOX OF DELIGHTS RETURNS 

TO WILTON’S MUSIC HALL 

The Christmas classic The Box of 

Delights by Piers Torday, based on the 

novel by John Masefield, returns to 

London’s most festive venue Wilton’s 

Music Hall in a wintery adventure full of 

magic, talking animals, and even a flying 

car... The action-packed festive tale is 

based on the 1935 novel by Poet 

Laureate John Masefield and returns to 

the East London music hall after its 

critically-acclaimed and sold out world 

premiere last year. 

The production welcomes back some 

old faces and introduces some brandnew 

cast members, including Theo 

Ancient, no stranger to magic, fresh 

from playing Albus Potter in West End 

smash hit Harry Potter and the Cursed 

Child. 

On the train home for the school 

holidays, schoolboy Kay Harker has a 

strange encounter with mysterious 

magician Cole Hawlings, who entrusts 

him with his Box of Delights, an 

enchanted object with powers Kay could 

only dream of. When Cole suddenly 

vanishes, and his arch enemy Abner 

Brown will stop at nothing to get his 

hands on the Box, Kay and his friends 

find themselves in a magical world of 

time-travel, bewitchment and baddies as 

they fight to save the Box and even 

Christmas itself. 

THE WIDER EARTH AT THE 

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM 

The Wider Earth – the critically 

acclaimed drama about the young 

Charles Darwin’s expedition on HMS 

Beagle, currently playing at the custombuilt 

theatre in the Jerwood Gallery at 

London’s Natural History Museum, has 

extended its run and will now play until 

24 February. 

Featuring a cast of seven, and 30 

extraordinary hand-crafted puppets 

representing the exotic wildlife Darwin 

encountered, The Wider Earth is an 

ingenious coming-of-age story which 

celebrates the incredible complexity of 

our planet and Darwin’s adventurous 

spirit as he faced perilous environments 

and unknown dangers on his bold 

voyage. 

THE KING AND I: FROM THE 

LONDON PALLADIUM 

The film version of the multiple Tony 

award-winning Lincoln Center Theater 

production of Rodgers and 

Hammerstein’s The King and I: From The 

London Palladium has become the 

biggest theatre event in cinemas of 2018 

following last week’s screenings around 

the world. The production is expected to 

take $2.5m at the box office. In the UK 

the film reached the number one spot, 

with more than double the box office of 

the next film, Fantastic Beasts: The 

Crimes of Grindelwald. 

More than 135,000 movie goers 

packed into cinemas across 

the globe to watch the 

production filmed on stage at 

the iconic London Palladium. 

Such has been the demand for 

tickets, Trafalgar Releasing has 

scheduled encore screenings 

both in the UK and globally 

throughout December. 

This majestic production, 

directed by Tony Awardwinner 

Bartlett Sher, first 

opened on Broadway in 2015 

for a critically acclaimed 16 

month run at The Lincoln 

Center Theater, followed by an 

unprecedented record-breaking sold out 

USA tour. The show then transferred to the 

London Palladium in June this year, with 

the three original Broadway lead actors 

reprising their starring roles – Tony 

Award-winner (Best Performance by an 

Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for 

The King and I) Kelli O’Hara, Tony and 

Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe and Tony 

Award-winner (Best Performance by an 

Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for 

The King and I) Ruthie Ann Miles. 

The London production drew huge 

critical acclaim, played to packed houses, 

received nightly standing ovations and 

smashed box office records – including 

the biggest grossing week in the London 

Palladium’s history, taking £1,058,317.50 

for an eight performance week. 

Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical 

tells the story of the unconventional and 

tempestuous relationship that develops 

between the King of Siam and Anna, a 

British schoolteacher whom the modernist 

King, in an imperialistic world, brings to 

Siam to teach his many wives and 

children. With one of the finest scores 

ever written including Whistle a Happy 

Tune, Getting to Know You and Shall We 

Dance, and a company of over 50 worldclass 

performers, The King And I: From 

The Palladium is a testament to the lavish 

heritage of gloriously romantic musical 

theatre – it is the greatest musical from 

the golden age of musicals. 

www.kingandimusicalcinema.com 

Ken Watanabe & Kelli O'Hara. Photo: Matthew Murphy. 


20 

PLAYS 

SWITZERLAND 

Filled with razor-sharp dialogue, a chilling 

and sometimes hilarious two-hander unfolds 

into a gripping psychological thriller. 

AMBASSADORS THEATRE 

West Street, WC2 (020 7395 5405) 

A VERY VERY VERY DARK MATTER 

World premiere of Martin McDonagh’s new 

play. As dangerous, twisted and funny as 

The Pillowman, it travels deep into the 

abysses of the imagination. 

BRIDGE THEATRE 

One Tower Bridge, SE1 (0843 208 1846) 

WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION 

The acclaimed production of Agatha Christie’s 

classic courtroom play has captured the 

imagination of audiences inside the unique 

setting of County Hall’s ornate Chamber on 

the South Bank. 

COUNTY HALL 

South Bank, SE1 (0844 815 7141) 

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) 

SUMMER AND SMOKE 

Following a critically acclaimed, sold out run 

at the Almeida Theatre, Rebecca Frecknall’s 

production of Tennessee Williams’ play 

transfers to the West End for a limited season. 

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) 

DON QUIXOTE 

Stage version of Miguel de Cervantes’ iconic 

novel which tells the famous story of a selffashioned 

travelling knight accompanied by his 

faithful squire. 

GARRICK THEATRE 

Charing Cross Road, WC2 (0330 333 4811) 

PINTER AT THE PINTER 

All twenty short plays written by the greatest 

British playwright of the 20th Century. They 

have never before been performed together. 

HAROLD PINTER THEATRE 

Panton Street, SW1 (0844 871 7627) 

Royal National Theatre Plays in repertory 

OLIVIER THEATRE 

ANTONY & CLEOPATRA 

Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo play the 

famous fated couple. At the fringes of a wartorn 

empire the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and 

Mark Antony have fallen fiercely in love. 

HADESTOWN 

Following record-breaking runs at New York 

Theatre Workshop and Canada’s Citadel 

Theatre, Hadestown comes to the National 

Theatre prior to Broadway. 

LYTTELTON THEATRE 

I'M NOT RUNNING 

David Hare's 18th play to open at the National 

Theatre, bringing his characteristic themes of 

British politics and public versus private 

relationships to the Lyttelton stage. 

WAR HORSE 

Eleven years after its NT debut, and having 

played in eleven countries, War Horse returns 

to the National Theatre to mark the centenary 

of Armistice Day. 

DORFMAN THEATRE 

THE TELL-TALE HEART 

New play by Anthony Neilson based on the 

short story by Edgar Allan Poe 

NATIONAL THEATRE 

South Bank, SE1 (020 7452 3000) 

THE INHERITANCE 

Matthew Lopez's major two-part world 

premiere questions how much we owe to 

those who lived and loved before us. 

NOEL COWARD THEATRE 

St. Martin’s Lane, WC2 (0844 482 5140) 

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED 

CHILD PARTS I & II 

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 (0330 333 4813) 

FAULTY TOWERS DINING EXPERIENCE 

Inspired by one of Britain's greatest ever 

comedy series, this 2 hour interactive 

production is set in a restaurant where you the 

audience are the diners. 

RADISSON BLU EDWARDIAN 

Bloomsbury Street, (0845 1544 145) 

THE MOUSETRAP 

Agatha Christie’s whodunnit is the longest 

running play of its kind in the history of 

British theatre. 

ST MARTIN’S THEATRE 

West Street, WC2 (0844 499 1515) 

TRUE WEST 

Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn star as 

warring brothers Austin and Lee in the West 

End Premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winner Sam 

Shepard’s ferociously funny, modern classic. 

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE 

Strand, WC2 (020 7400 1257) 

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) 

TINA 

New stage musical reveals the untold story of 

Tina Turner, a woman who dared to defy the 

bounds of her age, gender and race. 

ALDWYCH THEATRE 

The Aldwych, WC2 (0845 2007981) 

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) 

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE 

New feel good musical starring Layton 

Williams. Supported by his mum and friends, 

Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, 

steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight. 

APOLLO THEATRE 


BAT OUT OF HELL 

Jay Scheib's stage musical, written by Jim 

Steinman, featuring Meat Loaf's greatest hits. 

DOMINION THEATRE 

Tottenham Court Road, W1 (0845 200 7982) 

MATILDA 

Critically acclaimed Royal Shakespeare 

Company production of Roald Dahl’s book, 

directed by Matthew Warchus. 

CAMBRIDGE THEATRE 

Earlham Street, WC2 (0844 800 1110) 


COMPANY 

Following critical acclaim across the board, 

Marianne Elliott directs Stephen Sondheim and 

George Furth’s multi-award winning musical 

comedy about life, love and marriage. 

GIELGUD THEATRE 


21 

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 

Long running epic romance by Andrew Lloyd 

Webber, set in 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 

Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (0330 333 4812) 

SCHOOL OF ROCK 

Andrew Lloyd Webber's new stage musical 

with lyrics by Glenn Slater and book by Julian 

Fellowes, adapted from the film. 

GILLIAN LYNNE THEATRE 

Drury Lane, WC2 (020 7492 0810) 

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) 

CHICAGO 

The award-winning tale of nightclub singer 

Roxie Hart, her cell-block rival Velma Kelly 

and the smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn. 

PHOENIX THEATRE 

Charing Cross Road, WC2 (0844 871 7627) 

CAROLINE, OR CHANGE 

Winner of the Olivier Award for Best New 

Musical, a playful, funny and moving tale set 

to a score that hits new heights of emotion, in 

a production that delights with imagination. 

PLAYHOUSE THEATRE 

Northumberland Ave, WC2 (0844 871 7631) 

ALADDIN 

The classic hit film has been brought to thrilling 

life onstage by Disney, featuring all the songs 

from the Academy Award winning score. 

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE 

Old Compton Street, W1 (0844 482 5151) 

GET INTO LONDON THEATRE 2019 

Over 50 of London’s top theatre shows are welcoming in 2019 with Official London 

Theatre’s New Year Sale. Tickets are available at £10, £20, £30 or £40 for performances 

from 1 January to 15 February, with no booking or postage fees. From comedies and 

musicals to dance and drama, audiences can ‘Get Into London Theatre’ with discounted 

tickets for many of the biggest shows in the West End and beyond, as part of one of 

theatre’s longest-running audience development initiatives. www.officiallondontheatre.com 

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 


DREAMGIRLS 

Set in the USA during the late 1960s and 

early 1970s, the story follows a young female 

singing trio as they become music superstars. 

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 


42ND STREET 

The song and dance, American dream fable, 

where a small town girl, Peggy Sawyer’s rise 

from chorus line to Broadway star. 

THEATRE ROYAL 

Drury Lane, WC2 (020 7492 0810) 

HAMILTON 

Lin-Manuel Miranda's multi award-winning 

musical, based on one of America’s Founding 

Father,Alexander Hamilton. 

VICTORIA PALACE THEATRE 

Victoria Street, SW1 (0844 248 5000) 

CHRISTMAS SHOWS 

THE NUTCRACKER 

English National Ballet’s enchanting 

production of the classic Christmas ballet. 

Over 100 dancers and musicians bring the 

story to life with exquisite dancing, beautiful 

sets and Tchaikovsky’s score played live. 

LONDON COLISEUM 

St Martin’s Lane, WC2 (020 7845 9300) 

SNOW WHITE 

The beloved classic tale features all the 

sparkle, scale and spectacle London has come 

to expect in a show packed full of laughter, 

music, special effects and theatrical magic. 

LONDON PALLADIUM 

Argyll Street, W1 (020 7087 7747) 

THE SNOWMAN 

Now in its record-breaking 21st year, 

Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s twinkling 

production returns as a magical mix of 

exquisite dancing and live music. 

PEACOCK THEATRE 

Portugal Street, WC2A (020 7863 8222) 

ALADDIN 

Landmark 20th anniversary Christmas 

pantomime from writer and director Susie 

McKenna.Young Aladdin dreams of finding 

love and making his fortune. Can he win the 

hand of his Princess? 

HACKNEY EMPIRE 

Mare Street, E8 (020 8985 2424) 


22 

Photo: Trevor Leighton 

MAGIC MIKE LIVE AT LONDON 

HIPPODROME 

The truth of the matter is, there’s 

nothing about Magic Mike Live which 

isn’t what you’d expect. There is very little 

plot, very little dialogue, and nothing 

which is going to make you ponder on the 

meaning of life. Having said that, it’s one 

of the best nights out London currently 

has to offer. 

Sophie Linder-Lee has the difficult job 

of comparing the show, introducing the 

male dancers and having the time of her 

life... poor her! She does this very well 

though, and adds an injection of humour 

to proceedings. It’s worth saying that the 

show doesn’t follow the story of the film. 

Producer Channing Tatum says that he 

has condensed all of the best bits of the 

film and put them into the show – 

basically, he’s left the stripping in. 

The honed and toned bodies of young 

men strutting their stuff on stage delighted 

the mainly female audience, whipping 

them up into a frenzy and ending with a 

particularly raunchy dance between the 

lead male dancer (Sebastián Melo Taveira 

is brilliant here) and an audience stooge 

(Hannah Cleeve, also very impressive). 

The audience is invited to participate in 

the show as much or as little as they wish, 

the male dancers regularly interact with 

the crowd. If the thought of that makes 

you shudder, there is a safe word of 

‘unicorn’ which the audience members 

and the cast are both able to use to make 

the gyration stop – but that’s only if you 

want it to stop. 

It’s a rollicking good time out, probably 

not for the faint hearted, but if you’re 

looking for a night with the girls (or guys!) 

then this is the one for you. Fantastic fun! 

Be quick, tickets are hard to come by, 

available at www.magicmikelondon.co.uk 

Mima Jonas 

LAST NIGHTS OF HAVANA 

Last Nights of Havana is a new Cuban 

inspired pop-up cocktail bar with food 

and music currently operating from 

Tobacco Dock in the East End. Guests 

enter a stylish palm-filled bar and are 

greeted by the barristas ready to serve 

delicious Mojitos, Daiquiris and Cuba 

Libres. For non-drinkers, non-alcoholic 

cocktails and drinks are also served. 

For those who are hungry, the venue 

offers the finest Cuban street food – a 

variety of grilled Cuban sandwiches, 

with both meaty and vegetarian options, 

accompanied by salad or fried plantain. 

Lighter snacks are available, Cuban pork 

scratching and fried cassava with Cuban 

sauce and smoked paprika sea salt. 

As well as DJ sets with Cuban 

sounds and top modern tracks, there is 

live Cuban music provided by Cuban 

Jazz Band ‘Los Habanos’ paying homage 

to Buena Vista Social Club, giving an 

opportunity for salsa dancing. 

The venue is large and yet intimate, 

making it suitable for both individuals 

and groups. On New Year’s Eve, Last 

Nights of Havana will be hosting a NYE 

Bash with champagne on arrival. 

FORAGE AND FEAST IN NORTH 

LONDON 

The Foragers are a group of hunters 

and gatherers who forage the best fruits, 

plants and fungi from the Hertfordshire 

countryside and serve it up, along with 

the best locally hunted game, at the 

wild food pub, The Verulam Arms, in 

St Albans. 

For visitors to the capital who are 

interested in foraging and want to see 

some of the UK’s favourite wild plants in 

the natural environment and their 

spectacular use in culinary dishes, this 

is the ideal opportunity to join a foraging 

walk and feast in North London. 

For about an hour and a half, visitors 

will enjoy a guided walk, teaching what 

to look out for, along with some of the 

practical skills of finding and using wild 

ingredients. 

Afterwards the group heads to 

The Verulam Arms for a wild food 

banquet and to see the delicious things 

chefs can do with some of the wild food 

spotted on the walk. 

The popular Wild Booze River Walk is 

along the beautiful banks of the River Ver 

with The Foragers tasting some boozy 

hedgerow concoctions. Available every 

Friday 16.00-18.00, then back at the pub. 

The Foragers offer the perfect 

Christmas gift for the foodie, outdoors 

person or general adventurer in your life. 

www.the-foragers.com 


WINDSOR HOUSE 

A N T I Q U E S 

E N T E R T H E I N S P I R I N G W O R L D O F 

W I N D S O R H O U S E A N T I Q U E S 

B A R N W E L L M A N O R 

The Ultimate Gift delivered anywhere in the world in time for Christmas 

The last order date for Christmas in the UK and Northern Ireland is 20th December 

BARNWELL, NR OUNDLE, PETERBOROUGH, NORTHANTS PE8 5PJ 

T +44 (0) 1832 274595 www.windsorhouseantiques.co.uk

This_Is_London_7 December 2018

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