This Is London - 31 January 2020

WINNER

2019

A ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY CO-PRODUCTION

WITH THE FUGARD THEATRE

IN ASSOCIATION WITH ERIC ABRAHAM

HHHHH

‘A remarkable

AND MOVING

NEW PLAY ’

GUARDIAN

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THE TIMES

THE STAGE

FINANCIAL TIMES

OBSERVER

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THE SUNDAY TIMES

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WHATSONSTAGE

LIMITED LONDON SEASON

24 JANUARY - 28 MARCH

KuneneAndTheKing.com

AMBASSADORS THEATRE

Photography by Paul Stuart & Claude Barnardo © RSC

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CONTENTS

Events 4

Lightopia at Chiswick House & Gardens

The Japan Foundation Touring Films

Bekele takes on Kipchoge

Music 8

London Symphony Orchestra Gospels

Come From Away Celebrate New Cast

Exhibitions 12

Peaks & Glaciers at

John Mitchell Fine Paintings

The Big Game at Hard Rock Cafe

Body Worlds London

Theatre 16

The Welkin

Kunene and The King

Proprietor Julie Jones

Publishing Consultant Terry Mansfield CBE

Associate Publisher Beth Jones

Editorial Sue Webster Louise Kingsley Jackie Hawken

© This is London Magazine Limited

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Welcome to London

The Royal Observatory Greenwich is preparing for an evening of

Valentine fun with a romantically themed planetarium show and a chance

to look at the night sky through a giant historic telescope.

Visitors can enjoy some time on the Meridian Line with an amazing view

and a warming hot drink. The event provides an opportunity to visit the

Royal Observatory Greenwich after hours and to meet the team of

astronomers with whom guests can discuss topics from historical astronomy

right through to the contemporary exploration of the universe.

The Valentine’s Evenings will take place on 8 and 14 February, with

various timeslots to choose from 17.25 onwards.

© National Maritime Museum, London.

Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of this

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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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

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Antonio Verrio The Sea Triumph of Charles II

c.1674 The Royal Collection Trust

© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019

BRITISH BAROQUE: POWER AND

ILLUSION AT TATE BRITAIN

Opening at Tate Britain on 4 February,

British Baroque: Power and Illusion will

be the first ever exhibition to focus on

baroque culture in Britain. From the

Restoration of Charles II in 1660 to the

death of Queen Anne in 1714, the

exhibition explores the rich connections

between art and power in this oftenoverlooked

era. The show includes many

new discoveries and works shown in

public for the first time, many on loan

from the stately homes for which they

were originally made.

The baroque is usually associated

with the pomp and glory of European

courts, epitomised by that of Louis XIV,

but baroque visual culture also thrived

in Britain under very different

circumstances. From the royal court’s

heyday as the brilliant epicentre of the

nation’s cultural life, to the dramatic shift

in power that saw the dominance of

party politics, this exhibition shows how

magnificence was used to express status

and influence. As well as outstanding

paintings by the leading artists of the

day, including Sir Peter Lely, Sir Godfrey

Kneller and Sir James Thornhill, the

show also uncovers pivotal works by

lesser known names.

NEW DECADE, NEW INTENT AT

HACKNEY EMPIRE

At the start of a new decade, Hackney

Empire plans to build on its commitment

to community and championing of

young people, alongside an exciting

programme of work for audiences to

enjoy, plus innovative collaborations

with artists, venues and theatre makers

around the country.

Since Artistic Director Yamin Choudury

and Executive Director Jo Hemmant were

appointed in 2018, the theatre has seen an

average of 83% new bookers for many

productions – a huge achievement for a

1000+ seater theatre in London. In 2018-

19 there were over 62 productions with

over 100,000 people attending.

Previous collaborations with theatres

and organisations include Birmingham

Repertory Theatre, RSC, Scottish Opera,

Royal Court, English Touring Opera and

LIFT Festival. The theatre will now expand

upon and increase collaborations in the

future, and in autumn 2020, Headlong

Theatre will bring their first production to

the venue – August Wilson’s Jitney,

playing from 20-25 October as part of its

UK tour. Debris Stevenson’s hit show Poet

in Da Corner will finish its national tour at

Hackney Empire, and the venue are

working to develop her new show,

Write to Rave.

Hackney Empire Artistic Director, Yamin

Choudury. Photo: Katherine Leesdale.

Hackney Empire.

IT'S ON! BEKELE TAKES ON

KIPCHOGE

The gladiatorial match-up the whole

world has been waiting for – Eliud

Kipchoge versus Kenenisa Bekele – is

on and will take place this April at the

2020 Virgin Money London Marathon.

The two greatest distance runners in

history and the two fastest men ever over

the marathon distance will go head to

head on the streets of London on

Sunday 26 April in a contest the world

has been waiting to see.

Kipchoge and Bekele have previously

met four times over the marathon

distance, including twice at the Virgin

Money London Marathon (2016 and

2018), with Kipchoge coming out on top

each time. But Bekele has the better

head-to-head record over all distances

and surfaces.

The two men spearhead the elite

men’s field at the 2020 Virgin Money

London Marathon which also includes

the second and third-placed finishers

from last year, Ethiopia’s Mosinet

Geremew and Mule Wasihun.


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Power UP at the Science Museum

© Benjamin Ealovega, Science Museum Group.

YOUNG PLANET APP

A new first-of-its-kind app,

YoungPlanet, helps parents keep kids’

stuff out of landfill, declutter their home

and curb the high cost of raising little

ones who grow up so fast. YoungPlanet

enables parents to turn outgrown toys

into items other families can enjoy, all

completely for free.

In addition to cutting out waste, it is

also setting out to give families equal

access to childrens’ items and help curb

child poverty issues. After a successful

beta in Hackney, where rates of child

poverty are some of the highest in the

UK, the app is launching London-wide

with a strong community and hundreds

of items already being shared.

POWER UP RETURNS TO THE

SCIENCE MUSEUM THIS SPRING

This spring sees the return of the

Science Museum’s interactive gaming

extravaganza, Power UP, featuring the

very best video games, computers and

consoles from the last five decades.

Featuring 160 consoles and hundreds

of games from retro arcade classics to

the latest in virtual reality, Power UP will

take visitors on an immersive journey

through the history of gaming. From

Pong on the 1970s Binatone and Pac-

Man – which celebrates its 40th year –

on an Atari 2600 through to the latest

PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and more,

Power UP will explore the evolution of

the console, allowing gaming fans and

novices to discover the latest in gaming

technology and experience the classics

that continue to inspire game makers

around the world.

Alistair Otto, Associate Commercial

Director at the Science Museum Group,

said: ‘Video games have captivated

audiences since the humble Pong

launched in 1972 and have continued to

evolve as platforms for storytelling,

while remaining at the frontier of

advancing technologies. At Power UP

visitors can travel in time from the

earliest consoles to the latest in VR,

experiencing the thrill of gaming through

the ages while discovering the

technology and future possibilities of

this truly exciting field.'

WHY BEETHOVEN THREW THE

STEW – HALF TERM WITH THE LPO

As the world celebrates Ludwig van

Beethoven’s 250th birthday in 2020, the

London Philharmonic Orchestra takes to

Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall

stage for a live FUNharmonics family

concert during half term on Sunday

16 February (at midday), introducing

families to one of the most famous –

and brilliant – composers in the history

of music.

Inspired by the book of the same

name by cellist Steven Isserlis, this

concert explores some of the best

moments from some of Beethoven’s

greatest orchestral music, as well as

revealing the real man behind the music.

The audience will get the chance to

guess Beethoven’s mood from the

music, conduct the Orchestra just like he

did, and join in to sing with the LPO, all

while finding out more about his life and

what he was like.

The concert will be presented by

Rachel Leach and conducted by Ben

Glassberg and also includes a new work

by Rachel Leach performed alongside

excerpts of Beethoven’s most popular

orchestral works.

In addition to the concert, the LPO

also present free hands-on activities

around Southbank Centre between 10.00

and 12.00. Children aged 6+ with a

concert ticket can ‘have a go’ at different

orchestral instruments under expert

instruction, take part in a singing

workshop, or get creative with drop-in

arts and crafts activities on the Clore

Ballroom.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra

– widely regarded as one of the world’s

finest orchestras working on the

international stage – has brought the

wonder of orchestral music to children

for decades through its FUNharmonics

concerts. These much-loved, hour long

concerts offer an engaging and fun

introduction to classical music for

children aged 6 and over.

For tickets, telephone the LPO Box

Office on 020 7840 4242.


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Andre J Thomas.

Photo: Lisa Kohler.

LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

FULL SYMPHONIC GOSPEL CONCERT

On Sunday 1 March, leading American

gospel music specialist André J Thomas

will conduct the London Symphony

Orchestra in their first ever full concert of

gospel symphonic music. The evening

will bring together the full orchestra, a

400-strong choir comprising the London

Adventist Chorale, with LSO Community

Choir, Hannah Brine Choirs, Hackney

Empire Community Choir, and Milton

Keynes Community Choir with guest

soloists, NaGuanda Nobles, Jason

Dungee and Brandon Boyd.

André J Thomas said: ‘This concert

brings together two forms of music that

are indigenous to African Americans: the

slave song as spiritual and the gospel

song which came after emancipation and

grew out of the spiritual. Now we’re

putting that in symphonic setting, with

full orchestra and choir. This is music of

the soul, of a people who were so close

to music. It’s music about their lives. As

Africans, that’s a crucial part of our

expression – in the African village

everyone dances and sings. That

extended itself to the time of slavery; add

the religious element on top, and it

creates something incredibly powerful.’

Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director

of the LSO added: ‘Every year, LSO Sing,

the umbrella title for our range of singing

projects for vocal enthusiasts of all ages,

gets stronger and stronger, with an everbroadening

repertoire. For our Christmas

Concert in 2018 we added a gospel

element, and received such a wonderful

warm response from our audiences and

had a great time performing the music that

the Orchestra decided it was time to

present a full evening with gospel music

at the heart. I am delighted that this has

come to fruition. It’s a pleasure to

welcome André J Thomas to conduct, and

a thrill that on stage we have the

wonderful London Adventist Chorale

under the leadership of Ken Burton, and

most of all, that we will be bringing

together four community choirs to raise

the roof of the Barbican Hall.’

The programme for the evening will

be in two parts: opening the evening will

be selection of well-known and less

familiar spirituals, with André J Thomas’

own composition Gospel Mass – A

Celebration of Love and Joy forming the

second part of the evening.

CELEBRATING WITH BEETHOVEN

In 1971, a twenty-one-year-old

pianist burst onto the classical music

scene with a hugely acclaimed debut

recital. He was no stranger to public

performance having performed on stage

at the Royal Festival Hall aged 10, and

on TV aged 11 and, fresh out of the

Royal College of Music where he had

not only gained entry on a scholarship

but had been awarded the premier prize

in his first year, he made quite an

impression. His debut was quickly

followed by a blistering performance

with the London Symphony Orchestra in

the BBC Proms under the baton of

Michael Tilson Thomas.

Fast forward forty-eight years and

piano virtuoso Howard Shelley OBE is

about to celebrate his seventieth birthday

– at the piano, naturally – with a

performance at St John’s Smith Square

of all Beethoven’s five piano concertos in

a single afternoon, conducting the

London Mozart Players from the

keyboard, the orchestra he has

performed with for forty-five years.

‘Celebrating with Beethoven’ marks an

important milestone in Howard’s

extraordinary career that has seen him

perform at the piano with all the leading

orchestras and conductors.

London Symphony Orchestra. Photo: Mark Allan.


Photo: Matthew Murphy

COME FROM AWAY CELEBRATES SECOND YEAR WITH NEW CAST

As the Olivier Award-winning ‘Best New Musical’ Come

From Away enters its second year in the West End, there will

be new cast members from Monday 10 February.

This joyous musical tells the

remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded

air passengers during the wake of 9/11,

and the small town in Newfoundland that

welcomed them. 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.

The multi award-winning musical

continues sold-out, record-breaking

engagements on Broadway, in Canada, in

Australia and on a 60-city North American

Tour. It has recently been announced that

a tour of China will commence in

Shanghai from May 2020, and a feature

film adaptation is in the works.

The new cast of Come From Away in

the West End will include Tarinn

Callender, James Doherty, Alice Fearn,

Kate Graham, and Alasdair Harvey, with

Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Sorelle

Marsh, Micha Richardson and Matthew

Whennell-Clark. They join Jenna Boyd,

Mary Doherty, Mark Dugdale, Jonathan

Andrew Hume, Harry Morrison, Emma

Salvo, Cat Simmons and Chiara Baronti,

Alexander McMorran and Jennifer Tierney.

In addition to winning 4 Olivier

Awards (London) including ‘Best New

Musical’, Come From Away has scooped

multiple awards all across North

America: the Tony Award for ‘Best

Direction of a Musical’, 5 Outer Critics

Circle Awards (NYC) including

‘Outstanding New Broadway Musical’,

3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including

‘Outstanding Musical’ and 4 Helen

Hayes Awards (Washington DC)

including ‘Outstanding Production of a

Musical’.

Come From Away was originally

co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla

Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre,

and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre

in Washington DC and Mirvish

Productions at the Royal Alexandra

Theatre in Toronto, Canada, all in

partnership with Junkyard Dog

Productions.

Come From Away is produced in the

UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and

Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European

premiere of Come From Away was

co-produced with the Abbey Theatre,

Ireland’s National Theatre.

Tickets from the Box Office on

0844 871 7615.

MAGIC GOES WRONG EXTENDS TO

AUGUST 2020

Mischief Theatre, the Olivier awardwinning

company behind The Play That

Goes Wrong, have announced a new

booking period for Magic Goes Wrong,

with tickets now on sale until 30 August.

Created with magic legends Penn &

Teller, this is the second production as

part of Mischief Theatre’s residency at

the Vaudeville Theatre.

Mischief Theatre’s other current

London productions are The Play That

Goes Wrong and The Comedy About A

Bank Robbery, performing at the

Duchess Theatre and Criterion Theatre.

Tickets from the box office telephone

0330 333 4814.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC OPERA

STUDIO PRESENTS TRIPLE-BILL

This season, on 16, 17, 19 & 21

March, the Royal College of Music

Opera Studio is to present a triple bill of

French-language operas from three of

the world’s most celebrated composers:

Britten, Debussy and Ravel.

This trio of Gallic-inspired one-act

works celebrates the French language

through elegant libretti and showcases

the versatility of the Royal College of

Music’s talented young singers. All three

pieces are given a contemporary setting

by director Olivia Fuchs (pictured), who

draws on the shared theme of searching

for one’s identity to create a cohesive yet

varied programme.

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Acosta Danza Temporada Verano.

Photo: Santiel Rodriguez.

ACOSTA DANZA MAKE THEIR

LINBURY THEATRE DEBUT

Former Principal dancer of The Royal

Ballet Carlos Acosta is bringing his

acclaimed Cuban company Acosta

Danza to the Royal Opera House from

13 to 24 February. Making their debut in

the Linbury Theatre, The Royal Ballet’s

international stage for dance, the

company present a varied bill of five

contemporary works created by

internationally acclaimed

choreographers.

Rafael Bonachela is to present

Soledad, an evocative pas de deux set to

music by Chavela Vargas and Gideon

Kremer which receives its UK premiere

during this run. Maria Rovira’s Impronta,

a work created specifically for Acosta

Danza is also performed for the first time

in the UK alongside Marianela Boán’s El

cruce sobre el Niágara [The Crossing

Over Niagra], based on Alonso Alegría’s

play about 19th-century tightrope walker

Charles Blondin, who famously crossed

Niagra Falls bearing his friend on his

shoulders.

Russell Maliphant’s acclaimed solo

Two also features and is performed by

Carlos Acosta, and the bill is completed

with the world premiere of Mundo

Interpretado (Interpreted World), a new

work by Juliano Nunes, returning to the

Royal Opera House following his 2019

debut with Two Sides Of..., presented as

part of New Work New Music.

TANZTHEATER WUPPERTAL PINA

BAUSCH UK PREMIERE

Staged for the first time in over 29

years and receiving its UK premiere at

Sadler’s Wells is Pina Bausch’s early

monumental masterpiece Bluebeard.

Following eight performances at Opera

House Wuppertal, the acclaimed

production arrives at Sadler’s Wells from

Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 February.

The work first premiered in 1977 and

was presented in 12 cities until the mid

90’s, including Cologne, Los Angeles,

Venice, Paris and Tokyo.

Bausch uses Bartók's Opera as a

world of direct images, focussing on the

hopeless lack of understanding between

man and woman. A brave experiment

combining elements from different

genres, it is a disturbing and, at the

same time, a moving balancing act

across various forms of love, tenderness

and violence.

43 years after its world premiere, the

new restaging is led by rehearsal

directors Helena Pikon and Barbara

Kaufmann as well as original cast

members Jan Minarik and Beatrice

Libonati. Pina Bausch wrote dance

history. She not only founded the worldfamous

company in Wuppertal, she

shaped a whole genre – dance theatre –

and influenced countless other artists,

choreographers and directors worldwide

who credit her and her work.

Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000.

HOLY WEEK FESTIVAL 2020 AT

ST JOHN’S SMITH SQUARE

Returning for a fourth successive

year, St John’s Smith Square and

Tenebrae are to present the Holy Week

Festival 2020 running from 5-12 April.

Curated in partnership with Tenebrae

and Nigel Short, St John’s Smith Square

will host workshops, ticketed concerts

and free late-night liturgical events

exploring a vast range of sacred music

in celebration of Holy Week. New for

2020 is a focus on mental health and

wellbeing, including a pre-concert panel

discussion on music and lamentation

(8 April), and a guided meditation to

open the Festival ahead of a reflective

concert from Siglo de Oro (5 April).

In creating the Holy Week Festival,

Nigel Short wanted to curate a festival

that celebrates the choral music of Lent

under one roof, where people can really

immerse themselves and reflect on

music and the Easter story.

Pina Bausch: Bluebeard. Photo: Maarten Vanden Abeele. Nigel Short. Photo: Sim Cannetty-Clarke.


LIGHTOPIA MAKES LONDON DEBUT

AT CHISWICK HOUSE

Lightopia makes its London debut at

the stunning Chiswick House and

Gardens until 1 March, inviting visitors

to become Lightopians and explore the

interactive and immersive city of light

and stories. The handmade, silk

installations combine ancient techniques

of Chinese lantern making with modern

technology to create a magical new

world, with the theme for this year’s

inaugural event being ‘Harmony.'

The event will feature acrobats,

musicians and 47 groups of light

installations, including the Tree of Light

centrepiece – a 10m tall sculpture,

surrounded by 20 drums, which

Lightopians use to change the tree's

colours illuminating the night sky,

ensuring an ever-changing installation

which allows visitors to become a part of

the artistic experience.

Elsewhere, a stunning 18m peacock

will synchronise with music, as light

pulses through its wings in time with the

beat. And a breathtaking field of 70,000

individual roses will flicker and blaze

across an expanse of land. Other

installations include buttons on the floor

which create light shows when stepped

on; paths of wintry flowers and an

interactive Zodiac Sign piece.

The Keys of Life piece invites guests

to walk through illuminated, keyholeshaped

doors, while the Rainbow Tunnel

and Angel Wings provide the perfect

backdrop for Instagram-ready

photographs.

Chiswick House will also play a key

role in the exhibition, as state-of- the-art

3D video mapping creates a visual

masterpiece across its grand exterior,

bringing the story of Lightopia to life.

The festival will incorporate street food

stalls, licensed bars and a kid’s zone

where children can enjoy a fairytale

world of candy, flowers and rides.

Ian Xiang, Creative Director of

Lightopia, says: 'We have designed a

world in which light, sculpture and art

combine with traditional, Chinese

lantern-making techniques to create

something London has never seen

before – a world where guests are not

just invited to view the show, but to

become a vital part of it. Many of the

exhibits will react differently depending

on who is manipulating the lights, so the

experience will change from person to

person, night to night. Lightopia is a

celebration of techniques old and new,

of art and design and of course, the

people who come to experience it. We

are inviting visitors to become a part of

Lightopia and help create art as you

move around the beautiful gardens of

Chiswick House.'

The installations have been designed

by contemporary artist, Ava Moradi, with

a mission to create an immersive artistic

experience for visitors of all ages.

Moradi has exhibited and created art and

installations internationally for over ten

years. She is a UK based artist who lives

and works with one foot planted firmly in

Europe and the other in Asia.

Ava’s artistic practice is inclusive of

many mediums; she creates two

dimensional and three dimensional

installations around the world that

explore the concepts of possibility and

potential. The dynamics created by the

participation of the audience with the

pieces allow for a rich social experience

within a contemplative ambiance.

She adds: ‘All of the pieces explore

this year’s theme of Harmony, which is

central to the world of Lightopia. Visitors

must work in harmony to control the

pieces, and each installation is loaded

with stories and symbolism exploring

this powerful theme.'

For further details on the Festival and

opening times, visit the website at

www.lightopiafestival.com

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artists, the specialist mountain painter,

James Hart-Dyke and work by

landscapist, Michael Bennallack Hart.

As well as representing the better

known mountains and resorts, such as

Chamonix, Zermatt, Megève, Tignes,

Grindelwald, Davos, Klosters and Mürren

to name but a few, the exhibition also

traces the changes that have occurred in

the Alps over the last 150 years. Today,

these changes are all the more visible and

relevant due to a changing climate in what

was once dubbed in the late nineteenth

century as The Playground of Europe.

William Mitchell of John Mitchell Fine

Paintings is the leading specialist in

Alpine art and combines his interest in

mountaineering with the history of the

PEAKS & GLACIERS AT JOHN MITCHELL FINE PAINTINGS

Every winter since 2001, John Mitchell Fine Paintings has

put on a specialist exhibition of paintings, drawings and

vintage photographs of the Alps.

Peaks & Glaciers offers works from

the mid-1800s to the present day with

an emphasis on views painted by

specialist Alpine painters – ‘peintresalpinistes’

– who were both artists and

climbers, for example, Edward Theodore

Compton, Gabriel Loppé, Charles-Henri

Contencin, Franz Schrader and Jacques

Fourcy. This year’s Peaks & Glaciers will

also include paintings by two living

Alps and in 2018 wrote the first book

about the French painter and mountaineer,

Gabriel Loppé (1825-1913).

Peaks & Glaciers 2020 will show

circa. 50 pictures by Swiss, French,

German, Austrian, British and American

artists with prices starting from £500 to

£50,000. Given the variety of subject

matter: high-altitude views, glaciers and

Alpine valleys at all times of the year, the

exhibition appeals to a wide-ranging

audience whether avid climbers, skiers

or walkers. The gallery also holds a

large stock of vintage photographs of the

Alps dating from the 1870s onwards.

A fully illustrated catalogue is

available from the gallery at £20 and

online at www.johnmitchell.net


THE JAPAN FOUNDATION TOURING

FILM PROGRAMME

The Japan Foundation Touring Film

Programme returns to London from

31 January with a theme of ‘Happiness',

touring 22 cities nationwide. From

contemporary dramas to anime and

classics, it is the largest of its kind

focusing on Japanese cinema in the UK.

It will showcase 20 Japanese films, most

of which have never been screened in

the UK.

Happiness is a staple theme in

Japanese cinema and it is within its

framework that the Japan Foundation

Touring Film Programme 2020 has been

curated, showcasing diverse cinematic

voices which explore the highs and lows

experienced in pursuit of happiness.

Embracing the rich and complex

spectrum of emotions that go hand in

hand with this concept, the programme

presents a comprehensive line-up of

unique films which shine a light on the

best Japanese cinema has to offer, from

critically acclaimed documentary I Go

Gaga, My Dear which explores the

realities of geriatric care in Japan’s

ageing society, to Kon Ichikawa’s

(Director of Tokyo Olympiad) stylish

classic of the silver screen Ten Dark

Women, and international film festival

circuit darlings such as Jesus, And Your

Bird Can Sing, and Organ – there is

something for everyone’s taste.

The Japan Foundation Touring Film

Programme is the largest of its kind in

the UK and is produced and organised

by the Japan Foundation. The

organisation promotes international

cultural exchange between Japan and the

rest of the world by organising projects

as well as providing financial support

through grant programmes in the fields

of Arts and Culture, Japanese language

and Japanese studies.

For tickets and information on

London screenings, visit www.ica.art

LUCIE JONES LIVE AT THE ADELPHI

Lucie Jones Live at the Adelphi will

be a celebration of all that Lucie has

achieved to date across her multiplatform

career, and will be accompanied

by the 22-piece London Musical Theatre

Orchestra. The show will be packed with

old classics and modern hits, and will

feature stories from Lucie’s remarkable

career.

The performance at the Adelphi

Theatre on 16 February, will be recorded

and released as a live album, available

in Spring 2020.

Joining Lucie on stage will be guest

artists, fellow Welsh musical star John

Owen Jones and her Waitress co-star

Marisha Wallace.

Lucie was a finalist in the 2009 series

of The X Factor. She toured the UK

playing to sell out arena crowds on The

X Factor tour in 2010.

In January 2017, Lucie won the

public vote on BBC2 show Eurovision –

You Decide with her original song,

‘Never Give Up On You’. She competed

at the Eurovision World Final in Ukraine.

John Owen Jones is a West End and

Broadway actor and singer. John is best

known for his performances as Jean

Valjean in Les Misérables and as The

Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera.

For tickets, telephone the box office

on 020 7087 7753.

13


14

KICKSTART 2020 WITH A TRIP TO

BODY WORLDS LONDON

The nation is still collectively

groaning at the amount of calories

consumed over the festive season and

the complete lack of exercise undertaken

during the Christmas holidays so if you

are looking for some inspiration for the

year ahead, step forward Body Worlds

London, the top anatomy museum based

in Piccadilly Circus where visitors get a

unique and unprecedented look at what

goes on under the skin.

The exhibition fuses science, art and

health education whilst offering a

fascinating and fun insight into the

human body. Body Worlds London uses

over 200 real ‘plastinated’ human bodies

and body parts, as well as interactive

displays to take visitors on a journey

through everything from diet and

cholesterol to the beating heart,

pregnancy and reproduction, all in more

detail than has ever been previously

possible. Visitors also learn all about the

impact certain lifestyle choices have on

our bodies, as the exhibition looks at

things like smoking, eating healthily and

how our mental health can affect our

physical wellbeing.

New for 2020, Body Worlds London

are introducing ‘organ of the month’.

With themed activities and

collaborations with relevant charities, the

scheme kicks off with the liver in

January. The whole month will be

dedicated to the second largest organ of

the human body – one that will no doubt

have been tested to the max over the

Christmas period. Partnering up with

The British Liver Trust for ‘Love Your

Liver Month’, Body Worlds London aim

to show visitors just how amazing the

liver is, giving them the opportunity to

see real plastinated human livers and

how lifestyle choices can impact them.

The ever-popular Junior Doctors

programme is back for 2020, as budding

young physicians get the chance to go

on a bespoke tour of the exhibition with

a real-life medic, who can answer all

their questions about the human body,

no matter how weird or wonderful.

Aimed at children aged 7 – 13, this

unique experience expands young

inquisitive minds and boggles little

brains as they don their white lab coats

and stethoscopes and even graduate

with a special Junior Doctors certificate.

Even January’s ‘London Lates’

evening is themed around the liver, with

Friday 31 January playing host to the

first Body Worlds London Detox Grotto,

featuring music, non-alcoholic cocktails,

a quiz all about liver health and Love

Your Liver games.

The first Friday of every month sees

Body Worlds London welcome a group

of artists into the exhibition as they

capture the human form on paper for

Artist Days; all budding artists have the

chance to spend the day developing

their anatomical drawing skills.

Whether it’s a New Year’s Resolution

to stop smoking, to eat healthier or to

simply treat your body a little bit better

in 2020, Body Worlds London is the

place to inspire that fresh start.

Body Worlds exhibitions are the most

successful travelling exhibitions in the

world. On display since 1995, they have

attracted more than 50 million visitors in

over 130 cities across America, Africa,

Asia, and Europe. BODY WORLDS can

currently be found in Amsterdam,

Guben, Berlin and Heidelberg.

TUTANKHAMUN QUIZ NIGHT AT

SAATCHI GALLERY

On Friday 31 January, Culture Trip

are presenting an Egyptian-themed quiz

night at Saatchi Gallery, where attendees

have the chance to win prizes and enjoy

music by Soho Radio DJs Simone Marie

and Jon More, as well as enjoy access

to Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden

Pharaoh exhibition, all for the same

price as a standard museum entry ticket.

The exhibition commemorates the 100th

anniversary of the discovery of

Tutankhamun's tomb and the final chance

to see these world heritage artefacts before

they return to Egypt forever.

Junior Doctors at Body Worlds London. Photo: Jeff Moore.


16

The Welkin at the National Theatre.

A grid-like series of open-sided

rooms shows twelve women at their

individual tasks – all of them menial.

Churning butter, pounding laundry,

wringing sheets, mending clothes,

stirring cooking pots, feeding babies:

each is a familiar scene from 18th

century life, only here accentuated by a

rectangle of light, as if the past were

given a note of TV brightness.

You get the picture. Then drama

enters this mundane world in the form of

an invitation. Mrs Luke (Maxine Peake) ,

a woman who has assisted at the birth of

many in the village, is called upon to

join a ‘jury of matrons’ in the case of a

young woman who has already been

convicted of murder. Obviously, only

men could decide such a verdict in

1759. But the accused’s sentence could

be commuted from hanging to

transportation, should her claim to be

pregnant be upheld by the twelve

women.

It is a fascinating scenario, for this is

no courtroom drama. Instead of an

orderly verbal exchange presided over

by men of law, the twelve jurors plus the

Photos: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg.

THE WELKIN National Theatre

A woman’s work is never done’ could be the unspoken

subtitle to the opening scene of this striking new play by

Lucy Kirkwood.

condemned woman are locked into a

chamber by a clerk of the court who is

forbidden to say a word beyond asking

them for their verdict. They are deprived

of food, drink and heat to encourage

them. How will they decide?

Maxine Peake (Lizzy Luke) and Ria

Zmitrowicz (Sally Poppy) in The Welkin.

Though their methods be risible to

the modern mind (circling the woman to

peer at her stomach for any sign of

protrusion; questioning her about any

odd cravings; massaging her breasts to

see if any milk will come), they provide

an insight into female society at the

time. Superstition and jealousy on the

one hand, kindness and fortitude on the

other – women folk in a small country

town had tangled and conflicting

relationships and Kirkwood’s dialogue

captures every nuance.

Ria Zmitrowicz as Sally, the apparent

murderess, has an energy in her

performance which is as beguiling as it

is repulsive. She swears, she spits, she

snarls. She is not sorry for what she has

done. At the same time, she seems to

have suffered tremendously. And did she

really do it? We want to help her. We

want to punish her. The play draws us

into the judgement and ultimately

shocks us to the core.

Maxine Peake as the middling-sort-ofmidwife

who wins some and loses some,

also gives a heart wringing performance.

She is angry about the fate of Sally. But

she is more angry about the way the court

never stands up for women and how

women have precious little power, even in

the matter of childbirth.

Other characters are also finely drawn

and acted. There are no caricatures in

this play, even if some of their traits are

instantly recognisable. The sharp-witted,

the dim, the proud and the dishonest are

all in the room and it is hard for them to

agree. At the same time, it is often

hilarious to listen to their squabbles and

their rustic concerns. And we need every

flash of comedy, for in the end a

woman’s life is at stake and the tragedy

of her short, brutal existence is one to

weep over.

Sue Webster


John Kani and Antony Sher in Kunene and the King.

KUNENE AND THE KING WEST END

RUN AT AMBASSADORS THEATRE

John Kani’s ‘remarkable and moving’

(***** Guardian) two-hander Kunene

and the King is currently running at the

Ambassadors Theatre for a strictly

limited West End run until 28 March.

Co-produced by the Royal

Shakespeare Company in partnership

with Cape Town’s Fugard Theatre, this

timely new play marks 25 years since

South Africa’s first democratic elections.

The production first premiered in the

RSC’s Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-

Avon in March last year and transferred

to the Fugard Theatre in April where it

played to sell-out audiences.

Photos: Ellie Kurttz

South African actor, activist and

playwright John Kani reprises his role as

Lunga Kunene alongside South African

actor and RSC Honorary Associate Artist,

Antony Sher in this important production

directed by Janice Honeyman. John Kani

last performed at the Ambassadors in

1974, where he appeared alongside actor

and co-author, the late Winston Ntshona,

in the Tony award-winning Sizwe Banzi Is

Dead, which went on to receive the

London Theatre Critics Award for the Best

Play of that year.

Gregory Doran, RSC Artistic Director,

said: ‘Our productions exist within a

global culture: we love to share our work

from Stratford-upon-Avon with

audiences across the UK and around the

world... I am delighted that London

audiences will have the opportunity to

experience this timely and important

piece of work in one of the very theatres

in which John Kani and Winston

Ntshona first performed their seminal

play, Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, in 1974.’

Kunene and the King follows the story

of Jack Morris (Antony Sher), a

terminally ill sixty-five-year-old white

actor living a relatively comfortable life

in the suburbs of Johannesburg, and

Lunga Kunene (John Kani), a sixty-nineyear-old

black retired male nurse.

Having suffered innumerable losses

during apartheid, Lunga must learn to

deal with the tension that more than fifty

years of apartheid has created whilst

Jack’s health rapidly deteriorates.

Tickets are available through the RSC

Box Office 01789 331 111 or book

online via ATG Tickets 0843 904 0061.

www.kuneneandtheking.com

CUNNINGHAM

Cunningham, a 3D cinematic

experience about legendary American

choreographer Merce Cunningham is

set to be released in cinemas across

the UK and Ireland from 13 March,

following the Merce Cunningham

centenary this year.

Directed by Alla Kovagan, the film

follows Merce’s artistic evolution over

three decades between 1944–1972, from

early years as a struggling dancer in

postwar New York to his emergence as

one of the most visionary and influential

choreographers in the world.

Misunderstood and rejected by the dance

world of his time, Merce persevered

against all odds and developed a new

dance technique and a new way of

thinking about making dance

performances in collaboration with

composer John Cage and visual artist

Robert Rauschenberg.

The film features excerpts from

Cunningham’s works, re-imagined for

3D cinema creating a moving and

visceral journey through Merce’s world.

17


18

Gavin Spokes, who currently plays the

role of King George III in the hit West

End musical, Hamilton, stands with The

Royal Mint’s new £5 commemorative

coin which has been launched to mark

200 years since the end of Britain’s

longest serving king’s reign. The 200th

anniversary of the end of George III’s

reign takes place on 29 January.

HAMILTON’S GEORGE III

CELEBRATES WITH THE ROYAL MINT

The Royal Mint is celebrating the life

and legacy of Britain’s longest-reigning

King, George III, with a commemorative

£5 coin to mark 200 years since his death.

To mark the anniversary, The Royal

Mint has worked with the cast of the

West End musical, Hamilton, to capture

photography of Gavin Spokes, who plays

the monarch in the show. The Olivier,

Tony and Grammy award-winning

production, with Book, Music and Lyrics

by Lin-Manuel Miranda, opened at the

newly re-built and restored Victoria

Palace Theatre in December 2017 where

it continues to play to packed houses.

The third king from the House of

Hanover but the first to be born in

Britain and speak English as a first

language, George III reigned for nearly

six-decades making him Britain’s

longest-reigning King. During his reign,

George III witnessed wars with France

and American colonists, territorial

expansion across the world, and

industrial and agricultural revolutions.

He also had an interest in astronomy

and commissioned the construction of

the King’s Observatory near his

residence in Richmond. It was at the

Observatory that George III viewed the

Transit of Venus with his royal

astronomer, Stephen Demainbray. In

1769 scientists travelling with Captain

Cook on his first voyage of discovery

also observed the same event in Tahiti.

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director

of Commemorative Coin at The Royal

Mint said, ‘During the 59 years that

George III was on the throne, he

witnessed wars across continents and

lived through industrial and agricultural

revolutions. George III is Britain’s

longest-reigning King, and we are

delighted to celebrate his life and legacy

with a commemorative coin.’

Dominique Evans, Royal Mint Coin

Designer said: ‘I have placed George III

at the centre of the coin design in a pose

depicting the iconic portrait by

Benedetto Pistrucci, that I, like many,

greatly admire. Surrounding George III’s

head are the symbols of his kingdom,

framed by his crown. I felt it important to

add symbolism reflecting the life of a

king and mind of a man who was

dedicated to discovery and progress.

From science to agriculture and industry

George III left a remarkable legacy.’

As well as the portrait, the coin also

features George III’s Royal Cypher, which

combines George III’s first initial ‘G’ with

‘R’, an abbreviation of ‘Rex’ the Latin word

for king. The edge lettering features the

words of George III at his accession:

I GLORY IN THE NAME OF BRITON.

TEENAGE DICK

Donmar until 1 February

The wall to wall banners adorning the

gym of designer Chloe Lamford’s

Roseland High School, immediately

evoke the unpleasant suspicion that

there’s going to be a gun-toting

bloodbath before the evening is over. But

although some blood is shed – and not

all the characters make it through to the

end – there are no bullets (or swords)

and the damage is more psychological

than physical in American playwright

Mike Lew’s reimagining of Shakespeare’s

Richard III, a crafty mix of tragedy, high

school comedy and witty misquotes

from the original.

The monarch here becomes Richard

Gloucester, a clever hemiplegic student

who is bullied by his classmates but

encouraged by well-meaning teacher

Elizabeth York (Susan Wokoma) to stand

for election as Senior Class President

against Callum Adams’ good-looking

(but not very bright) football-playing

jock, Eddie. You’d think Dick hasn’t got a

chance, but he’s read (and learnt from)

Machiavelli and by sheer cunning and

persistent determination (plus a little

help) the guy who’s still a virgin and

can’t drive a car even manages to steal

Eddie’s ex (Siena Kelly’s touching Anne

Margaret) whose supple dancer’s body

is, she hopes, destined for fame.

Shakespeare’s Duke of Buckingham is

now Ruth Madeley’s wheelchair-using

‘Buck’, the Duke of Clarence a twittermad,

campaigning Clarissa who will do

anything to get the credits she needs for

a place at Stanford.

The transposition takes liberties with

the plot but works surprisingly well, with

disabled Australian actor Daniel Monks’

first-rate Dick powering through Michael

Longhurst’s fast-paced, interval-free

production, sometimes relying on a

crutch, angry, manipulative, longing to

be loved and fully aware,

that for him and for Buck ‘This isn’t our

awkward phase this is the rest of our

lives.’

Louise Kingsley


20

PLAYS

KUNENE AND THE KING

The RSC production of John Kani’s highly

acclaimed play marks the 25th anniversary of

the end of apartheid in South Africa following

its premiere in Stratford-upon-Avon and a

sold-out run in Cape Town.

AMBASSADORS THEATRE

West Street, WC2 (020 7395 5405)

THE LION THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE

Step through the wardrobe this winter into the

magical kingdom of Narnia for the mystical

adventures in a faraway land. Until 2 February.

A NUMBER

Caryl Churchill’s thrilling drama, which won the

2002 Evening Standard Award for Best Play,

Roger Allam plays Salter, the father. Colin

Morgan plays all his sons. Polly Findlay directs

BRIDGE THEATRE

One Tower Bridge, SE1 (0843 208 1846)

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)

TOUCHING THE VOID

Staging to celebrate the 30th anniversary of

Joe Simpson’s best-selling memoir, charting

his extraordinary struggle for survival on the

Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes.

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)

UNCLE VANYA

Ian Rickson directs Conor McPherson’s new

adaptation of Chekhov’s play. Toby Jones

stars as Uncle Vanya alongside Richard

Armitage as Astrov.

HAROLD PINTER THEATRE

Panton Street, SW1 (0844 871 7622)

Celebrated as one of the most famous classics in the ballet canon and set to

Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake returns to the Royal Opera

House from March 2020.

Photo: Bill Cooper.

National Theatre

OLIVIER THEATRE

Plays in repertory

MY BRILLIANT FRIEND

Based on the celebrated novels by Elena

Ferrante, an epic story of love, violence,

ambition and self-destruction.

THE VISIT

or The Old Lady Comes to Call, based on

Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s visionary revenge play,

transported into mid-20th-century America by

Tony Kushner (Angels in America).

LYTTELTON THEATRE

THREE SISTERS

Love and longing in 1960s Nigeria. Inua Ellams

returns to the National with his heart-breaking

re-telling of Chekhov’s masterpiece.

THE WELKIN

Lucy Kirkwood’s new play, directed by James

Macdonald. Set in rural Suffolk, 1759. As the

country waits for Halley’s comet, Sally Poppy is

sentenced to hang for a heinous murder.

DORFMAN THEATRE

DEATH OF ENGLAND

Rafe Spall performs a fearless one-person play

which asks explosive and enduring questions

about identity, race and class in Britain.

NATIONAL THEATRE

South Bank, SE1 (020 7452 3000)

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)

CYRANO DE BERGERAC

An inventive new adaptation of Edmond

Rostand’s masterwork by Martin Crimp, with

direction by Jamie Lloyd.

PLAYHOUSE THEATRE

Northumberland Ave WC2· (0844 871 7631)

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)

A TASTE OF HONEY

Shelagh Delaney’s taboo-breaking 1950s play

transfers to the West End in a new staging

featuring re-arranged songs from the jazz era.

TRAFALGAR STUDIOS

Whitehall, SW1 (0844 871 7632)

MAGIC GOES WRONG

The original Mischief Company play a hapless

gang of magicians presenting a charity event.

As the accidents spiral out of control, so does

their fund-raising target.

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE

Strand, WC2 (0330 333 4814)

LEOPOLDSTADT

A passionate drama of love, family and

endurance, Tom Stoppard's most humane and

heart-breaking play. Directed by Patrick

Marber.

WYNDHAM’S THEATRE

Charing Cross Road, WC2 (0844 482 5120)


MUSICALS

WAITRESS

Hit Broadway musical brought to life by an

all-female creative team, featuring original

music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles.

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 200 7981)

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 – supported by his

mum and friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice,

beats the bullies and steps into the spotlight.

APOLLO THEATRE

Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (0330 333 4809)

SIX THE MUSICAL

Tudor Queens meet Pop Princesses in a

musical retelling the six wives of Henry VIII.

A celebration of sisterly sass-itude, powered

by an all-female band.

ARTS THEATRE

Great Newport Street, WC2 (020 7836 8463)

MATILDA

Critically acclaimed Royal Shakespeare

Company production of Roald Dahl’s book,

directed by Matthew Warchus.

CAMBRIDGE THEATRE

Earlham Street, WC2 (0844 800 1110)

CITY OF ANGELS

A tribute to film noir, the show follows dual

paths; the life of Stine, a writer trying to get his

novel turned into a screenplay, alongside the

story of the film itself.

GARRICK THEATRE


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

Over two hours of the non-stop hit songs that

marked Michael Jackson’s live performances.

LYRIC THEATRE

Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (0330 333 4812)

SCHOOL OF ROCK

Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical with

lyrics by Glenn Slater adapted from the film.

GILLIAN LYNNE THEATRE

Drury Lane, WC2 (020 7492 0810)

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

The hit Broadway musical about a teenage boy

who finds it difficult to talk to people and make

friends until a tragic accident changes everything.

NOVELLO THEATRE

Aldwych, WC2 (0844 482 5170)

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)

COME FROM AWAY

UK Premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical

which tells the remarkable true story of 7,000

stranded air passengers in the wake of 9/11.

PHOENIX THEATRE


PRETTY WOMAN

One of Hollywood’s most romantic stories is

coming to the West End in February, featuring

direction and choreography by two-time

TonyAward® winner Jerry Mitchell .

Opens Valentine’s Day.

PICCADILLY THEATRE

Denman Street, W1 (020 7452 3000)

MARY POPPINS

The story of the world’s favourite Nanny is

spectacularly brought to the stage with its

famous and unforgettable songs.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE

Old Compton Street W1 (0844 482 5151)

THE BOOK OF MORMON

A crude, witty and satirical show telling the

story of two young and naive mormon

missionaires.

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE

Coventry Street, W1 (0844 482 5110)

&Juliet is currently playing at the

Shaftesbury Theatre, with Miriam-Teak

Lee (pictured) in the title role of Juliet.

The story is a modern on the

Shakespearean classic, Romeo and

Juliet featuring classic pop songs.

Photo: Johan Persson.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

Based on the much loved movie and making its

West End debut, Dolly Parton’s musical comes

to London for a strictly limited season.

SAVOY THEATRE

Strand, WC2 (020 7492 0810)

&JULIET

New musical that proves when it comes to

love, there’s always life after Romeo. Told

through pop anthems of fthe last three

decades from legendary songwriter

Max Martin.

SHAFTESBURY THEATRE

Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (020 7492 0810)

LES MISERABLES

Cameron Mackintosh’s legendary production

of Boublil and Schönberg’s musical is a

global stage sensation, seen by 70 million

people in 52 countries around the world.

SONDHEIM THEATRE

Shaftesbury Theatre, WC2 (0844 482 5151)

ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES

The landmark, record-breaking and top-rated

television series written by the late, great John

Sullivan, becomes a new British musical.

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET

Haymarket SW1 (020 7930 8800)

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)

21


22

THE ATHENIAN

Adjacent to Victoria Coach Station (at

15a Elizabeth Street, SW1) is The

Athenian – a Greek street food concept,

serving simple fresh food made as you

wait, with several dips made in their

kitchen in advance.

The extra virgin olive oil and olives

are from Kalamata, the potato fries are

cooked in rapeseed oil, sprinkled with

oregano and the pitta bread is handmade

in Athens.

The concept is ‘fast food’, as there are

only 12 bar stools in the venue, all

situated around high tables, which is

where we sat to enjoy our meal,

observing the constant flow of

customers, happy to wait for their food

to be freshly prepared by the

Manager/chef, Vasilis, and his

assistants.

We had souvlakis – one pork, one

chicken, served with pitta bread, salad,

haloumi and fries. The meat was

excellent. The tzatziki and Athenian dips

were very good. The feta dip (tytokafteri)

was very spicy and ‘thin’ and we enjoyed

it less. The Greek salad was delicious,

particularly the feta and olives.

They also offer Gyros as well as

halloumi fries, sweet potato fries and

croquettes. Vegan options are available.

The Greek soft drinks are sweetened

with Stevia. The lemon and orange were

delicious. They have Greek beer, wine

and water.

We finished with a delicious flourless

brownie.

Prices are reasonable and the food is

authentically Greek, fresh, tasty and

value for money. Other Athenian venues

can be found in Tooting, White City,

Victoria, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf and

Wembley.

Jackie Hawken

The Athenian in Victoria, the perfect

location for a sightseeing snack near

Buckingham Palace.

BAOZILNN CHINATOWN 2 ADDS

NEW RANGE OF SPICY DISHES

Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, the

modest yet mighty Taiwanese street food

restaurant, BaoziInn China Town 2, is

bringing much-needed cheer,

brightening up the grey winter days with

a colourful new range of spicy

Sichuanese dishes at 8 little Newport

Street, WC2.

Sitting alongside the usual group

offering of dumplings, wonton and buns,

the new dishes include the starters

smacked cucumber with sesame sauce,

shredded chicken in chef’s special chilli

oil and thousand century eggs with

pickled chilli and vinegar – an interesting

Sichuanese dish with a fiery aftertaste.

Main courses are reasonably priced at

just £11.50 each and include traditional

Sichuan noodles such as Yipin Ran

Mien. Much like you might imagine the

Asian version of Spaghetti Bolognese to

be, it’s a dry and wonderfully spicy dish.

Meanwhile Chongqing Xiao Mien has a

fiery, soupy base.

A perfect balance of textures and

contrasting flavours, the fusion style

spicy and numbing pork chop noodles

are a revelation – with the tender pork in

light and crispy breadcrumbs working in

harmony with the dry and fragrant

noodles. The pork chop soup noodles

served with marrowfat peas have an

unusual but welcome flavour coming

through from the peas, whereas the fried

egg soup noodles served with marrowfat

peas are a delightfully soupy vegetarian

version.

Braised pork belly with fresh chilli is

hearty with a spicy kick while classic

chicken with rice or noodles has punchy,

refreshing and slightly sweet flavours all

at once. Fried pork chop rice with a fried

egg is also a sublime addition.

Last is the legendary Sichuanese

staple, the Mala Hot Pot, available five

ways, with sets ranging from £14.90 to

£18.90. Myriad ingredients include

Chinese cabbage, fish balls, black

fungus, enoki mushrooms, thinly sliced

beef and dried bean curd, all

underpinned with that brilliant

Sichuanese hit of hot, chilli-infused

soup.

Offering exceptional food at affordable

prices in a relaxed environment,

welcome some warmth into the winter

days with a visit to BaoziInn China Town

2 – you will certainly leave with a spring

in your step!


This Is London - 31 January 2020

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