Hit Me! The Life and Rhymes of Ian Dury
November 28, 2008
Courtyard Theatre
25 November – 14 December
I have to admit it, I am not of a generation that is particularly familiar with Ian Dury, or his life and rhymes, and rock ‘n’ roll has always been something that I have vaguely associated with a time before I was born, but a time that I am often made to feel I have missed out on. It is therefore with some trepidation that I sit down to watch Jeff Merrifield’s tribute to this fondly remembered musical wizzard. Read more
Barbershopera
November 28, 2008
Theatre503
25 November – 20 December 2008
Barbershop is a bit like ventriloquism. Easily mockable, but utterly irresistible when done well. And in Barbershopera it’s done superbly well by a talented young ensemble with a sharp eye for satire and a sharper ear for four-part harmony. Read more
The Ides of March
November 28, 2008
White Bear Theatre Club
28 November – 21 December
A city destroyed by terrorist bombs, the civilian population struggling to deal with the aftermath, the Government seeking to ensure such an outrage never happens again: this is the setting for award-winning Australian playwright Duncan Ley’s play The Ides of March. Opening in the week when Mumbai is devastated by terrorist attacks he has clearly chosen a topical subject. Read more
Meet the Producers – Lisa Kron’s Well
November 27, 2008
Henry Filloux-Bennett and Stephen Makin are young, upcoming independent producers. In conjunction with The Fish Partnership, both are making their West End debuts this month as Lisa Kron’s Tony Award nominated Well, starring Sarah Miles and Natalie Casey, transfers to the Apollo Theatre following a run at The Trafalgar Studios earlier this year. Henry is Associate Producer for HighTide and has worked for Bill Kenwright Ltd, while Stephen works for the Ambassador Theatre Group and co-founded the fringe theatre company 3BUGS. Read more
Five Reasons to See … Hit Me! The Life & Rhymes of Ian Dury
November 26, 2008
Hit Me! The Life & Rhymes of Ian Dury is at the Courtyard Theatre from 25 November to 14 December 2008.
1. It tells one of the great untold stories – Ian Dury, the punk poet laureate, and Fred ‘Spider’ Rowe his ex-con minder steering their way through the shark infested waters of rock’n'roll. Read more
Five Reasons to See … Pam Ann’s Hammersmith Layover
November 25, 2008
Australian comedienne Caroline Reid, aka Pam Ann, plays Hammersmith Apollo on 27 November and 29 November 2008. Here she gives us five good reasons to get aboard…
1. Experience the launch of the new Hammersmith Terminal 5 and meet some of Pam Ann’s One World Alliance members – Chloda from Ryan Air, Valerie from American Airlines and everyone’s favourite Mona from British Airways. No doubt there’ll be many more surprises in the terminal. Read more
Off-West End Christmas Highlights 2008
November 24, 2008
With Christmas just around the corner and the credit crunch at the forefront of the collective conscience, we’ve put together our picks of the Off-West End festive season so you can take the family to an alternative fringe treat without breaking the bank. With traditional classics, adult pantomimes and new devised collaborations, there should be something for all to enjoy, whatever their age. Read more
Pete Gallagher On … Anthony Newley
November 24, 2008
Pete Gallagher is the director of Newley – The Fool Who Dared to Dream, showing at the Gatehouse Theatre until 30 November 2008. Read more
Tombstone Tales and Boothill Ballads
November 24, 2008
Arcola Theatre
18 November – 20 December
The Arcola is transformed into an 18th century Western Saloon for this rather special performance of forgotten or “left-over” tales, where a return to the simplicity of sharing stories sounds a remarkably true and satisfying note. Read more
Vakomana Vaviri Ve Zimbabwe
November 22, 2008
Oval House Theatre
18 November – 13 December
Oval House Theatre’s reputation as a force for fringe theatre in South London just keeps growing. Their commitment to audience development and to supporting their artists has meant that their name has come to be associated with vibrant and varied theatre experiences. Vakomana Vaviri Ve Zimbabwe, with its multi-cultural mix of traditional British and South African Township Theatre, is a stylish embodiment of the aims and ambitions of this important landmark. Read more
