A Christmas Eve Like No Other

What do you do if an elf breaks into your warehouse.  If you are Gary a wee bit of a dodgy east end boy you tie him up of course.  What if the elf then pleads that if you don't let him go there will be no Christmas this year, or worse he might die.  So you call your best friend Chris (naturally) and he arrives dressed in his blue Onesie!  Why?  When is this poor excuse for a garment going to be banned.

The tart you've been sleeping with (Cherry) arrives demanding the present you promised her kid, and she is not someone you should mess with.   Then your ex-wife calls and says she's on her way to collect the presents for your son.

Gary is in a spot of bother.  Can things get any worse than this? ... maybe not as pixie magic dust and wishes are yet to come.

The hilarious black comedy  "The night before Christmas" is an adults only Christmas anti-panto (here in the land of Christmas Pantomimes). Whatever, I can promise you that you won't be disappointed in this hour long production by the Different Breed Theatre company.  Saturday nights there is an additional "after show" performance to round off the evening.

Performed upstairs at The Bottle Shop in Bermondsey where you can drink some the best beers and ciders available in London,  munch on a few nibbles,  and if your brave enough, you can enter Santa's grotty hole and sit on his lap and get a present.

On until 19th December bookings and details here.

King John

Chanting monks and 16th century musical instruments, this is Shakespeare's King John like you have never seen it before. Brilliantly produced, using the theatre as Shakespeare intended.  The actors mingle and interact with the audience, especially those in the standing yard, known as groundlings.

Shakespeare takes a bit of licence with his portrayal of one of England's "weakest" kings and the politics of the Papal Rome and France that he had to grapple with (and lose). The tale narrated by Faulconbridge, the bastard son of Richard the Lionheart (brilliantly acted) is both gripping and entertaining.  A wee bit traditional Shakespeare, a wee bit musical, and more than a sprinkling of good humour and laughs.

Make the most of the new season at the Globe theatre, soak in culture, history and a good time all at the same time and with the £5 groundling tickets you simply can't go wrong throughout the whole sumer season.

The Candlelit Theatre

It's charming and intimate, just the way an indoor theatre was in Shakespeare's time.

When the current Globe Theatre was built the brick shell of this Jacobean theatre formed part of the original construction.  Initially the space was used for education purposes until enough money was raised to complete the work.  Rather than representing one particular theatre the design has been taken from drawings of several theatres of around 1660.   The wooden interior and ornately painted ceiling take on a warm hue thrown out by the beeswax candles that light the 340 seat theatre.

The first production was staged in January 2014, one year later the theatre has proven to be more popular and successful than anticipated.  Named after Sam Wannamaker the American actor and director who dedicated more than twenty years to fulfil his dream of a new Globe Theatre built in a true Shakespearean style.

To see what's currently showing visit the official website

Princely Robes

A visit to the Globe Theatre is more exciting than most other theatres.  Not only is there the experience of a theatre just as it would have been in Shakespearean times but you can also learn a lot more about London life during those times.  Among the exhibits are manequins showing off clothing worn in various productions.  As with everything at the Globe care is taken to reproduce everything as close as possible to originals of the period.
This costume worn in Henry IV is made of purple silk velvet, trimmed with lace and adorned with brass buttons.  If it looks a little plain, that is because it was complying with the new laws passed during the 15th and 16th centuries to reduce the excesses of dress at court. 

The Bard's Birthday

The Globe Theatre put on a bit of a bash over the weekend to celebrate Shakespeare's 450th birthday. Lots of party games, a bouncy castle and of course a cake were all part of the celebrations as were the lovely flowers decorating the entrance to the Globe.

White Bear Theatre Pub

Yes a White Bear .. but not as we know it Jim ... It's a fringe theatre, tucked in the back of a pub in Kennington. It's a place where new writers can try their hand and lost classics are performed once more.

The pub is worth a visit for the the football memorabilia and collection of celebrity photos (many autographed) alone.  While there why not have a drink and take in some theatre.  Tonight is the final night of "The Brothers" by Reza de Wet 

Koko and the Goons

Prince Charles is one of the biggest fans of the Goons and their unique humour ever since he was a boy.  Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan and Harry Secombe played the very last Goon show here at Koko Theatre in Camden in 1972.

The Ladykillers

I saw the funny slapstick play the Ladykillers the other night.  A tale of five dopey robbers posing as classical musicians whilst planning their heist in Kings Cross.  The leader of the gang lodges with Mrs Witherspoon, an elderly lady with an ailing parrot called the general.  She unwittingly becomes involved in the plot and then demands they turn themselves into the police.  What are they to do with her?  Five less than bright robbers against one little old lady.  The ensuing slapstick scenes result in the obvious outcome.  Of course Mrs Witherspoon and the General are the winners.

Good for an old fashioned laugh.  And an opportunity to see inside one London's lovely Victorian theatres.

Billy Elliot

Billy Elliot playing at the Victoria Palace is a superb telling of this heart warming story. 

For those who haven't seen it, Billy Elliot is the tale of a young talented boy who lives in a small coal mining village who wants to become a ballet dancer.  His mother had died a few years earlier and his brother and father are salt of the earth mining men. The story is set during the miners strike of 1984.  The battle between the Thatcher government and the mining union was one of the most bitter battles this country has seen.

The show weaves the two stories very powerfully, Billy secretly takes ballet lessons while he should be taking boxing lessons.  The hardship  and poverty the strike has inflicted on the lives of the men and their families is captured with great energy and vibrancy from a well cast troupe of men. There is outstanding support also from Billy's worn down father and the brassy yet charming  ballet teacher who recognises Billy's talent and takes on a surrogate mother role  Then there is Billy's grandma who adds a great peppering of humour throughout the production .
More social comment has been added in a moving and funny routine in which Billy and his  cross-dressing best friend Michael perform.

The star of course is Billy who does not falter in three hours of high energy and sensational dancing.

If you haven't seen the show it is a must, if you have, then go again.  You will laugh and cry and leave with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.

Buy tickets from Shows in London.

Gaby's

For more than 50 years Gaby's has been serving salt beef and falafels to its customers.  Its a place where theatre goers and stars rub shoulders. 
This time lat year Westminster Council approved plans to oust the popular deli in favour of a ubiquitous chain.  What they hadn't counted on was the wrath of the public.  A campaign led by the local newspaper and a host of stars together with the public was successful in gaining another year for the deli.
What will happen this year remains to be seen.  Watch this space.

Agatha Christie Memorial

The queen of crime fiction has been honoured with a memorial titled "the book." 
Created by sculptor Ben Twiston-Davies, it was erected in November and sits in the heart of London's theatre land in Covent Garden.

 Agatha Christie is the world's best selling novelist selling over 2 billion books that were translated into 50 languages.
The sculpture is shaped like a book and commemorates the 60th year of her play "the mousetrap", the worlds longest running play.

Ritzy

One of England's purpose built cinema's, the Electric Pavilion, as it was known then, opened in 1911. It seated 750 people and had an organ.  Of course all the movies shown in those early days were silent. The first talking movies were shown in 1929.

In the 1950's the organ was removed and the theatre was given a bit of a face-lift, fortunately the council retained the original facade.

It became an art house theatre in the 1970's and was renamed the Little Bit Ritzy.  Known at this time as a political and cultural centre showing documentaries, and also a centre for holding discussions on issues facing the black communities, feminism and homosexual rights.

Now it is simply known as the Ritzy, it has five screens, a cafe and a bar. It is still a very cool place to hang out.

The Garden

"The Garden" is a folk tale told by a troupe of nomadic story-keepers as they sway on four metre high poles. They are the keepers of dreams, of history, songs and names. They open their garden to tell a tale of transformation and harmony, through dance, story telling and music. They kept the audience spell bound, we even stayed there enchanted as a couple of heavy showers fell on us.

The Graeae theatre is a world class touring theatre company that creates productions involving disabled people whose vision is to dispel the image of defencelessness. If you get the chance to see them don't miss it!

Whitecross St Party

In its third year the Whitecross St party is like no other, the street becomes a giant canvas and theatre featuring the works of both established and emerging artists. This year the theme was the "rise of the non-conformists". Dancing, music and food stalls line the street. Paka and his fire horse one of the many artists that kept the crowds enthralled.

Theatre Breaks

This week I went to the Harold Pinter Theatre in Piccadilly to see "South Downs and The Browning Version". It was organised for me by London Theatre Breaks, who specialise in show and hotel deals in the capital.

The Plays:

Following a critically acclaimed and sold out run as part of Chichester’s Festival 2011, the
double bill of Terence Rattigan’s one-act masterpiece The Browning Version and David Hare’s specially
commissioned companion piece South Downs has now transfered to Harold Pinter Theatre

Anna Chancellor and Nicholas Farrell lead the casts in these plays which
examine life in boarding public schools. Rattigan’s own Harrow School and Hare’s own Lancing
College provide the backdrop for two moving and resounding stories, one told through the
eyes of a master and one told through the eyes of a boy. Both revolve around unexpected acts
of kindness which place the harsh and at times cruel worlds of these schools into stark contrast.

South Downs is set in the 1960's, John Blakemore superbly played by Alex Lawther, a precocious, bright and inquisitive student who is in trouble for writing a letter of protest to the newspapers. He is not liked by the other boys, but his response is "I don't like me either". His only friend abandons him. A dashing and popular prefect with a movie star mother and Blakemore's life takes an unexpected turn.

The Browning Version steps back 20 years. Nicholas Farrell is outstanding as Crocker-Harris the classics master, known as Himmler of the lower fifth, who is forced into retirement without a pension. His dysfunctional marriage to the wealthy Millie, played by Anna Chancler and his lack of self esteem take an unexpected turn with the small act of kindness from a pupil.

This production is certain to pick up awards. I urge you to see it you wont be disappointed.

The Mouse Trap

Now in its 60th year, this is the longest running show in the world. just goes to show how we all love a good who dunnit

Rehearsing at the Scoop

Next to City Hall is the Scoop. A modern day open air amphitheatre. It plays host all year round to a wonderful array of activities and events, most of them free to the public. In September and October it will be the site of outdoor cinema in the evening (yes "bring you own blankets and wrap up warm" guidance has been issued). The play "The Mother" is what's on now and these two are in rehearsals for it. The play is a new translation of Brecht's classic play by Mark Ravenhill, one of the UK's most celebrated and controversial playwrights, and looks set to cause waves of its own as this year's street protests dictate the political agenda at home and abroad.

Lend Me a Tenor

The other night I went to the splendidly refurbished Gielgud Theatre. The interiors of many of these old London theatres are almost like an artwork in their own right and it's worth attending a show just to get inside.

I saw Lend Me a Tenor a musical comedy of mistaken identity, charades and surprising romance. It was a fun production and made all the better by it's fabulous set and surroundings.

Find out what's playing with London's theatre Guide

Creative Youth

Continuing the summer theme of the past week.
As part of their summer season Steam Industry have co-ordinated with the Latin American youth forum, holding a number of creative workshops that provide an opportunity for young people to tell their stories of settling in a new country.

These young South American refugees got the opportunity to present their experiences (good, bad, and teenage dramatic) to the public at the Scoop (an outdoor theatre next to City Hall).