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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

NEPALEARTHQUAKEThe death toll from the 7.8magnitude earthquake thatstruck Nepal last Saturday hasrisen to more than 5,000 and iscertain to continue to rise. TheUN says 8 million people havebeen affected by the disaster.

Powerful aftershocks have takenplace between Kathmandu andMount Everest, unleashing stillmore avalanches in theHimalaya and causing panicin the capital, where hospitalworkers are stretchering patients out into the street as it is too dangerous totreat them indoors while the aftershocks continue.

At least 17 people have been killed at Everest Base Camp and many moreinjured by an avalanche which left mountaineers calling for helicopterassistance to evacuate the most badly wounded.

A state of emergency has been declared and many historic landmarks,including the nine-storey Dharahara tower, have been reduced to rubblefollowing the quake. International aid is now arriving at Tribhuvan airport.

THIS IS LONDON marathon runner Beth Jones is supporting the Nepalesepeople through The Juniper Trust at www.justgiving.com/beth-jones7 and willensure that all donations go straight to Kathmandu and the Khumbu region toimmediately help families affected by the disaster.

Everest Base Camp

CONTENTS

Events 4Virgin Money London MarathonWar Horse Extends to 2016

Music 8Chris de Burgh: The Hands of ManMilos Karadaglic at Canary Wharf

Exhibitions 14Eltham Palace Art Deco Fair20/21 International Art Fair

Theatre 20American BuffaloLight Shining in Buckinghamshire

Proprietor Julie JonesPublishing Consultant Terry Mansfield CBEAssociate Publisher Beth JonesEditorial Clive Hirschhorn Sue Webster Maggie Dickman

© This is London Magazine Limited

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Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of thismagazine and in the handling of all the materialsupplied, neither the Publishers nor their agentsaccept responsibility for any damage, errors oromissions, however these may be caused.

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Open daily from 10am at Horse Guards, Whitehall

www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk [email protected] or call 020 7930 3070

WATERLOO 2OO1815 - 2015

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4

RECORDS TUMBLE AT BIGGESTEVER LONDON MARATHON

Records tumbled at the Virgin MoneyLondon Marathon last Sunday wheremore than 37,500 finished the gruelling26.2-mile journey from Blackheath toWestminster, making the 35th edition ofthe race the biggest in its history byalmost 1000 runners.

Of the 37,675 who crossed the FinishLine in The Mall, three established newworld records while no fewer than sixcourse records fell on a day ofcelebration for Paula Radcliffe andtriumph for London Marathon debutantsEliud Kipchoge and Tigist Tufa, who tookthe prestigious elite titles in style.

Kipchoge clinched the men’s crownwith a thrilling sprint finish and a

flamboyant gesture, denying reigningchampion Wilson Kipsang his thirdLondon win as he clocked the third fastesttime on the course of 2:04:42, while Tufaupset the odds to beat a field of fanciedKenyans, becoming only the secondEthiopian to win the women’s race.

While Kipsang missed his Londonhat-trick by five seconds, TatyanaMcFadden made it three from three inthe women’s wheelchair event as theAmerican superstar dominated the fieldto knock nearly four minutes from herown course record.

Before all that breathtaking action,crowds around the Finish Line, includingthe Beckham family supporting Romeo,had already seen five course records inthe Virgin Money Giving Mini LondonMarathon, none more impressive thanKate Adenegan who smashed more thantwo minutes from the Under 14 girls’wheelchair mark.

After the Minis came the masses, seton their way by the London Marathon’sfirst-ever winners, Joyce Smith, IngeSimonsen and Dick Beardsley, who senta record 38,020 starters off fromGreenwich with a hand-in-hand gesture

to echo Simonsen and Beardsley’sfamous shared finish from 1981.

It was an emotional day for thousandsof other runners too as, behind the stars,the masses chased times andfundraising targets, turning the cool,damp London streets into a colourfulparade as club runners, fun runners,celebrities and Guinness World Recordshopefuls pledged to transform their26.2-mile challenge into millions ofpounds for charity.

In 2014, the Virgin Money LondonMarathon raised £53.2 million forcharity, setting a new Guinness WorldRecord for the largest annual single-daycharity fundraising event worldwide foran eighth successive year.

Adidas BOOST were main sponsors ofthe event, with many runners embracingThe Energy Running revolution. UltraBOOST features 20 percent more BOOSTcushioning material than the previousmodel, the highest Energy Returncushioning in the running industry, andhas eliminated the traditional EVA midsolefor more direct contact to provide theultimate expression of BOOST. Made ofthousands of unique energy capsules,BOOST delivers a consistent performanceover hundreds of kilometres, in virtuallyany condition. Keep an eye on@adidasUK on twitter and instagram(#boostLondon) for updates.

Next comes the Bupa WestminsterMile on Sunday 24 May, celebrating the30th anniversary of Steve Cram’sbrilliant UK mile record of 3 minutes46.2 seconds. Then on Monday 25 May,reigning European 10,000m championJo Pavey and 2014 European silvermedallist Andy Vernon, along witharound 12,000 other runners, will racein the Bupa London 10,000. The nextVirgin Money London Marathon will takeplace on Sunday 24 April 2016.

Houses of Parliament

parliament.uk/visiting 020 7219 4114Visit one of the world’s most iconic buildings


5

WAR HORSE EXTENDS TO 2016The National Theatre’s acclaimed

stage production of Michael Morpurgo’smuch celebrated War Horse, recentlyextended bookings at the New LondonTheatre until 13 February 2016, havingnow been seen by over 6 millionworldwide.

War Horse recently completed sell-out dates in South Africa visitingJohannesburg and Cape Town andconcluded a record-breaking extensiveUK national tour earlier this year inBristol. A Chinese-language productionwill open in autumn 2015 at the NationalTheatre of China’s theatre in Beijing andwill then tour across China.

At the outbreak of World War One,Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, issold to the cavalry and shipped toFrance. He’s soon caught up in enemyfire, and fate takes him on anextraordinary odyssey, serving on bothsides before finding himself alone in noman’s land. But Albert cannot forget Joeyand, still not old enough to enlist, heembarks on a treacherous mission tofind him and bring him home.

War Horse is directed by MarianneElliott and Tom Morris, adapted for stageby Nick Stafford and received its worldpremiere at the National Theatre inOctober 2007.

For tickets, telephone the box officeon 020 7452 3000 or online atwww.warhorselondon.com

ARSENAL STADIUM TOURSLet Arsene Wenger, Jack Wilshere

and a host of Arsenal stars share theirmatch-day experiences as you explorebehind-the-scenes at Arsenal with thenew audio tour.

Hear from the boss as you take yourplace in the changing room, listen to theroar of the crowd as you walk down thetunnel, explore the museum and testyour knowledge against one of theArsenal experts.

Self-guided tours offer a flexibleduration of 55 mins to 90 mins excludingtime spent in the museum, so guests whowish to enjoy the full tour and themuseum should commence their tourbefore 16.00 to allow enough time.

To book tickets for Arsenal StadiumTours, telephone 020 7619 5000.

CHRIS deBURGH

& BANDThe Hands

of ManLive

2015

www.cdeb.com · www.facebook.com/cdebofficial

Agency/Credit Card bookings subject to a fee

www.ticketline.co.uk · 0844 888 9991

A KENNEDY STREET PRESENTATIONBY ARRANGEMENT WITH KENNY THOMSON MANAGEMENT INC.

Monday 11th May at 7.30pmLONDON

ROYAL ALBERT HALL020 7589 8212 · www.royalalberthall.com

Pictured: the cast of War Horse at theNew London Theatre.

Photo: Brinkhoff Mogenburg.


6

GET IN WITH THE SPIDERS ATZSL LONDON ZOO

ZSL London Zoo is taking on thechallenge of a lifetime in a bid to clearthe name of one of the world’s mostfeared, misunderstood and malignedcreatures, in a brand new exhibit beingunveiled this month.

Opening on Saturday 23 May, In withthe Spiders will bring people face-to-face with amazing arachnids fromaround the world in a completely uniqueand immersive experience within theZoo’s popular B.U.G.S exhibit.

The only exhibit of its kind in Europe,zoo visitors will first get gentlyacquainted with the UK native speciesand regular house guest ‘spider in abathtub’ before meeting fascinatingexotic species such as the black widow,huntsman and giant bird-eating spiders.

Visitors will then discover the truemeaning of ‘up close’ as they enter intothe forest home of ZSL London Zoo’suniquely sociable communal spiders,and stunning, golden orb spiders thatspend their days posing proudly onhuge one-metre wide webs.

A sneak peek into the Spider Nurserywill give visitors an insight into thevaried breeding work carried out bykeepers at ZSL London Zoo, andhopefully a glimpse of tiny spiderlings.

During May half term only, visitorscan take part in a series of exclusivespider events, becoming intimatelyacquainted with the infamous blackwidow and her defamed cousin, the falsewidow; dress up as a Spider Superheroto discover the epic role spiders play inthe world and discover all there is toknow about spiders at the daily liveSpider Talk. Visit www.zsl.org

LONDON’S ROYAL DOCKS TO HOSTDUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS FESTIVAL

Over 20 Dunkirk Little Ships willgather in London’s Royal Docks over theweekend of 16 and 17 May ahead oftheir Return to Dunkirk to mark the 75thanniversary of the Dunkirk Evacuations.

During the evening of Saturday,16 May, the Dunkirk Little Ships willparade around Royal Victoria Dock.The Little Ship ‘Silver Queen’ will offertwilight trips around the docks and therewill be the chance to step aboard someof the other ships taking part.

On 21 May, over 60 of the Little Shipswill leave Ramsgate in Kent and maketheir way to Dunkirk to commemoratethe 75th Anniversary of OperationDynamo. In 1940, 700 small civilianboats sailed from Ramsgate in Kent toDunkirk in Northern France underextraordinarily dangerous conditions,braving mine fields, E-boat attacks andStuka bombs to rescue British andFrench forces trapped on the beachesby the advancing German army. Theselittle ships, mostly privately ownedpleasure boats, private yachts andfishing boats, contributed to the rescueof over 338,000 British and Frenchsoldiers. Although the Evacuation ofDunkirk was no victory for the BritishArmy, it saved the troops to carry on thefight against Hitler – indeed many wenton to return to liberate Europe throughNormandy and Italy.

LIGHT SHINING INBUCKINGHAMSHIRE PLATFORMS

As Light Shining in Buckinghamshireopens at the National Theatre, there are anumber of Platforms planned in line withthe production, including The PutneyDebates, on Election Day, Thursday 7 May,when actors will read from the historic1647 debates about how this countryshould be run for the benefit of all.

Civil War: ancient and modern, onThursday 21 May, is an examination ofevents in England in the 1640s andmore recent parallels and resonances;guests include historian Diane Purkissand political activist, John Rees.

Visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/discover/platforms/ for details.

News Presenter, Huw Edwards, takes abreak from his busy general electionschedule to visit the Waterloo exhibitionat the Household Cavalry Museum inLondon. Further details about theexhibition to celebrate the 200thanniversary of the Battle of Waterloo atwww.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk

Dunkirk Little Ships.

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8

CHRIS DE BURGH & BAND:THE HANDS OF MAN

Few artists can lay claim tointernational success spanning threedecades but, beginning with his very firstrelease, Chris de Burgh has achievedprecisely that. The star, most famous forthe hit song Lady in Red, returns to theRoyal Albert Hall on Monday 11 May,performing his classic hits as well asfeaturing some tracks from his new album‘The Hands of Man’ released last October.

While much has changed since hisdebut LP, certain things have retained theirintegrity, as ‘The Hands of Man’, his 20thstudio album of original new material,bears testament. As he continues to takeon the challenges of a music industry soradically reinvented during the 21stcentury, his new album finds Chrismaintaining his focus as a singer-songwriter of unique vision and craft.

‘I think you have to grow with yourideas, your songs and your music, andthat is what I’ve tried to do,’ he says. ‘Onthe new record, my intention was toreflect who I am today and the things thatI think about.’ To that end, ‘The Hands ofMan’ – its title and opening song of the

same name referencing both the good andbad done by humankind – is a collectionof 14 diverse songs ‘concerning what I’vebeen thinking about in recent months andyears.’ The album has been thoughtfullyand carefully compiled to be listened tolike a vinyl record; in two distinct parts,‘Sunrise’ and ‘Sunset’, each introduced byorchestral instrumentals.

The work is quintessentially Chris deBurgh – from the varied lyrical content tothe several musical genres and techniquesat play – and the resounding impressionis of an accomplished, experiencedmusician steering himself in precisely thedirection he wishes to follow which hasbeen his way since the very beginning ofa spectacular and enduring career.

‘I make music the way I always havedone,’ says Chris. ‘I can’t think of anyother way of doing it. I’m certainly notgoing to change just because it’s a newtradition or in order to follow a trend.Then again, I don’t want to sound old-fashioned, either, so I move with the timesas it suits me.’

Recorded both at his home studio inIreland and at Mark Knopfler’s British Grovefacility in London, ‘The Hands of Man’ hasonce again been produced by Chris Porter.Preluded by the lead single ‘The Keeper ofThe Keys’ – about the right of every humanbeing to a life of dignity and to the right ofeducation – the album is a potent mix ofversatility. ‘The Fields Of Agincourt’ is aclassic, filmic and historical de Burgh epic,‘There Goes My Heart Again’ swings like a‘30s big band and ‘Where Would I Be’ is asemotive and relatable a ballad as Chris hasever written or recorded.

Chris approached many of the newsongs from the perspective of not onlyhow they could be performed on stagebut, far beyond that, how his audiencemight react to them in the live arena.

Box office telephone 020 7589 8212.

ROJAS AND RODRÍGUEZ IN TITANIUMAT THE PEACOCK

Flamenco duo Ángel Rojas andCarlos Rodríguez are to present the UKpremiere of an unprecedented fusionbetween flamenco and street dance atThe Peacock from 5–23 May. Titaniumsees a troop of 13 men take to the stage,dancers and musicians, fusing the richdance heritage of flamenco with therawness of hip hop and break danceculture. The show has won a NationalDance Award in Spain and received highpraise in a tour across Europe.

Titanium features a multi-talenteddance cast of three flamenco dancers,three hip hop dancers and three breakdancers including Elihú Vázquez, nine-time winner of the b-boy championshipof Andalucía. The dancers areaccompanied by a live band of four,mixing flamenco with hip hop beats.

This is Rojas and Rodríguez’s mostambitious production to date and aims tooffer audiences a new perspective on thecommonality between the cultures offlamenco and break dancing. Both stylesshare a history of improvised movement,dance battles, live music and communality.Rojas and Rodríguez, co-founders anddirectors of the Nuevo Ballet Español,have in the last two decades developed areputation for creating pioneeringflamenco work infused with contemporarydisciplines and different culturalinfluences. Tickets tel: 0844 412 4322.


970th ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY

With just days to go until the 70thanniversary of Victory in Europe day(VE day), celebrations are being held allacross the country next weekend.

107 beacons will be lit across theUnited Kingdom at sunset on VE Day tomark the anniversary of the day WorldWar II formally ended in Europe in 1945.

Communities are organisingcelebrations to pay tribute to theextraordinary generation who played suchan important role in defending this country.

These local events will make up partof a wider three day programme of events,including a service of thanksgiving atWestminster Abbey which will be attendedby Her Majesty the Queen and membersof the Royal Family.

VE Day itself, on Friday 8 May, will bea day of Remembrance while Saturday9 May will be a day of Celebration, witha moment of noise. Ships will sound theirhorns and cathedrals across the country,from Durham to Canterbury, will ring theirbells in celebration from around 11.00.

Saturday will also see VE Day 70:A Party To Remember, a Royal BritishLegion event produced by Live Nation andthe BBC, take place at London’s HorseGuards Parade. Hosted by Chris Evans,this star-studded concert will includeperformances influenced by the era fromactor Adrian Lester, comedian andpresenter Alexander Armstrong, Britain’sfavourite tenor Alfie Boe, actor BernardCribbins, boyband Blue, Britain’s Got Talentwinners dance troupe Diversity, musicaltheatre’s leading lady Elaine Paige, hotlytipped jazz vocalist Gregory Porter, DadsArmy’s Ian Lavender, R&B singer Jamelia,stage, screen and TV star Jane Horrocks,UK’s biggest mezzo soprano KatherineJenkins, pop starlet Pixie Lott, X Factorsinger Rebecca Ferguson and legendaryrock band Status Quo.

Sunday 10 May will be a day of streetparties and picnics when community halls,public spaces and homes will be deckedwith bunting and playing music to recreatethe celebrations of 70 years ago.

Visit www.gov.uk/veday70

WWW.BOISDALE.CO.UK020 7715 5818

CABOT PLACE, CANARY WHARF, LONDON, E14 4QT

Gramophone YoungArtist of the Year

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TICKETS INCLUDING A 3-COURSE DINNER FROM £65 - £115

The Royal Albert Hall. © Spencer Cartwright.


10FINAL SEASON AT LONDONPALLADIUM FOR CATS

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s recordbreaking Cats will return to the LondonPalladium for a final ten week season from23 October to 2 January. Tickets will bereleased for sale on Thursday 14 May.

Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’sBook of Practical Cats, Cats returned tothe West End in December last yearreuniting the original creative team –Director Trevor Nunn, Associate Directorand Choreographer Gillian Lynne,Designer John Napier and ComposerAndrew Lloyd Webber. Nicole Scherzingerand then Kerry Ellis played the role ofGrizabella in this sell-out Palladium run.

On just one special night of the year, allJellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball whereOld Deuteronomy, their wise andbenevolent leader, makes the Jelliclechoice and announces which of them willgo up to The Heaviside Layer and bereborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

One of the longest-running shows inthe West End and on Broadway, Catsreceived its world premiere at the NewLondon Theatre in 1981 where it playedfor 21 record-breaking years and almost9,000 performances. The production wasthe winner of the Olivier and EveningStandard Awards for Best Musical. In1983 the Broadway production becamethe recipient of seven Tony awardsincluding Best Musical, and ran foreighteen years.

Since its world premiere, Cats hasbeen presented in over 30 countries, hasbeen translated into 10 languages and hasbeen seen by over 50 million peopleworld-wide. Both the original London andBroadway cast recordings won GrammyAwards for Best Cast Album.

The classic Lloyd Webber scoreincludes Memory which has beenrecorded by over 150 artists from BarbraStreisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberaceand Barry Manilow.

Tickets from the London Palladium boxoffice telephone 0844 874 0667 (with nobooking fee) or online at the websitewww.catsthemusical.com/london

THOMAS BOWESFrom the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin: BWV 1003, 1004 (Chaconne) and 1006

Thursday 7th May, 7.30pm Church of the Holy Spirit, Narbonne Avenue, SW4 9LQTickets: £8, concessions £4, on the door and at www.ticketsource.co.uk

Wednesday 13th May, 7.30pm St James’s Church, 197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LLTickets: £12, concessions £5, on the door and at www.eventbrite.co.uk

Friday 15th May, 1.05pm St Mary Abchurch, Abchurch Lane, EC4N 7BADonations to The Friends of the City Churches

The West End cast of Cats. Photo: Alessandro Pinna.


11AMATIS PIANO TRIO WINS THE2015 PARKHOUSE AWARD

The Amatis Piano Trio (Mengjie Han,piano; Lea Hausmann, violin; SamuelShepherd, cello) won the 2015Parkhouse Award on 18 April atWigmore Hall with stunningperformances of the Brahms andShostakovich first piano trios.

Formed as recently as 2013 whilststudying at the Conservatorium vanAmsterdam, this vibrant and talentedyoung ensemble has quickly beenrecognised as such and in 2014 won theDutch Classical Talent Award 2015/16which provides 11 concerts duringJanuary 2016 in the Netherlands whenthey hope to perform a newlycommissioned work arising out of acompetition they are setting up foryoung Dutch composers. Appearancesto date include a rising stars concert atthe Amsterdam Chamber Music Festival

and recitals with Hatto Beyerle, Miguelda Silva and the Atos Trio with whomthey also studied as a result of enteringthe Trondheim Chamber MusicAcademy.

The first of their three ParkhouseAward concerts will be at St John’sSmith Square on Wednesday 28 Octoberat 19.30 when they will perform pianotrios by Beethoven Op 70 No 1 ‘Ghost’,Shostakovich No 1, Op 8 andMendelssohn No 1, Op 49.

BOISDALE CLASSICS CLASSICALFEAST WITH MILOŠ KARADAGLIC

Boisdale of Canary Wharf’s ClassicalFeast are to host a sumptuous music anddining experience with Classic BRITAward winning artist, guitarist MilosKaradaglić at Canary Wharf on Tuesday19 May. This new classics series presentssome of the world’s most revered classicalartists in the surroundings of Boisdale ofCanary Wharf – an exceptional live musicvenue and British restaurant and bar thatpresents world class live music acrossLondon.

Boisdale Classics is a conceptdevised by restaurateur RanaldMacdonald and music industry promoterIan Roberts. With over 15 years’experience representing world-classartists and music events around theworld, Roberts has been able to booksome of the most exciting classicalsoloists currently touring the world.

The events will be a return to thegolden age of dining with ticketsincluding a champagne reception, aspecially created 3-course dinner, andcarefully selected fine wines, coupledwith an intimate concert performance byaward winning classical artists.

Throughout the coming months, therewill be further events featuringperformances from violinist CharlieSiem and later in the year one of theUK’s biggest classical stars Jennifer Pikewill take to the stage.

Roberts says: ‘Appealing to lovers ofboth fine dining and exceptional musictalent, these evenings are a uniqueopportunity to hear the very best artistsin a more intimate venue, whilstenjoying Boisdale’s outstandingrestaurant experience. Audiences canexpect a warm welcome that onlyLondon can provide and the luxurioussurroundings of the Boisdale’s CanaryWharf venue provide a backdrop whichwill be the envy of London’s other livevenues, making these events the musthave ticket of 2015.’

Boisdale Canary Wharf is at CabotPlace, Canary Wharf, E14 4QT. Theevening will begin at 18.30. Tickets at£115 include champagne, three coursesand entertainment; £78 for meal andentertainment; or £65 (restricted view)meal and entertainment. Tickets to theMilos Karadaglić evening online atwww.boisdale.co.uk

Canary Wharf station is on theDocklands Light Railway.

Amatis Piano Trio. Photo: Marco Borggreve.

The White Sands Oceanfront Resort and Spa is located along the Jersey Shore, which is so much more than just

the ‘Shore’; it’s the place to experience the real and authentic home style that the Shore brings. The Jersey Shore

and more particularly, Point Pleasant Beach, is known for family. The White Sands is the perfect place to take your

family on vacation! Our hotel is family owned and operated, and offers many amenities including our award win-

ning spa and wellness center. Other on-site amenities include two beach-side outdoor pools, a private beach, two

ocean view restaurants, two cocktail lounges, fitness center, indoor pool, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi.

The White Sands is one of many sites that are offered in Point Pleasant Beach. Within a five-minute walk, you will

find yourself on Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. The boardwalk is a mile long that has a wide variety of attractions that will

be perfect for the family! Attractions on the boardwalk include an aquarium, amusement park, arcades, games,

mini golf, batting cages and sweet shops that will satisfy your sweet tooth. For adults, the boardwalk offers night-

clubs with dancing and live entertainment.

We are perfectly located within easy reach of the downtown area, and the commercial fishing district. The down-

town area includes antique shops, restaurants, a comedy club, and unique shopping. In the fishing district you

will find parasailing, a riverboat cruise, fishing charters, dine-in fisheries, as well as casual and fine dining.

www.thewhitesands.com

Want to take a break from the beach and do something exhilarating? The great thing about The White Sands is

you get the luxury of a beautiful destination vacation along the beach, and can still conveniently access New York

City and Philadelphia. Both cities are equidistant from the hotel, make perfect day trips, and are easy to get to

with the public train system located downtown. Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor is the place to go

if you’re looking for pulse-pounding roller coasters, slides into a whirlpool or even enjoy one of the concerts that

are provided in the amusement park. If golf is your pastime,

For decade’s families, couples, spa goers & businesses have chosen The White Sands for their authentic “Jersey

Shore” experience.

Start making your memories with us now!


14

AUTHENTIC 1930s GLAMOUR ATELTHAM PALACE ART DECO FAIR

The English Heritage Art Deco Fair atEltham Palace is back this year and it’sbigger and better than ever. During thepopular two day event, visitors will havethe opportunity to browse everythingfrom jewellery to furniture in the opulentArt Deco setting.

Over the weekend of Saturday 16 andSunday 17 May, you can join the expertsand browse the specialist stalls for antiqueand reproduction pieces that will add atouch of Art Deco glamour to any home.Offering the perfect opportunity todiscover original and coveted pieces fromthe period in luxurious art decosurroundings, the Eltham Palace event willhave even more stalls with items fromacross the era on sale. Browse qualityantique and reproduction pieces ataffordable prices, ranging from beautifulart deco furniture to elegant jewellery andobjets-d’arts, selling specialist items andmany sought after names.

The marquee area adjoining the GreatHall at Eltham Palace will once againbring together vintage stallholders

offering original clothing and jewelleryas well as specialist exhibitors in artnouveau. Art Deco dealers from aroundthe country will be attending so 1930senthusiasts or those who simply lovebeautiful, elegant period pieces will findthis to be an ideal event.

Visitors can take a break from browsingaround the Fair to get true inspiration from

the Art Deco mansion built by theCourtaulds. Built on the site of a medievalpalace, Eltham Palace was lovingly createdby textile magnates Stephen and VirginiaCourtauld in 1936 to become one of themost spectacular private houses of the day.

The mansion’s distinctive glamour andstyle has made it one of the great Art Decodesign classics, still relevant to acontemporary audience. The 19 acres ofgardens at Eltham Palace are anotherdelight and ideal for a picnic or leisurelywander. The moat and 15th century stonebridge are spectacular features within thewonderfully landscaped grounds.

Created for millionaires Stephen andVirginia Courtauld, Eltham Palace is partshowpiece of Art Deco design and1930s cutting-edge technology, and partmedieval royal palace. Take the family,make yourself at home, try on clothes,play games and listen to music, as aguest of the Courtaulds. Eltham Palacehas just reopened following a£1.7 million renovation project, withfive new rooms for all to enjoy.

Lucy Hutchings, Head of Events forEnglish Heritage said: ‘The Art Deco Fairat Eltham Palace grows in popularityyear on year and we always look forwardto seeing what treasures arrive amongstmany of the country’s leading dealers.’

Trains leave from Central London toEltham or Mottingham mainline stationfor Eltham Palace with a five minute walkto the Palace and Gardens. For furtherinformation on Eltham Palace and theArt Deco Fair, telephone 020 8294 2548.

English Heritage exists to protect andpromote England's spectacular historicenvironment and ensure that its past isresearched and understood. The charitycares for over 400 historic monuments,buildings and places.


15WELLCOME COLLECTION’S SPRINGWEEKEND ‘ON LIGHT’

Wellcome Collection and UCL willhost a dazzling extended weekend of freeevents and activity this Bank Holidayweekend to mark the International Yearof Light and Light-based Technologies.‘On Light’ will illuminate our humanrelationship with light with four days ofperformance, discussion, activity andart. Artists and academics will cometogether to explore the significance oflight in human life, to interrogate how itfeeds, fascinates and inspires us, andreflect on its influence over our healthand happiness.

The ambitious programme will bringtogether over 60 contributors, fromperformance artists and storytellers toengineers and architects.

The weekend will begin on Friday1 May with a late event at WellcomeCollection, when visitors can seek outperformances and installations fromrenowned artists such as Fevered Sleepand Mariele Neudecker, listen to a talkby cosmologist Andrew Pontzen, or

enjoy a drink at a pop-up bar. The eventwill range across five floors, filling theexpanded event spaces and newgalleries which have doubled the venue’scapacity for live events. In the darkenedAuditorium, the Pars Foundation willlead a captive audience through anaudio performance of music, poetry andscience, while up in the transformedReading Room, award winningstorytellers The Crick Crack Club willenchant audiences with myths of thesun, the moon and the stars.

On Saturday 2 May, UCL will throwopen the doors of the Institute of Makingfor a day of investigations into materialsthat we use to make and manipulate light,from Ballotini glass beads and invisible

balls, to cats eyes and road markings.Elsewhere on Malet Place, UCLresearchers will host a colourful street fairof activities, including the chance to takepart in a record breaking attempt to createthe world’s largest cyanotype print.

A changing, eclectic selection offree ticketed and drop-in events willrun throughout Saturday, Sunday andMonday at Wellcome Collection. Visitorsmay catch a one-off discussion with aWellcome Collection conservator onSunday and return to hear sociologistSimon Carter explore popular attitudesto sunshine and health, from sanatoriato cheap travel, on Monday.

Other installations will run across thefour days. For his installation ‘Non InLuce’ artist Andy Field will inviteaudiences to work together to create amodel-city in complete darkness, findinga new way to communicate without thelight of an electrical bulb or the glow ofa digital device.

‘On Light’ runs from Friday 1 May toMonday 4 May. All events are free.wellcomecollection.org/events

21-24 February 2008Thurs: 11am-9pm Fri: 11am-8pm Sat: 11am-7pm Sun: 11am-6pm

18-21 February, 201016-19 February, 201214 –17 May 2015

Zebrafish Embryo. Photo: Jay Patel.


16

'A ROYAL WELCOME' AT SUMMEROPENING OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Last year the Royal Family welcomedaround 62,000 guests to BuckinghamPalace, at State Visits, receptions,Garden Parties, Investitures and privateaudiences. This year, for the first timeever at the Summer Opening of thePalace, displays throughout the StateRooms will recreate the settings forthese occasions, and will show thepreparations that go into each one,whether a private audience with HerMajesty The Queen or a Garden Partyfor thousands.

Visitors to the Summer Opening willenter the State Rooms through the GrandEntrance, used by those who come tothe Palace at the invitation of The Queen,including Heads of State and PrimeMinisters. For ceremonial processionsHer Majesty departs and returns toBuckingham Palace by carriage from theGrand Entrance portico, where theAustralian State Coach will be displayedfor this year's Summer Opening. It wasmost recently used to carry The Duke ofEdinburgh and Sen ̃ora Rivera, wife of thePresident of the United Mexican States,in the arrival procession of the StateVisit in March 2015.

State Visits are formal visits to theUnited Kingdom by Heads of State fromoverseas, with the aim of strengthening

Britain’s relationships with othercountries. During her reign, The Queenhas welcomed 110 Heads of State onformal State Visits to Britain, manyhosted at Buckingham Palace. Planningbegins around 12 months in advanceand involves staff from across the RoyalHousehold. This summer's displays willrecreate some of the behind-the-sceneswork, from the preparation of food andselection of wine to the choice of HerMajesty’s outfits. Dresses worn by TheQueen for the arrival of the President ofSingapore and at the welcome StateBanquet will be shown.

At this year's Summer Opening, thePalace's Ballroom will be set up for aState Banquet and the table dressed withsilver-gilt centerpieces and candelabrafrom the magnificent Grand Service inthe Royal Collection. The detailedpreparations required to create such aspectacle, including the placing of 2,000pieces of cutlery for 170 place settings,have been captured in speciallycommissioned time-lapse film. Severaldresses and items of personal jewelleryworn by The Queen at State Banquetsand a number of gifts presented to HerMajesty by visiting Heads of State willbe shown. Also on display will be someof the important 'tools of the trade', fromthe copper moulds used to create'chocolate bombe' desserts (some ofwhich have been in use since the 19thcentury) to the red leather seating-planner.

Around 25 Investitures are held everyyear, the majority of which take place atBuckingham Palace. Each is attended bysome 120 people who receive theirhonour from The Queen or a seniormember of the Royal Family, and by therecipients' guests. The knighting stooland a knighting sword used to conferknighthoods will go on displayalongside a number of Orders andDecorations.The Order of Merit, the solegift of the Sovereign, is a special honourawarded primarily to individuals whohave rendered exceptional servicetowards the advancement of the Arts,Learning, Literature, Government andScience.

The first Garden Party at BuckinghamPalace was held by Queen Victoria in the1860s. Today, there are usually threeGarden Parties at the Palace everysummer, each attended by approximately8,000 people, who consume 27,000cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and20,000 cakes.

A Royal Welcome is part of a visit tothe Summer Opening of the State Roomsat Buckingham Palace, from 25 July to27 September. Advance tickets andvisitor information, telephone 020 77667300 or at www.royalcollection.org.uk

Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015. The Ballroom atBuckingham Palace, set up for a State Banquet.

Centrepiece, part of the Grand Serviceused at a State Banquet at BuckinghamPalace.


17

20/21 INTERNATIONAL ART FAIRAT THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

‘Colourful, exotic and eccentric’ is howthe 20|21 International Art Fair wasdescribed on Bloomberg TV and this year’sfair, which takes place in the prestigiousgalleries of the Royal College of Art from14-17 May, aims to be just that.

It will be opened by Uri Geller, theinternationally acclaimed illusionist, at

12 noon on Thursday 14 May. Geller isan avid collector and also a talentedartist who was taught by the greatSalvador Dali.

On show at this ‘boutique’ fair, now inits ninth year, will be modern andcontemporary art from the UK andaround the world. Although most of the60 participating galleries are UK based,they will feature work from a whole hostof countries including Eire, France,Japan, Russia, Serbia and South Africato name just a few.

There will be oils, original prints,watercolours, drawings, collage, somephotography and sculpture from 1900 tothe present day. Prices range from a fewhundred pounds to many thousands –without doubt something to appeal to alltastes and pockets.

To mark the 75th anniversary ofLondon in The Blitz, there is a specialdisplay of previously unseen work byOlga Lehmann who lived through thedevastation of the bombing, recorded iton paper and also recorded manymoving scenes of people living throughit – in underground shelters andcelebrating New Year in 1940 forinstance.

London continues to be a magnet forart collectors and art lovers. The majorpublic galleries annually attracthundreds of thousands of visitors to anunrivalled variety of exhibitions, whilethe number of commercial galleries inthe capital continues to grow, reflectingthe city’s international importanceamongst collectors.

Fairs, too, have a large role in themarket by making art accessible to thoseat the starter level as well as to thoseseeking to add to their collections. Theyoffer the perfect opportunity to meetdealers in a friendly atmosphere andlearn about the current market andtrends. Those such as 20|21International, with a rich diversity ofstyles, media and price, are a major partof the London art scene.

20|21 is organised by Gay Hutsonand Angela Wynn who also run thesuccessful 20/21 British Art Fair eachSeptember at the same venue.

The Royal College of Art is inKensington Gore, SW7 2EU. The nearestunderground station is High StreetKensington or South Kensington on thePiccadilly Line. Open Thurs: 11.00-21.00; Fri: 11.00-20.00; Sat: 11.00-19.00; Sun: 11.00-18.00.

For further information, telephone020 8742 1611 or visit the website atwww.20-21intartfair.com

‘Roland Collins (b.1918): London Bridge & St. Saviours after the Blitz’, gouache,37 x 53 cms. From Michael Parkin Fine Art.

Jackie Edwards: ‘Gone Lamping’, oil oncanvas, from The Doorway Gallery, Dublin.

Dodo Burgner (1907-1998): 'Twowomen in conversation', watercolour,30cm x 31cm (from her Berlin days).From The Rae-smith Gallery.


18

AMERICAN BUFFALOWyndham’s Theatre

Not a lot happens in David Mamet’s1975 three-hander American Buffalo butdirector Daniel Evans rattles it to thebone in this fiery revival at Wyndham’sTheatre. Set inside Don’s downtroddenjunk shop, the play centres around thepursuit of a buffalo nickel sold for ninetydollars and now suspected to be worthfar more. As the lure of the coin – and ofmoney itself – grows deeper, Don (JohnGoodman) and his young gofer Bob(Tom Sturridge) set about burgling it

back. But Bob is soon ousted in favourof Don’s poker buddy: the fast-talking,foul-mouthed Teach (Damian Lewis informidable hyper-energetic form).Simple enough though the premise ofthe plot may seem, it requires prickedears and full attention to really get onboard with at the start. Mamet’s savage,bruising dialogue is handled with skilland ferocity throughout but issometimes taken at such a pace thatdetail is missed – particularly in theinitial set-up.

Yet what lurks beneath the surfacenarrative is key to Mamet’s writing, notleast American Buffalo where thecorruptive power of money andmasculinity and the perils of theAmerican Dream are laid bare. The castdemonstrate ample talent in mining theplay for its embittered subtext with thefinal moment between Goodman andSturridge strikingly tender amid thetestosterone-fuelled rampage that hascome before. Finely acted by all, it isSturridge who makes the real star turn,

showing a chameleonic transformationfrom the British preppiness that themedia are prone to associate him with.His scene partners in Lewis andGoodman are forces to be reckoned withand neither let the ball drop even for amere moment.

In many ways, the play is not atypical, commercial choice for the WestEnd with its singular set and abrasivedialogue more naturally befitting abattered off-Broadway studio. It isrefreshing to see it embraced in the heartof Theatreland where Paul Wills’ artfullycluttered design perfectly captures theplay’s rising pressure-cooker

atmosphere. Mamet’s explicit languagehas long been cause for contention andalthough never gratuitous, the work willcontinue to elude some of its audience.It takes some intellectual fervour to getinvested in the characters and theirbroken world but the cast do a fine jobin taking many of us along for the ride.

Tim Hutchinson

John Goodman (Don), Tom Sturridge (Bob) and Damian Lewis (Teach) in AmericanBuffalo at Wyndham’s Theatre. Photos: Johan Persson.

Damian Lewis (Teach).

John Goodman (Don) and TomSturridge (Bob).


20

LIGHT SHINING INBUCKINGHAMSHIRE

National TheatreYou don’t hear very much at school

here about the English Civil War – aninglorious period when Charles I gotabove himself, was reprimanded byParliament and finally beheaded bycommoners in 1649. There wereCavaliers and Roundheads, featheredhats and flashing steel according tosome accounts. But not according toCaryl Churchill, whose dun-coloureddrama, ‘Light Shining inBuckinghamshire’, focuses on thestruggle of the working people toacquire a voice.

It is a tale with excellent potential andthe opening scenes of rich men feasting,while poor men humbly serve at a tablethe size of a cornfield raises our politicalhackles. Too bad the narrative takes usnot much further than the observationthat the highly placed have a nice lifewhilst the ne’er do wells don’t do wellbecause the others won’t let them.

As a history lesson, ‘Light Shining’ isspot on. We become acquainted with theLevellers, the Ranters and the Diggers.What marvellous folk – they werevarious shades of left wing opinionranging from those who thought that allmen could be saved and enter the

Kingdom of Heaven, that sex should beenjoyed freely, that property should beheld in common and even fellowswithout property should have the vote.

In the most impressive scene, the vastwooden table is broken up to reveal earthbeneath. The Diggers are transformingSt. George’s Hill at Weybridge into onebig allotment; they plonk themselvesdown upon it and wait for their seeds togrow. They don’t grow, however. Locallandlords and others who prefer tomaintain the status quo shoot some ofthem and put others in prison.

It’s too bad that so much politicalferment is represented by Churchill inspeech rather than deed. So the Putney Debates, where Oliver Cromwell andother soldiers argue about theConstitution, are faithfully rendered as atalking shop where both performers andaudience feel the tedium of neverreaching agreement. The lady in front ofme was nodding off.

You may feel much improved by thisbrush with seventeenth century politics,if not wildly entertained. More emotionalinvestment might have made the politicalpersonal. I wanted love and violence aswell as talking and digging, or perhaps Iwanted blood red, black and white, notjust tan and green.

In the end, even the endearing,slightly loopy protagonists who havebeen faithfully awaiting the coming ofChrist in Buckinghamshire – for itseems impossible that they would havefought so hard for change and wanted somuch for Him to come – have to admitthat He has not come. Or, if He has, theymissed it. Sue Webster

PLAYSTHE AUDIENCEStephen Daldry directs Kristin Scott Thomasin the play charting Queen Elizabeth II fromyoung mother to grandmother, following thearc of the second Elizabethan Age. APOLLO THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, W1 (0844 482 9671)

THE 39 STEPSMaria Aitken’s tongue-in-cheek adaptation ofJohn Buchan’s whodunnit has four actorsplaying 150 parts and includes all thelegendary scenes from Hitchcock’s movie.CRITERION THEATREPiccadilly Circus, WC2 (0844 847 1778)

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG A Polytechnic amateur drama group areputting on a 1920s murder mystery andeverything that can go wrong... does!A sell-out hit at the Edinburgh Festival.DUCHESS THEATRECatherine Street, WC2 (0844 482 9672)

HAY FEVERNoel Coward's classic comedy returns to theWest End, with misjudged meetings, secretseductions and scandalous revelations duringone outrageous weekend in Berkshire.DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRESt Martin’s Lane, WC2 (020 7492 1552)

THE WOMAN IN BLACKAn innocent outsider, a suspicious ruralcommunity, a gothic house and a misty marshare the ingredients of this Victorian ghost story.FORTUNE THEATRERussell Street, WC2 (0844 871 7626)

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOGIN THE NIGHT-TIMEBased on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel,the play follows a 15 year-old maths geniuswho tries to unravel the mystery of hisneighbour’s murdered dog.GIELGUD THEATREShaftesbury Ave, W1 (020 7452 3000)

Royal National Theatre Plays in repertory

OLIVIER THEATREBEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS From Katherine Boo's book, winner of theNational Book Award for Non-Fiction 2012,David Hare has fashioned a tumultuous play onan epic scale. Until 5 May. THE BEAUX STRATAGEMGeorge Farquhar’s final play is a fabulouscarnal comedy. The ‘Beaux’: Mr Aimwell and MrArcher, two charming, dissolute young men whohave blown their fortunes in giddy London. Theyflee to provincial Lichfield to marry for money.

Adelle Leonce (Hoskins).Photos: Marc Brenner.


21EVERYMANChiwetel Ejiofor takes title role in the play whichhas been a cornerstone of English drama sincethe 15th century. It now explodes onto the stagein a startling new production.LYTTELTON THEATREMAN AND SUPERMAN A romantic comedy, an epic fairytale, a fieryphilosophical debate, the play asksfundamental questions about how we live.Ralph Fiennes takes the role of Jack Tanner inthis exhilarating reinvention of Shaw’s classic.LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRETells the story of the passionate men andwomen who went into battle for the soul ofEngland. It speaks of the revolution we neverhad and the legacy it left behind.DORFMAN THEATRETHE HARD PROBLEMBased around the goings-on at a brain-science institute, Tom Stoppard’s new playfollows the life of a young researcher trying toovercome her own personal unhappiness. RULES FOR LIVING In Sam Holcroft’s theatrically playful, darkcomedy an extended family gathers in thekitchen for a traditional Christmas.NATIONAL THEATRESouth Bank, SE1 (020 7452 3000)

WAR HORSEThe National Theatre’s epic based on thecelebrated novel by Children’s Laureate,Michael Morpurgo. Actors work withmagnificent life-size puppets on a gruellingjourney at the time of the First World War.NEW LONDON THEATREDrury Lane, WC2 (0844 412 4654)

DEATH OF A SALESMAN Olivier Award winners Antony Sher andHarriet Walter star in the West End transfer ofthe Royal Shakespeare Company’s criticallyacclaimed production.NOEL COWARD THEATRESt Martin's Lane, WC2 (0844 482 5141)

THE ELEPHANT MANOscar nominee Bradley Cooper makes hisLondon stage debut in this West End transferfrom Broadway. From 19 May.THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKETHaymarket, SW1 (0845 481 1870)

THE MOUSETRAPAgatha Christie’s whodunnit is the longestrunning play of its kind in the history of theBritish theatre.ST MARTIN’S THEATREWest Street, WC2 (0844 499 1515)

OPPENHEIMERTom Morton-Smith's new play takes us into theheart of the Manhattan Project and explores thetension between the scientific advances that willshape our understanding of the universe. VAUDEVILLE THEATREThe Strand, WC2 (0844 412 4663)

AMERICAN BUFFALO Damien Lewis stars in this explosive drama,examining the fickle nature of honour amongthieves as three small-time crooks plan onebig-time heist.WYNDHAM’S THEATRE Charing Cross Road, WC2 (0844 412 4663)

MUSICALSWICKEDHit Broadway story of how a clever,misunderstood girl with emerald green skin anda girl who is beautiful and popular turn into theWicked Witch of the West and Glinda the GoodWitch in the Land of Oz.APOLLO VICTORIA THEATREWilton Road, SW1 (0844 826 8000)

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICALThis new musical is the untold story of herjourney from school girl to superstar, featuringthe Carole King classics including So Far Awayand Take Good Care of My Baby. ALDWYCH THEATREAldwych, WC2 (0845 200 7981)

MATILDACritically acclaimed Royal ShakespeareCompany production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda,directed by Matthew Warchus.CAMBRIDGE THEATREEarlham Street, WC2 (0844 800 1110)

LORD OF THE DANCE DANGEROUS GAMESMichael Flatley’s farewell tour. Based on Irishfolklore, this is the classic tale of Good vs. Evilis expressed through the language of dance. DOMINION THEATRETottenham Court Road, W1 (020 7927 0900)

LET IT BE Relive The Beatles’ meteoric rise from theirhumble beginnings in Liverpool’s Cavern Club,through the heights of Beatlemania, to their laterstudio masterpieces.GARRICK THEATRECharing Cross Road, WC2 (0844 412 4662)

SUNNY AFTERNOONThe Kinks exploded onto the 60’s music scenewith a raw, energetic new sound that rocked anation. With music and lyrics by Ray Davies.HAROLD PINTER THEATRE Panton Street, SW1 (0844 871 7627)

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERALong running epic romance by Andrew LloydWebber, set behind the scenes of a Paris operahouse where a deformed phantom stalks his prey.HER MAJESTY’S THEATREHaymarket, SW1 (0844 412 2707)

THE LION KINGDisney‘s phenomenally successful animatedfilm is transformed into a spectacular stagemusical, a superb evening of visual delight.LYCEUM THEATREWellington Street, WC2 (0844 871 3000)

THRILLER – LIVE High octane show celebrating the career of theKing of Pop, Michael Jackson. Over two hoursof the non-stop hit songs that marked hislegendary live performances.LYRIC THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (0844 412 4661)

MAMMA MIA!Hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, setaround the story of a mother and daughter onthe eve of the daughter’s wedding.NOVELLO THEATREAldwych, WC2 (0844 482 5170)

THE COMMITMENTS Roddy Doyle’s classic story about an assortedbunch of Irish kids who find salvation throughsoul music comes to the stage for the first time.PALACE THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, W1 (0844 412 4656)

continued on p.22

ROALD DAHL’S CHARLIE AND THECHOCOLATE FACTORYThe deliciously dark tale of young CharlieBucket and the mysterious confectionerWilly Wonka that has captivated the worldfor almost 50 years is brought to life atTheatre Royal Drury Lane, directed byAcademy Award® winner Sam Mendes.


22

ALICE’S ADVENTURESUNDERGROUND

Waterloo VaultsThe immersive fairytale is fast

becoming hot theatrical property. Notlong since Philip Pullman’s Grimm Talessaw its season extended at the OxoTower Bargehouse, Les Enfants Terriblesarrive with their almost excessively darktake on Alice in Wonderland andThrough the Looking Glass. Wringingevery droplet of hallucinatory disorderfrom Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories,Alice’s Adventures Underground quiteliterally takes you beneath the surfaceinto a bold, experiential journey throughWonderland – shifting from space tospace at The Vaults in Waterloo.

Samuel Wyer’s design is breathtaking.No stone has been left unturned in hisvisionary take on the mad and chaoticworld of Carroll’s writing. Visual andtextural detail is abundant right down tothe unsavoury residue on cups andsaucers at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.Each of Alice’s encounters is imaginativelyrealized as we recline with the Caterpillar,witness some mischievous aerial workfrom Tweedledum and Tweedledee and areeven tried in the Queen of Hearts’ CourtRoom. There is a glorious sense ofdiscovery as audience members becomefully-fledged participants, clamberingthrough each room with increasing verveand commitment.

Performances are expertly pitched forthe most part, with actors adding greatdollops of eeriness to wackycharacterization. Everything about theproduction kicks against the Disneyadaptation although there are oddmoments when a whimsical lightness oftouch is abandoned unnecessarily amidsome heavy-handed overplaying.

Many will find joy in the fact that theyhave experienced the proceedingsdifferently to others in their party; it alldepends on which suit of cards you areplaced into at the start. If you’re feelingintrepid, these Kings and Queens ofquirkiness are sure to come up withsomething that tickles your fancy.

Tim Hutchinson

WEST END WEDNESDAYSBACK IN MAY

West End Wednesdays, the hugelypopular promotion which offers theatrelovers half price tickets to top Londonshows, is to return for the month of May.Initially launched last July and run byTKTS, the Official London Theatre TicketBooth, the promotion returns this springwith tickets starting from as little as£9.75. These brilliant bargains will onlybe available to buy on-the-day and inperson at the TKTS ticket booth inLeicester Square.

Shows involved include MemphisThe Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre,The Play That Goes Wrong at theDuchess Theatre and Sunny Afternoon atthe Harold Pinter Theatre.

There are also tickets available for bigmusicals such as The Commitments atthe Palace Theatre, Thriller Live at theLyric Theatre and Women On The VergeOf A Nervous Breakdown The Musical atthe Playhouse Theatre.

Established in 1980, the Society ofLondon Theatre’s only ticket booth hasbeen offering safe and secure ticketservices to both Londoners and touristsalike for over 30 years.

JERSEY BOYSRags to riches tale of four blue collar kidsworking their way to the heights of stardomas Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.PICCADILLY THEATRE Denman Street, W1 (0844 871 3055)

WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN New musical comedy starring Olivier-Awardwinning actress Tamsin Greig. A story aboutwomen and the men who pursue them...Until 23 May.PLAYHOUSE THEATRENorthumberland Avenue, WC2 (0844 847 1722)

MISS SAIGONSet in the final days of the American occupationof Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War, thelegendary musical returns to the West End.PRINCE EDWARD THEATREOld Compton Street, W1 (0844 482 5155)

THE BOOK OF MORMONBroadway musical takes shots at everythingfrom organised religion to consumerism, stateof the economy and the musical theatre genre.PRINCE OF WALES THEATRECoventry Street, W1 (0844 482 5115)

LES MISERABLESA spectacularly staged version of Victor Hugo’sepic novel about an escaped convict’ssearch for redemption in Revolutionary France.QUEEN’S THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (0844 482 5160)

GYPSYMajor revival of the Stephen Sondheim andJule Styne musical, starring Imelda Staunton,transfers from a sold out run at Chichester.SAVOY THEATREStrand, WC2 (0844 871 7687)

MEMPHIS THE MUSICALTransferring from Broadway, the Tony Award-winning musical, inspired by true events fromthe underground dance clubs of 1950s. SHAFTESBURY THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (020 7379 5399)

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORYRoald Dahl's story of young Charlie Bucketand the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonkais brought brilliantly to life in a new West Endmusical directed by Sam Mendes.THEATRE ROYALDrury Lane, WC2 (0844 871 8810)

BILLY ELLIOT – THE MUSICALHit British film transformed into a thrillingstage musical by its original director, StephenDaldry, with music by Elton John. VICTORIA PALACEVictoria Street, SW1 (0844 811 0055)

ART DECO FAIR Sat 16 – Sun 17 May & Sat 19 – Sun 20 September10am – 6pmSurround yourself with art deco decadence and samplethe splendour of the thrilling thirties at our darling fair.

The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a company, no. 07447221, registered in England.

1 may this is london lores

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