17 july 2009 this is london

53 YEARS The No.1 Magazine for International Visitors

Est 1956 Issue 2754Friday 17 July, 2009

OLYMPIC CITY 2012

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

Welcome to LondonThe world has witnessed an incredible

century of science – countless discoveries,inventions and endeavours that would havebeen unimaginable when the ScienceMuseum came into being in 1909. Today,at a time of rapid and radical change forhumankind, the Science Museum iscommitted to becoming the best place inthe world for people to enjoy science, andgain insight and inspiration. Our centenaryis a moment of reflection and celebrationbut is also an opportunity to look towardsthe future.

Museum of the Future is the vision of the Science Museum and incrediblyexciting. As the Science Museum reaches 100 years we aim to celebrate theachievement of this great institution, whilst maintaining our focus on the future:the future of the Science Museum, and the future of Great Britain and the world.Museum of the Future places these three concerns equally at its core. WhenMuseum of the Future becomes a reality the Science Museum will be closerthan ever to achieving its aim of being the best place in the world to enjoyscience, an attractive destination for visitors from across the UK and abroad.As Britain increases investment in 'high tech' industries the importance of theScience Museum will grow as a place to spark the curiosity and creativity of thescientists, engineers and entrepreneurs of the future. And as the world changesever faster, the Science Museum will be relied upon more than ever to tell thecaptivating narratives of past, present and future that our collections embody.

I look forward to seeing you at our Centenary celebrations this summer.

Professor Chris Rapley CBEDirector of the Science Museumwww.sciencemuseum.org.uk

CONTENTS

Events 4Wembley Stadium ToursDawn of the Space Age

Music 8Anastasia VolochkovaCarlos AcostaBampton Classical Opera

Exhibitions 14Auguste Rodin at Hay Hill GallerySonglines 21 at Rebecca Hossack

Theatre 18Time and the ConwaysToo Close to the Sun

Proprietor Julie Jones Chairman Terry Mansfield CBEAdvertising Janet Gardener

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A London landmark and nowinstantly recognisable around the world,Wembley Stadium continues to attractthe biggest live events on the sports andmusic calendar.

Wembley is the home of the Englandfootball team and also of many flagshipfootball events including The FA CupFinal and Semi Finals, The Carling CupFinal, The Football League Play-OffFinals and The FA Community Shield.

Wembley also hosts regular RugbyLeague, Rugby Union and AmericanFootball and remains as famous for itsconcerts as for its sport. Wembley willhost the men and women's footballfinals at the London 2012 OlympicGames, the 2011 UEFA ChampionsLeague Final and will be at the heart ofThe Football Association's bid to bringthe 2018 World Cup to England.

A Wembley Stadium Tour allows youto experience your own 90 minutesbehind the scenes at Wembley andfollow in the footsteps of the manylegends before you.

You can limber up in the Englanddressing room and warm up areas, carryout a mock press conference, walk outthe player's tunnel to the cheer of thecrowds, sit in the team dugouts and visitthe Bobby Moore statue. You will evenget to walk up Wembley's famous

trophy presentation route to the RoyalBox and hold the FA Cup!

Stadium Tours depart daily, sevendays a week, from 09.30 to 16.30 everyday, starting every 15 minutes and canbe booked on 0844 800 2755 or atwww.wembleystadium.com/tours

Walk-up bookings can be made onthe day but cannot be guaranteed.

CROTCHETS AND CREAM TEAS ATST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS

Some of London's best youngmusicians will perform an hour oflunchtime music in the beautiful andtranquil surroundings of the 18th centurychurch, St Martin-in-the-Fields, on eachMonday in August.

Concert-goers can complete theexperience with a traditional English teaof freshly baked scone, jam and clottedcream with tea, fair trade filter coffee ororange juice in the award winning Caféin the Crypt before or after the concert.

The concerts include 'Song WithoutWords', 'Salut d'Amour', 'Summer Song'and 'Summer Chanson'. Tickets areavailable from the Box Office telephone020 7766 1100.

OUTDOOR SHOWING OF BLOW UPAT GREENWICH FILM FESTIVAL

A historic, first ever showing of theclassic 1960s film 'Blow Up' at thevenue where most of its scenes werefilmed, is just one of a host of activitiesset to take place this month to help markGreenwich’s celebrated connection withthe silver screen. The Greenwich FilmFestival forms part of Greenwich’s'Create' programme from 24-26 July.

The showing of ‘Blow Up’ takes placeon Saturday July 25 at 22.00 in MaryonPark. Since the film’s release in 1966,Maryon Park has received hundreds ofenquiries from all over the worldregarding the classic Antonini film whichstarred David Hemmings, VanessaRedgrave and Sarah Miles.

In addition to the film’s screening,guided tours of film locations in the parkwill take place at 19.30 and 20.45 andthere will also be a typical swingingsixties-style disco.

WEMBLEY STADIUM – TOUR A LONDON LANDMARKWembley is one of the most famous stadiums in the world.

It has a rich and unique heritage, having staged some of themost important events in sports and entertainment history.The stadium has now been re-built into a world class venuethat sets new standards for spectators and performers alike.

5DAWN OF THE SPACE AGE AT THEROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH

For centuries humans have dreamt ofconquering space and soaring through theheavens. In the 20th-century scientific andtechnological advances made the dreamcome true. On 4 October, 1957, a SovietR-7 missile launched the world’s firstartificial satellite into an orbit 150 milesfrom the Earth’s surface. The launchelectrified the world and heralded theworld’s race into space.

To mark the 40th anniversary of theApollo 11 Moon Landing, the firstmanned mission to land on the Moon on16 July 1969, the Royal Observatory islaunching Dawn of the Space Age.

This new planetarium show traces theexcitement and drama of the early days ofspace exploration. From the launch of thefirst artificial satellite to the dramatic lunarlandings and privately operated spaceflights, Dawn of the Space Age reveals thehistory of space travel and the astronautswho took part in these pioneeringexpeditions. Highlights include AlexeiLeonov’s historic space flight on Voskhod2, when on 18 March, 1965, he becamethe first person to walk in space.

The show takes visitors on a journey toouter space in a digitally-animatedspacecraft and onto the InternationalSpace Station, the largest artificial satellitein Earth’s orbit. It also looks at the adventof space tourism includingSpaceShipOne, the first privately-fundedhuman spacecraft.

Dawn of the Space Age is on show inthe Peter Harrison Planetarium – now theonly live public planetarium in London –equipped with one of the most advanceddigital laser projectors in the world.Astronomers working at the RoyalObservatory are on hand to answerquestions about the heavens after the show.

The International Year of Astronomy(IYA2009) is a year-long global celebrationof astronomy with the participation of 140countries worldwide, with events takingplace nationally, regionally and globallythroughout the year. For furtherinformation, visit www.nmm.ac.uk/dawn


Piccadilly Market

Piccadilly Market is held in the charming setting of the courtyard at St James’s Church – just yards from the Royal Academy. The market has been a popular destination for over twenty years and each week it plays host to up to 50 stalls offering an exciting selection of antiques, crafts, arts, jewellery, souvenirs, fashions, furnishings and more.

The market has a growing reputation for its contemporary jewellery designers who offer a range of unique pieces in Murano glass, Baltic amber and vegetable ivory.

Craft Market open:Wednesday-Saturday 10am-6pm. St James’s Antiques and Collectors Market open:Tuesday 10am-6pm.

St James’s Church Piccadilly197 Piccadilly, W1020 7734 4511 Tube: Piccadilly Circus/Green Park

Market closed:23 December – 2 January 2009

Perfect for all your Christmas Gifts

Piccadilly market is heldin the charming settingof the courtyard atSt James’s Church –just yards from PiccadillyCircus. A populardestination for over 20years, the market offersan exciting selection ofantiques, arts & crafts,jewellery, souvenirs,fashions, furnishings andmore.

Craft Market openWednesday-Saturday10am-6pm.St James’s Antiques andCollectors Market openTuesday 10am-6pm.

St James’s Church,197 Piccadilly,London W1J 9LLTel: 020 7734 4511Tube: Piccadilly Circus/Green Park

Apollo 11 (21 July, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon.


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SIR STIRLING MOSS CELEBRATESBIRTHDAY AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

Motor racing legend Sir Stirling Mosswill launch his latest book, the StirlingMoss Scrapbook 1956–1960, as part ofhis eightieth birthday celebrations at theSilverstone Classic which takes placefrom 24 to 26 July.

Sir Stirling will also be busy racing hisred Osca in the Silverstone Classic’s RACWoodcote Trophy, a series dedicated topost-war, pre-1956 sportscars racing toperiod specification at high profile historicmotor racing events.

The fourth in the acclaimed StirlingMoss Scrapbook series covers one of themost challenging and successful periodsof Moss’s career, including his débutvictories for Vanwall, Cooper and Lotus,and his contribution to Aston Martin’s1959 World Sportscar Championship win.

When not seen racing in the Osca, Sir Stirling may be spotted at theSilverstone Classic signing copies of hisnew book.

LATE LOUNGE AT INTERCONTINENTALLONDON PARK LANE

InterContinental London Park Lane,situated in the heart of Mayfair, haveannounced the opening of their exclusiveLate Lounge located in the hotel’s lobby.Featuring DJ TK, the Late Lounge provideswhat no other five star London hotel can –a private area in which to socialise sevennights a week from 22.30 until 03.00.

The Late Lounge offers a chic andintimate space to enjoy a glass of bubbly atthe Champagne Bar or a cocktail from theextensive list served by your very ownwaitress. Subtle lighting creates a relaxedenvironment whether gossiping with friendsor enjoying a secluded date. Thanks to hisexperience in some of London’s best barsand clubs, DJ TK will set the mood with hiseclectic and expansive collection of tunes.

The InterContinental London Park Laneis located on Number One Park Lane, andboasts 60 elegant ‘home away from home’suites among its four extravagantsignature versions. The superb, indulgentSpa InterContinental, the entertaining andscrumptious Cookbook Cafe, and award-winning restaurant, Theo Randall at theInterContinental, top off the experience.The InterContinental London Park Laneremains always ‘in the know’ makingLondon more exclusive, authentic andexciting for their guests.

THE 'SPATISSERIE' – DORCHESTERSPA’S NEW TEA SALON

Tucked away in The Dorchester Spa isthe uniquely named ‘Spatisserie‘, anopulent but intimate tea salon for lightlunches or afternoon tea with elegant, bitesize cakes, biscuits and pastries andChampagne and Spa cocktails.

Delicious lunch highlights of the'Spatisserie's' menu include Waldorf GoatCheese Salad, Vichyssoise, Grilled Filletsof Sole and Warm Lobster salad.Afternoon tea temptations include TheDorchester Spa’s signature Face CreamCake, Blueberry Cheesecake, The Pearl,Chocolate Sparkle, Chocolate Fudge andLemon Drizzle cake.

Cocktails include the 'Spa Kiss'cocktail with organic pear juice,elderflower, award winning Englishsparkling wine Nytimber and a secretingredient, and divine mocktails, LemonGrass and Berry Fizz, Berry Smoothie andAlmond Coffee Frappe.

As part of the multi-million poundrefurbishment and expansion programmeto The Dorchester Spa, glamorous'Spatisserie' interiors by Fox LintonAssociates comprise silvered mirrors withsilver metal frames and a large centretable topped with stunning flowers and anarray of handmade cakes and chocolates.Chairs and daybeds are upholstered in anassortment of silks, mohair and leather incorals, lilac and ivory.

The Dorchester is in Park Lane,Mayfair, W1. For reservations at theSpatisserie, telephone The Dorchester Spaon 020 7629 8888.

The Late Lounge at Intercontinental London Park Lane.

FRI 17 & SAT 18 JULYTHREE PERFORMANCES ONLYwww.volochkova.ru

LONDON COLISEUMBox Office: 0871 911 0200www.eno.org

‘The eloquent and brilliant ballerinawith limitless potential’ CLIVE BARNES NEW YORK POST


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As a star Russian dancer, the beautifulAnastasia attracts so much publicity shehas been described as the ‘Paris Hiltonof Russia’. From her early career withKirov and Bolshoi she has been admiredand talked about – for her dancing andher personal life.

But whilst this amazing woman hasachieved so much in her creative work,personal happiness has eluded her infailed relationships and her marriage tothe man of her dreams gave her abeautiful daughter but ended this year.Yet Anastasia has emerged stronger fromthese experiences and created a newdance show NERVE, transforming heremotional journey into an artisticperformance.

‘Nerve is my story’, says Anastasia.‘Artistes who have not experienced atragic love cannot know this feeling.

The ten compositions I dance are fullof my genuine passion, my brokendreams, my regrets and my eternal hope.This performance is my art imitatingmy real life.’

This new show performed by thecelebrated Russian ballerina consists often heart-stopping compositions set to themusic of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, GiacomoPuccini, Henry Purcell, Nino Rota,Charles Dumont, Ara Gevorgyan and IgorKornelyuk enriched with amazing operaperformances of Vassily Efimov (HelikonOpera) and Natalia Borozdina (NovayaOpera). Anastasia’s male partners areRinat Arifulin (Bolshoi Theatre) andYevgeny Ivanchenko (Kirov Ballet).

NERVE will be at the LondonColiseum on Friday 17 July at 20.00 andSaturday 18 July 14.00 and 20.00.Tickets priced at £10 to £60 can bepurchased by calling 0871 911 0200 orat www.eno.org

LEADING YOUNG MUSICIANSIN WIGMORE HALL RECITAL

Denitsa Laffchieva’s clarinet playingwon the hearts of the Wigmore Hallaudience in her sell-out recital in 2007and she now returns in the company ofAlexander Zemtsov, principal viola of theLondon Philharmonic Orchestra,international solo cellist and professor atthe Royal College of Music, Armeniancellist Alexander Chaushian andacclaimed British pianist Ashley Wass.

The programme showcases some ofthe best-loved chamber music for clarinetincluding Mozart’s Clarinet Trio No. 2,well-known by its nickname ‘Kegelstatt’Trio. The perfectly balanced threemovement work and its delicacy belies the legend that this music was composedas he played a game of skittles.

Schumann’s Märchenerzählungen or‘Fairy Tales’, composed in October 1853,is rhapsodic and essentially light-hearted.The final work in the programme is theBrahms Clarinet Trio in A minor, thestatuesque work composed in his lateryears and inspired by the playing of thegreat Richard Mühlfeld.

The performance is on 21 July (19.30)at Wigmore Hall. Tel: 020 7935 2141.

ANASTASIA VOLOCHKOVA AT THE LONDON COLISEUMStar ballerina Anastasia Volochkova, with world class

special guests, is to present the world premiere of her newshow NERVE for only three performances at the LondonColiseum on Friday 17 andSaturday 18 July.


SHALL WE DANCELed by international dance star Adam

Cooper, and featuring General Hospitaland Dynasty actress Emma Samms andOlivier Award-nominee Sarah Wildor,the world premiere of Shall We Dancewill be arriving in London this week,running from Thursday 23 July toSaturday 30 August.

The Sadler's Wells summerspectacular marks multi award-winningdancer and choreographer AdamCooper’s first new dance productionsince 2005. With a score comprisedentirely of melodies by iconic composerRichard Rodgers, the production boastsa show-stopping cast of over 40dancers and musicians.

Shall We Dance tells the story of oneman’s quest to find true love. Hispanoramic voyage travels from theOrient to the Wild West by way ofRussian Folk dance, New York jazz andthe waltzes of the Viennese ballroom.

A celebration of Richard Rodgers’greatest work in this the 30thanniversary year of his death, Shall WeDance includes music from SouthPacific, Sound of Music, Oklahoma,Carousel, Babes in Arms, On Your Toes,The King and I, State Fair, Pal Joey andmany more.

SOUND AND MUSIC CELEBRATEAPOLLO AT SCIENCE MUSEUM

To celebrate the 40th anniversary ofthe Apollo 11 moon landing, the ScienceMuseum, in its centenary year, alongsideSound and Music, are to present thepremiere of a new arrangement of BrianEno's 1983 album Apollo by Sound andMusic shortlisted composer Jun Lee.Brian Eno will introduce the first concerton 20 July, with a second performanceon 21 July, both at 19.30.

The performance – featuring theamplified ensemble Icebreaker with BJCole on pedal steel guitar – will be inthe Museum's IMAX cinemaaccompanied by original NASA footageof the moon landings used by director

Al Reinert in For All Mankind. The eventalso includes a performance of newmaterial based on recordings fromspace by laptop artists Douglas Benfordand Iris Garrelfs in the gallery featuringthe Apollo 10 capsule. Reflecting backon a time when people looked at thestars and dreamed and experienced themagic, mystery and awe of our universein Eno's gravity-defying music.

Sound and Music is a landmark neworganisation, the result of the mergerbetween the British Music InformationCentre, Contemporary Music Network,Society for the Promotion of New Musicand Sonic Arts Network.

For tickets, call 0870 870 4771 orvisit www.sciencemuseum.org

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Friday 24 July 2009at 7.30pm

‘Bampton Classical Opera offers operas that one wants to hear’

Opera

GLUCKLa danzaLe cinesi


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BAMPTON CLASSICAL OPERAWIGMORE HALL DEBUT

Bampton Classical Opera has anunrivalled reputation for breathing newlife into forgotten classics of theeighteenth century. On Friday 24 July,Bampton will present a Gluck double billof Le cinesi and a second one act operararity, La danza, at a concertperformance for their debut appearanceat Wigmore Hall.

This unusual concert features theBampton Classical Players with a cast ofoutstanding singers conducted byacclaimed period-specialist ChristianCurnyn.

Renowned for Orfeo ed Euridice andhis ‘reform’ operas, Gluck’s numerousother stage works are little-known. Ladanza evokes a pastoral scene bathed ina Claudian evening light, and Le cinesioutrageously parodies different operaticgenres in the context of fashionablerococo chinoiserie.

Bampton’s La cinesi was originallystaged in 2008, whereas La danza, likemany of Gluck’s smaller operas, appearsnever to have been performed before inthis country.

Martene Grimson is joined byBampton regulars Serena Kay, LinaMarkeby and Tom Raskin in La cinesi aswell as Amanda Pitt and EdmundConnolly in Apollo and Hyacinth.

Tickets for the Wigmore Hall concertare available from the box officetelephone 020 7935 2141.

CARLOS ACOSTA AND GUESTARTISTS LONDON COLISEUM

Ballet superstar Carlos Acosta returnsto the London Coliseum with a revisedversion of his Olivier award-winning showfrom Wednesday 22 to Saturday 25 July.Acosta has devised and produced a newrepertoire that sees him reprise hisunforgettable recent performance in thePas de Deux from Spartacus with theBolshoi's Nina Kaptsova.

Acosta has personally selected aninternational cast of dancers from some ofthe world’s most renowned balletcompanies; Arionel Vargas and BegoñaCao from English National Ballet, MiguelAltunaga from Rambert, Veronica Corveasfrom Ballet Nacional de Cuba, NinaKaptsova from the Bolshoi, Steven McRaeand Roberta Marques from The RoyalBallet, and Amilcar Moret and FlorenciaChinellato from Hamburg Ballet all joinhim on stage for this production.

Highlights of Part one include theSpartacus Pas de Deux; Neumeier’sOthello performed by Moret andChinellato with Arvo Pärt’s score playedlive, and Ben Stevenson’s ThreePreludes performed by Vargas and Cao,who have previously performed the piecewith English National Ballet.

Part two features Acosta’s performanceof Descombey’s contemporaryinterpretation of Dying Swan,accompanied by Camille Saint-Saens’music. Ticket Office 0844 412 4300.

UNITED UNDERGROUND Southbank Centre, experimental

initiative Ctrl.Alt.Shift, arts developmentagency British Underground and actor andmusician Riz Ahmed are to those a uniquesix-hour mix of music, debate and party,which takes place throughout the spacesof the Southbank Centre on 18 July.

The United Underground event featurescutting-edge street culture, music,artwork, fanzines and film set against abackdrop of new-school activism focusingon burning contemporary issuesincluding questions of Human Rights inGaza to the role of new media in theIranian protests.

Jude Kelly, Artistic Director ofSouthbank Centre, said: 'We are delightedto host United Underground, as part ofour ongoing commitment to present thebest in emerging artists and new ideas,and build an audience for new talent at the Southbank Centre.'

United Underground featuresscreenings of new short film talentgathered by Film London talent spotters,plus feature films from Andy Serkis andEran Creevey in the Purcell Room,including films Shifty, Rendition and TheAge Of Stupid.

Ctrl.Alt.Shift will be putting together afanzine, in real time, documenting thenight with contributions from theaudience, as well as contributions fromactivists and artists.

Ticket Office 0871 663 2500.

Carlos Acosta and company of international dancers.


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ROYAL NAVY’S NEWEST WARSHIPOPENS TO VISITORS

The Royal Navy’s newest warshipthrows open its hatches to the public thisweek, 250 years after the keel of theworld’s most famous warship, HMSVictory was laid. Type 45 destroyer HMSDaring will be open for two days on July18 and 19 as part of Royal Navy Past andPresent, a two day event hosted jointly byPortsmouth Naval Base and PortsmouthHistoric Dockyard.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’sattractions will be open to visitors over theweekend where they can experience moreof the modern Navy at Action Stations,with interactive displays and simulatorsand the chance to take the controls of amodern warship, fly a helicopter or gointo battle with the Royal Marines. Thereis even the chance to glimpse the RoyalNavy Future with Carrier Strike, a newexhibition detailing the future of the RoyalNavy and the new Aircraft Carriers underconstruction.

The Navy's past is presented throughthe other Historic Dockyard attractions;HMS Victory, Mary Rose, HMS Warrior1860 and the Royal Naval Museum.Throughout the event the public will betreated to performances by the RoyalMarines Band, Portsmouth.

ONCE ON THIS ISLANDA major new production of the award-

winning musical Once on this Islandstarring actress and singer Sharon DClarke, opens at Hackney Empire on24 July. Once On This Island is the highlyacclaimed Broadway musical based onRosa Guy's My Love, My Love. Written byTony-award winning authors StephenFlaherty and Lynn Ahrens, the musicalreceived its European premiere atBirmingham Repertory Theatre in 1994. Itwent on to win the Olivier Award for BestNew Musical following a successful WestEnd run.

This passionate and vibrant musicaltale tells the tragic love story of TiMoune, a beautiful peasant girl whodevotes herself to a handsome andwealthy Creole planter whose life shehas saved from an accident. The courseof true love, however, is put to the test asTi must prove to the island's mythicalgods that she is willing to giveeverything, even her life for the purestlove she has ever known.

Box Office 020 8985 2424.

DANCE WITH USAIN BOLT AT THEAVIVA LONDON GRAND PRIX

UK Athletics and Aviva London GrandPrix organisers Fast Track, are giving theworld the chance to dance with tripleOlympic gold medallist, Usain Bolt,through the ‘Bolt Dance’ campaign. Whocan forget the unique dancing celebrations

performed by Bolt after winning each ofhis three gold medals at the BeijingOlympics? Familiar to many Jamaicans,those moves feature alongside a track byNuh Linga and Gully Creeper.

The Bolt Dance is encouraging everyoneto submit their versions by video. Butthere’s no Simon Cowell on this judgingpanel – you only have to impress thefastest-man-on-earth, Usain Bolt. The luckywinner will get to show off their moves onthe track with Usain Bolt at the AvivaLondon Grand Prix at Crystal Palace, theUK’s premier athletics event, on Friday24 July straight after his 100m race.

Dancing comes naturally to Jamaicans,as Bolt explained. 'People in Jamaica loveto dance. When I win I’m happy so I liketo dance. It’s just natural to me and it isentertaining for the fans.'

PENÉLOPE CRUZ AT BFI SOUTHBANKPenélope Cruz has intoxicated and

dazzled audiences since her first majorrole in Jamón, starring opposite JavierBardem. BFI Southbank is set to launcha special preview of Broken Embraces,her latest collaboration with PedroAlmodóvar, followed by an on-stageinterview with both Cruz and Almodóvarin August.

Growing up in a working-classsuburb of Alcobendas, north of Madrid,Penélope spent many hours at hermother’s hairdressing salon observingwomen, their many differences and howthey related to each other, an invaluableeducation which she so evidentlyabsorbed.

After studying classical ballet for nineyears at Spain's National Conservatory,she turned to acting aged 15 when shewon a talent contest and soon workingin television, rapidly progressing to thebig screen.

A self-confessed perfectionist, Cruzhas overcome the ‘burden’ of beingstunningly beautiful and proved to be anactress of exceptional ability. Her Oscaracceptance speech for Vicky CristinaBarcelona was dignified, inspiring andhumble, much like the woman herself.


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The noted Rodin Scholar Albert Elsenconsidered the posthumous recasting ofthe sculptor’s work as part of the naturalevolution in the sculptures’ life. Theexhibition on display shows that it is onceagain possible to capture the essence ofthe artist’s life accomplishments.

Auguste Rodin is generallyconsidered the most important sculptorof the 19th century and the father ofmodern sculpture. His style andtechnique opened the doors for suchartists as Alberto Giacometti and HenryMoore by breaking traditional mouldsand ideas in sculpture. Born to a familyof modest means in 1840 in Paris,France he rose to win five of France’slargest commissions for monuments inthe years 1880s and 1890s.

Since his death in 1917, he hasbecome a legend. His passion for lifeand women are expressed in hisunparallel oeuvre. His tragic affair withCamille Claudel formed a heartbreak thatsaw Rodin seek relationships on manylevels with a host of female artists,dancers, models and aristocraticpersonalities of his time.

Rodin was deeply committed to theseerotic liaisons which formed the primarycore of his creativity. He had anunparalleled gift for modelling in clay.His figures express movement, strengthand passion. Rodin transformed thispassion most notably in a human forminto thousands of small and grand workswhich has been unequalled to this day.

The beginning stages of his work ofteninvolved a sketch which was transformedinto clay using life models as reference.From the clay which would disintegrateover time a negative mould is made inwhich is then cast a plaster. The plasterthen becomes the basis for the casting inbronze or sculpting in stone.

Rodin’s position is now guaranteed inthe pantheon of greatest artists ofWestern tradition and you now have theopportunity to view over 50 and acquiresome of his greatest achievements at theHay Hill Gallery.

Hay Hill Gallery, 23 Cork Street,Mayfair, London W1S 3NJ. Telephone020 7734 7010, www.hayhill.com

‘TIME AND TIDE’ AND ‘BELOVEDLIGHT’ PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITIONS

There is also a last opportunity thisweekend to see ‘Time and Tide’, a jointshow of the most recent work byinternationally recognised London-basedRussian photographers Al Lapkovskyand Katya Evdokimova. This show willrun at the Hay Hill Gallery until 18 July.

Both Lapkovsky and Evdokimovahave won many photographic awardsincluding Professional Photographer ofthe Year.

‘Beloved Light’ is a photographicshow exhibiting the world-renownedMario Carrieri’s black and white works.Carrieri’s work has been featured inmore than 300 books.

Also exhibiting will be two otherinternational photographers, IrisThorsteindottir and Silja Truus. Theseexhibitions will run at the Hay HillGallery until 15 August.

AUGUSTE RODIN AT THE HAY HILL GALLERYA superb collection of some of the most iconic pieces of the

famed sculptor Auguste Rodin is currently on exhibition at theHay Hill Gallery at 23 Cork Street in Mayfair. Among thecollection of posthumous casts are such iconic works as TheThinker, The Kiss, Eve, Age of Bronze, Balzac, along withmany other well-known sculptures.

Eve.

The

Walk

ing

Man

.


15A VISIONARY NEW PAINTER OFTHE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

For her second exhibition with theFrancis Kyle Gallery, the Scottish painterWendy Sutherland has assembled abody of paintings completed over sometwo years which explore and articulate avision of landscape in the north-eastHighlands of Scotland as dynamic as itis lyrical. In works which can border onabstraction without losing a crucialsense of place, Sutherland’s‘conversation’ with her canvases chartsher relationship with her naturalsurroundings. While every painting isstill specific to a particular landscape inits genesis, frequently these works takeon a universal dimension where distanceand proximity may fuse, creating abeguiling ambiguity.

‘Each painting,’ Sutherlandcomments, ‘I treat as an individual withits own demands as to what medium itrequires. Pieces will vary from graphiteand oil to a combination of ink andshellac. I try to listen to the subject andallow it to lead me in the direction that

best reflects the moodor atmosphere’.Concerns such as theseindicate an element ofhigh seriousnessunderpinning allSutherland’s works.

Wendy Sutherlandgraduated fromEdinburgh College ofArt with First ClassHonours in 1997 andhas gone on to receivesome ten major awardsfor her landscape work,including JudgesCommendation, HighlandOpen (1998) and Awards to Artists,Highlands and Islands Arts and ScottishArts Council (2001), holding seven one-person exhibitions in the UnitedKingdom and Canada over the past tenyears. She has undertaken several publiccommissions since 1999 includingEdinburgh International ConferenceCentre and UHI Millennium Institute.

Still in her early thirties, Sutherland

identified early on as her primary goalan evolving interpretation of thelandscape of the Scottish Highlandstoday and is already considered aleading figure in this field.

Francis Kyle Gallery is situated inMaddox Street, Mayfair, W1. Telephone020 7499 6870/6970 or visit the websiteat www.franciskylegallery.com

20th - 26th JULY 2009MALL GALLERIESTHE MALL - LONDONOpen every day5pm - 8pm Mon.10am - 5pm Tues./Weds./Fri./Sat.10am - 8pm Thurs. | 10am - 3pm Sun.All enquiries:The Guild of Aviation Artists, Trenchard House85 Farnborough Road, Farnborough, Hants. GU14 6TFe-mail: [email protected]: 01252 513123 Fax: 01252 510505www.gava.org.uk CATALOGUE £4

FREE ADMISSION

Wendy Sutherland: Gorse, 137 x 152cm.


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Germaine Greer opened the exhibitionof master-works by the artists of Utopia,with an impassioned address about theimportance of aboriginal art and culture.The paintings on view – the large-scalesumptuously-dotted works by thedesert-painters of the Utopia Communityon the gallery’s first floor, the boldgeometric patterns, done in naturalochre on paper, by the Tiwi artist, JeanBaptiste Apuatimi, on the ground floor,and the huge, intricately-workedlandscape by Faith Thompson, fromNgukurr, on the top floor – bore ampletestimony to the vitality of aboriginal art,and its diversity.

For twenty-one years, the RebeccaHossack Art Gallery has been celebratingthat diversity, through its pioneeringseasons of aboriginal art. There havebeen ground-breaking one-personexhibitions of such luminaries as Emily

Kame Knawarrye, CliffordPossum Tjapaltjarri,Jimmy Pike, JohmMarrandwl, and LloydKwilla (whose workfeatured in last year’sBBC2 programme, Beatthe Bank). The summerseason of exhibitionsruns until 29 August.Tel: 020 7436 4899 or020 7255 2828.

OLD MASTERS REINTERPRETED ATROLLO CONTEMPORARY ART

Rollo Contemporary art is showing anew exhibition entitled 'Old MastersReinterpreted' from 15 July to 28 August.This is a group exhibition of internationalartists working in video, painting andsculpture, whose works engage with theart of Old Masters in a contemporaryfashion, re-envisaging key themes andimages from the past with contemporaryconcerns. Artists include BryonyAndersson, Joanna Hill, Yigal Ozeri,Rebecca Stevenson and Masaki Yada.

Rollo supports emerging artiststhrough to the well-established, such asgallery artist Frank Bowling RA. Basedoriginally in Islington, the gallery movedtemporarily to Albemarle Street, Mayfair,before finding its permanent home at51 Cleveland Street in Fitzrovia, London’snew art quarter.

As well as holding seven exhibitionswithin the gallery space a year, Rollocontinues to organise outside projects,aiming to bring art to innovative spaces toreach a wider audience and make art moreaccessible. In 2008, they organised threeart projects in Selfridges department storewith artist Claire Morgan.

www.rolloart.com

COLD CORNERS BY EVA ROTHSCHILDAT TATE BRITAIN

Tate Britain has unveiled its newDuveens Commission, Cold Corners, byEva Rothschild. This ambitious metalsculpture stretches and inhabits the fullspace of the Duveens, forming a spikyblack line that threads through thegallery like a ‘scribble in space’.

Cold Corners brings a chaotic,energetic presence to the grandeur of theneoclassical architecture of the DuveenGalleries. Comprising a sequence oftwenty-six connected triangles thestructure weaves through the space,climbing up to 12 metres as it loops upand over the stone architraves, swoopingdown to the floor of the Octagon beforereaching the north end of the 80 metregallery.

SUMMER EXHIBITIONS AT THE REBECCA HOSSACK GALLERYIt was a crowded private view on Thursday 2 July at the

Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, off Fitzroy Square, to inauguratethe gallery’s twenty-first Songlines season of aboriginal artexhibitions.

Rebecca Hossack, Germaine Greer andFaith Thompson.

AVIATION PAINTINGS OF THE YEARAT THE MALL GALLERIES

A record number of 407 original newworks by 134 artists will be on show atthe Mall Galleries from 20-26 July atthe Guild of Aviation Artists’ annualsummer exhibition – ‘Aviation Paintingsof the Year’.

Paintings by many of the world’svery best aviation artists can be seen,including the work of internationallyrenowned artist and Guild PresidentMichael Turner FGAvA, as well aspaintings by talented up and comingartists. All works are for sale.

On display will be a painting by theGuild’s Founder President, the lateFrank Wootton, OBE, kindly lent bySarah Quill, daughter of the famous testpilot, Jeffrey Quill. The painting depictsthree Spitfires and is entitled ‘Sunshineand Rain, Melksham 1944’.

This exciting, eagerly-awaitedexhibition will feature outstanding workin an impressive range of styles fromthe representational to semi abstract,and in a wide variety of media,including several ceramic works and abronze. Aviation and flight, in all itsforms, will be depicted – from theearliest days of balloons, through theWorld Wars to the present day –making the exhibition a ‘must’ forcollectors of aviation art, anyone

interested in aviation, its history or forthose who just enjoy original art.

Rear Admiral Colin Cooke-PriestFRAeS, Master, The Guild of Air Pilotsand Air Navigators, will open theexhibition on Monday 20 July. Anumber of prestigious trophies andawards will be presented including theBAE Systems’ £1000 ‘Aviation Paintingof the Year’ Award.

The exhibition will be open to thepublic from 20-26 July at the followingtimes: 10.00-17.00 on Tuesday,Wednesday, Friday and Saturday;10.00-20.00 on Thursday and 10.00-15.00 on Sunday. Entry is free.

Informal demonstrations of paintingin oil, watercolour, pastel and acrylic byGuild artists may be seen on a dailybasis from Tuesday until Saturday.

The popular and entertainingWalkabout Critiques, by FounderMember John Blake FGAvA, will takeplace on Thursday 23 July from12 noon to 14.00 and again between18.00 and 20.00.

Telephone 01252 513123 or visit thewebsite at www.gava.org.uk

SKYSTATION – A NEW INTERACTIVEPUBLIC SCULPTURE LAUNCHES

Cultural agency Futurecity is launchingan interactive sculptural seating project byPeter Newman as part of an exhibition ofthe artist's works in and around TheHayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre.

The Skystation is part of a larger publicseating project initiated and curated byFuturecity. The aim is to develop aconstellation of Skystations in 100locations across the UK and internationallycalled the 100 places project. This willbecome a shared public art experienceacross the whole network.

The project will be linked by acollaborative website. Orders have alreadybeen taken for the piece to be placed insituin Cambridge.

Peter Newman's Skystation is a circularsculpture, inspired by the form of LeCorbusier's iconic LC4 chaise longue. Thecontours of the work are designed to fit thereclining human figure and the work hasbeen developed to be sited outdoors, toencourage contemplation of the vastexpanse of space above and beyond.

Ticket Office 0871 663 2500.

‘Unsurpassed’, Concorde over the City of London, by Patricia Forrest, GAvA.

‘Out of North Weald’, by Ieuan Layton-Matthews, GAvA.

17



18

The latest mother to cast a longshadow over the lives of her offspring isMrs. Conway (Francesca Annis) inJ.B. Priestley’s Time and the Conways –handsomely revived at the Lyttelton in aproduction directed by Rupert Goold thatattempts to do for this stalwart 1937drama what Stephen Daldry did for thesame author’s An Inspector Calls in 1992.

Like An Inspector Calls, DangerousCorner and I Have Been Here Before,Time and the Conways is one ofPriestley’s ‘time’ plays in which heintriguingly mixes and distorts the past,the present and the future to create apsychological sense of déjà vu.

It begins in 1919, in the living room ofa large detatched house in the industrialNorthern town of Newlingham. KayConway (Hattie Morahan), an aspiringauthor, has turned 21. A game of charadesis in progress, in the course of which wemeet all the members of the Conwayfamily, except for Mr. Conway, who hasrecently drowned.

Apart from Kay and Mrs. Conway,there’s Madge (Fenella Woolgar), an avidsocialist who takes herself extremelyseriously, Hazel (Lydia Leonard), theprettiest of the sisters, and Carol (FayeCastelow), the youngest and mostnaturally wholesome of the group. They

have two brothers, Alan (Paul Ready), adecent enough, though unassertive andunprepossing clerk, and, in completecontrast, Robin (Mark Dexter) a dashingRAF officer newly returned from the war.There are three other characters, all ofwhom become inextricably involved withthe future of the Conways.

The full extent of that involvement isshown in Act Two, which takes place in1937, and is far darker than the events ofthe first act. Now, eighteen years on, everyone of the Conways, with the possibleexception of Alan, is dysfunctional anddeeply unhappy.

The promise, the hope, the aspirationsand the optimism of the first act are intatters as the harsh realities, domestic aswell as economic, bring nothing butdespair and disappointment.

Act Three reverts back to 1919. Theparty is over and the guests begin to leave.As Priestley gradually sows the seeds ofthe family’s ultimate destruction, Kayappears to have a disturbing premonition

of what all their lives are going to become.Playing with time was hardly new to

the theatre in 1937. Indeed, three yearsearlier Moss Hart and George Kaufmannhad done just that in Merrily We RollAlong, a poignant drama which goesbackwards in time beginning with theweary cynicism of its middle-aged hero(a playwright), and ends with theyouthful hope and optimism with whichhe began his career.

Both plays attempt to show thecorrosive effects of time and and itscurdling effect on one’s dreams.

Priestley, through the mouth of AlanConway, intellectualises it thus: ‘Thepoint is,’ he tells his sister Kay,‘we’reonly a cross-section of our real selves.What we really are, is the whole stretchof ourselves, all our time, and when wecome to the end of this life, all our timewill be us, the real you, the real me. Andthen, perhaps, we’ll find ourselves inanother time, which is only another kindof dream.’

Whether or not you agree with him,Priestley the intellectual is never aseffective as Priestley the populardramatist. At his best his plays arehugely entertaining and Time and theConways is no exception.

Rupert Goold being Rupert Goold,embellishes, with striking effect, theends of Acts Two and Three with a visualinterpretation of the author’s thesis onthe transcience of time. But it’s hardly asendemic to this production as StephenDaldry’s stunning visual concept of TheInspector Calls was to his. Just regard itas a bonus rather than a concept integralto the text, and enjoy it together with thefine ensemble cast, Laura Hopkins’s setsand Mark Henderson’s lighting. Togetherthey provide a solid evening’sentertainment.

CLIVE HIRSCHHORN

TIME AND THE CONWAYS National TheatreMonstrous, self-serving mothers seem to be the current

theatrical fad. In playing host to Tracy Letts’s August: OsageCounty, the National introduced us to Beverley Watson, thematerfamilias from hell. In the recent revival of AlanAyckbourn’s The Norman Conquests, it’s a selfish mother(unseen throughout the play) who brings misery to anunmarried daughter; while another feckless mother, again,neither seen nor heard,dominates Polly Stenham’sTusk Tusk, latterly at theRoyal Court.


19WORLD PREMIERE OFTOO CLOSE TO THE SUN

Too Close To The Sun, a dramatic newmusical of a fictional account of the lastdays in the life of Ernest Hemingway, hasits World Premiere in London’s West Endthis summer, opening at the ComedyTheatre this week for a limited season.

Author and Nobel Prize-winner ErnestHemingway, battling the rigours old age,takes solace in the company of his youngsecretary. His wife, tolerating this liaison soas not to lose him, is aware that thesecretary has a secret agenda – to becomewife number five and inherit his estate.

The arrival of Rex, an old schoolfriend, adds a further complication, ashe tries to secure the film rights to thelife of the notorious writer. With bribery,lies and manipulation, Rex plays adangerous game to achieve his goal, butin this suggested account of eventsleading to Hemingway’s death, can therebe any winners? Tel: 0844 871 7622.

THEATRE503 IN THE MOUNTAINTOP The Theatre503 world premiere

production of Katori Hall’s TheMountaintop, starring David Harewoodas Martin Luther King, transfers toTrafalgar Studio 1 this week. Directed byJames Dacre, the play received anoutstanding critical response across themedia during its three-week run at theBattersea-based theatre.

The performance focuses on the nightbefore the assassination of Martin LutherKing, as he retires to room 306 in thenow famous Lorraine Motel in Memphisafter giving his legendary ‘I have been tothe mountaintop’ speech to a massivechurch congregation. When room-service is delivered by a young woman,whose identity we puzzle over, King isforced to confront his past, as well ashis legacy to his people. This grippingre-imagining of King’s last night is shot-through with powerful performancesfrom David Harewood as King andLorraine Burroughs as the mysteriousCamae.

Box Office 0870 060 6632.

WARHORSE CONTINUES ITS GALLOPING SUCCESS The National Theatre’s award-winning production of War Horse is releasing over

150,000 new tickets for sale, taking bookings at the New London Theatre up to12 February 2010. The National’s sell-out production of Nick Stafford’s adaptation ofMichael Morpurgo’s book transferred to the West End in March this year where ithas been playing to packed houses ever since. Just 12 weeks after its opening at theNew London Theatre, War Horse recouped its transfer costs, having had a recordbreaking week of sales in May of over £330,000. Tickets are available from the BoxOffice on 020 7452 3000.


20 PLAYSCARRIE’S WARA stage adaptation of Nina Bawden’s novelstarring Prunella Scales and Kacey Ainsworth,the tale of two evacuees transported from Londonto the safety of the countyside in the 1940s.APOLLO THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (0870 890 1101)

THE 39 STEPSMaria Aitken’s tongue-in-cheek adaptation ofJohn Buchan’s whodunnit has four actors playing150 parts and includes all the legendary scenesfrom Hitchcock’s movie.CRITERION THEATREPiccadilly Circus, WC2 (0844 847 1778)

COLLABORATION/TAKING SIDESCompanion pieces written by Ronald Harwoodexplore the fine line between collaboration andbetrayal during the Second World War.DUCHESS THEATRECatherine Street, WC2 (0870 890 1103)

ARCADIAMajor revival of Tom Stoppard’s play, directed byDavid Leveaux. A dazzling, witty masterpiece ofmisunderstanding and quest for knowledge,resonating across centuries.DUKE OF YORK’SSt. Martin’s Lane, WC2 (0870 060 6623)

THE WOMAN IN BLACKAn innocent outsider, a suspicious ruralcommunity, a gothic house and a misty marshare the ingredients of this Victorian ghost story,now in its 17th year.FORTUNE THEATRERussell Street, WC2 (0870 060 6626)

Royal National Theatre (Plays In Repertory)

OLIVIER THEATRE

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELLSet against a background of sexism, snobberyand a battle between the generations,Shakespeare turns fairytale logic on its head.

ENGLAND PEOPLE VERY NICEA riotous journey through four waves ofimmigration from the 17th century to today. The emerging pattern shows that white flight andanxiety over integration is anything but new.

LYTTELTON THEATRE

TIME AND THE CONWAYSJ B Priestley was fascinated by the study of time.Writing in 1937, he saw how Britain wascomplacently failing to learn from history andcharging headlong towards another conflagration.

PHEDREHelen Mirren takes the title role in this savageplay by Jean Racine, translated into muscular freeverse by the late Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes.

THREE MORE SLEEPLESS NIGHTSCaryl Churchill’s engaging play is a powerfullook at human interaction and relationships.

COTTESLOE THEATRE

THE OBSERVERRichard Eyre returns to the National Theatre todirect this gripping new play by award-winningplaywright Matt Charman.

THE BLACK ALBUMHanif Kureishi’s witty stage adaptation of hisstriking prescient novel, humorously considershow the events of 1989 have shaped today’sworld, where fundamentalism battles liberalism.

NATIONAL THEATRESouth Bank, SE1 (020 7452 3000)

WAR HORSEThe National Theatre’s new epic based on thecelebrated novel by Children’s Laureate, MichaelMorpurgo. Actors work with magnificent life-sizepuppets on a gruelling journey through history.NEW LONDON THEATREDrury Lane, WC2 (0844 412 4654)

CALENDAR GIRLSThe true story of the members of the Woman’sInstitute who shun their usual cake baking andjam making in order to produce a nude calendarto raise money for Leukaemia Research. NOEL COWARDSt Martin’s Lane, WC2 (0870 850 9175)

THE CHERRY ORCHARDChekhov’s daring, droll meditation on bourgeoismaterialism and what remains in its wake,presented in a new version by Tom Stoppard.

THE WINTER’S TALEShakespeare’s rich tragi-comedy is a magicaltestament to the follies of hasty judgement andthe force of love as a means of reconciliation.

OLD VICThe Cut, Waterloo, SE1 (0844 847 1722)

THE MOUSETRAPAgatha Christie’s whodunnit is the longestrunning play of its kind in the history of theBritish theatre.ST MARTIN’S THEATREWest Street, WC2 (0870 162 8787)

WAITING FOR GODOTSamuel Beckett’s classic play originally explodedonto the London stage 50 years ago when itshocked as many people as it delighted. This newproduction stars Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart.THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKETHaymarket, SW1 (0870 400 0626)

DUET FOR ONEDeeply moving psychological drama about abrilliant concert violinist forced to rethink her lifeafter being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.VAUDEVILLE THEATREStrand, WC2 (0870 890 0511)

HAMLETJude Law makes his Donmar debut in the titlerole, directed by Kenneth Branagh.WYNDHAM’S THEATRECharing Cross Road, WC2 (0870 950 0925)

MUSICALSDIRTY DANCINGBased on the ‘80s movie, this famous taleinvolves a daddy’s girl and a dance instructor ata New York holiday resort during the long, hotsummer of 1963.ALDWYCH THEATREAldwych, WC2 (0870 4000 704)

WICKED THE MUSICALHit Broadway story of how a clever,misunderstood girl with emerald green skin and agirl who is beautiful and popular turn into theWicked Witch of the West and Glinda the GoodWitch in the Land of Oz.APOLLO VICTORIA THEATREWilton Rd, SW1 (0870 161 1977)

CHICAGOA dazzling mixture of sinuous bodies, toughbroads, murder and fickle fame, the Ebb-Fossemusical goes from strength to strength.CAMBRIDGE THEATREEarlham Street, WC2 (0870 890 1102)

TOO CLOSE TO THE SUNDramatic new musical of a fictional account ofthe last days in the life of Ernest Hemingway hasits world premiere in London.COMEDY THEATREPanton Street, SW1 (0844 871 7622)

WE WILL ROCK YOUA unique collaboration between the legends ofrock and Ben Elton, reflecting the scale andspectacle that marked Queen’s live performances.DOMINION THEATRETottenham Court Rd, W1 (0870 169 0116)

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSICSet to a score in waltz time by Stephen Sondheim,the story turns on four couples over amidsummer weekend in turn-of-the-centurySweden, where affairs of the heart are uppermost.GARRICK THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (0844 412 4662)

AVENUE QAn unholy comedic alliance of humans andpuppets tells the story of life on the wrong side ofthe tracks in this Tony Award-winning musical byRobert Lopez and Jeff Marx.GIELGUD THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (0844 847 1722)

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 (0870 890 1106)

SISTER ACTThe new stage musical based on the smash-hitmovie, featuring a score by 8-time Oscar winner,Alan Menken.LONDON PALLADIUMArgyll Street, W1 (0844 847 1722)


21THE LION KINGDisney‘s phenomenally successful animated filmis transformed into a spectacular stage musical, asuperb evening of visual delight. LYCEUM THEATREWellington Street, WC2 (0870 243 9000)

THRILLER – LIVESpectacular, high octane show celebrating thecareer of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson andthe Jackson 5.LYRIC THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, W1 (0870 890 1107)

STOMPThis British theatrical sensation has enthralledaudiences across the world with its combinationof theatre, dance, comedy and percussion.NEW AMBASSADORSWest Street, WC2 (020 7369 1761)

PRISCILLA THE MUSICALBased on the Oscar award winning film, aglamorous Sydney based performing trio taketheir show to the middle of the Australianoutback.PALACE THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, W1 (0870 895 5579)

BLOOD BROTHERSWilly Russell’s powerful musical about twins fromLiverpool, separated at birth, whose paths cross infriendship and finally in bloodshed.PHOENIX THEATRECharing Cross Road, WC2 (0870 060 6629)

GREASEInimitable slice of 50s Americana, bursting withdenim, cheerleaders and well-oiled quiffs.Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted to You,You’re The One that I Want and many more getaudiences dancing in the aisles.PICCADILLY THEATREDenman Street, W1 (0870 060 0123)

LA CAGE AUX FOLLESMajor revival of the classic Jerry Herman musical,which became the biggest new American musicalof the decade when it opened on Broadway in1983. A tale of family values and the need to beproud of who we are, where life is never a drag!PLAYHOUSENorthumberland Avenue, WC2 (0870 060 6631)

JERSEY BOYSRags to riches tale of four blue collar kidsworking their way from the streets of Newark tothe heights of stardom as Frankie Valli and TheFour Seasons.PRINCE EDWARD THEATREOld Compton Street, W1 (0870 850 9191)

MAMMA MIAHit musical based on the songs of ABBA, setaround the story of a mother and daughter, on theeve of the daughter’s wedding.PRINCE OF WALES THEATREOld Compton Street, W1 (0870 850 0393)

LES MISERABLESMuch praised and spectacularly staged version ofVictor Hugo’s epic novel. QUEENS THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (0870 950 0930)

CAROUSELThe story of the love affair between Billy Bigelow,a smooth-talking carousel barker, and JulieJordan, plus one of the most celebrated scores ofall time, including The Carousel Waltz, If I LovedYou, June is Bustin’ Out All Over and You’ll NeverWalk Alone. Until 25 July

DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATSInspired by the smash hit million selling albumscomes a brand new musical featuring some of thegreatest hits of the rock ‘n’ roll era. This feel-good production takes you back in time to wheneach passing week brought another classic track.

SAVOY THEATRESavoy Court, WC2 (0870 164 8787)

HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICALTracy Turnblad, the big girl with the big hair andan even bigger heart goes from 60s style danceshow to a downtown rhythm and blues recordshop. Based on the John Waters movie.SHAFTESBURY THEATREShaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (020 7379 5399)

OLIVER!Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of Lionel Bart’smusical masterpiece, starring Rowan Atkinson as‘Fagin’. The legendary songs include ‘ConsiderYourself’, ‘Food Glorious Food’, ‘I’d Do Anything’and ‘As Long as He Needs Me’.THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANECatherine Street, WC2 (0870 890 1109)

BILLY ELLIOT - THE MUSICALThe hit British film is transformed into a thrillingstage musical by its original director, StephenDaldry, with music by Elton John.VICTORIA PALACEVictoria Street, SW1 (0870 895 5577)

ALL NEW CAST AT THE CRITERION THEATREIt’s all change for The 39 Steps as a new cast takes over at the

Criterion Theatre. On 13 July the entire cast of 4 will be new faces inPatrick Barlow’s adaptation, directed by Maria Aitken. The newteam in London’s hit comedy will be Stephen Critchlow as Man 2;John Hopkins as Richard Hannay; Natalie Walter as AnnabellaSchmidt, Pamela and Margaret; and Stephen Ventura as Man 1.

Now in its third year, The 39 Steps hasplayed over 1000 performances in Londonwith a further 26 productions internationally,including the current Broadway run. MariaAitken’s multi award-winning productioncontains every single legendary scene fromthe 1935 classic Hitchcock movie thriller,including the chase on the Flying Scotsman,

the escape on the Forth Bridge, the firsttheatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and thesensational death-defying finale in theLondon Palladium, as well as thememorable and controversial ‘stockings andsuspenders’ scene.

Tickets are available from the Box Office,telephone 0844 8471778


22

And that's why the mere apparition ofa big, bold terrace, such as the one atMortimer's Grill, lifts the spirits and re-kindles all our optimism: of course 2009will be a great summer. We haven't hadone in two years; it's our due. The blue-white flames at the entrance; the broadcanopies of the sunshades; thepanorama beyond thick glass panes ofdiners in serried rows - all this makes ussigh with pleasurable anticipation.

Beyond ambience, however,Mortimer's is also a very good steakhouse trading under the banner 'Black &Blue' (that is, as black or as blue as youlike.) Steaks are aged Scottish beef;burgers are alleged to be excellent,

according to my friend,who said it was whatshe always ate here andso received a witheringlook from me.

Instead, we triedfirstly crab cakes £6),which came with springonion risotto and spicedtomato relish; andsautéed withmushrooms on toastedbrioche with a poachedegg and truffle oil.These were fresh,wholesome and verysubstantial - there was

no hope for the chips that followed. Awhole section entitled 'spit roastchicken' (£13) allows diners to choosebetween accompaniments of, say, chipsand salad or mashed potato, Frenchbeans and bacon and mushroom jus.I've never seen so much chicken on aplate for one person – and very fragrantwith garlic and herbs. Swordfish steakon a frisée salad (£15) was similarlyover-generous, so it was pretty crazy toorder ice cream sundae and apple tartwith cinnamon ice cream (£6).

But then, we don't get to fantasiseabout a long hot summer very often. Welost our heads; so did a lot of peopleordering cocktails and bar food, whowere sitting outside with their coats on,drinking Mortimer's Spring punch andeating big plates of crostini or mini fishand chips.

July in London? We love it.Sue Webster

MORTIMER'S GRILL37 Berners Street, W1020 7436 0451

MORTIMER'S GRILLThere is something, which perhaps visitors from other

(sunnier) lands do not understand about the British. We longfor summer. We have memories of long, light days when theevenings were filled with beer drinkers chatting on thepavements and, indeed, streets of the West End, keen to feelthe silky warm air on their bare arms and keener still toescape the un-air-conditioned fug of a bar interior. But thesememories are rare. We have whole summers when grey skiesare the norm and the matches at Wimbledon are rained offmore often than they are played.

17 july 2009 this is london

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