In Basildon has opened to some very good reviews, and there are tickets still available. Read review from A Passion for Theatre

The story from Royal Court website:

Len’s on his death bed and the family gather to say their final farewells. His sisters still aren’t speaking after nearly 20 years, his nephew’s trying for a baby – and a bigger house, while his best mate Ken remembers ‘Bas-vegas’ when it was a village. As the spread is laid out and the ham sandwiches sit next to the wreaths, it’s hard to see who’s hungry and who’s just greedy.

An epic family drama exploring inheritance and the myth of place.

In Basildon at The Royal Court Theatre.

Here is a description of the upcoming Intelligence Squared event at Cadogan Hall:

“Is it surprising that the Israelis and Palestinians are still unable to come to some sort of agreement? After all if the adjudicator in a mediation is firmly on your side why bother to concede anything to the enemy? Conversely, why accept anything proposed by the adjudicator if you know his affections are biased towards the other side? We know America’s neutrality is hopelessly compromised on this issue and it doesn’t pretend otherwise. Say something against Israel in the run-up to the US presidential elections and you won’t become president. And since that’s not going to change, the best thing one can hope is for America to simply withdraw from the peace process.

Or is it? Some have faith that Washington can be persuaded to adopt a more flexible and even-handed stance – that it can free itself from the influence of the hard-liners and be responsive to more liberal voices: the voice of the Jewish American lobby group J-Street, for example, whose president, Jeremy Ben-Ami, is one of the participants in this debate. For if America were not involved – if the most important global playmaker were excluded or pulled out of the negotiating process – then negotiations would become a charade; the power to force through compromises and enforce them will have gone. Uncle Sam may be a troublesome relative, but you’ll get nowhere without him.”

Debates and analysis of current affairs – Intelligence Squared.

If you missed the brilliant Guys and Dolls production at the Upstairs at the Gatehouse theatre, you have another chance to appreciate the sensational score. The Cadogan performs musicals in concert, which based on the version of My Fair Lady I saw last year is a unique but similarly entertaining method.

From the Cadogan:  “The smash hit numbers keep coming in this lively and uplifting concert production of the sparkling musical comedy , Guys and Dolls, telling the story of a group of small – time gamblers and the ladies in their lives.

‘Guys and Dolls’ features classic songs such as: ‘Luck Be A Lady’, ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat’, ‘If I Were A Bell’, ‘Sue Me’, ‘My Time of Day/I’ve Never Been in Love Before’, ‘Take Back Your Mink’ and the title song, ‘Guys and Dolls’.

Actor and singer Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney, Minder, New Tricks), in the role of narrator, is joined by acclaimed west end star Anna Jane Casey (Cats, Starlight Express, West Side Story, Chicago), Tim Howar (west end actor and Mike & The Mechanics singer) and Graham Bickley (Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Jukebox, Sunset Boulevard).”

Cadogan Hall : Featured Event.

Another upcoming exhibition which is expected to generate alot of interest is the Turner exhibit at the National Gallery.

“Turner created a revolution in painting at the beginning of the 19th century, responding to a modern industrial landscape with a freer style and new approaches to composition. Yet a lasting dialogue with the 17th century painter Claude lay at the heart of these developments. “

“Turner admired Claude most of all the Old Masters and enthused about the quality of light in the artist’s Italian landscapes. On his death, Turner left the National Gallery ‘Dido building Carthage’ and ‘Sun rising through Vapour: Fishermen cleaning and selling Fish’ in his will on condition that they were hung between two pictures by Claude, which he named as ‘The Seaport’ (‘Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba’) and ‘The Mill’ (‘Landscape with the Marriage of Isaac and Rebecca’). This exhibition brings together other closely related works by both artists, many of which share the same theme, giving visitors a chance to appreciate fully the enormous influence Claude’s mastery of light and landscape had on Turner from his formative years until the end of his life.”

Turner Inspired: In the Light of Claude | What’s on | National Gallery.

“With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humour writers. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that Sedaris is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today.”

David Sedaris audio sample- Live at Carnegie Hall

Cadogan Hall : Featured Event.

My readers know that i’m a proponent of visiting  the spectacular Middle Temple Hall whenever you can fit an event into your schedule.  The Tudor Hall, where Queen Elizabeth I also was in the audience at many Shakespearean events,  is an experience in itself.   This spring the Hall will present  A Midsummer Night’s Dream on its 400th anniversary.

From antic disposition theatre company: “When a handful of humans accidentally stumble into the magical realm of the fairies, the stage is set for a night of comical confusion in the moonlit woods. Can true love – and a little bit of magic – conjure up a happy ending before the sun rises?”

“Located in the secluded heart of London’s legal quarter between Fleet Street and the Embankment, Middle Temple Hall was completed in 1573 and remains virtually unchanged to this day. The Hall has strong Shakespearean connections – in January 1602, it was the setting for the first ever performance of Twelfth Night. Antic Disposition’s Dream offers a rare opportunity to visit and explore the cobbled lanes and quiet courtyards of this little-known area of the city.”

Antic Disposition: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – The Play.

The new beach will be created using tons of sand ferried to the site by barge from North Norfolk. Other beaches planned for London include one at Victoria Park, Hackney, and the restoration of a beach popular in Edwardian times on the Thames at Bishops Park, in Fulham.

from apsley house: “Guided by torchlight, discover the fascinating history and beautiful collection of art at Apsley House.   Home to the Duke of Wellington,

   after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, the interior of the house has changed very little since the days of the Iron Duke. Apsley House boasts one of the finest art collections in London, with paintings by Velazquez and Rubens as well as a wonderful collection of silver and porcelain. Pride of place goes to a massive nude statue of Napoleon.”

Purchase your tickets today by calling 0870 333 1183

From the Guardian:     “There are times when you are caught between laughter and tears in a way that makes comparisons with Chekhov seem far from fanciful.”

“Ayckbourn is here writing, not for the last time, about the innocent destructiveness of the well-intentioned: the agent of chaos on this occasion is the bereaved Colin, whose fiancee has lately drowned and for whom his not-so-close friends throw a consolatory tea party. Even the anticipation of Colin’s arrival exposes the fractures in the relationships: Diana, the hostess, is convinced that her husband, Paul, is having an affair with one of the guests, Evelyn. For her part, Evelyn is a moodily taciturn young mum tethered to a hopelessly incompetent husband, John. The party is completed by Marge who, lacking a child of her own, becomes surrogate mother to her permanently ailing partner. And when the beaming Colin turns up, Ayckbourn really puts the catalyst amongst the pigeons.”

There are some discount tickets aavailable through THEATRE ALERTS