CONCERT REVIEW London Philharmonic Orchestra Pictures at an Exhibition at Royal Festival Hall, London “The LPO played a trio of composers’ works … with varying success” Under the assured baton of Principal Conductor Edward Gardner, the LPO played a trio of composers’ works … with varying success. Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Three Screaming Popes  was inspired by a series of Francis Bacon paintings (which themselves drew on portraits by 17th-Century works by Veláquez), transforming

CONCERT REVIEW London Philharmonic Orchestra Beethoven’s Ninth at Royal Festival Hall, London “Tan Dun is not afraid of pauses, recognising how silence can be just as important” It’s staggering to realise that worlds collide in mysterious ways… Beethoven grew up in times we now term the Enlightenment. The world was changing, with revolutions in France and America. At home, he experienced first-hand when Napoleon's troops invaded Vienna in 1805 and 1809. His first large-scale

PLAY REVIEW The Mesmerist at Palace Theatre, Watford “Content warning: there is audience participation and magical peril” Content warning: there is audience participation and magical peril. Watch this production at your own risk! However, it is very funny. Rufus Hound (who I last saw co-starring in a national touring production of  Dirty Rotten Scoundrels , either on its way to the West End or fresh from it - can’t remember) is so affable and watchable, it’s amazing we don’t

CONCERT REVIEW London Philharmonic Orchestra Anne Sophie-Mutter plays Tchaikovsky at Royal Festival Hall, London “ Mutter glides through it like a saunter in the park on a spring day ” The evening is called Anne-Sophie Mutter plays Tchaikovsky , but the London Philharmonic Orchestra was ready for more. Jean Sibelius composed the first piece. 12 minutes long,  Pohjola's Daughter  was written in 1905-06 and took its inspiration from an ancient Finnish legend. It's a musical poe

THEATRE REVIEW Dr Freud Will See You Now, Mrs Hitler at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London “‘Be prepared for an adventurous evening of...

THEATRE REVIEW For The Lack Of Laura at Shaw Theatre, London “A show that is so nearly very good” The Shaw Theatre is such a lovely space...

MUSICAL THEATRE REVIEW Potty the Plant at Wilton’s Music Hall, London “It’s clever, upbeat and overflowing with sick childish humour”...

CONCERT REVIEW Circa & London Philharmonic Orchestra Daphnis et Chloé at Royal Festival Hall, London as part of Multitudes Festival “Not...

CONCERT REVIEW London Philharmonic Orchestra Mahler’s Fifth at Royal Festival Hall, London “It’s the quality of musicianship on display...

CONCERT REVIEW London Philharmonic Orchestra Symphonic Dances  at Royal Festival Hall, London “...it was a delight from start to finish.”...