WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHERE: The Barbican
WHEN: 31/10
It’s the end of the last night of 100 or so performances and Benedict Cumberbatch is onstage and on the verge of tears – thanking the audiences across the 12-week run at The Barbican for donating more than £100,000 to Save The Children for Syrian refugees.
Strictly always does theme weeks brilliantly (think also Movie Week) and the make-up, costumes, music and mood will undoubtedly be monstered-up to the max. The fact that it’s actually shot live on actual Halloween this year will certainly add to the frisson.
Arguably Britain’s favourite actress has sold out the entire run of this musical classic at the Menier Chocolate Factory. It’s Ms Smith’s first musical since her award-winning turn in the fantastic Legally Blonde and we’ll be reporting from the previews this month.
We’ve already given you five reasons why we’re backing Seann Miley Moore to win this year’s X Factor and Judges Houses’ audition This Woman’s Work was number six. We can’ t remember a Kate Bush song appearing on such a show before and so someone is smiling on Seann. The first live show is the big one – the chance for each turn to define themselves with one song. Does Seann go Lady Gaga?
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Arcola Theatre
WHEN: 23/10 to 14/11
The state of tabloid journalism was tackled most recently in the National’s production of Great Britain but is done so far more vividly and successfully here.
OUT: 6/11
The poptastic 7th Heaven remix of this second single from Get Weird removes the Motown and propels it further on to the dancefloor (clip above). We predicted it would be a second number 1 from this album but it hasn’t quite turned out that way, peaking at a lowly 21 so far. Part of the problem may well have been the enduring popularity of its predecessor which is still big on radio and was undoubtedly one of the songs of the summer if not the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVuY7ZPqwk4
33 words in 30 seconds: Adele accompanied by a grand piano clearly singing the sequel to her most beloved song, Someone Like You.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE: National Theatre
WHEN: 17/10, runs to 21/10
We’ve seen three plays written by Patrick Marber this year: the revival of Closer at the Donmar, the non-league football-inspired Red Lion at the National and this Turgenev adaptation at the same venue, which is the most successful.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Trafalgar Studios 2
WHEN: 15/10 (matinee), runs to 7/11
Trafalgar Studios 2 has to be one of our favourite theatrical spaces – 80 seats packed tightly around a stage makes for an intimate venue.
Working the whole heels, hoop earrings, lipstick, leather skirt and reverse baseball cap look while carrying a ball and chain is hard enough. But to do it while singing Queen’s best song at Wembley Arena is our perfect introduction to Ms Miley Moore. He’s being himself – and he’s the male Lady Gaga.
