 |
Hello there. Can it really be June already? Yes, it can. And that's when we start looking ahead to the incoming Edinburgh Festival isn't it? Which means our TW Weekly bulletin gets even more busy. To all the ThreeWeeks Edinburgh subscribers out there, welcome back. We will be landing in your inbox every Thursday in June and July as we get ready for this year's Edinburgh Festival, with interviews with some of our favourite performers, plus previews, updates and other Fringe-like features. At the end of July you'll then start receiving the TW Daily bulletin as well, packed with Three To see recommendations and, once they start flooding in, reviews from across Edinburgh's summer festival. To all the ThisWeek London subscribers out there, alongside our Edinburgh coverage we will continue to recommend Three To See every single day in London. Plus there'll be Caro Meets interviews with writers, directors and performers who have shows coming up in capital. So, everything you'd expect from the TW Weekly bulletin all year round. But before we get going, five other quick updates for you... 1. Find out more about what we have planned for ThreeWeeks at the Edinburgh Festival this year - in terms of our magazine and email bulletins - right here on the website. 2. If you are performing this year, click here to find out how to get covered by ThreeWeeks and how to make sure you and your production are on our radar. 3. Sell more tickets! Advertising in the ThreeWeeks magazine is a simple and cost effective way to get your shows in front of thousands of ticket-buyers - and into the homes of thousands of Edinburgh locals. Find out about our ad packages here - book now to get the prime positions in our Preview Edition that hits the streets in late July. 4. We are still looking for people to join our review team at the Edinburgh Festival this year. You'll find information on how to apply on this web page here. 5. For those of you back in London, M.I.A.'s Meltdown kicks off at the Southbank Centre later this month and our sister magazine - Complete Music Update - is presenting three debates on Saturday 10 June looking at the process and business of making music in the digital age. The events are free and you'll find more information here. I hope you enjoy this week's TW Weekly. And don't forget, colleagues can sign up for our year-round London bulletin here, and our Edinburgh Festival updates here. Caro Moses Editor, ThreeWeeks Edinburgh and ThisWeek London |
If you are a regular Fringe-goer, you'll be more than aware of the work of the excellent Matthew Floyd Jones, one half of acclaimed duo Frisky and Mannish, actor, and purveyor of one-man shows.
This summer, Floyd Jones heads north with a new Festival offering, a show about songwriter Richard Carpenter. I love The Carpenters, so of course I wanted to find out more. Read the interview here.
Matthew performs 'Richard Carpenter Is Close To You' at Edinburgh Fringe 2017 at Underbelly George Square from 2-27 Aug, and appears in 'A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) ' at Pleasance Courtyard from 2-28 Aug.
It's been a while since we last saw Italian comedian Francesco De Carlo performing in the Scottish capital, specifically when he delivered his first solo show in English back in 2014. Our reviewer loved that set, so we were pleased to hear that he is heading back to the Fringe this summer with a new one, 'Comfort Zone'.
To find out more about the show, about De Carlo's career thus far, and why he's ended up being resident in Brexit Britain, I arranged to have a quick chat. Read the interview here.
Francesco De Carlo performs 'Comfort Zone' at Edinburgh Fringe 2017 at Underbelly George Square from 2-28 Aug.
I doubt you lot need telling what a fabulously talented and lovely individual Susan Calman is, because even if you're in the shameful position of never having seen her perform live, you will no doubt have enjoyed some of her myriad performances on screen and radio.
Luckily for those wallowing in that aforementioned shame, she has two London dates coming up, at which she performs edfringe hit 'Calman Before The Storm'. I arranged a quick chat ahead of her first show in the capital. Read the interview here.
Susan performs 'Calman Before The Storm' at ArtsDepot on 2 Jun and at Greenwich Theatre on 26 Jun. See this page here for a full list of tour dates.
ANTHONY BIGGS: THE LAST ONES
The latest show in artistic director Anthony Biggs' final season at Jermyn Street Theatre is a production of Maxim Gorky's 'The Last Ones', directed by the AD himself.
To find out more about the play, and what to expect from Biggs in the future, I organised a quick chat. Read the interview here.
'The Last Ones' is on at Jermyn Street Theatre from 7 Jun-1 Jul, see the venue website here for all the details.
CONNIE TREVES: THE ENCHANTED
I was really pleased when I found out that Pharmacy Theatre's adaptation of Rene Denfeld's novel 'The Enchanted' was headed Bunker-wards, because I knew all about it - it won much critical acclaim at last year's Edinburgh Festival - but didn't get a chance to see it.
The novel has important, emotive themes, dealing as it does with the stories of death-row inmates. To find out more about the show based on it, and about how it was adapted, I spoke to director Connie Treves. Read the interview here.
The Enchanted is on at The Bunker from 6-17 Jun. For information and to book see the venue website here.
FRIDAY 2 JUNE 2016 >>
Incoming Festival | New Diorama | 2-11 Jun
Hurrah, time again for New Diorama's Incoming Festival, which offers a collection of creations from the country's emerging theatre companies. I don't think any one show is on more than once, and I am not going to cherry pick, because I kind of want you to go and see everything, as it all looks so good. Anyway, have a look and see what you think might suit you best, the line up of shows is right here.
Punts | Theatre503 | 31 May-24 Jun
"Jack, a young man with a learning disability, lives at home, cared for by his devoted parents. Like most men in their twenties, he has needs - his mates at the rugby club talk about nothing but getting laid, whilst Jack's most erotic experience to date is the time he was winked at by the pretty cashier in Lloyds. Desperate for their son to not feel left out, his parents Alastair and Antonia decide that they should to bring in a professional. But Julia, the prostitute they hire, has a far more profound impact on the whole family than they could ever have imagined". This is the latest show from the excellent and much-praised producing company Kuleshov, see this page here to book your tickets.
Light | Battersea Arts Centre | 31 May - 17 Jun (pictured)
We've tipped it before, and here we are unashamedly tipping it again. TW favourites Theatre Ad Infinitum bring back their critically acclaimed show 'Light', first staged back in 2015, for another run at BAC. It's a story of a dystopian, Orwellian future in which a totalitarian regime monitors its citizens' thoughts, evoked in darkness with a pulsating soundscape, torchlight and physical theatre. Click here for more.
SATURDAY 3 JUNE 2016 >>
Roller Diner | Soho Theatre | 26 May-24 Jun
"Welcome to Eddie Costello's Roller Diner - a faded Brummie beacon of a deep fried American dream. The staff can't skate and there's a whiff of burnt sausages and disappointment. So when new waitress Marika arrives from somewhere foreign looking for a slice of a better life, hearts are set alight in a fiery recipe of love, jealousy and murder". A theatrical musical comedy, winner of Soho Theatre's Verity Bargate Award for new writing, directed by Soho Theatre artistic director Steve Marmion. So you can expect grand things. See the venue website here for more info.
Fringe Binge | Museum Of Comedy | 3 Jun
Edfringe previews have been going on for months, but they really are starting to stack up with a vengeance at the moment. If you are the sort of person who does the previews but finds it impossible to choose from the insanely huge smorgasbord that they provide, then this might help, with the stuff that's previewing over at Museum Of Comedy, anyway. Lots of top acts doing short excerpts - great to get a taste, but hopefully also quality entertainment in its own right. Click here for more info.
Contactless | Hen & Chickens | 30 May-3 Jun
Argh, it's your last chance to see this one, and I am not sure how we didn't mention it earlier, given the special resonance its themes will have for those who are London based. This is a new comedy drama focusing on The Tube, asking the question of why, if it connects us all, and we all depend on it, it can feel like the loneliest place on earth. For more info on this exploration of life underground, see this page here.
SUNDAY 4 JUNE 2016 >>
Alistair Williams - Food | The Bill Murray | 4 Jun (pictured)
"Are eggs good or bad for me? Should I be drinking fruit juice? I've had a slice of bread, do I really have 24 hours to live? Are you fed up having to guess what's really healthy? This show is for you". Personally, after many years of thinking about it, reading about it, eating food and not eating food, I have come to the conclusion that there isn't a magic healthy diet, because everyone is different and you have to find out what works for you. But, you know, I bet Alistair Williams knows a lot more facts than me, and I can pretty much guarantee he'll be a whole lot funnier too. See this page here for more.
Snapshot | The Hope Theatre | 23 May-10 Jun
This is kinda half way through the run, so don't delay. Set in contemporary London, George Johnston's debut full length play explores the nature of unconventional relationships: James struggles to tell his banker boyfriend that he can't get work. Daniel has finally emerged from the closet, but can't talk about his emotions. Frank wants James and will pay for it, but doesn't want his wife to know, while Olivia just wants to be noticed. Click here for details.
Cream | Canal Cafe Theatre | 4+11 Jun
Hurrah, this sounds fun: "From the producers of award-winning NewsRevue comes the world premiere of CREAM, an evening of cabaret chock full of veritable showstoppers from ill-fated musicals. The cream of the crap!" Devised, directed and choreographed by musical theatre aficionado Tim McArthur and featuring a number of NewsRevue regulars, for info see this page right about here.
MONDAY 5 JUNE 2016 >>
The Frog Princess Punked | Soho Theatre | 5 Jun
"Crazed Russian fairytale meets punk rock. Ivan is forced to marry a frog. Baba Yaga meets Koschey the Deathless. And the patriarchy is challenged". This narrative from Sally Pomme Clayton and an all-girl band, featuring spoken word, song and distortion, telling tales of the wisdom of letting women loose sounds like just the sort of thing I love. And I love good stuff. See this page here for more.
Thirty-Three | Leicester Square Theatre | 5-24 Jun
This is about a teacher living in Australia, who has an apparently perfectly good life, but just as she's throwing a party for some close friends to celebrate her 33rd birthday, her estranged baby brother shows up, and things take a turn for the shocking. Expect an immersive and exciting theatrical experience from London based Australian company Red Scarf Theatre. Click here for information and to book.
Stuart Goldsmith et al | The Good Ship | 5 Jun
A customarily cracking line up over at The Good Ship tonight, headed by Stuart Goldsmith and featuring Sarah Bennetto, Peter Flanagan, Ellis +Rose, Luca Cupani, and resident host Ben Van Der Velde. I love that they do lovely comedy evenings on the generally least inspiring evening of the working week. Head this way for details.
TUESDAY 6 JUNE 2016 >>
The Enchanted | The Bunker | 6-17 Jun
This was a bit of a hit at last year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an acclaimed adaptation of the award-winning novel of the same name by Rene Denfeld. Set on death row, 'The Enchanted' depicts men sitting in isolated dungeons awaiting their execution whilst an investigator works tirelessly to try to save them, and reflects on evil, punishment, clemency and redemption through performance, puppetry, choreography and sound. See this page here for details.
Danny and The Deep Blue Sea | Old Red Lion Theatre | 6-24 Jun
"Two castaways, Danny and Roberta, fight their way to each other in a sea of hardship and cling violently for a chance at the happiness afforded to most but denied to them". John Patrick Shanley's classic play, set in a bar in The Bronx, offers an deeply affecting study of alienation and the power of love. This production had a first, critically praised run at TheatreN16 last year, so great that we have another chance to see it. See the venue website here for information.
Aparna Nancherla | Soho Theatre | 6-10 Jun (pictured)
Rather successful US comedian and writer Apama Nancherla stops in at the Soho Theatre for a few nights, and I think it would be a good idea to see her live before she gets way too famous for us all. You might already have seen her in Aziz Ansari's 'Master of None' and in Judd Apatow's 'Love' on Netflix, and she's got a plethora of TV credits and inclusions in 'top comedy' type lists to recommend her. Head this way for more.
WEDNESDAY 7 JUNE 2016 >>
Infinity Pool | Battersea Arts Centre | 7-10 Jun (pictured)
When this was on in Edinburgh last summer, our reviewer saw it and loved it, but I didn't see it and was jealous, frankly, so I was really, really pleased to see it headed BAC-wards for a short run. It offers a modern take on Flaubert classic 'Madame Bovary', using projections, photographs, short video clips and dialogue written out on a screen to convey the story of Emma, a woman bored of her life and husband, and obsessed with celebs and glamour. See the venue website here for information.
Tricity Vogue's All Girl Swing Band | Wilton's Music Hall | 7 Jun
We've long been huge fans of ukulele toting cabaret star Tricity Vogue, and some of us are very partial to a bit of swing, and I must say I love an all-girl line up, so this one just went ahead and ticked all the boxes, really. Expect an entertaining mixture of 20s - 40s swing as well as catchy originals and witty, retro arrangements of pop favourites. See this page here for details.
If And When | Soho Theatre | 7-10 Jun
"Something terrible is about to happen. Any moment now. So what do you do? In a world of hard stances, snap elections, and political leaders playing schoolyard bullies, the countdown has started". This new play from Matilda Ibini, Isley Lynn, and Iskandar R. Sharazuddin takes a look at the lines we draw and the sides we choose when everything is on the line. Click here for more.
THURSDAY 8 JUNE 2016 >>
Declining Solo | Jacksons Lane | 8-9 Jun (pictured)
"A woman returns to visit her family home and misses the one thing she values most: the father she remembers". This excellent sounding piece which combines text with choreography, video and specially commissioned music explores themes of friendship and community, the heyday of a man's life, the passing of time, and ageing. And as well as promising to be fascinating, it's the work of award winning company Two Destination Language. See this page here for info.
Holy Crap | King's Head Theatre | 7 Jun-8 Jul
If you fancy seeing a sacrilegious music comedy any time soon (and frankly, who doesn't?) then this is the show for you. It's about an American evangelical preacher, who comes over to the UK to start a pay-to-view subscription religious channel and ends up doing all manner of naughty things - like showing hardcore porn - to save the channel from disaster. To book your tickets, head right this way.
Incident At Vichy | King's Head Theatre | 7-25 Jun
And look, another show at The King's Head, this time Phil Willmott's critically acclaimed production of Arthur Miller's 'Incident at Vichy', which was previously staged at The Finborough in 2016. It's 1942 and in a police station in Vichy nine men and a boy have are being questioned, and have no idea why, in this fascinating exploration of how a regime like that operated by the Nazis was able to succeed. For details, see this page here.
 |
At TW:CULTURE we champion the best in culture. ThisWeek London recommends Three To See in the capital every day. ThreeWeeks Edinburgh covers the best of the Edinburgh Festival. The TW:TALKS podcast talks to great cultural people. © UnLimited Media, a division of 3CM Enterprises Ltd UnLimited Media, Kemp House, 152 City Road, London EC1V 2NX t: 020 7099 9050 (editorial) 020 7099 9060 (sales) Send press releases to TWlondon@unlimitedmedia.co.uk publishing@unlimitedmedia.co.uk | complaints@unlimitedmedia.co.uk |