‘What’s the Buzz?’ Volume 7
10 September
Theatre
Sketching (James Graham, with hits This House and Ink) continues his prolific run with a re-imagining of Dickens’s Sketches by Boz. The play tells the stories of ordinary people over 24 hours in London. At Wilton’s Music Hall between 26 September and 27 October. If you haven’t been there before it is worth seeing the play just to experience Wilton’s! We’ll try to take a group so watch this space.
Theatre
I’m Not Running is the latest offering from David Hare – he tackles Corbyn-era Labour, focussing on the 20 year relationship between an MP and a friend who has avoided party politics. I can’t wait to see if this avowed socialist can be uncritical about his subject matter! At the Lyttleton Theatre between 2 October and 31 January.
Films
The Little Stranger – Sarah Water’s novel about class and ghosts gets a smart and sombre adaptation from Lenny Abrahamson, best known for the brilliant Room. This promises to be a real treat. On general release from 21 September.
Films
A Star is Born received ecstatic reviews when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival – it is the fourth re-make but, by all accounts, the best yet. It stars Lady Gaga in the role made famous by Judy Garland. Bradley Cooper makes his directorial debut and is tipped for loads of awards.
Books
Fear in the White House by Bob Woodward. One of America’s most famous journalists (Watergate) is putting Donald Trump under the microscope. Judging by the current press coverage, the President is determined to discover who the mole is – God help him or her!
Television
This Autumn look out for The Little Drummer Girl on the BBC – based on John Le Carre’s best selling novel, this stars Florence Pugh (who played Cordelia to Anthony Hopkins’ Lear in a recent adaptation) as a young actress(!), whose life becomes entangled in a high-stakes Israeli spy plot. An exciting tale of espionage, love and betrayal.
Restaurants
If you live near Putney (just over the bridge from the New King’s Road) then try Vadouvan. We were introduced to it by our good friend Jenny, who knows a thing or two about food. Unique in London, it subtly blends the essence of French cuisine and Oriental spices with great success.
Exhibitions
The Painted Hall in the Old Naval College, Greenwich, has been spruced up (rather as the Sistine Chapel was a quarter century ago). The largest painted ceiling in Britain, this masterpiece took Sir James Thornhill 19 years in the early 18th century. There’s a 50-minute, close-up, guided tour atop the scaffold until the end of this month. This really is the last chance to get up there.
Buzzlets
Over dinner this week, the doyenne of the theatrical agency that brought 42nd Street to London reminded me that the show ends in January and that there may be deals to be had before then. It’s a wonderful show and well-worth seeing, even if you have already.
The opinions in Maria Says are Maria’s (with some input from Julian). There is no intention to offend or to suggest that other views might not work just as well for others – we live by learning. However we steer away from politics, religion and intolerance. Also, we do not receive any reward for recommendations; we decided years ago to remain independent and not carry advertising or promote places, goods or services because we are paid to do so and we shall stick to that.