‘What’s the Buzz?’ volume 10

Theatre

Mark Gatiss has been acting up a storm (and received 5 star reviews in the process) in the title role in The Madness of George III at the Nottingham Playhouse. I cannot believe that a wily producer will not bring it into the West End – especially considering Gatiss’ cult following as Mycroft Holmes in the wildy successful Sherlock.

Theatre

The magical Regent’s Park Theatre production of To Kill a Mockingbird is on at The Rose Theatre from 12 to 23 March 2019. Don’t miss it! We hope, in the New Year, to arrange a TLC outing to see the production – possibly a matinée with lunch.

Theatre

And for something COMPLETELY different! The incomparable Clive Rowe is reprising his Olivier Award winning role as….The Widow Twankey in Aladdin in this year’s pantomime at the atmospheric Hackney Empire. It is already virtually sold out, so no space for a group, but DO try and get tickets. He connects with the audience and has such a great sense of fun as well as a fabulous voice.

Books

Nine Perfect Strangers – the new novel by best selling author of Big Little Lies, Liane Moriaty. Following the huge critical and audience success of BLL, and her Best Actress award, not surprisingly, the film rights have already been snapped up by Nicole Kidman’s production company.

Books

In case you missed it (and I did) – try to catch Michael Ondaatje’s Widlfire (the Sunday Times Book of the Year) paperback out in early 2019. The English Patient left me wishing the plane crash had killed them all(!) – this has fabulous reviews.

Television

My Brilliant Friend is currently on Sky Atlantic – enjoying fantastic reviews.  The two leads are acting up a storm, and they have perfectly captured the period and the setting. We took a group of 60 to see the two plays last year at The Rose Theatre and watching the television series brings the books to life all over again. A remarkable production.

Television

Look out for A Fantastic Woman on SKY cinema. This Chilean film won this year’s Oscar for best foreign-language film. Daniela Vega, who made headlines at the Oscars as a presenter, gives a 5 star performance.

Films

It’s coming up to awards season – so look out for new releases from the UK and the US.

And, just in case you have missed some of the recent crop, Widows, A Star is Born, Cold War, Wildlife and A Private War are all worth catching up with.

Buzzlet

There continues to be a revival of cabaret in London. We’ve just been to Kit and McConnel’s final, pre-panto production at The Pheasantry in the King’s Road. A lot of new material and a wonderfully entertaining evening.

Next week the location hosts Shoo Shoo Baby, a tremendously witty and talented duo. They deliver sharp-witted, insightful songs with great musicality, beautiful voices. We look forward to sharing the experience with TLC members.