‘What’s the Buzz?’ Volume 5

Theatre

OK: it’s 30°C outside, and the last thing on your mind is an evening in the theatre but… two shows to try hard to see are

Hymn to Love is on at the Jermyn Street Theatre (until 18 August). It is a highly acclaimed homage to Edith Piaf, starring Elizabeth Mansfield, and covers much of her oeuvre.

Theatre

Cole – the songs of Cole Porter is on at Zedel’s Crazy Coqs nightclub on 4 and 5 September. Starring Michael Griffiths, it follows a sell-out show at The Royal Albert Hall with performances at 7.00pm. When we go to Crazy Coqs we don’t bother with the meal package but book separately at Brasserie Zedel and have the formule set menu – great value, great taste.

Television

Tuesday 31 July on BBC2 at 9.30pm sees The Five Billion Pound Super Sewer – Part 3. Do watch it and, if you missed the first two parts, catch them on iPlayer. It is absolutely fascinating and Sir Joseph Bazalgette would have been so proud!

Restaurants

Just opened is ROVI, the newest restaurant from Yotam Ottolenghi, in Fitzrovia. It is sensational – but what else would you expect!? There will be a fuller review later in the Summer.

Exhibitions

Relive one of the most important years in the Spanish artist’s career with Picasso 1932 – Love, Fame, Tragedy at Tate Modern. The display explores, month by month, the most important events in Picasso’s life and work during 1932, a pivotal time in his development, culminating in some of his most famous paintings. It is open until 9 September.

Films

Mamma Mia! Here we go again – of course. But did you know why Croatia is the real location for that ‘idyllic Greek island’. The Greeks wanted too much and (here’s a surprise!) Universal Studios were unwilling to deposit $75m in a Greek bank. The end result is a feel-good romp.

Films

Spitfire – commissioned as part of the RAF’s centenary celebrations, this fascinating documentary is narrated by Charles Dance. To quote one pilot, Mary Ellis (who died this week at 101), ‘She was a lady in the air and a bitch on the ground’.