Lifestyle

  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 11th March 2010
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    LONDON ASSURANCE AT THE NATIONAL Dion Boucicault, the Irish genius of London theatre in the mid-19th century, wrote the hilarious London Assurance in 1841, creating in Sir Harcourt and Lady Spanker two of the great comic roles of the English stage. Starring Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw at the?NT, the action concerns love and lust in a Gloucestershire mansion, with much ribaldry and bawdiness for all. Until 2 June, tickets from £10. Olivier Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX. Tel: 020 7452 3000. ALICE-INSPIRED NAILS AT HARRODS OPI is teaming up with Harrods’ Urban Retreat beauty centre to... [Read more]

  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 10th March 2010
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    BUTTERWORTH AT THE BRIDEWELL Find out how Jerusalem playwright Jez Butterworth made his name with the Tower Theatre Company’s staging of his acclaimed earlier show, Mojo, a scintillating tale of Soho... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 4th March 2010
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    JUDI DENCH AT THE ROSE One of the most noteworthy shows in London at the moment isn’t to be found in the West End, or even on Southbank. You have to head to Kingston to see Judi Dench starring as a... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 2nd March 2010
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    PAUL NASH RETROSPECTIVE British painter Nash is most famous for his nightmarish depictions of the battlefields of both World Wars as dark, dystopian landscapes. Beyond this, a new retrospective shows... [Read more]

  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Monday, 22nd February 2010
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    HENRY MOORE AT TATE BRITAIN Opening this week, the Tate’s new retrospective revisits the legacy of one of the giants of British art in the twentieth century, and arguably the country’s greatest-ever... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 18th February 2010
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    FASHION STILLS AT SOFITEL ST JAMES In honour of Fashion Week, Sofitel St James’s is hosting a photo exhibition, a poignant vision of the fashion world through the lenses of famous fashion snappers... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 17th February 2010
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    FLAMENCO FESTIVAL AT SADLER’S WELLS The crПme de la crПme of Spain's flamenco talent should not be missed during this two-week festival. The maestros of the dance form, including the world-renowned... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 4th February 2010
    Zoe Strimpel
    THE POWER OF YES AT THE NATIONAL It’s been somewhat overshadowed by Enron, Lucy Prebble’s story of Enron’s collapse. But Hare’s breaking news-style drama is a brilliant, intense and eminently... [Read more]
  • Out of Office
    Wednesday, 3rd February 2010
    Zoe Strimpel
    Shining City, at Camden’s Theatro Technis, premiered at the Royal Court in 2004. SHINING CITY TO OPEN IN CAMDEN John, a newly-bereaved businessman, is being haunted by the ghost of his wife. In a... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Monday, 25th January 2010
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    Van gogh comes to the r.a. Incredibly, this is the first major Van Gogh exhibition in London for over 40 years, and it will shed extra light on the impulses and inspirations of the troubled Dutch... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 20th January 2010
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    LONDON MIME FESTIVAL The annual celebration of physical theatre is in full swing across a number of venues. It runs until the end of the month, with highlights including Belgium’s award-winning,... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 13th January 2010
    BMW’s new all-terrain motor is just the ticket when the snow is thick on the roads
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    BARBERSHOPERA II A popular highlight at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Rob Castell’s sequel to his award-winning Barbershopera! is returning for a brief West End run. It’s a distinctly silly... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 6th January 2010
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    SWEET CHARITY AT THE MENIER Tamsin Outhwaite is currently proving her talents stretch far beyond TV soap operas and cop shows, starring in this revival at the hit machine that is the Menier Chocolate... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 5th January 2010
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR After a successful run last autumn, Tom Morris’s haunting production of Tom Stoppard’s dazzlingly clever play is returning to the National this month for a limited run... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 16th December 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    THE HABIT OF ART Alan Bennett’s new play for the National Theatre may not have the universal appeal of The History Boys, but it’s a hilarious, searingly clever piece nevertheless. Richard Griffiths... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Monday, 14th December 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    V&A’S MEDIEVAL GALLERIES The Victoria & Albert museum’s newly-opened rooms of exhibits from the era of 300-1600 are a magnificent triumph, perhaps the finest museum space in London now.... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Monday, 14th December 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    BOO SAVILLE British artist Boo Saville has created a collection of prints that should be unsettling but are actually calming and contemplative – and quite beautiful. Her Ghost series works from... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 8th December 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    WAITING FOR GODOT RETURNSActing heavyweights Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart made the revival of Samuel Beckett’s masterpiece one of the year’s stand-out theatrical events. The show is... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 1st December 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    CALEDONIART SCOTS ART SHOWThere are some beautiful pieces of art on show at Caledoniart in honour of St Andrew’s Day which should delight Scots and non-Scots alike. It’s a colourful,... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Monday, 23rd November 2009
    ALYSSA WOLICE
    THE HOERENGRACHT COLLECTIONThe Hoerengracht by American artists Ed and Nancy Kienholz has transformed the National Gallery’s Sunley Room into a walk-through evocation of Amsterdam’s Red... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 18th November 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    FAHRENHEIT TWINS AT THE BARBICANThere’s seasonal fun of a very cold kind at the Barbican, taking you into the world of two siblings who live with their scientist parents on a remote Arctic... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 12th November 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    BOOK NOW: MARILYN & ELLAKnown for BBC2’s Newsnight Review (and now for taking  Nick Griffin down several pegs on Question Time), Bonnie Greer is also a respected playwright. Find out... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 11th November 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    JAMIE LUMLEY PHOTO SHOW OPENSAs the son of Joanna Lumley, Jamie Lumley is in pole position  to comment on the plight of the Ghurkas. Last night saw the launch of his new photo exhibition, which... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 10th November 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    REGINALD D HUNTER AT SOHO THEATREOne of the most provocative comedians around, expect the three-time Perrier Award nominee to take no prisoners with his new show at the Soho Theatre. Until 21 Nov,... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Monday, 9th November 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    JAPANESE WHISKY TASTING AT TSURUWhisky is almost as popular as sake in Japan and it goes surprisingly well with sushi. Japanese whisky is similar to Scottish in style and as good. To prove it, Tsuru... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 22nd October 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    BLOW UP THE (CREDIT CRUNCH) MUSICALWhat’s not to love about a telling of the credit crunch through the medium of a five-piece brass band? Failed financier Max Klein, played by ex-City... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 20th October 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    LAPLAND VIA THE LANGHAM HOTELIf you’re planning a bit of wining and dining over the festive season – and let’s face it, who isn’t? – you could end up in Lapland courtesy... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Monday, 19th October 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    ED RUSCHA AT THE HAYWARDEd Ruscha is one of the most influential artists of the past half-century. This exhibition, which spans his career, is the first retrospective to focus exclusively on his... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 15th October 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    BARBICAN’S RADICAL NATUREIt’s the last week to catch the Barbican’s fascinating show about art, architecture and the environment, Radical Nature. There are diverse pieces on show... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 14th October 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    DAMIEN HIRST AT THE WALLACE COLLECTIONHirst, whose work fetched £100,000 at a charity sale at Christie’s on Monday night, has spent £250,000 refurbishing the Wallace Collection in... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 13th October 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    FRIEZE  ART FAIRLondon’s art world goes into overdrive this week as the season of contemporary art fairs gets underway. The biggest of the lot once again is Frieze (www.friezeartfair.com... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Monday, 12th October 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    ED RUSCHA AT THE HAYWARDThe Los Angeles-based painter Ed Ruscha has been one of America’s most influential artists of the past 50 years.  His cold depictions of remote gas stations and... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 7th October 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    POP LIFE AT TATE MODERNThe new major exhibition at Bankside this winter is a vivid celebration of the way art has grappled with consumerism, pop culture, commerce and kitsch since the Pop Art... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Monday, 5th October 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    FAMILY WEEKEND AT SADLER’S WELLSAfter a successful outing last year, this weekend Sadler’s Wells is reviving its fun-packed series of performances, games and workshops for children and... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 29th September 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    SPEAKING IN TONGUESJohn Simm – well known for his major success in TV dramas such as Life on Mars and State of Play – leads a starry cast in the West End premiere of Andrew Bovell’s... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 22nd September 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    OUR CLASS AT THE NATIONAL THEATREOpening tomorrow, the National ‘s latest show examines the experience of growing up in Poland in the shadow of World War II. It begins in 1925 with a class of... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 17th September 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    BOOK NOW: AN INSPECTOR CALLSStephen Daldry’s award-winning production of JB Priestly’s The Inspector Calls is back in the West End of a limited eight-week run. The parable, which takes... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 15th September 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    KURT & SIDWhat would have happened if Kurt Cobain and Sid Vicious had ever met? Probably the mother of all hard drugs blow-outs, but writer Roy Smiles looks for something more meaningful in this... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 10th September 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    KOONS AT THE SERPENTINEYou can’t be bored at a Jeff Koons exhibit – this showcase of the celebrated American artist plucks the best from his Popeye series, begun in 2002. The sculptures... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 13th August 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    PLAY IN A CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENTThere’ll be much for the City’s poker enthusiasts to get stuck into over the next few days at Leicester Square’s Poker in the Park Festival. For... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 28th July 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    JAZZ COMES TO LEADENHALLThe cavernous spaces of Leadenhall Market are ringing to the sound of Jazz this week, for the annual Sax in the City series of free concerts. There’s daily lunchtime... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 23rd July 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    CARLOS ACOSTA AT THE ENOThe beloved Carlos Acosta – perhaps the world’s greatest male dancer – returns to the Coliseum with an entirely new version of his Olivier Award-winning show... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 21st July 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    EDINBURGH COMEDY PREVIEWSWith the Edinburgh Festival Fringe coming up, now is the prime time to catch the country’s best stand-up comedians as they prepare for a go at the Eddie award (formerly... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 14th July 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    GILBERT & GEORGE AT WHITE CUBEFor their new show, the veteran oddballs of British art have taken over both galleries at White Cube, Hoxton’s home of cutting edge. Named Jack Freak Pictures... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE BY ZOE STRIMPEL
    Thursday, 9th July 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    ARCADIA AT DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRETom Stoppard’s unforgettable 1993 drama wittily looks at life, mathematics and, well, everything. Set in a country house in both 1809-11 and 1989, it... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE BY ZOE STRIMPEL
    Wednesday, 8th July 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    <!--StartFragment--> AS YOU LIKE IT AT THE GLOBEIf you’re partial to a bit of Shakespearean comedy, As You Like It is a safe bet, with plenty of larks and intrigue. It’s also got one... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 7th July 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    SMIRNOFF BLACK SCREENINGSAnyone who fancies a cocktail with their classic film should head along to the Smirnoff Black Screenings at Chelsea’s Bluebird, which returns after a sell-out 1950s... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 2nd July 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    OPENING OF LIQUID NATION BARFresh on the scene is the communistic sounding “live music venue for the people”. Communism has its upsides: drinks are £2.50; there are two smoking... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 1st July 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    AL FRESCO AT QUO VADISSoho’s fine dining hotspot, Quo Vadis, has opened up a summer terrace where customers can enjoy cocktails and a specially-created Terrace Menu in the open air. Lip-... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 30th June 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    JW WATERHOUSE AT THE RAIf you fancy something a bit more old-fashioned and traditional than the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition of contemporary art, the academy is also hosting an exhibition... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Monday, 29th June 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    FORBIDDEN BROADWAY AT THE MENIERPlaying now at Southwark’s Menier Chocolate Factory, Forbidden Broadway is the updated version of a comedy review that’s been playing in New York since... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 25th June 2009
    JEREMY HAZLEHURST
    KURSK AT THE YOUNG VICA tense, emotionally charged tour of duty on the Russian nuclear submarine The Kursk as it patrols the front line of the Cold War is a peculiar subject for a play, perhaps. But... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 24th June 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    PLAYERS’ LOUNGE AT GILGAMESHIf corporate strawberries and fizz aren’t your thing, there are other ways to get in the SW19 spirit. Camden’s Gilgamesh is opening an exclusive Players... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 23rd June 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    WALKING IN MY MIND, AT THE HAYWARDLast summer the Hayward scored a major hit with its installation exhibition Psycho Buildings. This summer it heads into the realms of the artistic imagination with... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 18th June 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    <!--StartFragment--> PLANET HOLLYWOOD OPENSErase any old memories of Planet Hollywood – the brash American restaurant and casino chain. A new PH, which cost £5m to build, is opening... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 11th June 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    GO POSH AT THE AUBREY BARThe Aubrey Bar at the recently-opened Kensington Hotel is a glamorous slice of old-school razzmatazz, and it should be a bit of a haven in an area that’s been starved... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 10th June 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    KURSK AT THE YOUNG VICInspired by the tragedy of the Russian Kursk submarine and a British sub that attempted a rescue mission, the new show at the Young Vic follows the current trend for “... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 3rd June 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    HOWARD HODGKIN UNVEILS NEW WORKSFormer Turner prize-winner Sir Howard Hodgkin, one of the country’s most respected artists, has unveiled his largest works to date at the Alan Cristea Gallery.... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 3rd June 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    <!--StartFragment--> SISTER ACT AT THE PALLADIUMWhoopi Goldberg, star of the 1992 hit comedy Sister Act, has produced the new production of the singing nuns-in-habits taking the West End by storm... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 28th May 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    LIVE MUSIC AT THE SANDERSONThere’s no better way to enjoy the long summer twilight than sipping a cocktail while listening to good music in a lovely courtyard. The Sanderson is providing just... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Wednesday, 27th May 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    <!--StartFragment--> GALVIN & GALVIN DEALRenowned hairdresser Daniel Galvin is teaming up with the restaurant near his Marylebone salon that shares his surname. From 1 June, customers at... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Tuesday, 26th May 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    ROOKERY NOOKThe latest show at the hit machine that is Southwark’s Menier Chocolate Factory is a revival of Ben Travers’ 1920s farce, Rookery Nook. Director Terry Johnson returns to the... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Friday, 22nd May 2009
    TIMOTHY BARBER
    <!--StartFragment--> NOUVELLE VAGUE AT THE BFIThe movement that changed cinema forever, the French New Wave remains the benchmark for stylish, low-budget, cool-as-you-like filmmaking. Auteur... [Read more]
  • OUT OF OFFICE
    Thursday, 21st May 2009
    ZOE STRIMPEL
    <!--StartFragment--> PAMPERING AT SELFRIDGESCutting-edge skin care brand 3LAB will be in situ at Selfridges throughout June and July, inviting shoppers to “experience pure pampering”... [Read more]