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astronomic aUt:1ts , "- '~ . - J .. ~ , .1, GREASE ~ fI • • . ~l..t1D 1j'} 1;11:; JJj!Jl .: Dominion Theatre, London !!I . JULY AUGUST SEPTE11BER 1898 , LARRY ADLER, .1 1 TOP PRICE SEAT rREE CHRIST.PHER BIGtMN" "~ with ~ver~ ticket paid for in --' liNED SHERRIN . , .Ii' , '" STALLS/DRESS CIRCLE at £27.50 '~ .. . . . ,-' ~ -. . , .,. Phone 0171-312 1991 . " This ticket cannot be redeemed ,,/ SPECIAL' at the th&atre direct and is HAVE DRINKS WITH THE CASTS OF onl~ valid at Applause 'BY JEEVES ' & 'MARTIN GUERRE' ----

EXTRA PERFORMANCES NOW ON SALE DUE TO UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND contents iause

7 DIARY Current events in film, dance, music and art

13 PROFILE Charles Rayner talks to Margarita Pracatan about her meteoric rise to stardom

19 REVIEWS Recent openings in and around London

22 NED SHERRIN Excerpts from his book Theatrical Anecdotes

23 ARTS & MUSIC Applause magazine's exclusive theatre club and show and event offers

32 BROADWAY LIGHTS MargariUl PmCQWH The word from Stateside with Rene De Woerk

33 WEST END NIGHTS Hat gossip from London

34 INTERVIEW Kevin Whately in conversation with Rayner Baurtan

KeVlll WI/lately 40 ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET A look at the acclaimed production of Alice in Wonderland

42 THE LARRY ADLER COLUMN Credit where 'credits' are due

43 A BRUSH WITH ART Picture choice by Christopher Lloyd, Surveyor of the Queen' s Pictures

44 BIGGINS ON SPEC Wit and grit

45 ART REVIEW Degas: artist as collector

46 THE DOWAGER OF elLINGTON ST Degas' Ashley Herman takes a look at Ballet Dancers the refurbishment of the Lyceum Theatre in Covent Garden

49 OUT & ABOUT News from out of town

50 MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT Googie Withers and Hannah Gordon reveal their favourile haunts

IU[Y 1996 APPlAUS E 3 CAMBRIDGE THEATRE SEVEN DIALS, LONDON weI FROM THE ED ITO R

Welcome to Preview 1 of Applause. Essentially a applause magazine of the theatre and performing arts, compiled and supported by those within the profession, both on THE APPLAUSE BUILDING the stage and behind the scenes. Through top quality 68 LONG ACRE· LONDON WC2 9JQ interviews and features we will be bringing our readers a PUBLISHED BY APPLAU SE LTD unique insight into the arts. We make no apology for keeping our listings to a minimum as we prefer to source

EDITORIAL premium availability and prices for our readership and make accessible top price seats

TELEPHONE 0 1713128051 for what is universally known as 'the best theatre in the World'.

FAX 0 171 312 8090 Our cover features Margarita Pracatan, who, as Charles Rayner discovered, is as

ADVERTI SING extraordinary off stage as she is on. Ned Sherrin, Christopher Biggins and Larry Adler all

TELEPHO N E 0 17 1 3 12 8079 eagerly accepted our invitation to be regular contributors and provide an amusing blend of anecdotes, gritty opinions and fascinating insights into 'the business'. They will be EDITOR RAYNER BOURTON joined by other well known writers and celebrity contributors in future issues. This month SUB EDITOR GEORGE CHANDLER Hannah Gordon and Googie Withers converse on their favourite gastronomic haunts and EDITORIAL ASSIST. DAVID DONEGAN in an exclusive interview with Kevin Whately he reveals why becoming a chartered

DESIGNED BY TERRY SESSIONS accountant wasn't for him. The Queen's Surveyor of Pictures, Christopher Lloyd, writes on his picture choice from The National Gallery and we also have features on the Degas THEATRE BOOKINGS exhibition at the Royal Academy, English National Ballet's production of Alice in LONDON 01713121991 Wonderland and the refurbishment of the Lyceum theatre in the Strand. We review some

EVENTS BOOKINGS of the latest productions to open in London while Heather Love and Rene de Woerk keep ST ALBANS 0 1727 841 I 15 us up to date on what's happening at home and on Broadway. The centre pages are devoted to applause magazine's exclusive and unbeatable READERS' LETTERS SHOULD BE money saving offers on top West End shows, events and travel. Together with our cover ADDRESSED TO THE EDITOR show offer for Grease, every reader can save over £100 on theatre tickets in this issue co NT RIB U TOR S alone. No other magazine or theatre club is able to bring you such incredible value for HE A THER LOVE money at such minimal cost. RENE DE WOERK In an industry where 'entertainment' is the key word, Applause is a magazine that CHARLES RAYNER provides exactly that. So, sit back and enjoy your Applause. ANDREW BURDEN

DAVID DONEGAN RAYNER BOURTON JULIA GIBBONS

RICHIE KESTER DEREK MICHAEL CONTRIBUTORS CHRISTOPHER CAMBELL

NED SHERRIN LARRY ADLER rhrough hi s column Biggins on Spec. Christopher KATIA GAMBERONI Aged 82, Larry Adler has rhe unique disrincrion of has worked extensive ly in rhe rheau e from LARRY ADLER being listed in The Guinness Book of Records as Shakespeare to farc e, occaSIOnally doing borh ar C HRIST O PHER LLO YD rhe oldesr anisr ro rop rhe CD charrs for his rh e same time. Wirness his performance in The DEREK TAV ERNER record ing The Glory of Gershwil1. His Comedy of Errors at rhe Regent's Park Open Air C HRI STOPHER BIGGINS autObiography and hiS book Jokes and How to Tell Theatre. Known to millions of relevis,on viewers rhrough C dla Black's sho\V Sur/n'ise Sur/mse, we ASHLEY HERMAN Them have borh proved popular. Never afraiJ [0 eagerly awair Chris's specularive reporrs each HANNAH GORDON speak his mind, ir's almosr imposs ible [Q S[OP Larry month. GOOGIE WITHERS lerring his opinions be known. AI\Vays in demand

[Q perform eirher as a so loisr or alongs ide such illustrious names as EltOn John, Sring and Cher, of NED SHE R R I N whom he sa id "Working \Virh Cher makes me wish "Thar was rhe week that was, ir's over ler ir go". I was 79 again". We are happy [Q provide rhe Applause welcomes urLSoUCiled manuscrifltS and The lyrics sung by Millice nt Marrin on TW3 each photOgraphs bu t can nor be held responsiblR for any plarfonn for this Grandee of rhe music indusrry. SarurJay nighr in the heady days of rhe sixries. loss aT da mage. Thirry years on and Ned Sherrin, wrirer, rheaue AU mformation co"wined in Applause magavne CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS director, broadcaster and satirlSr has never ler go is to the be" of our knowledge and beftef correct a' Well known in the business for his wir anJ wicked his inJividual, intrinsic, instinct [0 srrerch rhe the time of going (Q press. The views expre.I.led in ,hiS magazine are not necessariLy rhose of the edilor or se nse of humour, ChristOpher Biggins will no\V be bounJaries of his ec lecricism. With Ned we know pubLisher. relaying rhar particular 'an form' [Q our readers we will never find ourse lves ar a 'loose end'.

J.,;l Y 1996 APPLAUSE 5

FIL

long. The arrival of her younger sister and early 1970s and is now part of (Gwyneth Paltrow), overbearing American popular culture. Taking this as stepmother (Kathleen Turner)and its inspiration, Tom Cruise and Paula eccentric best friend and neighbour Wagner's Cruise/Wagner Productions (Whoopi Goldberg) bring the support to h ave chosen Mission Impossible as its debut help her through the first two weeks as a feature film. Apart from believing the widow. With Jon Bon Jovi in his acting debut, Shadia Simmons, Erica Luttrell, Mathew Koller, Scott Wickware and Kelli Fox. Opens in UK on 28 June.

DEAD MAN CENTENARY OF CINEMA Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, this is the story of a young man's journey, both The City of London physically and spiritually, into unfamiliar Festival celebrates this terrain. William Blake (Johnny D epp) year's Centenary of C inema travels to the extreme frontiers of America at the Barbican with si lent during the second half of the 19th century. films presented complete movie will stand on its own , the producers Lost and badly wounded, he encounters an with orchestral accompaniments: 7 July - are looking to the cult following and those odd, outcast native American called Shooring Stars (1927), Anthony Asquith's familiar with the concept and music. Also Nobody (Gary Farmer). 'Nobody' believes first film . The series closes on JJ July, with starring are Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Beart, that Blake is actually the dead English poet Cecil B De Mille's depiction of the life of Henry Czerny, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, of the same name. The plot leads Blake Christ, King of Kings (1927), presented for Kirstin Scott Thomas and Vanessa through comical and violent situations and the first time with a new score. The season Redgrave. a dramatic transformation. Jarmusc h has is complemented by a special exhibition chosen to shoot Dead Man in black and celebrating the Centenary of Cinema in the white, recalling the atmosphere of Barbican Cinema 1 foyer, courtesy of the American films from the 40s and 50s and British Film Institute. avoiding the dusty colour palette of the western genre. The cast also includes Lance MISSION IMPOSSIBLE Henriksen, Michael Wincott, Gabriel Tom Cruise stars in the adventure thriller Byrne, John Hurt, Alfred Molina and a Mission Impo ssible, a Paramount Pictures guest appearance by Robert Mitchum. presentation directed by Brian De Palmer. Above lefr, Johnny Depp in Dead Man; "hove right, King of Kings; below, scenes Opens 5 July. Originally a TV series created by Bruce from lvloonligh{ and \la/ennno. Geller, Mission MOONLIGHT AND VALENTINO Impossible ran on CBS Based on a semi-autobiographical script by Television in the late Ellen Simon, daughter of playwright Neil 1960s Simon, and originally written as a play, this premiered in 1989 at a Duke University playwright programme in America. The film ve rsion is a comedy drama directed by David Anspaugh. When Rebecca's (Elizabeth Perkins) husband is killed by a car, while jogging o ne morning, she is devastated and alone, but not for

JUI Y 1996 APPLAUSE 7 ANCE

CENTRAL SCHOOL OF BALLET

British Gas Ballet Central is the se ni or CAR, choreographed by Lea Anderson. performing company of London's Central The dancers screech (0 a halt at a School of Ballet. designated venue in a Saab 9000 and The young dancers perform at the perform in and around the car. The ro le of Cochrane Theatre, Southampton Row, the car as an icon in our lives is (Om apart London WCI at the culmination of a five from political assassinations to film, from month tour. Now in its eleventh year, the sexual object to a simple power statement. tour has earned itself a popular place in The car will never seem the same again. Britain's dance calender. The (Our is Most performances are non-ticketed designed (0 bring dance in all its forms to events and take place at pre- arranged sites audiences throughout mainland Britain; the and venues. Jul y visits by The ROYAL BALLET dancers combine ballet, contemporary and Cho lmondeleys will include ve nues in and The Royal Ballet's Summer Season at the jazz dance in a programme which se ts around: Croydon 4th, Grantham-7th, Royal Opera House includes three full class ical fav ouri tes al ongside exhi larming Grimsby-9th. Worcester-16th. Hereford length ballets: Kenneth Macmillan's new works. This year's work includes 17th. Epsom-1 8th, High Wycombe-ZO th, Manon, Anthony Dowell's production of excerpts from Don Quixote, Variations - pure Reading-2 1st and Cambridge-27th. Swan Lake and Twyla Tharp's Mr Worldly dance set (0 piano variations, Radiation - set

Wis e. The season is completed by a mixed (0 music by Massive Attack 3 and new programme comprising Frederick Ashton's works by Ted Stoffer (ex- Rambert) and Rhapsody, William Forsythe's Herman former BGBC dancer and choreographer Schmerman , and a selection of Michael Keegan-Dolan. Performances on divertisse ments: the pas de deux from Le 10 and 13 July. Corsa ire , Gsovsky's Grand Pas classique,

Balanchine's Tchaikovsky pas de deux and THE CHOLMONDELEYS the Talisman pas de deux. The programmes The all fem ale dance company The offer an opportunity to see Sylvie Guillem, Cholmondeleys (pronounced 'chumlees ') lrek Mukhamedov, Darcy Bussell, return with their unusual and daring work Miyako Yoshida and other Royal Ball et principal dancers in virtuoso action. OTHER EVENTS Performances from 17 July to 3 August. Other dance events in July include: Rambert Dance Company at The London Coliseum; London Studio Centre students at Rhyl Pavilion and The Turning World at the Royal Festival Hall.

Cloc kwi ,e from mp lefr: Sy lvie Gu tll em; Cenu"l Scool of Bullet in Late NiKl1t TV; The Cholmundleys .

8 APP( AUSE JUL Y 1996 INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS (ICA)

The Institute of Contemporary Arts ROYAL ACADEMY exhibits works by Mexican sculptor Gabriel The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Orozco. Born in 1962 in Veracruz, Mexico, has been held every year since 1769. It is he divides his time between Mexico City the largest open contemporary art and New York, and has contributed to exhibition in the world, drawing rogether a group exhibitions and been the subject of a wide range of new work by living artists. It solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern provides an annual opportunity to see work late landscapes of France and the area A rt in New York. Orozco takes his cues and by international painters, sculptors, around his home in Kent, many of which inspiration from ordinary, often urbane, printmakers and architects alongside work are in the exhibition. They will include the settings and materials: a ru'bber tube, a tin of by younger and less well known artists. This series of paintings entitled Interi01'/Exteri01', 228th Summer Exhibition is a selling which study the relationship of space from exhibition, with prices beginning at under inside and outside the artist's studio. £100. The Summer Exhibition of 1995 Paintings will come from the Tate gallery, attracted an entry of more than 11,342 the Arts Council, the Government Art works of which 1,167 were hung. The collection and museums at Manchester and ~ courtyard at the Royal Academy will be \ Carlisle, as well as private collections. The used for the display of sculptures. The exhibition will run from 11 July - 22 exhibition will run from until 18 August in September. the Main Galleries, lOam to 5.30pm

COURTAULD GALLERY: THE FOUR ELEMENTS Fire, '\(/ater, Earth, Air: Ancient Greece thought them the root of the physical cat food, or the cap from a yoghurt world, and they have exercised a powerful container. An example of a more ambitious hold on artists' imagination ever since. The Orozco work is the vintage Citroen (above) Courtauld Gallery's Summer Show takes The DS - every piece, the four elements as its theme, with prints every screw, nut and and drawings from five centuries. bolt was split and Highlights include Turner's Dawn after the reconstructed in the Wreck, Durer's Wise Virgin holding a Candle, subtle remodelling of a and Guardi's The Feast of Ascension Da)'. 1950s icon to They will be shown alongside images which hallucinatory and celebrate ordinary life, including Breughel's anamorphic effect. hedonistic images of Spring and Summer, This is his first solo exhibition and runs In the Sackler Galleries at the Ruyal Manet's The Queue outside the Butcher's from 25 July - 22 Academy, the first comprehensive survey of Shop, Guercino's Two Women Drying their September at the the work (top of page) of Sir Roger de Hair and Rowlandson's Two Mermaids and ICA in The Mall, Grey, President of the Royal Academy, will a Bather, showing an elderly gentleman London SW1. include seventy paintings and a selection of surprised by two voluptuous mermaids. The drawings which chart his career. His chief exibition runs until 22 September at The subject was landscape and in particular his Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House

JLY I 996 APPlAUSE 9 USIC

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC TOUR The Royal Philharmonic, Britain's national orchestra, continues its policy of bringing music to the widest possible audience with CITY OF the following July tour dates: 5th - LONDON Faversham Kent (Haydn, Schubert and The 1996 City of London Festival brings M endelssohn); 11 th, 12th & 13th - St 100 events to the Square Mile in 28 venues. David's Hall, Cardiff (Welsh Proms); 20th The performances are programmed to C hilham Castle Kent (mixed programme); match the venues in which they are 21st - Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire performed, while every day at lunchtime (programme to include operatic arias with there is an ex tensive programme of street soloists Lesley Garrett and Andrea theatre. The following selection of events Bocelli); 27th - Quex Park, Thanet, Kent includes: Handel's opera 01"lando, with the (mixed programme with a strong Russian Gabrieli Consort and mezzo soprano Ruby flavour and soloists Antoni Garfield Henry, Philogene at St Andrew Holborn on 2 July; Gary Magee and Mark Ryan); 28th - The Gabtieli Consort's second appearance Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire (A Russ ian with Bruckner's Mass in E minor and A Musical Odyssey with soloists The Bekova Capella works by Palestrina on 10 July at ROYAL OPERA HOUSE: VERDI FESTIVAL Sisters). T emple Church; J Delius' A Mass of Life The Royal Opera's second Verdi Festival BUXTON FESTIVAL with the Bournemouth builds on last year's launch - there is a The Buxton Festival holds its Symphony Orchestra choice of performances and sU PP]i:mentary annual classical music and events wi th the new production of the opera performances with the French grand opera Don Carlos as the Bu xton Opera House at its centrepiece. Of all the operas in which heart. Highlights of this year's Verdi contrasts private life and public duty 18th Festival include it is Don Carlos that best captures the Handel's Amadigi and John struggle between church, state and the Gay's The Beggar's Ope1"a; human heart. Set in 16th century France the English Northern and Spain, Verdi's opeta provides powerful Philharmonia in concert; prinCipal roles and chorus scenes, notably The Tallis Scholars; pianist the famous auto-da-fe in which the Joanna MacGregor; the Chiligirian popu lace witnesses the dramatic burning of Quartet; Richard Rodney Bennett and heretics. Other operas include Nabucea, Barbara Rearick; and Instant Sunshine. Giovanna d'Area, La Traviata, 11 Corsaro and Runs from 12- 28 July. Alzira. In addition to the main performances there is a wide selection of conducted by Richard Hickox, at St Pau l's related events - exhibitions, study days, Cathedral, on 3 July; recitals, readings, lectures, pre-performance The Safri Duo on their two tons of talks, a live relay on the big screen of La percussion instruments perform Bach, Ravel Traviata in Covent Garden Piazza (15 & 18 and Steve Reich at The Guildhall Old July), a masterclass and a sing-along! The Library on 4 July, and the Borodin String Festival runs until 20 July. Quartet celebrate their 50th anniversary with a candlelit perfotmance of Beethoven's String Quanet Op 132 and Shostakovitch's String Quarret No 15 Op 144 at St Andrew Holborn on 14 July. From tor: Roya l Philharmonic; J3oroJin SUlllg Qu;mer; Buxton Opera House; Sarri Duo; Runs from 25 June - 14 July. Roya l Opera's Don Carlos

10 APPLA USE JULY 1996

12 APPLAUSE JULY 1996 RGARITA PRACAAN

Imagine if Dame Edna was a real person. And Hispanic. Very Hispanic. Charles Rayner meets Cuban singing sensation Margarita Pracatan.

Margarita Pracatan walked into the questioning the last 500 years of musical herself to squeezing every last moment room as if no woman in the Western composition. Clive James (of all people) of fun out of life, "I believe you come hemisphere would dream of leaving quietly discovered her while flicking from God and where you going? So you home without a blue and yellow feather through cable TV channels in the better start enjoying life now ... I don't boa wrapped around a cream two-piece. States and in a move that says far more want to miss nothing. Do everything For about five seconds she looked like a you can do". vaguely respectable woman who had On The Clive James Show, and in been assaulted by a Broadway showgirl •• I DON'T GET her live cabaret performance, she bursts on her way from the lift. But have no upon the stage with her comedy catch fear - serene moments are just not her NERWY, phrase "I luuurv you!" and the audience style - and after showering me with doesn't stand a chance. She sets her flattering remarks, "why you look so portable electronic organ to a tinny fantastic! What you been doing in your THE AUDIENCE, Merengue beat and proceeds to sing a life !", there was just no stopping her. collection of popular hits - whether they Everyone thinks they know what THEY GET want to be sung or not. Margarita is the camp is - everyone wants to appreciate first to admit that, "I never know for it. But to love it you have to love the NERWY... " sure the key and I never know the beat truly awful. You have to be able to lie and I never know the rhythms, so when back and wallow in the worst of modern I am doing it I am talking to the public. musicals and positively revel in feelings about him than her, he booked her to I don't want to be there getting the key of embarrassment and fear. Margarita is close his Sunday night TV shows. One and them watching me get the key and not afflicted by either of these emotions wild summer at the Edinburgh Festival things like that. You got me baby, you and is fast becoming a sensation as she later and Margarita has become a got me!" I got her. Her blatant desire to tours the world with nothing but a household Hispanic. With an accent please and her wild innocence gets Yamaha and a Boa for company, somewhere between Speedy Gonzales everyone on their feet. And as if that releasing a CD that will leave you and Carmen Miranda she has dedicated isn't enough she has a secret weapon -

JUl Y 1996 APPLAUSE 1 3 ------1 I would like to subscr ibe to applause magaz.ine. Q' ~ : o £25 a year - UK subscription for 12 issues SAVE £5 g,c, o £39 a year - Overseas subscription (inclusive of p&p) -, Nome . t: I 8' Address . g, ...... Postal Code Please send a Gift Subscription to: Nome .. Address

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14 ;, pp AUSE jUlY I 96 the key to her success: "I don't get steal anything from me. I can read what Margarita - her ambitions are tes timony nervy, the audience, they get nervy. you want to do. But we didn't use the enough to her reality: "They say you The people get nervy because they say ... gun" have to come here. I say, I go any place. and what the heck she gonna be doing The thought of Margarita wielding I am rrready honey. Any place that now]" If you plotted a graph of the a pistol on the streets of New York kept people want me. Oh, and tell people I audience's emotions throughout an me giggling for days. That is, until I really want to be in the movies". evening with Margarita it would quickly Her immediate future appears move from disbelief, to amazement, to a extremely healthy, although when she brief spell in pity and finally to a Cuban stops being people's secret discovery she cocktail of blatant fear mi xed with pure ii I NEVER REALLY will need new formats and ways to enjoyment. British people have always express her unique barmyness. She left had a certain respect for the eccentric KNOW FOR SURE me as she had arrived - with some but an eccentric with a craaazy accent is rather calm, humble sentiments, "I almost too much to bear. THE KEY ... ~~ think it a honourrrr and a miracle too When Clive James watches her that the people really love me and they perform he literally weeps with laughter want me . You say to them I thank you - although his love of the excruciatingly very much" and as soon as she had left embarrassing has been with us for many realised that the id ea of Margarita the room I had the unnerving desire to years: recall the endless clips of Japanese havmg a past firmly rooted in reality is see her again - just to reassure myself men lying in baths of killer vipers and actually qUite worrying: when Dame that it was all true. If she has that affect electrocuting themselves. Incidentally, I Edna removes her purple rinse and on everyone we will certainly be seeing woul.d like to dispel once and for all any chintz she becomes Barry Humphries. a lot more of Margarita Pracatan. wild rumours concerning a dangerous But what about li a ison between Clive and Margarita. Pracatan] At no Almost too surreal to contemplate, point during the Margarita has assured me that their mterview did she relationship is, thank goodness, purely even fleetingly platonic: "I like to touch his belly. He is suggest that she a little ticklish and I figure he's like a was being teddy bear ... but 1only know him from anyone but the belly up!" herself. And to While talking to her I also be honest discovered something more scary than asking her watching her perform: this woman has a would be past. Her father was a significant Cuban like asking politician who strugg led agai nst Fid el Dame Castro's regime, eventually being exiled Edna if to Venezuela, "my father, he was a very she is a wonderful, fantastic man... he became man l the leader for the whole island. And There then they want to kill my father". The are whole family fled to Florida, where rules Margarita has slowly risen to fame to through a series of day jobs - perhaps most bizarre of all as a policewoman, "I used to police the traffic. When they this

have this parade I take care of the sort of thing YO ll children. If I knew that someone come know. What's important is to get me, I know now if you come to that there is no feeling of pretense with

JUL Y 1996 APPl AUSE I 5 I

What the stars ay:

Margarita Pracatan is fast becoming one of the most famous n,ll11eS in the entertain ment business. We asked celebrities from all aspects of the business to give their impress ion EvelynGlennie, OBE of this fiftys() l11ething Cuban 'Internarionally renllwneJ solo percus exile cult cabaret star. Who sioni, r: "I r is interes tinR co experience a profes better to start than the man sio)]al ))llLsician not rortured h), musical responsible for unleashing this idea!.," , mega talent on the unsuspec.ting world - Clive James.

Clive James Jo urnalisr and television presem er, host of The Clive james Show: "Margarita gives everyrhinR she 's got, every rime. If she furger.1 the words , she sings somerhing ebe. She nevCl' sroIls . When peuple mi( me if it '.I all an act, I give rh em rhe rrw.' (Illswer: nu ir isn ' r. She's reaIL), like rhat. So mebod)' had co Ned Sherrin be, and fare cllO.,e her". Writer, hroadca;ter, director

me/io shuw Loose Ends live from kl.\[ year's Edin/mrgh Fes rit'Cl1 I wasn 'r .lure whar m )' reaction wou ld be. )'m nor sure I am now. sIljfier is tu say .I he i.1certainly a mos t inrer

l:'s [ing- arrisr e. 1)

Boy George Former lead singer with Culture Cluh Catherine Wyn-Rogers while singing hb hir Do You Really W ane Mezzo soprano, princ iple singer at To HIIn Me ' live with M argarita on The the Royal O pera House ,mel soloist C live James Show:

1 6 APP( ", USE JULY 1996 Look our for Margarita's new single Heffo l larer (his monrh.

Margarita Pracatan is currently on a near sell out tour of the UK. Those of you who are unfortunate not to get tickets can console yourself by listening to Margarita's unusually brilliant CD Margarita Pracatan Live. Recorded at The Palladium Edinburgh during last years Edinburgh Festival, Margarita gives a warbling Hispanic rendition of popular classics, reviewed here by Andy Burden.

The next time yo u are in a record shop, lib shou ld be her middle name. How Margarita Pracatan takes a song, have a look at Margarita Pracatan's smoothl y she copes with extreme puts it through her personal pop blender album. The cover says it all. In fact it changes of tempo, key and forgetfulness a nd like fine food it is presented o n a speaks volumes about the musical con regarding vocals. It is a real shame that musical plate. It may taste or sound the tent of her record and the control knobs nor a ll of our stars possess Margarita's same at a quick glance but remember go all the way up to eleven. That's ri ght, expertise on stage. Perhaps then there that she is the musical equivalent of other artists are stuck at ten and can't would be no need to mime songs, which Egon Ronal'. Further exploration will go any further whereas Margarita has no is always a sickening sight to behold. reveal her subtlety. She has a sense of physical boundaries to prevent her Her sty Ie poses the question, has any timing so acute that it literally draws meteoric rise to superstardom. Back to artist (living or otherwise) got balls the her audience out intO a frenzy. Her war the cover... you will see the glamour puss size of this musical goddess? cry of Pracatan gets the whole c rowd herse lf, draped in terrific ye llow and red Now onto the music. I can guar c razy on this recording. It is amaz ing to boas, clutching antee that you won't have ever heard hear. complimentary flowers in front of go ld popular classics performed this way Margarita Pracatan has brought a drapes. H er record is pure aural relief, before. Lionel Richie's Hello is an sparkle to a previously dull musical presented by this colourfully kitsch anthem for the festival crowd gathered world, deadened by repetitive beats and Queen of pop and fashion. Forget to watch Margarita, used as an overture Beatles wannabees. She has shown that Sinatra, Streisand and Oasis, your and reprise for her gig. As with all of her personality is so much more im portant musical appetite lI'ill never be quite the recordings it does take a little time to than talent. After all , a computer can sa me after hearing Margarita. work out what song is being performed, copy Take A Chance On Me perfectly, Beethoven she is not, but Margarita but the moment you realise is like but could it ever make you feel as good brings a sparkl e of originality to the Archimedes leaping out of his bath as Margarita can? Be very worried if you traditional id eas of keyboard skills. Ad shouting 'Prrracatan!' answered yes to that one.

Jl"t Y J 9 <,i 6 APP1 AUSE 1 7 STJAMES~ I PICCADILLY Evening Concerts ~ July 1996

6 Sat EAST LONDON CHORUS Director : MURRY STEWART £ 12/9/5 7:30 Clio Gould -Violin; Roslind Waters - Soprano; Sa ll y Bruce-Pay ne - Mezzo-soprano 7 Sun STEPH AN IE COLE & NO IRIN NJ RIAIN £15/12/9/6 cones 7:00 A GARLAND FOR GAIA A Midsummer Ce lebrat ion in Poetry, Prose & Music 13 Sat LONDON FOREST CHOIR £ 15/ 12/8 cones 7:30 Director: MURRY STEW ART7:30 Mary Nelson - Soprano; Sa ll y Bruce-Payne - Mezzo-soprano; Aled Hall - Tenor; Jeremy Hu w Wi lli ams - Bass Ha ydn - Te Deum in C: Mozan Symphony No. 36 K.42S Schubert - Kyrie in D minor: Konzermuck in D: Mass in Bb major

14 Sun FAIRFAX CHORAL SOCIETY Fairfax, Virginia, USA ,[6/4 8:00 Conductor: Dr. Douglas Mears Organ: Celia Amstutz Mendelssohn; John Rutter; Benjamin Britten;PaieSillna; Sir Charles Parry 18 Thu THE PLAYERS' ENSEMBLE .Ll2/l0/7 concs 7:30 Hilaryjane Parker, Harriet Rayfield - Violin; Elizabeth Varlow - Viola; Voley Pelletier - 'cello; Helen Cawthorne - Piano Mf}ss Mozart - Piano Quarret In G minor: Ravel - Stri71g QLwrtet; Brahms - Piano Quintet SaIgon 20 Sat BLACKANDCLA.sSIC '[1250concs 7:30 Director: PHILIP HERBERT with Anton.a Adeiii((a Bach - JmlChzet Gott In allen Landen'; Buxteh.

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JULIUS CAESAR noblest of the conspirators. Julian Glover persuasive accompaniment. This leaves the RSC - Barbican portrays a suitably "lean and 11ungry" audience to concentrate on a wi[[y, intelli Cass iu s, the cunning mastermind behind gent and sh arp script and simply Julius Caesar must be one of the most outstanding performances from a very widely-read, and often-quoted of all the conspiracy. strong cast. Shakespeare's plays. Given such widespread The most impressive performance is that of Hugh Quarshie as Mark Antony, The story re volves around a DoCtor's familiarity, it lS no easy task to mount a whose passionate speech at Caesar's funeral surgery in Brighton at the ho me of the challenging and innovative production, and serves to stir up the citizens of Rome in Wicksteeds. Dr Arthur Wicksteed, f,)uit impress audiences anew. Sir Peter Hall's anger against the assassins, setting the scene lessly played by Jim Broadbent, RSC staging at The Barbican Theatre suc is for the play's bl oody ending, when the old approaching the 'menopause', yet quite ceeds on all counts. naturally has difficulty coming to terms with The plot, familiar to many from schoo l order is re-established. Although often described as a difficult this unwelcome change. Thus when the days, centres upon the conspiracy to play to stage, this production manages to opportunity arrives to secretly rendezvous assassinate the tyrannical emperor Julius breathe new into a drama consigned for with a young flirtatious patient, willing Caesar, and the consequences of this act for life his too long to re st on dusty school shelves. ness to commit adultory begins a chain of the perpetrators. highl y amusing, albeit slightly predictable It is, in esse nce, a story of politica l ]ulia Gibbon intrigue and ambition, re sulting in violence, events. The show is he ld together by the sporadic interference from a cleaning lady PRODUCTION CREDITS called Mrs Swabb, who would appear to have the answer to everyone's proble ms. Julius Cae sar Christopher Benj amin Imelda Staunton is particularly impressive Calpumia , his wife Tilly Blackwood as Mrs Swabb and tends to steal the show Casea Michael Gardiner whenever she's on stage . Mark AnIOn ), Hugh Quarshie While Arthur Wicksteed attempts to Somma )'er Lionel Guyett seduce his patient, his wife pl ans to seduce Marcu:; Brutus John Nettles an old fl ame who returns as chairman of the Porna, his Wife Susan Tracy British Medical Association and is an old Cail<.S Cassiu:; Julian Glover rival of Arthur Wicksteed. Not to be out Cicero, (I Senar01' William WhYlnper done, Constance Wicksteed, sister to Direered by Peter Hall Arthur, attempts to end her unhappiness as julill5 Caesar Se r iksign ed by John Gunter a spinster by gaining fa l.se breasts to embark Mu:;ic b)' Gu y Woolfenden on a 'life of danger and lust'. Jo ined by which some describe as a basic tale of liberty Lighnng ~, Jean Kalm an se veral other characters, all of questiona ble ve rsus tyranny, but as any contemporary credibility, the play meanders surprisingly audience is aware - politics are rarely that smoothly around each person's personal simple. dilemmas before arriving at a totally unbe Despite the play's title, the central HABEAS CORPUS li evable fin ale that makes perfect sensei character is not Caesar himself, played with Donmar Warehouse Habeas Corpus is a delightful great subtlety by Christopher Benjamin, Habeas Corpus at the Donmar Warehouse, who is killed half way through the actio n. written by Alan Bennett, directed by Sam tale of frivo lity, lusr and deception that However, the staging succeeds in retaining Mendes, leaves a pleasant smile on your face highlights the power of temptation and the a sense of Caesar's omnipresence, with huge that will linger throughout the week. At images and monuments of the murdered best it' s hilarious, at worst just Habell.\ CQrpus emperor dominating the backdro p "like a very funny. In fact if you fail C o lossus". The set design and effects are to smile at all during this also cleverl y used to create a sense of nature 'autopsy on sexual deviance', in turmo il, storms rage in the heavens, as then I feel you may well be the conspirators plan the ir act of murder. beyond redemption. The class ic drama is bro ught to vivid The simplicity of this and bloody life by the performances from a show is without doubt its strong cast, boasting many famili ar faces. forte. A simple stage , a deli John Nettles, best known for BBC TV's cate backdrop, effecti ve Bergerac, gives an emotionally charged lighting and a lone organist performance as the uagic hero Brutus, the providing the gentle yet

JU LY 1996 APPLA USE 19 I ease ar which one gives in ro it. This pro Tile Comedy 0/ Errors ducrion oozes class borh in direcrion and performance, and ir is easily apparenr rhar rhe casr are having fun as they play such entertaining characrers. The Donmar Warehouse is the perfect intimare venue for this kind of producrion. This is grear rhearre. Richie Kester

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Arrhur \X/icksteed Jim Bro~dbent

MurieL Wicksteed Brend~ Blethyn farce. As ir is a lso his shorresr play, rhe in period plays rhe laughter is self Dennis Wicksreed John Padden direcror has considerable scope in where conscious, but ir certainly wasn'r here and ir Constance WicksteedSa rah Woodward and how he sers rhe acri on. Here Ian was even more pleasing that it was all rele Mrs Swabb Imelda Staunton T albor, rhe director, sertles for a colourful vant ro the words and the play, rarher rhan Canon Throbbing Hu gh Bonneville Medirerranean se tting with a mulri-Ievel ser imposed from ourside. Wirh an experienced Wy Rumpers Celi a Imri e rhar allows freneric activiry in rhe crowd Shakespearean like Ian Talbot, the play is Felicity Rumpers Nata li e Walter scenes while providing differenr acring areas nor made inw a d irecwr's ego-rrip and he is for more inrimare scenes. H e solves rhe able w delight us while ho lding firmly w Mr Shanks Jason W ~t kins problem of d ifferentiating the rwins by the prinCiple that "the play's the rhing"- as Sir Percy Shoner Nicholas Woodeson having actors who look only fairly similar another S h akespe~ r ean characrer so aptly Mr Purdue Stewart Permutt bur dressing them identically. In facr rhe mentioned. Directed by Sam Mendes cosrumes are rhe real twins. The action Derek Michael De.,igll ed by Rob Howe ll takes pl ace wirhin the limirs of o ne day and Lighting by Paul Pya nt the passage o f rime is amUSingly e mphasized Music by George Stil es by rwo nuns who appear occasio nally to sing PRODUCTION CREDITS a lirrle chant and acr as a human clock. Sound by Fergus 0' H ~re Solin us John Berlyne The largesr ro le is thar of Antipholus of Ephesus and Perer Forbes gives a srrong EgerJn Michae l G Jones central performance thar is notable for Aemilia Judith Paris THE COMEDY OF ERRORS excellent diction which is, indeed, a virtue Anripholus oj' EphesL's Peter Forbes Open Air Theatre, Rege nt 's Park of all rhe cast. There is a lso a good perfor Anripholus of Syracuse DaviJ Cardy If you wanr ro enjoy Th e Comedy of Errors mance by Paula Wilcox as Adrianna, his Dromio oj' Ephesus Philip Fox which has opened ar rhe Open Air Theatre wife. She creares a very clearly defined Dromio oj'Syracuse Gavin Muir in Regent's Park, there are one or two characrer of con siderable variery and is Adria na Paula Wilcox improbabiliries rhar you just have to accept. particularly amusing when she comes to Luciana Debr~ Be~lIm() nt You see, there are rhese twin brothers who vamp her husband. Ne ll/Prostiwre Smah Kn ight were separared at an earl y age and now live Dr. Pinc h , rhe exorc iser, is a cha racter Bairhmar Kevin A J Ramon in Epheslis and Syracllse. Oddly eno ugh , who wo uld have been raken very serioll sly Angelo John Griffiths rhey're both called Antipholus. They each in ancient Ephesus. [r is scarcely Doctor Pine Christopher Biggins have a servant called Dromio and ir so Chriswpher Biggins' faulr rhar rhe parr is so happens rhat they are twins as well. Now burdened with props thar all he can do is go First Merchant Sllnon Nock rhe pair from Syracuse arrive in Ephesus in over rhe wp - which he proceeds to do in Second Merchanr Malcolm Rogers search of rheir brothers so you'll see rhar splendid fashion! OfTiccr Pau l Thornley there is considerable scope for con.fu sion, [r is probably rrue ro say that the most Courtesan Liz Izen misundersranding and general chaos. By trying aspecr of Elizaberh an plays is the Messenger Jonathan Hart rhe way, the morher of the Antipho lus verbal comedy which can easily become Pros titute/Nun Catherine D un c~n brothers turns our to be the Abbess in the almost incomprehensible in performance. Ir Pros tiwte/N un Lu vie Florentine local convent bur, having gor so far, I'm says a great deal for rhe rwo Dromios, Philip Gaoler G uy Vi ncent sure you'll rake rhat in your stride. Fox and Gavin Muir, rhat rhey actua ll y Fro m rhen o nwards you can sir back made ir so funny with, as far as memory Director Ian Talbot and enjoy rhe evening. This is one of se rves, few curs.lndeed,what was so norable Designer Claire Lyth S hakespeare's earliest plays and ir fl oats abour the evening was rh e unresrrained and Lighring Jason Tay lor happily somewhere between comedy and narurallaughrer of rhe audience. So ofren Sound Sim on Whitehorn

20 APPLAUSE JU lY 1996 THE PAINTER OF DISHONOUR welcome telief from the ro mantic entangle RSC - Pic ments going on around him. [r is john Written in 1645 by Pedro CRob Howell across her face, indicating that she has seen Lighting Paul Pyant thro ugh rhe disguise of her former lover. Ir's Mu.sic Paddy C uneen a simple expression but one rhar manages ro Movement Stuart Hopps imbue the character wirh perspicacity and Sound Tim Oliver intelligence. The supporting characters are wo nderfull y entenaining, particularly Zubin Varia as the sneering Ceho who provides a

. lX { 1996 APPlAUSE 21 NED SHERRIN1S I THEATRICAL ANECDOTES

Theatre ghosts, stage fright and first-night rituals are all part of theatre lore. Ned Sherrin is synonymous with the witty theatrical anecdote. Who better to draw on his vast repertoire to compile a unique and unputdownable collection of theatrical anecdotes? Many of these stories have been handed down through generations of backstage gossip; others have sprung from the cut and thrust of the West End and Broadway theatres of this century. Together, in Ned Sherrin's excellent hands they add up to a glittering guide to the vanities and vagaries of theatrical life. Beginning this month and continuing over the next two issues, applause will be publishing excerpts from Theatrical Anecdotes by Ned Sherrin.

]oseph Locke acting, she was adv ised to read Stanislavsky. discussing the show with a film producer She asked her friend Annette how the name (who was interested in financing it) in a Joseph Locke was an immensely popular was spelt. 'S·T·A·N.. .' Annette began. bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel. In mid· tenor who toured the music halls with great 'Oh, [ know how to spell his first name,' conference he asked Lionel who his ideal set success after World War Two. Huge crowds Chrissie repl ied. designer would be. Lionel said someone like turned out to see him and when two Sunday She habitually refers to the Royal Brueghel or Dore. The producer turned to concerts in Blackpool were announced, both Shakespeare Company as 'the RAC' and his secretary. 'Check if those guys are were instantly booked out. O n performance lamented once that a friend had gone off to available,' he said. day, the manager was horrified when Locke Israel to live on 'a kebab'. During 1979, her arrived at the theatre and whispered fellow dancers heard her express mounting hoarsely, 'My voice has gone. [ cannot sing Michael Bryant concern over' the ostriches'. 'What tonight.' O ne of Michael Bryant's biggest successes in ostriches)' one of them enquired. 'The 'j'm not tell ing 'em,' said the brave a distinguished career · in recent years, most ostriches in prison in Iran,' Ms Kendall manager. 'They'll tear the place apart.' At of them at the National Theatre· was as answered. the first house the supporting acts ga ve their Badger in Alan Bennett's ve rsion of Th e More recently she was concerned about best and the curtains parted after the Wind in the Willows. However, he was Aids victims. 'Is he HP positive)' she asked interval to reveal Locke, who came forward reluctant to throw himself into the of an ailing friend. Then she corrected and whispered sincerely, '1 am very sorry. My choreographer's classes, whICh were designed herself. 'Sorry, I mean HMV positive.' Her voice has gone. I cannot sing tonight.' to endow the animal characters with animal dismissal of a proposed date with Bob Fosse, There was a shocked silence. Suddenly movements. Eventually, she thought she had who had just auditioned her for Pippin, was into it fell a reasonable voice from the made a breakthrough when Bryant asked if neat. Her father took the phone call· 'A Mr gallery: 'Alright then, show us your cock.' he could take home some video· tapes of Fossil' had called her, he said. When Fosse The atmosphere was punctured. After a roar badgers in the wild which she had came on the line, he asked her if she would of laughter, the audience dispersed in good mentioned. Returning the tapes the next like to be in the show and would she like to humour. morning, he thanked her and said, 'I've have dinner with him that evening) 'Yes and However, the manager was greedy and watched those tapes and , you know, it's an no,' she repl ied decided to repeat the experiment in the extraordinary thing. all badgers seem to evening with a plant. Was it the timing? move like Michael Bryant.' Had some of the fans bought tickets for both Lionel Bart houses? Whatever the reason· they tore the In the late 'fifties and early 'sixties, Lionel place apart. Bart justified his position as the white hope of the British musical with successes like ~S'ljp~t) Chrissie Kendall Fings Ain't What The)' Used To Be and Lock : ) .' ~ l? I( I IV Up Your Daughters. Later ventures ·Blitz and ' l. Chri ssie Kendall, singer, dancer, actress, is ,I '; ( '.' .. \ ,I ! Maggie Ma)' . were less successful. Of Blitz, also the champion Malapropper of the Noel Coward said that it was 'as long as the British stage. She has been heard to express real thing and twice as noisy'. A subsequent her admiration for the acting skill of 'Joan work, Quasimodo, based on The Hunchback of Playwright' . Tallulah Bankhead has been Notre Dame, has not so far reached the stage. metamorphosed into 'Tallulah Handbag' or e' At one point Bart was in Hollywood even 'Tallulah Bunkbed'. While studying ~\

22 APPL AUSE JULY 1996 Arts & Music Club Patrons

Lily Savage and Ned Sherrin

INCUIII'UnATlNI: T1UATnE & l:nN(:EnnllAVEL CLU"

SHOWS &EVENTS DIARY THIS MONTH'S EXCLUSIVE SHOW OFFERS JULY 4 Tour of the STS Lord Nelson NEW TO THE WEST END 6 228th Summer Exhibition TOP PRICE SEATS FOR 9 XII Angry Men Martin Guerre 17 Passion CLUB NIGHT Tuesday 23 July £32 .50 19 Player's Theatre Join the cost for a soiree after the performance 23 Martin Guerre By Jeeves AUGUST CLUB NIGHT Thursday 8 August £25.00 2 Ascot Race Evening Jon the cast for a soiree after the performance 8 By Jeeves 14 Tommy XII Angry Men Tuesday 9 July 16 Paint Your Wagon TOP PRICE SEATS £24.00 20 Blood Brothers CLUB PRICE £13.50 SAVE £10.50 23 The London Show Boat Cruise Passion Wednesday 17 July SEPTEMBER TOP PRICE SEATS £30.00 6-8 A Sailing Weekend In Devon CLUB PRICE £27.00 SAVE £3.00 15 Two Gentlemen Of Verona Players' Theatre Friday 19 July OCTOBER TOP PRICE SEATS £ 15.00 CLiB PRICE £10.00 SAVE £5.00 4-6 Florence - Renaissance Art Break 5 Day Trip to Budapest Tommy Wednesday 14 August 22-2 Wexford Festival Opera TOP PRICE SEAT £30.00 CLUB PRICE £20.00 SAVE £10.00 Jon the cast for a soiree after the performance Blood Brothers Tuesday 20 August CLUB NIGHTS AND TICKETLINE 0171 312 1991 CLUB MANAGER MAGGIE GEMEI TOP PRICE SEAT £27.50 SUBSCRIPTION SECRETARY MICHAEL LOCKWOOD CLUB PRICE £12.50 SAVE £15.00 ST ALBANS OFFICE STUART HARDING Join the cost for a soiree after the performance SPECIAL EVENTS/BREAKS/RAIL & HOTEL BOOKINGS 01727 841 115 INTERNATIONAL ARTS & MUSIC 01727866533

London Office: SHOWS OF THE MONTH SPECIALS £19.50 The Applause Building, 68 Long Acre, London WC2E 9JQ Cats · Miss Saigon · Oliver! SI Albans Office: PO BOX 1 SI Alabans All 4ED SAVE £ 10.50 ON EVERY TICKET WITH APPLAUSE

JUL Y 1996 APPLAUSE 23 I

SHOWS OF THE MONTH

Our shows of the month for July are all produced by Cameron Mackintosh. He started his career in 1965 as an assistant stage manager and member of the chorus of the original national touring production of Oliver! He has produced over 300 productions allover the world including Oliveri, Les Miserables, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Carousel. In 1995 his company received The Queen's Award for Export Achievement and he was knighted in the 1996 New Years Honours for his services to the British Theatre. His current major project is the new Boublil and Schonberg musical Martin Guerre. Cats According to the Daily Mail, Miss Saigon, is "a triumph and shattering experience ... moves one to tears and also fills the heart to Monday - Thursday, burst" . The audience is treated to the genius of Boublil and Schonberg's 7.4Spm follow up to Les Miserables including hit numbers such as 'The Last Night of the World' and spectacular effects like the landing of a helicopter on This is now the longest running stage. musical in West-End and Directed by Nicholos Hytner and staging by Bob Avian the show is Broadway history. Based on designed by John Napier with lighting by David Hersey and ~o>iumes by T S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Andreane Neafitou . Practical Cats this unique produc Theatre Royal Drury lane, Catherine Street, London WC2 tion opened at the New London Performence length approx 2 hrs 45 mins Theatre in 1981 and has been playing there and around the world ever since. I SAVE 10.50 11111l\$'IIII11IMlhilllijijlfll The cast of Cats is almost " .. e.ntirely made up of dancers por ...... traying the various feline characters with some of the most energetic Oliver! and exciting dance ever seen on the stage. This musical has been Monday -Thursday, 7.4Spm enchonting audiences for 15 years and so if you have not yet seen this incredibly popular show, or indeed want to see it again, then now is Lionel Bart's multi award winning musical masterpiece is presented by your chance. To take advantage of this month's special offer call the Cameron Mackintosh as never before seen at the world famous London number below. Palladium . The show is literally full of hit songs including 'As Long As He Music is by Andrew Lloyd Webber with direction by Trevor Nunn and Needs Me', 'Consider Yourself' choreographed by Gillian Lynne and designed by John Napier. and 'where is Love' . This is a New london Theatre, Drury Lane, London WC2 spectacular production which Performance length approx 2 hrs 45 mins leaves everyone asking for more as it takes you through I SAVE 10.50 11I!m~'IIIiIIlMlh\lllij~1f1l the historic London of Charles Dickens...... , ...... Directed by Sam Mendes and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, Russ Abbot stars as Miss Saigon Fagin marking his return to the Monday - Thursday, 7.4 5pm West End for the first time since 1984 when he starred in I Based on the story of Madame Little Me, with the wonderful Butterfly, this production takes us Ruthie Henshall as Nancy and to Vietnam where GI Chris (Mike the villainous Bill Sikes played Scott) encounters Kim (Riva by Steven Hartley. Salazar/Maya Barredo) during his posting to Saigon in 1975. london Palladium, Argyll Street (Oxford Circus)' London W1 Passion and tragedy surround Performance length approx 2hrs 30m ins the lovers who battle to sustain their relationship against their many cultural differences os well ISAVE 10.50 11111"'IIIIIIIi'''Jllijulill as being in a war torn country

111111111" SIIIIWS liN TIllS l'Ala TELEI'IIIIN EIII iI ;) 12 111'11

24 APPL AUSE JUL Y 1996 CLUB NIGHTS

Tommy Wednesday 14 August, 8.00pm

The who's rock opera follows the ascent of a young deaf dumb and blind kid to the dizzy heights of pinball wizardry. The stage musical is based on the 1975 film directed by Ken Russell and originally opened on Broadway in the Spring of 1993. Well known songs from the show include Martin Guerre 'Acid Queen', 'Pinball Wizard 'and Tuesday 23 July, 7.45pm 'See Meleel Me'. Since opening on Broadway Tommy has won a string of The award winning songwriting team of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel awards including 5 Tonys and a Schonberg (Les Miserables & Miss Saigon) are bringing Martin Guerre Grammy. Paul Keating plays Tommy and Kim Wilde his mother. Music the new musical blockbuster of the year to the Prince Edward Theatre. . and lyrics are by Pete Tawnsend, and Des McAnuff co-wrote the baok and Martin Guerre is a true story of passion , jealousy and deception set in directs. We look forward to seeing you at the splendid Shaftesbury Theatre the turbulent times of 16th century France: a marriage is arranged for an evening of powerful music, special effects and the latest in stage between Martin and Bertrande de Rols in the village of Artigot. Before the technology. marriage is consummated, Martin runs away to fight in the religious wars. After the performance you can meet the cast, the bar will be open for When he returns to Betrande several years later she falls madly in love those who wish to purchase drinks. but is it with the Martin Guerre who deserted her or the Martin Guerre of Shaftesbury Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue (St Giles junct.) her dreams? Or, indeed, is it Martin Guerre at all? London WC2H We are delighted to offer an early opportunity to see this exciting Performance length approx 2 hours 15 minutes major musical, tipped to be the musical of 1996. The £3.5 m Cameron Mackintosh production will be directed by Declan Donnellan and will star Juliette Caton and lain Glen. Tickets will be in great demand ond early ISAVE £10.00 IN'III'\'I"II"~ l l l l l ll l lj ij IIIMI booking is odvisoble. The price of the ticket includes a glass of wine and ...... the chance to meet the cast after the performance. Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, London W1 V Blood Brothers Performance length approx 2 hrs 45 mins Tuesday 20 August, 7.4Spm

SOIREE I NIII"iIlHIIUfjllilljijIIiNI Blood Brothers by Liverpudlian playwright Willy Russell continues its successful run at the Phoenix .. • t • • • • •• • •• • til •••• Theatre. A young mother deserted By Jeeves by her husband is left to provide for seven hungry children. Having Thursda y 8 August, 7.45pm taken a job as housekeeper to a wealthy middle-class fomily, her By Jeeves, the Alan Ayckbourn and world is turned upside down when Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, she discovers she is pregnant based on the Jeeves stories by P. G . again with twins. So begins a Wodehouse, plays at the Duke of passionate and moving tale of the York's Theatre for a limited season . twins who, separated at birth, This version of the 1975 production encounter one another later in life has been totally rewritten and and discover both friendship and arrives fresh from a successful angst in their relationship. Along season at the Stephen Joseph with the catchy melodies, the Theatre in Scarborough. musical explores the urbanism of life and the contrasts within the English If you fancy 'An enchantingly social spectrum. batty evening' (Sunday Times). this Siobhan McCarthy, Stefan Dennis (former star of Neighbours) and is for you! Steven Pacey plays Carl Wayne head the cast with direction by Ron Edwards. Bertie Wooster with Malcolm After the performance you will have the chance to meet the cast and Sinclair as Jeeves and Simon Day be involved in a question and answer session. The bar will be open for as Gussie Fink-Nottle. Direction is those who wish to purchase drinks. by Alan Ayckbourn and musical Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road London direction by Kate Young. The price of the ticket includes a glass of wine Performance length approx 2 hrs 45 mins and meet the cast after the performance. Duke of York's Theatre, St Martin' s Lane, London ISAVE £ls.oo 'NIIIIl!IHIIIUjIIiIlW;!!INI . Performance length approx 2 hrs 25mins

SOIREE I NIIIIIMHIIPB!!IllIIjijIIiMI TIIIUIIIIl SIIIJWS liN TillS I'AI:E THEI'HIINF III i 1J12 1'I'll

JU LY 1996 APP '/lUSf 25 I

AUGUST EVENTS SEPTEMBER EVENTS ...... • ...... Paint Your Wagon Sailing Weekend in Devon Friday 16 August, 6.00pm Friday 6 - Sunday 8 September

Ten minutes from the bustle of Baker The Island Cruising Club bosed at Salcombe in Devon is known Street - and you 're in a different internationally and provides a range 01 sailing opportunities for the world. A gentle stroll past the lake experienced sailor and the beginner alike. and through the fragrant rose We shall be staying for two nights on board Egremont, the heart of garden brings you to the wonderful your holiday. It is the base from which all soiling starts and finishes. Living pastoral setting 01 the Open Air aboard while sailing on the estuary means you make the most of your time Theatre. For over sixty years this on the water, it also makes the ICC more fun. The atmosphere on hoven in the most beautiful of the Egremont is informal and offers plenty 01 opportunities to enjoy social and Royal Parks has been a unique part active sailing events, aboard and elsewhere around the estuary. You can 01 London's summer life. also while away an evening in the Pugwash Bar or the Observation We start the evening with a Saloon, or explore the delights of Salcombe by night. Good wholesome buffet supper, including coffee and food is on essential part of what is provided. Tea and calfee are always half a bottle of wine per person , available, just help yourself. please let us know if you are vegetarian or served on the picnic lawn. We then need a special diet. Cabins are simple but comfortable. Most are twin Tony Selb)' take our seats for the evening bunked but single occupancy can be arranged subject to availability. performance. There is a small shop, a drying room, hot showers and a regular launch This year the New Shakespeare Company presents Paint Your service to and from Salcombe - in fact everything you need to make your Wogon (music by Frederick Loewe, libretto and lyrics by Alan Joy Lerner) stay enjoyable. There is plenty to do in the evenings. Entertainment and as part of their 1996 season. This musical has not been seen on the extra activities such as canoeing, rowing dinghies, parties aboard, beach London stage since 1953, but the best known song, 'Wand'rin Star', was parties, barbecues and still time to enjoy the quiet of on evening. And a hit in the 1970's for Lee Marvin, who starred in the film version. Other nothing extra to pay. numbers from the show include 'I Talk To The Trees' and 'They Call The All estuary soiling, from beginners to advanced, can be in either Wind Maria'. Ian Talbot directs a cast that includes Claire Carrie, Liz Izen, dinghies or keelboats. you choose which type depending on the style of Tony Selby (above). and Chook Sibtain. soiling you wish to follow. Dinghies can be solo or crewed and vary from The price of the evening is £37.50, which includes the supper and the more stable types to the very fast and exciting racers. What all wine, and theatre tickets for Point Your Wagon. dinghies have in common is that they use your weight to keep the boat Regents Pork Open Air Theatre, London NW1 upright. Keelboats are larger, soiled by two to four people, have permanent ballast to keep them upright and they won't capsize. They can • • I • •• • ••••••••••• be every bit as challenging to sail but in general you'll have a drier time . Everything you need, including wetsuits, bump cops, buoyancy aids The London Showboat Cruise and apres sailing activities, is included in the price of your sailing holiday. The cost of the weekend includes two nights accommodation on board Dinner & Cabaret Egremont, all meals, use of boats, gear and qualified sailing instructors Friday 23 August, 7.00pm (whatever level of ability). insurance and membership of the I C Club. The cost is £125 all inclusive. Numbers are very limited so please Board a luxurious cruiser at Westminster Pier for an evening dinner cruise call straight away to reserve your place. down the river Thames . See some of London 's most famous landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge, while enjoying a delicious four-course dinner (including half bottle of wine) served on the upper deck. After dinner sit bock and enjoy great songs from West End shows, past and present, together with other popular music. The cost of the evening is £39 which includes the lour course dinner with a half bottle 01 wine and the cabaret. Meeting place: Westminster Pier

Tllllllllh E\lfNT~ liN T"I~ l'Ala THEI'IIIINE III iD 11411 !:i

26 AP ! AU5E JULY 1996 The Two Gentlemen of Verona We are staying in the Hotel San Giorgio in the centre of Florence, a Sunday 15 September, 1.00pm comfortable 3 star hotel. This is on a Bed and Breakfast basis, as there are some excellent restaurants which we thought you would want to try. Holiday costs are based on sharing a twin room but single rooms are We start the afternoon with a two course lunch at the historic George Inn available with a supplement. the only remaining galleried inn in London. Just one side remains giving an impression of what the inns looked like - originally three sides around ITINERARY an open courtyard. We then transfer to the new Shakespeare's Globe Fri 4 oa 1055 Depart London Gatwick Theatre where we have unreserved seats for the matinee performance of 1400 Arrive Pisa The Two Gentlemen of Verona. The informal setting of the theatre is Train transfer to Florence (1 hr) designed to encourage the audience to view the production from different Sat50a In Florence points around the auditorium. A unique chance to see Shakespeare Sun 6 oa In Florence performed in an authentic venue. Mon 70a Train transfer to Pisa (afternoon) This Shakespearian comedy comprises the prologue season at the 1920 Depart Pisa reconstructed Globe before the first full season in 1997. Written in 1594 but not performed until 1672, the play centres on the conflict between love 2020 Arrive London Gatwick and friendship as borne out by two gentlemen, Proteus and Valentine. The COSTS production will feature Artistic Director Mark Rylance in the cast and Jack Air travel + departure tax (baoked through St Albans Travel) £166.00 Shepherd, better known as an actor, as the director. 3 nights Hotel San Giorgio B&B basis . Services of tour leader The cost of the event is £28 which includes a two course lunch and and transfers £148.00 coffee, and seats for the matinee of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Single room supplement £54.00 Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London SE1 Insurance (if required) £18.45

please call International Arts & Music on 01727 841115 for reservations.

INTERNATIONAL ARTS &MUSIC STILL BOOhlNG ...... c ...... Day Trip to Budapest Ascot Race Evening Saturday 5 October Friday 3 August, 4.30pm A day in Budapest, one of the most exotic, romantic, captivating cities in Join us for a prestigious evening of racing at world famous Ascot this Europe. Full of history and a welcome second to none. Ideol as a treat for summer. We will have tables in the Arundel Restaurant in the Ascot a loved one or for anyone searching for something different. Pavilion for the evening. You may enjoy the racing from the comfort of the ITINERY Restaurant or join the excitement in the Paddock or Grandstand. Arrive 08.25 from Heathrow - 21.05 returns from Budapest to Heathrow any time after 4.30pm but don't miss the start of the first race at 6pm. The price of £159 includes return Rights with MALEV, city tour by private Racing finishes abaut 8.15pm. Then relax over a three course dinner with coach, services of an English guide and lunch in a traditional Hungarian half a bottle of wine which will be served from approx. a.OOpm, and restaurant, leaving three hours for shopping and individual sightseeing. hopefully return home better-off than you arrived. Price £39.50.

Wexford Festival Opera Florence • Renaissance Art Week Tuesday 22 - Friday 25 October 4 - 6 October One of the most popular events in the opera calendar, the Wexford Festival is always a total sell out, and this year will be no exception. The October is an in-between month, the nights are beginning to draw in, atmosphere in Wexford is tremendous, the mussels and seafood delicious, Christmas looms on the horizon and the football season has started yet the Guinness incomparable (unless you are a fan of Murphy's) and the again. opera programme unique. The Festival is known world wide for featuring So we feel we have the perfect antidote - the elixir of a three night operas which are not frequently performed, but don't worry if you haven't holiday in Florence, one of Italy's most beautiful and extraordinary cities. heard of them as that is the charm of the Festival. Whatever your taste in We hope you will join us. We have Margaret Davis to accompany classical music, the Festival's reputation for providing a feast of music and the group, which will be for a maximum of 20 peaple. Margaret is a spectacle is unsurpassed. please see the June magazine for more details or lecturer on Renaissance art and she knows Florence well. We shall call the Club Office on 01727 841115_ certainly visit the Uffizi galleries and many other beautiful palaces and churches. T111u\1II~ EVE~TS liN TillS I'AI:E TELEI'HIINE III i27114111j

JU LY 1996 APPLAUSE 27 WEST END UPDATE FOUR EASY STEPS TO THE PERFECT NIGHT OUT I Oops, you missed it! ••• closed in June Decide which shows you wish to see 2 Make your bookings via our direct Ticketline The Designated Mourner NT Cottesloe 3 Check the location of the theatre on the map below 1 Portia Coughlan Royal Court 4 Sit back and enjoy the show! 8 Funny Money Playhouse 8 Camelot Freemason's Hall CAMBRIDGE PALACE 15 The Taming of the Shrew RSC Barbican Fame Les Miserables Face value all performances Face value all performances 15 The Relapse RSC The Pit (No Booking Fee) (No Booking Fee) 15 Present Laughter Wyndham's DOMINION PHOENIX 20 Blue Remembered Hills NT Lyttelton Grease Blood Brothers 29 Company Albery Front cover ticket offer Club Night 20 August Save £15.00 29 Tap Dogs Lyric DRURY LANE PRINCE EDWARD Miss Saigon Martin Guerre Show of The Month: It's you last chance! closing in July Club Night 23 July Mon-Thurs evenings. Save £10.50 Meet the Cast Soiree 13 The Prince's Play NT Olivier DUCHESS QUEEN'S 13 Chapter Two Gielgud Don't dress For Dinner Passion Face value all performances 27 Habeas Corpus Donmar Club Night 17 July Save £3 .00 (No Booking Fee) SHAFTESBURY Keep an eye out for ••• July openings DUKE OF YORK'S Tommy By Jeeves Club Night 14 August Save £10.00 Club Night 8 August. The Aspern Papers Wyndham' s Meet the Cast Soiree STRAND 1 Ken Campbell Royal Court Buddy FORTUNE 2 By Jeeves Duke of York's Face value all performances The Woman In Black 5 Handsome Foundation Royal Court (No Booking Fee) Face value all performances 5 Joey & Gina's Wedding Cafe Royal Basement (No Booking Fee) ST. MARTIN'S 10 Martin Guerre Prince Edward GARRICK The Mousetrap 11 John Gabriel Borkman NT Lyttelton An Inspector Calls Face value all performances (No Booking Fee) 22 Voyeurz Whitehall Face value all performances (No Booking Fee) 22 The Lights Royal Court THE OLD VIC 26 Paint Your Wagon Regent's Park Open Air LONDON PALLADIUM An Ideal Husband Oliver! Face value all performances Show of The Month: (No Booking Fee) Mon-Thurs evenings Save £10 .50

CURRENT OFFERS FOR EXHIBITIllNS NEW LONDON Cats DATES WOVEN IMAGE TOUR Show of The Month: Ticketiine0171 3121991 9 November 1996 - 11 January 1997 Newport Museum & Art Gallery Mon-Thurs evenings Save £10.50 All seats subject to availability 25 January - 22 February 1997 Aberdeen Art Gallery

The £18 full colour Catalogue that accompanies this exhibition is availablE on presentation of your A&M card, at a discounted price of £17, a saving of £ 1.

COMPETITION WINNER In last months editiol1 of A&M magazine we asked : What former member of the Partridge Family starred in the London production of Blood Brothers? The answer is: David Cassidy

The winner of two tickets for Blood Brothers is: Stuart Dean, Winbourne, Dorset.

28 APPLA USE JUL Y 1996 THE ()fflCIAl lONDON THEAIRE (;UIDE (o)F IHE S(o)~IEI"l (o)F [(o)ND<2>N IHEAIRE

ADELPHI DUKE OF YORK'S NEWLONDOtI ROYAL $HAKESPEARE COMPANYt Sunset Boulevard By Jeeves Cab BARBICAN THEATRE: RICHARD III Dovld Webbefs lates! musical ~ Andrew Troughlon ploys the power-hungry nobis- Wilde~s 1950's film aboul on byTS nn,,,,,.,,, 'iI'~n' movie stor plotting her Wc<>St,e, C>r1d his Co1sconll,....es Into Its 14th year, Ihe film Indusll)', Petula Cia", effortlessly superior butler, Jeeves, through to December, leads Ihe cos!, Moo-Sot 7,45, Moo-Sot 7,45, Man-Sot 7,45, Mats Thur 8< Sot 3,00 Mol Wed, Sot 3,00 Mats Tue & Sot 3,00

APOLLO VICTORIA FORTUNE THE OlD VIC PHf:>E~IICILJ\N WOMeN A group Starlight Express The Woman In Black An Ideal Husband of women ore caughl up In Ihe WOf 2nd musical in Iheatre hls Dovld Bulke ond Andrew Peter Holl's production of Oscar Wilde's between Oedipus' sons, two men embroiled extlracrrdln,orv comedy of pallficol $IeOle and blackmail THE DEVil IS AN ASS A young devil finds thaI ghosl slol)', Ironsfers from the Hoymo",allo The Old sleazy London is WOf1

CAM8RIDGE FORlUNE OI"ENAIR ST.MARTIN'S Fame Marie New Shake$pe

GARRICK PAlACE SAVOY An Inspector Calls Les Miserables Communicating Doors In and decide a !n drama, Must end July 27, Man-Sot 7,45, Mots Wed 2 30, Sol 4,00 Mats Thur 8< Sot 2,30

GIELGUD !'HOE NO< SHAFTESBURY Chapter Two Blood Brothers The Who's Tommy Neil Slmon's comedy Is levived wrth Tom Willy RussaU's award winning musleol Pele Townshend's story ollhe deaf, dumb present The Conli OS 0 writer wiho gels more Ihan he foilows the plight of two Uverpudlian and blind w~h a penchanl for pinball Shakespeare bargained for wihen he hkes a researcher, brolhers seporated ol birth but destined 10 with Kim Wilde Complele played by Cagney and Laceys Sharon meal again, Slars Siobhan McCarthy, Tus-Sot 8,00, Gless, Man-Sot 7,45, Mals Thur 3,00, Sal 500, Sun 4,00 Man-fri S,OO, Mats Thur 3.00, Sot 5,00 & 8.15 Mals Thur 3,00, Sot 4,00

DOMINION HAYMARKET PICCADILLY STRAND Grease The Odd Couple Mack a Mabel Major revivallealunng Shona Tony Randall and Jock Klugman ploy Ihe london premiere of Jeny Hermon and Sondy In the firsl two divorcees who sel up home togelher Michael Sleworf's 1974 musical about the the famous songs the film, David in the revival of Nell Simon's comedy, movie diroclor and Gilmore direcls, Must end October Umned season Man-Sol 7,30, Mon-Frt 8.00, Sot ol 5.00 & 8.15, Mals Wed & Sot 3,00 Mols Thur 3,00

DOMINION HEll MAJESTY'S PRINCE eDWARD VAUDEVIlL£ Scrooge the Musical The Phantom of the Opera Martin Guerre Salad Days Christmas will include The latesi from 80ublll ond Schonberg. Julion Slade's musicol obaul 0 magicol Mr & Les Mlserables, is relums 10 wihere it ron for Le~ie musicoL iClSpiroo by ietumfrom In lhe 195Os, The Widow, Christmas Carol, be 0 womon's long Simon Connally ond Nicolo Fulljomes sloe Man-Sot 730. Man-Sot Mals Thur & Sol 3,00 Mots Wed Sol 4,00

DONMAR WAREHOUSE GLOBE PRINCE OF WALES VICTORIA PAlACE Habeas Corpus The Two Gentlemen of Verona EMs Joison Alan Bennett's comic depiclion of Middle Mar\( Rylof"lCe stars in Shakespeare's slars in Ihe new musical Englanders and their sexual frustralions is comedy in wihich the relationship of two Inspired by lile of Al Jolson, Ihe wand's revived by Som Mendes wilh Jim close fnends ~ Ihreatened by motters of most famous vaudevillian and slor of Ihe Broadbenl in Ihecast, Unlil July 27, Ihe heart, Augusl21,Seplember 15, firsl"lalkie", Man-Sol 8,00, Wed,SoI2,30 & 7,00, Man-Sol 730., Mals Thur, Sot 4,00 Sun 4,00 Mots Wed, Sot 3.00

DONMAR WAIUHOUSE LONDON PALlADIUM QUEENS Hedda Gabler Oliveri Passion Michael Boll relums 10 Ihe West End lor the New from all around her. Slephen Unwin directs Alexandra Gilbreath, July 29-Augusl 31, Abbot now stO!1; os Fagin, Mon-Sot 8,00, Man-Sot 7,30, Mon-Sot 7,45, Mots Ihur, Sol 4,00 Mals Wed, Sot 2 30 Mens Wed, Sot 3,00

DRURY lANE NATIONAL THEATlIet In repertoire ROYAL COURTt WYNDHAM'S Miss Saigon OLIVIER: Barclay New The Aspern Papers A UTILE NIGHT MUSIC The shenanigans of Boublil & Schonberg's musicol oboul 0 GJ Tliis yeofs lestivol derdlcole,d love in Sondhelm's musical, Doniel J Trovanll (stor 01 Hill Street Blues) wiho lolls in love wilh 0 Vietnomese gin extremes of oArfolmrlnC:A THE PRINCE'S PIAV Tony Hamson's modern ploys a hislorian in of a fomous conlinues rts amazing run, Now in lIs Ken Como,bGll', version 01 Hugo's Le RoJ ,'amuse, poel's letfef1< in sevenlh and The HOlndsorrlA "JurlOclTIon LY1TELTON: MARY STUART A fictional meel odoptotian of performing The Fear Show (July 5-6), between Mol)' ond Eizobelh I. Mon-fri 8,00, Sol Mols Wed & Sot 300 Mon-Sot 7,30, Mals Sot 3,30 AND GUllDENSTERN ARE Mals Thur 3,00 Influencedby Hamlet DUCHESS ROYAL COURTt JOHN IIORKMAN Paul Scofield, Please nale Allinformahon In , Don't Dress for Dinner Vaness and Eileen Aikins solr in The Ughts Ih~ gUide 10 change Morc Comolettl's successtul force oboul Ibsen's The Royal Coun's final before wlthoul Please attempled adunSl)' continues wrth Royce COTTESLOE: WAR AND PEACE Tolstoy'sepie inlo the West will be Howard C:eck all delalls bGfore making MIlls, Michael Showell-Martin, Jackie to Ihe Ihrough Helen life In on unnamed Cia",e and Judy Graham, Ion Rickson directs, Juiy 17 Mon-fo 8,00, Augusl31. Mol Wed 300, Sot 500 & 8.30 Man-Sot 7.30, Mal, Sot 3.30

THE ABOVE SHOWS CAN BE BOOKED THROUGH THE TICKET LINE, SUBJECT TO THE USUAL AGENCY BOOKING FEE, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED ON PAGE 28.

;; -' 1996 29 regular Theatre Trains where we can encourage peaple from each area to ST ALBANS TRAVEL SERVICE enjoy trovelling together on 0 regulor bosis to see one of the current mojor shows in London . St Albans Travel Service, our own ABTA/IATA travel agency, should be The first series will be for Saturdays in September and if you think I your first call when booking flights, short breaks and holidays. Not only there would be interest from the area you live in please call Stuart Harding because of the special prices for members but because the choice of tour on 01727 841115. operators, range of discounts for Rights and late availability is amongst the very best around. We know this only because our customers keep telling us so. Although it is the peak season when prices tend to be higher, here are a few examples of some late availability holidays when we put the magazine together. SHOWS STILL BOO~INC Do call 01727 866533 and quote your membership number for up to dote availability and prices. LONDON OFFICE 01713121991

LATE HOLIDAYS Price with special Club Discounts Dotes ...... Gatwick - Kos; 7 nights self catering from £247 20/7 Gatwick - Rhodes; 7 nights self catering from £256 20/7 XII Angry Men Gatwick - Alicante; 7 nights self catering from £243 20/7 Tuesday 9 July 7.45pm Gatwick - Fuerteventura; 7 nights self cater. from £281 23/7 Gatwick - Luxor; 7 nights self catering from £285 24/7 This landmark play by Reginald Rose, having first appeared as a Luton- Cyprus; 7 nights self catering from £299 20/7 television drama, followed by the famous film starring Henry Luton- Turkey; 7 nights self catering from £285 24/7 Fonda, remains as intriguing and powerful as ever. This new Manchester - Cyprus; 7 nights self catering from £313 27,28/7 production is directed by Harold Pinter and has an all-star cast of & 4/8 Kevin Dingham, Robert East, Tony Haygarth, Tim Healey, Maurice Gatwick - Maldives; 7 nights all inclusive from £555 14/7 Kaufman, Alan MacNaughton, Douglas McFerran, Stuart Rayner, For Rights only from Heathrow and Gatwick, call 01727 841115. Christopher Simon, Peter Vaughan, Timothy West and Kevin Whately in the Henry Fonda role. Definitely one not to miss. HOTELS Next time you go to the theatre or join us on one of our events ovoid that Comedy Theatre, Panton Street, London WC2 boring journey home by staying at one of our West End hotels over night. Performance length approx 2 hours 20 minutes Our specially selected list of hotels (which you received lost month) Club Night £13.50 Save £10.50 Top price seats offers a great choice in both position and price and during August we are able to offer even greater savings at some of our most popular London hotels. Here is a list of the new prices. ('Shoring a twin or double room.) The Players' Theatre Hotel Saving New Summer Friday 19 July (per pers. per night') Prices Doors open 5.30pm Showtime 8.15pm Washington £12.50 £61 International Marsh Wall £7.50 £38 A trip to the Players' Theatre is a must! The venue is famous for the Copthorne Toro £6.50 £48 re-creation of traditional Music Hall. Although the Players' Theatre Green pork £6.50 £52 is a club, we are pleased to offer readers the advantages and Rubens £5.00 £44 facilities, including a free glass of wine, of this delightful theatre. Hyde pork Towers £3.00 £32 The venue has two bars and a buffet serving light refreshments. In Burns Pork £2.50 £38 the Supper-Room full a la carte meals or their set club dinner are Queens Pork £250 £40.50 Strand Palace £2.50 £52 served nightly. Bedford Corner £1.50 £39 The Players' Theatre, Villiers Street, Strand WC2 Rembrandt £1.50 £48 Performance length approx 2 hours 30 minutes For savings on single rooms and our full hotel list please phone the St Albans Office on 01727 841115. Club Night £10.00 Save £5.00 Top Price Seats

INDIVIDUAL THEATRE TRAVEL BY TRAIN This month there are two exciting new developments for our popular Passion Theatre Roil packages. Wednesday 17 July 7.45pm 1) Out of London Passion, the latest musical by Stephen Sondheim stars Michael Ball We have been negotiating with the various Train Operating Companies to and Maria Friedman. Based on the film Passione d'Amore, the use our special package prices to a range of destinations outside London . action takes place in 19th century Milan, a young cavalry officer The prices and ticketing arrangements are being finalised and we will be aHempts to resolve his passion for his mistress Clara with his including a regular feature on the best of what's on in such places as York, Both, Stratford, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester. growing infatuation for the strange and isolated Fosca - his Each centre has a wealth of interest beyond its music and theatre and Colonel's cousin. we will feature this together with a hotel. The hotel will be on optional extra The musical is co-wriHen by Sondheim's former collaborator but will odd enormously to your enjoy~ent of a visit. More information James Lapine. Directed by Jeremy Sands. next time but do call us if you are thinking of a visit before then on 01727 841115. Queen's Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, WI 2) Theatre Trains Performance length approx 2 hours 15 minutes So that we may encourage membership from out of London, in conjunction with the new Train Operating Companies, we are starling a number of Club Night £27.00 Save £3.00 Top Price Seats

30 APPLAUSE JULY 1996 - Oddbins reigns supreme among the high street chains .. , • Its jaunty, humorous approach to the business ofselling wine .' '. has done much to demystify a difficult, often snooty subject; one glimpse ofthose whackily decorated windows and bright chalkboards out on the pavement and you know you're in the vicinity ofgood wine·. _ dispatched with unpretentious enthusiasm, • TimeOut / ' ,/

/' / (

• • • • I BROADWAY LIGHTS. • •

Tears, jeers & cheers - just another night at the Tony Awards. From Rene de Woerk - The Toast of New York!

he Tony's have been prese nced and Murphy's surprise "Best Ac rress in a Musica l" crearor of Rene who died fo llOwing the show's the 1995/96 Broadway season has award. All three shows are playing (0 90% final dress rehearsal off-Broadway. [t is a business wirh Rem achieving an incredible rragedy thar he did nor live ro see the T come ro a close. As the hits and flo ps were officially confirmed, it was actually 101.9% in the week before the T onI'S. Their phenomena l success of his new musical, and Julie Andrews who sro le the headlines, firstl y status as 'hits' o r 'flops' is unlikely ro be many rcars were shed by friends and family as determined until much larer into the next Rent rook Tom' afrer T o ny. fo llowing her refusa l (0 ackno wledge an award no mination fo r ' Best Actress In A Musical' fo r season. bur [ would predict the former for all O ther rhan the julie Andrews saga, the Vicror/Vicroria (it being the only nominatio n three. The rema ining award in the music81 T ony's 'jOrh Yea r sail' fell' surprises. Those who the show received) followed by a highly category, for 'Best Actor in a Musical', went (0 read my column lI'i ll note rhat in rhe May Nathan Lane {the evening's hose} for his publicised snub of the award ceremony itself. issue I predicted winners 111 sel'eral L, f the key glorio us star-turn in the revival of A But the biggest shock of all came as the award Funn y Tony categories. With the exc e ~'tio n of julie was presented - julie didn't win l A clearly Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum . Andrews (and how was I supposed to know she stunned Donna Murphy won for her The show was otherwise over-looked. would snub her nomination... ) [ was right o n performance in the revi va l of The King arul /. Of the plays, Sam She pherd's Buried Child every count. The shame of the evening was Ms Murphy, a previous Tony winner for (his first play on Broadway) came away empty that despite a terrific season and good Sondheim's Passion, paid tribute to her fellow handed . Dino the N an onal Ac(Ors' Theatre comperi tiLln in all categories, the tele-cast nominees in the category, including Ms. production of Inherlr Th e Wind, the Royal itself \l as unimaginative and the editing a Andrews whom she described as 'inspiring'. Shakespeare Company 's A Mlcisl/mmer Nighr's disgrace. Is ir not time that rhe long-term Vicror/Vicroria, o ne of Broadway's biggest and Dream and the Peter H a ll Comrany staging of producers noll' step aside and let someone with most expensive ever musicals, walked away An Ideal Hu:;band . Terrence McNa lly was a a Iinle m,)re creativity and flair pur together fro m the T o ny's with nothing. But the show winner for a second year running in the "Best thiS I'ital adl'errisement for Broadway ' was no t alone . The big budget musical version Play" category. He wo n last season for Love' Altogether though, a gteat year for of the mo vie Big and Rodgers & Va lour' Compassion' and this year for Masrer American thearre. I woul.d h ,l(' to suggest that

Hammerstein's State Fair both fa iled to win in Class. Zoe Caldwell and Audra Ann an anti- British feeling perpeml(ed the T onys, any category. Although Vicror/Vicwria will MacDo nald (Oak perfo rmance awards in bur this does appear to have been the season certainly continue as a solid hit whilst Ms. McNally's evocative rial' that proved w be the \I'hen Ameri can talent fin a ll y IVon back Andrews remains in the cast, the other two season's first critica l hit. The Lincoln Center Broadway fro m the Brits. But, hey this is o nly musicals will now struggle ro survive. [ would Theatre productio n of A Delieare Balance wo n shLlIl'biz .. predict State Fair making a very swift exit as fo r "Best Revival the new season gets underway as business (of a play )", "Best hovers at the 50% mark. Director" and" Best Ac(Or" (George Now to the winners. Leading the musical pack was Rent, the modern re-working of La Grizza rd). August Boheme. The sho w wok prizes for "Best Book W rlson's Seven of a Musical", "Best O ri ginal Score", "Best Guitars received a Featured Acror in a Musical" and the solo prize (in the evening's most coveted prize, "Best Musical" . 'Best Featured The Public Theatre's Broadway transfer of Acto r in a Play' Bring In Da N oise, Bring In Va Funk won fo r catego ry). But th e "Besr Direction of a Musical", "Best evening belonged Cho reography". "Best Li ghting" and " Bes t w j onathan Larson, Featured Actress in a Musical". The lavish the 35 year o ld revival of The King and I first staged in Australia, got the "Bes t Revival" award, as well as Scenic and costume design awards and M s.

32 APPLAUSE JU LY 1996 March 97, but the show has to survive om Hulce, the Ameri can star wi thout him this month and nex t while he Tof AmadeU5 has ex pressed takes a break. imerest to read a stage version of ook out for a new show Joe y and Gina's Disney's T he Hunchback of Notre LWedding opening at the Ca(e Royal base Dame if producers dec ide [0 follow me nt on 5 July. One o( the so ca ll ed the Beauty and the Beast tou te of a 'Wedding Shows' that has been successfully stage mUSiGll fo llo wing screen suc sweeping the States in recent years. If the cess , Hulce provides borh the producers have n't left the opening too late speaking and singi ng voice of to bu ild a solid business, I predict this will Quasi modo in this excellent new be the unlikely smash h it o( the year. movie. Disney have pulled yet another magical masterpiece out of he Neil Simon/Marvin the bag foll owing triumphs with The Littie THamlisc h/David Zippel musical Mermaid through to ve rsion of The Goodb ye Girl looks set [0 last year's open at the Albery Theatre in early 1997. Pocahontas .

This major Broadwfl Y fl op starred peaking of Bernadette Peters and the brilliam Martin S Disney it Short. The revised London production will appea rs that star Gary Wilmot. the theatrical o llowing the success of Les Mi serables production F 10th Anniversary w ncert at the Royal division is Albert Hall , rumours abound "bout plans looking for a Phantom of the Opera 10 th birthday toward event. Placido Domingo has been men global tioned as a poss ible headliner. expan sion. Ormer Riverdance star Michael F Fl atl ey, he of the fa st feet and huge ego, is expected to transfer his Lord of the Dance show to the West End fo li owlIl g its smash season at the Coliseum this l11 onth. hi s wi ll include the developme nt of Ttheir own, as well as independent, n a sad note, I would like to offe r my he Broadway producers of the musical projects and the potential purchase of the O condolences to the fam il y of Jeremy Rene, this year's bi g T ony Award T atres in several mark ets. S inden who tragically died on 29 May aged Winner. ha\'e been in town to disc uss a 43. Jeremy was a popular actor and man 1997 Londo n opening. N o fo rm;) l o ll owing an extensive and will be sadly missed. national tour Ma tthew Bourne's anno uncemem has ye t bee n made as [0 who F he N ationa l Lo ttery sti ll seems to come their London producing partners will be, Adventures in Motion Pic tu res dance com in for criticism over its distributio n of but virtuall y every management has pany will bring their O li vier T funds . The Royal Opera House, Sadler's expressed interest including the Really Award-Winning a ll -male producti on of W e lls, The Bristo l O ld Vic and now the Useful Group and Cameron Mackintosh. Swan Lake to the W est End later this year. Royal Albe rt Hall are all to receive funds eanwhil e the Broadway team behind he Jerry Herman musical Mack & totalling millions. With the Lo ndon C ity Mabel went down in fl ames 29 June MSmokey Jo/s Cafe have confirmed T Ba ll et having gone in to rece ivership in June Howard Panter (Carmen Jones, The Rocky with losses be li eved to be in the regio n of and the beautiful Theatre Royal, Windsor £250,000 in the fina l weeks of the run. Paul Hon or Show) as their London partner. This having to close, should the money perh aps Lei her & Stoller musical has wowed audi Kerryson's lacklustre production made a star be spread a little more evenly or does the of Caro line O'Connor but o therwise proved ences in New York for 2 years and wi ll open o ld adage 'money comes to money' apply, at the Prince of W ales Theatre in the to be unmemorable. Meanwhile Brian especially if it happens to be our money . Autumn. Conley has extended his Jolson contract to Hot gossip from Heather Love

• • • WEST END NIGHTS

JULY 1 96 . PPL AUSE 33 inteflJiew

PEAK PERFORMANCE

Now one of the best known faces on television, Kevin Whately turned his back on a career as a chartered accountant to follow a profession in which 'there was no future'. Here, Kevin talks to Rayner Bourton.

Kevin Whately is one of those rare Newcastle. In my youth I was involved actors without pretensions. An instantly in The People's Theatre, which is a big likeable man with a soft Geordie accent amateur theatre co-op group. It was verging on sexy, and so laid back that while there that I found out about when talking with him you could be in drama schools. I auditioned for RADA a doctor's surgery; his bedside manner and Guildhall before Central, who took naturally charming and reassuring. me straight away, they had a policy of He's currently appearing in building what you might describe as a Reginald Rose's Twelve Angry Men at 'rep' company. They tried to get as the Comedy Theatre with a star studded varied a group of students as possible in cast including Peter Vaughan, Timothy each year. I used to drink a lot of beer in West, Tony Haygarth, and Kevin's those days, I was a lot more solid than foreman from Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Tim now, quite a big lad in fact. After I'd got Healey. Directed by Harold Pinter, my place I went off bumming around Kevin plays Juror No 8, the role made Europe for six months. When I got back famous by Henry Fonda in the 1957 I was really slim. I think it came as a bit film. Performing with a very convincing of a surprise to those who originally accent, you might think Kevin was a auditioned me. They wanted a big fat native of north-east America instead of lad and ended up with a slim Jim. I north-east England. really enjoyed my time at Central •• I'm actually from the North T yne although at first it was a bit of a culture Valley, Hexam. The Northumberland shock. There were a lot of girls there accent is less guttural than you hear in from the Home Counties who spoke

34 APPLAUSE JULY 1996 •• AS AN ACTOR YOU DO HAVE TO THINK, 'WHAT IS IT I'M SELLING?' ~~

JULY 1996 APPlA US E 35 BILL KENWRIGHT presents I THE BEST OF THE WEST END! ~ ~~~iHWM~'" Tony Randall ~.,. 10 NeD TIlE

HALL'S SUPERB PRODUCTION A LANDMARK" Michael BUllnglon, The Guanlbn

BY OSCAR WILDE "A TRULY REMARKABLE PRODUCTION" •• I THOUGHT IT WAS POLITICAllY A BIT DODGY, AND IN HIt\IDSIGHT I REGRETIED THAT.

rather posh. Although they do teach case. Dan came over and said, 'Do you the nights at the group and performing received pronunciation, I never had to play that thing?' We sa id 'Yes'. He got in the si.x shows a year we did. T aking modify my accent. In my final year at us to play three songs and offered us a articles is like doing an apprenticeship, drama school I h ad the lead role in a residency on the strength of that. you're tied to the company. After three Ray Cooney play, Noe Now Darling. Luckily we did know a lot of songs, but years I wanted to get out. I went to a The lady who directed that production he didn't know that. He took a lot on manager who told me I couldn't leave as · \~ red me a job in a couple of musicals trust. We got a pound a night and a bag I h ad another year to do. Fortunately -ummer season because I could of chips. People bought us a lot of the guy I was actually signed to, my 5 . . g'l bit. I used to be a professional folk drinks so we were happy. I think the principle, heard I wanted to go to drama

• II' ~d back in the late sixties. I took the tent got blown away pretty well on the school and finally they let me go . Je!> c!u started work a couple of days first night we were there. There was a I was 21 then" . Inspector Morse and Peak Practice have of m'· (lie r ' about eight months." turned Kevin into a house hold name It lil: [ :ud to picture Kevin as a Kevin's music career as a folk singe r who's instantly recognisable, yet he still folk sin"er. t · )uld he make a living ended when Andy was summoned home retains that air of being a very ordinary at it? "Yes I ~h~ . I was 18 at the time. It to do his A Levels. "Andy's parents bloke, and has made a pretty decent was a sort of hq:-pc hli1g. A friend of wanted him to get a proper job. 1 was living out of it. mine, Andy, anJ llwself had been sent to the careers advisory guy who "As an actor you do have to think play ing as a duo si nce \\·e were 14 . W e asked me what I wanted to do. I told 'what is it I'm se lling?' I think the couldn't wait to get a..,.. ay from the him I wanted to be an actor. He said reason I've had success is because I play north-east. One day we Just upped and 'There 's no future in that, is there those 'every man' parts. Given the went off to Ireland which at the time anything else you want to dol' 'Be a big opportunity any actor with the right seemed to h ave a resident folk band in business tycoon?' 'That's more like it, equipment for the job, who used it well, every bar. We headed for Donegal with I'll get you articles and you can be a could be in my position. When they the specific intention of getting a chartered accountant'. Within twO days were casting Auf Wiedersehen Pee they residency. We got one - Dan Divine's he'd set me up in Price W aterhouse, the saw just about every actor who was Bar! We'd set up a tent on the dunes, I biggest accountancy group in remotely N orthern. They whittled it remember it was chucking it down with Newcastle. I didn't like it very much. down to about thirty of us who got rain. That night we went into Dan's I'd already jo ined the Peoples' Theatre scripts, everyone wanted to play Jimmy bar, I was carrying this huge guitar in its group and I realised I was living just for Nail's part, O z. No one wanted to play

JULY 1996 APPLAUSE 37 Neville. My agent suggested I went for a couple of episodes without the part came along I instinctively knew I that part as it was much mo re me. We character of Jack, which they felt didn't had to do it. I'm very aware that Henry were very naughty boys on that show, re ally wo rk. During a break in the Fonda is fam ous for his film portrayal in we were known as The Lads', we all got filming schedule they worked it that the role, but I don't make any attempt on so well and everything just clicked. Jack had returned to Africa. We went to copy his performance. The first The director, Roger Bamford, handled out there to film a few scenes, when we thing Harold Pinter sa id was, 'You're us really well and caught a lot of the got there everyone came out to greet not going to pl ay it like Henry Fonda fun and naughtiness we got up to on him, Jack. They were cheering and are you)' Henry Fonda gave a great screen and it worked a treat. I singing for him. It was like God performance and he had wonderful remember coming back from filming in Spain one time. At the airport, this dear little old lady came up and said, 'Eee, it's lovely to think you boys even go on holiday together'. She really believed we did bless her. Being one of 'the lads' had a kind of T ake That sy ndrome attached to it, people tho ught we could only function as a group." Sergeant Lewis in Inspector Morse enabled Kevin to establish his own identity, altho ugh o riginally it wasn't a major role, and in the books he's actually Welsh. "Andy Magellon, who wrote the scripts and developed the project with the director, Kenny MacBaine, thought a Geordie would make a better fo il for Morse, played by John Thaw. We were only going to do three films , then it was five and so on. Eventually they recognised that I was •• pulling a few faces in the background HENRY FONDA GAVE and getting a few laughs so they built the part up a bit. You can't get much A GREAT PERFORMANCE more charismatic on screen than John Thaw, but it is very difficult to carry a BUT I COULD NEVER series on your own the whole time. In The Sweeney, John had built a good PLAY IT LIKE THAT relationship with Dennis Waterman , it's what you need. As John and I got to play around with the parts more we started to find the chemistry in the relationship," coming over the hill. I suddenly cheek bones, but I could never play it Remembering the trailers for the thought 'what is this?'. I had to play it like that, I don't have the cheek bones! first se ri es of Peak Practice, seeing Kevin as 'it's great to be bac k folks', but I W e decided to give him more faults as a as Jack standing up in a fas t moving wondered what reception an African human being and made him slightly jeep yelling 'Goodbye Africa', I doctor would have got if he'd been shorter tempered. The pl ay is a wondered if he had any political returning to the Pea ks? I thought it beautifully constructed ensemble piece. thoughts on the content of the scripts? was politically a bit dodgy and in W orking with Pinter has been a "Not in that first episode. I am quite hindsight I re gretted that." remarkable experience, he's almost a politically minded, but it was in a later Surprisingly, Twelve Angry Men is legend, he's done everything in the episode I bega n to question. Due to Kevin's first West End appearance."l've bU Siness, acting, writing, directing, all other commitments I had to start never really had any great desire to so incredibly well. He lets you find the filming the second series late. They did work in the West End, but when this directio n for yourself and is there to

38 APP[ ,US t JULv 1996 nudge you if you find yourself commentary in between takes. On this struggling. He's so on the ball, he spots particular take , as I went to set the everything. He is a terrific director. We alarm, instead of saying my lines I were fortunate to have the author as ked everyone to be quiet and hang on Reginald Rose with us through a minute as Newcastle had just scored a rehearsals. Harold, being a writer goal! Perhaps if we'd scored a few more himself, was able to point out things this season, especially at ho me against that perhaps didn't quite work for us. Manchester United, we might have Even after the play standing the test of won the Premiership!" fifty years, Reginald did do some I rea lly enjoyed talking with Kevin rewrites. " Whately. He is such a nice man that if O n Dennis Norden's show, It'll be he ever has a lean spell as an actor, he Alright on the Night , there was a clip of could consider a position with the AA, you in bed with your wife in a scene though I doubt Kevin will have many from Auf Wiedersehen Pet, when you lean spells. Not bad for someone who brought filming to a halt. "j'm a went into a job his career advisor told N ewcastle United fan. j was meant to him had no future . So as an ordinary be setting the radio alarm for the bloke, what's it like being famous? "It's morning, it was a genume radio and I'd useful for the work, in pretty well every been listen in ? ttl J Nell'castle other respect it's not very nice. ~~

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JULY 1996 APPLA USE 39 Alice In Wonderland will be performed by the English National Ballet at The London Coliseum from July 16th ~ 20th and could prove the perfect escape for children, and also parents in need of a tonic to ease them into the long school holidays ahead. Katia Gamberoni visits Alice in Theatreland. ALICE WOND R A D

Since its establishment in 1950, The been overcome by the contri English National Ballet has been butions of illusionist known internationally as an extremely Paul Kieve, who in the distinguished and hard working com past has worked with pany with a tradition of promoting prestigious entertainers talented young dancers. The company such as Dal·id spends much of the year touring but C() ~\' erfield, and is said to returns to London each spring and hm·e relished the challenge occasionally for special Summer of working on a ballet. The Seasons. This year the ENB's new full s ~ ec l a l effects employed by length production of Alice in Kieve are impressive and Wonderland includes every member of include a huge, floating te a ~ot the company and is offered as the that pours itself (would that it Summer Speciality, a se lection that is II·ere real), a glass tabl e that due largely to popular demand fol appears to grow in front of the lowing the praise it received when audience's eyes and an elongated performed in the spring. Alice whose height increases to Appointed in 1993, ENB's artistic nine foot. These illusions are the director and choreographer Derek re sult of weeks of intricate plan Deane, has reawakened the c o m~any' s inspirational ning and the 'hocus-pocus' desire to take the somewhat exclusive illusionist Paul Ki eve. conjured up by Kieve, who, as a domain of ballet to the people and thus Lewis Carroll, the gifted author of member of the Magic Circle, insisted make it less of a specialised pastime Alice in Wonderland, has become almost that all those involved with the pro enjoyed mainly by the elitist' upper as enigmatic as the characters he cre ductinn sign a pledge not to divulge any classes'. Deane has revitalised many ated; but as the centenary of his death of his methods. classic productions and also introduced approaches, his involvement with not Whilst the o riginal illustrations by innovative new creations that had pre only Alice Lidell, but also her sister Tenniel are wonderful and imprinted viollsly not been included in the Ina, has come under scrutiny as literary on many a young mind, the animation company's repertoire. One such project journalists seek to uncover the true of such ri ch images can only bring an is his adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice nature of his relationship with the girls. added dimension to an already vivid in Wonderland which the company orig This has led to numerous aspersions ~ortrayal. Sue Blane's costumes and inally premiered in 1995 to rave being cast on his character and has se ts are brilliant recreations of reviews. Alice, proves perfectly added intrigue to an already incredible Tenniel's drawings, instantly recognis Deane's ability to merge old and new fiction. Whereas in the past most able and "brought to happiest life" on techniques harmo niously (after all readers and audiences took this extraor the primed bodies of Deane's whoever heard of spec ial effects ballet dinary tale at face value, man y people performers. Whilst the costume of before), without losi ng sight of the are now looking below the chaotic Alice is undoubtedly beautiful it is uninitiated audiences he is targeting. surface shenanigans in order to find nonetheless predictably traditional. Deane achieves his ambitions by clues that may reveal the true bond Sue, it seems, sa ved her real insp iration working closely with a talented team between the author and his muse once for other areas. The appearance of the that includes Carl Davis, who as and for all. pack of cards sees the dancers clad in musical director is responsible for the Originally published in 1865, the square tutus that were eventually per ballet's adaptation of T chaikovsky' s bewitching story of Alice is full of mag fected after much trouble and many Album for the Young and also all addi ical trickery that relies heavily on the errors. The dancers portraying the tional arrangements. Sue Blane, set imagination of the reader. However, gard en flowers wear painted costumes and costumes, and the many of the illusionary problems have in luxurious silks and rich organza that

40 APP! 4. USE IUlY 1996 convey perfectly the texture, depth and delicate effect required. Additionally there is the huge array of anarchic ani ENGLISH mals whose costumes have been desc ribed as "incredible" although "more sy mbolic than realistic." However, as this is a fairy tale ballet we ~PATRON: HRH THE PRINCESS or WALES are talking about, who wants reality anyway! Personally I'd much rather ARTlSn C D IRECTOR : DEREK DEAN E escape and Sue Blane's magical designs make that option entirely possible. The Queen of Hearts is a "vision in velvet" and her spectacular entrance owes much to the special effects of Kieve, whose trickery adds further emphasis to the costume and set designed by Blane. The Queen com bines sexiness with sassiness which is a credit to both the wardrobe and make up departments. The role of Queen is recreated by Lisa Pavane, an Australian whose spring performances went down as smoothly as the proverbial amber nectar with both the audiences and the critics alike, as did the performances of all the cast members. Bearing in mind the creative alliance, Deane's production promises much and proves to be a visual, aural and ballet/dance extravaganza that is accessible to people of all ages and walks of life.

AL C IN WONDERLAND JULY 16 - 20 LONDON COLISEUM

JlY 1996 APPLAUSE 41 Probably the greatest harmonica player the world has ever known , Larry Adler has been at the top of his profession for over 60 years. Larry has lived in Britain since being black listed by the Un~ American Activities Committee for his political beliefs.

It was good to read that Albert Maltz is finally to get credit for his script of the 1950 film Broken c Arrow. How sad that the correction is a posthumous one. Albert Maltz won an Oscar for his sc ript fo r a short film, The House I Live In , which featured Frank E Sinatra and whic h was a strong plea for inter-racial understanding. :::) Years late r Sinatra bought the sc reen rights of a book by Wm. Brad ford Huie, The Execution of Private Slovik, an account of the only US soldier to be executed for desertion in peacetime. Sinatra hired o Albert Maltz to write the sc ript. You would have thought Sinatra had been caught practising necrophilia on El eanor Roosevelt. The U American Legion and the Catholic War Veterans both threatened to picket the film. Cardinal Spellman denounced Sinatra for hiring a blacklisted writer. Most impo rtant, Joseph Kennedy, father of JFK let it be known that he was against having Maltz work on the film. Sinatra took a page ad in Variety to announce u that Maltz would not now be writing the S iovik script. He had thought that Maltz was the best writer for the project "But the American public has indicated it feels the morality of hiring Albert Maltz is « the more crucial matter and [will have to accept this majority opinion." Bull, if you'll pardon the express ion, shit. There was no attempt to sound out public opinion. The public neither knew nor cared about A lbert Mal tz. Pressure groups knew and cared, Joseph Kennedy cared very much. Maltz was fired and Sinatra backed away from making the film, which was later made by another company. Although Mr. Maltz will at last be credited, his name will still not appear on any print of Broken Arrow. I should know. I composed Q) and played the score of the film Genevieve in 1953. [ was blacklisted in the US at the time. The US c distributors, United Artists, as ked for and gOt a print of Genevieve with my name removed. The music was later nominated for an Oscar in r--- the name of Mu ir Mathieson, who had conducted the orchestra. Mr. Mathieson accepted the nomination. In 1988 the Hollywood Academy finally agreed that I was the composer of Genevieve and sent me my no minatio n certificate ... 34 years late. H owever, though my credit has been acknowl edged and established, my name has not been and will not be restored to the US prints of Genevieve. That's how [ know what will happen to the prints of Broken Arrow.

42 APP AUSE JUL Y 1996 A Brush with Art

Christopher Lloyd, Surveyor of The Queen's Pictures, writes on The Le Nain Brothers: Three Men and a Boy.

he wal.ls of the National On arriva l in the National Gallery in portrait. C onsequently, it has been Gallery are studded with 1936 the composition (then entitled A Trio suggested that these are po rtraits of the Le masterpieces providing of Geometers?) was very different and Nain brothers themselves - Mathieu on the an e\'er fasc inating included three fi gu res holding geometrical left, Louis in the centre, and Antoine on represeTntation the de\'elopment of the instruments with a globe prominent on the the right, but, like many aspects concerning 01 European visual trad ition . Most visitors right. Cleaning revealed that all these the Le Nains, there is no conclusive come to see their la\'ourite paintings; others attributes amounted to overpaint and that evidence. Thus the painting retains its use the Gallery as an in\'aluable source of the composi tion was unfinished with an secret, which in turn enhances its visual reference. Three Men and a Boy comes into extra figure at the ri ght edge. impact, JUSt as its unfinished state the cmegor) of pflinting in the National The vitality of the brushwork matches transcends the centuries and appeals to Gallery that I particularly relish. More the nervous energy exuded by the principal 20th-century sensibilities nurtured on Impressionism. Martin Dav ies (1908- 1975), a former Director of the Gallery, compiled a large number of catalogues of the pictures in the National Gallery and, in so doing, set new standard s for this austere literary genre. For such a scholar the Le Nain Brothers constituted a rare challenge and so for me the vibrancy of Three Men and a Bo)' is counterbalanced by Davies 's wry su mmary of the situation written in 1957. "There were three: Antoine (c. 1588 1648 ), Louis (c.1593-1648) and Mathieu (cI607-77). They were all born at Laon, bu t were active at Paris, Antoine from 1629, the other two from 1630, and they all became members of the Academie in 1648. Traditionally, they collaborated in their pictures, and there can be little doubt that this sometimes occurred. In any case, none of the known signatures on pictures contains an initial, no r are any of the dates later than 1648, the year in which two of the brothers died: and the sources are incomprehensible concerning their different manners." Le Nain studies advance slowlyl familiar pictures that have been well figures. The intensity of their gazes is offset The Le Nain Brothers' Three Men and a Boy researched and frequently repro-duced have by the rather louche appearances derived can be viewed in Room 22 at The an aura of certitude, but fl lmos t everything from the extrflvagant wigs, the neat National Gallery about this picture remai ns to be discovered moustaches, and the angle of the hats. The even though it was painted in a milieu that central figure stares straight out at the This article first appeared in the National has been careftully stud ied. viewer implying that this image is a se lf Galler y News.

JUL Y 1996 APPLA USE 43 some times people get it wrong, [ have seen and been in some real stinkers, but we don't continually repeat the exercise. That's the wonder of theatre, you never know what you are c reating until that opening night, we all \Vant to take risks a nd go with the artistic fl ow. With audiences around the world believing we are in a wa r zoned, mad cow Eve ry morning, the first thing I do when I newspaper is 'the Ev ening Standard, I always eating society the tourists are staying away wake up is rush to the windo\V to check buy it in preference to a daily paper, and on in their thousa nds, even more reason why what the weather is like. Yes, I am Friday there is the added bonus of the critics should be helping London theatres aprearing in my seventh season at Regent's fantastic ES magazine, free, plus now, also not bombing the m. My only consolatio n is Park Open Air Theatre. free their weekly listings of the arts, Ho t that I imagine the two Nicks have a very Sadly we have had the worst May in Tickets. If I was Time Out I would be sad life, going horne afte r the theatre to l living history. So are \Ve dampened ? Oh no, furious However, they e mploy some of the their poorly furnished little bed si ts and l we are not We opened to mixed notices most hideous, sad and jaded theatre critics I pouring some hot water over the ir POt with Ian T albot's br ill iant production of have ever had the misfortune [0 read. Noodles and slipping into their single beds Comedy of Errors, and as us ua l the audience N icholas de Jong and Nic k C urtis. I am not with a copy of some sleazy magazine. have proved that they take no notice of the suggesting that they have to compromise Why can't they be like their colleagues critics, they simply come in the ir thousands their small talent by giving rave reviews to on the Evening Standard, who are always to enjoy o ne of London's most beamiful all the London theatres, but surly they fa ir and witty, films are well served by auditoriums, and show their appreciation should not make vitrio li c attacks on venues Alexander Walker and Neil Norman and nightly by cheering one of the fin est and personalities. London theatres need to televisio n is hilari ously looked after by the companies I have ever had the pleasure of be looked after, no producer, actor or acerbically witty Victor Lewis-Smith. working with. W e have opened The director go out of their way to produce a Actors only consolation is that well known Tempest, with De nis Quiley, I predict the hideous evening. They believe at the time jo urnalistic put down, "Today's headline is audience will love it. they are creating something rather special tomo rrow's fis h and c hips wrappers I ". Why arc critics so nasty ? My favourite that an audience might enjoy. I agree that Pass the vi negar boyslll

44 APP1A U_E IULY 1996 , DEGAS

Derek Taverner tokes a look at Degas: Beyond Impressionism at the Notional Gallery

This is reall y two together with other mediums. Pastels exhibitions in o ne satisfied his concern for bo th line and because as well as the colour in the one medium as well as proving main exhibition, commercia lly very successful. It is intriguing there is a smaller one to observe how the long straight lines of in the Su nley Room pastel which are quite apparent close up called Degas as a vanish into rounded and completely so lid Coli~c [QT. The seeming shapes. significance of the expression 'beyond He also interested himself in sequences of easels' displaying paintings started or lmpressionism' is that this exhibition is of pictures. A drawing of an individual pose, comrleted over many years. These were sold concerned with Degas' work in the l8905 e ither nude or dressed, would be made in in 1918 when the National Gallery acquired and 1900s. It is, in fact, the first single charcoa l. Then Degas would use tracing eleven of his paintings.

exhibition devoted t( 1 Oe l!:ls late works. paper to make slight variations in the r ose. Degas' collection proved to contain Degas exhibited in all the Impress ionist This would then be modified and coloured 500 pa intings and over 5000 prints making exhibitiol1S excep one. and after thc last, in in pas tels. These individua l creations could it probClb ly one of the greatest collections l886, by I\'bkh ri me his fam e was firml y then be amalga mated o r introduced into ever owned by an artist. I t included esrabli-hed. he became increasingly larger pi ctures. By this method Degas was examples of Delacroix and Ingres both of

re lucta nr L c:x hibir ar all. In many res pects able to explore colours and atmospheres whom helped to la y the sound academic he became quite reclusivc and uncertain in until he found one that pa rticularly p leased background of Degas' nall1ing. As soon as te mper even \llrh his closest fri ends. There him, [n this exhibition we can see it we enter the room we was even a rumour thdt h .. h ad gone blind. h appening with individual dancers, in are confronted by a huge This was not so improl;ablc as it sounds as a performance in the theatre and ex hausted portr

rhe C C' Il(Uf\' lhe ageing Degas worked almost admiration for such men

daiil'- cr ,\ Inl j: c ures that were that made Degas the increasin!lh- lrH)I)\'J ti le and daring. He superb draughtsman that he was. O f his worked in h ,nJcr >I de- \I'irh less concern contemporaries, there are pictures by Manet for detailed ,1((uratc' J c-cription and a much and Pissarro (some of which were given in heightened range " . cu illur, ,md it is seeing exchange for Degas own work) while, less these developmenr, rh.lt makes this predictably, there a re works by younger men exhibition so fa scinating. whom Degas admired and often he lped, Degas came to be pre-occupied in an such as Cezanne, Gauguin and van Gogh. almost obsessive manner \I'ith certa in On his death, his studio on the third fl oor of All in a ll, this is a satisfying addition to particular themes - the nude. women his ararrment in Montmartre proved to be a what is an excellent main exhibition. bathing or ballet dancers. He also worked treasure trove. Walter Sickert, who visited increasingly with pastels using them Degas there, described the srudio as a "forest 22 May ' 26 August 1996

JUt Y 1996 APPLAUSE 45 I- What do an angel's bottom, a pile of wallets a copy of w Spick and Span and a clove of garlic have in common? LLJ Ashley Herman visits the Lyceum Theatre to check on ~ the progress of it's refurbisment. I- U) f you alight from a 171 bus at 1878 he held the lease. Henry Irving and the junction of Wellington his leading lady, Ellen Terry, created the Street and the Strand forerunner of the National Theatre. It was a (exploding suitcases truly glittering era. Sarah Bernhardt, Elenor z I permitting), you may be able Duse and John Martin Harvey appeared ro to catch a glimpse of a once proud huge acclaim. The elegant audiences Corinthian portico. Blanketed with flocked ro the Lyceum, its roof rop rorches o scaffolding and hordings, the old building flaming into the night sky .. . Even the I- sits hunched and silent, waiting for the hard Theate Manager, Bram Stoker, was infected hat and donkey jackets to depart. Then, by the excitement and, in his spare time, (9 like a dowager rising in the morning, she scribbled a novel that was to haunt the will throw off the sheets and reveal herself: imagination of generations: Dracula. In gutted, face-lifted and ready to astound. The 1858 Iril'ing received the highest accolade Z Lyceum Theatre. ever accorded to an acror when he was The Lyceum has long held a fascination knighted by Queen Victoria, who departed for me. I remember my Grandmother telling from the nonnal practice by adding; "We are me of the sumptuous auditorium and the very, very pleased", pantomimes she had enjoyed as a child. But, In 1898 another tire raged through the like many a Grande Dame of the theatre, Lyceum and Iry ing" se ts. props and the Lyceum took her time ro mature. costumes lI'ere destroyed, He was unable to In 1772 The 'General Exchange of Arts afford the reh ll lJing costS and consequently, and Sciences' opened for business in in what must hal'" been one of the saddest Wellington Street and in 1802, a small, momems in our theatre history, Irving was LL dapper, French woman rented the building forced ro auc tion the building in 1903. The for a few weeks and opened her exhibition ro nell' oll ners demolished the charred remains, the public. It was an instant success and lea"ing only the portico and the back wall o Madame T ussaud became the first star to and, in 1904, opened the house as a vast inhabit what was ro become a special corner music hall with a twice nightly variety bill. ~ of Covent Garden. In 1816 Samuel Beasley Unfortunately, the poor old Lyceum did not LLJ opened a purpose-built the8tre on the site. possess a drinking licence unlike the newly Although the building only lasted 14 years opened Col iseum and hard times beset the (9 before it was consumed by fire, they were theatre. years that burnt themselves into the pub lic In 1905, Irving died in the lobby of a conscience. Kean's performances iIluminared Bradford Hotel. His last words: "Into thy Shakespeare like flashes of lightning, hands oh Lord, into thy hands... " were, Kemble: so influential they named a street perhaps a prophesy of what was ro happen ro after him, Grimaldi: the archetype of British his beloved theatre. Flags flew at half mast, comedians - all appeared and triumphed at the Lyceum's Portico was swathed in crepe ~ the Lyceum. In 1822 Mozart's Cosi Fan and the London Cabbies fesrooned their T utte received its first British performance whips with black bows. o and The Lyceum joined The Theatre Royal From 1910, pantomime became the in Covent Garden, and Drury Lane as one of mainstay of the building, interspersed with o the greatest in the land. moments of theatrical glory including Sybil In 1830, fire ravaged the building and Thorndike as St}oan, Diaghilev's Russian LlJ Beasley built another theatre but the (by Ballet and, Noel Coward's Biner Sweet. now) Royal Lyceum never quite regained its John Gielgud's Hamlet won huge acclaim but I popularity until, in 1871 a scarcely known it all ended suddenly when the theatre was actor was engaged. He ascended like a compulsorily purchased as part of a road I- rocket into the public imagination and by improvement scheme.

46 APPLA US E JUL Y 1996 At the end of the final performance London and so, in 1994, Apollo Leisure, through a hole in the scaffolding boards Gielcud stepped forward and the hushed, Britain's largest theatre company, stepped and was gone. "Come on!" he yelled in his packed audience, which included Queen in and a massive £14.5 million res toration best Jimmy Young voice. I gingerly Mary, heard the last words to be spoken on scheme was launched. ascended several ladders, strapped one on that stage: "Long live the Lyceum' Long Now the building is playing host to a top of the other. By now we were on a live Ellen Terry' Long live Henry Irving'" non-theatrical but highly impressive level with the dress circle. I walked The curtain slowly fell. It was 1stJuly 1939. production. The auditorium is a forest of sideways, crab-like along a single plank, The outbreak of war two months later scaffolding, the stage a mass of girders, and suspend above the gaping void. Roger made road widening schemes redundant on November 5th the first preview of Jesus marched on with supreme confidence, the and saved the Lyceum which remained Christ Superstar will re-open the Lyceum. scaffolding boards springing up to my knees dark until 1947 when Mecca took the "Into thy hands, Oh Lord ... " as he trod on their ends. And up again. theatre and turned it into I was welcomed to the building by Up, up, up. Vile cold egg yolk sweat, the Mecca Lyceum Apollo's Business Development serpent's tongues on the neck. The Ballroom. Manager, Roger Holdom. overwhelming urge to plunge off the plank Foxtrots, A jolly, perky chap and plummet one hundred feet to be who used to be in impaled on a Ll oyd Webber stalls house charge of PR for seat. Then, suddenly, we stopped. Roger Radio 2. We stepped aside onto a scaffolding board and I had a cup of was left alone at the top of the ladder. I tea and the had reached the ceiling. I clung to a project scaffolding pole and, with gritted teeth and managers squinting eyes, surveyed the scene. The told us builders were on a lunch break and in the that silence I heard a drip of water as it splashed they into an oily puddle in the orchestra pit. had The only sound in the vast auditorium. It just was curiously unlike a theatre. Tier upon found tier of concrete steps, polythene sheets, a pile aluminium bars, naked bulbs, conference of centre cement. Nothing soft. Nothing plush. Nothing theatrical. "Just look at wallets, that" said Roger. I looked up, and there, six shoved inches above my head was the freshly behind a gilded bottom of a cherub. The ample partition buttock reflected the proscenium arch and in the the naked light bulbs which were refracted gentlemen's. into a thousand points of light. It was as It seems that though the building had shifted a fraction, pick pockets had breathed the Dionysian spirit, and given used the birth to a new theatre. Within the convenience for a confines of this place were the atoms Irving quicksteps, purpose other than that breathed. There, below, was the space rock and roll, intended. All the wallets where as a child, my Grandmother had the twist. All came were conspicuous by their lack of gasped with the tingle of the pantomime. and went, whilst the building ten bob notes. In the Stage Door keeper's She may have gazed up at this very cherub. gradually gave up the ghost. In 1984, Brent office they discovered some nicely dog Climbing to the last rung, giddy with Walker took the theatre on a 125 year lease eared 1950's Spick and Span magazines, vertigo, wrapping one hand around the h .. t rhey did not want to use it for but no traces of cloves of garlic. Irving's scaffolding, I reached out and touched the ~ 3J"i, ' lal theatre and so a battle royal dressing room is long gone, the boards he cherub's bottom. As I did so, I thought of

;-'LC"'; With the Theatres Trust who now trod burnt to ashes. But the portico irving, dead on that marble floor, of (' ....-:- ~..: .',~ "r.: ehold of the dilapidated, remai ns, and the cherubic ceiling, now audiences and the scent of size and props, ior!; y~ ::- :: ~ _ . J lOg . primed in purple to receive the gilding has all surveyed by this theatrical angel. I look !-!~d t rns. Spectacular been restored. "Come up the ladder!" forward to the day - just a few weeks away

- • U', :.1 ·hion. Audiences flock chortled Roge r like a cheerful OJ, "You when, if he is so invited, John Gielgud will in th e , ~ · - l!.;.3.....:. . , l-j . ll1 u,icals and there okay with heights?" I replied that I retrace his steps and cry out once more: is a d e;,,:- ~- • ""::: _ . mus ical houses in was ... ish. Roger shot up the ladder, "Long Live the Lyceum! ".

JULY 1996 APPLAUSE 47 llckets, .. .Theatre's Hottest . .. , > ,

PW .. PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

. '. Phone Applause for tickets on 0171 :31219.90 .

~ < • • • OUT & ABOUT A Soupc;on from Out of Town

Newcastle ~ under~Lyme Theatre Roya l, Brighton. 2 - 7 September NEW VICTORIA THEATRE Theatre Royal, N ewcastle. 9 - II Theatre / Royal, Norwich. Th e Mikado (below) (akes Gilben and 23 - 28 King's Theatre, G lasgow. Sullivan's classic sa(ire and ro lls i( OU ( onto an Engli sh \'i1l 8ge cricke( pi(ch. This is the quintessential English comedy, refres hed OUT & ABOUT Off West End and ready to Il1spire a whole new genera(io n MERMAID, Puddledock, EC4 of G ilben and Sullivan fans. Runs in rep Steven Be rko ff (below) , one of (he chief with Th e Pirates of Penzance until 20 July. innovators or British (heatre, scages his acclaimed production of Shakespeare's Coriolanus at the Mermaid Thearre in Londo n until 20 July. Berkoff himse lf stars in the challenging title ro le producing and curing man y of his most sardonic hi(s, woven direcring a high profile cast. Coriolanus is together by Chris Bond who also directs. Berkoff s firs( produc(ion of the pl ay in S tars Be linda Lang, George C os(igan, Paul .I. London, i( made its acclaimed debm in Medford and T erry Monimer a( (he key N ew York in 1988 and was sraged in 1991 board s. 4 July - 10 August. in Munich and las( year a( (he W es( Yorkshire Playhouse. LYRIC STUDIO, Hammersmith

Scarborough Birdy by Willi am W harton, adap(ed by STEPHEN JOSEPH THEATRE Naomi W allace' and directed by Ke vin

M irandolina by Carlo Goldoni, translated by Knigh(, is the haunting story of one man's obsess ion and another's stubborn loyali (y. Raben David MacDonald. The Conte is Se( agains( (he back drops of inner-ci(y ri ch, but a bi( of an upstan. The Marchese is poor, but a true aristocrat. The Cavaliere Philedelphia and a bleak hospital room it profess es to hate all members of the female ro ves freely across time, (hrough fantasy, sex. Bur they all have one thing in common dreams and reality telling the story of a - they find the charms of Mirandolina irre young man bro ught up in poveny and sistible. Which one of them, if any, will win scarred by (he horrors of war. the hand of the fair innkeeper' And where 9 July - 17 August. does Fabrizio, poor but pass ionate, stand ? Until 27 July. ORANGE TREE, Richmond YOUNG VIC, Waterloo Claire Luckham's highly praised and semi auro bi ographical play, The Choice, receives OUT &ABOUT On Tour Rain Sna kes , rransl.ated and direc(ed by Kim Dambaek, runs at the Young Vic S(Udio i(s London Premiere at the O range Tree UNFORGETTABLE until 20 July. Yearning for acclaim as a until 27 July. The Choice (eils two contrasting yet inrerwoven stories. A couple In/orgw .able takes to the road fro m July tragedian rather than for his fairy tales, H ans are po ised on the brink of an overwhelming through (() October to some of the UK's Christian Andersen misguidedly seeks (he decision whilst a sister learns ro cherish her premier (he8 tres. Clarke Peters (far righ(), favours of those wielding power and influ o ld er brother, who has Downs Syndrome. original cre.l r,'r ,lOd scar of Five G~ I )'S Na med ence. Rain Snakes explores the price of Moe , (akes us ()n a fascina(ing musical success through an inrricate netwo rk of journey (hrough (he life of one of A merica's pass ions shared by three celebri (ies. Brought bes(-Ioved singers. Nat King Cole. For his together one fateful night in Copenhagen, l'erfonnance in London's W es( End, Clarke the veneer of civilised socie(y soon gives way \\ a, no mina(ed fo r a 1996 Olivier A ward for to the demonic desires which lurk beneath. 'DcPlymouth. 13 Roll with the Punches - Th e Songs of Randy - I ( ..:)u.;en·, Theatre, Hornchurch. 27 - 31 Newman. is a sung-th ro ugh musical, fea Two of Britain's best loved actresses, Hannah Gordon and Googie Withers, tell of their favourite gastronomic establishments.

MY FAVOURITE

Googie Withers and husband memorable afternoon which has us all ready for anmher week's work . John McCallum's favourite, Googie Withers and John McCallam most memorable restaurant: are currently appearing in An Ideal Husband Sharrow Bay at the Old Vic.

Whenever we go on tour with a play, which Hannah Gordon's favourite we li ke to do as often as we can, I always have The Good Food Guide in the glove restaurant: The Ivy

box of the car, while John has Golf C ourses The h'Y is quite simply my favoutite of Great Bri ta in in the driver's door pocket , London eating house, the perfect place to which is how we came to find Sharrow Bay enj oy good food , good wine and good com in Ullswater - we had heard about it and pany. read about it, and when we finished playing The food is always delicious and the The Circle at The Theatre Royal, N ewcastle staff are exceptional, never intimidati ng, -upon-Tyn e (golf course Gosworth Park) always attentive, but never intrusive. The and had to drive to the Theatre Roya l, Bath feel ing that you get from the restaurant is on the Sunday (three good golf courses) we almost like that of being on the continent, h ad the chance to divert across Bronte land I think that's pa rt of its charm, it has such a and have lunch there. We arrived at a wonderfully relaxed feel, very comfortable lovely o ld stone house on the edge o f a lake' and ve ry friendly. I am particularly partial - a comfortable chintzy drawi ng room, large to their tomato roulette, which comes cold Tio Pepes, and a most delic ious lunch. served in a delicately thin pastry, thinly From memory I had artichoke soup, home brushed with oli ve oil. Also delicious are made smoked sa lmon and shrimp terrine, their sausages and mash, very tasty, and crisp duck which fe ll off the bone, a local their fi sh cakes are si mply divine. cream cheese, oranges in Cointreau The Ivy has long been a favourite (splendid after the duck) , and excellent haunt of mine, it's set the scene for many coffee and Grand Ma rn ier - John and happy memo ries of lovely evenings spent in Joanne, our daughter who was wi th us in its comfortable and charming atmosphere. The Circle, had something different but Hannah G ord on is currently appearing reported it was equa ll y good. The wine list in The Aspern Papers at the Wyndham's was also excellent. The makings of a Theatre.

50 APPLAUSE JULY ] 9 9 6 DUKE OF Y ORK'S THEATRE IT "'...RT I '5 LA NE. WC1N ~ BG