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Posts Tagged "royal opera house"

16 Feb
2012

Video: Two Months To Go To The Olivier Awards Live in London

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The 2012 Olivier Awards with MasterCard will take place on 15 April with a glamorous, star-studded ceremony at the Royal Opera House. 

The cream of British theatre will enjoy a spectacular night of awards and unique entertainment. It might feel like a long wait until April, but you can get involved now by voting for your favourite show in the BBC Radio 2 Olivier Audience Award. On the night, you’ll be able to watch on a giant screen in Covent Garden, listen live on Radio 2, or watch on the BBC’s red button service.

For more information about the Oliviers, visit www.olivierawards.com

26 Jan
2012

Thursday Theatre News: Legally Blonde, American Idiot, The Wizard of Oz and Jodie Prenger

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This week’s theatre news has been coming in twos: two shows leaving London; two extending; two award ceremonies; and two fantastic bits of cast news…

Firstly, sad news for a musical lover like me. Legally Blonde and Crazy for You are both leaving London in the near future. After three years at the Savoy Theatre, Legally Blonde will close on 7 April. And Crazy For You, which was booking until 28 July, is now going to tap dance off into the sunset on 17 March. If you love musicals, you’ll love these shows, so book your tickets now before it’s too late!

Next up, two shows that have extended their London runs. Green Day’s award-winning rock musical American Idiot is running for an extra week at the Hammersmith Apollo in December this year, due to an overwhelming demand for tickets. And The Leisure Society has also extended its run in London by a week: the cause for such high interest in this toxic comedy is surely the casting of model Agyness Deyn (alongside the lovely Ed Stoppard!)

It’s awards season in Theatreland, and the first of the bunch have already been given out. Congratulations to the National Theatre which scooped more than half the Critics Circle awards on offer, including gongs for Frankenstein (and its stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller) and One Man, Two Guvnors. Other awards went to Sheridan Smith for her performances in Flare Path and Mike Leigh, for his direction for Grief. And there’s more awards coming: this week, it was announced that the Olivier Awards will be taking place in the Royal Opera House on 15 April: if you want to watch the action as it unfolds (with Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball hosting!), you can, as there’ll be a live stream of the ceremony on a big screen in Covent Garden. (Or you can listen on Radio 2; or watch on the BBC’s Red Button.)

London Cast News:

More next week.

28 Oct
2010

Operas to see in London this Month

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There are so many opera masterpieces on in London this month. The English National Opera (ENO) is performing La Boheme by Puccini (my favourite opera composer) and The Royal Opera House (ROH) is currently showing Rigoletto by the magnificent Verdi (a composer who many argue is superior to all who came before or after him).

Both theatres have tempting ticket offers, La Boheme tickets are available for as little as £21, and the ROH have Rigoletto tickets for a staggering £8; there are also other student and young person discounts.

The ENO always has a diverse programme. This season they are offering up some real classics including Handel’s Radamisto Mozart’s Don Giovanni and of course Puccini’s La Boheme.

Unlike some operas La Boheme is not difficult to follow, the narrative told through many familiar melodies. Above all it is a great love story and a great opera for beginners!

There is nothing quite like sitting in London’s Royal Opera House, it is one of the great wonders of our city. Rigoletto features Israeli-born conductor Dan Ettinger, making his debut at The ROH. The production is quite dark and moody, and takes place in the shadows of a giant reversible set. The singing is the highlight for me, and I left thinking it perhaps the most impressive display of vocal talent I have ever seen on this stage.

If these grand operas don’t appeal to you, there are plenty of other wonderful, smaller-scale productions happening all over the city. One to look out for is at The King’s Head Theatre in Islington, where Rossini’s The Barber of Seville is currently being performed. And in North London the Hampstead Garden Opera are putting on a production of Mozart’s ever-popular Magic Flute.

Experience something different this month and book tickets to an opera, you are spoilt for choice.

  • La Boheme (ENO) continues until 27 Jan. Book here
  • Rigoletto (ROH) continues until 6 Nov. Book here
  • Don Giovani (ENO) runs 6 Nov- 3 Dec. Book here
  • Radamisto (ENO) continues until 4 Nov. Book here
  • Barber of Seville (King’s Head Theatre) continues until 14 Nov. Book here
  • The Magic Flute (Hamstead Garden Opera) runs 4-14 Nov. Book here
9 Jul
2010

Moonlight Movies: London’s Outdoor Cinemas

Posted by in Cinema 1 Comment

As the summer weather continues to hold, we at VL Towers are pondering all the lovely things we can do outdoors of an evening. And, following the fun times at the Starlite Urban Drive-In, we can think of nothing better than a visiting one of London’s outdoor or pop-up cinemas.

Here are some of the coolest spots to watch film in London this summer:

Have you spotted any more open air cinema events happening in our fair city? Let us know in the comments below!

24 Jun
2010

Carmen at The Royal Opera House

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You can always expect a fantastic spectacle at one of London’s finest theatres, the Royal Opera House. And their current production of Carmen only enhances that reputation.

Bizet’s Carmen is definitely a crowd pleaser, with many singable songs. This production, by Francesca Zambello was first seen at Covent Garden in 2006 and continues to impress four years later, with Duncan Macfarland as the revival director.

Maija Kovalevska is stunning as the timid Michaela, her soprano voice soars on the expansive stage. Her efforts were rewarded at the curtain call when she received the most “bravos” and, for me, she stole the show. Carmen, played by British mezzo-soprano Christine Rice is suitably tempestuous. Rice definitely looks the part and vocally is passionate and alluring. Bryan Hymel is disappointing as Don Jose; he seemed to struggle, particularly in the earlier arias. The orchestra is conducted sublimely by Greek conductor Constantinos Carydis, although at times I was enjoying the music so much I felt it could have been louder.

Costumes and set are lavish and grand, aspects that I always expect and love at the Royal Opera House. Tall burnt-orange coloured walls surround the stage, particularly inspired for the final bullfight. The cast is large and often on stage. At the start children, donkeys, horses, chickens all run about, whether this authentically evokes Seville is debatable but it’s certainly fun to watch.

For those willing to stand at the back, there are great cheap deals.

Carmen finishes on 26 June, but with a fabulous summer programme coming up of Manon, Simon Boccanegra, Salome and La Traviata, it’s worth treating yourself.

11 Mar
2010

Thursday Theatre News: Anna Nicole Smith, Bedroom Farce and Love Never Dies

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Some opera news is sneaking its way into Thursday’s theatre slot: the co-creator of Jerry Springer the Opera is writing a new opera based on the life of American glamour model Anna Nicole Smith for the Royal Opera House. It sounds rather crazy, doesn’t it? You’ll have to wait until February next year to see the show, but the lead has already been cast: Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek will take on the role.

There’s also news of a transfer this week: Peter Hall’s production of Alan Ayckbourne’s Bedroom Farce opens at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 24 March. It comes to the West End following a successful run at the Rose Theare, Kingston last year. Sadly, it’s lost some of its top names: but Nicholas Le Provost, Jane Asher and Lucy Briers are replaced by the just as fantastic David Horovitch, Jenny Seagrove and Sara (“Philadelphia. Lovely.”) Crowe.

Two well-known faces from TV are joining the previously announced David Suchet and Zoe Wannamaker in All My Sons at the Apollo Theatre from May. Stephen Campbell Moore and Jemima Rooper will play the son and bereaved fiancée in Arthur Miller’s tragedy. You’ve probably seen Campbell Moore in The History Boys, doing stuff with the RSC, or in Ashes to Ashes or Wallis and Edward. And while Londoner Jemima Rooper will always be cool Nicki Sutton in As If for me; you might know her from Lost in Austen, Silent Witness or Hex.

You probably last saw Roger Allam dragged up, playing Zaza / Albin in the wonderful La Cage Aux Folles. This summer, he’s back on the London stage, playing a very different role. Allam is making his debut at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre as Falstaff in the Dominic Dromgoole-directed productions, Henry IV Part I and Henry IV Part II. He’ll be playing alongside the hugely watchable Jamie Parker as Hal.

Of course, all the gossip this week has been about Love Never Dies. From five stars in the Independent to just two in the Times, plus a mauling among Phantom-loving bloggers, it’s certainly got people talking. It’s even divided people here at VL towers. I didn’t hate it, (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s tunes are lovely, some of the staging and design is fantastic, and the stars certainly give their all) but I must admit I was a little disappointed with the plot and the lyrics, and I definitely prefer the first Phantom!

Have you see Love Never Dies yet? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!

5 Mar
2010

Visit London Asks: What’s Your Favourite Offbeat London Attraction?

Posted by in London 11 Comments

Psst! We want you to tell us a secret! What’s your favourite offbeat place in London?

London might be famous for world-renowned attractions like the Tower of London and Big Ben, but sometimes it’s the city’s hidden treasures that make a trip to the capital special.

Yes, Hyde Park is lovely, but what about the secluded Chelsea Physic Garden? And we know there are stacks of plays and musicals in London, but have you thought about seeing the hidden magic behind the shows at a backstage tour of the National Theatre or the Royal Opera House?

Enter our Only in London competition, and you could win an amazing prize for you and a friend:

  • two nights in a luxury boutique hotel
  • two London Passes giving you free entry to 55 top attractions
  • a martini-making masterclass; two tickets to a Royal Academy show and much more.

So you’ll have the chance to explore all your favourite offbeat places in London for free!

Let us know your favourite offbeat places in London in the comments below.

25 Feb
2010

The Baftas and London Fashion Week at Covent Garden

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This past week Covent Garden has hosted some of the hottest dates in London’s diary.

Last Saturday kick-started the weekend in the Flower Cellars on Russell Street where the Topshop Unique catwalk show was held as part of London Fashion Week.

Like moths to flames, Topshop Unique always manages to attract the crème de la crème of the fashion pack.  This year was no exception as the Piazza welcomed Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud, The City star Olivia Palermo and fashionista Alexa Chung.

Sunday night saw the glitz and glamour of Hollywood take up residence at the Royal Opera House for the British Academy Film Awards (Baftas).

Our favourite A-listers graced the red carpet including Kate Winslet, Colin Firth, James Cameron and acting royalty Vanessa Redgrave, who was presented with a BAFTA Fellowship by HRH Prince William.

This week the scaffolding has come down, the glitter swept away and the red carpet rolled up for another week…but make sure you follow @CoventGardenLDN for the latest exciting updates on Covent Garden.

18 Nov
2009

Agon / Sphinx / Limen at the Royal Opera House

Posted by in Dance 3 Comments

Johannes Stepanek and Christina Arestis in Agon. Photo:Bill Cooper

The Royal Ballet’s triple bill of Agon, Sphinx and Limen at the Royal Opera House last night was an interesting lesson in the how modern classical ballet has developed. It was also, unexpectedly, an insight into the behaviour of today’s ballet audience…

The programme seemed designed to educate, starting with Balanchine’s Agon – choreographed in the 1950s, then moving to Glen Tetley’s 1977 work Sphinx, and finishing with Wayne McGregor’s brand new ballet, Limen.

Agon felt very much in line with the avant garde art movements of the late 50s and early 60s. It was apparently quite revolutionary for its time. However, the stark look (costumes were basic black leotards), feel (no discernible storyline) and soundtrack (Stravinsky) left me a bit cold. And my next-door neighbours must have been completely frozen; they didn’t return after the interval.

Sphinx started off a lot better – there was actually a set. And quite an impressive one too, with two gorgeous, sweeping wings made of metal and glass, and a gleaming “altar” in between. Edward Watson as Anubis stole the show for me here – looking incredible and otherworldly even when he removed his Egyptian dog-god mask.

Limen by the Royal Ballet Company‘s resident choreographer Wayne McGregror also began promisingly. A scrim with digital numbers floating across it fronted the stage, while dancers were randomly illuminated in puddles of light behind. Unfortunately, this show of technology prompted another near neighbour to bust out her digital camera, the glowing screen of which proved such a distraction I had to politely remind her it wasn’t a rock concert, while physically restraining my friend from biffing her one.

Situation averted, we settled back to the ballet, which was a celebration of lighting effects, block colours and clever movement. Thinking about it afterwards, I could see the correlation between all three ballets – each one visionary for its time; pushing the boundaries, while drawing on tradition. I might not have loved Agon but you could see that without Baly’s Ballet back then, we wouldn’t have the McGregor of today.

A quick straw poll at VL towers of audiences behaving badly has people chatting, texting, snoring and even vomiting in the theatre. What’s the weirdest thing that you’ve experienced as an audience member?