Tate Britain: Guided Tours & Talks - FREE - ★★★★★ - 2019


There are three  types of free tour at Tate Britain. The Free Guided Tours focus on some highlights of the collection, while the Archive tours explore some lesser known of over a million items relating to British art that are  held by the Tate Britain. The Social Class Tours encourage an examination of  how social class is represented and explored in the collection,  emphasizing underrepresented perspectives. The theme of these tours changes every 4 months. There are also 15 minutes talks about specific works. A different work is featured every month. Depending on your time they are all worthwhile, but the most popular is, of course, the Turner tour.
 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆ 

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:

Free Guided tours (45 mins) 
Daily Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2018
11:00 - 11:45 The Growth of British Art   
12:00 - 12:45 People and Places of the 19th Century 
2:00 - 2:45  Becoming Modern: Art to the Present Day  
3:00 - 3:45 J.M. Turner

 Archive Gallery tours (30 mins) 
Daily Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2018
Sat & Sun:  1:00 - 1:30 &   2:30 - 3:00

Social Class Tour (30 mins)
Nov 5, 2018 - Feb 27, 2019
Mon & Wed: 1:15 - 1:45

 Free talks (15 mins)
Tue, Thu & Sat: 1:15 - 1:45

Meet at the top of the Manton Stair, Millbank, Tate Britain 
Nearest tube: Pimlico
https://www.tate.org.uk/search?q=free+tours
Map & Location: Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RG, UK

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A Life Twice Given, Upstairs at the Gatehouse - ★★★★★ - Until October 6, 2019

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Absolutely superb performances make this disturbing play quite outstanding. In these incredibly uncertain days the prospect of cloning humans is far too close for comfort, but here, in Gail Louw's adaptation of David Daniel's book, it is sensitively used to tragic effect. If less well performed and directed (by John Burrows) it could be mawkish. Indeed, the performances leapt off the stage.As the tragic father Johnny Neal really took flight; it is a complex character with lots of words and contrasting emotions. Johnny was stunningly good. He is matched all along the way by Natalia Campbell's mother who gets compelled into situations she is extremely unhappy with. Both actors conveyed the passing years most convincingly. Twenty-year-old Damian Reyes-Fox played the son from childhood to student doctor. In his big scene at the end he really performed brilliantly. The audience was held totally rapt throughout; this is a tribute to the faultless delivery and tremendous rapport …
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Afterglow, Waterloo East Theatre - ★★★★★ - Until December 6, 2019

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Afterglow is back because audiences loved it! It is a fascinating look at contemporary relationships and three people's capacity to deal with sexuality, infatuation and love. Can we really keep these emotional states in separate compartments or are they bound to bleed into one another resulting in pain and confusion? Is it a form of hubris to think we can control what the heart wants? This is the struggle faced by Josh, Alex and Darius as they try to negotiate the complexities of an open relationship. The cast members here are all equally strong and nuanced. Peter McPherson is excellent as the scientific, right-brain Alex who thinks he can control his jealousy and Adi Chugh is just as good as his impulsive, needy artistic partner, Josh. Benjamin Aluwihare completely captures the naïveté and vulnerability of the younger participant, Darius. Steven Kunis successfully builds on the original direction of Tom O'Brien and the piece is lively and well-paced. Libby Todd's set is b…
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Stop Kiss, Above The Stag Theatre - ★★★★ - Until November 30, 2019

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Sinatra: Raw, Wilton's Music Hall - ★★★★★ - Until November 2, 2019

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Richard Shelton is probably the best British Sinatra performer on stage today. Old Blue Eyes was a brilliant interpreter of tunes and lyrics, and Richard Shelton brings all that, plus possibly even better vocal tone. We are very convincingly taken back to the Purple Room in Palm Springs, 1971, and treated to a host of songs in addition to insights into some elements of Sinatra's private life, especially his relationship with Ava Gardner. Shelton also delves into some of the spicier moments in the middle years and there are even a couple of surprises – for example his detestation of fellow Rat Pack member, Peter Lawford. Sinatra's campaigning for Kennedy and civil rights are also touched on. This is all presented with great panache and the phrasing, intonation and mannerisms are perfect. With just a pianist and a bottle of Jack Daniel's for company, Shelton treats us to a glorious meander through the Frank Sinatra Songbook of which he seems to have an encyclopedic knowledge…
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9 to 5: The Musical, Savoy Theatre - ★★★★★ - Until May, 2020

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Dolly Parton has always been about insight and intelligence packaged in a way we do not expect. Her persona and her reality challenge our stereotypes and this evening in the theatre does the same. In 9 to 5: The Musical we have all the fun and frolics of your big Broadway musical but some very serious political and social observations are being made. Jane Fonda who originally conceived this work and writer, Patricia Resnick, knew that a spoonful of sugar helped the medicine go down. Even as the injustice of women's treatment in the workplace and some serious feminist issues are explored in 9 to 5, it is upbeat and always keeps the audience engaged. Dolly's music and lyrics are quite unforgettable and Lisa Stevens' choreography is perfect. Caroline Sheen, Natalie McQueen and Chelsea Halfpenny are all terrific in the roles created for Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton. They all manage to layer characters whom they have a limited time to develop. Bonnie Langford as Roz…
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The Mask of Orpheus, The Coliseum - ★★★★★ - Until November 13, 2019

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Soho Cinders, Charing Cross Theatre - ★★★★ - Until December 21, 2019

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It's all here but the pumpkin coach! This wonderfully updated telling of Cinderella's story takes place around Old Compton Street where Cinderella has become Robbieand Prince Charming is now a closeted politician. The fairy godmother played by Christopher Coleman expects a little more than appreciation and the two wicked stepsisters are now pole dancers threatening to take away Robbie's launderette. Does it sound like a lot of silly fun? Well, it is. It is also a slightly darker commentary on current political spinand image doctoring and on the tabloid culture that creates both political fairy tales and faux scandals. All of the cast are excellent. As the two totally over the top wicked stepsisters,Michaela Stern and Natalie Harman are hilarious in numbers such as "I'm So Over Men" and "Fifteen Minutes."Ewan Gillies as the evil spin doctor is quite perfect and "The Tail That Wags The Dog"sums up what so many of us see on the current politi…
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Reputation, The Other Palace - ★★★★ - Until November 14, 2019

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Toast, The Other Palace Theatre - ★★★★★ - Until August 3, 2019

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We need more theatre like this... heartwarming, humorous and with free sweets! Nigel Slater's biography has inspired a play which shows us that food is a medium by which we can express almost all our human emotions and concerns. It can serve as a refuge. It can stir memory or spur a rivalry. It can symbolise reconciliation and it can substitute for sex. But ultimately, food and cooking are about love and creativity. The real recipe for great food, as for having a fulfilling life, is to follow your heart. Giles Cooper does an amazing job at capturing Nigel and Lizzy Muncey embodies his mother. Stephen Ventura's Dad doesn't miss a beat. John Riordan's direction is deft and his choreography beautifully complements the narrative. Henry Filloux-Bennett's script is a fine adaptation of the biography. We wanted to ask for seconds.

Reviewed by J.C.
 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆ 
WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE: Until August 3, 2019
Mon - Sat: 7:30 pm, Thu & Sat: 3 pm
The Other Palace The…
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