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With a single dessert and just two glasses of wine our bill was kept in check - but the effort of doing so was not much fun
Babbo
Film
This is a film with beautiful performances and a visual style that urges you towards reflection
Bright Star
Theatre
Although the first half of Kwei-Armah’s production is pacy, funny and intelligent, the energy level then drops off
Seize The Day
I loved this film from start to finish. Take the girlfriend, tell your mum - I'd see it again tomorrow and will buy the dvd.
I saw this last night and can't remember the last time I was so moved in the theatre.
I have been to many of London's so-called best Japanese restaurants and none have been as good as the food that I've had at Aqua Kyoto
London,
David Smyth's rating
Reader rating
Phone: 0870 0600 100
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Email: mail@islington-academy.co.uk
Wrong setting: Def Leppard's Joe Elliott needed a bigger crowd
One of London’s least glamorous venues became the Sparkle Lounge for one night only, as its drab shopping centre entrance was given a glittery new carpet in honour of Def Leppard’s new album.
Last week’s Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is unlikely to match the 10 and 20 million-plus sales of the Sheffield rockers’ fist-pumping classics Pyromania and Hysteria. Yet they have rarely been more popular as a live draw. They play Wembley Arena with Whitesnake on 26 June.
The tiny crowd gathered for this fireworks-free preview had to endure a few too many plugs for the new release, and the realisation that the row of moist middle-aged chests displayed on stage aren’t so appealing when you’re not 100 yards away. But it was fascinating to see the miracle of one-armed drummer Rick Allen up close, and the band seemed energised by the chance to perform within touching distance of one another.
New song Bad Actress had the most fire, a racing screamer that singer Joe Elliott insisted was “not about Lindsay Lohan”. Nine Lives strayed further from the heavy metal template, a chugging country rocker that could have been a hit for Shania Twain.
Elliott was not naïve enough to believe that these tracks could take the place of Def Leppard’s greatest moments. “I’ve been to a Rolling Stones gig and I just want Brown Sugar, too.” Their own saccharine delight, Pour Some Sugar On Me, was duly wheeled out, as well as other shoutalong favourites including Animal, Armageddon It and Let’s Get Rocked.
These hits could not be better suited for thrilling vast crowds. Pleasant though the Sparkle Lounge is, soon they’ll be back in their rightful place.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
