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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Barry Millington's rating
Reader rating
After eight weeks of Proms in the elusive acoustic of the Albert Hall, it's a shock to the system to be back in the newly refurbished festival Hall. Last night's gala event celebrating Esa-Pekka Salonen's first concert as principal conductor of the Philharmonia culminated in Stravinsky's opera-oratorio Oedipus rex, whose stark plangency was immeasurably enhanced by the brilliance and clarity of the hall's acoustic.
Salonen spurred the orchestra and the Philharmonia Voices, both in splendid form, to a performance that sizzled with tension. the paradox is that Stravinsky employs distancing devices such as a narrator and a Latin text yet packs a powerful emotional punch.
Simon russell Beale's low-key, conversational narration followed the wishes of its creator, Jean Cocteau ("with a detached voice, like a lecture"), almost to a fault.
Stephen Gould's Wagnerian Oedipus was effortful and lacking subtlety, especially alongside the operatic bass franz-Josef Selig, a darkly expressive tiresias, and the more flexible tenor of Andrew Kennedy, an excellent Shepherd. ekaterina Gubanova's aptly regal Jocasta was outstanding.
Bartok's Miraculous Mandarin Suite also benefited both from the immediacy of the acoustic and the incisive conducting of Salonen. rhythms were stiletto sharp and the story of the sinister Chinaman who refuses to die was delivered with visceral, lethal energy.
Not often does Prokofiev come as relief but after the excitement of the mandarin's chase, his Second Violin Concerto in G minor offered lyrical tranquillity. Vadim repin caught the amiable register admirably, drawing out the unabashed romanticism.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
