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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Fiona Mountford's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Scott Graham, Steven Hoggett.
Cast: Samuel James, Georgina Lamb
Description: They maybe the most perfect and attractive of couples, but in Stockholm, celebrating his birthday, there are going to be a number of surprises. A look at modern love written by Byrony Lavery.
Trains: Tube: Swiss Cottage 
Phone: 0207722 9301
Website: www.hampsteadtheatre.com
Todd and Kali are the sort of couple it would be very easy to hate. Attractive, well-groomed and obviously well-heeled, they lead a glistening life of city breaks in Stockholm and extravagant presents. Early on in this thrillingly dynamic two-hander from Frantic Assembly, they reveal that they've been 'doing the late Bergman's entire oeuvre', which should by rights make us want to cosh them. Yet we're swept along in helpless marvel at this conspicuous consumption of happiness. Just maybe they can have it all.
Soon, though, it's clear that there's something rotten in the state of, well, Sweden. Bryony Lavery's script - which wastes not a word and yet manages some lovely poetry - and the Frantics' trademark physical theatre style show the pair to be trapped in a claustrophobic, destructive relationship cycle. It's not by chance that they're off to Stockholm, as they are a textbook case of its Syndrome, a psychological term describing how a prisoner comes to love his jailer.
In the uber-designed kitchen, a long rack of knives manages to be simultaneously chic and psychopathic. Here, co-directors and choreographers Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett get their marvellously athletic performers, Samuel James and Georgina Lamb, to characterise the relationship in movements as well as words. A particularly sinuous and sensuous sequence recreates their initial meeting at a restaurant opening; later on, there's a vicious fight. This is a valuable new work that is, in every way, bruising.
Until 24 May (020 7722 9301, www.hampsteadtheatre.com)
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
