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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,
David Smyth's rating
Reader rating
Description: The singer-songwriter plays her sombre indie-rock originals.
The BRIT School in Croydon doesn’t just churn out wholesome starlets such as Katie Melua and Leona Lewis, though if either had read The Bell Jar too many times they might have ended up like classmate Polly Scattergood.
The Colchester singer’s recent debut album was mostly praised for its lo-fi take on the ethereal quirkiness of standard reference point Kate Bush. In the flesh on her first headlining tour, however, her shortcomings were cruelly exposed.
Creeping about the stage, clawing at her hair, looking slightly mumsy in a puffy party dress, there was no danger about her as she sang self-consciously shocking lines such as “You can spit on my French knickers” in Bunny Club.
She is saved on record by the intriguing electronic textures added by producer Simon Fisher Turner but here her three-piece backing band only really made their presence felt on standout moment Nitrogen Pink, which became faster and faster as it built to an impressively raucous conclusion.
Elsewhere the sole focus was Scattergood’s harsh, overly theatrical voice, delivering the kind of lyrics most girls hide in a drawer after they finish their Alevels.
“My doctor said I’ve got to sing a happy tune,” she cooed in I Hate The Way. “If you feel me please don’t break me/Please don’t let that rat man take me,” pleaded the uncharacteristically bouncy Please Don’t Touch.
Invariably favouring melodrama over melody, sparse ballads such as Poem Song were hard going.
Both PJ Harvey and Bat For Lashes will play in London in a few days and demonstrate how this feral female thing should be done. Scattergood may manage greater things as she matures, but her potential audience currently has so many better options.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I was also in the audience and was completely blown away by Scattergoods performance, but i can understand David Smyths (evening standard reviewer) point of view. Pollys music/performance really is like marmite, its a love or hate situation.
I'm so glad i fall into the former category, as i had an absolutely amazing night.
- Susan James, london
I was in the Audience with two of my friends,and I thought Polly Scattergood was stunning.
- Peter, London
