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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,
Budapest FO/Fischer
*****
There is no other ensemble in the world like the Budapest Festival Orchestra: their sound and character are unique, their regular visits to Britain are not to be missed and last night's Prom under Ivan Fischer fully lived up to expectation.
The high-point was Dvorak's Symphony No 7, where subtlety and variety of phrasing, judicious use of portamento and exquisite blend of tone combined in an exceptional performance.
These players have such unanimity of purpose that they are equally enthralling at both ends of the dynamic spectrum: in pianissimos their silky rustle provides almost sensual pleasure, while fortissimos are all the more bracing for their sinewy quality.
Leaning into their instruments and swaying spontaneously with the flow of the music, they radiate a deep love of and affinity with Czech repertoire - and indeed Hungarian.
Bartok's Violin Concerto was also notable for its adroit balance of lyrical introspection and folk-coloured, rhythmic edge. Leonidas Kavakos was the accomplished soloist.
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
****
Ukuleles of all shapes, sizes and colours of the rainbow began to appear at an alarming rate between the two evening concerts.
There were people practising in the park; others gathering for a pre-concert rehearsal. It began to feel as if one would be the only non-bearer of a ukulele in the entire hall.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain have a cult following and a packed hall greeted with noisy enthusiasm the dry wit of the introductions as much as the musical items.
Those items are wrapped up in unexpected guises, often with vocals by one or other of the eight-strong band, sometimes ill-advisedly so.
A laidback Ride of the Valkyries almost salvages its reputation from Apocalyse Now and raises the question of why Wagner failed to score it for ukuleles in the first place.
Saint-Saëns's Danse Macabre is also delivered with a deceptive lilt, the Dambusters March as a breezy foot-tapper.
The chance for audience participants to shine came in Beethoven's Ode to Joy. Who would have thought a thousand ukuleles gently thrummed could sound so ethereal?
The BFO prom is on Radio 3 on Friday 28 August 2.30pm.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
