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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,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Hugh Hughes sporting his anti-scurvy life jacket
You can go a long way with charm and Hugh Hughes has it to burn. It is hard to take your eyes off this smiley Welshman as he regales the audience with his delightful shaggy dog story about the island of Anglesey sailing off into the Atlantic.
Floating is a vivid comic tale about making connections and how imagination can shift realities. When not playing word games Hughes (actually writer Shon Dale-Jones) sprints around, pretending he is on a bridge here, creating a micro-earthquake by shattering a teacup there.
Despite quotes from Primo Levi, the emphasis is on whimsey, with an engaging DIY streak redolent of stand-up Josie Long. Numerous laughs are elicited from a tatty cardboard synopsis and later, while re-enacting a swim, our hero dons a flimsy harness of oranges - to protect him from drowning and scurvy.
Strong support comes from Sioned Rowlands, who works frenetically as every supporting character and deserves an award for repeatedly dunking her head in a bowl of water to symbolise Hughes's breaststrokes.
All this plus some non-aggressive audience participation makes Floating a small, but beautifully formed gem.
Until 30 June. (0845 120 7550, www.barbican.org.uk).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
