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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,
Nick Kimberley's rating
Reader rating
Description: The opera company performs romantic songs by Mozart. With soprano Sophie Bevan, mezzo-soprano Sigridur Osk Kristjansdottir, tenor Thomas Hobbs and fortepianist Gary Cooper.
Phone: 0207702 2789
Website: www.wiltons.org.uk
Trains: Tube: Tower Hill, Aldgate East 
Rare poignancy: The Classical Opera Company's performance of The First Commandment shows it is no mere Mozartian juvenilia
Mozart always knew how to give his audiences what they wanted, while also providing more than they bargained for.
The Archbishop of Salzburg commissioned him to write the first part (the other two are lost) of an oratorio on the theme of The First Commandment when he was just 11. Mozart responded with a mature and thoughtful drama, pious but with glints of humour, and sung to music that is effervescent, graceful and occasionally profound.
The Classical Opera Company makes a speciality of early Mozart and was bound to get round to it eventually. The crumbling Victoriana of Wilton's Music Hall is nothing like the Archbishop's palace, and Bill Bankes-Jones's production has its tongue further in its cheek than Mozart did, but only a curmudgeon would complain.
Nigel Lewis's English translation adds its own mischief: I suspect the Archbishop would not have been amused by lines such as: "Get up you lazy sod, it's time to meet your God."
The three Christian spirits of Mozart's original become thoroughly modern border guards, intent on policing the boundary between this life and the next, while the wavering Christian becomes a booze-soaked scruff, asleep in the transit lounge. There he is tempted by the Worldly Spirit, a good-time girl for whom every day is Christmas.
The jokes are fresh and witty, and the five young singers know how to communicate musically, verbally and physically; Madeleine Pierard (Justice) and Allan Clayton (Christian) are first among equals, finding the right, Italianate balance between sensuality and high spirits.
If the orchestra, directed from the harpsichord by Ian Page, is more rustic than refined, that suits the mood, and in Abigail Newman's alto trombone it has an instrument of rare poignancy. The First Commandment is no masterpiece, but it is much more than mere juvenilia.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
An amazing production and possibly the first time I have enjoyed an opera with an avante garde set and costume design!
- Tom, London
It was a fantastic performance. I took my 9-year-old daughter who was mesmerised throughout - and amazed that a subject about God and religion should have so many jokes in it. The setting in the airport with infamous security guards and cheery air stewardesses was a very comic touch. The quality of playing and singing was outstanding - and given the intimacy of the setting, we felt drawn into the action. Beg, borrow or steal a ticket since this is a write-home-about performance!
- Kate, London
