Morning:
13°c
London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
More...
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: Thom Southerland, Christopher Peake (musical director).
Cast: Union Theatre
Description: The company presents a production of the comic two-act operetta.
Trains: Tube/BR: Southwark/Waterloo 
Phone: 0207261 9876
Website: www.upandcoming.webeden.co.uk
Topsy-turvy: The Mikado incorporates mock-Japanese silliness
Here's a delightful how-de-do. The tiny Union is onto its fourth musical - and second all-male production of Gilbert and Sullivan - in a year and it's simply getting better and better.
The noise the chorus makes is the loveliest I've heard for months and would be the envy of most West End shows. This production team is going places.
The first place it's off to is the wonderfully topsy-turvy realm of Titipu, a world of mock-Japanese silliness, where demotions, revelations and executions tumble gaily through the plot.
The musical numbers could easily be mistaken for the running order on a G and S Greatest Hits album, and the 13-strong cast attack them with relish.
In every respect musical director Christopher Peake is a one-man band, but what he lacks in colleagues he more than makes up for in commitment, providing assured piano accompaniment for every song.
The three little maids have marvellous falsettos - and, in Vanessa Fenton's subtle choreography, nifty parasoltwirling skills - with a fluttering Martin Milnes giving the turn of the evening as Yum-Yum.
Director Thom Southerland could add a little more pep to some sections of dialogue, especially when they're establishing for us "Titipudlian" arcana. But anyone who gets group numbers sounding and looking like this is doing a whole lot right.
Surely such a treat shouldn't just be confined to Southwark?
Until 16 August (020 7261 9876, www.uniontheatre.org).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
