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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,
Liz Hoggard's rating
Reader rating
Description: Helena Blackman stars in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical, set before the 1929 Wall Street Crash.
Trains: Tube: Covent Garden 
Phone: 0845017 5584
Website: www.artstheatrewestend.com
Extra info: Pub
Torch songs of the time: Charlie Cameron as a nightclub singer
Set on the eve of the 1929 Wall Street Crash, Stephen Sondheim’s first-ever musical, transfers direct from its Jermyn Street Theatre sell-out. Written in 1955 (but first performed only in 1997), it’s remarkably prescient. Dodgy financiers, bad dates and delicious frocks, of course we all recognise our own lives.
Gene, a lazy get-rich-quick boy, is playing the stockmarket. Helena Blackman (runner-up behind Connie Fisher in BBC’s How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?) is his down-to-earth girlfriend Helen. The young protagonists spend their time hopping between downtown Brooklyn and uptown Manhattan. We relish the romantic vulnerability (especially the male characters who can’t find a woman on Saturday night) and the jokes about the economy.
It’s hard to dismiss this witty, fundamentally optimistic piece performed by a vibrant cast. There are several very lovely torch songs. But, sorry, why should we care about these calllow twentysomethings? Why on earth would they let the selfish Gene off the hook?
We all understand about greed but this Saturday Night lacks stamina.If you’re a hard-core Sondheim obsessive you’ll love it as a fascinating piece of juvenilia. Otherwise it might just be an irritating 1930s episode of Friends.
Until 11 April. Information: www.saturdaynightmusical.com.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
