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With a single dessert and just two glasses of wine our bill was kept in check - but the effort of doing so was not much fun
Babbo
Film
This is a film with beautiful performances and a visual style that urges you towards reflection
Bright Star
Theatre
Although the first half of Kwei-Armah’s production is pacy, funny and intelligent, the energy level then drops off
Seize The Day
I loved this film from start to finish. Take the girlfriend, tell your mum - I'd see it again tomorrow and will buy the dvd.
I saw this last night and can't remember the last time I was so moved in the theatre.
I have been to many of London's so-called best Japanese restaurants and none have been as good as the food that I've had at Aqua Kyoto
London,
Fiona Mountford's rating
Reader rating
Dir: David Farr.
Cast: John Nicholson, Javier Marzan, Richard Katz, Sophie Russell, Rhona Croker
Description: Peepolykus presents Steven Canny and John Nicholson's fast-paced comedy about international espionage and global politics. Directed by David Farr.
Trains: Tube: Hammersmith 
Phone: 0871221 1722
Website: www.lyric.co.uk
Email: enquiries@lyric.co.uk
For those who can’t wait for Quantum of Solace, the Lyric is offering an extremely jolly action/spy caper. Fans of Bond might, however, start to suspect that all is not quite as it should be when a Russian agent is done for by a lethal copy of Time Out.
Japesters Peepolykus have come up with an ingenious idea, which the Lyric’s departing artistic director David Farr has fashioned into exceedingly mirthful shape. Actor John Nicholson (John Nicholson) is snatched away from rehearsals for The Importance of Being Earnest by a bout of gastric flu and winds up in the same hospital room as a poisoned Russian spy. There follows a deliciously labyrinthine plot involving genetically modified babies and celebrity pro-golf tournaments starring Ronnie Corbett, all contained within the framing device of that original, ill-starred Wilde production.
We start with some gloriously sub-standard Wildean acting before events hurtle pell-mell into an affectionate send-up of he spy genre. A lovably ramshackle set and props are a large part of Spyski’s charm along with the cracking script from Nicholson, who might require a cucumber sandwich or two to recover from his exertions, and Steven Canny. There are also delightful performances from a hard-working cast of five, not least Javier Marzan as the Earnest understudy poised to give Jack Worthing an almost impenetrable Spanish accent.
There’s a lot that is reminiscent of surprise West End hit The 39 Steps, although it can occasionally become too zany for its own good.
Spyski (0871 2211729, www.lyric.co.uk).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Spyski is a fantastic performance
- Supertrooper, Russia
When you get a free ticket it may seem mean to pick holes in Spyski. However, the self-conscious plot and 'aren't we ever so clever' dialogue made me remember Monty Python at its most objectionable. Yes, there were some clever moments and the actors are to be applauded for their virtuosity but I left the theatre thinking does humour have to be so frenetic, loud and coarse to get a laugh? Apparently, yes, from the guffaws from the audience. Oh, for more Oscar Wilde and less Pythonesque imitation.
- Michael Gannon, london
