Our interns are getting ready for the autumn and have listed what they are going to do on chilly autumn evenings in London. Here are the best picks for September!
Ilkka’s pick:
Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz
One thing I’ve really wanted to see since arriving to London is Wicked. I have seen the musical in Finnish at Helsinki City Theatre starring Maria Ylipää as Elphaba and Anna-Maija Tuokko as Glinda. The recording from the original Broadway cast is one of my favourite albums where Idina Menzel performs as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. The musical is based on Gregory Maguire’s fantasy novel Wicked which takes its inspiration from classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. It doesn’t really matter who plays which part because the musical is full of magic and the songs get stuck in your head for days after the show. If you are visiting London, now is the perfect time to learn how to defy gravity!
Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1LG, https://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/london, Monday – Saturday 7:30pm, Wednesday & Saturday 2:30pm + extra shows until April 2020, tickets from £22.00
Kaisa’s pick:
The Crown Dual
Have you been watching the TV series The Crown? So have I! Who wouldn’t be fascinated and even a little bit intimidated by the wonderful performance of Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II on the hit show. As the huge royal enthusiast that I am, I got really excited when I heard about the parodic comedy based on the show. Although I enjoy reading the news about the royal family and visiting their palaces and weddings, little humor never hurts. Plus the play is something fun to do while waiting for season 3 of the series to be released.
The Crown Dual, Wilton’s Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, Whitechapel, London E1 8JB, https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/585-the-crown-dual, 3rd September – 14th September, tickets: £14.50–26 full price, £12–23.50 concessions
Jenni’s pick:
Until The Flood
One of London’s major pros is the extensive selection of plays. I wish I had more time to see everything I’d like to see! However, sometimes you have to prioritise and this month I have chosen to see at least Until The Flood, written by Dael Orlandersmith. I think it’s important to bring forth social issues in arts and culture and therefore Orlandersmith’s play is a must-see. The play is based on real-life interviews from the aftermath of the shooting of Michael Brown in Missouri 2014. Michael Brown, a black teenager, was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. This caused unrest in the US and its impact was also noticed around the world.
Dael Orlandersmith, Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 3DL, https://www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/until-the-flood/ 4th September – 28th September, tickets: £10–27
Camilla’s pick:
The Art of Persuasion: Wartime posters by Abram Games
A week ago I ventured to the National Army Museum for the first time and spent the very reasonable amount of six pounds to see an exhibition with wartime posters by Abram Games. Posters and I go a long way back but even if you don’t harbour any special feelings for this form of graphic design, I recommend you give this exhibition a chance to persuade you to think otherwise. Abram Games is known as the Official War Poster Artist of the Second World War and he really would have persuaded me to take better care of my hypothetical rifle, to not blab on about army secrets or to knit more socks. His use of composition, geometric patterns and written elements is in a league of its own and leaves a lot to be desired from the posters I see around today.
The Art of Persuasion: Wartime posters by Abram Games, National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HT, https://www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/art-persuasion-wartime-posters-abram-games, 6 April 2019 – 24 November 2019, standard admission £6
Photo: Trey Ratcliff/Flickr
