Swinging London still seems to have the best performances and venues in the world.
Lots of musicals this spring, but also a number of marvellous plays premiering this month.

My personal choice for this month is the BARBICAN
At the Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London EC2Y 8DS with:

TEATRE ROMEA withMACBETH (This event is part of BITE:03)
Directed by Calixto Bieito
After the acclaimed reception for Life is a Dream, BITE: 99, the controversial Spanish director Calixto Bieito well known on the London scene, brings an apocalyptic and thrilling reworking of the Shakespearean bloody tragedy.

8 - 10 April - Performed in Catalan with English surtitles

11 - 12 April - Performed in Spanish with English surtitles.

9 April Post show talk (free to ticket holders)

GRUPO PIOLLIN
VAU DA SARAPALHA

by Guimarães Rosa (This event is part of BITE:03)
directed by Luiz Carlos de Vasconcelos

For over a decade, Grupo Piollin has transported audiences to a rural scene where the brutalities of life and death are forged in the unforgettable voices and bodies of five actors.  The burnt, unforgiving landscape of the Brazilian sertão becomes the universal setting for this tragic tale of unrequited love. A compulsive story in which the stage is literally set alight by the elemental and irresistible forces of nature.

"A perfect performance used to successfully transfer the audience to a remote place."
Journal do Comercio

Performed in Portuguese with English translation.

Brazil

Venue Title: The Pit
Venue Location: Level -2

1 April, 7pm

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 April, 7.45pm

70 minutes, no interval

Collectif AOC
La Syncope Du 7

Part of ‘Crying Out Loud London’

The first creation from a young circus group who fuse contemporary circus, dance and a live DJ to create an amazing spectacle where the performers float in the air above large trampolines and literally walk up the walls!

"The best circus arts this year" Liberation

France/Belgium

Venue Title: Barbican Theatre
Venue Location: Level -1

23, 24, 25, 26 and April, 7.45pm

75 minutes, no interval

AND..at the BARBICAN

Until 28 June
Great Performers 2002 - 2003
”Guided by a host of internationally renowned soloists, ensembles and
conductors, with over 50 concerts, there is something for everyone. We
welcome Maxim Vengerov, Barbara Bonney, Sir Simon Rattle, Les Arts
Florissants, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Kronos Quartet, Renée Fleming
and San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, to name a few.”

 Some London venues in April

ADELPHI THEATRE -

Chicago - Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, directed by Walter Bobbie, designed by John Lee Beatty. Musical, about a girl who was acquitted after murdering her lover, teams up with another murderess to make a nightclub act. Runs 150 min. Booking to September 27.

APOLLO SHAFTESBURY THEATRE -

My Brilliant Divorce - By Geraldine Aron, directed by Garry Hynes. With Dawn French. French stars as a recently abandoned wife struggling to regain control over her life. Booking to May 10. Tel: 0207- 494 5070

ARTS THEATRE -

Triple Espresso - Directed by William Partlan, designed by Nayna Ramey. With Michael Pearce Donley, Bill Arnold and Bob Stromberg. Booking to April 5. Tel: 0207- 836 3334.

CAMBRIDGE THEATRE -

Our House - By Tim Firth and Madness, directed by Matthew Warchus. Musical madness follows the story of wayward Joe, and his trouble with the police. Booking to September 27.
Tel: 0207- 494 5399

CRITERION THEATRE -

The Complete History of America -

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Comedy, Two comedies performed in repertoire. Runs 115 min. Booking to August. Tel: 0207- 413 1437

DOMINION THEATRE -

We Will Rock You - By Queen and Ben Elton, directed by Christopher Renshaw, designed by Mark Fisher and Willie Williams. The Queen/ Ben Elton 7.5 million pounds musical set on a place called Earth. Booking to June 28. Tel: 0870-

607 7460

DUCHESS THEATRE -

Zipp - Conceived and written by Gyles Brandreth, directed and choreographed by Carole Todd. One hundred musical numbers in 90 minutes. Booking to April 26. Tel: 0870- 890 1103

DUKE OF YORK`S THEATRE -

Stones in His Pocket - By Marie Jones, directed by Ian McElhinney. Story of an American film being made in Ireland from the point of view of two Irish extras - who also play everyone else. Runs 130 min. Booking to June 28. Tel: 0207- 369 1791

FORTUNE THEATRE -

The Woman in Black - By Susan Hill, adapted by Stephen Mallarat, directed by Robin Herford. Thriller, young solicitor tries to recounts his experiences from the past when he was sent to wind up the affairs of a dead woman. Runs 120 min. Bookings to August. Tel: 0207- 369 1737

GARRICK THEATRE -

This is Our Youth - By Kenneth Lonergan, directed by Laurence Boswell, designed by Jeremy Herbert. With Colin Hanks, Kieran Culkin. Lonergan`s play take on modern disaffected youth set in New York. Booking to March 15. Tel: 0207- 494 5085

HAYMARKET THEATRE ROYAL -

The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas - Imitations of Frank, Sammy and Dean, with a genuine 15-piece band, recreate a night at the Sands Night Club. Booking to April 19. Tel: 0870- 901 3356.

LONDON PALLADIUM THEATRE -

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - By Ian Fleming, adapted by Jeremy Sams, music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, directed by Adrian Noble, music directed by Robert Scott, designed by Anthony Ward. The show is cast to the hilt; the villains heavily scoring over the heroes in a classic

Disney musical adaptation. Runs 150 min. Booking to September 27. Tel: 0870- 890 1108

NEW AMBASSADORS THEATRE -

Abigall`s Party - By Mike Leigh, directed by David Grindley. The 70s satire about the decidedly unlovely Beverly and her attempts to force Bacardi, cigarettes down the throats of new neighbours Ange and Tone. Booking to April 5. Tel: 0207- 369 1761

PALACE THEATRE -

Les Miserables - Directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, designed by John Napier. Musical, love and courage in the revolutionary struggle of the 19th Century France. Runs 195 min. Bookings to June 28. Tel: 0207- 434 0909

PHOENIX THEATRE -

Blood Brothers - Music and lyrics by Willy Russell, directed by Bob Tomson, designed by Marty Flood. Musical, twins from Liverpool separated from birth, cross their paths in friendship and anger. Runs 165 min. Bookings to September 27. Tel: 0207- 369 1733

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE -

Cliff the Musical - Written by Mike Read and Trevor Payne, directed by Trevor Payne. Fifty years of hits brought to theatre, featuring four Cliffs and sixty songs. Booking to May 10. Tel: 0207- 839 5972.

The Mousetrap - Whodunit, Agatha Christies play that after forty-nine years still goes on. Classic thriller as the world’s longest run. Runs 135 min. Tel: 0207- 836 1443

STRAND THEATRE -

Arsenic and Old Lace - By Joseph Kesselring, directed by Matthew Francis, designed by Stephen Brimson-Lewis. Black comedy featuring Brewster sisters poisoning old men and burying them in the cellar.  Booking to May 10. Tel: 0207- 930 8800.

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE -

Stomp - If you never had a chance before to see this show, go to Vaudeville Theatre in the Strand. To describe this show is fruitless, the cacophony of noise, and speed of players and dancers is astonishing. You will be mesmerised, helpless and dumbfounded by it.

Until May 31. Tel: 0870- 890 0511

THE VENUE THEATRE -

Taboo - Music and lyrics by Boy George, directed by Michael Blakemore. New musical looking at the bizarre world of the `80s music scene. Booking to May 31. Tel: 0870- 899 3335

VICTORIA PALACE THEATRE -

Grease - By Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, directed by David Gilmore. 1950s Americana coming your way. Bookings to April 19. Tel: 0207- 834 1317

Coming soon:

WEST END LISTINGS

Official opening 'press' night. (Most shows will have previews before official opening!!)

25 Mar 03 KING LEAR
Old Vic
by William Shakespeare 

 26 Mar 03 DOUBLE POINTS: 1&2
Barbican Theatre
by Emio Greco 

28 Mar 03 PERICLES
Olivier, National Theatre
by William Shakespeare, Ninagawa Company, translated by Kazuko Matsuoka 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 30 Mar 03 ESTHER, FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
Palace
Concept, Music and Lyrics by Paul Knight , Adaptation by Peter Hutchinson 

 01 Apr 03 VAU DA SARAPALHA
Barbican Pit
by Guimaraes Rosa 

 2 Apr 03 HITCHCOCK BLONDE
Royal Court Downstairs
by Terry Johnson 

3 Apr 03 THREE SISTERS
Playhouse Theatre
by Anton Chekhov, in a new version by Christopher Hampton 

8 Apr 03 JUS' LIKE THAT
Garrick
by John Fisher, original music by Paul Bateman 

 08 Apr 03 MACBETH
Barbican Theatre
by William Shakespeare 

 9 Apr 03 ABIGAIL'S PARTY (transfers from New Ambassadors)
Whitehall
by Mike Leigh 

 10 Apr 03 SCENES FROM THE BIG PICTURE
Cottesloe, National Theatre
by Owen McCafferty 

14 Apr 03 UNDER THE WHALEBACK
Royal Court Upstairs
by Richard Bean 

15 Apr 03 TELL ME ON A SUNDAY
Gielgud
music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Don Black, with additional contributions by Jackie Clune 

 16 Apr 03 TRAGEDY OF RICHARD II
Middle Temple Hall
By William Shakespeare 

29 Apr 03 JERRY SPRINGER - THE OPERA
Lyttelton, National Theatre
Originated , music & book & lyrics by Richard Thomas , book & Lyrics also by Stewart Lee 

30 Apr 03 CALIGULA
Donmar Warehouse
by Albert Camus, in a new translation by David Greig 

01 May 03 GHOSTS
Barbican Theatre
by Henrik Insen 

 4 May 03 NIGHT OF 1000 VOICES
Royal Albert Hall

  7 May 03 BOMB-ITTY OF ERRORS
New Ambassadors
by Jordan Allen-Dutton, Jason Catalano, GQ and Erik Weiner, Developed by Andy Goldberg 

 07 May 03  HAPPINESS
Barbican Theatre
by Laurie Anderson 

 7 May 03 PERIBANEZ
Young Vic
by Lope de Vega, English version by Tanya Ronder 

 8 May 03 RICHARD II
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
by William Shakespeare 

 13 May 03 BABELLE HEUREUSE
Barbican Theatre

 13 May 03 HENRY V

Olivier, National Theatre
by William Shakespeare 

 14 May 03 SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO
Comedy
by David Mamet 

© 2003 Andrea Kapsaski

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