It has been another great year of culture and so here is a few moments that have proved most popular on LLLC….
Review round up of The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre: it is no wonder that tickets for this revival of Oscar Wilde’s play is sold out on the basis of the reviews that it received!
Happy birthday Audrey Hepburn: A Tribute: one of our favourite pieces to write this year is paying tribute to the wonderful actress Audrey Hepburn. In this piece we discuss some of our favourite films of hers and of course why we adore her so much!
Review of Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Wives, National Portrait Gallery: the fascination that we have The Tudors remains undimmed and this exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery was a real treat to visit – even if on occasion the men of the era threatened to overshadow the focus on the infamous king’s wives. There were some real gems on display and it did really offer a new perspective on each wife – it was well worth a visit.
Review of Mean Girls: this film adaptation of the musical might have lacked a bit of the bite that the original film (non musical) had, but there was still plenty of fun to be had with it. There are plenty of set pieces for fans of the original and new audiences to enjoy, with the performances being brilliant from start to finish.
Interview with Mia Kobayashi: we were lucky enough to interview Mia about making her West End debut in Your Lie in April earlier this year (which we really enjoyed).
Review of Rhoda, BFI London Film Festival: while we sadly weren’t able to get to as much of the BFi film festival in person this year, the short films that we caught as part of it were impressive – but in particular this haunting and relatable film from Alex Lawther was well worth catching.
Review of Romeo & Juliet, Duke of York’s Theatre: while perhaps this production wasn’t quite what we were expecting (even from Jamie Lloyd), it is impossible not to have enjoyed the performances of the cast – with the chemistry between Tom Holland as Romeo aqnd Francesca Amewudah- Rivers as Juliet providing the perfect chemistry.
Review of Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind at Tate Modern: discover what we thought of the Tate Modern’s exhibition devoted to the work of the artist when we paid a visit earlier this year.
Review of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Royal Opera House: it was a pure delight to catch this delightful take on Lewis Carroll’s classic story. Featuring choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, it is a production that provides plenty of childish delight!
Review of Legion: Life in the Roman Army at the British Museum: starting the year in an epic way, the British Museum’s exhibition exploring exactly what it would have been like to live life as part of the Roman Army was by turns a mesmerising and overwhelming experience.
Review of Medea by Rosie Hewlett: re-tellings of Greek mythological tales are very popular in the fiction department at the moment and this is one of many that is really compelling to read! Offering a new perspective of this tragic story – it is filled with drama and theatricality that makes it a fabulous read no matter how familiar with the story you are.
Review of Shania Twain at BST Hyde Park: weather wise, it might have been a soggy affair, but that certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of all those in attendance of this fun and nostalgia filled concert!
Review of The Producers, Menier Chocolate Factory: Patrick Marber shows how this musical from Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan can fit into any space and still be as hilarious as ever with this fabulously thought out production. Ideal viewing for those who love the theatre or looking for a way to chase the winter blues away, we can’t recommend this production highly enough!
Review of White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, @Soho Place: in terms of the quirkiest productions we have seen this year, Nassim Soleimanpour’s show is right at the top of the list – in a good way of course. Featuring a guest performer at each performance, it was a thrill because you could never tell how each performer was going to act it out…
Review of Barbie: The Exhibition, Design Museum: leaping off the back of the 2023 successful film of Barbie, the Design Museum’s exhibition celebration of the legendary doll is filled with plenty of nostalgia but also insight into how she reflects the changing society to be one of the influential aspects of society.
Review: The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift: as well as embarking on one of the world’s biggest tours, Taylor Swift released an expertly crafted album that really showcases how her songwriting skills has been going from strength to strength.
Interview with Zachary James: one of our favourite and popular interviews of the year was with Zachary James, who played Hades when the hit musical Hadestown began performances in the West End earlier this year.
Review of Murder on Lake Garda by Tom Hindle: we do love a properly crafted murder mystery and this one kept us hooked from beginning to end – particularly the way in which it was structured and could change perspective effortlessly.
Review of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl: available to watch on Netflix from the 3rd January as well as BBC iPlayer, this is one of the most delightful Wallace & Gromit adventures to date as they face the evil Feathers McGraw once again!
Review of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Donmar Warehouse: Dave Malloy’s musical based on a section of War and Peace has made its UK premiere this December and it was certainly worth the wait! Find out why with our review…
Here’s to 2025 for more fantastic cultural highlights!