Beige

London Art Fair

Business Design Centre, Islington

London Art Fair, the UK’s largest art fair for Modern British and contemporary art returns, with over 100 galleries featuring the great names of the 20th century alongside exceptional recent work, from leading figures and emerging talent. Highlights of the 24th London Art Fair will include:

Main Fair

Galleries from across the UK and overseas will be exhibiting the work of over 1,000 artists covering the period from the early 20th Century to the present day. Museum quality Modern British art is presented alongside contemporary art from today’s leading artists.

Art Projects

Established as one of the most exciting sections of the Fair, Art Projects features solo shows, curated group displays and large-scale installations from contemporary artists and galleries across the world. New to Art Projects in 2012 are Beers.Lambert Contemporary Art, Edel Assanti, Hoxton Art Gallery, Limoncello Editions, Michael Klein, Tenderpixel and Whatiftheworld.

Photo50

A showcase for contemporary photography established in 2007, Photo50 features 50 works presented in an exhibition curated by Sue Steward.

Photography Focus Day, Wednesday 18 January 2012

Featuring a series of discussions and tours dedicated to contemporary photography.

Tours, Talks and Discussions

An extensive programme of talks and critical debates in association with key partners, plus daily tours of the Main Fair and Art Projects.

London Art Fair tickets are now on sale at £11 (plus £1.50 booking fee) in advance, including a copy of the 2012 Fair Guide (to be collected at the Fair). Tickets on the door are £16.

For a full list of galleries and the latest London Art Fair news visit: www.londonartfair.co.uk

Image: Damien Hirst – Butterfly with household gloss on canvas 2008 – Courtesy of Other Criteria

Sci-fi shows are scarce; ‘Starlight Express `and ‘Time` were very much part of 1980’s mulleted futurism. Medieval musicals are also rare; ’Camelot ‘and ‘Blondel` are unusual examples of a little knight music. Now the Menier attempts to fuse these two conflicting genres into a contemporary re-conceptualising of ‘Pippin`, Stephen Schwartz‘s hip hit show. 

The show was originated on Broadway in 1972 by the god-like genius Bob fosse, as a follow up to Schwartz’s  groundbreaking ‘Godspell` , a hippy retelling of the life of Christ. ‘Pippin` is another radical allegory about an innocent 9th century French prince, who rejects his warmongering father’s royal life, to go in search of meaning and truth. Director/Choreographer Mitch Sebastian has ambitiously envisaged this journey as a series of levels in a platform computer game which our hero enters, after being transported there by a mysterious Machiavellian ring master, played perfectly by a menacing Matt Rawle.

 As the opening song ‘ Magic to do ` commences, the cast magically step through the walls of the space age interior brilliantly created by designer Timothy Bird incorporating a mass of Tron-like projections, in perfect synchronicity with the choreographed performances. Harry Hepple’s Pippin, begins his quest on level 1, battling his way through a ‘barbarous and bloody` war, feuding with his father, scheming with his mother  and enjoying the pleasures of sexual initiation during an orgy of fantastic Fosse inspired erotica. Finally falling in love and discovering what it means to be alive. The songs punctuating the story are amongst Schwartz’s finest, exhilaratingly performed by the strong cast, most notably ‘Spread a little Sunshine’ sung by the fabulous Frances Ruffelle, brilliantly playing Pippin`s mother as a devious Dagenham Dame. Sweet young Carly Bawden, fresh from the underrated ‘Umbrellas of Cherbourg`, is funny and enchanting as his lover, singing the heartbreaking ‘I’ll guess I’ll miss the man` beautifully.

Although there are many highlights, I feel the complexity of the concept confuses the simplicity of the story, the platform levels as stages in Pippin’s life story are appropriate in Act 1, but during the romantic relationship development of Act 2, they seem incongruous. That said, the Fosse-que choreography is fun, the visuals inventive and the sweet soulful score, though occasionally overwhelmed by the loud rock accompaniment, is still a memorable treat.  I doubt this will follow in the footsteps of other classic Menier musical productions and make a west end transition, which is unfortunate, as I prefer it to Schwartz’s recent huge success ’Wicked`

This has inspired me to think of another show that may be suitable for reworking as a computer game adventure. Surely ‘The Wizard of Oz` could be re-conceptualised, transporting teenager Dorothy from her Midwest bedroom console in to a trippy Technicolor world of talking animals, heartless androids and mutant munchkins, then in true Lara Croft style, battling flying monkeys and an evil witch in her quest to escape. Like a cyber version of ‘The Wiz`.  Could be good…Could be terrible!!

Martin Green

Union Theatre

204 Union Street, Southwark

November 15^th- December 10^th  

Tap is back! With Gershwin’s ‘Crazy for You` proving to be a hit, Berlin’s ‘Top Hat` and Freed’s ‘Singing in the Rain`  soft-shoe shuffling towards the west end,  it seems timely for a revival of Richard Harris’s  successful 1984 comedy ‘Stepping Out`, proving it’s not just ‘ News of the World’ journalists who, allegedly,  love to tap!  Read the rest of this entry »

Located in the breathtakingly beautiful courtyard of Somerset House, the annual outdoor ice skating arena opens next week. Presented by Tiffany & Co, the venue will be transformed into a winter wonderland from 22nd of November until the 2nd of January.

With various Club Nights, Lunchtime Dance Workouts, Skate Classes and Eating/Drinking/Shopping all on offer it promises a fantastic way to while away a few hours and get into the festive spirit.

Bookings can be made online or at the venue, judging by popularity over the past few years it is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

For further information visit:

www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink

It’s a breath of fresh air when a short film comes along that manages to capture the essence of its subject-matter in a non-forceful, artistic and downright brilliant way.

Doing just that is an independent gay short film titled ‘ADAM’ which aims to raise awareness of the importance of self-acceptance. Released today it is the first of its kind in the UK to involve online fans (social media followers from around the world) in the production process (from costume decisions to narrative choices and they even watched the project being shot live via Ustream).

The film mocks up a futuristic advert for a customisable robot and uses the mechanical metaphor to say we should never seek to control, suppress or silence a person, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. We are not robots.

ADAM – click here to watch the video

“I wanted to shoot something engaging, with a universal message about self-acceptance and homophobia,” said filmmaker Mike Buonaiuto. “News reports of homophobic abuse and the devastating effects it has on families are becoming ever too common. I hope the film will inspire young people struggling with accepting their sexuality due to bullying or fear to find confidence within themselves. We are not machines, we are human and we cannot be controlled, suppressed or silenced.”

Mike Buonaiuto, filmmaker from the UK, has produced many short films for international brands and organizations, several to critical acclaim.

For more information check out www.MikeB.co.nr

Or say hello on twitter @Videographer88