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Wee liberties: Beauty and The Beast: A Horny Love Story at Charing Cross Theatre

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It may not be a tale as old as time, but it’s still the same old story, almost, with Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story currently playing at the Charing Cross Theatre .  As the title suggests, this is not family holiday entertainment, but neither is it all gay gore. And a surprisingly large number of clever gags, a gorgeous-looking production, costumes, and an ensemble make for a classy night out with the occasional lashing of sluttiness.  It’s been a while since I have seen an adults-only panto. Like many things at the theatre—ticket prices, opening nights, age of social media influencers—things have changed. Happily, things have changed for the better here. The show focuses on assembling an excellent cast. Elaborate costumes by Robert Draper and David Shields’ set pieces help give this adult panto a touch of class. There are the usual lewd jokes and a quick flash of buttocks.   The setting of the story is in the northernmost village of Scotland, Lickmanochers. Not...

Music: Schubert and Bartok with the LSO

Sunday evening I caught the LSO perform a Bartok and Schubert program, and it was fantastic.  Pianist Piotr Anderszewski was particularly engaging during the Bartok Piano Concerto No 3. There was something about his performance that was so entertaining and enthralling (and it wasn't just to do with his looks - although I texted a few people afterwards commenting less on the style of his performance and more on his appearance - but I digress)...
 
After interval the orchestra again came up with the goods performing the Schubert Symphony No 9. Piotr may not have been in it at that point but it was still a great night and a terrific programme.

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Opera and full frontal nudity: Rigoletto

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Fantasies: Afterglow @Swkplay

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Play ball: Damn Yankees @LandorTheatre

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