October Newsletter

London - The Entertainment Capital

London is the place to be for theatre and filmgoers this October as the British Film Institute hold the London Film Festival and London’s Theatreland introduces a host of fabulous new productions and behind the scenes views during Open Rehearsals at the start of the month.

The BFI’s 51st London Film Festival comes to town with 184 features and 133 shorts as well as a host of screen talks, masterclasses and live events. Opening the Festival on Thursday 17 October is the UK premiere of David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises with Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts and Vincent Cassel, whilst Wes Anderson closes the Festival on November 1 with the UK premiere of The Darjeeling Limited, starring Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody.

The Festival programme incorporates over a dozen venues from big cinema screens to art house cinemas in Leicester Square, the West End and throughout London. For lovers of classic films, the Festival features treasures from the archives such as A Clockwork Orange, Barbara Stanwyck’s the Bitter Tea of General Yen and Drums Along the Mohawk, John Ford’s first colour feature staring Henry Fonda.

Besides the small screen, London’s stages are renowned throughout the world and visitors flock to the West End theatres all year round. But in October during Open Rehearsals visitors are given the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at some of London’s leading theatre, music and dance productions for free in most cases. From September 27th until October 2nd visitors can watch rehearsals, put questions to the cast and take a behind the scenes tour of London’s leading theatres and experience the excitement of London’s vibrant arts scene first hand.

The autumn season sees the introduction of a number of excellent productions with a stellar cast. Following his success with The Tempest, Patrick Stewart returns to the London stage in Macbeth at the Geilgud Theatre from 26th September to 1st December. While Jonathan Pryce stars in David Mamet’s powerful play Glengarry Glen Ross at the Apollo Theatre from 27th September to January 12th. Another big Hollywood star Christian Slater returns to the London stage following his critically acclaimed performance in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. He will star in the stage adaptation of Swimming with Sharks. This world premier of the 1994 film staring Kevin Spacey takes a darkly comic look at the cutthroat world of Hollywood and will begin with performances at the Vaudeville Theatre on 5 October.

Along with top dramas, London’s West End is famous for its musicals. Here is a top ten of what is currently wowing the audiences on London’s stages:

1. Grease
This year’s big hit in the West End has been the production of Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre. The production stars Danny Bayne and Susan McFadden chosen from the thousands of people who auditioned for the coveted roles via the hit UK TV programme Grease is the Word and runs until February 2008.

2. The Lion King
This award-winning stage adaptation of Disney's animated film the Lion King featuring music by Elton John and Tim Rice plus outstanding costumes and amazing special effects is dazzling audiences of all ages at the Lyceum Theatre.

3. The Phantom of the Opera
Playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre is Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic musical Phantom of the Opera.

4. Spamalot
Monty Python’s Spamalot at the Palace Theatre is one of the funniest shows in town. Spamalot recounts the story of the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as told by Eric Idle in true Python fashion.

5. We Will Rock You
For Queen fans We Will Rock You is playing at the Dominion Theatre – can Galileo bring back rock music and save the world?

6. Mamma Mia
This ultimate feelgood show has been seen by 10 million people around the world and it continues to entertain at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

7. Mary Poppins
Another long term favourite Mary Poppins takes to the stage at the Prince Edward Theatre.

8. Les Miserables
Night after night Victor Hugo’s masterpiece continues to thrill packed out audiences at the Queens Theatre.

9. Chicago
Kelly Osborne makes her West End debut as tough prison warder Mama Morton in this smash hit production at the Cambridge Theatre.

10. Billy Elliot
This acclaimed newcomer to the stage, Billy Elliot at Victoria Palace Theatre tells the heart warming tale of the working class boy who harbours dreams of dancing with the Royal Ballet School.

With such an outstanding selection of shows its no wonder that London’s stages are renowned throughout the world and a trip to the West End to see a show is a must for any visit to London.