Theatre treats

New year will have some new treats for London theatreland:

Another production of Harold Pinter's OLD TIMES - I have seen 2 previous ones: Liv Ullmann, Michael Gambon and Nicola Pagett in the 70s or 80s, and Julie Christie (Theatre label), Leigh Lawson and Harriet Walter in the 90s. This one should be good too with Kristin Scott Thomas and Rufus Sewell - 12 week run starts in January at, where else?, the Harold Pinter Theatre.

The new poster for the new London run of THE JUDAS KISS which has been a huge success in its initial run (when I saw it at the Hampstead Theatre, as per my review, Theatre label). This will run from January to April at the Duke of York's Theatre.

There is also a new limited run of Peter Nichols' classic play PRIVATES ON PARADE which will make an ideal birthday present in February, with Simon Russell Beale in the role of Captain Terri Dennis the very flamboyant drag queen (which Dennis Quilley created and  immortalised in the 1983 film with John Cleese).

The members of SADUSEA (Song And Dance Unit South East Asia) fall in and out of love while trying to dodge Malayan Communist bullets in the late 1940s. Not only that, they have to contend with a loony, bible bashing Major who creates far more danger than any of the jungle inhabitants. Only gay captain Terri Dennis seems capable of coping with him but even he isn't aware that their sergeant is selling arms to the natives. 

And the return of MIDNIGHT TANGO, the terrific dance show by Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone - the real stars of BBC's dance show STRICTLY COME DANCING. Watching them do the Argentine tango is sheer bliss ... (Phoenix Theatre).