YOUR GUIDE TO THIS WEEK IN CULTURE
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Comedy Festivals Film Musicals Theatre
Today in London: Friday 5 July 2013
By TW Editorial | Published on Sunday 30 June 2013
So, the Stones (and JLS) are a-rolling into London anon, primarily to take in a West End show and swing by TGI Fridays, and later, if the mood strikes, to rock Her Maj’s royal Hyde Park at Barclaycard’s sapling BST party. And talking of Jagger et al, I think it was Mick that once mistakenly said ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’? I say ‘mistakenly’ because, given tonight’s London-based comical/theatrical/festival-ical wishlist, you most certainly can…
TODAY’S COMEDY CHOICES
Balham Comedy Festival, The Bedford, 5-13 Jul
It’s really a case of asking who isn’t taking a chair at this Balham-based comic banquet, it’s that packed. Adding taste to tonight’s starter are pun-master Milton Jones, hyperactive TV ‘chav’ Lee Nelson and a fab Banana Cabaret cast (Zoe Lyons, John Fothergill and Andrew Bird), whilst latter days’ main dishes are Al Murray, Ed Byrne, Lee Mack, Stephen K Amos, Phil Nichol, Tony Law and Marcus Brigstocke. Details and tickets here.
TODAY’S FESTIVAL CHOICES
Barclaycard British Summer Time, Hyde Park, 5-14 Jul (pictured)
With live bands (Bon Jovi, Elton John, The Beach Boys, JLS and – yeah, really – The Rolling Stones) playing at either end, comedians (Kevin Eldon, Russell Kane et al) and an intervening weekday festival of film, theatre, literature and sport, AEG’s Barclaycard-backed first of many British Summer Times is divided into four “themed zones” – each a veritable hive of “specially designed installations and entertainment, high quality restaurants, bespoke salons, pubs, cocktail bars, cafes, bistros and independent food stalls”. Details and tickets here.
TODAY’S THEATRE CHOICES
The Colour Purple, Menier Chocolate Factory, 5 Jul – 14 Sep
Alice Walker’s inspirational narrative takes dramatic flight tonight at the Menier with a live score linking jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, and a songbook by the Grammy-winning Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Details and tickets here.
