The London List: Jorja Smith, Jon Ronson on the masculinity crisis, and Norman's co-founder to open new bar
When you consider we're barely into festival season with All Points East starting this weekend, it really brings home just how great the summer in London has been for culture lovers taking their chances on whether venues have air conditioning or not.
Among the highlights from the last month, To Kill a Mockingbird at Wyndham’s Theatre (ends 12 September) gets my strong recommendation. The Oresteia (ends 19 September), backed by its 5-star reviews? I wouldn't go so far myself. I did enjoy seeing some more impressive staging from Simon Stone, following his stunning previous production at the Bridge Theatre, The Lady from the Sea, last year. However, the volume levels of the dialogue were exhausting from the start, never mind after three and a half hours. Sitting behind me, I didn't see whether Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver (*clunking celeb spot*) stuck it out till the end of the night.
On Sunday, an array of local talent played an enjoyable homage to Elliott Smith at the George Tavern (I mean, ), in aid of Mind. Among the performers were Mary in the junkyard, who Martin Robinson interviewed for The Standard this week - read here.
Then on Monday I caught Chicago band Friko, touring their second album Something Worth Waiting For. That was at MOTH Club, a regular haunt for me in east London, though the south Londoner I attended with had only previously heard of its reputation for being frequented by hip young things. Their first impressions upon visiting among an admittedly rather male-dominated crowd? “I’m seeing a lot of 6 Music dads.” Ouch.
Elsewhere this week, the lineup was revealed for the BFI London Film Festival competition, now in its 70th year. See more on that here.
The Standard went behind the scenes at the Barbican for Death Note (watch here on YouTube), the musical based on the famous manga and anime series, which certainly has critics divided as Martin Robinson mentioned in last week's London List. He's a fan though, and he spoke to one of its stars, Grace Mouat.
And finally, we've rounded up the must-see exhibitions you have just days left to see before they close. Don't say we don't keep you busy!
