|
|
|
 There can be scarcely a Chardonnay-drinking woman on the planet who failed to be inspired by the story of Shirley Valentine, a Liverpool housewife whose confidence and personality were so submerged by her marriage until she rediscovered them on holiday in the Greek Islands, fulfilling an ambition to ‘drink a glass of wine in the country where the grape is grown’.
Struggling manfully to contain her own livelier personality beneath Shirley’s housecoat, Meera Syal is the latest in a long line of middle-aged female performers to spend the first act cutting chips for Joe’s tea. Except this is the first of the production’s failures since it seems an utter waste not to give Syal, one of the most brilliant of Asian actresses, an opportunity to introduce an Indian element to the cowed and dutiful home-maker’s character.
Instead, she gives us a bumpy tour of the M6 as her accent wanders from summer stock Scouse to her native Birmingham and back. If she’d been knocking up a batch of onion bhajjis whilst worrying what her husband would say when he came home instead of chips and egg, this could have been a springboard to illuminate domestic oppression in a far more contemporary and challenging way, and allowed her to develop a third dimension to her Shirley which is lacking in some of the scenes.
This version is directed by Glen Walford, who first commissioned Willy Russell to write Shirley Valentine when she was artistic director of the Liverpool Everyman in 1986 so you’d think she knew her onions. Or chips. But she may be resting on laurels as she directed local comedienne Pauline Daniels in a similarly boxy production there in 2009.
To say that Syal is much better in the second act, when Shirley’s soliloquy takes place on a sunny Greek beach and her personality is also warmer is to suggest she’s not quite ‘got it’ in the first half. This is perhaps slightly unfair since there’s a lot to enjoy in her performance, but there were moments when you might notice that Syal’s experience is grounded in TV, film and comedy and that (thanks Wikipedia) this is only her fourth ever stage appearance, particularly when she’s doing Shirley ‘doing’ the voices of the other characters with rather more technique than the average Merseyside housewife.
Shirley Valentine continues - in repertoire with Educating Rita the other, better, show in the 'Willy Russell Season' at the Menier until 8 May 2010 with performance times Tuesday to Sunday at 8pm and matinees on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 3.30pm when you can always see both shows on the same day. Tickets are £20-25 or £15 for midweek matinees and the unusually helpful box office is on 020 7907 7060 although there's a £2 transaction fee for phone bookings, or online here.
|
| |
|
|
Click image for larger version.
Well, we've had some absolute corkers in this series but nothing quite as fancy as this map by artist Alexander 6 (that may not be his real surname). The extra flair is appropriate given Mayfair's superior-than-thou graces. In the artist's own words: "It's a super-swanky map of Mayfair and all of the area's ridiculously over-priced luxury stuff... hand-drawn with pen and ink, with gold detailing."
You can view more of Alexander's work here.
We're still after further instalments in the series. Whether you command the draughtsmanship of Alexander, or have the pen skills of a four-year-old we'd love to see (and share) your efforts. So doodle up your own neighbourhood, with all your favourite pubs, restaurants, secrets and other highlights, and send a pic to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Previously: Hampstead Heath, Notting Hill, King's Cross and Islington, Stoke Newington, central London, New Cross.
|
|
|
 If you're in the Peckham area this lunchtime from 12:00 - or able to jump on a train down there from London Bridge - then you're in luck. Follow the scent of sizzling beef into an industrial car park, to find the Meat Wagon. One of London's, nay the world's best burgers awaits you.
It's not a pop-up restaurant as such (it's a van) but Yanni only appears here sporadically, when he's not busy with other catering work and releases dates via his website or Twitter. The burgers are astoundingly good - particularly the bacon cheeseburger. He slow roasts a ham hock the night before, and then shreds it up to make a patty that goes on top of the burger. The burger itself is 100% beef, well seasoned and fried up fresh before your eyes, four orders at a time. The cheese is a closely-guarded secret but it's definitely not cheddar.
If the Philly Cheese steak is on, then it's highly recommended. Go hungry. Bring a friend. Order everything on the menu. Roll back to the station. Start planning your next trip.
The Meat Wagon, Print Village, Chadwick Road, SE15 4PU. Open from 12:00 until they sell out.
|
| |
| |
|
|
Bloggers Hollow Legs and The Deptford Dame might have beaten us to the bubble tea with their reviews, but Londonist is still intent to share our two fish balls of an opinion about Panda Panda, a newbie “oriental sandwich bar” in Deptford.
With a menu inspired by the street food of Hong Kong and Saigon as well as a helping hand from his auntie (of Sandwichist beloved and sadly now closed Baguette + More in Greenwich), owner Van Ie has set out to wow Southeast Londoners (and perhaps the world) with his self-described “Vietnamese style Subway” sandwiches. It's been awhile since Londonist ate at a Subway franchise but as we recollect that experience, we think Van might be underestimating his bánh ḿ sandwiches. We also think he's onto something deliciously brilliant.
During our Wednesday night visit, Panda Panda was slammed with a walk-in request for 29 sarnies. Apparently, some local blokes had mates in town from Birmingham and just had to show off their favourite grub to their friends. The orders were competently (and fairly quickly) filled, allowing Londonist a glimpse at how Panda Panda has been able to build a loyal following since opening less than two months ago as well as at the efficient running of its tiny kitchen.
While admiring this popular and speedy operation, Londonist sampled a variety of Panda Panda treats. Everything was reasonably priced, ample and especially tasty. Freshly wrapped summer rolls (£2.95), noodles with grilled pork (£3.45), curry fish ball sticks with chilli sauce (£1.45), mango sago pudding (£2.45) and tofu-fa (£1.95) were all wonderful, as was the refreshing rainbow tea (che ba mau - £2.95) we slurped down. However, Panda Panda's bánh ḿ are what pleased our palettes the most. Made with freshly baked and crisply toasted baguettes and priced between £2.95 and £3.95, they were as filling and as yummy a meal as we've yet to discover in London. We suspect we'll be back soon for another “A1” (rolled pork and Viet ham with mayo, pate, chilli, carrots, cucumber, coriander, salt and pepper and soya sauce). Although, the “A5” Panda Panda Special (chicken and pork with mayo, chilli, carrots, coriander, spring onion, oil, peanuts and fish sauce) is equally alluring.
Panda Panda is located 8 Deptford Broadway (SE8 4PA). Peruse their menu of baguettes, snacks, desserts and range of hot and cold drinks (and have a look at their delightful thumbs-up panda logo) at www.panda-panda.co.uk.
|
|
|
A number of apocalyptically-inspired bits of public art, in the form of miniature mushroom clouds, have sprouted up around Shoreditch and Spitalfields in recent weeks. As the pics above show, we've spotted them on Shoreditch High Street, at Old Street roundabout, and on Brick Lane.
Are they part of a new street art project? A marketing scheme by some cynical brand management company? Or harbingers of the impending atomic apocalypse?
We don't know. But someone out there probably does. Any suggestions, ideas, wild guesses, or outlandish theories -- drop us a note in the comments.
Edit: As several have pointed out on Twitter, they're probably just regular mushrooms, not mushroom clouds. Put it down to Londonist's ongoing obsession with Dr. Strangelove.
|
|
|
The week's most popular posts, and a round-up of good London stuff.
In the news:
See the News category for more
Other good stuff:
See the Arts & Events and Food & Drink categories for more
Comment of the week:
On Anish Kapoor's Towering Olympic Sculpture Revealed:
It looks tantalisingly easy to climb... Which I WILL try
We look forward to it, Oliver Amoros!
|
|
|
