Cheryl Cole Jingles Bells; Pop Cabaret: London Weekend
Will Young sparkles in Cabaret.
The platinum-selling performer runs around in leather shorts and sock suspenders in Rufus Norriss revisiting of the musical. Mein Gott, shes so hot! he cheers at the sight of his sidekick Sally Bowles (Michelle Ryan), who wears bondage- style corsets. He then trundles on in a velvet fatsuit for a rendition of Money Makes the World Go Round.
As Sally Bowles, Ryan is more Lily (Allen) than Liza (Minnelli). Sian Phillips easily outsings her as the elderly landlady. Ultimately, though, Young is the shows selling point.
Cabaret ends Jan. 19 at the Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court on the Strand, WC2R 0ET. Information: http://www.atgtickets.com or +44-844-871-7615.
The River Restaurant at the Savoy is often overshadowed by the hotels grill room, run by Gordon Ramsay. The River is more sedate, with fine Thames views, formal service and a menu thats classic, not old-fashioned. It isnt as expensive as it looks. The pre-theater menu is 24 pounds ($38.50) for two courses and 27.50 pounds for three. Information: http://bit.ly/NwBT5i or +44-20-7836-4343.
Saturday
The sculptures parked on Trafalgar Squares empty plinth have all been brought under one roof -- in miniature form.
Artworks commissioned for the Fourth Plinth are on display in a well-presented show at the nearby Institute of Contemporary Arts. Theres Marc Quinns marble likeness of Alison Lapper, the Yinka Shonibare bottled ship with batik sales, and the blue rooster ! (Hahn/Cock) by Katharina Frisch that goes up next year. Theres also the standout that never made it on: Jeremy Dellers carcass of a car blown up in Baghdad after the 2003 Iraq war.
An empty plinth symbolizes Antony Gormleys One & Other, in which he invited a different person to stand on the plinth every hour for 100 days. Youll see a selection of loopy participants on a plasma screen, including a male nudist, who flashes by pretty quickly.
Fourth Plinth: Contemporary Monument is at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, SW1Y 5AH through Jan. 20. Information: http://www.ica.org.uk or +44-20-7930-3647.
Zedel, a short walk away, is one of Londons most glamorous restaurants, an offshoot of the fabled Wolseley. Prices are surprisingly low. Most starters cost less than five pounds, while the set menu is 8.75 pounds for two courses and 11.25 pounds for three. If you want a quiet drink, the Bar Americain is extremely elegant. Classic cocktails are 9.75 pounds. Information: http://www.brasseriezedel.com/ or +44-20-7734-4888.
This is also the debut weekend of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, that towering yearly gift from Norway to thank Britain for hosting the Norwegian government-in-exile during World War II. See it lit at night. Information: http://www.london.gov.uk.
Saturday Night
Bruno Mars, Cheryl Cole, JLS, th! e Script ! and Rizzle Kicks start the Christmas party on Saturday. Calvin Harris, Girls Aloud and Pink keep it going Sunday. This collection of pop stars will congregate at the O2 for the annual Jingle Bell Ball.
Those unable to get to the O2 can tune in to Capital FM, which is organizing the show. (Bloomberg critic Robert Heller will be there to report on the highlights and lowlights, and party with the teen bands so you dont have to.)
The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX. Information: +44-20-8463-2000 or http://www.capitalfm.com/jingle-bell-ball, http://www.theo2.co.uk.
Sunday
Looking for a fancy turban, an ethical T-shirt, or a subtle seascape to give a loved one? Try the Angel Christmas Fair.
Held just off the main drag in fashionable Islington, the event offers affordable, cutting-edge art and design, and everything is handmade. Its run by the Candid Arts Trust, whose mission is to promote graduate artists and designers.
A highlight of this years fair: jewelry -- made of precious metals, or of unwanted trinkets passed down over many generations.
The Angel Christmas Fair is free, and runs all weekend (starting Friday night). Its at 3 Torrens Street, EC1V 1NQ. Information: http://www.candidarts.net.
Star soprano Renee Fleming rounds off the weekend with a recital of music by Mahler and Schoenberg.
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8BS. Information: +44-7638-8891, http://www.barbican.org.uk.
(Farah Nayeri writes for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are her own.)
Muse highlights include Scott Reyburn on the art market, Jason Harper on cars and Rich Jaroslovsky on tech.
To contact the writers on this story: Farah Nayeri in London at farahn@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
'Hahn/Cock'
"Hahn/Cock," a blue rooster sculpture by Katharina Fritsch that will occupy the plinth in Trafalgar Square next year. The maquette is on exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.
"Hahn/Cock," a blue rooster sculpture by Katharina Fritsch that will occupy the plinth in Trafalgar Square next year. The maquette is on exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Photographer: Farah Nayeri/Bloomberg
'Alison Lapper Pregnant'
An installation view of "Alison Lapper Pregnant" by Marc Quinn, which occupied the plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2005. The maquette is on exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.
An installation view of "Alison Lapper Pregnant" by Marc Quinn, which occupied the plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2005. The maquette is on exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Photographer: Farah Nayeri/Bloomberg
Sally Ayling Necklace
Candid Arts Trust via Bloomberg
Tin bird necklace by Sally Ayling, made with silver, found metal and plywood. The item will be on sale at the Angel Christmas Fair in London on Dec. 7 to 9.
Tin bird necklace by Sally Ayling, made with silver, found metal and plywood. The item will be on sale at the Angel Christmas Fair in London on Dec. 7 to 9. Source: Candid Arts Trust via Bloomberg
A ceramic light designed by Claire Bevacqua. The object will be on sale among other handmade art and design items at the Angel Christmas Fair in London, Dec. 7-9. Source: Candid Arts Trust via Bloomberg
'The Spoils of War'
James O'Jenkins/ICA via Bloomberg
"The Spoils of War (Memorial for an Unknown Civilian)," (2007) by Jeremy Deller. The maquette represents the carcass of a bombed-out Baghdad car that Deller proposed as a sculpture to occupy the plinth in Trafalgar Square.
"The Spoils of War (Memorial for an Unknown Civilian)," (2007) by Jeremy Dell! er. The m! aquette represents the carcass of a bombed-out Baghdad car that Deller proposed as a sculpture to occupy the plinth in Trafalgar Square. Photographer: James O'Jenkins/ICA via Bloomberg
Brasserie Zedel
David Loftus/Rex Restaurants via Bloomberg
The lobby of Brasserie Zedel in London may look familiar to fans of the Atlantic Bar & Grill, which occupied the space in the 1990s. The new owners are restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King.
The lobby of Brasserie Zedel in London may look familiar to fans of the Atlantic Bar & Grill, which occupied the space in the 1990s. The new owners are restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King. Photographer: David Loftus/Rex Restaurants via Bloomberg
'Cabaret'
Keith Pattison/Target Live PR via Bloomberg
Will Young as the Emcee in "Cabaret" by Kander and Ebb at the Savoy Theatre. Young shot to fame a decade ago by winning the TV talent contest Po! p Idol.
Will Young as the Emcee in "Cabaret" by Kander and Ebb at the Savoy Theatre. Young shot to fame a decade ago by winning the TV talent contest Pop Idol. Photographer: Keith Pattison/Target Live PR via Bloomberg
'Cabaret'
Keith Pattison/Target Live PR via Bloomberg
Will Young, center, as the Emcee with the company in "Cabaret." The musical is set during the rise of Nazism in Germany.
Will Young, center, as the Emcee with the company in "Cabaret." The musical is set during the rise of Nazism in Germany. Photographer: Keith Pattison/Target Live PR via Bloomberg
'Cabaret'
Keith Pattison/Target Live PR via Bloomberg
Matt Rawle, Linal Haft, Sian Phillips and Michelle Ryan in "Cabaret" by Kander and Ebb at the Savoy Theatre. Fraulein Schneider is given a glass bowl to celebrate her forthcoming wedding.
Matt Rawle, Linal Haft, Sian Phillips and Michelle Ryan in "Cabar! et" by Ka! nder and Ebb at the Savoy Theatre. Fraulein Schneider is given a glass bowl to celebrate her forthcoming wedding. Photographer: Keith Pattison/Target Live PR via Bloomberg