After well-recieved runs at both the White Bear and Oval House, Daniel Reitz’s play, Studies for a Portrait,  about a dying artist caught in a web of emotional intrigue (three men vying for his affections, art and fortune-hmmm), lands at the King’s Head Theatre with a n all new cast. The eight week run debuted March 30th and will run through May 23rd.

Julian Barker, who is perhaps one of the most acclaimed American artists of all time (alongside the likes of Andy Warhol), has only months to live as pancreatic cancer is ravaging his body. As the news of his imminent demise spreads, he retreats to East Hampton to die an artists death. Chad, Julian’s much younger partner, is set to become the prime beneficiary of his extremely valuable legacy of iconic works. But Marcus, Julian’s former lover, is determined to stake his claim and re-enters the picture.  And last but not least enters Chad’s 23-year-old underwear-model boyfriend, Justin, who intervenes with his own agenda.

Is there anything better than spending your evening watching a cat fight unfold? I think not.

Other ideas for you Culturati’s out there.

Matthew Bourne’s legendary all-male Swan Lake is back in London – but only until January 24, and this production, at Sadler’s Wells, has been garnering reviews to equal – or better, those it received at its premiere there in 1995.
 
The longest running ballet in the history of the West End or Broadway, Bourne’s Swan Lake is based loosely on the romantic Russian original, including its Tchaikovsky music and plot outline, but with stylistic inspiration from Hitchcock’s The Birds, and most startlingly of all, with the traditional female corps de ballet replaced with a menacing male ensemble. At its Broadway premiere, Time Out New York called it “a miracle”.
 
Touring companies have played to sold-out houses throughout the world, earning Bourne’s work over 30 international theatre awards, including three Tonys, but now it’s back where it all began, and with extravagant, award-winning designs by Lez Brotherston.
 
“The impact of this vibrant staging is undiminished; if anything it’s even stronger” (The Times).
 
“As bold and beautiful as ever” (Daily Telegraph).
 
“The most successful modern ballet yet made. This Swan is as powerful as ever” (Daily Express).
 
 
www.sadlerswells.com

David Mills brings his outrageous, on-the-knuckle humour to the revered Royal Vauxhall Tavern this Friday, 18th December in Christmas Inferno, his unique ode to the festive season.

David’s Vegas-inspired Christmas variety spectacular will see festive songs, magical stories with a showbiz twist, musical numbers, alongside special guests including some of London’s top cabaret entertainers. Plus, Mary J. Blige with the Vienna Boys Choir. Whether it’s THE Mary J. Blige…!

California native and London stalwart, David Mills has become one of the best regarded comedians on the London circuit, and Christmas Inferno promises to bring the house down. Not literally, we hope.

Ticket: £5
Doors: 8.30pm
Show: 9.30pm

Royal Vauxhall Tavern
372 Kennington Lane,
Vauxhall,
SE11 5HY
+44 (0)20 7820 1222
www.rvt.org.uk