THIS IS LONDON SEPTEMBER EDITION 2025 copy - Flipbook - Page 24
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Glyndebourne Festival 2023.
TURNAGE’S THE RAILWAY
CHILDREN
This autumn, Glyndebourne is to
present the world premiere of The Railway
Children, a new opera by composer
Mark-Anthony Turnage with a libretto by
Rachael Hewer. After opening in East
Sussex, the production will travel to
London for a one-night-only performance
at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank
Centre, on 8 November 18:30.
Based on Edith Nesbit’s beloved 1905
novel, The Railway Children has been
reimagined through a contemporary lens.
Turnage and Hewer conceived the piece
during the 2020 lockdowns, choosing to
shift the story’s Edwardian setting into the
Cold War era. The opera explores the
mysterious imprisonment of the children’s
father, while giving greater prominence to
the mother’s determination to uncover the
truth and reunite her family. Espionage,
suspense, and heightened drama drive the
narrative, with Turnage’s score weaving in
influences from ‘spy music’ alongside
more lyrical passages.
The London performance will be
presented as a staged concert, with the
Glyndebourne Sinfonia, Glyndebourne
Chorus, and a cast of rising operatic
talent. For opera lovers in the capital,
The Railway Children offers a rare
opportunity to experience this new work
first-hand.
Photo: Tristram Kenton
THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE
GALAXY COMING TO LONDON
The eccentric world of Douglas
Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the
Galaxy will be landing in London later
this year as an all new live show, based
on the treasured novels and the film by
Touchstone Pictures.
Re-immerse yourself in the brilliantly
absurdist adventure with Arthur Dent,
Trillian, Fenchurch, Zaphod Beeblebrox
and Marvin the Paranoid Android as you
embark on an infinitely improbable
madcap journey around the galaxy. The
show is created by award-winning writer,
producer and protégé of Douglas
Adams, Arvind Ethan David and Emmy
Award-winning stage designer Jason
Ardizzone-West.
Co-creator, writer and producer Arvind
Ethan David said: ‘The Hitchhiker's Guide
to the Galaxy is one of the most influential
stories ever told. It’s a satire, a comedy, a
science-fiction epic, a work of philosophy
and so much else. Douglas Adams, who I
was honoured to have as a mentor,
predicted the world we live in now, with its
social media gone mad and extinction
level threats. Now with a group of world
class story-tellers drawn from the best of
Broadway, the West End and television,
we get to bring HHGG to a new generation
of hitchhikers.’
THE DELAUNAY PRESENTS: AN
EVENING WITH RUSSELL TOVEY
The Delaunay, in partnership with the
Royal Theatrical Fund, will host an
exclusive evening with acclaimed actor
Russell Tovey on Sunday 28 September at
18.30. Part of the venue’s ‘The Delaunay
Presents, An Evening With...’ series, the
event promises an intimate and insightful
conversation celebrating Tovey’s diverse
career in stage and screen.
Hosted by writer and journalist Tim
Wapshott, the discussion will highlight
key moments from Tovey’s acclaimed
roles, including The History Boys, Being
Human, Years and Years, Looking, and
The Pass. Beyond acting, Tovey will share
his passion for the arts, including his
work as co-host of the Talk Art podcast
and his ongoing support for contemporary
artists and emerging talent.
Russell Tovey
The series has previously welcomed
renowned figures such as Sir Ian McKellen,
Michael Sheen, Dame Joanna Lumley,
Sir Derek Jacobi, Brian Cox CBE, Julian
Clary, Charles Dance, Felicity Kendal and
Martin Shaw, continuing The Delaunay’s
tradition of hosting conversations with
prominent personalities from theatre, film,
and the arts. This special evening offers
attendees a unique opportunity to hear
personal stories, career reflections, and
insights into Tovey’s creative journey.
T H I S I S L O N D O N M A G A Z I N E • T H I S I S L O N D O N O N L I N E • w w w. t i l . c o m • @ t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g
