Page 79 - ASMF Marriner 100 Coverage Book

Only a fool would make too many predictions about what will happen to the world at

large over the next 12 months. Recent history is clear on that. On stage, however, we’d like to

think we’re on safer ground. The comedian Rhod Gilbert, say, is about to launch a tour that is

booking till the end of 2025, while Romesh Ranganathan and Bill Bailey will be filling arenas.

Meanwhile Sheridan Smith, Ian McKellen and Imelda Staunton are back on stage; one of the

best new West End musicals of the past few years is setting off on tour; Mark Elder is saying

goodbye to the Halle Orchestra after 25 years; Karl Marx is getting his own comic opera in
Scotland and Carmen will be everywhere, both as an opera and a ballet. It’s nice to know there

are some things in life for which you can start planning.

Here our critics pick the best cultural events of the year ahead. Let us know in the comments

below which shows you’re most looking forward to.

Theatre

Just for One Day

It was the day when rock’n’roll multimillionaires gathered in the name of famine relief. In this

new musical from John O’Farrell, the man behind the West End incarnation of Mrs Doubtfire,

the songs of Queen, David Bowie and co are woven into the story of how the Live Aid concert

at Wembley Stadium in 1985 changed the face of charity fundraising.

Old Vic, London SE1, Jan 26-Mar 30; oldvictheatre.com

Nye

The ever-versatile Michael Sheen, a proud Welshman, takes on the role of Aneurin Bevan, the

left-wing MP from the valleys who oversaw the creation of the NHS. Tim Price’s play finds the

ageing Labour Party stalwart reflecting on his life in the front line of politics as the shadows

close in.
Olivier, National Theatre, London SE1, Feb 24-May 11; nationaltheatre.org.uk

The Lonely Londoners

It’s been more than 60 years since the Trinidad-born novelist Sam Selvon published his classic