A RUSSIAN speaking theatre group who are putting on an anti-Putin play this weekend have told The Londoner it’s important to tackle “war fatigue” over the invasion of Ukraine. Xameleon Theatre’s new show Anti Gone is a version of Sophocles’ Greek tragedy that emphasises standing up to a despot. The play is on at the Marylebone Theatre for two nights, in Russian with English subtitles.
“We as artists have to keep drawing attention to what’s happening in new ways,” artistic director Vlada Lemeshevska said. The group has struggled to sell as many tickets as usual, and Lemeshevska wondered if this was due to “depression and anxiety” among Russian speakers in the UK, who may not feel it is “appropriate to go to cultural events”. She pointed out that vocal opposition can be difficult for anyone with family in Russia.
Doherty’s memories don’t match his memoir
Louche Libertines frontman Pete Doherty struggled to promote his new memoir at an event in Hackney last night... because he hasn’t read it. Interviewer Dave Haslam kept trying to ask Doherty about scenes in the ghosted tome, before the singer countered with different versions of events. The book was written via phone conversation during lockdown. Doherty said one day he would “write my own book”, claiming many of the best bits “got taken out” of this one. Given that he hasn’t looked inside it, how he knows that isn’t clear.
Has Prince Andrew cracked social burnout?
Private Eye editor Ian Hislop joked that he’d invited Prince Andrew to the Paul Foot journalism award last night but the Prince refused because of “long Covid ... about 20 years, I think”. Hislop suggested royal pariah Andrew, who missed a jubilee event after a suspiciously well-timed positive test, could invest in a kit with two red lines already drawn on to excuse him from engagements. Could be useful for many of us.
Actor Sophie Winkleman joined model Ikram Abdi Omar and presenter Lilah Parsons for a sunny first day of Royal Ascot yesterday. ITV’s Charlotte Hawkins joined them at a Ghazal brand lunch, while Maya Jama attended elsewhere. Ex-jockey Colin Brown advised private boxes on the winners beforehand. The Londoner followed his tips, to our regret today.
