Film: Searching For Sugar Man
As uplifting a tale as you’re likely to see, and all the more astounding because it is true.
Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez was tipped to be the next Dylan back in the Seventies, his albums stiffed in the US, though, but found platinum success in South Africa (unbeknown to him), where two fans set out to find their hero.
Starring: Sixto Rodriguez | 12A | 92mins
On general release July 26
Film: The Main Inside
Ashley ‘Bashy’ Thomas stars as a young boxer struggling to find his path in life, his destiny haunted by an abusive father whose shadow hangs heavy as he fights for his own life.
Co-starring Peter Mullan (excellent in Paddy Considine’s directorial debut Tyrannosaur last year), and former EastEnder Michelle Ryan, this looks a worthy new urban-Brit-drama.
On general release July 27
Film: The Dark Knight Rises
The movie event of the year has a lot to live up to. It’s predecessor, The Dark Knight, was the highest grossing movie of 2008, and was as critically lauded as it was financially successful. Does Nolan pull off his third and final bat-film?
It’s as epic a conclusion as you might expect, a tale of caped-crusader redemption – in more ways than one – and of a city, and culture, under siege. New villain Bane (Hardy), a muscled, masked adversary who outguns his Bat-foe (in one bone- crunching encounter especially), leads an uprising against Gotham’s privileged elite, this nihilistic showdown forcing Batman out of retirement.
Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman | 12A | 165mins
Out now
Comedy: Eddie Izzard – Work In Progress
Ahead of his new arena tour next year, Izzard road tests some new ideas and material at this run of intimate Soho shows. So to see one of the world’s finest, most popular comedians in a low- key venue, get yourself down.
It’ll be a damn sight more personal than straining your eyes to see him on the stage at the O2 next May.
Soho Theatre
21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE. Until Aug 11. £15
Tube | Oxford Circus
sohotheatre.com
Exhibition: The Tanks
The Tate Modern’s latest endeavour is the opening of this new Tanks space, an industrial exhibition venue comprising three massive oil drums, used for, firstly, this festival of live art, performance, installation and film. It’s opened with, among other events, a special commission by Korean artist Sung Hwan Kim.
Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG
July 18-Oct 28. Free
Tube | Blackfriars
tate.org.uk
Theatre: A Doll’s House
Young Vic associate director Carrie Cracknell elicits a mesmerising performance from Hattie Morahan in Simon Stephen’s convincing new version of Ibsen’s 1879 classic, about mother and wife Nora, who has been hiding a secret from her husband that is now under threat of being exposed.
Young Vic
The Cut, SE1 8LZ. Until Aug 4. £10+
Tube | Waterloo | youngvic.org
Theatre: Mack and Mabel
The book is as unsatisfactory as the on-off love affair between movie director Mack Sennet and his one-time leading lady Mabel Normand, but the songs, the staging and the choreography in this tweaked version of Jerry Herman’s 1974 fact-based musical could hardly be bettered. A classy production.
Southwark Playhouse, Shipwright Yard, SE1 2TF
Until Aug 25. £10+
Tube | London Bridge
southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Photos: Johan Persson
