SW1Y Area Guide

KillerStar UK album release gig. KillerStar is a new band led by Rob Fleming (vocals, guitar, synths) and James Sedge (drums) together with an array of David Bowie's most trusted collaborators: Mike Garson on piano, Earl Slick and Mark Plati on guitar, Gail Ann Dorsey and Tim Lefebvre on bass, Emm Gryner on backing vocals, and Donny McCaslin on saxophone. KillerStar have crafted a sound which fuses the scale of classic rock with sophisticated harmonies and elements of art rock. Collectively, KillerStar's musicians have contributed to almost every era of Bowie's vast discography, from the landmark Aladdin Sane to the final goodbye of Blackstar. Although, while the KillerStar name references one of Bowie's relatively deeper cuts the album really doesnt feel like an homage to The Thin White Duke. And that's simply because it was never intended to be one. Rob and James had recorded the first KillerStar demos independently, without any advance planning on who else would be involved. Earl Slick says, Since Bowie died, weve all gone off in different directions, but with this album we worked on new material and that was great. As youll hear on KillerStar's eponymously named album, there are fleeting touches that recall classic Bowie moments, but really this is something altogether new and exciting. Bowie chose these musicians for their unique style and ability, and that is what they have brought to the record: reunited friends and some new connections, all playing to complement the songwriting rather than to retread the iconic music they created alongside their visionary former leader. As Emm Gryner considers, The Bowie alumni have a very special bond and we always will. David united us in a truly special way, where we spent a lot of time together, and to be able to hear each other again in this way was unique. I am sure David would have loved this album.

★★★Bill Bailey is the Official Patron of the WeGotTickets Musical Comedy Awards★★★ Now in its 18th year, the WeGotTickets Musical Comedy Awards is an annual competition to support, promote, expose and celebrate the best emerging musical comedians in the UK. If you are a fan of musical comedy acts such as Tim Minchin, Flight of the Conchords and Bill Bailey, you'll love this show! Over the years, the MCAs have provided a launch pad to now established and emerging stars of the genre such as Frisky and Mannish (2009 Finalists), Abandoman (2010 winners), Rachel Parris (Runner Up 2012 and star of the Mash Report), Mae Martin, Jazz Emu and many more. The MCA has created a thriving independent platform to celebrate the artform that is musical comedy. Other acts that have featured as headliners in our shows include DAVID O' DOHERTY, BO BURNHAM, JAYDE ADAMS, RUBBERBANDITS, MITCH BENN, JAY FOREMAN, PIPPA EVANS, TOM BASDEN, ISY SUTTIE, GINGER & BLACK, EARL OKIN, WILSON DIXON, JO NEARY, MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER, SARAH-LOUISE YOUNG, ADAMS & REA and many more. So the eighteenth MCA begins! The top 40 musical comedy acts will be selected from online entries and will then battle it out in the heats at the Phoenix through to the Final at the Bloomsbury on April 10th. Come along for amazing Saturday afternoons of musical comedy entertainment and vote for your favourite acts to progress through to the next round! Headlining Semi-Final one is the legendary Mitch Benn! MITCH BENN is not only one of the most sought-after acts on the comedy circuit but is widely acknowledged as one of the best writer/performers of comic songs in the country. On TV, Mitch appeared regularly on BBC1's "The One Show" as the writer and arranger of "The Complaints Choir". Mitch contributes occasional songs to Channel 4's "Bremner Bird And Fortune". He has also appeared on "The Last Word" for More4, "Gas" for Channel 4, "Live at Jongleurs", "The Warehouse" and "Today With Des & Mel" for ITV, "The Comedy Store" for Channel 5, "The World Stands Up" for Paramount and "Raymaan Is Laat" for Dutch TV. 'Held the audience totally captivated' ★★★★★ (ThreeWeeks). 'Anyone who likes music, hates Simon Cowell and likes learning new things will love it' ★★★★ (Chortle.co.uk).

Operation Mincemeat is the 2024 Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical. It’s London’s biggest hit with 77 Five-Star reviews making it the best-reviewed show in West End history. Now also a Tony-nominated Best Musical on Broadway! The year is 1943 and right now we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse. Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II. Bursting at the seams with the kind of chaos you couldn’t invent, the question is: how did a dead body, a fake love letter, and – of all people – Ian Fleming come together to wrong-foot Hitler?

AEG Presents Emeree Plus special guests EMEREE is an Australian-born R&B & Soul artist, songwriter, and producer known for her warm and emotionally precise approach to both songwriting and production. Her work prioritises clarity, restraint, and human connection - making her a natural creative partner for artists building timeless, soul-led records. Presented by AEG. This is an 18+ event

Tigerslane Studios, renowned for its captivating true-crime productions, is thrilled to announce the launch of the new season of ‘Murder Trial Tonight – The Doorstep Case.’ A West-End production touring the UK & Ireland with glowing 5-star reviews. This unique theatrical experience brings true-crime stories to life. In the third season, a mother returns home in the early hours of the morning after a night out celebrating her birthday, only to find her daughter murdered on her doorstep. The boyfriend of the daughter has been charged with the murder. Is he guilty, or is the killer still at large? The story begins on screen, giving the audience the backdrop and opening to the true-crime story. Then, the action moves to the stage for a live murder trial, immersing the audience in a fast-paced courtroom experience. As members of the jury, the audience plays a crucial role in this thrilling murder mystery. Both the prosecution and defence present their cases, cross-examine witnesses, and at the end of the show, the audience deliberates and delivers their verdict: guilty or not guilty. The production then returns to the screen where it is revealed what really happened in the true case. Question is – did you deliver the correct verdict?

From the BAFTA Award-winning co-creator of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, Jonathan Lynn, comes the long-awaited final chapter of British political satire - and it is as cunning, cutting, and catastrophically funny as ever. Jim Hacker is back - older, but perhaps not wiser, and still utterly baffled by the real world. Hoping for a quiet retirement at the tranquil Hacker College, Oxford, Jim instead finds himself facing the ultimate modern crisis: cancelled by the college committee. Enter the delightfully devious Sir Humphrey Appleby who has lost none of his love for bureaucracy, Latin phrases, and well-timed obstruction. Can Humphrey outmanoeuvre the meddling students, the Fellowship, and reality itself? Or is it finally time to say, "I’m Sorry, Prime Minister..."? Brimming with razor-sharp wit, nostalgic brilliance, and more double-speak than a press briefing, this is political comedy at its most timeless - and timely. Book now for a night of laughter, legacy, and one last glorious round of red tape, I’m Sorry, Prime Minister.