Pop Culture Advent 2023 – Door 24
2024 look ahead
Ah we made it! 24 days of Pop Culture. As is tradition (can you call something a tradition if it’s only been happening for 2 years?), Door 24 is a look ahead to the following year. Here’s some cultural stuff I’m looking forward to:
Spirited Away stage show
I fell in love with Miyazaki films when I saw Spirited Away as surprise film screening at the Edinburgh Film Festival many years ago, and have been a Studio Ghibli fan ever since. I’m delighted that their films are being adapted for stage. I was lucky enough to see The Barbican’s production of My Neighbour Totoro, which was amazing, and probably going to top my 2023 theatre list. So I’m delighted that the Spirited Away stage show is coming to London in 2024. It was a hit in Tokyo and comes to London for a limited season from April. More information can be found here.
Andrew Scott as Ripley on Neflix
The 1999 film of Talented Mr Ripley with Jude Law and Matt Damon, is one of my favourite dark and twisty films, so i’m curious to see where this Netflix adaption (called Ripley) goes. But it stars everyone’s favourite Hot Priest, Andrew Scott, so I’ve no doubt it’ll be worth a watch. Ripley has support from Johnny Flynn and Dakota Fanning. Released date in 2024 tbd.
House of Flame and Shadow — Sarah J Maas
I mentioned earlier this month, how my pal Charlie introduced me to the world of Sarah J Maas. Having read the A Court of Thorns and Roses Series, I’m just making a start on the Crescent City series. Two books have been published (House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath)with the next in the series, House of Flame and Shadow, being published on 30th January. I want to avoid spoilers, so don’t know too much about it. But I have been assured that this is a hugely anticipated release.
Wicked Part 1
The musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz comes to the big screen. Starring Ariana Grande as Galinda, the good witch of the North, and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the wicked witch of the West, Wicked is a screen adaption of the Broadway and West End hit. Also starring Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey as love interest Boq and Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, the film will be split into two parts. Part 1 comes in November 2024, with part 2 TBD.
Succession’s Sarah Snook plays all of the parts in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
I can’t believe I made it 24 days before I was able to fit in a mention of Succession. That finale was easily one of the televisual events of the year. However, fans of the cast will be able to enjoy a few of it’s stars in the west end in the upcoming months. Harriet Walter is currently at The National in the House of Bernarda Alba, Brian Cox will be seen in Long Day’s Journey Into Night in March, and Sarah Snook will be performing a one woman version of The Picture of Dorian Gray from February. I have tickets to see the latter and I’m fascinated about how it’s going to work. Snook has performed the show previously and it promises to be one of the theatrical events of the year.
Poor Things
One of my deep frustrations is that big Oscar films are released before Christmas in the US, but here in the UK, we often have to wait until the New Year. I’ve been hearing about Poor Things for a while, and I’m itching to see it. Based on the novel by Scottish writer Alistair Gray, Poor Things stars Emma Stone as Bella Baxter, a young victorian woman who is brought back to life after commiting suicide, by a scientist called Dr Goodwin Baxter. (Willlem Defoe). Also starring Mark Ruffalo, it looks absolutely bonkers and i’m totally here for it. Due out January 12th.
And that’s it! Thank you so much for reading. Thanks also to David, Charlie, Louise, Mohammed, Lorna, Vicky, Hazel, Juli, and Stu for their contributions. And mega thanks to David for the proof reading! Stay tuned for end of year lists on my favourite plays and favourite films of 2023.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas! xxx