Pop Culture Advent 2024

For the past couple of years, I’ve been doing a Pop Culture Advent Calendar. I don’t have time for it this year cos of writing deadlines (which in a year of many rejections - I’m grateful for!), but it does mean I can’t give 24 posts my full attention. Buuuut I do love an end of year Pop Culture list, so will do a few of those throughout December. In the meantime, here’s some thoughts about the Pop Culture I consumed this weekend.

Wicked

“Goooooood News! SHE’s deeeeead”. Ugh it was amazing. I want to see it again immediately. But as this is the busy month, I sadly do not have 2.5 hours to spare. They did a smashing job with it. A year’s wait for Part II feels oh so very far away.

Macbeth

The David Tennant / Cush Jumbo MacBeth. Yes yes yes. I mean, David Tennant can basically do anything. But this is very much an ensemble show. (And Cush Jumbo is an exceptional Lady MacBeth) Very good. Very compelling. Especially as we listen to the whole thing through headphones. Being shown at the cinema next year.

Hook

Not new, but the first time that I’d seen it on the big screen and not at home, since its original release. (Thank you Prince Charles Cinema). There is much lore as to how stressful the making of this was (Julia Roberts was nicknamed “TinkerHell”), but I was just swept up it all. Seeing Maggie Smith & Robin Williams together = perfection.

The Importance of Being Ernest

Everyone here is Very Good, but Sharon D Clarke is exceptional. Though I actually found this a teeny bit too long? (The programme explains how they added back in some of the text that had been cut in Wilde’s time). But still much to enjoy. Running at The National Theatre, and also at the cinema next year.

See you later in the month!