Open Air - An amphitheatre is being planned in north London on the site where a 16th century theatre that hosted the premiere of Henry V used to exist. The remains of the Curtain Theatre - which was the base for the Lord Chamberlain's Men before they moved to the Globe on Bankside - were discovered last year during an archaeological dig. Following this revelation, the site's developer now wants to build a 250-seat open-air theatre with an accompanying underground museum and exhibition space. There are plans for the performance space to be used as part of education programmes with schools. The developer is also in talks with Shakespeare's Globe to collaborate on creating a programme for the space.
Rumours Confirmed - Fleetwood Mac are set to perform new material on their forthcoming world tour, Mick Fleetwood has revealed. Speaking to BBC 6 Music, the drummer said the band had written three new songs, which they plan to play on stage this year. He added the songs would be released online and hinted the recordings could be part of "a long-term plan" to release a new studio album. Fleetwood Mac announced details of their tour last week. Beginning in April with 34 dates in the US, it will move over to Europe in the summer and the UK in September and October.
Blue Plaque - German composer Felix Mendelssohn has been commemorated with an English Heritage blue plaque in London. It has been placed at the Grade II listed 4 Hobart Place, where the pianist stayed in on numerous visits to London at the height of his fame. The popular Romantic era musician was a favourite of Queen Victoria.
London Calling - The Evening Standard has won the licence for London's local TV channel. ESTV fought off four other bids to secure the rights to broadcast to about four million homes, the largest reach of all the new local TV services. It is expected London Live will be broadcasting news, current affairs, entertainment, weather and sport on Freeview by the end of the year. Media regulator Ofcom said ESTV's bid showed the greatest understanding of London's diverse communities. Ofcom received 57 bids to run the new US-style local TV stations across the UK.
(Jim Evans)
