Cultural Life: John Wilson, Conductor

John Wilson

Theatre 'Lend Me a Tenor' at London's Gielgud Theatre. It's hilarious from start to finish. Just what a musical comedy should be. Stunning score and terrific performances. A real shame that it closed so soon because nobody went to see it!

Music I am currently learning "Harmonielehre" by John Adams, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, which I will perform with Andrew Haveron at a concert in Dublin, the Gershwin Piano Concerto, which I will perform with Artur Pizarro, and Vaughan Williams's 2nd Symphony. Plus, I am also preparing the music for the 'Hooray for Hollywood' tour, with the John Wilson Orchestra, next week.

Books 'Weekend Wodehouse' by P G Wodehouse is the most finely crafted prose I know. Had me laughing out loud on the Tube. 'Just My Type' is a fascinating guide to the importance of design and typefaces. Richard Morrison's 'Orchestra: The LSO – a Century of Triumph and Turbulence' is a gripping history of the LSO. I loved this book. I am fascinated by the history of English music making. This book is a triumphant story of the LSO's survival and the mighty figures who have populated the landscape of the orchestra from Elgar onwards.

Films At the moment I watch a lot of films, mainly on DVD as I can take them on the road with me. 'Best in Show' (below) is about a dog show (definitely one of the funniest things I have ever seen), 'Summer Heights High' (violently funny), 'The Complete Tales of the Unexpected' (a nostalgia trip). Next batch includes: 'Hot Fuzz', 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', 'They Shoot Horses, Don't They?' and the first series of 'Family Guy'.

'That's Entertainment: A Celebration of the MGM Film Musical' is out now on EMI Classics. The John Wilson Orchestra tours from Monday. For information and tickets, www.johnwilsonorchestra.com