When the St James Theatre announced it would be running without an Artistic
Director, I couldn't help but be cynical about the claim that they wanted to work
with lots of different producers for purely creative reasons; in the case of
Sideways, it feels suspiciously like the show was programmed by the
California Tourist Board, whose ads cover every surface of the hotel-like lobby and
various video screens, while brochures get handed out by the ushers after the
performance. Rex Pickett adapts his own novel about CaliforniaCOME TO CALIFORNIAwine
country and David Grindley has staged it with Daniel Weyman as Miles, the failed
writer and relentless wine pseud, who's about to be best man at his friend's
wedding. It may be Jack's (Simon Harrison) stag do, but Miles has actually chosen his own
favourite activity, and is taking Jack on a wine tasting tour.
