Review: Lion King at the Lyceum

Last night I was delighted to be able to go and see The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.  I had seen this show in Toronto at the age of 14 and remembered how the rumbling roars of lions on stage coupled with the iconic soothing music of Elton John brought me to tears.  In this review, I will outline the differences between both the original film and the Canadian production I have already experienced and then comment upon both my favourite scene and my favourite character.

Being a massive Disney fan, I know the film inside out and can recite all of the lines with ease.  However, due to this I found some aspects of last night’s performance disconcerting, one being the varied British accents for the characters after being used to American/Canadian ones and then the added references to British culture.  For example, Timon’s line upon being informed by Simba that he will need to act as a distraction for the hyenas "What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?” became “What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do a river dance?”  Cue a charming and cleverly choreographed puppetry jig to iconic Irish music that was met with great appluase.

An unsettling addition to the London production was Scar’s sexual advances on Nala as she has grown up after deciding that in order to be a proper King he had to have cubs to ensure the he could be immortal.  This was neither part of the film or the Torontonian adaptation I had seen.  Scar crept his fingers upon Nala’s thigh and then claimed that “One way or another, you will be mine”.  I found this both creepy and wholly inappropriate for an audience of largely children.  However, one could argue that the themes explored throughout the original story present betrayal, a Nazi-like army of assassins in the form of hyenas and murder anyways so why not push the boundary further for an ever evolving and desensitising audience.  The theory of desensitisation posts the idea that media audiences’ reactions are growing weaker according to the level/amount of exposure to violence, sex and death.  Theatres often feel the need to respond to these expectations by creating increased shocking scenes and concepts.  However it was one of the more simple scenes that held my attention most dear.  

Ava Brennan as Nala.  lyceumtheatrelondon.org

My favourite scene by far was ‘They live in you’ from Act I.  This provided Simba’s lesson where Mufasa explained to his son that there was more to being a King then just being brave.  Existentialist concerns were also explored whereby Mufasa explains to Simba that he won’t always be with him in body, but he will always be watching him from the stars for whenever he needs guidance.  Shaun Escoffery's voice was like silk, caressing the audience with his flawless and soothing tones of a song from the second Lion King: Simba’s Pride entitled ‘He Lives in You’.  The set is transformed into a brilliant African landscape throughout and often bathed in gorgeous starlight.  

My favourite character was a welcome female version of Rafiki, an energetic and completely crazy oracle figure who danced around the stage muttering incomprehensible African based speech complete with tongue clicking.  Like our cartoon-based friend, she provided moments of comic genius combined with thought provoking analogies and life lessons. 

Brown Lindiwe Mkhize as Rafiki. http://s3.broadway.com/photos/large/144709.jpg

I think my previous experiences of each version provided me with sometimes unrealistic expectations of how the production would be.  To quote Rafiki, “The past can hurt, but from the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it”.  I feel I have been provided with definite food for thought in summing up all three experiences and would recommend the show for its frantic array of colours, African dancing, and brilliant puppetry ensuring that The Lion King's legacy lives on for years to come.          

   

Nutcracker Nostalgia

Image sourced from ENB: http://www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/nutcracker/

I swear the stage smelt festive.  You know how the lightest fragrance can evoke a memory of a loved one, an event, time or place?  Well for me, ENB successfully bottled Christmas and then proceeded to let the precious elixir spill out on to the stage, filling the nostrils of the audience and creating a hazy Christmas coma.
As the ice-skaters began to glide across the stage with effortless poise and precision, I felt an immense sense of kinaesthetic empathy.  My legs longing to share the sensation of sliding across an ice rink in a heady mixture of adrenalin and freedom- feelings, which I knew too well from learning to ice skate in Canada as an infant.  I was reminded also of the skating scene in the Muppets Christmas Carol as the dancers began to playfully push each other, creating an element of slapstick.
Childhood memories continued to seep through to my conscious like the glitter that fell from the stage’s sky, creating snowflakes and sleepy dust that lulled the audience into a reverie.  Tchaikovsky’s famous score provided a magical backdrop to the gorgeous pointe work of Tamara Rojo, whose delicate movements entranced throughout.  A welcome addition to her sequences came in the form of a children’s choir who weaved harmonies around her pirouettes, whilst adding an extra layer of Christmas tradition to the whole piece.
If you are planning on seeing any performance this festive season, this is the one to see if you want a jaw-dropping showcase of skill, surprise and jovial delight.

Living for the city...the importance of true friends.

No matter where life takes you, don't forget where you came from. -Anon

I have come to realise just how important this is when you move to a big city and undertake what is nowadays considered as a 'proper grown up person job'.  Quick heads up: Office jobs really aren't as scary as they appear to be and just because you throw on a suit everyday doesn't make you some big business entrepreneur who is far more important than anyone else.  Working in Moorgate amongst bankers and men rushing about with briefcases late for their next meeting can feel intimidating though- not gonna lie.  The key is to make it look as though you absolutely know what you're doing and to trick the bankers into thinking that you belong as part of their clan too.  It's a defence mechanism.  Holding a Starbucks cup and checking your watch whilst vaguely looking important helps too!   

I have recently become one of those really irritating people who dons the brightly coloured trainers with suit look on the tube.  Man, I despise myself, but heels in rush hour, yeah, they hurt!  Maybe they're on to something?!  Don't worry though, it's all a game.  Power play and perception.  I feel as though sometimes I'm in my very own version of the Truman Show and that obstacles and events have been placed in my way as a sequence of challenges to test my character and human condition.  I have been lucky enough to have great colleagues who are all lovely and supportive due to belonging to one of the more close knit offices in Moorgate, but the sallow looks on the faces of the people I pass everyday make me feel that my neighbours aren't as lucky.  So how to create a life outside of your work persona?

Easy. Friends. Ahh lovely, loyal friends.             

Last week I was fortunate enough to spend 3 days in a row meeting up with different groups of 'home home' friends and it made me understand just how hard it can be to make such companions in central London.  Do they ever come close to comparing with your high school/uni chums? I'm not so sure.  I mean you get great friends at work but socialising out of work can be tricky, there's the whole awkwardness over the whole add on Facebook thing.  I mean are you really ready for your manager to see what sort of things you get up to?  Or what you may have 'liked' in the past? Probably not the best idea in a professional setting.  Surely that means they can never truly know the real you though?!

Night out with school buddies in London.

Then there's the peril of gym people that insist on befriending you whilst you're in the changing rooms and they're applying talc to awkward places.  I mean where do you look?!  If you only limit yourself to eye contact then it looks as though you're not comfortable with it but look anywhere else and you become a bit of a perv!  Nightmare.  

This is where the whole remembering your beginnings comes into play.  So keep in touch with old pals even if it's just skype and try and meet up with them when you can.  Trust me it does wonders for your sanity.  I am guilty of not doing this enough and know at times I need to make more of an effort. 

You don't want to get stuck in the corporate game.  Make your own rules and be ok with sometimes holding on to your past.  It's fine to want to experience new things and meet new people but just don't underestimate the true power of old friends in a big city.  Loyal friends are hard to come by so keep them close!

Why I'm jobless no more!

Yay I have a job!!  I win.  After months of uncertainty and stresses over money (the credit card has definitely taken a beating), I can finally say I have a 'proper grown up person job'.  I'll be working as of Monday at Mountbatten Institute as an Admissions Officer.  It involves (amongst lots of other things) interviewing applicants to the global exchange programmes and attending recruitment events to promote the courses by giving presentations.  Although it's not technically Dance or Drama related, I know for sure I would not have gained the job without my degree and general university experience. Before going to uni, I had only really had jobs in pubs/bars/restaurants.  Although I gained great experience from these in terms of customer service, my teacher at school told me to go to uni and do things I'd never done before to widen my experience base.  That's what I tried to do.

The best 8 decisions I made during uni that ultimately helped me get a job after it:

• Becoming a social sec for a Sports club-  You'd be amazed at how many transferrable skills you can squeeze out of that and implement into an interview.  Arranging discounts, liaising with night clubs/venues and members to get the best results possible. People person.
• Attending a FREE KU graduate bootcamp-  Drawing on experiences of team building exercises, creating and giving presentations whilst sticking to a strict deadline, CV writing.  I was asked about this day in detail during the interview, it looks great if you've made the effort to try and increase your employability rate.  
• Doing Dance and Drama-  Being able to convincingly fake confidence and keep my cool in the interview helped a lot. 
• Attending a writing course, publishing blogs and articles-  Social networking is more important now than ever before.  Proving you can sell yourself/ get opinions across effectively and with good english looks pretty damn good.  You have to be aware of your audience and show that you can tailor your writing to a varying clientele.  Communication skills. 
• Being a Student Ambassador-  Shows that you can support fellow students and work with lecturers effectively in order to promote your university. 
• Getting a part time Admin job-  Proof that you can use Excel, Word etc and input data effectively and to strict deadlines. 
• Getting LinkedIn-  Do it, do it now.
• Worked hard, played hard-  You are a human being.  My interviewers all asked me about what I do for fun, what I'm passionate about. Ok, so DON'T bring up that as a student you probably got drunk on a regular basis and missed lectures...they already assume that you did that anyways!  DO bring up that you like going out with friends and attending music gigs/poetry readings/cinema nights/whatever it is. It shows that you have a life and are like normal and stuff.   

The purpose of this is not to patronise, it's to reassure you that if you're still on the job hunt, there is hope.  I really thought it was never going to happen, it's so disheartening when you don't hear back from various applications and you feel like you're doing everything you can.  Use a reputable recruitment agency and go and meet them in person, you're more likely to get a job this way, because when they meet you they'll be able to picture you in different roles with ease.
                                       YOU WILL GET A JOB. IT WILL BE OK.
 You've just got to be patient and resilient.  Use experiences you've had and sell them, why were they important/awesome to you or others?  You're going to have way more awesome experience than I have I'm sure, it's just knowing how to sell it! 

Picture sourced:www.alifechangingjourney.com

  

             

Cabin Fever

You've consumed the entire contents of the fridge yet still open it regularly to check that the food fairy hasn't put something delicious in it for you...you would go to the shops to get a sugary snack but the last time you checked your wallet moths flew out in a frenzy.  Carbicide will have to wait for another day.  You can't leave the house simply as you can't afford to.  Doing any form of exercise seems impossible as ripping your eyes away from repeats of Friends is just not going to happen now is it? The classic that is 'Smelly Cat' wraps you in a warm cocoon of comedy.  

Yes.  You've guessed it, like many other students at this time I am stuck at home with my parents. Except, I'm not a student anymore.  It's that horrible gap between being a student and being completely unemployed.  I am on the cusp of graduating and so have gone crazy applying for jobs so I can move back to the big city.  Ahh London how I have missed you.  Your public transport that runs more than once an hour to worthy destinations, your complete and utter disregard for who I am and what I care about.  Letting me be a stranger.  Thank you.

I think the worst thing about my particular cabin fever experience is that my parents currently have the house up for sale so I have this feeling of impending doom that soon I wont really have a normal base. A familiar place to fall back on.  Everyone in the house is at work doing important job things, man, I want one of those.  A real reason to need to get out of bed in the morning.

I am moving in with my boyfriend to Brockley in London on Monday and have just about enough money in my account for two month's rent.  Quite scary knowing I haven't officially got any careers on the horizon as of yet but I am hopeful that I will get one soon.  Just get me out of this house!    

Funemployment?

The sting of my degree finishing and intermittently receiving those all important results has hit me hard.

I have been fortunate enough to complete the best 3 years of my life so far in the form of a Dance and Drama degree at Kingston University.  The blood, sweat and tears have all been worth it in terms of my growth as a person and my achievement of new skills.  The question is, has my particular degree been worth it in terms of now getting a job in the industry?

Now, I knew undertaking a degree in the Arts was a massive risk to take.  It seems almost impossible nowadays to get a job that pays the bills for you doing the thing you truly love, especially if it involves theatrical performance of any kind.  Perhaps I have shot myself in the foot here?!  

Unemployment so far has shown a great drop in my levels of motivation and a huge amount of uncertainty about what my reasons for getting a job may be.  For example, 'Ahh stuff it, should I just try and get a job at Foxtons because I'll get paid a lot?' 'No. Because people who work at Foxtons don't have a soul.'  'Ahh right, back to the drawing board I go then...'

Tell you what else sucks...not being able to tick the box 'Student' and having to move to 'Unemployed' instead, not cool.  Our student card discounts run out soon as well!  Noooo. Now we have to pay full price for stuff and everything.  Also not receieving any more student loan and instead facing the bitter realisation that YES YOU DO have to pay all that back!  Ouch.  Monopoly money no more...

As a graduate, you may find yourself making rash and totally unprovoked and or ill thought out decisions:

'Right!! That's it.  I'm going to Thailand to teach underprivileged children, and they're going to be pleased about it.  I'll probably like be made a head teacher there in the first 3 months...'

*Checks bank balance*

'Maybe I'll go next year instead...?'

Courtesy of : bumbumbee-tira.blogspot.com

I personally feel as though my whole unemployment situation phase is not that much fun at all.  Every time I go out and do something fun or relax, I have this niggling in my brain saying 'Oof you really should be getting on it now.  Get a job, you lazy thing!'  I have developed an actual fear of writing a proper Cv and my eye twitches every time I open up the dreaded document on Word.  I have probably put on what feels like a stone from emotional eating and sitting at the laptop and trawling through possible job options, and to top it off I feel like I don't have a driving force in my life.  A reason for being. 

My dad has told me to enjoy unemployment whilst I can, this is from a man who once held down 5 jobs at the same time when I was growing up to make sure we could like eat and stuff.  The man may have a point, but now that he's retired and finally unemployed he always says he's got to keep himself 'busy and doing little jobs' for fear of the minute that he stops, he dies.  That's what I kind of feel like I think.

I like having a purpose in life and a reason to get out of bed.  I genuinely thrive on challenges and am a competitive and hard working individual who gets a real kick out of getting paid for working hard.  I like to feel that I have earned my money and I am certainly no stranger to a working environment.  I just feel that waitressing/bar work isn't enough of a challenge for me anymore.  I want a job USING my degree please?  Then I promise I will look back at my unemployment phase and agree that it was quite fun after all!!  

  

Close Encounters

Swan Lake in-the-round, Dress Rehearsal

I’m pretty sure I must have had the best seat in the house for Tuesday night’s preview of Swan Lake; front row centre, and immediately next to a thrust of the stage – which provided a main entrance and exit for the dancers.

Photography by Ash
http://www.flickr.com/photos/englishnationalballet/sets/72157633595583731/

However, as I was about to discover, the position of your seat will not prevent your enjoyment of this fantastic performance!  The nature of this particular show being staged in the round means that any member of the audience has the opportunity of being inches away from the action, literally, at any given time.  Being in an aisle seat, I personally had the pleasure of being subjected to very close encounters with the performers.  And when I say close, I mean close.  The seaweed-like tendrils of wrath belonging to James Streeter’s costume, struck me on more than one occasion as he stormed on and off stage.  He played a fearless Rothbart showing an intense purpose which made us all gasp in delight.

This is not the only advantage of the staging.  Deane’s brave choice to use 60 swans for the production means that they flood the misty lake of the stage with ease, their synchronisation and canons meaning that you never miss a movement.  Your eyes take in the ghostly scenes unfolding from the haze; an overall closeness for the entire audience is achieved as their pirouettes and arabesques seem to reach every inch of the stage whilst remaining in perfect line formations.

Intimacy was achieved throughout the performance through the flawless technique showcased by the two principal roles of the evening, Daria Klimentová and Vadim Muntagirov, who personified a powerful chemistry as a duet.  A competitive edge was evident with each of them trying to surpass the efforts of the other during their pas de deux.  This took their already strong characters further, and gave a slight air of a mating ritual that was impossible to ignore.

Aside from the comments of approval that laced the audience as they left the Royal Albert Hall, perhaps the most talked about aspect of the adaptation was the welcome fairy tale ending.   You really must go and see it to believe it, from whichever seat you are sitting in!

ENB Review: Le Jeune Homme et la Mort

English National Ballet have done it again.

As part of the triple bill forming Ecstasy & Death, Roland Petit’s Le Jeune Homme et la Mort is as Tamara Rojo puts it, a ‘masterpiece’.

The choreography tells a story of a young painter in Paris who descends into complete madness and finally suicide, after perilously lusting after a cold and unforgiving woman who ignores his affections.  Tamara Rojo and Nicolas Le Riche make their debut as a duo having not partnered before, yet they weave around the set confidently together with undeniable chemistry.  Bach’s Passacaglia creates a foreboding tone in the dark and dingy set, transporting us into the life and mind of a desperate manThe daring and visceral sexual caressing of various erogenous zones was a distorted direction from your typical ballet piece.  It demanded the audiences’ full attention.  These sexualised movements were coupled with complex and aggressive violence where Rojo commanded control to the point of the demise of the longing lover.  The performance also contained more subtle touches; a particularly interesting observation throughout the performance was the small puppet that dangled and hung by the artist’s bed, providing perhaps a look into what would become of him.  It is suggested that he has already had thoughts of hanging himself before the real torment begins.

Rojo and Le Riche bring the ballet to life with their impressive and convincing portrayal of notoriously strong characters.  They demonstrate immense technique but also a complete embodiment of raw emotion.  Taking us on a journey through despair, helplessness and then phases of fleeting hope, we watch as Le Riche is eventually dragged into the deep abyss of unrequited love.

Rojo fiercely exposes the ultimate femme fatale complete with saucy silk gloves and her hypnosis of both Le Riche and the audience with mesmerising and disarming qualities of movement.  Her eyes flash with a mixture of seductive delight and evil malice throughout, creating an unnerving yet playful effect.  She literally boxes her victim in like a shark around prey and then proceeds to teasingly disappear, leaving him in a haze of her cigarette smoke that lingers on the stage, like his ever-present infatuation for her.

Both a thrilling and chilling performance that left audience members in an awe and provoked passionate discussion as the curtain came down.  A masterpiece indeed.

Photo by David Jensen

My guide to avoiding procrastination...

As the period of exams and essay deadlines looms quicker by the second, you may find that your hand twitches towards the hoover, or the dwindling ingredients of your cupboards...

PUT THE HOOVER AND THE CHEESE GRATER DOWN.

You do not need to start making your next culinary delight that will conveniently take hours to complete, even longer if you have to go and source all of those important ingredients!  Neither do you need to start doing the hoovering, or cleaning your 'study space'.  That's what university libraries are for.  They're already clean for you (well cleaner than your room probably) and you don't need to waste precious amounts of time dusting and polishing away just so that you have an effective place to 'do my essays properly'.  Bonus....uni libraries also have books...yes BOOKS!  This may help you study somewhat.  Just a thought.

MAKING 'REVISION TIMETABLES' OR 'STUDY PLANS'.

Ok, in theory this organisational tool is great.  Of course it's a good idea to plan when you're going to study, set yourself mini deadlines.  Just don't waste time creating the sodding table with colour codes and pretty sketches.  NOT NECESSARY.  Pen. Paper. Monday-Sunday.  What you will achieve. Done.  Also...it helps if you actually STICK to the timetable.  Otherwise you have wasted all of those vibrant colours in vain.

SOCIAL MEDIA/NETWORKING SITES.

Possibly the biggest culprit of the bunch.  It becomes VERY important all of a sudden to be up to date with ANYTHING & EVERYTHING on the sites.  This includes university memes,  and pictures of cats being grumpy.  It is also not a good idea to then share such things with others in the hopes of getting those all important notifications...another reason to check your phone after a buzz.  'Ooo it might be a really important email from my lecturer'.  Nope...someone liked your picture of a dog wearing people clothes.  I have been guilty of this in the past.  It's a good idea to deactivate your phone being linked with such sites during exams etc so you don't get all of those unnecessary updates.

DO NOT LIE TO YOURSELF.

Chronic procrastinators lie to themselves.  'Ohh I'll do it tomorrow, I'll be in a better mood then'. Or  'I really work best under pressure.'  Do it now...or seriously regret it the night before.

STUDY BREAKS.

These are fine, so long as they are just that.  A short break from study.  This does not mean you can have a break before you have even begun.  If you do need a study break, try to do something active and away from your books or computer.  A brisk walk in the fresh air will boost both energy levels and oxytocin levels (feel good hormone) meaning that you will be more positive and prepared for the task at hand.  Staying glued to your laptop or watching the tv will just strain your eyes EVEN more and actually tire you out.

MOST IMPORTANTLY...

Don't beat yourself up too much about a tiny bit of procrastination.  WE ALL DO IT.  Just accept that you do and make steps to drastically improve it. Oh and don't write blogs telling people not to procrastinate when that is in fact EXACTLY what you are doing.  Guilty.  Back to the books I go!!  

www.tshirtpusher.com 

Emerging Dancer 2013

The Queen Elizabeth Hall buzzed with an infectious clamour of excitement during Emerging Dancer 2013.  The atmosphere provided a feeling of support for all of the contenders, and a sense that it was just a chance for them to showcase their already exceptional talent. As a result, the competitors fed off this community buzz and gained an injection of poise.  A far cry from the sights and sounds I was fortunate enough to observe during the dress run.   Numerous camera shutters of the press pulsed to the rhythm of the competitors’ routines coupled with an occasional ‘Can we run that again please?’  Each light bulb on stage was to be tried and tested to ensure that it was not too overwhelming for the performers, in ensuring that they could turn effectively.  Nerves and adrenalin appeared to permeate the air, which became heavy with the weight of the silences that ensued after each presentation. 

Aside from the six finalists being passionate and talented in their art, they all had an ability to teeter on the edge of control during their sequences to the point where some spectators were left with bated breath. This unnerving quality created tension, as there were moments when if this exquisite balance had not been found, one could easily imagine they would fall flat on their faces.

However, as we learn through each piece, this is only the case with us mere mortals. The classical ballet technique and precision that the performers possess, is the work of super humans.  Alison McWhinney described her experience of ballet as the 'never ending quest for perfection.’  With such a codified form of dance that could be judged upon in terms of technique alone, it is no wonder this drive for achieving such precision exists.  It is when this standard of excellence endures across all of the artists, that it becomes apparent that something extra needs be brought to the stage, aside from flawless skill.

dancefirstthinklateruk.wordpress.com

Arguably, the effectiveness of emotion and characterisation were what set the competitors apart.  Feigned or not, Nancy Osbaldestone seemed to exude a strong sense of confidence, almost as if it were on steroids.  The playful elements of her solo choreographed by John Neumeier, included deliberate flirtatious eye contact and the snap of a delightfully naughty but nice fan.  Her vivacious bound off stage on its completion, suggested that she was confident with her enactment of the style.  This self-assurance was to be justified, as Darcy Bussell presented her at the end of the evening with the well-deserved Emerging Dancer prize.  The applause of the audience proceeded once more, as Osbaldestone’s face revelled in the once daunting lights of the stage. 

Good intentions...

Yesterday I went to the gym for the first time in a VERY long time.  I haven't been since last year in fact.  Yes, all of those new year promises and resolutions of getting fit finally infected me.  I think the crunch point for me yesterday was when it seemed like a totally acceptable idea to have a shot of vodka as a celebration for my flatmate's last exam...at 11am...having not eating yet due to being in a state of hibernation since I'd finished all essays a week ago.  Yes, I had turned into that kind of person.  Yikes!

So, I threw myself in the deep end as it were...quite literally actually by heading for a swim at my local leisure centre, followed by a session at the fitness room.  My first scary encounter was seeing myself in a bikini in the changing room mirrors.  Have I really let my ass get so big it just about qualifies for its own solar system?!  Yes.  It appears I have.  Sodding chocolate yule logs and pigs in blankets by the bucket load have really taken their toll...unsurprising when combined with being stuck inside writing essays and home cooking.  

Well something's got to give and I am hoping it won't be the buttons on my jeans...which by the way, I had to physically do lunges in just to make them fit by stretching them out.  

'They must have shrunk in the wash?!' I declare as my housemates look at me and roll their eyes and give a shrug sympathetically.     

So there I was pounding away on the treadmill for about 10 minutes whilst being able to feel a definite jiggle in my behind...mirrors around the gym confirmed this...a definite large jiggle had occurred.  And I start to feel sick to my stomach, perhaps it was the shot for brekkie, or perhaps it was the fact that upon measuring my heart rate it was sky-rocketing like never before.  And it dawned on me...I might actually have a heart attack on this thing!!  Better get off just for health reasons you understand.  So I opted for the bikes instead...BIG MISTAKE.  Someone had lowered and tilted the chair to such an angle that it was impossible to sit on it without just about having an internal examination!!!  So there I was trying to re-adjust said instrument of torture when one of those big armed 'professionals' came over and offered assistance... 'No no,' I shook him off 'I have done this before, I am used to the machinery in gyms'.  By this point I really am looking a sight, possible pulsing vein protruding from forehead and hair plastered to my face in a sweaty mess.  Not my best look.  So he just held in a smile and sauntered off to help another poor soul in distress with good intentions for the new year.  Bastard.

After my stressful experience I decided I would benefit from the steam room and jacuzzi the leisure centre had to offer...every cloud eh?!  Well it's true about steam rooms, you can not see a fricking thing in there and I just about sat on an Iranian man's knee...I didn't,  but it was close enough that I could feel the hairs on his inner things brushing across my skin.  GROSS!!  Safe to say I left that room immediately...relaxing?! Hell no.  

Next year, I'm picking an easier resolution!  Upon asking a very close friend what her resolution was, she said it was to make someone smile everyday for the year...well I hope I've made you smile today at reading this.  Go on brave people and nail those resolutions...and if you don't quite manage them all of the time, just remember you could be me wandering around the gym corridors in a bikini and trainers combo, towel clutched to my chest looking hopelessly for the changing rooms and the exit!!       

Hopefully I'll be feeling like this by 2014.

  

Film Review: Les Misérables

As predicted, the opening night of the eagerly anticipated Les Mis was absolutely packed to the rafters in my local cinema.

People were just about hurdling over one another to queue for last minute popcorn and refreshments before what was promised as a fairly lengthy film ahead.  2hours and 32 minutes without credits...hey at least it's no Lord of the Rings!

The movie is made up of 50 songs, this is including one that was created especially for Hugh Jackman upon his first meeting with the young Cosette, played by the oh so talented Isabelle Allen.  This may sound like a lot, but they all seem to link seamlessly into one another and help with the tempo of the movie.  I did overhear one person upon leaving the screen saying 'God! I didn't realise it was ALL going to be singing?!' followed by a smart comment from his wife, 'Well, it is a musical darling!'  So before you go lads, beware...yes, it is ALL singing, BUT there are a fair few explosions and gore(!)  Now we start to get a picture as to why it needs to be as lengthy as it is, we've got to keep the hardcore musical fans happy now don't we?!

Another reason that they should be happy is the fact that all of the music was performed totally live, what a feat!  So no need for any dodgy lip syncing and I think that most of the actors would agree it is much easier to sing with the raw emotion that is required when you are in character on set and not in a recording studio hooked up to countless cables.  This attribute of raw emotion really shines through and in my opinion gives it the goosebumps factor.  This feature can not be thought of without conjuring up the image of Anne Hathaway's scene when she has encountered her first experience as a prostitute.  'I dreamed a dream' holds so much sorrow due to the very true and believable performance that Anne brings to the film.

I did experience a minor disappointment however in viewing Anne Hathaway's section, but it had nothing to do with her ability as a performer.  A rumour was started that she would be having her hair cut off in complete silence for the movie to give dramatic emphasis.  In an interview Anne states that:

'What you see on screen was a little bit of a mixture of my real emotion and acting. We were wearing earpieces, so the song ends and I was going to have my hair cut in total silence, which was unbearble.'

I wanted this silence but it wasn't there!!  There was still music filtering through in the background.

Despite this teeny disappointment, I found I was absolutely emotionally engrossed with all of the characters, and even shed a tear or a few right there publicly in the cinema...which if you know me, is not easily done!  Having doing all of the songs in my singing lessons at school and university, I found myself mouthing along to all of the words.

My favourite performance of the whole film was actually Eddie Redmayne's take on 'Empty Chairs..', simply mesmerising, he believes every word he is saying.   

I absolutely loved it and would see it over and over again.  I highly recommend you see this, you will not regret it.  I'm giving it 5 stars!

   

Feeling festive?

I will openly admit, in recent years, I have become a bit of a scrooge when it comes to Christmas.  I love Christmas, I just don't like the build up to it.  I can not stand that we have to endure advertisements for it from about early August.  Literally kids have not even gone back to school and it's like 'Order your turkey now in time for Christmas!'  I should hope it would be bloody in time for Christmas,  Halloween hasn't even been by that point, come on!

It is at this time of year where the chill in the air only really motivates you to curl up on the sofa in front of a roaring fire and snuggle up to a loved one, be it your partner, family member, flatmate or your new fleecy reindeer hot water bottle(!)  Why is it then, that University's and institutions decide that it is also at this time of year where you will have main assessments and exams?!  Boo hiss boo.  Of course it does make sense within terms of the calendar year and all that, but I'm convinced evolutionarily, that we are meant to go into a state of hibernation.  Which by today's standards, means a mulled wine and Christmas stuffing coma.  Yummy.  

Max guarding the tree and presents! :-)

I hadn't really been feeling Christmassy at all until today.  Maybe it was the soothing classical music of carols that permeated the air in Starbucks whilst I was enjoying my cinnamon topped Chai? Or maybe it was finally caving and buying myself an advent calendar after not receiving one in the post as of yet?...not that I'm bitter or anything(!)  Or maybe it was the crude yet delightfully 'naughty but nice' display in the Ann Summers front window?  Who knew Santa could be that sexy?! Nevertheless, I'm really getting into the spirit now!  I'm so excited to go back to the Cotswolds and see all my friends from home, catch up on everybody's life stories with a glass or two of wine, as well as forcing my dog to wear his novelty reindeer antlers-cruel I know, but he looks SO cute!

I really hope you all have a good break from whatever it is you're doing and make the effort to spend some quality time with your families or loved ones. Recent events for me personally have taught me to never take them for granted...even if it's hard to thank your grandma for the thousandth time due to her short term memory loss for the lovely woollen socks she got you, which in fairness are some of my favourite gifts now! I love getting a good pair of posh socks...what the hell is happening to me?!

Love and festive cheer to all.


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Do you feel safe going out clubbing in Kingston?

Before starting university at Kingston two years ago, I spent the majority of my life in a very rural, quiet and idyllic village tucked away in the Cotswolds. I craved the hustle and bustle of a life in a city where I could just be an anonymous face in the crowd. Wander up and down streets in and around London with no one knowing my name and no one knowing anything about me. You see at 'home home', everyone knows my name, details on my family and how I like my tea. Black no sugar thanks very much(!) You physically can't avoid bumping into someone you know whether it be your GP or the milkman, or those neighbours who's floral arrangements displayed proudly in their front gardens, trump those of your parents on an annual basis. Much to their disgust. That's about as much 'drama' or friction that occurs in our village.

Unsurprisingly, my parents were quite worried that I'd decided to go to the largest, busiest and most alien city in the country. Inhabitants of Broadway, Worcestershire will tell you that living there is like being in a protective bubble. In fact, David 'The Hoff' Hasselhoff has just recently purchased a property there, and I can assure you the number of his personal assistants or security guards will outnumber the local police constables by about 1 million to 1. Our police station is only open once a week, and when it is open there is often a sign on the front reading: 'Back in 20 minutes', I suspect it is not crime they are fighting at this time, but a serious operation of tackling a bacon sarnie from the local delicatessen. Om freaking nom. This is quite simply because where I live there is a very low crime rate.

On a very serious note however, the deeply saddening incident that occurred in my local and very popular nightclub 'Oceana' in the early hours of Thursday the 25^th October, involving a young man named as Jamie Sanderson being stabbed in the cloakroom area, has come as a cruel reminder to me that, the city I now live in, is not as safe as it perhaps could be. Perhaps, I am biased as this is just down to the fact that I compare it to the previous environment I was used to?! I would also like to stress, that I am not in any way suggesting that crime does not happen in rural areas, of course it does. Largely, I admit, there are a lot less security measures such as CCTV cameras in these areas, which may in turn lead to members of the area feeling more vulnerable. However, an incident at the UK's busiest nightclub equipped with some 90 CCTV cameras along with metal detectors and a 'recently installed ID capture scanning system' failed to avert the incident before it became fatal.  (Information sourced from Oceana Facebook page).  

Clearly the presence of CCTV cameras are not everything. I am not trying to point the blame towards the members of security staff at the club or their measures, as we can not be sure of all the factors to consider before a serious and extensive inquest has been carried out. Pointing the blame at anyone or anything that is not directly linked to the perpetrator(s) of this shocking crime will not bring Jamie back. My comments and feelings on the matter are not intended to offend or upset anyone who feels affected by this incident or anyone who has been through similar incidents in the past. I am deeply sorry if they do. I just feel this enormous sense of responsibility in light of what has happened to encourage a heightened sense of awareness of how we can all minimise risk to ourselves as students when we go on a night out in Kingston or indeed other areas of London.

We have the right to feel safe wherever we live and need to understand that unfortunately often things happen that are outside of our control. Please stay with your fellow students and friends on a night out and ensure that no one is ever left on their own and so are not at more risk of being more vulnerable. This is true of both men and women, and sadly I am guilty of this and will often wander off on my own to go to the loo or get myself a drink as I have done at 'home home' as I just don't think of the danger I could potentially be putting myself under. Simple precautions like making yourself aware of the whereabouts of exits and security staff, carrying a mobile phone with you and always alerting staff as soon as possible of any suspicious or violent behaviour could help us to minimise the risk of horrible incidents like these happening again.

What do you think? Do you always feel safe going out as a student in Kingston? Do you believe we should be made more aware of the potential dangers of going out clubbing in general?    

Path into the unknown...

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a dancer.  As a child, I would spend hours in my bedroom in the reflection of the windows at night creating movements to popular songs at the time.  Sometimes I would even sing and make up the songs myself and then dance along to my probably inane humming whilst trying not to wake anyone in the house up.  It felt like a secret when I was in there creating things.  I was in my own world and no one could judge or laugh at me, and I felt damn good.  That's why I have always danced.  For that feeling of release, like getting something off your chest.  I guess in the same way as when a toddler throws a tantrum and works themselves up and gets tired afterwards.  It's kind of a cleansing process, getting rid of all of the negative vibes so that you can start again.  Like the feeling you are supposed to get after crying, except I have never got that really, I always feel sick, stupid and weak afterwards.

I have never actually told anyone this, but when I'm annoyed or upset at something, I dance.

I tend to put loud music on and flail my arms about wildly in my room, getting rid of the bad energy.  It has always worked for me until quite recently, when I experienced the realisation that actually I don't think I can be a professional dancer when I grow up anymore. And it sucks.  Really bad.  I wish I didn't have this idea in my head from such a young age, why couldn't I have had a different dream? A more realistic one that wouldn't hurt so much now?  I found out the answer to this one whilst sniffling and being pathetic down the phone to my boyfriend...'Because life isn't always getting what you want, dreams don't always come true.'  WHAT?!  All these years I've been watching Disney movies and fairytales and have always thought that if you truly want something and you work bloody hard, you can get it in the end.  Turns out you can't always.  It's a very lucky few who do.  Well, that's a bit shit.  So what am I meant to do? Do I just give up altogether and choose a different path?!

Apparently not.  Here's the beauty of it, all these years I've just felt so career driven, thinking that ultimately I wouldn't ever really die happy if I didn't achieve all my goals in being the next big thing on the West End.

Me, flailing wildly and being happy.  :-)

Yeah, so what?!  This has maybe been a bit of a late realisation on my part; due to maybe being naive and stuck in this vicious, horrible, self-loathing cycle and refusing to accept that I can't always have things my way, but it turns out you can achieve happiness by being on a path surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.  Cheesy I know, but this is the information I gleaned from an amazing woman I was interviewed by recently.  Just because you might not end up making money off your passion, does NOT mean you can't still pursue it and do it in different contexts and situations.  I'm still ALWAYS going to be the girl who is first on the dance-floor in an inebriated state or not, and dancing will still make me feel good and be happy.  I guess this way I just get to eat a few more pies and not have to worry about the repercussions.  Now I am not saying give up on your dreams or aspirations, because if you did, you'd be a bloody boring person who never stuck up for anything they believed in.  No one wants that.  Where would we be if Martin Luther King stood up to give his speech and said, 'I have a dream...but it's probably not gonna work out so....'  No.  Just no.

We need dreamers in this life.  I guess I'm just saying, don't beat yourself up so bad if they don't go EXACTLY how you planned them.  At least you gave it a shot.  As the saying goes, I would rather live my life knowing I tried for something and maybe didn't get it, than never trying and never knowing.  Don't play the 'What If...?' game with yourself, and losing your mind on a trivial error when everything you could have ever REALLY wanted is maybe curling up on the sofa with a glass of wine and a good book, surrounded by the people you love.  Or, hitting smashville in that club you go to with the mates you wouldn't change for the world.  Here's to the path into the unknown, with the people you'll never forget...

Help! I don't want to grow up!

Bro and Me. After my phase of stuffing crayons up my nose(!)

Is it just me, or is everyone going on about weddings & scary grown-up things at the moment?!

I mean, I'm 21 and although I am in a long term relationship and have been for nearly 5 years- (yes, I feel queasy too!) there seems to be this overhanging pressure to start 'thinking about my future', and that what matters in my life now, may not matter as much in ten years’ time, 'when you will have probably had two children dear and be forever bone tired.' Right well umm what if I don't know if I want that right now, I mean can we give my brain and womb some time to think this over?! This obviously starts the whole Bridget Jones notion of accepting a life of 'spinsterhood and eventually be(ing) eaten by Alsatians’--it's not fair! Can we not all just stay the lovely, and devoid of responsibility age of five and watch The Muppets and shove crayons up our noses for a large portion of the afternoon instead?!...at least, that's what I was doing at the age of five, insert your own appropriate variation if you prefer.



Just earlier this week, my boyfriend and I went for an informal but nice meal at the restaurant I work at on one of my evenings off, and numerous colleagues joked and teased that ‘The ring is hidden in the Pavlova love!’ You see the thing is, because we’ve been together so long and are obviously comfortable with one another; we seem to have been in the line of fire recently with jokes of any upcoming engagements or plans for children. Awkward. Now if I were a particularly sensitive soul, I would have excused myself from the table and hidden in the loos sobbing from sheer embarrassment. Luckily, the boyf and I managed to see the funny side and got in our banter zones and gave hopefully as good as we got. Does this mean I want jokes on whether I may or may not be getting married in the foreseeable future to continue? Hell no! I feel as though I’m being expected to grow quicker than what is natural. Like someone throwing a sodding watering can full of emotional growth ‘Miracle Grow’in my face and saying ‘Ha! Take that. You will want to do these things now because it will make me happier.’ Deep breath.



Now, I've never been to a wedding...that's right, NEVER, and apparently this is some sort of atrocity. I'll be honest, I do feel a little left out. I mean do these people who are cropping up having weddings everywhere just intentionally making me miss out on all the fun of the bumbling best man speeches and the forever over-marzipanned cake? Yes, I've decided that over-marzipanned is an acceptable phrase. God I hate marzipan. Or, is it that I am just on the cusp of a decade of receiving invitations to numerous of my friends’ weddings because I am 'at that age', where people will be inevitably starting to settle down and turn into beige wearing, serious adults, with like proper jobs and faster cars, and like mortgages. I'm still not 100% certain what a mortgage is, but I know I have to get one at some point. This uncertainty scares me.



I should mention that I am not adverse to most of the things I have just mentioned apart from the mortgage sorting out thing and becoming serious…or ever, lord help me, being a beige wearer. However, you may be shocked to understand that I am quite traditional in terms of love and the declaration of it publicly when both adults are ready with the whole stable marriage thing. I do not believe that it is ‘just a piece of paper’, but have absolutely no qualms with the people that do. People should do what makes them happy, and I’ve never been one to say no to the excuse of having a massive celebration! What I do have a problem with is the sense of pressure I know for a fact many women of my age are starting to feel in terms of being told to do all of these things quickly, whether in a relationship or not. This pressure comes from rom coms, friends, family and then sometimes just the fear of ending up alone. Many girls do not want to feel that they are in a permanent state of collecting dust on a shelf through not being in a relationship, but equally do not want to feel hurried into anything drastic. Give us balance puuurrlease!



Call me crazy, but is it not okay to just feel that a lot of us just need to simmer down a tad?! I can only speak on behalf of my own feelings on the subject obviously, and in contrast to perhaps my psychotic and premature reservations, there will be a lot of women who are massively excited to reach these (for me) dizzying mature heights where growing up and doing all these crazy things like marriage and children is fabulous. And that’s great! In fact, I truly am a little jealous of your serene attitude to growing up and your composure. It’s just not me, not yet. 

On speaking to fellow KU students on the matter, the general consensus was that people did feel pressure to grow up too quickly.  Nayiri Keshishi, 3rd Year Law student commented on how she felt '...there is a certain pressure on people around our age to conform and behave in the 'right' way...'.  Where others I spoke to commented on the age at which we selected certain subjects at school and how we were expected to know what we wanted to do in life from this young age, for example GCSE'S.

Let me be the girl who will watch Disney way past the point where it’s socially acceptable for me to do so. Let me make the infantile mistake of eating too many jelly beans before a roller-coaster ride, then seeing a repeat of the colours of the rainbow as it were on my free-fall down the tracks- vomcano, followed by people telling me, ‘I told you that was a bad idea’. Yup. So totally worth it though. Screw you guys, I’m going to go win a teddy bear…