current favourites

It's been a hot minute since my last 'Current Favourites' so here is a wide variety of things I've been into recently.

Firstly this year  I have been getting back into the at home yoga practise thing. Sitting at my desk all day, is not doing wonders for me tbh. I have properly discovered Cat Meffan and her Heart openers and stretchy flows are the ideal tonic to combat this. Opening my body back out after being rather stationery and stiff in my normal working day.

Katie Jane Hughes, what a makeup inspiration she is. If you haven't heard of her where have you been. Her style of makeup is playful and colourful, yet what she does, doesn't take a really long time to look striking and editorial, unlike the typical insta-makeup. I am always intrigued to see what Katie will do next.

We've not had the best year of weather (apart from this weekend is looking pretty good), so I've been stuck in doors on my time off, therefore I've been playing Sims 2 more than I would like to admit. BUT to stop this time feeling totally unproductive I have been listening to quite a lot of Podcasts. I am pretty up to date with On The Line, which is Estee Lalonde's podcast. I particularly enjoyed 'Period Talk with Nikki and Leah' and 'A Deep Cleanse with Anjali Mahto'. Both of which I learnt to much and they were genuinely fascinating to listen to. Another favourite episode was Zanna Roberts Rassi on the Emma Guns Show talking beauty journalism and founding the brand Milk Makeup.

There's nothing quite like being late for a bandwagon is there, this very week I finally discovered Billie Eilish (I will really try not think about the fact she is 17) and her album When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go. Honestly I am listening to it about twice a day my picks, and the tracks stuck in my head are xanny and wish you were gay. If you haven't also joined the bandwagon, take a moment to go listen.

I finally watched Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake with my own eyes which is arguably one of the most influential ballets/pieces of dance from the 20th century. I was actually a little nervous to watch it knowing how many people adore it, and see Swan Lake over and over again.
Once the music started I could instantly tell why Bourne wanted to have his own take on the Tchaikovsky score. It is simply is simply stunning; powerful and dramatic, multilayered, tender and heart wrenching. It really does pull emotion out of all the notes within it. I wish I could travel back to 1996 and see the original audience's reaction, whilst the 2019 audience was completely engaged and captivated, I can't imagine seeing this groundbreaking piece of work then.
23 years later Swan Lake is still incredibly relevant. One of Bourne's inspirations for his adaptation was how the royals act in public, and can never truly be themselves, because of their duties. I think if we look to someone like the Duchess of Sussex, who completely had her own life, career and was extremely open with fans, how this has changed since becoming a member of the Royal family.
Also explored is the idea of masculinity with the choice of the male swans, showing the strength of these birds, rather than just the elegance. This of course leads onto the notion of the 'gay ballet'. I think audiences have become more intelligent, world views have changed. I think the show excellently handled the confusion and suppressing of questioning one's sexuality.

I could go on but to round up, I really enjoyed Swan Lake, and I hope we keep getting top quality dance visiting Norwich.

Norwich Theatre Royal Brochure: KP's Picks

Pictured on the front of the new style Norwich Theatre Royal brochure is Matilda the Musical, which I actually mentioned about a year ago when it was announced. I can confirm I am still very much looking forward to it.  The buzz around the production is starting to build, with the Matilda map starting to be populated in Norwich and Norfolk.

Dance is becoming more prominent in the programming at NTR as time goes by. This year there's not One but TWO visits from New Adventures. The first production they are bringing is Swan Lake, arguably the work that made Matthew Bourne's name. Somehow I've never seen it, so next week on Wednesday will be my first EVER time watching. The second production they are bringing is Romeo & Juliet. Not only is this exciting because it is new, New Adventures are working with a Young Cast at each of the venues and to my understanding young people are also working within other stages of the creative process.

Keeping on dance, the Mark Morris Dance Group, fairly fresh from a residency at Sadler's Wells, brings Pepperland. An ode but also a re-working of The Beatles' Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club.  This looks zingy and fresh, as well as a nostalgic feel.

I really enjoyed the book Girl on The Train, but I didn't make it more than half an hour through the film. I am intrigued as to how the stage adaptation will differ from the book and the film, and also how the heck they are staging it; the trailer doesn't give much away.

Finally to round this post out with another musical; Kinky Boots tells the story of an unlikely friendship, traditional Nottingham Shoe Maker and Drag Queen. Music by Cyndi Lauper and successful runs in the West End and on Broadway, what's not to be excited about?

Those are my top five picks, that I'm looking forward to seeing later this year.

Norwich Theatre Royal Top Picks

Today is World Theatre Day, so I thought I would share my picks from the new Norwich Theatre Royal brochure. I am going straight in with what I think is the dark horse of the programming.

Cirkopolis
Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th October 2018

This is a company in the same ilk as Cirque Du Soleil, therefore I thought it was not going to be my cup of tea. I seriously advise you watch the trailer for this production, any preconceptions you have about Circus, this will change your ideas.

Macbeth
Tuesday 30th October - Saturday 3rd November 2018

Despite the not so rave reviews from the current production at the National Theatre, this I think is definitely one to watch this year. Macbeth was the first Shakespeare I studied way back in year 7 and I'm excited to see it live on stage.

Matilda the Musical
Tuesday 16th July - Saturday 17th August 2019

As soon as I heard this was coming to Norwich Theatre Royal I was so excited, as I have been meaning to see Matilda in the west end for years, but haven't achieved that quite yet. This has so many good songs in such as 'When I Grow Up' and 'Naughty'. There were queues out of the door when it went on sale, Norwich is going to go mad for this.

SIX the musical
(Norwich Playhouse)
Wednesday 11th July - Sunday 15th July 2018

This is a new musical being produced in association with Norwich Theatre Royal and Norwich Playhouse, putting the Six wives of Henry VIII in the spotlight. With a similar vibe to Hamilton being a pop musical with serious girl boss feels.

Current Favourites

It would be hard to deny that my absolute favourite of the past month was appearing in Top Hat at Norwich Theatre Royal this month with The Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society.

I had jokingly said for a few years that I was in Amateur Dramatics retirement, but Top Hat would be the show to bring me back onto the stage. My dressing room was full of all my favourite girls, we had a right laugh and this week I have definitely felt their absence in my life this week. For me nothing could beat the feeling of dancing and performing on stage, and I hope to do some more this year. I have my story saved from Top Hat on my instagram highlights, if you want so behind the scenes access.

The Pink Coat
This coat was available from Topshop I think around November time but then disappeared into the distance. This piece is so flipping warm despite definitely being my shortest coat, but then the pink makes it such a fun coat to wear. I do feel like a Latitude sheep but I freaking love it.

The Baker Boy Hat
I was inspired by Helen Anderson and Megan Ellaby for this purchase, I feel it this hat just adds personality to any outfit. Hats are often perceived as being a difficult thing to wear, meaning your outfit looks quite individual and like you're not one of the crowd. I'm thinking of either getting a patterned hat or a brighter coloured one before Spring hits.

The Last Five Years Soundtrack

This is an old favourite, I remember watching the film when it came out, I think the format of the musical is really refreshing, a couple each character starting at opposite ends of the their romance, one from meeting the other freshly broken up. My favourite songs are I'm Still Hurting and A Summer in Ohio.

Sleeping Beauty - Norwich Theatre Royal Panto | Theatre Review 🎄

Hello! Is there anything better than a family pantomime? Oh no there isn't! Bringing back fond childhood memories, and bring new people into the theatre for the first time. Norwich Theatre Royal's Sleeping Beauty had everything arguably required from a panto; a 'messy' scene, a ghost routine, romance, an Eastenders actor and not forgetting a sheet song.

Set 100 years ago in the village Norbridge, Patience our Sleeping Beauty (Elizabeth Carter) is unaware she is a princess under a curse, has been brought up with her "twin" brother Muddles (Ben Langley), by her "Mum" Mrs Midges (Richard Gauntlett). The story unfolds on the eve of her 18th birthday, when Aunt Vipera, the serpent who cursed Patience returns to town.

Sleeping Beauty had some absolute banging tunes throughout a bit of Madness (still in my head!!), Bruno Mars and Elton John, but not forgetting 'There's a worm at the bottom of my garden' a pantomime classic for sure. There was great slap stick, vaudevillian moments from Ben and Richard, slick choreography, and enough laughs to wave a stick at!

I know people say this all the time about pantos BUT this really is for all the family, the writing caters for ages 4 to 94+. It's on until 14th January, it will be well worth your time!

Thanks for popping by!

xxx

Hedda Gabler | Theatre Review

Just married. Bored already. Hedda longs to be free..

I was nervous I wouldn't be smart or cultured enough to enjoy Hedda Gabler, thinking the play would be way above my realm of understanding. But still I think it is important to widen your horizons and challenge yourself. There is a lot to take from Hedda, on various different levels.

Firstly it is funnier than you expect it to be. Potentially humour isn't the first thing you relate to Ibsen. You do find yourself a multiple moments laughing, however you do question whether you should be laughing. As an audience you are essentially watching a woman who feels so trapped by her expectations of marriage, her husband's expectations and societies expectation of what a woman should be, that she can no longer continue to live.

From a feminist point of view, I'd say Hedda is ahead of her time struggling to conform to the expectation a married woman's place is in the home, and is powerless. Throughout she grasps at any last bit of control she has in her life, by manipulating everyone around her. Being proved that she isn't in control after all. Considering Hedda Gabler was written by a man in the 1890's it is an excellent feminist play.

The National Theatre's production left me completely awestruck. Hedda was masterfully played by the cover Cate Cammack on the night I went. I highly recommend, it was a really refreshing production on the UK theatre touring circuit.

Thanks for popping by,

xxx

Norwich Theatre Royal Brochure 76

Hello, the new Norwich Theatre Royal brochure has been out for about a month now and I've had a good opportunity to have a browse through and pick what I think are the best bits!

Most Excited For: Jersey Boys, The Musical

Musical: Miss Saigon

Dance: Matthew Bourne's Cinderella

Play: Around the World in 80 Days

Scroll down for more detail!

Jersey Boys

I was working front of house when this was last at Norwich Theatre Royal, and I fell in love with the music. Unfortunately it was pretty much sold out for the run, so I couldn't get last minute tickets. I won't make the same mistake twice. I must say however I do find "juke box" musicals hit and miss - so I'm nervously extremely excited for it next June.

Miss Saigon

The cherry on top of the cake in NTR's new season. Pretty much a year today Cameron Mackintosh's smash hit is coming to Norwich. I was so unbelievably gutted when I missed the run on in London's West End, and frankly New York is too expensive and far to go. I'm excited to see who will be in the cast come next August.

Matthew Bourne's Cinderella

It took  me until 2017 to see my first Matthew Bourne - The Red Shoes, it was such a BEAUTIFUL piece of dance theatre, I was mesmerised throughout. Cinderella is probably my favourite fairytale and I am excited to see it brought to life in war time London.

Around the World in 80 Days

This is one of those stories you know about, it has been adapted into countless films, tv shows even a board game. I feel this is going to be absolutely ridiculous but in the absolute best way and will be great in January to counter act the post Christmas blues.

Those are my best picks from the new brochure.

Thanks for popping by!

xxx