Here I go again

It's the start of another hectic week - Tuesday already - and I haven't caught up with myself from last week yet. There was so much about London I never got round to mentioning, not least Whistle Down the Wind at the Palace Theatre, the fantasic, and frankly eye boggling club we went to, and the fabulous shops of Seven Dials.

And then the bank holiday weekend - more shopping, a bit of duty relative visiting, and then a pretty enjoyable Bank Holiday Monday. I headed for Castle Howard, this time not to indulge myself in 'Brideshead' nostalgia, but to see James Martin at the Food and Drink Festival.

Now James was my favourite in the last series of 'Strictly Come Dancing'. Somehow the first series had passed me by, and I came late to the second series, but it was enough to get me hooked, and to be there from the start of the third series - and James soon became my favourite - it's the local boy angle once again, as well his sense of humour, and yes, those blue eyes. It was always pretty clear that he wasn't going to win, but he was a trier, and he made it very creditably to the semi final week.

So there I was, early on a bank holiday, sitting watching his cookery demonstration - and he not only managed to rustle up 4 dishes in 45 minutes, but was funny with it, and a little bit rude, which might have shocked some of the grannies who watch him on 'Ready Steady Cook'. And afterwards I bought one of his cookbooks as a present to my new kitchen, which, of course I got signed. As a friend said later 'you spoke to him?' 'well, yes, this is me, after all!!' And, at least, after all the tv exposure, for once there's a chance that people know who I'm talking about.

This Wooden 'O'

Now, you know that if I have one hero above all others, it’s Will Shakespeare. I adore his plays; the words, the language, the poetry, the characterisation and the sheer theatricality of it all (and I firmly believe that anyone who doesn’t believe that the plays were written by a man of the theatre doesn’t know what they are talking about). Many of them I’ve seen numerous times (I think I’ve lost count of the times I’ve seen Hamlet) but others come round very infrequently so I was thrilled to see that the Globe production of Titus Andronicus coincided with when we would be in London, to bring me one step closer to my goal of seeing all 37 plays on stage*

The Globe is an amazing theatrical space. When it was first mooted, I suppose I had my fears, like many others, that it would become a venue for ‘heritage’ Shakespeare, but it hasn’t, primarily, I think, because of the choice of artistic directors, firstly in Mark Rylance**, and now in Dominic Dromgoole, for whom it’s early days, but for whom I have high hopes. The productions that you see at the Globe, are, of course, nothing like a production in Shakespeare’s time – for one thing, we arrived at the theatre via the Millenium Bridge over the Thames, rather than through the crowded milieu of London life, surrounded by alehouses, brothels and bear baiting pits, and the theatre is a reconstruction with modern facilities, restaurants, cafes etc. But it is often said that in Shakespeare's time you went to ‘hear’ a play, and there are times, particularly if you are a ‘groundling’ and you can’t see something very clearly, that that is exactly what you do. The language washes over and around you. It’s a theatre where you really feel that the performance is a shared experience between actor and audience, which is both exhilarating, and occasionally scary.

I’ve been to the Globe twice before, but this was the best production I’ve seen, as it really used the space and brought out the horror, and the dark humour in the story. There is a point when your eyes have been assaulted by so much that is unbearable that, like Titus in the play, you can do nothing but laugh. The production is still previewing, but I thought there were some excellent performances, from Douglas Hodge as Titus, Geraldine Alexander as Tamora, Shaun Parkes as Aaron, and Laura Rees as Lavinia. In reading the play, I’ve felt that the part of Lavinia is unplayable – after all, the poor girl has her hands cut off and her tongue cut out pretty early on – but Rees’s performance was heartbreaking, particularly in contrast with her innocent and virtuous character in the early scenes.

We’d decided to share seats and standing tickets, sitting for one half, and standing for the other, and that worked really well, giving two different perspectives on the performance. For seeing everything that is going on, it’s better to have a seat (and it’s drier, if it rains), but for feeling part of the performance, you have to be a ‘groundling’ – there were bits when the actors were appealing to the ‘people of Rome’ and I really did want to shout up. We were continually moving around, to make room for the wheeled platforms that were moved around the space with the actors on, and sometimes they were literally playing over our heads.

It’s an early play, and one that has been rarely revived (you do need a strong stomach!), and whilst it certainly has it’s rough edges, some of the language is beautiful. I loved the fact that you could see the beginnings of later characters in these characters. Aaron is so clearly a prototype Iago and Tamora has strong echoes of Lady Macbeth.

It was also wonderful to be able to respond to the play as a first time viewer, by which I mean I could let the power of the performances and of the language carry me along, bringing out an emotional response to the story that it’s often difficult for me to have with Shakespeare. I had no pre-conceptions of how characters should be portrayed, as it’s not a play that I’ve studied (sometimes I’ve had ‘issues’ with productions simply because the director doesn’t see the character the way that I do – it’s the ‘Hamlet in pyjamas’ syndrome again), and seeing it has sent me back to the text, and to reading about other productions and that has to be a good thing.

Trouble is, I’m greedy for Shakespeare – I now want more.

* I now only have Henry VIII to go. If anyone hears of a production, please let me know.

**I do have ‘issues’ with some of Mark Rylance’s performances, but that’s mainly to do with his ‘Hamlet in pyjamas’ at the RSC. I don’t have issues with his stewardship of the Globe

I think it was worth it!

Normal service will be resumed on here shortly. I've been away/working hard and haven't had time to catch up with things since the beginning of the week. But...my kitchen is finished! Well, apart from the tiling, and new flooring, and putting stuff back, so that's going to take a while. My girls are also home, and are settling into what seems like a new house to them.

It is lovely, though, and now feels like all the stress was worth it. I've tried out the new oven, and hob, but am a little scared to try out the dishwasher - how crazy is that?! I think I want it to stay all nice and pristine, but I'm sure I'll get over it very soon!

Eurovisioness

I can't let this weekend pass without a word about Eurovision. Ok, we sent a rubbish song this year, but this contest gets more bizarre year on year, and we haven't had a chance of winning since they let the Eastern Europeans in, so you have to enjoy it for what it is, a spectacle of the wierd and wonderful, backed by Terry Wogan's commentary, best taken with a few drinks, and a group of like minded friends. Which is exactly what I've done for the last two years, as we've had our Euro themed buffet, and wine whilst watching the show (even though Corinne didn't quite understand why she had to buy Maltesers*). It helped that it was in Greece this year, which meant meze and baklava.

Actually, every year means baklava, for two years ago, Cat and I were in Istanbul for the actual contest, watching James Fox perform in his blue suit**, waving our flags, and inflatable daffodils. I'm told if you scrutinise the video very carefully you can see our backs at the very end - you can definitely see our flags. We had a fabulous time, and you realise what a big event Eurovision is to so many countries, unlike the kitsch joke it tends to be here. We also got to meet Sakis Rouvas***in the bar afterwards. Now Sakis was one of this year's co-hosts, which brings us back to Saturday, and quite frankly he was the best thing in the show, despite the dodgy gold suit.

So, it wasn't a vintage year, although many countries scored quite highly for 'Eurovisioness' in our system, as we had ethnic dancing, skirts coming off, bizarre costume changes mid song, wind machines, and ballet dancers emerging from pianos. I was surprised with the ease with which the escapees from the armies of Mordor****(ok, actually Finland) romped to victory, though I have finally stopped ranting about them stopping the voting once Finland were announced as winners, which gave the show a very abrupt ending. I did feel very cheated at the time. Ah well, it's all over for another year, and then it's off to Helsinki.

*For Malta of course - sadly they only got 1 point
**who I may add got more points than this years entry - 16th is starting to look quite respectable
**Apart from James, he was the best thing in the show, and got douze points from the UK for ripping his shirt off. He was terribly sweet when I carried out a dare to tell him that those back in the UK loved him (and is a big star in Greece, apparently)
****with apologies to the non Lord of the Rings fans

Loverly

Last night I went to see My Fair Lady at Sunderland Empire. Now, as iconic* musicals go, it’s up there with the best of them, and it’s always a bit of a challenge when you see something on stage that is so very familiar** - will it live up to expectations?

Well, it did, apart from the slight disappointment that Christopher Cazenove wasn’t playing Henry Higgins (he’s had a throat op, apparently), and the understudy, Steve Watts, whilst competent, lacking the charisma that Higgins must have in order for Eliza to come back to him.

The things that impressed me most, and this isn’t to denigrate the performances, were the staging, the musical numbers, the lighting, and quite simply the look of the piece. The scene changes were effected so smoothly that you almost didn’t notice them. One moment we were in the Embassy ballroom, and the next back in Higgins’s library, as everything slid into place. It created a sense of magic and wonder that fit with what is, essentially, a Cinderella story. It was directed by Trevor Nunn (a real hero of mine, when it comes to direction – we were once on the same train from York to Scarborough, and went to see the same show at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, but I was too shy to speak to him) so my expectations were high. I think it was successful because it alluded to the film rather than trying to be a carbon copy of it.

Apart from my comments above, I liked all the lead performances. Amy Nuttall was a new name to me, and I liked her performance – and her rather uncanny Audrey Hepburn impersonation once she had her ‘posh’ voice. I loved Stephen Moore as Pickering, who had just the right touch of crusty gent, with a touch of fun (it was rather strange to recall that I’d seen him in Trevor Nunn’s production of ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ 25 years ago, a production that in many ways was like a sepia tinted version of this show***), Gareth Hale as Alfred Dolittle, and Stephen Carlile as Freddy, who was stunning in my very favourite song from the show, ‘On the Street Where You Live’

I have to admit I had a tear in my eye on Eliza’s ‘I washed my face and hands before I come, I did’ as I think it’s the perfect ending to the show. Anything more would be too much for the relationship that we’ve seen. For the record, I kept to my seat, I bought a programme, and resisted both the pricier ‘souvenir brochure’ and the original cast cd.

I love theatre!

*I’ve nicked Corinne’s word here, but nothing else fits
**Last year I experienced ‘speak-a-long-a-Oscar’ in a production of ‘Earnest’ at York Theatre Royal
***Trust me on this, as it’s too difficult to explain, other than Trevor called ‘All’s Well’, ‘Shakespeare’s most Chekovian play’

How to stress me out - Part 2

Day four – even later arrival. How come I manage to start work at 8.30am when I work over an hour away from home, yet workmen arrive at 9.30am? Today I had both the fitter and the electrician, so beat a hasty retreat once they arrived, and had breakfast at Tesco (after the electrician had told me he was going to have to run a cable right across the front room, entailing me moving even more stuff). Also told that as some units were found to be damaged when they were unpacked, I’d need to stay in on Saturday for the replacements to be delivered.

Made a decision to extend my ‘girls’* ‘holiday’ until the middle of next week, as the thought of them coming home was stressing me out even further.

By the end of the day, I couldn’t see much more progress, though the shells of a couple of units are in place, and all the wiring seems to be done – there are still holes in the walls in worrying places though. Stress level, very high in the morning, calming a little, to be replaced by pounding headache, in the afternoon.

Day five - I had an 'urgent appointment'*** in town at 8, so I don't know what time they arrived! Today I have the fitter, and the assistant fitter, who are currently cutting up bits of units in my driveway. Some cupboards actually have doors on now. Stress level, about 8, as I've hidden away on the computer.

*I haven’t introduced my ‘girls’ as yet. Rosie and Bella are my cats, who I’ve had since they were 9 weeks old, and who are now 9. They are utterly gorgeous and not at all scary, despite rumours, just very timid, and protective of their environment. They have gone on their holidays** while the work is done.

**aka to the Cattery

***usually either my nails or one of my boys - in this case, my nails!

How to stress me out

I'm getting my kitchen re-fitted this week. Which means a week off work*, and stress levels out of 10 of 11+.

I've not had anything this major done to my house in the 10 years I've been in it, mainly because I knew I'd hate all the upheaval, but the lure of the post Christmas special offers, and the fact that my oven had been broken for 12 months was just too much it resist. And it all seemed so far away on those winter days when it was ordered, but the week of 'fitting' finally came.

Day 1 - pretty much everything was cleared out, and I waited for the arrival of the fitter, and waited, and waited... then lost my patience and rang him, to be told he wasn't starting until tomorrow, and that the work would definitely continue into next week. Stress level, climbing.

Day 2 - fitter arrived at 8.15am, ripped out my kitchen and deposited it in the back garden (revealing 15 year old builders rubble under the cupboards in the process!) and departed by 10am. Days work done. Stress level, v. high.

Day 3 - knowing I had to be away early, fitter was late. Returned home at 8pm to find my front room full of half assembled units, preventing me from getting to the microwave without undertaking an obstacle course. Old cooker has now joined the units in the back garden. On the plus side, my new kichen lights look good, but there does appear to be a worrying hole in the ceiling next to one. Stress level, continuing v. high, not helped by the M62.

*The 'week off' is a bit of misnomer, as I've worked every day so far.

What a feeling!

I have to confess I approached this with some trepidation, after all, it's the sort of show that a theatre snob would normally turn up their nose at, but you have to acknowledge that these one night stand 'musical tribute' shows have their audience, and fill theatres and that can't be a bad thing, can it? Ok, I wouldn't have booked if it hadn't been that one of our JCS boys, Jon Boydon*, was one of the 4 lead vocalists (the others being Noel Sullivan, ex-Hear'say, Zoe Birkett, ex-Pop Idol, Mark 1, and Sinitta, ex-80's 'singer')

Pre-show cocktails, wine and food consumed, we felt fortified enough to take our seats, encouraged by the notice that Sinitta wouldn't be appearing. Her part was taken by the talented Natalie Kennedy (not ex-anything, as far as I could tell). Programme bought - £4 and it didn't even have a list of the songs! - though as Cat pointed out, it did say 'Souvenir Programme', which means colour photos and a blatant rip off.

It was a good show, and I have to admit being pleasantly surprised, partucularly by Noel Sullivan, who was very good in the comedy songs. The audience were a little slow to get up and dance in the first half, although there were a couple of mini mexican waves of people getting to their feet, but were up and dancing in the second half. Jon was in good voice, and there were so many little bits that just reminded me of JCS**.

I loved Aquarius, the songs from Dirty Dancing, Moulin Rouge, and the Queen songs from 'We Will Rock You', though I still have absolutely no desire to see that show. By the time it got to the concluding Abba Medley, and the Footloose encore we were dancing in the aisles. A little bit of schmoozing later we were back in Plonkers wine bar, though it must be said the standard of clientele had gone down since the last time we were there.

*Judas
**There was also a very poignant reminder of the Christmas concert, when they sang 'Seasons of Love', but it wasn't as good.

Pemberley

Last night I stayed near the village of Disley in Cheshire, in a lovely hotel ovelooking the rolling hills. Yes, I know I don't want to live in the country, but I can admire a view.

What I hadn't realised was that Disley is also where Lyme Park is, and sadly I didn't have time to go and view 'Pemberley' and the lake where Mr Darcy went for a swim*. If I'd have realised I'd have driven over earlier yesterday and gone for a look round. I love visiting stately homes, it's that history thing again, and yes, in my head I'm wearing a posh frock, with a few servants at my beck and call. Well, I've wandered round Castle Howard thinking myself in Brideshead Revisited in the past.

*we all know it isn't in the book, but it is the enduring image from the BBC adaptation

By now I should know better...

So why was I surprised to read in the paper tis morning that the result of The Apprentice was a bit of a fix? Apparently they filmed both candidates being 'hired' last October, but no final decision was taken until Tuesday this week - after both had worked in Alan Sugar's organisation for the past six months!

I'm not sure why this has annoyed me - I knew it wasn't live, after all, but I suppose even now, I feel stung by the machinations of reality tv and the way it tries to hoodwink the public. And I'm still not sure why, sometimes, I still care.

The Blonde vs The Badger

Well, The Apprentice has finished, and Michelle was hired. I can't say I was surprised as I thought it was heading that way last week. Alan Sugar seemed to have spotted something in her that he liked, and a lot of it seemed to be about the fact that she had worked her way up from being a check out girl in Kwik Save in Hull!

This week had the two finalists organising simultaneous events on Tower Bridge, Michelle going for a 'Bond' evening, and Ruth for a Murder Mystery. Neither idea seemed particularly innovative to me, 'Bond' as a theme has made me groan since I worked in costume, and it was such a common party theme, and whilst I love a Murder Mystery, I'm not sure that venue was suited to the idea. But, clearly Londoners have more money to splash around than we do up north, and they managed to sell most of their tickets. Ruth was much more successful in this area, as Michelle's efforts were almost shafted by Syed's arrogance, and bickering in the team. But, in the end, this time it wasn't really about the task, it was about who he wanted.

As a series, it's been pretty addictive, with a very diverse bunch of characters, and it's made good television. And that is really what it's all about. Run a selection programme without the tv involvement, and you wouldn't have had this group, many of whom would have been chosen because they had strong personalities, which would bring the inevitable conflicts. For the candidates, it's given them exposure, and they know what they are setting themselves up for.

I wouldn't do it in a million years, though.

Movin' Out

Possibly one of the rules of blogging, (are there 'rules'? I bet there are somewhere), is that you shouldn't do it when you're really tired, which I am, as I've just worked a 12 hour day, and come home to find my kitchen overrun with ants!

However late it is, I can't resist checking round various sites on the computer, but it was perhaps more of a shock than it should have been to read that Movin' Out is indeed moving out of the Apollo Victoria theatre, on 22 May. For any new readers, I was there on opening night for this show, which uses the songs of Billy Joel to tell the story of a group of young Americans through the 60's, Vietnam and it's aftermath, through the medium of dance.

Right from the start of the run, I've been aware that it's a 'hard sell' - it's a hybrid of dance show/songbook/musical - and it's difficult to know where it's audience is in this country. Billy Joel's music doesn't tell the stories of our lives in the way that it does for the Americans.

Shortly after I saw it I wrote the following:

It's an interesting idea - to take a set of Billy Joel songs, written over a number of years, and with no narrative connection, and to put them together to form the 'book' of a musical/dance piece. Does it work? well, yes, in parts. The strongest sections are those where the emotional theme of the song was the strongest, ...the weakest were where the song itself had a strong narrative, and the dancing did not seem to express this - at best this seemed disjointed, and at worst confusing for the audience... How will it go down in London? I'm not sure - I think many who go to see it will find it much harder to get to grips with than they think - it is, primarily a ballet, but a ballet accompanied by popular songs. It looks at the 60's and 70's American generation who were affected by Vietnam and the fallout after it, and I'm not sure what resonance this really has for a British audience.

Sadly my worries have been born out by poor audience figures. I've noticed discounted ticket offers have been around for a few weeks, and still the theatre was often only half full, and I know how disheartening that it for performers. I'm also really gutted for James*, as he's put his heart and soul into this production - his 'dream job' effectively - and I think we all felt so proud to see him there on opening night, singing his heart out. I read that he'll be re-joining the American tour of the show, which whilst good for him, is sad for us as we lose him to the US once again.

I haven't got much else to say really, so maybe this is the best way to end. (the photo at the top should have been here, but it wouldn't work!)

*For anyone who has been on another planet - James Fox, one time TV Reality show contestant, UK Eurovision representative 2004, Judas, and all round star

I love a love story

SPOILER ALERT - Don't read this if you haven't watched tonight's episode of Dr Who!

Just how much am I enjoying this series! It has become essential viewing, so much so that if anyone rings me while it's on, I don't think they'll get an answer. The last two episodes have both reduced me to a snivelling wreck at the end. I love the quirkiness, and the humour of it, and the fact that it works on so many levels.

Tonight's episode was great, as it played with time, and 'magic doors' between the 51st Century and the 18th. So, finally the robots were easily defeated, and not that scary (though many people are scared by masks) but it was the 'love story' that caught me. OK, purists might say that that's not what Dr Who is about, but I loved it.

What I also love, is David Tennant's performance. He seems to be a Doctor that we've never seen before with very 'human' emotions, both last week and this week, and what they are really starting to bring out is the loneliness of the Time Lord, who has never truly allowed himself to connect with anyone. But, it seems that in this series, he is. With Rose, with Sarah Jane, and with Madame de Pompadour.

And, as this is me, it also had very fab frocks - oh how I would love to flounce around in one of those.

It's spring, spring, spring!

Ah well, I've not been very good at updating this week have I? Just so much to do, I'm afraid. It's been a bit of a week, but at least it's finally felt like spring.

This is my favourite time of year. One of my theories* is that you like the time of year best that you were born in, (though I do own that this may not be the case if you were born in February, as I think the only good thing about that month is that it's short), and I love spring, when the air finally turns warm again, and everything seems to be waking up, and to have new energy and life, and the light has a certain softness about it.

I went into York today, and it looked beautiful as I walked along the river, with the blossom out and the trees budding, and I never take that walk without thinking how lucky I am to live in such a lovely city. I had breakfast at Betty's** and then shopped, looking for some 'pieces' for my holiday wardrobe, and also to get an idea of what I still need. This really is the optimum time for holiday shopping, whenever you're going, as, leave it much longer, and things are picked over, and all the best is gone. Anyway, I got a lovely turquoise top and skirt, turquoise being my 'summer colour', which should be perfect for drinking vino in a nice little ristorante. But I decided that I still need; a pair of linen trousers, a summer jacket, a holiday bag, a pair of comfy sandals, and some more tops - I guess I need to work hard and earn a bit of money to buy all that!

I also sat around planning more theatre trips, and as many of you know, that means a whole lot of new wardrobe decisions!

*Val's theories also include

• it's ok to take pain killers and drink wine, as long as you take them with water
• lucozade is an excellent hangover cure

**Yes, it's expensive, but I do like their bacon muffins

Go Ladies!

Continuing with my weekly blogs about The Apprentice, tonights show was what I guess you'd call the semi final, as the last four candidates were put through gruelling interviews, and finally two of them were shown the door.

In the 'aftershow' someone said it was more like an interrogation than an interview, and it was certainly tough, probing the weaknesses and inconsistencies in some of the CVs. I'm not sure you'd get away with that style in any organisation that I've worked in, but it certainly cut through some of the blag. I think my personal favourite was 'I get along with everyone' 'well, you're not getting along with me!' It punctured a few pretensions. One thing that did surprise me was just how little research some of the candidates had done about the organisation that they wanted to work in.

Another surprise was the outcome. For a few weeks I've had my eye on Ruth and Paul for the final, but Paul fell at the final hurdle - primarily I think because of the blag, and because he hadn't been in the board room enough for Alan Sugar to get a feel for what he was like. The one that surprised me was Michelle, who had hardly shone earlier in the series, and now she seems to be the front runner.

What I am pleased about is that it's two women in the final - early in the series, it seemed that a woman would get fired every week, but two have now gone through to the very last stage. I'm not sure I'd want to work with either of them, but at least with Ruth what you see is what you get. I'm less sure of Michelle, but I have a sneaky feeling that she may have played a very careful game, and just pull it off.

The long and winding road

No, this isn't more about the Beatles! This weekend I was in Middlesbrough on Sunday night for a gig.

I guess I'd been to Middlesbrough about twice in my life before a certain November day in 2003. That day I saw Brain Clough and Alistair Griffin switch on the Christmas lights, and saw Alistair perform live for the first time. The road has been long, and full of unexpected twists and turns since then, and has taken me to parts of the country I never thought I'd visit - and a few I'm in no rush to go back to (that'd be Harlow and Swindon then). The state of my poor little car bears witness to this.

On Sunday night I was back in Middlesbrough again to see Alistair perform at a Brian Clough memorial gig in the town hall, as they are trying to raise enough money to put up a statue to Cloughie.

For almost two years after the release of the album, we had only one new song, and now they're coming thick and fast, with more added at almost every gig. And I find this really encouraging as well as exciting, They seem to be a mix of rocky numbers that make you want to jump around like an idiot (and I'm pretty sure that's what I must look like, but I don't care) and slower songs that gently break your heart, although one of my current favourites, Hallelujah, isn't actually one of his own songs, I just think it is perfect for his voice.

Nearly 3 years on, although the inital magic has long since faded, his voice still catches me in a way that I can't describe. He's one of a very few singers whose voice can make me cry, and who makes me just stop and listen. I don't know where this road is going now, any more than I did at the beginning, and perhaps his, and mine will diverge at some point, but it's been one hell of a journey, and one I don't regret for a minute. For a long time now, though, it hasn't been 'all about Al' but also about some very special people I've met along the way.

Ladies of the Northern Division - I salute you and I *heart* all of you