Friday 8 August 2014

The Power of Summer at Battersea Power Station : LOCAL LOVES

Well guys, there's something happening over at the Battersea Power Station! It's the last summer before all those uber rich bods move in to the snazzy flats that are being created there (I bet you can see your neighbour having a wee. Way too much glass.) so something had to be done!


So low and behold.....The Power of Summer was created! Brilliant people like The Indytute, Everyman Cinema and Street Feast have got together and created a riverside haven of outdoor summer fun. There's movies, classes, food stalls, bars, giant connect four...all the essentials one needs for shed loads of sunshine frolicking.



And lucky me, I was invited along by the lovely Sarah from The Prosecco Diaries and The Indytute to take part in a chocolate class and sample the delights on offer! I met Sarah, who runs brill evens and meet ups for bloggers, a few months ago at an Instagram workshop run by Jess aka Miss Underground at the Cath Kidston flagship store on Piccadilly. Sarah also focuses a lot on theatre in her blog so I was hooked at the sheer mention of The Prosecco Diaries.


The chocolate class at the Power Station was arranged by The Indytute who organise fun and inspired classes for adults.Now, I don't know about you but I just LOVE a workshop, I've recently become so obsessed with learning stuff. After uni I'd definitely had enough of education. The essays, the seminars, the books.....and don't get me started on critical theory. But now that I'm a few years clear of those hallowed halls of learning I'm suddenly ready to learn again and very, very happy that there won't be an exam at the end. Broaden your horizons and all that jazz - on your own terms.

So, where were we? CHOCOLATE. Some lovely chaps called Phil and Caesar from a very snazzy chocolatiers called Paul A Young ran the session and they sure knew their stuff. They took us through the origins of cocoa use, where it's traditionally grown, who first found it and the various forms it took before what we know chocolate to be today. Seriously interesting stuff that really makes you appreciate the art of chocolate!


But you can google all that yourselves can't you - what I should tell you is that we got to try some and it was seriously scrummy. Paul is famous for his daring flavours and combinations you wouldn't expect with chocolate (there was mention of marmite truffles and beef bon bons). The first we tried however was a scone, jam and clotted cream one and I absolutely loved it. The individual flavours came through at different times and really was link scone! We also tried Paul's award winning sea salt caramel filled chocolates....gahh my mouth is watering.



John has four shops in London - Soho, Bank, Tottenham Court Road and Camden - and the guys gave me a little voucher so I'm going to pop along to the Soho store asap so make a big purchase.

After getting our sweet fill it was time for some savoury and there is tonnes to choose from. We had a nice wonder round and plumped for an old fave - hot dogs. You can't go wrong with a mustard and ketchup laden hot dog. Ohhh the greasy goodness.


 



The Power of Summer is running until the end of August so pop along, take a class with The Indytute, see a film with Everyman and just sit and stuff your face with the help of Street Feast


Happy summering chaps!

xXx

Wednesday 6 August 2014

Shakespeare in Love, Noel Coward Theatre : LOCAL LOVES

“A love letter to theatre...”


Ah lads, I’m in love! And so is Shakespeare it seems!

I went to the Shakespeare in Love press night, having seen it only a week before too, and fell head over heels. I booked the first visit with ‘the gals’ as soon as tickets came on sale when I didn't know I'd be going to the press night too. So lucky me, I’ve seen it twice and it is BRILLIANT.

When word got out that Shakespeare in Love was going to be made into a play it just seemed to make total sense, of course it should be on the stage! The play is sitting prettily at the Noel Coward on St Martin’s Lane and I can tell you, it is just lovely. Completely lovely. If you’re a fan of the film – go see the show. If you’ve not seen the film – go see the show, then borrow someone’s dvd and relive all your fave bits. 

The actors...

Shakespeare is played by the wonderfully hunky Tom Bateman – please see evidence  of hunkiness here. Very different to Joseph Fiennes who played the role in the film, Tom is a more manly and strong Shakespeare who doesn't wither under his writer’s block but instead knows he must find inspiration in love. His relationship with Kit Marlow (played by David Oakes who you may know from the BBC’s The White Queen) is a great development from the film, there's a lovely sense of true friendship and comradery. 

Lucy Briggs-Owen plays the theatre loving Viola and is perfect for the role. The passion she has for Shakespeare’s writing is so earnest and, from one theatre-obsessive to another, is so brilliantly conceivable. Shakespeare and Viola are both struck with a sudden and all-consuming, needless to say forbidden, love and I found it all completely believable. The chemistry between these two is palpable and you can feel it even in the back row of the balcony.


Best bits...

THERE IS A DOG. Yes, a dog. As we all learnt from the film – everyone loves a bit with a dog. And this new West End powerhouse is no exception. The big fluffball, an Irish wolfhound named Spot, bounds on stage and steals the show. Also, keep an eye out for him at the curtain call...!

But it’s not just the canine cameo that makes this show great. The set, designed by Nick Ormerod, is the inside of a beautiful wooden three tiered Elizabethan playhouse with a central section that glides forward and back, transforming the space and bringing the audience 'backstage'. The ensemble watch the scenes they're not involved in from the balconies, creating theatre within a theatre, within a theatre...within.. You get the gist.

There are also constant nods to the bard, famous lines are dotted here and there, and thrown into conversation. The audience titters in quiet recognition. It's moments like this that make this show a love letter to theatre. 


The after party...

Was brilliant. It took place in the stunning Southwark Cathedral as there is a window and statue that commemorates Shakespeare, and his brother Edmund was also buried there. We were greeted by flaming torches, champers and canapes. My sister pondered whether we'd get 'Shakespearean food' but luckily there was lots of smoked salmon, goats cheese stuffed cherry tomatoes and tiny bowls of cheesy risotto. I had a totally brill time and loved spotting the cast in their party frocks. I didn't get many photos as it's wasn't really the place to get snap-happy in!


The reviews...

Stonking. Simply stonking. The critics loved it.

"It’s got the lot – a stirring love story, a prodigious succession of terrific jokes - and it sends up the theatre something rotten while simultaneously delighting in it." 

"This is the best British comedy since One Man, Two Guvnors and deserves equal success." 

"A joyous celebration of theatre itself." 

"A swooning delight. Terrific."


Tickets


Get tickets here - prices range from £17.25 to £89.75 so there's a seat for every budget. I really do recommend going if you are any sort of theatre fan, it's a wonderful show and you'll come out feeling all warm n' fuzzy!

xXx