The Used

 Tuesday 17th June was spent at the lovely 'Water Rats' pub in Kings Cross where I tried some elderflower Gin with lime juice/cucumber and then onto the Scala for one of my favourite bands 'THE USED'. Though its been a while since we've seen them live, instantly their incredible energy overwhelmed the venue and took us back to the years we'd spent following this band.

Dialogues des Carmélites - Royal Opera House

From the first workshop in January

 ..............

To the final shows in June

 

 (In this photo why are my nostrils flaring so??)

An unforgettable experience

 

TV Shows

About a month ago I was meant to write a post about some tv shows I had been watching, I had the images ready to post but didn’t get around to it. It’s rather sad because I had put ‘Bottom’ on this list and had spent many delightful hours laughing at Rik Mayall’s Richie character. It was the first time I’d seen ‘Bottom’ but love the immature/ridiculous humor that features the friends hitting each other over the head with various household objects such as frying pans! Tragically of course, Mayall died recently at such a young age and he will be greatly missed in the world of comedy. 

I am also very into ‘Orange is the new Black’!! Unfortunately I completed an online quiz to see which character I was and I got crazy eyes…..

Benvenuto Cellini

Last Thursday was my first visit to the English National Opera. I went to see ‘Benvenuto Cellini’ directed by Terry Gilliam. I was excited to see such an imaginative film director adapt this Berlioz opera and I was not disappointed. The production was dazzling with large scale scenery, film projections, acrobats and crazy colourful characters.

 

  

Opening with a spectacular pre celebration of Mardi Gras, the streets filled with dancers, acrobats, artists and townspeople. Large puppets swung either side of the stage, glittery confetti tumbled from the sky falling over the audience and naturally causing me to squeal with delight. 

Cellini the sculptor, fiery, brash and macho. Strutting about the stage with full command, stealing into Teresa’s bedroom in a hot air balloon and in a passionate rage threatening to destroy his beautiful sculpture. 

 

Sat 24th and Thurs 29th May

As we left the Royal Opera House after the first night of the show we were each given a rose. Not normally one to take 'selfies' I couldn't resist and snapped myself with my flower on Charing cross. The photo doesn't capture the feeling of brilliance London can have on a summers evening, lit up and busy even after 11pm but for me it reminds me of that wonderful Thursday in May. Below,  is me in my costume on the roof piazza. Here I have the view of Covent garden below as I tuck in to a beautiful salad, baguette or cooked meal (it varies from day to day). We have our food during the show when we are not on stage and its funny sitting eating on a breezy rooftop when minutes before we were standing on stage hot and glowing from the lights.

 The Saturday before had been a dress rehearsal where friends and family were invited. Post show we all went to the beautiful Paula Hamlyn hall for drinks and toasts. After we went to Ben's Cookies and got a box of warm cookies. Ben's is a treat!

May Images

Above, the Yardley adverts featuring the beautiful Olivia Hussey

Below, Ive been loving the new adverts for Dorset cereal (on tv) and Pimms (in print)

 

Nunhead Cemetery

 Last Saturday (17th May) there was an Open Day at the Nunhead cemetery. I'd wanted to go to this cemetery for a while as I live relatively near Nunhead and it is one of London's Magnificent Seven victorian Cemeteries. The cemetery was very busy with lots of little stalls, people eating ice creams and children with jars on bug hunts. It was a lovely atmosphere and the weather was glorious. My favourite part was the visiting birds of prey. Jack and I both had photos taken with the owls (we love owls!!). I loved stroking the little barn owls soft feathered belly. We went on a tour of the crypt which was dank and dark and enjoyed the music in the open roofed chapel- it was a lovely day

 The first photo is one I took of a woman holding a little bird. There were alot of people in victorian dress and in the cemetery surroundings they dressed the part. I layered the poster over the photo to remember the day/event.

Dialogues des Carmélites - Royal Opera House

Today was our first rehearsal on the stage of the Opera House and with it an appreciation of how big this stage truly is. I thought I would post some of my sketches from my journal to show my musings on the project, from the first rehearsal back in January. Most of these sketches were quick drawings related to the story of ‘Dialogue des Carmelites’ and the divide between the peasants and aristocracy. Here is a nun, based on the theme of hope and devotion that has come across to me; much more so since seeing the live performance of ‘Salve Regina’. 

Also I have got to hear the beautiful voice of Anush Hovhannisyan and watch the incredible Anna Prohaska in rehearsals!!

Toulouse in his tunnel

PRETTY IN PINK

 So, I have been very busy (which is always exciting) and have been spending alot of time at gym classes and rehearsals at The Royal Opera House. Ive also been to see lots of theatre which has been completely inspiring and a life of such luxury I could really get used to! Because I like reviewing/recapping my experiences, I will write another post about the shows Ive seen including the 2 Operas that have become such a new part of my life. With the two bank holidays came an outing to Greenwich with delicious food from the market and strolls around the park, and a dinner party (below) at Jack's with a candlelit table and cluster of friends bearing home-cooked goodies

With the impending summer and glorious sunshine all are feeling the happiness, including my cat Toulouse who has got his cool hang-out ready in this pink tunnel. This snazzy new tunnel is where Toulouse can be found most days where he will be peacefully snoozing and dreaming of prawns (his favourite dish).