A Lesson from Auschwitz Theatre Review

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Paloma Kubiak

‘Vermin’, ‘parasite’, a ‘flea’ that needs to be exterminated. Those are the vile words that are shouted at the Jew who weeps and repents his actions on the stage.

For we the audience of A Lesson from Auschwitz at Churchill Theatre in Bromley are the next generation of Nazi SS soldiers being brainwashed to treat the victims of the holocaust as worthless sub-beings.

An intimate production by Brother Wolf, the play consists of just two actors: the intimidating Rudolf Höss, played by Eric Colvin as the Nazi soldier, and Abraham Könisberg, portrayed by James Hyland, who barely manages to stand on his feet.

He wears a chalkboard around his neck, etched with ‘Ich Bin Zurük’, meaning he’s an escapee.

Unfortunately, he is now to be punished and made an example of in-front of the roomful of trainee Hitlerites.

It makes for uncomfortable viewing, as the lesson from Auschwitz is actually 25 lashings against the prisoner’s blistering back.

And with each rise and fall of the whip, we’re told that showing sympathy towards the prisoners is a sign of weakness, how no Jew is spared – women and children won’t leave the camp alive and how a ‘genius’ has developed a deadly gas substance which can kill more than 2,000 people per day.

Even better, the healthy Jews will build the contraptions ie the showers, which will ultimately kill their own kind – it’s ‘political hygiene’ at its finest.

The rest, as they say, is history.

It’s hard to find anything enjoyable about this play given the bleak subject matter, and in all honesty, I was relieved it was over after just an hour.

But Hyland, the SS soldier, was convincing as the dominatrix and Colvin pulled on all the right emotions.

We’ve all heard the tales of horror and survival from the camps, but what was different about A Lesson from Auschwitz was how it flipped the norm so it was told from the side of the Germans.

However the tales of death and destruction in Nazi-occupied Poland are retold, the lessons from Auschwitz must live on today so that history never repeats itself.

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary since the liberation of Auschwitz, the play’s dedicated to all the victims – those who were murdered and those who survived.

Buccellati Celebrates Launch Of ‘Opera’ Collection At Spencer House In London

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

On Wednesday October 21^st, Buccellati celebrated the launch of the new Opera Collection in the halls of

Spencer House in London.

Friends from around the world, Lucy Connor, Greg Rusedski, Kim Hersov, Ian Wace, Saffron Aldridge and Rocco Forte among the others, gathered with Guest of Honour and star of the advertising campaign, Elisa Sednaoui, with cocktails and a truffle bar, managed by the Italian chef Mariuccia Ferrero, to toast the refreshingly youthful designs the Opera Collection enriches the brand with.

Inspired by the house’s new logo, the collections central motif awakens Italian Renaissance culture: the ideal of absolute symmetry as expressed by the flower.

Characterized by sinuous fine lines and harmonious forms, Opera is comprised of a wide range of pieces; bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings in yellow, white and rose gold, some with pave diamonds.

The collection also encompasses high jewelry pieces featuring cuffs, one-of-a-kind cocktail earrings and rings adorned with sapphires and emeralds.

Amid the vitrines of jewelry, Buccellati displayed official and behind-the-scenes images of its new advertising campaign, starring the beautiful Elisa Sednaoui photographed by Peter Lindbergh.

Milan, the city where the brand was founded in 1919, served as the background for the shots.

About Buccellati…

Buccellati is one of the world’s most renowned high jewelry houses, celebrated for its craftsmanship, design, and one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Buccellati prides itself in its use of rare stones with a strong focus on colour; a characteristic uncommon to many fine jewelry makers. Today, Buccellati jewels are admired worldwide not only for their design and genuine craftsmanship, but also for the house’s signature engraving techniques, which date back to the ancient traditions of the goldsmith’s ateliers of the Italian Renaissance. Buccellati boutiques can be found worldwide in Milan, Venice, Florence, Cala Di Volpe, Capri, Monte Carlo, Paris, London, Moscow, Dubai, New York, Chicago, Aspen, Beverly Hills, Bal Harbour, San Francisco, Palm Beach, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Osaka e Nagoya.

www.buccellati.com

About Spencer House…

Spencer House has regained the full splendour of its late eighteenth-century appearance after a ten year programme of restoration undertaken by RIT Capital Partners plc under the Chairmanship of Lord Rothschild. The final appearance of the rooms, complete with carved architectural detail, chimneypieces and copies of original furniture, is also a testament to the support of the Spencer family who provided access to Althorp to enable replication work of outstanding quality to be achieved.The House provides a unique setting where events can be held in the historic setting of the eight State Rooms. The accurate restoration is complimented by a magnificent collection of paintings and furniture, specially assembled for the House, including five major Benjamin West paintings graciously lent by Her Majesty The Queen.

www.spencerhouse.co.uk

www.corinne-modelling.co.uk

corinne@frostmagazine.com

@ladycdtt

A Day in the Life of Penny Gerrard

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Frostie

A typical day? No such thing – and that’s the way I like it.

I’m certainly an early bird – whizzing about doing “lick and a promise” style housework while catching up with The Archers.

I really look forward to those days when I am sitting in my local court as a magistrate. I love being part of the justice system and I can be sure of a day full of interest and challenge doing something worthwhile with great colleagues.

Other special days are when we look after our younger grandchildren. Five year old Harry involves me in complex Star Wars games with incomprehensible rules and two year old Francesca practises her fast developing language skills on me – telling me she prefers her trainers to her “sandcastles”. Keeping track of the lives of our 20 and 16 year old granddaughters is fun too.

Perhaps I’ll do some admin for The Pastures Church – agendas, minutes, newssheets etc. – sounds dull? Not a bit of it to a compulsive organiser like me. My to-do list would probably be the first thing I rescued from a fire – that and my photobooks and scrapbooks which fulfil my nostalgic side. This nostalgia drove me to record memories of parents and favourite aunts who were no longer there to pass on their stories. Discovering a creative writing group run by author Margaret Graham spurred me on to write and I’ve self-published a book of poems called “Never Too Late” and an account of a trip to Israel called “The Reluctant Pilgrim”.

If we are travelling (we are quite the globetrotting retirees) I knit on the journey – usually for the children but have recently managed a jacket which actually fitted me. I might do some embroidery and the walls of our house reflect this. My longest project was a patchwork quilt which took me 40 years.

Shakespeare often features in my day – perhaps with a trip to the cinema or theatre with the U3A Enjoying Shakespeare group I run. The U3A has given my husband and I some shared interests like croquet – lovely on a sunny summer afternoon, or quizzes which test our remaining memory.

Somewhere in my life there has always been music – from singing in choirs to amateur operatics with wonderful opportunities to dress up. At the moment it involves singing with my church band which is mainly made up of teenagers who also play guitars and drums. This has meant getting used to having no music and only an IPAD to refer to for the words. How things have changed in my lifetime.

After all that, by about 9pm I finally run out of steam and we perhaps treat ourselves to an episode from a box set like House of Cards with Keven Spacey or The West Wing with Martin Sheen. Lovely to enjoy brilliantly written drama. Now, could I aspire to write a script one day? Well maybe, but in the meantime, the ten o’clock news is nearly done and a good book awaits me in bed.

Penny Gerrard

Humans of New York: Stories By Brandon Stanton Book Review

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Humans of New York: Stories By Brandon Stanton is as wonderful as the Humans of New York blog. Already famous, Brandon was even invited to the White House to interview the president, this book is both life-affirming and heartbreaking. I just loved it. Many of the stories stick in your mind, some for their tragedy, others for their humour. Common themes run through the book and Brandon has made great effort to make the book cohesive. The photography is as great as the structure. Many of the people in the book will not leave you, their stories resonate for their beauty and honesty.

A great book to dip in and out of, or to read cover to cover, get your hands on a copy. Humans of New York: Stories is available here.

Humans of New York started off as a blog project Brandon Stanton wanted to single-handedly create a photographic census of New York City. The first Humans of New York book (based on the blog) immediately catapulted to the top of the NY Times Bestseller List. It has appeared on that list for over twenty-five weeks to date. The appeal of HONY has continued to increase substantially, with over 12 million followers currently on Facebook.

Brandon’s dialogue with people on the streets of NY, has increasingly become as in-depth, intriguing and moving as the photos themselves. Humans of New York: Stories presents a whole new group of humans, complete with stories that delve deeper and surprise with greater candour. Let Brandon Stanton and the people he’s photographed astonish you.

Brandon Stanton is the creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling book Humans of New York as well as the children’s book, Little Humans. He was a 2013 Time magazine “30 people under 30 changing the world” and an ABC News Person of the Week. In the summer of 2014, the UN chose him to travel around the world on a goodwill mission that had followers meeting people from Iraq to the Ukraine to Mexico City via the photos he took. He lives in New York.

Life On Planet WWF By C.Y. Chong Book Review

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Life On Planet WWF by C.Y. Chong gives an insight into the workings of one of the world’s largest conservation organisations. Far from being a boring business book it has amusing stories about various royal families and even an archbishop. It is an interesting book which is outright funny in places. It certainly is entertaining and fun as well as being well written and easy to read. I actually managed to read it in a few hours. The stories about Prince Philip are my personal favourite. Did you know that Buckingham Palace has a library and a copy of every book published goes there? I certainly didn’t. There is a lot to be learned from this book and I found it very enjoyable.

An interesting memoir that amuses and entertains in equal measure.

C.Y. Chong’s captivating and insightful revelation about what it’s like to spend over two decades at WWF.

This light-hearted collection of memoirs tells the compelling story of a company executive who walked away from global corporations and immersed himself in the world of non-profit – in this case, WWF, one of the world’s largest conservation organisations.

After years of working in the corporate sector, C.Y. Chong decided to pursue a new avenue of work. He joined WWF International as a finance manager and was soon promoted to Director of Finance – however, this book is about his non-financial experiences…

Life on Planet WWF follows Chong as he travels and tells of a myriad of interesting and unforgettable happenings – being attacked by a mad crow being one. From fitting the letters ‘WWF’ into a television interview as many times as possible, to having cocktails with HRH Prince Philip, he recalls visits to conferences, field projects or other events – each anecdote providing a unique insight into some of his truly extraordinary experiences at WWF.

This book makes an interesting read for anyone thinking about a career outside the corporate sector as well as for the five million supporters of WWF and everything it stands for.

Life on Planet WWF: From Archbishops to Belly Dancers – My Time at WWF is available here.

IWC Schaffhausen Hosts Private Screening In Celebration Of The British Film Institute

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Thursday 15^th October saw a host of British talent and London influencers, gather together for a Champagne reception and private screening hosted by IWC Schaffhausen.

Held in celebration of The British Film Institute, guests enjoyed a Champagne and canapé reception hosted at The Langham Hotel, before being escorted to the iconic Regent Street Cinema for a private screening of The Lobster – a London Film Festival featured BFI funded film, introduced exclusively on the night by Clare Stewart, Festival Director of the BFI London Film Festival.

The evening saw attendance from a host of rising British talent, including Fresh Meat’s Zawe Ashton, The Tudors’ Tamzin Merchant and Penny Dreadful’s Harry Treadaway – all seen enjoying Laurent Perrier Champagne in The Langham Hotel’s Palm Court before being led theatrically by lantern-light to the Regent Street Cinema. Fellow actor Sam Hoare was also overheard on the night expressing how much he had enjoyed this year’s London Film Festival – especially following the recent success of his wife, Romola Garai, in Suffragette.

Distributed by Picturehouse and released to the public on Friday 16^th October, The Lobster features an all-star cast including Colin Farrell, Rachel Weiz, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw and Olivia Colman, and won the Jury Prize at the 68^th Cannes Film Festival.

VIP attendees included: Zawe Ashton, Tamzin Merchant, Harry Treadaway, Charlotte Wiggins, Sam Rollinson, Lady Kinvara Balfour, Sabine Roemer, Sam Hoare and Sarah Ann Macklin

The guests dines on gravlax, honey-mustard dressing and pumpernickel, Scotch beef tartare, truffle and rocket, Cauliflower mousse, piquillo peppers and capers, Ticklemore sable, Crisp confit duck pancakes and cinnamon, Five spice pork belly and pickled cucumber, Cèpe arancini and parmesan cream, Crisp blue prawns with coconut and lime accompanied by Laurent Perrier Champagne and Moscow Mule cocktails

About IWC Schaffhausen & The British Film Institute

For the second year, IWC Schaffhausen is supporting the BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® as Official Time Partner. The 59^th Edition of the Festival will run from 7^th to 18^th October 2015. A highlight in the UK’s cinematic calendar and a globally recognised event which draws some of the most celebrated talent from the film industry; the BFI London Film Festival previews a selection of the greatest offerings in film for the year ahead. The partnership with the BFI London Film Festival follows IWC Schaffhausen’s long tradition of supporting film-making projects – a tradition which is evidenced by its established partnerships with the Tribeca Film Festival, the Zurich Film Festival the Dubai International Film Festival and the Beijing International Film Festival, and which demonstrates IWC’s passion for film.

It’s All Kicking Off by Paul Vates

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Margaret Graham

So, the saga continues. Trying to show how one ‘puts on a play’ creaks ever onwards. At a secret venue, which for the purposes of continuity, we shall call a pub, there was a production meeting where the remarkable Katie Unsworth-Murray produced her design for the set. It literally fits into a shoebox and she has made it all to scale.

(Shoebox design by Katie – including the chandelier)

She even produced a tiny chandelier, which allowed me to inform her that ‘electricity hasn’t been invented yet’. I promised that I wouldn’t mention that to anyone (oops!).

Once you’ve advertised for actors wishing to audition for a production of A Doll’s House, it is only polite to be there and welcome them in. ‘Once more unto the breach’ came to mind as we entrenched ourselves into The Barons Court Theatre. Director Kevin Russell, for New Dreams Theatre, sat me down and gave me a list of names. These people would, at thirty-minute intervals, arrive and audition for us.

If you read my last article about finding the lead actress for the part of Nora (and Alexa Matthews accepted our offer), then you’ll have some idea what Kevin had already had to do to get to this stage.

Even so, a collection of characters wandered in that would have made P T Barnum gasp in horror. Amidst the drunk Irishman, the bizarre Chuckle Brother impression and the born-again Christian seeking new converts, we did manage to find a wonderful bunch of actors, all worthy of the three parts up for grabs. So, the full cast is now complete:

The cast:

Alexa Matthews (Nora Helmer), Paul Vates (Torvald Helmer), Julia Florimo (Kristine Linde)

Brian Merry (Dr Rank), Cathryn Brayshaw (Helene), Ramzi DeHani (Nils Krogstad)

Still at the end of the audition day, we returned above ground, into the light, for a drink in The Curtains Up pub that sits atop the theatre. As we discussed the colourful collection of actors on offer, like a couple of football pundits on a Saturday afternoon, taking into account the results, the teamwork aspects and the skill and style on show, the Irishman shadowed us in between his pints – he had decided to linger for a few when he discovered the bar… For all I know, he may still be there.

As an aside, rehearsals have begun on a relaxed basis between Alexa and myself (I’m playing Torvald, her husband). Kevin has taken us through all the major scenes between us, allowing us to get a grasp of the whole thing before the whole company assembles.

(Alexa as Nora – possibly before the unexpected visitor)

It has all gone quite smoothly, apart from when a rat scurried through the room – eye contact that afternoon was at a minimum as every shadow became our rodent critic.

(Alexa – having noticed the ratty critic?)

Now there is only one thing left to do – full company rehearsals!

We’ll soon meet and with a frisson akin to a school playground, we’ll begin assembling the play. Then – and only then – will Kevin utter his trademark phrase: It’s All Kicking Off!

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen will be performed from November 3rd to 22nd at Barons Court Theatre, west London. Call the box office direct on 020 8932 4747 or email londontheatre@gmail.com to reserve seats.

www.newdreamstheatre.co.uk

Facebook: New Dreams Theatre

Twitter @KevinNewdreams

Paddington Goes on Holiday by Paddington (aka David Worsdall)

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Margaret Graham

When my grandpa, who lives in Downley, High Wycombe, told the family that he was going to go to Peru it was suggested that I might go to keep him company. He agreed, but wanted to have a close look to make sure I didn’t weigh too much.I had no idea why at the time.

Anyway, a few days later we finally set off and flew to Lima. Grandpa said I should stock up on marmalade when we get to the hotel because there wasn’t going to be any for a few days. I didn’t like the sound of that.

Then we went to a place called Cuzco where we met local people who were mountain guides and porters and Grandpa had a technical discussion about equipment, medicines and other things. Marmalade was never mentioned.Then off we went.

After two days we reached a very high pass where the air was very thin. I was strangely unaffected but it was a little tiring having to pose for photographs with lots of people who seemed to recognise me including local mountain guides and everybody who had heard about my recent film.

Was this the deepest darkest Peru I had been told about? The scenery was breath-taking. ‘in more ways than one.’ Grandpa said.

After four days we finished the journey and I perked up when Grandpa said there would be marmalade when we got to Machu Picchu

A fantastic train and boat journey then followed which I enjoyed immensely. I met lots more people.

As you know when you are having fun, time passes very quickly and it was soon time to come back to England.

When we got back to the airport we had to go into London to get home so Grandpa took us round to Marylebone to get the train to High Wycombe. The lady behind the ticket counter said ’I am very sorry to tell you but Marylebone is closed for engineering works you will have to go round the corner to . . . Paddington.’

Grandpa and I just looked at each other and laughed. I knew I was home.

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