Spamalot Review – starring Les Dennis and Warwick Davis

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As a huge fan of the Monty Python films, I was delighted to be able to review the latest version of Eric Idle’s Spamalot. The successful stage version of the film ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’.

In this version Les Dennis stared as King Arthur, Warwick Davis plays his horse Patsy and Bonnie Langford is the Lady of the Lake. It didn’t quite live up to my high expectations but it was still a great night out. The play steals a lot of the great lines and scenes from the original film and these were as funny as ever.

The songs, dancing and choreography are all fantastic and come across even better on stage. But the show sometimes felt too much like a pantomime. I expected this to be the case to some extent but it went too far. The fourth wall was broken too many times.

I wasn’t a fan of Dennis’s portrayal of Arthur. The character felt unnecessarily dumbed down and his performance was a bit unrealistic. One of the great jokes of the film is that nobody obeys King Arthur and he’s frequently left frustrated and outwitted much to the audiences delight. King Arthur’s exasperation and annoyance didn’t quite come across as well on the stage and therefore wasn’t as satisfying for the audience.

On the plus side Warwick Davis was excellent and very funny as Patsy and Bonnie Langford was good as the self-centered Lady of the Lake. I felt Arthur’s knights lacked a strong enough identity.

Overall the play was fun and you’ll have a good night out particularly if you never saw the original film

3/5

Spamalot is on at the Playhouse theatre until February 2014

http://www.spamalotwestend.co.uk/home

ATG Tickets- 0844 871 7631

 

Katie Melua’s Charting Success

Katie Melua’s sixth studio album Ketevan has entered the UK album charts at number 6. Katie joins a small group of female artists, which includes Madonna and Kate Bush, who have scored 6 consecutive UK top 10 studio albums.

Katie_Melua releases new album 

Katie signed to independent label Dramatico when she was still studying at the Brit School and released her first album ‘Call Off The Search’ in 2003. The first single, ‘The Closest Thing To Crazy’, launched the 18 year old to a British audience and the album went to number 1. Her following album ‘Piece By Piece’ entered the UK charts at number 1 and its lead track ‘Nine Million Bicycles’ introduced Katie to a global audience and she became the best-selling British female artist throughout the world. Katie’s subsequent albums, ‘Pictures’, ‘The House’ and 2012’s ‘Secret Symphony’ entered the UK charts at numbers 2, 4 and 8 respectively. Katie is now one of Britain’s most successful recording artists of the millennium selling more than 11 million albums, 1 million concert tickets and receiving 56 platinum awards.

 

Katie will be performing a 10th anniversary concert at London’s Roundhouse on October 2nd.

Rubylux pay homage to Usain Bolt with cover of ‘Lightning Bolt’ on BBC Radio 2

Brighton-based four-piece Rubylux, known for their guerrilla gigs across the UK, are about to take their surging melodic rock to the next level. As anthemic and dynamic as rock but with the commercial and catchy appeal of the best pop, the music on their second album ‘The World Goes Quiet’ has the accomplished, assured quality of a Premier Division band.Rubylux with Usain Bolt

Rubylux performed on Chris Evans Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 Friday morning, other guests on the show included Usian Bolt and Helen Skelton. In homage to Usain Bolt the band did a cover of Jake Bugg’s ‘Lightning Bolt’ working Chris Evans and Bolt into the lyrics, along with two acoustic versions of tracks from the new album ‘The World Goes Quiet’, which is released today.

Rubylux have recently been announced as the Music Ambassadors for Soccerex – joining some big names in football such as Michael Owen and Neymar – the band are the company’s first musicians to take on the role. They will travel to Rio later this year to perform at their Global Football Festival on Copacabana beach, as well as performing at Soccerex’s other famous social evening events in which football’s most senior decision makers attend.

Singer and guitarist Rob Irving, bassist Clark Coslett-Hughes, keyboard player Adam Harris and drummer Mike Hall have seen a ground swell of support since the release of their first single earlier this year. Facebook fans rocketed by 250% to over 25,000, a number which is still rising daily. Having already received recognition from the likes of The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Led Zeplin’s Jimmy Page at Brighton Music Awards, this summer at Kendal Calling Seasick Steve caught Rubylux’s performance and later, during his own set, name checked the band as the ones to watch this year.

Now, Rubylux are poised to go global with ‘The World Goes Quiet’, featuring 12 tracks of rousing, infectious, big-chorused pop-rock, appealing to fans of bands such as Snow Patrol, OneRepublic and The Script.

It is a showcase for Rob Irving’s husky rasp and the band’s keen grasp of dynamics, the players matching the lyrics’ sense of drama with energy to spare. Subject matter ranges from the title track’s exploration of how artists deal with success to the struggle to sustain love in a relationship as examined in ‘The Black Sun Needs Sparks’, a lighters-aloft, strings-enhanced would-be stadium ballad to slot next to Foreigner’s ‘Waiting For A Girl Like You’. Throughout, love is viewed as turbulent, and the language used to express this is suitably rich, chiming perfectly with the powerful yet accessible music.

Variously inspired by The Beatles, Leonard Cohen and philosopher Eckhart Tolle, the songs on The World Goes Quiet are classic pop-rock, using melody and honed, harmonic noise as the Trojan horse to sneak in advanced ideas about life and love.

The album was recorded in three studios, in Arundel, London and North Wales, aided by mixer Russ Hayes. Rob essayed draft versions of tracks on guitar or piano before taking them to the others for developing and finessing. He compares their modus operandi to that of The Killers, and emphasises their attention to detail. “We follow the whole process right to the end, all of us living at the studio until it’s finished,” he explains. “It’s a process that has evolved within the band and really works for us now. It’s so exciting to watch it all come together at the end. We took the time to get every part the way we wanted it, meticulously carving it into an album that we’re proud of.”

“We gave everything on this album the time and attention it deserved,” concurs Clark. “We tried to achieve the perfect balance on the songs and sounds from epic to chilled, which we like to put across in our live shows – it’s all in there. So I am confident that the album represents the band through and through.”

Mike is delighted with the end results. “We wanted to make an album where people could fall in love with every single song, and hopefully that’s exactly what we’ve done,” he says. “For me, each track has something special about it, whether it’s the string arrangements we wrote in the mountains of North Wales for Sound Of Light, or Rob’s guitar solos we recorded in his bedroom, Ad’s synth solo on I Don’t Want Paradise or Clark’s bassline on Love Without A Cause. Each part of each song has a story behind it. I can’t stop listening to it, and I’m hoping other people won’t be able to either!”

Concludes Adam: “From the day Rubylux got together our aim was to make the kind of record that we would all like to listen to, to try and compete with the biggest bands in the world – to play as well as they play and make the kind of music that touches people in the same way they do. With this album I think we have begun to achieve that.”

Rubylux recently performed at Rockness, Kendal Calling, Chris Evan’s Carfest, Lodestar Festival – playing the main stage on August 31st and Feastival. Please check their website www.rubylux.net for details of forthcoming live shows.

Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde | Theatre Review

Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, theatre, theatre review, west endAs I entered the Leicester Square Theatre to review the West End Premiere of Brother Wolf’s new award-winning one-man show, ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, ahead of its nationwide tour I remembered that the story was a horror. I then noticed their were children in the audience so I thought it would not be scary, how wrong was I. Impressively adapted, produced and performed by James Hyland, Hyland is a one man tour de force. He is great as Dr Jekyll and his evil side, Mr Hyde. This play is worth seeing for his performance alone.

Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde is not easy viewing. In fact, people even screamed in the audience. It is gruesome, scary and at some points downright uncomfortable, but it is a great piece of theatre. It shows what can be done with a one man show.The tale is an old, classic one and most people know of it and how it ends. This does not ruin the show though, Hyland playing the many characters does so with believability, talent and truthfulness. It is just Hyland and a podium on the stage but he manages to carry the entire show with ease.

As I mentioned before, there were children in the audience. I would not recommend this show for a child. I was quite uneasy at points and my companion thought it was scary.

Scary it may be but it is also brilliant and James Hyland is a superb actor. Go and see.

Based on the novella by Robert Louis Stevenson
Presented in association with Harrogate Theatre
Adapted, Produced and Performed by James Hyland
Directed by Phil Lowe

Leicester Square Theatre

6 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BX

08448 733 433 www.leicestersquaretheatre.com

 

Please visit the following website for more information on the production company: www.jameshyland.co.uk/brotherwolf

 

Celebrities Take It All Off For BBC Children In Need

Along with a host of internationally renowned celebrities, BBC Children in Need has launched this year’s BearFaced Day. Together, they are asking women across the UK to join them in going BearFaced for BBC Children in Need on Friday 8th November, the campaign simply asks for women to spend a day without makeup and pop on a Post Office Pawprint instead.
The stellar line-up includes TV favourites Laura Whitmore, Arlene Philips and Alex Jones, outstanding actress Sheridan Smith, sensational singer Kimberley Walsh, model and actress Suki Waterhouse and talented artist Jo Wood. All have gone BearFaced in a make-up free photo-shoot by world renowned photographer, Rankin, to encourage women across the UK to unite to do the same.

AlexJones- STRICTLY EMBARGOED TILL TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER ArlenePhillips-STRICTLY EMBARGOED TILL TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER Jo Wood-STRICTLY EMBARGOED TILL TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER Kimberley Walsh LauraWhitmore SheridanSmith- STRICTLY EMBARGOED TILL TUESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER SukiWaterhouse

 

Laura Whitmore said: “Join me and hundreds of other women, who are going BearFaced, let’s raise lots of money for children all over the UK, who need your help.”

Kimberley Walsh said: “BBC Children in Need’s BearFaced Day campaign is such a brilliant way to raise money; will you be joining me this Friday 8th November?”

 

Sheridan Smith said: “Pop a Pudsey Pawprint on instead of your makeup this Friday 8th November to help make a difference to young lives across the UK; every penny raised really will help!”

 

Alex Jones said: “There are so many children and young people across the UK who need our help, so how could I say no to the BBC Children in Need BearFaced campaign? Join me and hundreds of other women going Bearfaced November 8th.”

 

Arlene Philips said: “Come on ladies, join me in going BearFaced on Friday 8th November to help raise lots of money for BBC Children in Need.”

 

Jo Wood said: “I’m so excited to be taking part in BBC Children in Need’s BearFaced campaign this year! I hope that women across the UK will leave the make up at home for the day to help change the lives of children who really do need our help!”

 

Going BearFaced is a simple way to raise money for BBC Children in Need. Women can either participate alone or set up a Bearfaced team with friends, family and colleagues to make the day more fun.

 

The Pawprints as seen on the BearFaced lineup are available now at Post Offices across the UK.  Women are encouraged to swap their makeup for a Post Office Pawprint to help make a difference to young lives.

 

Find out more at bbc.co.uk/pudsey and prepare a sponsorship page at mydonate.bt.com/events/gobearfaced.

 

Will you be going Barefaced?

Playing With Fire By Kerry Wilkinson Book Review

Playing With Fire Kerry Wilkinson book reviewPlaying With Fire is the fifth book in the DC Jessica Daniel novels. The novels could not come at a better time, with TV shows like The Killing and Top of the Lake having female crime-busters, the story is definitely on trend.

DS Jessica Daniel is engaged and at the top of her field. She is a great character with many layers. Seven years ago Martin Chadwick set fire to a Manchester pub, not knowing a teenager was sleeping inside. Chadwick’s release from prison is imminent, with journalists gearing up for a good old-fashioned media lynching.

With the victim’s father telling the papers he is out for revenge, DS Jessica Daniel is left to keep an eye on Chadwick and his fiery eighteen-year-old son.

If that’s not enough to keep her occupied, a private investigator is doing a fine job sticking his oar in, it looks like there’s a schoolgirl suicide ring in operation, her car is working a little too well, and the endless rain continues to pound her northern home.

Jessica’s personal and professional life is in the balance – giving her barely enough time to focus on the person in her midst seemingly intent on burning everything to the ground.

Playing with Fire is an enjoyable crime drama book. Worth a read and, if you like it, there are plenty more books in the series to keep you entertained. Have a read if you like crime, drama or thrillers.

London Shooting Club Offering Downton Experience | Things To Do

shooting, gun, guns, shotguns, clay pigeon shootingLooking for something different to do? At Frost we love clay pigeon shooting. If you want to try it yourself The London Shooting Club is an exclusive members club and concierge service that specialises in providing access to the finest shooting experiences in the UK and internationally. The London Shooting Club is very pleased to offer a bespoke shooting experience to both members and non-members that will make you feel as if you have stepped into the cast of Downton Abbey. Release your inner Lord & Lady Grantham as you shoot game on the estates of the finest of Britain’s stately homes including Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey is actually filmed.

Spend the day with The London Shooting Club taking aim at everything from pheasant to partridge in the ground of Britain’s most stunning homes and you may even catch a glimpse of the real Lord & Lady Grantham. So if you want to relive the golden era what better way than a day with The London Shooting Club.

Based at the prestigious West London Shooting School but using various prestigious shooting grounds around London, The London Shooting Club offers unrivalled access and expertise to those interested in shooting, from beginners wishing to take up the sport, to the advanced. Working with leading experts and top shoots to arrange group trips, tailored experiences and instruction in all disciplines of shooting, whether it be a shooting clinic, a training session, private trips to venues of special interest or a talk from leaders in the field of shooting.

It can be hard for city-bound shooting enthusiasts to find quality places to shoot or even just enjoy the company of other followers of the sport. The packed diary of social evenings, lectures and parties which each bring something a little different, often including the chance to meet leading experts, entry into London’s exclusive private member’s clubs, and late night revelry.

The London Shooting Club also offers a concierge service for both private and corporate members and their guests providing high quality shooting throughout the UK and abroad. The Club uses its extensive network of contacts and experience to give its members the best shooting throughout the year.

The London Shooting Club will have four membership levels. Beginner for those looking to learn to shoot, Competent for those who are looking to return to the sport or progress from a novice level and Advanced that is ideal for those shots who are of intermediate to advanced level and able to book game shooting days. The London Shooting Club finally also offers a corporate membership. To get the most out of Shooting Club membership, you need to be comfortable and safe handling a firearm – but it is fine if you’re rusty! Shooting Club Membership is £335 payable annually for Competent and Advanced memberships whilst the beginner membership is £195 annually.

The London Shooting Club
W: http://www.londonshootingclub.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LondonShooting
FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheLondonShootingClub

Statley Homes include
Highclere Castle
Blenheim Palace
West Wycombe Estate
Belvoir Castle
Ashcombe
Great Tew
Chavenage
Ashcombe House

Plastic Bags To Cost 5p From 2015: Why It’s a Good Thing.

It has taken a long time but there will finally be a charge for plastic bags. Plastic bags are to cost 5p in England in a bid to discourage their use. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will unveil the plan at the Liberal Democrat party conference this weekend. Scotland will charge from October 2014 and charges for single use plastic bags are already in use in Wales and Northern Ireland.

environment, effect of plastic bags on environment, plastic bags to cost money, plasric bags, wildlife,

The charges will apply to supermarkets and larger stores and the proceeds will go to charity. Watch the video below to learn why Frost thinks this is such a good thing. Plastic bags have a bad effect on the environment and can kill or hurt animals.

Here are our top 5 reasons why it is a good thing:

1: Stray bags choke and strangle wildlife around the world
2: Production of plastic bags requires millions of gallons of petroleum.
3: Less plastic bag use would significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
4: In 2006, the United Nations found that each square mile of the ocean has 46,000 pieces of plastic in it. We don’t want to add to this.
5: There would be less plastic bags littered around, leaving the world a much more beautiful place. Over one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year and 3-5% of these are recycled

What do you think?