REVIEW: Love Never Dies

It's been a long wait but here it finally is, my review for Love Never Dies!

I went to see it 2 weeks ago on a Saturday matinee performance at the Adelphi Theatre and was incredibly surprised at how different it was to how I expected. Here's a clip of some of the sings/parts, with Ramin Karimloo (who I saw! <3) singing, he is AMAZING not even theatre trained, started off in a rock band! It's not long but gives you a feel of the show :)

Being an avid Theatre Fan, especially of musicals (it's the only thing I have on my ipod and listen to whilst working) I have of course already seen Phantom of The Opera, the story before Love Never Dies and it is MY FAVOURITE show of all time, it's a classic, has everything and Andrew Lloyd Webber's definitely the reason it is one of longest running musicals in London, and is still NO1 with ticket sales.


Also I have had the Love Never Dies Soundtrack since it's release last summer, and already know all the words to the songs, and most of the storyline from the songs.


This was a good thing as I really felt in with the show when I watched it but also it has so many changes from the CD that I was shocked at some parts, lyrical changes and character changes.

It did definitely keep the suspense up for me, as it seems to have has many changes since the opening night, but all definitely for the better!!

The main change was the beginning, they completely cut out the first 3 songs, all the Prologue, so that it starts with 'Till I hear you Sing' at the 'start' rather than all the back story and Prologue which is set at the end of the show.

I think this was a really clever choice as although I loved the prologue ( in the same format as the beginning of Phantom) song it did make the beginning of the show slow going and did not leave the storyline a mystery.
This way the twist at the end can be kept a surprise and leaves the option for a couple of different culprits!

They even went as far to set the way for the audience to think that it will be Madame Giry that sets up the twist at the end, by removing Meg's anger toward Christine in the song 'Dear old Friends', redoing 'Madame Giry Confronts the phantom as couplet between Meg and Madame Giry, and setting up suspicious little things like her going into the Phantoms workshop and picking up the gun.....

The main reason for Raoul, Christine and Gustave going to America was also changed, instead of going to close Mr Y's (Phantom's) Phantasma, they were invited by Mr Hammerstien (MR.H) to sing at the Manhattan Opera House, then the Phantom blackmails Christine with Gustave's safety, to come and sing.
This fits in better with the suspense, and the song 'Dear old Friends' as otherwise Meg and Madame Giry would of been aware that Christine was coming to Coney Island.

Seriously fits in better with the storyline, and songs , and really creates more drama at the end as it is such a shock and you really feel for both Christine and Meg. I think the lack of sympathy was one of the main problems that they encountered before the changes were made , but it definitely wasn't a problem now...

I COULDN'T STOP CRYING !

The scenery was amazing,  I could not believe how marvelous the set was... really has moved with new technical ability and although so modern, still fit the time perfectly!
The Cast was marvelous, especially Sierra Boggess(Christine) Ram,in Karimloo (Phantom) who just worked marvelously together.

If you have the chance to see it....GO!!! Because love never dies!!!!

I was so glad that they were nominated for so many awards at the Whats On Stage award including Ramin getting best Musical Actor, gthey are nominated for many more at the Olivier awards this month!

If you want any more info or want to chat about anything musical I'd love to just add me on Twitter!

And I have Definately used the word Definately too much in this post. Definately.

Hope you enjoyed my review!

British and Loyal... not quite Royal

If you follow me on Twitter then you would know that I spent a day in London doing a bit of shopping, visiting and going to British Art Show 7 at the Hayward Gallery (post to follow)

I really do love living so close that I can easily access everything, as I love the shows, shopping and culture there, but I wouldn't want to live there.

I get the best of both worlds !

And what better to wear than a (newly bought at the weekend) dress with the Royal Guards on!



Dress- Primark

Tights- I can never remember where tights come from but they are not new!

Socks- H&M

Shoes- Camden

Blazer- Miss Selfridges

Bag- Charity Stall

Earrings- Republic

Managed to get up and out by 9, with a homemade Egg mc muffin (the egg may of fallen on the floor at one point, but I still made it!)  and then in London by halfpast.

I went to the Hayward first, must be like my 3rd day on the SouthBank in a week, as it is part of the Southbank Centre, where I saw Frankenstein. It was a very Interesting show of all the up and coming artists and I love to go and see something a bit different,,,and some of them surely were!

Then I went to Soho, had a walk around the fancy dress shops there and Berwick Street market which is mainly fruit and veg and some good independent Record shops. Then we walked through China town, and my dad bought me a cute little china bunny, seeing as it is Year of The Rabbit, and a rabbit in a tea cup on a pen!!! I  KNOW> AMAZEMENT ! They have a really good, indoor market/shopping centre, with loads of good, jewelery, Chinese stationary/ clothes/ punky stuff which we always get something in .

After a bit more of a walk around, I ate in Leon, a really good chain for allergies, and fast, healthy food. I had one of their 'hot boxes' with rice, and lemon chicken and sauce and coleslaw :) YUMMY

The last place we went to was Camden as we usually find a few cool bits but we were so glad we went last as tbh, it just keeps on going down hill. It is prettier than ever since a couple of years ago they revamped the Stables which has made it a really great place for vintage and retro wear bit the High street has gone to pot.

There are still a few independent clothing and craft retailers down the lanes, the gothy shops, a few mod/skin head shops, Cyberdog, retro wear, independent jewelers and a few more Japanese clothing stores selling lolita but loads of the highstreet shops have become touristy and commerical.

They all sell the same ACTUALLY THE EXACT SAME stock; sunglasses, England stock, bongs, slogan t-shirts and market stall clothing.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm the first to love a bit of cheap clothing, souvenir and tat but not from Camden, it was the heart of punk and subculture and just like everything else is becoming so commerical.

TBH I was very disappointed and it was only December that I last went????

Oh and there were loads of European school trips going round in 'I <3 Londonhats trying to take pictures of me, ME FFS, one even dropped his camera in the road because he was struggling to take a picture as I walked past. LOL

Anyway enough of the rant, I had a nice day out shopping in town with my mum today,  not for clothing but art stuff like moss and toy trainsets, although I did get a £5 Barbie Tshirt from Miss selfridges and one of the Vivienne Westwood Red Nose Day Tshirts from TK Maxx :)

Hmmmm...really long post, maybe I should of split it up? but i'm just sooo busy!

Back to London tommorow for another trip round Sherlock Holmes house :)

Holiday inspirations

Dress- Vintage

Boots- Mark Jasons

Jacket- Miss Selfridges

Had Friday off and put my spare time to good use by dyeing two of my friend's hair. One had a caramelly highlight and the other had Florence and The Machine/ Paloma Faith inspired Ginger, well I am good for some things!

1 huge bottle of prelightnener and two bottles of Orange hair dye later and her hair is a shocking orange, I love it, she seemed very shcoked, but if you buy orange hair dye...what do you expect?haha

Also had a subway and a huge danish pastry with icing, custard, raisins and god knows what else in, so it was a pretty chill Friday!

Oh and bought some sale fabric, metallic diamond checks and silky leopard print of course!!

Went shopping Saturday in Bromley and got some bargain in Primark, Bought some clay and a really cool Sherlock Holmes case study book as well as some angel wing earrings from republic and 50p for 3 pairs ( I know what a BARGAIN!) knickers :) Yeh simple pleasures ;)

One of my teachers bought me this book, as a thankyou for helping etc....its gorgeous and has lovely pictures/sewing ideas inside...

I am going (hopefully) to get loooads done this Holiday, mainly little things I don't get time to do.

Have already started tidying up the garden, cut all the lavender bush back them burnt the trims in the Chimnea (so fun!) and have sorted digging over the veg patch...but what to plant?

Any suggestions would be helpful!!!

I have about 12 sqmtres or so and have tried most things the last couple of years but  I need easy to maintain, fail safe, eatable plants?!

Also I am going to sort out my wardrobes, as I have so much I do not wear they needs altering/selling and I could do with the money too!

Sorry for the poor quality photos, if I won the lottery I would defo be buying a proper camera!

Aha this my shit. All you girls stomp your feet like this.

I know all the lyrics to the old Gwen Stefani songs. So what.

And I even dressed like them too.

Top- \Asda

Skirt- H&M

Socks- Poundland

Necklace- Pilot

Boots- Dr martens

And yes, that first photo is my normal face. Gorgeous I know, but what can i say? I turn down at least 100 modeling contracts and 15 rich, fit, famous suitors a day because really I'm a normal girl.
This was my outfit on Thursday, carried sooo much home form the studio because I'm off for the week

YAY could get as excited as the kids on SPOUNGBUBBLE <----click on the link, you won't regret it.
And I seriously do still get this excited...
Actually, I did yesterday, shopping in Bromley, and shouted to my mum "OMG OMG OMG SEE THIS!" probably a bit too loud because everyone in the shop did stop and turn round but there was one of those snuggleblankets with arms for DOGS!!!

Once again please just let me state that I am Hardcore.

A different pair of Dm's in this post, you cant really see them but they are neon pink, I shock myself with how bright they are every time I put them on but they totally went with this outfit. :) Oh and the bag is one of the bags I mostly use for school ,my DW bag, new edition of course (Matt Smith's tardis <3)  and got it for my 18th :)

Just realised I never post about bags, but I do have quite a few and some very cool ones too!

Well seeya guys and if you still haven't clicked on the link....DO... its only short and your definitely missing out on the excitement of a lifetime if you do not. FACT

Clingfilm a boot.

Weirdest experience of the day...Cling filming a boot.

Then making up cellulose powder to papermache the boot.

Art of course haha!

I really want to find a Woodwork course to do, I love working with different material and love a bit of extra lessons. I did a Life drawing course before Christmas for 10 weeks and really enjoyed that. May find something for the summer.

And clothes, I wore them today....hmmm would we weird if I didn't.

Cardigan- new look

Skirt- Miss Selfridges

Leggings- Primark

Top- Primark

Beads- Primark

Boots DM's

My last day tomorrow then I get a week off!! woop woop! got lots of trips and galleries planned and another visit to Sherlock Holmes' house of course <3

Loving this song atm...

Enjoy! xxx



REVIEW: Frankenstien at the National Olivier

Friday night I went to one of the preview showings of Frankenstein at the National Olivier in London.

Before you all cry that you are unable to get to London and see it and curse at me from your pc screens I have some news....

 National do this amazing thing called NTlive wihch means they broadcast it across the UK and US  and Europe via cinemas, they are doing many of Fankenstein and I may go see it again! have a loook, its not expensive and you can pick which role you see, ie:which one oyu want with their kit off! I I would defiantly recommend it, scorll down on the Frankenstien link to see)

I love living so close to London, It took 35 mins to drive in from my house, probs because it was a really quiet time but it never takes more than 1 hour.

It is a new adaption of the original Mary Shelly Novel by Nick Dear and produced by Danny Boyle...
Yes, the same man who did Slum dog millionaire and 28 Days Later <3

Of course it was going to be good, it had Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in it.

 but it wasn't good.

It was .................OUT OF THIS WORLD!
As you may know, the part of the creature and Victor Frankenstein were being played by both actors and swapped for each performance, they had released this info, but as it was a preview they would not release who was playing which part so i was in complete suspense until the start.

I have never been to the Olivier Theatre before, although have been to the Southbank many times, and it is THE BEST theatre in London, amazing view from wherever you sit, almost like an auditorium and it has a HUUUUGE Drum stage which most actors would get lost in.
The play itself was absolutely amazing, the best I have EVER seen and sure to pick up much recognition and awards after the Press and Opening night.

WARNING SPOILERS

Ok before I start babbling on about it, I must say that only 4 seats to my right was sitting DANNY BOYLE himself....EEK! was so amazing and Nick Dear was sitting behind him taking notes!

The Scenery and stage production was amazing, the ceiling was completely miscellaneous light bulbs which were used throughout the play for sunlight/flashes. The drum stage revoled and raised up, and sunk down , it rained on stage, they rolled grass out, Yes it was truly IMMENSE.

When you enter the theatre the Creature is already on stage inside a 'womb' of two skin like sheets in a loop and is revolving on the stage, you can see the body press on the 'skin' and when the play started it became dark red and he was 'born' out of it.
This is when we found out that our 'creature' for the night was Jonny Lee Miller.

Although there has been raving about BC (Benedict Cumberbatch) and I am a complete fan and love him, I thought Jonny lee miller was a breathtaking creature and I completely lost myself in his acting.
He is naked for the first 20/30 mins of the play, because it is very close to the original story and the creature could not be born in clothing, it just wouldn't suit the story or style of production at all. Yet it was not awkward at all, you completely go past the fact there is a naked writhing man on the stage and get engrossed in the character.

Benedict was an awesome Victor, LOVE LOVE LOVED his costume, tight trousers, high boots, tweed cape with fur collar, very his style and he played the complexity of the part so well.

They were such a good team that I could not see how it could of worked with any other pair, they elled and conflicted just as the creature and it's creator should.

There was a few scary moments, first when Victor and his wife Elizabeth are in the bedroom and he leaves after a conversation to kill the creature then as he shuts the door the creature springs forth from the bed which had been on stage all along!

I screamed.


The second was when the creature horrifically raped Elizabeth then when Victor came back into the room, put her body between his legs, held her head and twisted her neck until it clicked and she fell limp.

Once again  I screamed.

I would love to see it again but with the roles vreversed as I am curiosu how Benedict would paly the creature and vice versa but it is SOLD OUT :( I am going to see if there are any NT LIve performances near me,and if it will be released on DVD as the National do this alot.

Yeah, I probably need to end it there, otherwise I will babble on for HOURS, although I could not speak for the rest of the night after seeing it, just toooo intense.

Another review post on Love Never Dies Tomorrow!

Love to you all...

Here is my valentines day outfit.....sorry for the indoor photos, but although it was nice and sunny through the window it was sooooo freezing!!

Top- wallis

Skirt- H&M

Hold ups- Poundland

I did not get any cards/presents for V-day but that's ok I enjoyed wearing my outfit and came home early after a trip round the charity shops to buy MANY (i know have 9 on my shelf) versions of Sherlock Holmes novels ;)

I finished reading Hound of The Baskervilles tonight and although I read it for my project, I did thoroughly enjoy it, and if any of you haven't read it you definitely should because it is very short and such a good story!

I had a really nice outfit on today...with shoes! But it rained on me with no thought for my clothing, hair or even co oordinated nails, whilst I waited for my bus.

 Then I put my feet into soaking wellies to go out to my poor bunnies so that when I came back in for a lovely curry I got straight into my jammies.

I've been in one of those weird moods today, I just feel so unproductive lately but I am trying to sort that out with some lists and plans!

I have planned some good posts about my trips to the theatre this weekend.... but for now you will have to be content with my excitement about some VERY EXTREMELY important current news....

STEPS ARE REFORMING!!!!

yes! finnally, I can bust out all my old dance routines to Tradegy and 5.6.7.8/.....It is gonna be pure 90's class.

Now I am gonig to snuggle down after finnishing my toast and jam, and now that the (very awesome) \Brit Awards have finished as I need to be PRODUCTIVE tommorow!

Night all xxx

Last week In Photo update

I haven't posted since last weekend, and so much has happened, but I will fill in you in with due course in the next few post.

First of all I have some sad news, one of my bunnies, Mason, passed away on Tuesday afternoon after having an operation to take his ingrown teeth removed. It was very upsetting as I spend so much time with my rabbits and love them so dearly.I miss him greatly but I still have two bunnies, Bugsey and Jemimia who I think are coping Ok without him.
 I will get some more in the future (I did have 7 at one point, and I don't have little ones, I have the HUGE ones) but it will be more rescue ones when I do.

On Sunday I watched Mulan, one of most favourite Disney Movies EVER as what is better than a Disney princess....? A Disney princess that can kick ass of course!

And I must of bored my family to the point of wanting to stab me in the eyes with chopsticks by singing this song over and over again, at every inappropriate moment....

How can you not though, definitely one of my favourite Disney songs <3

The rest of the week was pretty normal tbh, have nearly finished reading my Sherlock Holmes books from this post and have mainly been doing my usual art and all that shizz.

Had my hair bleached, by my marvellous mother whilst I sung the above song at her.

Hey, I'm sure she enjoyed it.

Have been eating 2 creme eggs a night minimum. Healthy I know, but one is not filling enough and three makes you sick so two is the perfect number :)

I even had MacDonald's Breakfast on Friday with four of my guys, I had Sausage and Egg Mcmuffin, Had hash browns and Hot chocolate :)

I will leave my exciting Friday and Saturday seeing Frankenstein and Love Never Dies for the next post as I may go into some detail ha ha

So here are a few outfits from the week.......

Tuesday outfit...

Polo- Peacocks children's department

Skirt- Primark

Tights- :/

Boots- DR martens

Shirt-Primark

Skirt-Primark

Tights- Miss Selfridges

Shoes- Mark Jasons

Belt- Vintage

Necklace- Zombie at Brighton

Clips- Asda

Top- Wallis

Skirt- Matalan

Tights- Asda

Boots- Dr Martens

Hope every ones weekend is going well! x

to wet your appetite...

Coat- Marks and Spencers

Dress- Peacocks

Leggings- Primark

Bag- Peacocks

Just a quick post because I'm very tired after writing a history essay on Elizabeth's consolidation of state.

Yeh exciting.

But my hair is bleached and so I will be lovely and Blondie for my photos this week!

Hope you all had a nice weekend!



Thank Fuck it's friday.

 

As you can see I went OTT with trying out some stuff on Photoscape :)

T-shirt- Primark, slashed by me

Jeans- Oxfam

Boots- Dr Martens

Scarf- H&M

Decided to slash the back of this Tshirt last night whilst watching that spooky Marchlands that was on. Will be watching the next one but it seems a bit predictable and slow. I like the back of the T-shirt but I still think the front is a bit plain, I want to print some Tees, might use some of my Iron on Transfers this weekend.

My boots are another one of pairs or Docs, you cant see the back in this pic but they have pick patent Guitars up the back. I think if I ever get married I'll wear white Docs, but not a white dress, I don't really do white clothing.

I'm so thank full it's finally Friday night, complete fall out. Hardcore Friday evening = town alone, library alone bus alone with unbelievable heavy bag with 10 books in.Yeah I know I should in Skins or some Teen cool TV show because my life is THAT thrilling.

Borrowed some books on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to use in my coursework, and some Sherlock Holmes books for my art project including this...

I'm not gonna hide from you that I am an immense IMMENSE IMMENSE

IMMENSE zombie fan.

Any kind, virus, supernatural, intelligent, undead,  modern day, futuristic, past...I just love them.

And seeing as my brother has nearly every Marvel comic in existence I also have a appreciation for graphic novels. I always love the independent ones especially Victorian/steam punk and stand reading them in Forbidden Planet, so when I stopped by the graphic novel section n the Library I had a look for any new/interesting arrivals...AND THERE WAS THIS!

The art is amazing, only read a bit on the bus whilst eating a Freddie frog and Chomp but it seems a pretty good storyline too!

I also went round all the charity shops and bought A Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle which I haven't read and a £1.40 kit to build your own MDF pop put dolls furniture...yeh I know.lol.

It was cool little chairs and Victorian/regency style table so I couldn't resist!

My mama bought me lots of nice treats from Asda, mainly chocolaty things, so I'm probs gonna go get some of them now, sit down with my Look and More magazines and wait for Embarrassing bodies to come on!

Heres a classic that always improves my Friday evening and is always in my Top 25 played on my iopd :)

Btw if you didn't know you can follow me on Twitter!

Hope your all having a chilled Weekend Eve xxx

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Happy Chinese New Year guys!!!
Year of the rabbit this year and I celebrated by wearing my favourite Chinese dress :)

It was my mothers from when she was a girl and I have worn it countless times for fancy dress when I was little, but now it (kinda) fits me properly seeing as I'm a big Girl :)

Its such beautiful fabric and looks so stunning, needs no accessories or anything.

Needless to say my day was spent with people looking at me through glaring (more usual than often) and asking me.. 'why are you dressed up?' 'are you jappanese?'

Most people didn't even know it was Chinese New Year :/

I enjoyed wearing it today tho, and will definitely be getting it out again now that it fits.

WARNING: RANT

Some people really just don't have any sense of fun, do they not understand that we are only young/live once (well in this life anyway!) and there is no point sitting around being bored just because they don't want to be looked at or cant be bothered to even be light hearted...Eurgh I hate people sometimes.

Sorry should of put a RANT WARNING in front of that haha. I just have felt like this alot more these last couple of days, maybe because I've spent more time in communal places with people other than the 10 or so people in the art studio and they have pissed me off with there comments.

It will never change me, I (and my family) always have and will get it, all those sarky comments, shouting from cars ( at least a few times a week) and all that shiz but hey

I DONT CARE!! Haha and  no one else should, Be free, be who you are and HAVE FUN!

Oh and also gradually move a nodding panda around the studio every time your fried turns their back till it is on the window sill, outside the open window, and on the roof of a shed across a courtyard from the window, until she realises it's you and she's not going mad......

Seeing as that's what I did today, but if you don't have a panda any other type of glaring animal would work fine!

And here's a picture of my lovely friend Nami who has been taking my photos for me (as well as some other peeps) for the last couple of days after we have done a strenuous walk up a hill in the freezing cold at 8am.

Thanks Nami!

Elementary my dear Watson.

YAYYY NEW ART PROJECT. Capital letters only express a mere millionth of my excitement on this subject.
If you haven't used your sleuthing skills to work out from the post title, my project is on Sherlock Holmes!
I chose the title The Hound of The Baskervilles from the exam paper, because once I saw that I could not let myself pick anything else!


Its such a change from my usual style in art, more like something I would make a costume on...
My art usually is very contemporary, social, political, abrupt and responsive to society on anything from social conformity, religious conformity, religion corruption, contraception and sexual politics but this is totally different. I will probably take it down a very strange developmental path though!

Going to be a challenge but sooooo excited! Especially as it means new sketch books <3 went and got mine at lunch from paperchase.....
I went for the plain brown variety as per usual, the large one has brown paper inside and the smaller one is my notes book with lines in, these ones are bound like a book, very fitting compared to the ring binder huge ones I thought. Only £7.05 for the two and a new sparkly star pencil :)


Here is the promised picture of the newly cleaned art studio..
BEFORE.....

AFTER....

Note the Matt Smith on my side wall :)

soon it will be filled up again but with very different things!

And my outfit for today was....

Coat- Miss selfridges

Skirt- Primark

Top- H&M

Waistcoat- Select

Beads- Vintage

Shoes- Mark Jason's

Feeling very boho, always do once I've had my hair cut. Maxi skirt not the most practical for me though, my spacial awareness is poor to begin with!

Oh and BTW my water bottle's blood pressure is 35....or so the (evil that really hurt me) blood pressure monitor thinks so :)