28th Oct2018

McQueen (DVD)

by timbaros

©AnnRay MCQUEEN_C03-016 2mbFashion designer Alexander McQueen was a genius He had an eye for fashion but was also a troubled soul. The new documentary ‘McQueen’ shows the highs, and the lows, of McQueen’s life.

Alexander McQueen, born in London’s East End in 1969, seemed not to be destined to become one of fashion’s hottest and most successful designers in the 1990’s, but according to the documentary, he had talent, talent that can only be described as natural – he was born with it.
‘McQueen’ begins with old footage of McQueen talking directly into the camera, footage that was taken at the height of his illustrious career. He enrolled as a student at Central St. Martin’s College of Fashion, and then moved on to Paris to learn the trade, then became a tailer, but it was when he met Isabella Blow, who happened to take him under his wing and, which is, according the documentary, made him what he was. But McQueen was extremely talented, and not only did he launch his own fashion brand, but at the same time he was also head designer for fashion brand Givenchy all the while picking up various people along the way who became his trusted staff, people who speak to the camera effortlessly and honestly about McQueen and their time together.
But all was not meant to be. McQueen dabbled in cocaine and London’s gay fetish scene, he was under enormous pressure to put together several collections a year, including haute couture, and he had a falling out with Blow, who would commit suicide at the age of 46, which put on more pressure and guilt on McQueen. But it was when his dear mother died when McQueen decided that enough was enough, and ended his pain. He committed suicide at the age of 40 in 2010.
‘McQueen’ is an excellent testament to the man who was also called Lee. Through his friends, associates and sister Janet, we really feel that we get to know who Lee actually was ourselves. But it’s through the footage of his fashion shows where we get to see the real talent that he had. His shows were events, some very dark (which explains how deep and troubled he was), and showed how gorgeous, and emotionally beautiful, his creations were. Alexander McQueen died way too young, but through this documentary you can at least experience his life and work, which was cut way too short.
Category : DVD
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28th Oct2018

The Happy Prince (DVD)

by timbaros
_MG_7328Rupert Everett has reached a new pinnacle in his career with the release of his new film “The Happy Prince.”
In a film in which he wrote and directed, Everett plays Oscar Wilde in the final years of his life. Everett, if you remember, played Wilde a few years back in London’s West End in the critically-acclaimed show ‘The Judas Kiss’ which won Everett awards. Now, and ten years in the making, sees Everett play the role he was practically born to play. It was ten years of struggling to get funding for this film, and once Colin Firth had signed on (he is an Executive Producer as well as playing Reggie Turner, one of Wilde’s best friends, in the film), ’The Happy Prince’ was finally made, and what an excellent film it is.
In the very late 1890’s, Wilde was a penniless man, living in France, with lots of stories to tell yet not a whole lot to his name. However, three years prior to his death (in 1900), Wilde had been released from prison where he served time for sodomy and gross indecency. Before his prison sentence, Wilde had enjoyed being a member of high society and was usually the centre of attention (we see as flashbacks in the film), and in ‘The Happy Prince,’ we see this side of his life portrayed. We also see the desperate side in the opening sequence in the film where he happily takes money from an old friend in a dark alley while he struggles to come to terms with the fact that his life will never be the same ever again. He does, however, have occasional contact with friends, and with his long-forgotten wife (yes he was married) Constance Lloyd (Emily Watson) – the mother of their twin sons – while he surrounds himself with young men, cocaine, and not much else.
It’s a bravura performance from Everett that makes ‘The Happy Prince’ both an ode and tribute to a man who has been the subject of many a book and show. By making ‘The Happy Prince’ his way, Everett will reap the respect, and the rewards and awards, that he truly deserves for making this magnificent film.
Category : DVD
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28th Oct2018

42nd Street (Theatre)

by timbaros

Bonnie Langford 42nd Street prod shot 4Seventeen months ago 42nd Street opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to rave reviews. And it’s still going strong – with a new lead!

Bonnie Langford ably takes the lead (Dorothy Brock) previously held by Sheena Easton, Lulu and Steph Parry in the role as Dorothy Brock – a semi-ageing theatre star who, due to an injury (intentional or otherwise), is unable to go on with the show. So in comes Peggy Sawyer (a still amazing and wonderful Clare Halse, who is, lucky for us, still in this show) – straight off the bus from a small town and looking for a break, and she gets it! Unfortunately it’s at Brock’s expense.

Sawyer gets a job as a backup dancer in a show called Pretty Lady, and the Pretty Lady in the title is Brock. But Brock breaks her ankle, so after getting fired for causing Brock to break her leg, Sawyer is roped back into the show, this time as it’s lead, and she’s only got 48 hours to learn the part, to learn the dance moves, and is wooed and coddled by director Julian Marsh (Tom Lister – still in the role). But it’s Billy (Ashley Day) who really takes a liking to her. Will she be ready and rehearsed in time to open the show? Will the nerves get the best of her? I’m sure we can all figure out how it plays out – and plays out it does, much to our delight!

But the story line pretty much takes a back seat to the musical numbers. Songs such as ‘I Only Have Eyes for you,’ ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ and ‘We’re in the Money’ still have that wonderful toe-tapping feeling. And the sets are superb as well. Act 1 moves us from the stage of the 42nd Street theatre to The Gypsy Tea Kettle Restaurant and then on to Philadelphia, while Act 2 takes us from the dressing rooms to a Philadelphia train station – all realistically cleverly designed. And those dance numbers – wow! There is one amazing scene where a dozen or so female dancers are on the floor while a mirror hovers above them for the audience to see – it’s breathtaking! This cast is definitely the hardest working cast in town – from the opening number where they tap themselves to death to the finale where they all come down the amazing light-up stairs – it’s one singing sensation after another. Halse is superb (with an excellent voice) as the lead, Langford does a good job as Brock, and the rest of the cast are just as good. But it’s Halse, of course, who is the real star of this show, and of the show within the show. And Maggie Jones and Christopher Howell excel in their supporting roles. 42nd Street is still a must show to see.

42nd Street is playing at DTheatre Royal Drury Lane, London is booking until Saturday January 5, 2019.

https://lwtheatres.co.uk/theatres/theatre-royal-drury-lane/

Category : Theatre
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28th Oct2018

Richard Carpenter is Close To You (Theatre)

by timbaros

image001-2Don’t expect to hear any Carpenters songs at the show misleadingly titled ‘Richard Carpenter is Close To You.’

Why? Because this show does not have the rights to perform any of the Carpenters songs. Performer and writer Matthew Floyd does his best to not play more than six words of any of their songs otherwise he could be sued. And there is disclaimer for this show: The affectionate but unsparing parody is not endorsed by the real Richard Carpenter. So what are we left with? A musical show that somewhat makes fun of Richard Carpenter, mocking him as the second fiddle to ‘the voice’ that was his sister’s – Karen Carpenter – for it was she, not Richard, who was the face, and of course the voice, of The Carpenters – the biggest selling American group in the 1970’s (American groups versus other Non-American groups as Floyd states in the show).
But poor poor bitter Richard. After the death of his sister 35 years ago (has it been that long already?), Richard is left to look for work in any way shape or form he can. He has an agent who pays him no mind, though she books him on the QVC channel where pushes his new remaster of last month’s remastered Carpenters Greatest Hits. He’s also trying to push his own new album but no one is having it and/or buying it. Richard used to be on top of the world (with his sister), though now he’s back at the keys of his piano and his sister’s legacy is still looming as large as ever. What will become of Richard? Will he be relegated to the not-so famous group of famous siblings in heaven – such as Solange Knowles and Serena Williams? Go see Richard Carpenter is Close To You and find out! Every sha la la la la la la la la
Category : Theatre
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14th Oct2018

New English Ballet Theatre (Theatre)

by timbaros
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The New English Ballet Theatre (NEBT) presented a stunning, and moving show, last month at London’s Peacock Theatre.
 
It was two shows within one – RemembranceandThe Four Seasons. Remembrance, Wayne Eagling’s first piece made specifically for NEBT, commemorates the centenary of The Armistice of 11 November 1918. Remembrancewas inspired by the romance between the great Marie Rambert and the dashing playwright Ashley Dukes and the personal anguish created by their sudden separation as Dukes is called back to the horrors of the battlefield. This beautiful piece is set to Handel’sOde for St Cecilia’s Day.
 
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The Four Seasonsis Jenna Lee’s bold, stylish ballet is set to Max Richter’s recomposition of Vivaldi’s much-loved classic, The Four Seasons. Starting with spring, and ending with winter,The Four Seasons is a stunning piece, with stunning lighting and set, with dazzling costumes that represented each season – and dancers that shine throughout. 
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 For more information on New English Ballet Theatre,please click here:
 
Category : Theatre
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