A Novel Idea

So this weekend I once again drifted away from my usual weekend excursion of culture and embarked on an evening with Joanna Trollope, discussing her new book Sense and Sensibility at the first Hidden Prologues event at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street.

Yes I know, Jane Austen wrote Sense and Sensibility not Joanna Trollope, but this is a modern re-working and tribute to the 19th Century romantic novel. Same characters just different time setting.

The main issue is how do you make it relevant to audiences today? Well that's what Hidden Prologues, a new literary salon chaired by journalist Sam Leith, aims to uncover. 

Firstly, things that shocked and caused scandals back in Jane Austen's day, are common place today. To have a child out off wedlock is not frowned upon and buying a horse isn't always what you'd expect from a new suitor - well maybe if you are of royal blood you can still expect this. Joanna instead had to disregard these and find something that appeals and resonates with today's audience. So the horse is swapped for a car and we even see a hint of Towie inspiration. 

Is this the first of many for Joanna? She doesn't host any other ambitions to re-work any other great classics for which I'm glad. She's a great writer herself and we should look to create new tales rather than just revisit popular stories. You also can't help but admire Joanna especially when she calls Fanny Dashwood, a wonderful bitch.

Ironically, Joanna Trollope isn't the only one bringing classics back to life for the "new generation". P.D.James re-imagined Pride and Prejudice as a murder mystery, an adaption of which is due to air at Christmas, and even though Poirot demised on national TV he is being resurrected in the world of literature by Sophie Hannah.

The next Hidden Prologues is anticipated to be early next year. Who'll be next to take the hot seat? Well I'll guess we'll have to wait, but if it's like the first chapter I expect there's more twists and plots yet to be unfolded at the Bloomsbury Street Hotel.

For more information visit www.radissonblu-edwardian.com.

Once Upon a Time in Covent Garden

So this weekend I found myself, on a late Sunday afternoon, sitting in an office opposite a very angry and frustrated elf. Why was I there? Well my mission was to save Christmas.

No I haven't gone completely insane - well not yet! It's all part of theatre company Look Left Look Right and Covent Garden's re-imagining of the classic panto, which takes you on an adventure around the historic market. Look Left Look Right are a theatrical troupe, well known for taking performances away from the stage and their recent artistic residency at the Corinthia Hotel was an instant hit. Unfortunately I missed out last time, but this time I was determined to see them in action.

Now I've been sworn to secrecy by Cinderella, but I can tell you snippets without giving away too much. I mean I didn't sign a contract before the performance began....oh no wait I did.

Anyway, as I mentioned at the beginning, my mission was to save Christmas. So what's the background detail? Cinders and Prince Charming have run away from Pantoland to the human world. Wild and outrageous rumours are circulating of scandalous affairs, but worst of all if we, as the elves helpers, don't find them then Christmas is cancelled. I'm quite possibly one of the biggest fans of Christmas so I took this mission very seriously. Maybe a little too seriously.

So off I went, scuttling around Covent Garden meeting with different characters to try and piece together the truth and save Christmas.

I would say that I did well in this mission, but on reflection maybe not. Apparently trying to get Buttons drunk on schnapps isn't part of the script nor is it advisable to convince Snow White to run off with the Huntsmen. It's also not nice to tweet that Cinderella is a bald #slut. In my defence I was pressured to come up with something mean by Prince Charming's best friend Dandini - well that's what Cinderella thinks.

Interactive theatre isn't everyone's cup of tea, my sister positively shudders at the idea, but I love it! Maybe I see it as my chance to act or maybe it's just a good way for me to vent my over abundance of energy. It also makes the whole experience more exciting not only for us as the audience, but also for the performers plus it can't help but get you excited about Christmas. 

If you or anyone you know is struggling to get into the festive spirit this year then this will certainly shake off those Scrooge like feelings. It's certainly got me festive!

Once Upon A Christmas runs till the 15th December and tickets are available to buy from here www.ltmuseum.co.uk. 

To learn more about Look Left Look Right visit www.lookleftlookright.com. I'll certainly be checking out what they'll be doing next.

One Queen to Rule Them All

So this weekend I indulged my obsession with the Tudor dynasty by taking in the latest exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

Queen Elizabeth I and Her People not only looks at the regal Queen herself, but it also explores the people who lived and worked in the Elizabethan court. We are introduced to key players such as the explorer Sir Walter Rayleigh through to merchants and writers via their portraits. 

The Elizabethan period was deemed a prosperous and adventurous time. Not only were the wealthy thriving, but cities were expanding and opportunities were opening up for many people in Elizabethan society. We begin to see merchants, butchers and brewers establish pivotal roles in the flourishing of the economy in the 16th Century.

It always fascinates me how curators take the artefact's or works of arts they already have and how they create natural links to weave a story. Normally, these portraits would be on display in different areas and grouped according to rank or profession, but once they are placed together you understand the significant role each person played in making Elizabeth's reign a success.

I was especially pleased to see a portrait of Bess the Countess of Shrewsbury. She is an extraordinary woman who outlived four husbands and ended up as the second richest woman in the Elizabethan era - second to Elizabeth I of course. This is what makes this exhibition all the more interesting and enticing as it invites visitors to learn more about the people around the Queen. Yes, everyone knows about Queen Elizabeth, but do they know who were her favourites? Who fell out of her favour? Did they win it back or live a life banished from court? Even I have to confess there were quite a few things I didn't know.

No trip to the National Portrait Gallery is complete without running up the escalator to pay my respects to Anne Boleyn and what is that I spy on my way down to leave? A Vivien Leigh exhibition yet to be opened to the public. Why I just may find myself back at the gallery next week!

Elizabeth I and Her People runs till 5th January. For more information or to get tickets visit www.npg.org.uk.

Now below are some famous Elizabethans, but can you guess who they are?

Raunchy Antics at the British Museum

So this weekend I decided to check out the naughty exhibition everyone is talking about at the British Museum.

The museum is one of my favourite places to visit. I've killed many an hour, mainly getting lost, exploring the Egyptians and the amazing sculptures and artefact's in the vaults beneath the museum. It's also a place I always associate with school trips and family days out, so I was quite surprised when they announced a new exhibition called Shunga: Sex and Pleasure in Japanese Art. Not exactly something on the curriculum for school kids.

So what is Shunga? Well if it's not obvious from the title of the exhibition it's basically Japanese porn. The word Shunga translates to mean 'picture of spring.'  and although it originates from ancient China it was at its most popular in Japan between 1600 and the early 1900s.

The exhibition reveals highly detailed and colourful works of art - many of which were banned even in the 20th Century. Extraordinarily the artists well known for these erotic paintings, including Utamaro and Kunisada, inspired renowned European artists Toulouse-Lautrec and Picasso in some of their most famous pieces.

There were some elements, if not all, of the prints which were slightly exaggerated - I don't feel that I need to explain this further! But despite the nature of the pictures many artists employed humour in their work. I was particularly entertained with the nun who takes advantage of a priest hidden in a sack.

You can feel at times slightly uncomfortable looking at a drawing of someone performing spectacular moves whilst an elderly gentleman peers over your shoulder! Especially if you are looking at the image of the Japanese diver and the octopus! However; that shouldn't put you off as the exhibition is an interesting exploration into Japanese culture and it was definitely worth a visit.

The exhibition runs till the 5th January. To book tickets or for more information visit, www.britishmuseum.org

Pride of the West End

So this weekend I once again opted for a week night culture adventure with a evening of theatrical entertainment at the Trafalgar Studios.

So what caught my attention to warrant a school night trip to the theatre? Well a play called The Pride caught my eye a few months ago and with a cast including familiar faces Hayley Atwell and Matthew Horne, I felt it was a necessary week night dose of culture.

Flitting between the 1950's and the present day the play brings to life the inner emotional struggles faced by men in the 50's, persecuted for their feelings towards the same sex. In contrast, and with a much needed comic relief, we bear witness to the liberal attitudes towards same sex relationships and marriage in the 21st Century. 

As the play opens we are introduced to Phillip, husband to Sylvia and typically assumed to be the ideal and charismatic 1950's husband, who meets Oliver, a children's writer, who is working on a book with Sylvia. Immediately there is a stifling atmosphere when both men meet and you begin to feel slightly uncomfortable about the awkwardness, especially the erratic conversations and silences. Soon we learn looks can be deceptive and Phillip's characters is unraveled and we discover his own internal struggles. We are then thrown forward in time to the present day where we once again meet Oliver, but in this time he is a sex addict, a lovable character though, who can't help, but cheat on his partner Phillip. Sylvia is Oliver's long suffering friend who is trying to find a way out from their smothering relationship to find love and a life of her own. 

I can't really say anymore as it will give away the story, but the play and the actors bring to life the inner struggles faced by many, to be themselves. Something that we take for granted.

The acting was superb. I'm a huge fan of Hayley Atwell and she was absolutely brilliant and like the rest of the cast members she  was able to switch from her 50's to present day character in the blink of an eye. Similarly Al Weaver and Harry Hadden-Paton had been gripped from the moment they took the stage - they are names I'll be keeping an eye out for in the near future. The one surprise was Matthew Horne who I'm most used to seeing as Gavin on popular TV show Gavin and Stacey. His role in the play helped to steer the comedy in the present day scenes. His different characters had me in stitches.

The only disappointment? When the lights dimmed at the end! What happens to Oliver and Phillip? Where does Sylvia go? Could we just have five more minutes please?

If you didn't get a chance to see it then don't worry, as they are taking the show on tour across the UK so there will be plenty of opportunities to see it. Visit www.thepridewestend.com for more information. 

A Feast for the Eyes

So this weekend I ventured out for some mid week culture and joined my work colleagues for an Italian Feast at Forza Win.

What is Forza Win? At first I thought it was an Xbox game, but no it's a culinary experience which invites people together to dine on amazing cooking. This time of year it's the turn of winter produce and this particular feast coincided with Movember, so there was the opportunity to raise money by buying cookbook 'Cook Like a Man' - a good stocking filler for the men in the household.

Based in an Old Pickle Factory in Hackney we waited outside patiently whilst they unlocked Fort Knox to let us inside every foodies dream. Once we were out of the cold we were welcomed with a glass of hot spiced wine - I suddenly felt very festive and had to hold myself back from singing Christmas carols.

Surrounded by tables of all shapes and sizes, diners are encouraged to mingle and meet new people. We were welcomed by the Forza Win team before great tureen's of minestrone soup with ham hock were served to the table. I like soup, but I've never championed minestrone soup as I find it too watery however; I can now say that Forza Win has converted me.

Starter over with, we moved on to the main course a delicious roast pork joint with the worlds best crackling! I kid you not. It really was the best crackling I've ever had.

Dessert? Why a delicious panna cotta with poached cranberries of course. A wonderful way to end a truly scrumptious feast.

The evening was wrapped up by a speech from one of the founders of Movember and a live performance by Josh Flowers and the Wild (an amazing group who I'm determined to see live again). 

It's not just the food that makes it a great experience, but the ambiance and the fellow dinners. It's an opportunity to escape hectic work lives and just relax and enjoy the company of friends whilst indulging in good food with the assistance of wine.

It's only on for a few more weeks and tickets are selling fast. For more information or to book tickets visit www.forzawin.com

On Guard

So this weekend I completed my four week Fencing course. Yes that's right fencing as in the Olympic sport not learning how to put up garden fencing.

I seem to have caught a bug to try out the most obscure sports available to us mere Londoners. First it was archery and now it was the turn of fencing. Could this be my golden ticket to Rio? What will be next bowls?

Our sessions took place at Fighting Fit Fencing, a club who are based in a building just off Caledonian Road. Now I've walked down Cally Road a fair few times over the last year, mainly due to Arsenal games closing my station, and not once have I spotted this center and I am a very observant person. Or maybe it's nosy  it's hard to distinguish.

So back to the classes. I was surprised at how soon they get you kitted up and fighting. On the first session I walked through the door and before I knew it I had a foil in one hand, a mask on and I was saluting my competitor to prepare for my first bout! 

Don't worry though they don't throw you in at the deep end and expect you to know everything. Although I did suspect that quite a few people had swatted up via You Tube ahead of the session. So the first thing you need to learn is footwork. Form an L shape with your feet hips length apart and then bend your knees. One hand should be bent at the hip, but stretched in front whilst the other hand should be bent upwards to the side of your body with the hand limp at the wrist. This is basically your on guard position and the stance you adapt before a bout. 

The footwork is simple in theory, but in practice it's a different story. All forward movement is led by the foot at the top of the L and all backward movement is lead by the back foot. Still with me? Let's just say that when someone is coming at you with a foil you tend to forget all your footwork. 

Over the four week period you gradually get used to the footwork and terminology that gets thrown at you. The climax of the session is a fun tournament. It may have been described as fun, but I couldn't stop the competitive beast from within. Luckily our team stormed to victory.

Despite the bruises it was well worth it. If you'd like to try your hand at fencing visit www.fightingfitfencing.com and sign up for a taster session.

Below are just a few key fencing terms you should know: 

1. Bout - a fight between two fencers

2. Piste - the field of play where a match will take place

3. Parry - a defensive action to deflect an attacks

4. Foil - a type of weapon used in fencing

5. On Guard - the starting position before a bout

Back to Barking

So this weekend I hit the West End for a matinee performance of Barking in Essex.

Having spent a few months of my childhood living in Barking, several generations were born and bred there, I felt a natural draw to see this play. This was one of those times that I was pleased I listened to my gut instinct.

One of many new plays to hit the West End this year, the black comedy centers around a criminal family, the Packers, who are deciding on what to do once they know that youngest brother Algie Packer is due for release from prison. So, why are they so worried about a family reunion? Well Algie's mother Emmie and sister in law Chrissie have managed to spend the £3 million that Algie saved from the robbery that saw him take up a stint behind bars. So their sense of trepidation is completely understandable - wouldn't you feel the same if you'd someone's money on clothes and holidays?

I'll admit it's not a play for those who have an aversion to swearing. I lost count on the number of times a certain C word cropped up - even I felt at times it was a little over used. Aside from that minor negative, it was hysterical from start to finish and there were even parts that made you squirm in your set.

You can't help but, be mesmerized by Lee Evans who plays Algie's older brother and husband to Chrissie - his Spanish dance routine still has me in stitches. The way he manipulates and uses his body is still a mystery to me. Lee Evans will always amaze audiences however; the most surprising and best performances came from Shelia Hancock and Keeley Hawes. We are all used to their posh and well spoken characters on TV so their ability to pull off an Essex twang and mannerisms was brilliant. Just hearing Shelia Hancock swear made my Saturday.

Barking in Essex is on at the Wyndham Theatre till 4th January. If you want a good night packed with laughter then make sure you get a ticket. Visit www.barkinginessex.co.uk for more information.

The White Prince

So this weekend I escaped the nations capital to indulge in some theatricality at the Cambridge Arts Theatre to see Michael Morpurgo's The Butterfly Lion.

Most will be familiar with Morpurgo and his books, especially War Horse, but many may not be familiar with The Butterfly Lion. I have to confess that I was in this camp until today.

War Horse has been a huge success for the National Theatre, so you can appreciate the pressure this production was under to deliver a show that would step out from the shadows of War Horse.

Now I don't want to give away too much, but just to give you the gist it starts with a boy escaping from his boarding school who bumps into Millie, an old widower. Whilst seeking shelter Millie tells him about the story of Bertie (her husband) and the butterfly lion. When growing up in Africa, Bertie rescues a white lion cub and they grow to become great friends. Sadly when Bertie has to leave for boarding school his father makes him sell the lion. Will they meet again? Well that would be giving away the story.

So who helped to bring this riveting story to life? Fresh from drama school Adam Buchanan as Bertie and the runaway school boy and Gwen Taylor as Millie made the performance unforgettable. What I particularly enjoyed was both actors terrific turns at playing younger roles and Adam's natural ability to work with the puppet lion. Its a real testament to both actors and their versatility as performers. I, and probably half the audience, expected the younger version of Millie to be played by a younger actress, but it was so refreshing that this wasn't the case and Gwen Taylor's transformation from elderly woman to young girl was fantastic.

It's not just the great acting or the amazing puppets that bring it to life, but Morpurgo's storytelling talent. Without his imagination or strong characterisation there would have been no amazing production.

The standing ovation at the end was well and truly deserved - first I've ever seen at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. I've got my fingers crossed for a transfer to London.

Under the Ashes

So this weekend I took a journey back in time to AD 79 to discover more about the people who lived in the ill fated towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The exhibition at the British Museum has been hugely popular and I was very fortunate to get my hands on one of the last remaining tickets. This also highlights my bad habit of booking tickets at the very last moment! I'll never forgive myself for missing out on the Hollywood costume exhibition.

So back to Pompeii. Now most of those who can remember their history and geography lessons will recall that Pompeii was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Unfortunately for the Romans they didn't have the knowledge of volcanoes that we possess today, so they did not foresee the impact or travesty this event would have. Archaeologists themselves were unaware of the extent of the eruption until they started excavating in the 1700's and it wasn't until the 1980's that the citizens were brought back to life by pouring plaster into the pockets of space underground.

The great thing about this exhibition was that it didn't hamper on about just the eruption or destruction. Instead they focused on the lives of the people who lived in these two historically significant places. It wasn't just about their sorrowful endings, but about the businesses they ran, who they worshiped and that women played a significant role in society and were not merely seen as mothers or wives. 

Set in the majestic circular library, not quite sure where the scholars have sought refuge for the past few months, you were introduced to the residents of Pompeii through the corridors and rooms of the Tragic Poets house. As you wandered through the different rooms you uncovered items that would typically have been found in a Roman home. Lots of chests, murals, jewellery and pots, but most fascinating of all were the carbonized figs and bread that had been left undisturbed for centuries (I wouldn't suggest eating them now). What I hadn't expected to see were the casts of some of the victims on display. Immortalized in their final moments it makes you realise what it must have been like to be there.

I've now been left hungry to learn more. Maybe it's time I took a trip to Italy.

The exhibition closes on Sunday, but walk-in tickets are still available. Visit www.britishmuseum.org/ for more information.

Sweet Art

So this weekend I yet again broke the rules and snuck in some weekday culture by attending a lecture exploring the history of food and art at the V&A.

Now, I'm not talking still life paintings of bowls of fruit, the likes of which we were forced to draw over and over again at school, but the history of food as a medium or tool for art.

Natasha Marks from AVM Curiosities took us through an exciting, if not fast paced, journey through food art and its heritage. From 15th Century sugar sculptures to the future of 3D edible printing it was a heaven for those with a sweet tooth. 

To make it even more interactive we were each given a bag of treats to munch on as we endeavoured to discover more about the history of food installations.  I particularly liked my golden fudge temple which is currently sitting pretty in my room yet to be eaten.

This is the part where sugar lovers should brace themselves, I'm about to tell you something that may shock you. Sugar used to be one of the most expensive ingredients to buy. To put it into perspective a jelly terrine, with its high levels of sugar and elaborate moulds, was worth more than commissioning an artist to create a self-portrait. Makes you think twice about how much sugar you put in your tea.

We blitzed through the medieval period where sugar and food art installations were a status symbol and pulled up at the Victorian era. Now those under the rule of Queen Victoria saw sugar as a necessity and less of an art form, but that's not how sugar and food is perceived today.

There are so many food artists around that's it’s hard to keep a track of them all. Natasha showed us work by the well-known Bompas & Parr, the gingerbread house by Timothy Horn and even the latest creations from the AVM team. I've never wanted to lick a projector slide in a lecture before, but there's a first time for everything.

People may wonder, what is the point of food art? It's not a Rembrandt or a Picasso, but to paraphrase Natasha, art is borrowed time and art is there to be consumed. Why not consume it physically too.

Visit www.avmcuriosities.com to check out all their creations or why not pop by Selfridges and check out their delicious window display.

Fabulous Flora & Fauna

So this weekend I went to one of my favourite haunts in London - Columbia Road Flower Market.

Why am I obsessed with this place? Well there are loads of beautiful flowers, some of which you won't find 

in your local supermarket, plus it is full of colourful characters who create an electric atmosphere.

Come rain or shine the stalls will be out and I'm forever suggesting the market as the place for people to 

visit if they are struggling to think of something to do  on a Sunday. I should probably speak with the local 

council about receiving commission for the number of people I've driven to the market.

It's not just about the flowers and the bargains available. Columbia Road is home to some vintage and 

designer shops that you can pop into when you feel overwhelmed by the crowds. My favourite shop is 

Vintage Heaven, a shop teeming from floor to ceiling with vintage crockery and cutlery. One of my top 

purchases from this Aladdin's cave was a beautiful little vase that currently sits pretty on my desk at home.

A visit to the market will make you think twice about buying from a supermarket. 

Here are a few of my top tips that I've picked up from my visits to Columbia Road:

To avoid the crowds either get there early morning (before 9am) or after the lunchtime rush


The best bargains can usually be picked up after 2pm


Don't buy flowers from the first stall you see. Make sure you check out what's on offer on all the stalls


Yes it can get crowded and often you'll need to fight your way through the flocks of locals and tourists, but at the end of the day it's worth it 


Make sure you visit the cash point before you trek down Columbia Road. Nothing worse than trying to buy without sterling to back the purchase

The Rise and Fall of a King

So this weekend I spent an evening at the National Theatre to see a preview of a contemporary performance of Edward II.

Most people are familiar with the history plays by Shakespeare, but they are not often aware of his predecessor Christopher Marlowe - probably better know for being stabbed above the eye than for his plays.

So who is Edward II and what is the play about? Well Edward II was a Plantagenet king of England who was married to Queen Isabella. On his coronation, Edward decides to bring back his friend and male lover Gaveston from exile. This infuriates the Barons and the Queen who feel threatened by Gaveston and the influence he holds over the King, so they arrange to kill Gaveston which ultimately leads to civil war. 

It's a far cry from the comedies and romances we associate with the likes of Shakespeare, but this contemporary production by Joe Hill-Gibbins marries suspense with light humour - despite it being one of the darkest and most corrupt periods of English history.

A mash up of medieval and modern, we see Warwick take phone calls in full battle armour whilst other characters are followed like reality TV stars around the back of the stage with a camera and projected on screens for the audience. I particularly loved the pre-recorded scene of Spencer and Baldock wandering through the corridors of the National as they attempt to find Gaveston and seek favours with the King. I loved the costumes! They were beautifully made and when the play finishes I will happily give all the Queen's outfits a good home. 

Although the play felt slightly long and sometimes the use of the camera was at times overused, but there's no denying that the acting was brilliant. John Heffernan, Vanessa Kirby and Kyle Soller were all sublime and well cast, but Bettry's Jones stole the last few scenes as the newly crowned Edward III.

My faith in good theatre has been restored recently and every production I have seen this year has continued to build on this. The last of the sunshine is on its way, but theatre just got hot. To book tickets visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. 

Deconstruct This

So this weekend I explored my arty side by enrolling myself on to a workshop called Deconstructing Deconstructions with artist Paddy Simkins.

Now it's a universally known truth that I am no artist. Stick men and cross stitch yes; sketches of landscapes and people no. My twin sister on the other hand is exceptionally talented and was once told that she could be a great forger of masterpieces. Fortunately she chose to be a teacher instead of opting for a life of crime.

Despite my lack of artistic skill, I'll always throw myself in to different experiences and this class caught my attention. You never know this could be the one that reveals my secret talent, leading to me dominating the art world. This is highly unlikely.

Anyway back to the class. Hosted by artist Paddy Simkins, a member of Repre, we looked at what it now means to create a piece of abstract art after all the 'isms' the artistic world has ventured through. I won't name them all as I'm sure you get the gist.

The session involved us drawing objects in the room several times in different ways against the clock whilst Paddy took us through the different techniques we were applying. We then had to draw two pictures of the person opposite us - not so good at this part. Two of our original sketches then had to be coloured in and cut in to strips and stuck on to paper - are you still with me? We then took another drawing and cut out squares or circles and placed the art work on top of the coloured strips. What you see above is the final piece - ta da!

So, what did I learn? Well firstly I need to stop drawing with my wrist and instead use my whole arm. I also need to stop over analysing everything and try my best to forget about being so detailed. I blame this on my English degree.

I didn't uncover a secret talent, but I did leave me with an appreciation for modernism and the artists process - a process that some of us probably take for granted.

If you are interested in checking out the work by the troupe of artists at Repre, they are hosting an exhibition on Thursday 5th September. Visit www.repreart.co.uk for more information.