Heineken Cup Semi-Final

So this weekend I cheered on the Saracens as they took on the formidable Toulon in
the Heineken Cup semi-final at Twickenham.

Having been a supporter for many years of the wonderful Saracens, totally not
biased, this was set to be a tough game as Toulon had shown great
form recently and they were determined to make it to the final. 

Let's not forget who their fly half is.... Jonny "drop kick
gorgeous" Wilkinson. No matter the shirt colour Jonny is one of
the best fly half's in the world, as quoted by my housemate, but how would he
fare against Owen Farrell? 



After the cringe worthy Sarries anthem the game started and the
stadium screamed, shouted, gasped and sighed their way through the first half.
The speed of Toulon was mesmerising whilst Jonny's kicks
were faultless. Sarries maintained a strong defence to prevent Toulon scoring
tries and kept a level head despite some bad referee decisions - still not
biased.



At the half time whistle Sarries were on 9 points, but Toulon were
leading with 12. One could only hope that the pep talk by the coach would lead
us to victory.



The second half was packed with near tries for Sarries, but as hard as
they tried no one could stop Jonny Wilkinson's left foot.



The final score 12 to Sarries and 24 to Toulon. Sarries won't
be going to Dublin for the final to play Clermont, but at least we tried
our best and I can rest my vocal chords. 



Man of the match? Why it could only be Jonny Wilkinson.

Battle of the Sexes

So this weekend I travelled to the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith to see a new and highly praised production of Augustus Strindberg's play Miss Julie aptly renamed Mies Julie.

Having studied the play at school, what feels like a lifetime ago, I was was keen to see how the South African based Baxter Theatre Centre, would translate the sexually explosive play to make it relevant to a modern audience. 

The play was written in 1888 and its clear, for all those who have studied the play, that Strindberg wasn't overly fond of women and that the battle between sex and class is central to the plot. Women aren't perceived in the same way as they were back in the late 19th Century. Women can work and have a family or even become the CEO of some of the top businesses in the world. Unless you are playing it as a piece of late Victorian drama then you can't update it.... well so I thought. 

Director, Yael Farber, has transported the play away from the Victorian era to post apartheid South Africa. As the audience, we observed the personal struggles, ambitions and fears of the characters in the play who were left in the aftermath of the apartheid. From the first line you were swept up in the emotive dialogue, aware of the bareness of the stage and haunted by the constant droning of the backing track all of which evoked the hopelessness of the original play.

Hilda Cronje's Mies Julie, teased her way across the stage radiating feminine sexuality in the first half before melting into moments of hysteria and vulnerability as Julie gradually looses control. Bongile Mantsai captured the ambitious nature of John, seeking any means to take what is rightfully his. Although aggressive at times towards Julie, Bongile brought to life the good side of John through his devotion to his mother who he is desperate to please.
It's a powerful re-telling of the play which shouldn't be missed! Visit www.riversidestudios.co.uk to book your tickets.

Ice Cool Estonia

So a few weekends ago I took a trip to the picturesque capital of Estonia - Tallinn. 

With temperatures around -6 it was stunning, but absolutely freezing with snow as far as the eye could see. Thanks to a last minute purchase of wellies (slight obsession with these beauties) I didn't slip up once on the treacherous ice - no I'm really not exaggerating.

During my stay I tempted my taste buds with elk and rooster; ventured down into secret tunnels in the city, admired the beautiful palace built by Peter the First of Russia for his wife and sat in the chair of the KGB director who was hiding in the Viru hotel.

It's an amazing place. I'll let the pictures do the talking.