Stage // 2013 ROUND UP

To begin my 2013 ROUND UPS: lightning reviews of (almost) everything I saw on stage this year, from Stage-Bergs (that left me cold) to some simply breath-taking plays. Have a butchers.

Stage-Bergs "Just... Why..."

Chimerica (West End Theatre)

Confused and erratic, this play did not know what it was. Romance? Political drama? Supernatural thriller? It was flawed at a fundamental story level, based on the idea of writing the ‘back story’ to the famous TANK MAN photograph.

Singin' in the Rain ( West End Theatre)

Unfortunately I found this to be a shallow, money making exercise. It lacked any sense of chemistry between the three leads. It preferred to be a hollow, lifeless carbon copy of a classic than attempt any sense of reinvention.

The Middle Zone "I like it, but..."

Max & Ivan's The Reunion (Narrative Sketch Fringe Comedy)
It featured their characteristic multi-character, meta gag, break neck pace, however the banal setting and set-up removed the epic scale that made their previous shows stand out.

The Drowned Man: Punchdrunk Theatre (Immersive 'site specific' Theatre)
"‘The Drowned Man’ is like watching a blue whale glide by an inch from your face, simply too big to take in. As pure spectacle, Punchdrunk are now operating on a level that makes criticism basically redundant. But in terms of straight-up theatre, they have made better." - Andrzej Lukowski [I love this review]

Indeed, The Drowned Man was a hugely impressive combination of immaculate attention to detail in an immeasurably vast set, but an almost incomprehensible, fragmented narrative. A shame.

Jane Eyre by the Shanghai Ballet 

The narrative told from Bertha (the mad wife)'s perspective, gave the story a new angle, one of heart breaking infidelity. The bold and surreal finale saw the three protagonists strip to nude body suits and sit intertwined in center stage, a message that this love story is intrinsically triangular. Unfortunately the music was a jarring collage of famous classical pieces that cheated the whole of it's own complete world.

The Golden Brush by the Hungarian National Ballet 
The choreography was delightful, the point work sharp and precise. The narrative was almost impossible to discern, the protagonist appearing to have sex with most of the female cast until he became blind...? In the third act the stage was overrun by crazed nuns, followed by two roman soldiers who lift our protagonist onto a plinth and crown him with thorns... Entertaining if bemusing.

Just great "I have no words"

Henry V (West End Theatre) [DRESS REHEARSAL]
This was great. Although Law seemed unsure what to do with his hands for Act 1, this production was hugely entertaining, from slapstick comedy to epic battle. The set was inventive and clever, from the billowing smoke of the siege to the starry sky of the encampment, we are captivated. It really makes me regret not seeing any other performance of this showstopping season by the Michael Grandage Company. A longer review will be up soon with an outfit inspired by the play.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (The National Theatre on the West End)
If the roof hadn't caved in I would start by DEMANDING that you buy tickets now. What an utterly mesmerising show. The ingenious use of lighting within a cubed stage space gave this show a 4 dimensional feel. Funny, gripping and magical, this is the best kind of West End show. Outfit post here!

The Low Road (Royal Court)
I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. A fantastic three hour epic about the birth of capitalism set in America in the late 1700s. Razor sharp wit, poignant satire and a brilliant surreal finale involving space bees. Thank you Bruce Norris. This rocked my socks.

Pope Joan (National Youth Theatre)
Sophie Crawford was captivating as Pope Joan/John and while not all of the acting was of the same standard, the powerful setting of St James Church on Piccadilly more than compensated (this was truly intelligent site-specific theatre). The climactic murdering of Joan was shocking and brutal, and the issues of sexism in our society felt incredibly, uncomfortably relevant.

And there is it! Fantastic :)

Cheers to all the theatre-going buddies, thank you for enduring my ticket-buying-coercion, more of that in 2014 I assure you.

To come... Films & Music...

 

BEAUTY // Lime Crime 'Great Pink Planet'

Super pale blue-tinted pink with a light candy-pop, this lipstick has an ultra creamy texture.

Although it's very creamy, I find this doesn't lead to an even coat. However, I applied direct from the tube (with no brush) and did not use primer, both of which might lead to smoother results!

As an opaque lipstick, the finish is essentially matte but with a strong shine.

It wears really well. Although it only lasts a few hours before needing a top up, it fades completely evenly, which is important in such a candid shade.

The pigment is very crisp, very light, very pale, adventurous and delicate, it gives a reverse-gothic finish. 

It's a great shade to use as a mixer with other lipsticks to create a more pastel pigment.

Have a look at Leanne Lim Walker's review of Airborn Unicorn (the infamous purple that took the bloggosphere by storm) and Red Velvet.

Aside from the lipstick, I'm wearing my Daily Get Together make up in these photos.

Is any one else interested in out-of-the box pigments?! Send 'em my way!

Film // LA NOTTE (1961)

Il Deserto Roso (The Red Desert) by Antonioni, is a long, quiet, alien film. It's characters guarded & broken.

It is cryptic.

But then, at it's climactic point, the protagonist voices with total simplicity and clarity exactly what she is feeling. It took my breath away, this moment of understanding, in the space of ten words, the whole film pulled together and the effect was devastating.

La Notte, a beautiful, black and white, melancholy passage through one day and one night, strikes the same chord in this same brilliant, moving manner.

During the day the landscape is industrial, urban, unforgiving and ugly. At night they attend a party, the scene is lavish and extravagant.

The story is episodic: a visit to a dying friend, a seduction by a deranged inmate, watching boys set off rockets in the fields, a night club.

It is a life-like narrative. Haphazard incidents culminating within us to shape our decisions, emotions and self-perception.

The characters are like islands. Each isolated. Communication has broken down.

Until the final scene. As dawn rises and we lie in the sand bank of a golf course. As two lovers discover the fatal truth. Expressed once more, in total clarity.

It is beautiful. it hurts.

La Notte is an absolute bruiser, captivating throughout every cryptic scene.

Watch it :)

Music + Film // THE AQUARIUM (Day 11)

ALRIGHT :) So. I want to talk about two uses of this song that have really moved me. One in film and one in podcast/radio. On both occasions it has left me with a sensation of almost religious awe, fear and longing, a mysticism, a promise, a charm.

My first notable encounter with The Aquarium was in Terrence Malick's epic Days of Heaven.

The tingling, magical tune, so reminiscent of the prelude to Disney's Beauty & The Beast, is steeped in childlike wonder but intertwined with an unmistakable malice, lurking quietly, beautifully, under the surface. So to experience this delicate melody merged with the sweeping imagery crafted by Malick was a truly awe-inspiring thing. The fairy tale tones fuse with the vast fields and the isolated characters to create an alien world: a familiar American beauty but with the all the bewitchment of a day dream.

Next and more recently, the track was used on This American Life a scintillating & engrossing story-based podcast. Every one should be regular listeners of this, it kicks ALL THE ASS.

If you already are a regular podcast listener you'll know of TAL & perhaps what I'm about to go onto, if not then I would really encourage you to listen to the 7 minute prologue of the episode in question to get the full force of the story before reading on (due to SPOILERS).

7 Minutes of your life, and I can promise, they will be well spent - listen. 


The podcast in question: Secret Identity's prologue deals with a familiar tale, a character in costume, whose true identity is protected. Paul Bunyan, a giant statue at the Tress of Mystery park, talks. How? Who is his voice? We know this is not magic, that there is nothing supernatural about this situation, and yet, all the park employees, from the family owners down to the gift shop workers maintain the masquerade that Paul Bunyan is real. So what happens when a park employee casually let's slip that sometimes... he 'does Paul Bunyan'? Ira, our narrator, is taken round the back of Paul Bunyan, to a door in his shoe.. And up inside him.

There he discovers the truth. This is the real Paul Bunyan. It has all the morbid fascination of a decaying corpse, rotting innards and all. It is a grit & grim reality. 

The pace of the story telling, in its purest form (verbal narration) is perfect, the suspense, the anticipation engrossing. 

And there is it, that haunting, enticing, spellbinding melody. 

Indeed, the detailed vocal description of this moment, rising up the ladders, and entering this chamber where park employees sit for hours, 'doing Paul''s voice is set to The Aquarium. 

Once again we are confronted with this incredibly powerful merger of magic and malice. The fairy tale melody contrasts strikingly to this description of the death of magic.

The illusion is broken. The truth is out. We know its secrets.

And yet, as we listen, as we reside in Paul Bunyan's decaying chest, we ourselves are part of that magic now.

And there is something spellbinding about that.

[Days of Heaven (1978), T Malick]

Image Credit

Movie Mezzanine

Music // PICK 6 Last.fm Loved Tracks, part 1 (Day10)

Ok. Another PICK 6. Bear with me. 

So I'm an avid fan & user of last.fm (let's be friends!) and it features a handy 'loved track' button, a great way to keep a log of those songs that really hit home when your are chain-listening to albums.

I thought it would be nice to share 6 of my LOVED TRACKS with you :) I've included YouTube links at the bottom of the post, let me know what you think! 
PLAY THESE LOUUUUD :)

1. The Antlers - No Windows This track is from BURST APART, their 2011 album which I hold in extremely high esteem. It is a beautifully crafted whole, and this track for me epitomises it's beauty and mastery. A steady pace, haunting, melancholy, extraordinary vocals (the feeling I have towards his voice... there are no word...), it echoes and rebounds, growing and leaping, the song has an organic movement, if cold northern waves were given instruments this is what it would sound like. Pure, delicate, fragile, feeling, powerful. [I briefly wrote about The Antlers 'Attic of the Universe' here.]
2. Death Grips - I've Seen Footage Achingly catchy with a sample from what MUST BE 'Push It' by Salt N' Pepper. It's angry, it's upbeat, it's AGGRESSIVE.  I love the grating sounds next to the shallow sampled beat and although I find the vocals basically incomprehensible, it's all pretty damn charming (or maybe I'm just rubbish). It's rhythm is irresistible. SHIIII CRAY SHIII CRAY SHIIII CRAY
3. Kate Bush - Oh To Be In Love From the masterful 'Kick Inside' the album that features her jaw-dropping show-stopping 'Wuthering Heights'. Her voice has such tremendous range and reaches unapologetic soprano notes here. Horns of many a variety, male choral backing with a tribal tone, the vocal harmonies are at all times satisfying and exciting. It's like a raspberry sauce on crack cocaine. And you can quote me on that.
4. The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist Taken from 'Since I Left You', the album that famously uses upwards of 3500 samples (WAAAAAA), this track tells the story of a school child who is expelled: he has been deemed criminally insane. The song has a cinematic scale, with western textures and big bold horn sections. The vinyl scratching is delightfully playful. It's a song that gives you more with each listen.
5. Janelle Monae - Cold War Janelle Monae is one of my all time favorite artists. Her writing is eclectic & epic. She covers huge amounts of ground on her 'ArchAndroid' LP. 'Cold War' encapsulates the scale of her craftsmanship. With it's punchy pop sounds and her repeated statement: 'This is a Cold War, you better know what your fighting for', she is a General and you her foot solider  This will get you PUMPED. Recommended as listening prior to any job interview. Or first date.
6. Grizzly Bear - Knife This number hails from 'Yellow House' an album I find very hard to listen to, it hits home, but is worth it, despite it's down beat tendency. This track is perhaps the exception. The eerie and persistent vocal arrangements, build towards an optimistic crescendo. It is very very satisfying.

I hope you enjoy these, I'd love to know which you prefer!

Ok, I think that's enough PICK 6 posts for now... :) Happy Tuesday!

Style + NFL // PICK 6 NFL Uniforms Past & Present (Day 9)

[The Greenbay Packers <3]

I was originally going to write a PICK 6 NFL Uniforms from the 1970s, only to realise that some of my all time favorite jerseys were not around then, so I thought TO HELL WITH IT, let's do ALL THE ERAS.

I have not featured any version of GB's green & gold, because it goes without saying y'all, it's balling & I already wrote about it.

So here are 6 of the most delicious uniforms in American Football, Past & Present... Don't forget to vote in the poll on the left for your favorite! I'm going to design an outfit on the most popular :D

1. Kansas City Chiefs - 2013: Aaaaaaaaaaah, what a total pleasure. This is my favorite uniform right now. The gold embellishments on the socks, legs & shoulders break up this bold and stunning all red glory. I can't imagine how epic it feels to run around in that get-up. Not to mention they are currently 6-0 (6 wins - 0 losses), nice one Chiefs.
   
2. Los Angeles Rams - 1976 (now Saint Louis Rams): The winning element of this vivacious uniform is the ram's horn worked into the helmet design and the shoulders. The blue and gold pairing is powerful, eye catching & classically regal - these were the colours of Louis the XVI.
   
   
   
3. Greenbay Packers - 2010: This alternate is inspired by the 1929 uniform, the brown helmet recalling to the original leather. I love how this jersey breaks with the general consensus on uniform design and puts a bold golden orb as a center piece for the front number. The colour scheme is utterly classic: beige legs bookended by navy. THEY ARE WEARING THIS ALTERNATE ON SUNDAY!!!
   
   
   
   
4. Pittsburgh Steelers - 2012: The Bumblebee, this is the subject of much displeasure online, which I think is such a shame, because, as with the Packer's kit above, it uses the jersey as a canvas for something more than colour combinations within a pre-drawn outline. Instead, in a feat of total originality, the jersey is broken up as inspired by the original 1930s Pittsburgh Pirates uniform into rigid, masculine stripes. The yellow on black helmet, with numbers straddling the center is superb. I only wish the shoes were black too.
   
5. Cincinnatti Bengals - 1975: Featuring written word on the helmet is an excellent use of this critical space. The colour scheme is pure Americana, clean and classic. It has a resolute nostalgia.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. San Diego Chargers - 1970s: THIS UNI IS BEAUTIFUL, baby blue and electric yellow unusual and outrageous, I think it looks terrific. How can you resist the LIGHTNING BOLTS that adorn the helmet and shoulders!? It's brave, eccentric and attractive.

So which gets your vote? The poll is on the left, I'll create an outfit based on the most popular uniform! :)

Style // ALBERTA FERRETTI SS13 to SS14 (DAY 8)

 [hiii I'm back :)]
[SS = Spring Summer, AW = Autumn Winter]

Albertta Ferretti is an Italian designer who designed her first collection in 1973. I first discovered her AW13 designs a month or so ago and was captivated by her use of fluid forms and intricate detailing. Her designs have an elegant understated eroticism, hinting at the naked forms they conceal, nipples and bare skin delicately exposed. For me, she draws superbly on Greco-Roman forms reworking but fundamentally drawing on togas and free-falling cuts. This post is an overview of her last three collections:

• SS 13, that premiered in Milan in Oct 2012
• AW 13, Milan Fashion Week Feb 2013
• SS 14, Milan Fashion Week Sept 2013 (the best was saved til last)

Her SS13 collection is my least favorite, while it has some pieces that are fluid & mermaid-like both in tone, texture and cut the majority for me fails to combine sharp line and free-flowing fabric and look half finished. However I love the highly intricate detailing and embellishments, that come into their own on her full length gowns.

AW 13

Her following collection uses the same draping cuts but with (in my opinion) a much more striking finish, this full length deep velvet dress is STUNNING. Rigid lines have been combined with the free fall to ball-breaking effect. They are powerful elegant pieces, reminiscent of the 20s, oozing sophistication and "Too Hot For You". This is the BEST KIND of power dressing. [You'll see what I mean about the delicate erotic touch, I love the breast contouring in these] [Note all the models are wearing blue military cross earrings, I LOVE THIS DETAIL]

SS14

Finally, her most recent runway that showed only a few weeks ago in Milan.

She is using new fabrics, satins and silks to create stiffer shapes. The colors are SMOOTH and BOLD. I love the crop-top trend and Ferreti's take on it means business. 

This collection has a folk-loric feel featuring pleats and bulbous skirts as well as contrasting big starched collars (I love this, so hard). 

Her knee length looks are sharp and cosmopolitan.

As for her full length ensembles they embody summer, looking at them you feel the grass under your feet, they have a simplicity that is unanimously associated with the countryside on a balmy day. The detailing on these pieces include generous sprinklings of flowers, bows and ribbon flat sole shoes #GRECOROMAN. 

Unlike her other collections which have been displayed in color sequence (white first, black then blue, for instance in SS13), this collection sees white as a base tone for the bulk of her designs, it creates an airy unity on the catwalk, allowing block color pieces to be elevated, the full length chiffon pink and green dresses are personal favorites. 

They exude the simplicity, confidence and raw beauty of greco-roman deities, an iconic understated boldness. This collection burst with life and makes me long for the rays of summer mornings and the sweet breeze of summer nights. 

Really delicate, really beautiful.

If you are curious about Albertta Ferreti, check out the rest of these collections on her website: SS13, AW13 & SS14.

And if you a) got to the end of the post and b) enjoyed it then you should read this about D&Gs AW13 :) and also you get a gold star, this was a long-un' :)

Thanks for reading :)

Now! Any one else a Ferretti fan? Does any one know of dupes for her pieces? :)

Happy Monday, 1 post down - 5 more to go!