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!