Winter Wonderland

Last Thursday I went a walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland for the preview night and in support of Too Many Women. Having fundraised for Too Many Women earlier this year (see here) my girlfriends and I were more than happy to support this wonderful campaign again in reaching their target of £1 million towards breast cancer awareness.

It is impossible not to immerse yourself in the festive spirit; There are fun-fair rides, a Grotto, a big top circus, ice-skating, Christmas markets and lots... and lots... of mulled wine.

There are several new, bigger and scarier rides this year – all of which I stayed well away from having been left in tears after my first/last ever roller coaster last year... not a great look when the reason you got on the damn thing in the first place was to impress a boy... Note to self: hyperventilating = not that pretty.

If only my sister had also stayed on the ground manning the mulled wine with me last week – her ride was actually halted mid way to allow her to get off… SO funny!!

Open until Jan 3rd and entry is free. Tokens for the rides can be purchased there. Tickets for the ice-skating, Zippo’s Circus and Observation Wheel can be purchase online here.

The First Actresses - Nell Gwyn to Sarah Siddons

I recently went to see ‘The First Actresses - Nell Gwyn to Sarah Siddons’ at The National Portrait Gallery, where more than 50 portraits of actresses take centre stage in a vivid spectacle of femininity, fashion and theatricality in seventeenth and eighteenth-century Britain.

Women were first permitted to perform on the English stage in the early 1660’s, after the restoration of Charles II, and this exhibition reveals the many ways in which these notorious, glamorous performers became early celebrities and fashion icons, shrewdly using portraiture to enhance their reputations, deflect scandal and increase their popularity.

Portraits of everyone's favourite Restoration pin up girl, the ‘pretty witty’ Nell Gwyn (with her varying, revealing ‘wardrobe malfunctions’ on display - above, both by Simon Verelst) alongside Moll Davis, Kitty Clive, Hester Booth, Lavinia Fenton, Elizabeth Linley, Sarah Siddons, Mary Robinson and Dorothy Jordan are exhibited.

What makes this exhibition really fascinating is the focus on the social history of the time and the biographies of the ladies which really does keep your interest from the first painting through to the last. With some early actresses becoming mistresses of Kings and aristocrats and with Covent Garden being just as famous for its brothels as it was for its theatres, the struggle which these women were up against was profound and you really leave admiring these theatrical pioneers.

Touchingly, to complement this exhibition, in a nearby exhibition entitled ‘The Actress Now’ displays a cacophony of portraits featuring contemporary actresses, ranging from Dame Judi Dench to Helena Bonham Carter (left, by Trevor Leighton) and Keira Knightley, who all owe a great debt to their predecessors in the next-door room.

Exhibition on at The National Portrait Gallery
until 8 January 2012

La Petite Mort Halloween Banquet

Last week I was invited to Petersham House for ‘La Petite Mort,’ on the first of three nights of Halloween banquets organized by The Old Vic Tunnels and the newly established Petersham Playhouse. It was a spookily special night out…

I was met by a 12ft stilt walking girly ghoul, carved pumpkins, flame throwing and tarot card reading followed by fantastic performances from Les Enfant Terribles. The fantastic troop of actors frighteningly interacted with their anxious audiences in the dimly, chandelier lit rooms around Petersham House (opened for us to explore at our own peril.) I screached when a meat hacking, psychotic crazy, in blood soaked bandages, jumped out at me from a cellar wielding an axe...

Luckily, a deliciously decadent feast by Petersham Nurseries Michelin Star Chef Skye Gyngell soon calmed me down (wouldn’t everyone find rice pudding covered in drops of blood-red, raspberry compote relaxing?!)

Dancing with my fellow revellers to music by Tankus The Heng followed and I found myself at one point, toffee apple in hand, bopping along with an extremely dapper baboon in a velvet jacket, vintage fur stole and top hat… Hell-a fun night!

Best Of London - Jack Savoretti

Jack Savoretti: 50% English, 50% Italian, 100% Talent.
Jack’s wistfully romantic, often melancholic, songwriting has been compared to that of Simon & Garfunkel with some music industry insiders calling him the new Bob Dylan.

Being great friends with his sister Beatrice, I first met Jack when he was a scruffy 15-year-old poet… Since then, I have stood witness to his evolution into the husky, dreamy (and still pretty scruffy) acoustic singer/songwriter that he is today.

I love attending a Jack Savoretti gig – you cannot help but be totally charmed by his voice, music and bohemian cool. Need anymore convincing? Head to London’s Relentless Garage tomorrow night to see Jack perform - details below.

Currently living in West London with his beautiful wife Jemma and their one-month-old baby girl, Jack shares with us some of his London favourites…

My Pint – At The Cock and Bottle with a few good friends.

My Date Night – At home with my girls -The perfect night.

My Sunday Brunch – I like to go to The Crown, 30 minutes outside of London in the village of Bray, for the perfect Sunday Bloody Mary.

My Building – The house on Fosket Road where I grew up.

My Shop – I like to walk into Portobello Road’s Rough Trade and ask for really un-cool music and watch them all get worked up... They take being cool very seriously in there...

My London Extravagance – Daily life in general seems to knock the change out of my pockets in this town...

London's Best Kept Secret – A little Italian restaurant called Ida... Unlike most Italian restaurants outside of Italy, this one is the real deal.

My London Icon (Past or Present) – All the Black Cabbies that get you fired up before a night out, reassure you at the end of the night, and welcome you home after a long trip.

Below: Aloe Blacc's 'I Need A Dollar' performed by Jack Savoretti, We Were Evergreen and Sophie Delila who are all performing at London's Relentless Garage tomorrow night.

Click here for tickets for tomorrow’s gig - only a few left – Quickity Quick!!

www.jacksavoretti.com

Frieze Art Fair 2011

Regents Park saw the annual return of the Frieze Art Fair last week and when my friend asked me to go with her I leapt at the chance. I have always, for one reason of another, missed out on going so I had no idea what to expect…

When I arrived I found a huge showcase of commissioned art and design to explore from over 170 different contemporary galleries… Curated by Sarah McCrory, a massive, eclectic collection of eye-catching paintings, sketches, prints, sculpture and photography are displayed along several very long aisles (I wiiiish I’d worn trainers!!)

Right: Tracey Emin's 'And I Said I Love You!'

Here are some of the pieces which caught my eye:

Above: This amazingly dressed lady was unsurprisingly drawn to the chandelier of neon, multi-coloured bodies... How brilliant?!

Above: Jung Lee’s sculpture ‘Aporia’

Above L-R: Jim Lambe, Untitled and Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster's 'After'

Above L-R: Barnaby Hosking's 'Thoughts' and David Shrigley's 'Untitled (This is Nothing)'

Above L-R: Dawn Mellor's 'Kristen Scott Thomas' and Cornelia Parker's '30 Pieces of Silver'

Above: Sculpture by Tara Donovan

Above: Tracey Emin's 'You Made ME LOVE You'

The Minotaur at The Old Vic Tunnels

On Monday night I went to the Old Vic Tunnels for the opening night of 'The Minotaur' - a unique collaboration of theatre, visual art, film and food to coincide with both the Frieze Art Fair and the London Restaurant Festival.

The Lazarides Galleries, the influential group who represent emerging international artists who defy convention, have collaborated with Kofler & Kompanie (the pioneers of PRET A DINER, Europe's most celebrated pop up restaurant) to transform the Old Vic Tunnels into an alternative cultural space featuring a labyrinth gallery of cutting-edge artwork and film alongside creative cuisine from Michelin-starred chefs.

The exhibition takes inspiration from the ancient Greek legend of 'The Minotaur' and Steve Lazarides commissioned several exciting and innovative artists to each create their own interpretation of the classical myth. Highlights of the exhibition included art and installations by Robert del Naja “3D” (from Massive Attack), David Choe (who was commissioned by Mark Zuckerberg last year to paint the new Facebook offices) Conor Harrington, Antony Micallef, and Jonathan Yeo.

Art aside, what also really excited and amazed me was the venue itself. The vast, maze-like Old Vic Tunnels, hidden beneath the deepest, darkest depths of Waterloo Station, is the most unique and atmospheric venue I have seen in a very long time. Acquired by The Old Vic in 2010 the mystical, dimly lit, arches have since been used for a plethora of art, music and theatre events.

Tickets to 'The Minotaur' exhibition: £5.
A three course meal at PRET A DINER including entrance to the exhibition: £75.

Showing until the 25th of October.

The National English Ballet Theatre

Note to self: Never stand next to ballerinas… You will feel like an Oompa Loompa...

Last week I attended a fundraiser in aid of the New English Ballet Theatre held at BAFTA. The dinner and auction were followed by an elegant performance by some of the 16 beautifully costumed dancers who have already joined the company.

NEBT was founded by choreographer and artistic director Karen Pilkington Miksa in the wake of huge cuts in funding for the arts in the UK. This ambitious venture will help to nurture and promote the careers of young, highly trained ballerinas whilst bringing brand new and exciting works to the stage.

Above: Joining in, putting my best sparkly ballet foot forward...

To donate to the company, or even ‘adopt’ a ballerina please go to the NEBT Just Giving page.

Celina Teague: 'My Bunny is Full of Teeth and Other Stories' Exhibition

Above: Under Worship

Above: Artist Celina Teague by The Hollow Couple

On Tuesday night I went to the preview of 'My Bunny is Full of Teeth and Other Stories' - the latest exhibition by artist Celina Teague.

The title of the show was inspired by Celina's unruly pet bunny rabbit, Gretel, who made a surprise appearance on the night! (left)

It is always very exciting to see Celina's work exhibited and this show certainly did not disappoint – the paintings, and several drawings, together are a powerful force – incredibly bright and hugely charismatic. One can become completely absorbed in the detail of her work (where often the most fun is discovered!)

Above: By The Rape of the Honeybee

Above: Marina Fogel, Michou von Beschwitz, Marcus Waley-Cohen, Baldassare La Rizza, Sinead Murtagh, Fiona McGlinchey, Celina Teague, Shirley Leigh-Wood Oakes

Above: Simon Ambrose, Awsa Bergstrom, Emily Marr, Alex Roupell, Anthony Nathan, Charlie Beamish, James French, Vanessa Story, Olivia Hunt, Orlando and Emma Seale.

'My Bunny is Full Of Teeth and Other Stories' is showing until Sunday 9th Oct at The ROA Gallery.

www.celinateague.com

George Harrison: Living In The Material World

“George himself is no mystery. But the mystery inside George is immense. It’s watching him uncover it all little by little that’s so damn interesting.” John Lennon.

Last Sunday I happily declined a day lying in the sunshine to attend the World Premiere of ‘George Harrison: Living in the Material World,’ a documentary feature by Martin Scorsese.

Above: At the premiere and with Dhani Harrison.

The Beatles, amongst some other beyond famous figures, have all become such icons of our time that it is sometimes hard to remember them as individuals and real people underneath all the colourful memorabilia.

Taking 5 years to make and lasting a whopping 3.5 hours (split into 2 parts!) this film is full of never seen before footage, intimate interviews from George's wife Olivia, son Dhani and many of his nearest and dearest’s including Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman, Ray Cooper and Tom Petty. This film really delves into who George was, beneath all the fame and the hysteria surrounding him – and he was a fascinating character.

Before the film commenced Martin Scorsese recognized how this audience was to be a most “difficult crowd” as so many of the people sat in the cinema at the British Film Institute that night had actually lived George’s story alongside him…

Indeed, looking around me I was sat amongst Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Idle, Pattie Boyd, Jackie Stewart and Terry Gillam… to name but a few! This took the viewing of this film to another level – it was profoundly emotional and real.

Part One focuses on George Harrison's humble beginnings in Liverpool, the creation, and the subsequent dizzying success, of The Beatles, his drugs, his love triangle with Pattie Boyd and Eric Clapton, his spiritual awakening, trips to India, his relationship with Ravi Shankar, his meditation and The Beatles' eventual dissolution in 1970.

Part Two concentrates on George Harrison's career as a solo artist, movie impresario, philanthropist and father. The highlights in this part were The Bangladesh Concert (the first major rock concert to address a world crises) the financing of The Life Of Brian and launching of Handmade Films (a key factor in the revival of the British film industry in the 1980’s), the formation of The Travelling Wilburys, George's commitment to restoring one of the most beautiful gardens and estates in England (his serene retreat, and home, Friar Park) his cancer and his endless quest to understand his faith and preparation towards leaving his human body.

As well as being an amazing guitarist and songwriter (credits which include ‘Taxman,’ ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps,’ ‘Here Comes The Sun,’ ‘My Sweet Lord’ and my favourite, ‘Something’) George Harrison also helped in bringing Indian music, culture and religion to the West. He was a well-loved, very private, complex individual with a great sense of humour and many close, wonderful friends - I especially enjoyed his rapport with Ringo (who's interviews are amongst the most touching.)

I must say, the beautiful Olivia Harrison’s interviews were completely captivating; at one point the audience cheered her response to being asked what the secret to a long marriage was… “You don’t get divorced!”

There was a true sense of loss as I left the theatre – in those people that had known and loved George, but also in those that hadn’t and felt they'd truly missed out as a consequence.

Above: Dhani and Olivia Harrison

"People say I'm the Beatle who changed the most, but really that's what I see life's about."

'George Harrison: Living In The Material World’ will be available on DVD Oct 10th

Musical Moment - Orlando Seale and The Swell ('These Streets')

For much the same reason that I love ‘Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros,’ I also love ‘Orlando Seale and The Swell’ – because alongside their great music, they all have the best fun together and you just want to get up and be a part of their gang.

Some have called Orlando Seale and The Swell’s music ‘Punk Folk’ and have likened them to ‘having the Arcade Fire in your bedroom.’ Handsome Orlando (right), always beautifully articulate, describes them as “ten friends playing music that swings wildly from the epic to the intimate, the melancholic to the euphoric.”

I love their song ‘These Streets’ (released next month) which you can listen to whilst watching this video Emma Seale, Orlando’s gorgeous wife, filmed recently in Paris. I am sure you will, like me, wish you’d been there to join in with all their “fun, fun, fun!”

“He’s a lucky little ape man, in his silk top hat,
He’s gonna bang his chest if you look at him like that…"

Orlando Seale and The Swell will be playing tonight at 9pm at The Lexington.
www.myspace.com/orlandoseale