Are The Stars Out Tonight?

Well, as it turns out, they actually are this evening. We had a surprisingly sunny and clear weekend after about 314 days of rain. Also saw some stars of the stage and screen trod the boards this week, after camping out for Othello tickets at the Donmar Warehouse and being first in line (or rather on the queue). Ewan McGregor as Iago and Chiewetel Ejiofor as Othello sold out the show’s run within a few hours, but every day they give out 10 day-of seats for 15 pounds. We got to the theatre at about 3:30am and 7 hours later had the hottest ticket in London in our hot little hands (well, more like freezing cold hands), but it was worth it! BEST Show I have seen in London!!! The director Michael Grandage (also of Frost/Nixon fame) is a genius! I could rave on and on, but I’ll just let Christopher Isherwood from the New York Times do the talking, as he is spot-on. Unfortunately the stars did not come to the stage door, but we may try again. It’s that good! (That’s us w/posters and programmes – as close as we could get to the real thing!) More stars are to arrive on the West End in the coming months (my thesis rides again!..lol) with Jeff Goldblum and Kevin Spacey in “Speed the Plow,” Ralph Fiennes in a new play by the writer of “Art,” and Jeremy Irons at the National. Can’t wait!!

Had a random star spotting last Sunday when we saw The Office’s (and Extras’) Ricky Gervais at the London Art Fair! He just casually strolled right on by us as we gawked at pieces that ran up to the millions of pounds! Needless to say, no purchases were made (I’m waiting for the “affordable art fair” in April). However, I did really like the work of Jenny Pockley and Alison Mills, both of whose works can be seen on this site. (Roll over the small images to find out the artist names).

Speaking of stars, was so shocked and saddened to hear of Heath Ledger’s passing. True to form, the Guardian (aka the world’s best newspaper) had a wonderful article about him. Also good in the Guardian? (I’ve shared this with a few of you already), the article handicapping for liberals the 4 Republican candidates.

Along with stars and good Guardian articles, I also spotted some Tudor roof shingles and Victorian clay pipes on a Beachcombing walk along the Thames a few Sundays ago. Highly recommend it for anyone coming to visit! I myself seem to have been spotted by a number of recruiters during the last few weeks, so some potential jobs are in the works – keep your fingers crossed!

Was Sweeney Robbed? Juno It Was!

Speaking of candidates and handicapping races, let’s talk Oscars! My main comment: Sweeney Todd was Robbed! I saw it again this weekend and am just shocked that Tim Burton did not get a directing nomination, nor that it’s up for Best Picture. While I liked Juno quite a lot, I think it got Sweeney’s slot in that category. Also thought Waitress was robbed of some nominations as well! Other than that, no real big surprises. Was thrilled to see Laura Linney get one for The Savages, and glad Keira Knightley did Not get one for Atonemnet. And go "Falling Slowly" from Once for Best Song! I now have a lot of catching up to do as I still have to see Away from Her, No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood.

Have seen some good non-Oscar season films recently, including “The Lady Vanishes” – an older Hitchcock film I’d never seen before that was lots of fun, and “4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days,” a film about abortion in Communist Romania. As one of the reviews here said “Yeah I know (re: depressing subject matter)..but it’s that good!” And it was! Beautifully acted and so moving!

Pretty Women

After seeing the FANTASTIC film of Sweeney Todd (more in a bit), I had to title my blog post with this song as it also ties in nicely with photo (more on that in a bit too). But I digress...

Happy New Year to all! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday! I am now back in London after a fantastic trip to the States. Was so great to see family and friends, though it went all too quickly. Next time I will definitely allow for more than 2 weeks.

Got in lots of visits and shopping (god bless the USA for their bargains compared to UK!) and had some wonderful meals at old favorites and new, including the very tasty Agraria in the Georgetown Harbour. Snaps to Vicky for finding this place and landing us the cool private ‘wine’ room with the huge round table (that’s us in the photo above). My other favourite meal of course was mom’s home-cooked Christmas Dinner. The BEST turkey and stuffing ever. A close runner-up was her Irish Stew, which we shared with my stepsister Eva, her boyfriend Jea, and the best nephew ever - Destin. He is obsessed with all things Spiderman and can even do the wrist move to cast his web. This comic/superhero geek of an aunt is so proud! Photos of many of the festivities are now online.

Saw a couple of the Best movies of the year as well (something else that is soo much cheaper in the States!) Sweeney Todd and Juno – run, don’t walk, to your multiplex to see them! As most of you know, I am a HUGE Sondheim fan and wasn’t sure how I felt about a film version, but Johnny Depp and company bowled me over and Tim Burton is just a genius! Some genius writing can be found in Juno, which also has one of the best ensemble casts I've seen. Also saw P.S. I Love You, which was better than expected and when you’ve got a film that stars Gerard Butler, Harry Connick Jr, Jeffrey Dean Morgan (“Denny” from Grey’s) and James Marsters (“Spike” from Buffy), well the holidays don’t get any warmer than that!

When the holidays ended in DC, it was back to London to make my trek to Croydon (the Manassas of the London area) on Dec. 31 to get my visa extended for one year. Fortunately it all went swimmingly and I am now legal to stay and work here across the pond for one more year. Pheww! Main New Year’s Resolution – Find a job! Am looking at either part-time ones to complement my stint at Tricycle, or full-time positions. Any and all referrals or suggestions welcome!

My other resolution is to get back on a UK time/sleep schedule. I’ve been all out of whack for a week now. Took the redeye last Saturday night and it was the most restless/non-sleeping bunch of passengers ever, so couldn’t nod off. Ended up watching Hairspray, which I’d never seen, and found it pretty darn entertaining. Speaking of entertaining, when my flatmate and I returned home from a friend’s New Year’s Eve Party, we found that our upstairs neighbours were entertaining half of London in our building. The hall and staircases were teeming with people til 11am the next day! Grr Arrgh, as you know how I have my Bionic hearing. Figured I had then been up for more than 24 hours straight! Think a nap is in my future today!