Once, Phoenix Theatre

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Once is a different kind of musical, a tender and believable love story, with a heartbreaking and surprising conclusion. For those recently out of a relationship I wouldn’t recommend buying a ticket, unless you have your mummy nearby to give you a big hug afterwards.

This new show, based on the Academy award-winning film, was a hit on Broadway, but sadly hasn’t received as electric response here in the UK… overshadowed by jollier bestsellers – Mormon and Matilda seem to be stealing all the keen audiences. However I think, as a less dramatic but enjoyable alternative, Once is a good choice. A select team of talented musicians play and sing their way through the score and all of the characters are patiently on stage for the majority of the show.

A heartbroken Irish musician is adopted by a bored but inquisitive Czech girl who makes it her mission to broadcast his music-making to the world. They subsequently fall in love, but less conventionally don’t kiss or act on their new found fondness for each other as they are both loyal to previous lovers. It is frustrating and strange to watch as an onlooker. The music is light, folky and filled with melancholy… quite repetitive at times but pleasant nonetheless. I was very impressed with the 5 star acting, dancing, singing and playing that the strong cast exhibit, especially the lead roles, who seemed genuinely quite upset themselves by the final heart-wrenching moments of the musical.

Once is a heartfelt and honest piece of theatre, simple yet effective. I must admit my attention did occasionally wander, especially as I couldn’t help but fidget in the stuffy theatre, but on the whole it is a lovely piece with a message that will stay with you long after you have left the theatre.

ps. The luxury ice-creams (especially Eton Mess flavour) are well worth forking out for in the interval.

More information and book online here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 163

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When the sun decides to shine on London we all panic about how to make best use of the warmth. My preference for Sunday mornings has to be Columbia Road, the lovely East London street full of quirky things to discover. Obviously the fragrant flower market is the main reason to visit, but even if you don’t intend on buying a bunch it is great fun to wander through observing seasonal plants and magnificent flowers whilst listening to the cockney geezers giving their best spiel.

After picking up a bouquet and gorging on Italian brunch at Campania, there are a host of independent shops to eat up your loose change.

Choosing Keeping is a stylish ubercool stationery shop for magpies like me! It is all arranged in a systematic layout that is very attractive and tempting. The type of shop that can urge you to make a credit card purchase in the hope that you can make your office look more like Choosing Keeping. I loved the rainbow-coloured Sakura Coupy pencils, the neon yellow fountain pens, and the dinky Japanese miniature desk accessories.

Vintage Heavens sells gorgeous sets of teacups and saucers, plates, vases, and ornaments. Affordable and one-of-a-kind, it is perfect for kitting out a new home.

Two Columbia Road is a bit pricey but the spectacular vintage finds here are worth the dollar. We found wonderful art deco lamps and an old map of the world.

Suck and Chew is the shop to satisfy all your sweet-tooth childhood fantasies: liquorice, sherbet, and chocolates of every kind are presented in wacky retro jars and pots. Fill a bag with your favourite sweets and indulge while you walk around the flower stalls.

At Number 94 Columbia Road you will find a special little jewellery shop ideal for picking up a present or treat for yourself. When I visited I saw the ‘Wear it Out’ collection, and particularly loved the matchstick range from artist Petra Bishai.

If you need a caffeine kick there are plenty of hidden baristas to attend to your cravings. A blackboard stating “Coffee, any style” is the best for a creamy Monmouth blended flat white.

Tip for the day: take lots of cash, ATMs are hard to come by and the market traders don’t take card!

Future Cinema, Saturday Night Fever, Troxy

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I was utterly amazed when I experienced Secret Cinema for the first time a few years ago. This immersive cinematic experience caught on fast and soon everyone wanted a ticket to a Secret Cinema event. Soon after, Future Cinema arrived, a less exclusive idea that allowed the revolutionary concept to reach bigger crowds. The product was, sadly, diluted and consequently the thrill lessened. Tickets were more readily available, and very few were as desperate to go.

Casablanca was my first Future Cinema experience and more recently I went to the Saturday Night Fever production. As a big John Travolta fan, this film has always been on my favourites list, and I even have a scruffy vintage film poster in my room. Unfortunately though, the character led storyline does not lend itself to the Future Cinema format and the experience was less convincing. The flashing multi-coloured dance floor was fun and there was a bit of good dancing but that was all.

Less time, money and creativity has gone into the Saturday Night Fever showing, the entrance was less dramatic, the hall was barely decorated and the characters/actors seemed lost amongst the audience. All in all I found the concept, for the first time, mediocre. Drinks were overpriced and it was confusing having stalls selling clothes and jewellery at the back of the venue. In fact the only good thing about the evening was the classic disco film, which I would have rather watched from the comfort of my own home.

More information on Future Cinema here.