Monthly Archives: October 2012

Twelfth Night, The Globe

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There is one show on the lips of the critics this autumn, the Globe’s Twelfth Night.

When a rare production like this arrives in London with a spectacular all star cast, I am careful to book for the start of the run, terrified and paranoid that the stars will “get tired” or “pull out due to illness”; with John Rylance and Stephen Fry appearing, I was not willing to risk that. Booking opened months and months ago, I had it pencilled in my diary and rang up immediately, two standing tickets for opening night please. I’d almost forgotten about it when the date finally came round.

This magical production marks Stephen Fry’s return to the stage after his stage fright debacle in 1995, which led him to flee from the show after the first week. Determined to bring him back to the stage, Rylance asked him to choose his dream role, and the rest is history. The play is, as all expected, a resounding success, not least because the cast are both as a whole and individually faultless. The visual production, timing and music all complement the actors beautifully. Rylance is chillingly sublime as the white-faced Olivia, Fry conquers as mad Malvolio and Johnny Flynn is surprisingly flirtatious and feminine as Viola, a part very different from the roles I have seen him play previously.

The show transfers to the Apollo Theatre form November 2nd and will undoubtedly receive five-star reviews there as well. An absolute triumph of talent and theatricality. Start queuing for returns now!

http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/on-stage/twelfth-night-2012

Buy tickets for the Apollo theatre run here.

LUX STOCKHOLM, Stockholm

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LUX Stockholm is located in Lilla Essingen, a short taxi ride from the hubbub of the city centre. A former Electrolux canteen, it is an unusually cool setting for a Michelin starred eatery and yet seems to suit Lux’s quirky style and adventurous take on food.

On entering we noticed a lack of young diners in the restaurant, odd perhaps considering the inventive, contemporary cooking; however when you remember the location and hefty prices it makes more sense. All food and eating out in Stockholm is expensive so you can imagine, fine dining is extortionate.

The tasting menus are recommended and are available in a 6 or 9 course option. You do get your money’s worth as Lux are very keen on amuse-bouches and we were treated to numerous tasters from the chef before the actual meal commenced. Tiny savoury profiteroles, micro salads, miniature mouthfuls of soup all arrived, immaculately presented and uniquely arranged. I was impressed with the clever design and polite tidiness of the food, but although the plates always looked beautiful the food on them didn’t always look appetising.

Chef Henrik Norstrom is not afraid to be bold and brave in the kitchen, defying convention to create technically sophisticated food with lots of flair. He uses almost exclusively organic, unusual and locally produced ingredients. Without a menu I would not have been able to guess some of the fascinating dishes placed in front of me. Between us we tried almost everything from the tasting menus:

– Dill flavoured herring from Gothenburg with cockles from Grebbestad, pickled gherkin, garden sorrel and sour cream

– Parsley simmered langoustine from Fjallbacka with Ivergard’s parsley suede, parsley cream and steamed crayfish parcel

– Lightly smoked and blackened reindeer from Overtornea with Ivergard’s broad beans, fried chanterelles, cress cream and pickled green cabbage

– Tomatoes from Hornudden’s garden

– Fir tree smoked mallard from Vastmanland, Ivergard’s fennel, pickled currents, black pudding biscuits and ginger

– Juniper berry fried roe deer buck from Sodermanland with cep, salt pork, parsley suede and chicken crisp

– Cream ice cream made of autumn raspberries from Stenhuse farm with hazelnut cream, almond milk and frozen coffee mousse

– Garden chocolates and marmalade

The fish courses were the most radical: some raw, others cooked lightly and served with eccentric choices of vegetables and pickles. Intriguing for the palate but not necessarily comforting. The meat was more hearty, we particularly enjoyed the deer, a lovely flavoursome cut of meat cooked to perfection with a salty rich and delicious sauce and served on a bed of soft sweet vegetables. Dessert was a lovely contrasting dish with red fruits and silky smooth mousse.

The service was good but I was disappointed not to see more smiles from the waitresses, they all looked a little glum and absent.

Lux Stockholm offers exceptionally attractive experimental food that pushes the boundaries of Michelin starred cuisine whilst showing off Stockholm’s finest produce and traditions.

More information here: http://luxstockholm.com/

Thanks to visitstockholm.com follow them on twitter for news and information, @visitswedenuk

Neville Hair and Beauty, Pont Street

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If you watched the first episode of ‘Made in Chelsea,’ you will have seen NEVILLE hairdressers featured… yes, it’s where Ollie bravely had his glossy locks chopped off.

This boutique has become the destination salon in Central London. It is located perfectly on Pont Street – it would be easy to spend the whole day at Neville, this beauty emporium has everything you need for head to toe pampering. I was lucky enough to be a Chelsea ‘it’ girl for the morning visiting Neville for a colour, cut and blow dry.

The salon exterior says it all: stylish and glamorous with a touch of vintage charm. I love the decor, a sparkling shimmering black with plush seats and the latest magazines lining every wall. I was taken downstairs with Donald, my colourist for the day. We chatted briefly about my lack-lustre hue and decided to take the colour a shade darker for winter with a few subtle highlights round the parting and face for volume and to ensure the colour looked natural. I’m used to sitting in the chair for hours while foils and brushes are used relentlessly on my hair. Donald worked super-fast, efficiently getting the job done within the hour. After a bit of heat, there was no need for adjusting or toning down, the colour was just right. After an invigorating hair wash, Donald kindly arranged for me to have my eyebrows threaded and shaped with the wonderful new beautician located on the lower floor. As well as threading, manicures and pedicures are available.

Upstairs is where the action really takes place… Neville specialises in BIG blow dries, which is evident immediately when you walk into the salon. Long manes of wavy backcombed hair fill every seat, I felt a bit out of place with my rather less impressive short hair. Dayne did his best to make me fit in, minimally trimming my hair, to give a sharp long bob with no layers, and then blowdrying to the extreme, to give maximum shape and volume. I left the salon feeler lighter than ever, with a striking hairstyle ready for autumn.

On my way out I had a chat with star reflexologist Paolo about reviewing his miraculous treatments, so watch out for more from Neville soon!

More information here.

http://www.nevillehairandbeauty.net/