Wednesday 25 May 2011

Celebrity Juice.. Contains 99.9% celebrity and 0.1% juice. Mmmm.

Today, I feel that both you and I must quench our celebrity thirsts. So I present to you my rundown of the top celebrity stories that have emerged in the past week or so....

1) Billboard Awards 2011: After a four year hiatus, this award ceremony is back. OMG! Errrrm... seriously, did you know that this existed? Because I didn't. It was held in Las Vegas last Sunday and stand out performances were courtesy of : Rihanna dueting with Britney and Beyonce.  How did they perform? Like this...


S&M (Remix) Rihanna feat. Britney Spears

Rihanna wows in a white corset and stockings with pretty sexy red locks. She is singing LIVE, have you noticed that? Not one of best vocals of hers but still it is LIVE. Cut to over halfway through and behold yours truly: Ms Spears. She is sitting on a chair with a feather mask on her face, she stands, we observe her in a near identical black corset creation. Oh, hang on, what's that? IS SHE MIMING? Can we all recognise that the voice that sounds like she has a badass sinus infection that has attempted to be pathetically remedied with heavy autotuning? Is that the exact same vocal as the track? Is it? By golly, it is!

Britters you know that I love you as do many others, however, if you fail to sing live our respect towards you is something we regrettably must surrender. 'Til then we wait under this faithful day will come... if it ever will.

As for the dancing... Rihanna and Brit take to their respective poles. Rihanna is better, she's much more polished even if she does undertake quite minimal body popping. As for Brit, even I could do that wiggle thing she does because it's not even dancing. That's saying alot because, as you know, I have physical limitations. Hell, just give me a walking stick and pole. (The stick so I can stand, the pole so I can dance- obviously...)  SORTED. You know, I don't mean to brag, but I was fairly good at the Liberty X 'Just a Little' stick rountine. I owned it. Don't know about it now though. My legs aren't as co-operative and I would probably do my back in. That's not good for me... even if I did dress up in latex.

Saying this, however, both Brit and Rihanna are hot. An interesting performance.

Run The World (Girls) Beyonce

YES. Queen Bee is BACK! Her first single from her anticipated release '4'. She gives an amazing performance of this track with her beautifully toned figure, flawless dance moves and effortless singing. No wonder she won a Millenium Award for her contribution to the music industry. She is a true legend. As for the song? I detest it even after listening to it a few times. Nope. I'm surprised it wasn't produced by her husband Jay-Z because it sounds like it could have been. Definitely a Sweet Dreams/ Halo girl at heart.

2) Giggsy revealed as the love rat in the superinjunction scandal: One of the worst kept secrets when it comes to superinjunctions, definitely. He was finally outed by an MP. This was shocking, notably due to the fact that Ryan Giggs is known for being a really professional footballer who stays out of glare of the public eye. Still, I was unaware of who it was until the official announcement was made. Oh dear. This has sparked a huge debate about role of the superinjunction and an individual's right to privacy. Is it right that high profile celebrities can protect themselves in this way, especially with the other party (in this case Imogen) having to take all the backlash? Hmm.

3) Krusty fails to be reunited in Japan: Katy Perry thought it would be a great idea to bring  husband Russel to the first show of her California Dreams Tour in Japan. This seemed a lovely idea because as rumour has it their marriage seems to be dangerously on the rocks. (This coming from Heat- it's supposedly down to the long distance aspect of their relationship). However, due to offenses from more than 10 years ago, he was deported just as he touched down. Ah well, better luck next time hey, mate?

4) Fearne Cotton breaks off her engagement: OMG! It's over! Cotton split from her skater boyfriend Jesse Jenkins for GOOD! Maybe this will mean that she will stop presenting every music/ entertainment show in existence, for a while at least...

5) Natalie Cassidy's fiance gets arrested for domestic violence: Also known as Enders' Sonia, Natalie was devestated when her fiance was charged for beating her. That's is really awful because they did look blissfully in love on that reality show they had. Can't remember what it was called. It was on E4 and acted as a pregnancy diary. I didn't realise she was pregnant. I just thought overindulged with the cream cakes. Still, the baby was very cute indeed.

:-)

Sunday 22 May 2011

Liverpool Everyman Theatre: Macbeth Review

As the final production before the Everyman undergoes major redevelopment, Gemma Bodinetz's Macbeth was one that provides a fitting farewell. The audience are presented with a dark, disturbing and capitvating interpretation of the tragedy which sees Macbeth's unlawful and blood thristy efforts to secure the throne as King of Scotland with the help of his manipulative and vindictive wife, Lady Macbeth.

The cast includes the Liverpool born and critically acclaimed actor David Morrissey. His role as Macbeth has been highly anticipated due to his attachment to the city and the fact that began his acting career through the Everyman Youth Theatre. Lady Macbeth is played by last minute replacement, Julia Ford, who took the role after Jemma Redgrave was forced to withdraw due to 'personal reasons'.

As the play begins, the set design and lighting creates the perfect atmosphere: an instant sense of doom and distress. A winding staircase with a hidden room is used for Macbeth to commit the murders of King Duncan and his men whilst accomodating Lady Macbeth as she descends into her insanity. There are rusty doorways and leaking pipes as well as a frequent flashes of lightning when we encounter characters in outside scenes, such as The Three Witches. As for costumes, in an effort to update the play for the modern audience, characters were dressed in what seemed to be an intriguing choice of WW2 inspired clothing.

David Morrisey certainly does live up to expectation. Having worked as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, he really executes the words of Shakespeare with conviction and passion, particularly during the many soliloquies he has to contend with.  Morrisey's Macbeth allows for the audience to feel sympathy for a man who has to endure the domineering and merciless nature of his wife. Essentially, we see him as a victim of influence even though he is a criminial. The internal suffering and torture that Macbeth experiences is played really well by the actor.

Julia Ford as Lady Macbeth is less convincing. Surely one of the more powerful female characters that Shakespeare has written, in contention with Cleopatra perhaps, there just is something missing. Bodinetz's seems to place her as parasite, sometimes lurking in a corner ready to trap her beloved. This was fair enough but Ford is just too soft and feminine. If Shakespeare was trying to challenge the weak, submissive female stereotype with Lady Macbeth, then Ford didn't seem to embrace it as fully as she could. The agression is what lacks from her performance. It seems like she needs to be much more rougher and tougher with her physical actions and how she speaks. Even her descent into madness was disappointing. It's a shame that she doesn't cut it.

Overall, though, a really striking and provoking production- one that the theatre can be really proud of as it begins a new era.

Macbeth runs until 6th June 2011.

Tuesday 17 May 2011

HELLO!

You know what I like about having my own blog? It provides me with the perfect opportunity to dig deep into my soul, pour every aspect of my being out to you because I CAN! For instance, I am currently thinking about nothing in particular. To be honest, I am slightly bored and am craving those Marks and Spencer Viennesse chocolate biscuits that I have in my cupboard downstairs. They have delicious and delectable melted chocolate centre. I am now hungry.

Riveting, aren't I?

No, seriously, this blog allow to share with you all that interests me, the main of which include:

- English: Huge fan of William Shakespeare. He is just a wonderful man. Really enjoying my English degree at uni. Reading texts from such diverse range of authors and historical periods is pretty awesome. I love interpreting texts, thinking about your own thoughts, the author's intention, symbolism, language etc. It is what makes me happy. Ah, and the more  scientific and mechanical aspects of language from word classes, grammar and sentence structure. I studied it at A-level and I'm sad about the fact that I haven't continued with it... Erm, I think I need to move on before I experience some sort of English induced orgasm.

- Theatre: Really got into this ever since I've started my student life. Some great theatres are here in Liverpool: the Everyman, Playhouse, Unity and LIPA. Although, I must say, sometimes, I'm not the biggest fan of musicals. I'd like to try my hand at acting, not for fame or success purposes, but rather as a way to build my confidence. And confidence= the opportunity to court handsome men.

- Music: Pop, electro pop and rock. I like GaGa, Britney, Katy Perry and Beyonce at the moment. Oh, and... Cheryl Cole. Feel free to hurl abuse at me, I will understand. Although I do own both of her albums and am beyond envious of her looks, even if her voice is awful. Britney is the queen though. Have you heard her new album? So what if she hasn't written or produced it? So what if her voice is autotuned and she mimes and can't dance live? I LOVE HER (And have done since 'Hit Me Baby...' FACT).

- Disability: It's not really an interest but since I am in a wheelie and have a stammer, I may as well share that with you. You can appreciate how 'brave' and 'inspirational' I am. (And anyone who knows me, understands just how much I LIKE that).  How I'm breaking down barriers and tackling adversity etc etc etc. That'll be good, won't it? I hope to educate you more about what living with a disability is like because I feel that's important in the grand scheme of things.

-News and entertaiment: I feel that it's very important to report hard news and know how to write a good story as a journalist. Defintely a sucker for showbiz news and celebrities too. Like every aspiring journo, I have the delusion that I'd like my job to consist of interviewing the rich and famous. We'll see..

-Comedy: I like to believe I'm quite a sarcastic woman. In fact, I am. I think one of my other ambitions is to write a comedy because I am extrodinarily funny. I really like, as follows: The IT Crowd, Miranda, Alan Partridge and Alan Carr. I enjoy laughing too, at my own jokes (obviously).
-Men: I like them. I have a thing for actors. They must be beautiful, intellectual, kind and generous. For now, however, I am aiming to become a spinister in a house with a shitload of cats, smelling of pee. It's a great aim.

So, with you all knowing a little more about me, I can now really 'think out loud'.

Until next time. x