Mahiki Madness!

On Friday, Heather (whose blog can be found here), my friend Natalia and I made our weekend plans and decided to party out the week at Mahiki, Mayfair. With a little bit of networking, we managed to get free entry and free drinks. This made our night even more enticing and worth the all nighter we would be having, until the first train home in the morning.

Natalia, Myself and Heather

To describe Mahiki in one word, I would have to say exotic! Its Polynesian, Hawaiian theme makes the drinks even more exciting, and because of where the club is, it’s even more expensive! Pina Colada’s are placed in pineapple’s and you can buy a bottle of Dom for an eye watering £11,0000. 

That’s not all though, you never know who you’re going to be partying next to. The evening we went, there were one of the girls from Little Mix with the Daily Mail paparazzi flying round! The story of this can be found here.

On the journey up to London.

Even though I enjoyed Mahiki, I definitely enjoyed the events after. After happily devouring a Mcdonalds and sobering up, we all made our way to the Embankment to get on a boris bike and make our way back to Fenchurch Street.

Take note, we tied our heels to our bike and put on our flats!

After taking about ten minutes to work out how to rent a bike, we made our way, passing towering figures such as the London Eye and rode along the river Thames. We saw the sun rise over the Shard and saw the Tower of London in the morning light.

Once at Coopers row, we docked the bikes and caught the 05.10 train back to Leigh on Sea. Once we were back at mine at around 06.00, we all went straight to bed!

We had such a great evening and I 100% would do it again in the near future.

Have you ever had an exciting night out?

Kirsty 

xx

Wednesday Stroll

It's almost the weekend and I've been extremely busy recently, and will be able to tell you all soon about my new adventure I will be going on. For now though, I will let you in to what I have been up to these last couple of weeks!

My friend Heather came down to stay during the week and we went into London numerous times to play tourists and go partying. On Wednesday, when she arrived, we got the train to Brick Lane and had a nosey around. As usual, we made our way to the Beigal Bake and got ourselves a smoked salmon bagel and a jam doughnut. I can confirm, as ever, both impressed.

Later, after walking around, we found a lovely café where we both got a Mocha and stayed to chat more for a few hours.

 

Upon leaving east London, we both thought of west end shows we wanted to see. I had a friend who worked at the Shaftsbury Theatre and so messaged him to see what the availability was for Memphis. With a lot of luck, we were able to get tickets to see the show and so we made our way to Covent Garden.

Neal's yard, Seven Dials

Shoreditch

Memphis

Set in 1950s in Memphis, the production kept me on the edge of my seat as I watched Beverley Knight sing away. The show introduces Huey, a white man who goes into Del Ray's underground bar. As the regulars begin to leave, Huey tells the black men and women that he loves the music they produce and goes on to prove that he can sell and play their music successfully. In the midst of this, he falls in love with Delray's sister, Felicia (who is played by Beverley Knight). 

The story is an interesting one, and keeps me hooked throughout. Its catchy songs and dazzling voices, I enjoyed every moment.

I would definitely recommend anyone to go and see the show, whilst it is still on!

Kirsty

xx

The Chelsea Flower Show

Christmas was becoming more imminent when I finally decided to purchase two tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show for my mum for Christmas. I knew she had always wanted to go so I saved up and planned to go on one of her days she had off work, during the week it was being held.

I booked the 3.30-8pm slot as I thought we could take a slow ride up to London and have some lunch. We had to go to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and had to queue as we arrived early.

A definite tip for anyone thinking of going next year is to definitely arrive early and queue so you're one of the first people into the Show.

My mum and I standing by the most beautiful flowers that were named after ice cream flavours!

We went round the gardens after looking at the main map at the start of the park.

The map telling you the layout of the event.

These are some of the photos I took of the day...

Prince Harry's garden, inspired by an african theme.

The tree coming into the photo on the top left is over 150 years old.

Dead and alive plants hanging from the ceiling.

Outside the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Inside the large marquee, where plants from over the world were shown here.

After spending the day here, I definitely felt like I had more of an idea which plants can be grown in 'acid soil' and which gardens I wanted! Unfortunately, my favourite, Roses weren't to be seen! I would love to go next year, so will keep an eye out for tickets when they go on sale. 

Kirsty

xxx

Women on the Verge on a Nervous Breakdown

I had planned to see this gem of a show playing at the Playhouse Theatre at the Embankment in June, after seeing the excitement surrounded by it at the Oliviers earlier this year. 

However, plans quickly changed when I received an email telling me that this show was closing on Saturday 23rd May! Despite much upset, I managed to get a lovely little bargain to see the performance with my mother on Wednesday afternoon.

Outside the Playhouse Theatre.

Knowing nothing other than the vague plot line that was given on their website, this musical took place in Madrid in the 1970s about a lady named Peppa, who was magnificently well portrayed by Tamsin Grieg. Admittedly, I had not seen her in anything else but she surprised me in her acting and made me laugh with tears at her unfortunate circumstances that materialised throughout the show. 

We first meet Peppa as she awakes and realises she is late for work. She has taken a strong dose of sleeping pills. Catching a taxi to work, we learn that she is an actress for the TV and an image in the public eye. Grieg's frantic nature shapes this character rather well, resulting in the audience being able to make a judgement on the sort of person Peppa is.

Waiting for the performance to begin.

The story unravels, revealing her husband Ivan has disappeared and has not been seen for two days. He has left her for another women, we soon learn. Peppa later meets Ivan's ex-wife (Lucia), a lady Peppa did not even know about, whilst she was married to Ivan. This character is played manipulatively well. She is in the background for the majority of the Act One. In Act Two, Lucia comes to life as we see someone who is also as mental as Peppa. She tells the audience of the past 20 years she has had to deal with Ivan not being in her life. Lucia outlines that she will be going to court over the ordeal of Ivan. Peppa also meets his son, and Fiancé. 

As the plot thickens, the audience simultaneously meets Peppa's best friend, Candela who has a love affair with an Arab, and learns from the television that he is a terrorist.

Comical and light hearted, Women on the Verge was an abstract performance, embodied with Spanish tunes and dancing. A daring new show in the West End that has unfortunately not taken off. I really would have loved to have seen Hadyn Gywnne as I worked with her in Billy Elliot, alas she was not performing on the day. 

I would tell anyone to catch the show whilst it is still on in its final two days. It also reassures yourself that there are situations out there more complex than you're own!

The finale.

On our way out, I literally bumped into Jo Brand, as my Mum and I were heading to the Savoy to book tickets for Gypsy with Imelda Staunton and to have some lunch! I politely asked for a photo and she said yes. She was such a lovely lady.

Jo Brand and I along the Embankment.

Have you seen the show, or ever bumped into anyone famous whilst you were out?

Kirsty

xxx

Happy Birthday Billy Elliot!

When the show first began in 2005, I don't think anyone would have thought the production would still be running ten years on, although a lot of us were dreaming of it. However, last night, a dream became a reality as the six current Billy's took the stage to perform the 10th Anniversary of the production at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London.

This amazing show has been close to my heart, as I began the audition process from June 2005 and finally went onto rehearsals at the Sloane Square Barracks as Alison Summers, one of the ballet girls in the show and one of the first and one of only two Alison Summers who have participated in the finale tap. I was elated that I was about to join a family who I would see almost everyday, as we came together to rehearse and rehearse until everything was perfect.

 I had the most marvellous memories and the experiences and opportunities I had were endless. Performing on the stage three times a week, and then my decision to go to the Sylvia Young Theatre School, where I was awarded with a scholarship to attend. Furthermore, my team were chosen to appear on the very First Birthday, something which was an achievement for us all, and for me: I got to meet Elton John!

Found this off the internet, I'm the smallest one at the end on the left!

A couple of months later, my team were asked to do publicity shoots for the Anna Pavlova gold statue. The pictures were printed in all of the London Newspapers and appeared online.

All of this was such an incredible experience. However, there was more. I then went on to film the EPK for the show, which was shared on TV and on the web. 

I am so proud of the company and all that is has achieved. I am also so grateful to them for giving me such an amazing opportunity, as I was then asked to return to the show this time as Angela Robson. I truly cannot wait to see the show nurture in the next decade in all that it brings to the West End!

It was such a shame that I could not be back at the Victoria Palace Theatre last night but I am so excited to see the photos that are and will come from it!

Kirsty 

xx

Day in London with Lucy

On Saturday my sister and I headed into the city for the day. With our parents currently away and the freedom to make our own plans, we decided to go into town early before seeing McBusted later that evening.

We got the C2C into West Ham and headed towards EC1 (Brick Lane, Hoxton, Spitalfields) and arrived within good time to look around. The first place we went to was the Beigel Bar on Brick Lane. This brings back so many fond memories as a child. Our parents always used to take us here to get a smoked salmon bagel or hot salt beef. We also got two doughnuts, filled always with lots of jam!

The Bagel bar

Once stopping by here to buy a dozen bagels to take home, we carried along the high street. We found alcoves of thrift shops and cubby holes of warehouses FULL of unique clothing lines and international foods. We then went to look for the Hummingbird Bakery to get cupcakes for our dessert later that evening!

The entrance in Shoreditch

One of the lovely cakes inside.

Before entering the arena, Lucy and I went to Pizza Express, where we devoured a pizza!

How beautiful does it look!

We had a cocktail at All Bar One, then made our way to our seats in the arena. We did not have to wait too long for the band to come on as we did not see the supports. They played some of their new songs but their old songs were best!

This was their set:

And this was at the end of the night:

It was a great day and I will definitely be going back to Brick Lane when I have money to spend!

Have you had a day out recently?

Kirsty

xxx