Incredible Kylie

Review of Kylie Minogue's "Kiss Me Once" Tour at the O2

2 weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Kylie Minogue perform live at the O2 Arena.

After the release of her new album, “Kiss Me Once”, I knew this tour was going to be stunning. The pop sensation didn’t disappoint – she started the show by emerging in true sensational style by lying on a giant pair of bright red luscious lips. Belting out her sensational hits from “In My Arms”, “Les Sex” to “Wow”, she dominated the stage in her red-clad splendour.

We then moved ‘back in time’ to a more ‘retro’ era as her dancers were decked in geometric onesies and outrageous head gear. She lit up the arena with “Spinning Around”, “On A Night Like This” and a very sexy version of “Slow”. Massive screens showed a psychedelic display of background effects to embellish the era including extracts from her original videos.

We were then transported to a shocking pink cartoon world. The whole stage looked like it’d been designed by Barbie, including massive plastic wigs, party frocks and pink bath tubs. Culminating with a bubbly, playful pink Kylie singing “I Should Be So Lucky” whilst in the tub.

 

She then got down back to sexy town with “Need You Tonight”, “Sexercise” and “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head”.

 

She truly embellished her party-girl vibe using fountains of lasers and canons of glittering confetti, not to mention her infectious choreography.

To finish this insanely beautiful, feel-good show, she sung her hit “Into The Blue” in a delightful sparkling gown with the whole audience crying for more.

Overall, the show was spectacular! Sexy, fun and a joy to watch!

 

Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kylie-Minogue-Universe/199010183462956?sk=photos_stream&tab=photos_stream

Superb Shakespeare

Review of 'Shakespeare in Love'

 

SPOILER ALERT! 

From the screenplay by Marc Newman and Tom Stoppard, Lee Hall has adapted "Shakespeare in Love" for the stage. The play follows the story of young William Shakespeare as he suffers with writers block whilst in the process of writing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (or ‘Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter’ as he first deems his well known love story). Upon casting the role of Romeo, Will's path crosses with the beautiful Viola De Lesseps which infuses him with the passion to write his intoxicating masterpiece. Trials and tribulations strike the young couple from law braking antics to heroic scenes of love to culminate into one of the most beautiful twists on classic theatre we've seen to date.

It played in the intimate Noël Coward Theatre, set in Shakespeare’s' Elizabethan era. The staging itself was very clever yet also simplistic. Two balconies created a sense of his globe theatre as well as bed chambers, grimy taverns and a long voyage ship! The costumes, on the contrary, were luxuriously made: Queen Elizabeth’s gown had plush white peacock feathers on the back of her intricate period dress, complete with golden ruff and farthingale (the large hooped skirt underneath). Viola’s dresses too had beautiful encrusted jewels with elegant, flamboyant designs. Of course Tom Bateman's costume (Shakespeare) was cliché-ishly simplistic but then anything different would have been a disappointment.

Lucy Briggs-Owen who played Viola De Lesseps portrayed a gloriously passionate character. The perfect balance of tomboy and elegant Lady, more so than even Gwyneth Paltrow who played the young heroine in the previous film. She would often make us laugh out loud with her giggles and outraged glances as circumstances trapped her in the most compromising situations. Yet she would equally break our hearts with her inconsolable desperation and battles for her soul-mate. I particularly felt enthralled by her passionate declarations of love for not only young Will's work but also for himself.

Of course Tom Bateman (Shakespeare) was just as excellent (if not more so) and the chemistry between him and Briggs-Owen was faultless. He played the role with accurate precision and mastery of the role. In some stages hopeless, then hopeful, then consumed and intoxicated with love to being equally heartbroken. He fought with passion and bravery in some scenes and even ended up becoming a fool to lighten the tension (particularly when he disguises himself as Viola's chamber maid). A true lead for this challenging and demanding role that most definitely exceeded my expectations as he dominated the whole show.

Overall: 4.5 Stars.

Of course, I’m a huge fan of Shakespeare's work so I felt this helped with some of the 'in' jokes, however I'd thoroughly recommend to anyone who loves good theatre. It has laughs, cries, passion, drama, a good solid yet clever plot and above all a glorious cast.