Experience #6 June: "A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE + 'IN IT TO WIN IT'" - COMPLETE

I've not spent 3 hours in a Cinema since I saw 'Avatar', but tonight would prove to be a refreshing change. It seemed the 'theatrics' would start before the main event, it has been another scorcher of a day and that didn't help the middle aged Woman standing behing me in the queue, shouting at the front desk to "hurry up!! I just want one ticket!!!" Then I made the mistake of turning around to listen to her whining and had to hear the whole story. "I can't stand in a queue for TOO long, especially in THIS heat, my body just can't handle it!! I just want ONE ticket!!" Yes it turned out to be 'London Assurance' - the play I had also came to see, I didn't have her down as a Russell Brand fan.

It seemed like forever, but finally I was called to buy my ticket, so i carefully blocked the woman from behind from hearing what I was saying in to the microphone, so I wouldn't have to be bothered any longer! I got my ticket, £9, a massive £1 reduction with my Cinema pass - what a let down! And with the heat couldn't get away with sneaking my own snacks and drink in as I didn't have pockets large enough or a kind Sister with a 'Mary Poppins' sized handbag so i was forced to pay full price to my dissapointment.

I had no idea what the story was going to be, I just followed the four star reviews from various London magazines and tabloids. As soon as I entered the Cinema I felt out of place. Mainly because I was the only one there with my own hair and teeth and was able to get up past the first four rows without taking a deep breath. I walked proudly up the stairs with my king size popcorn and large coke and sat three rows from the back, not expecting the room to fill out as it did. Surprisingly, by the time the live feed was on screen, the cinema was over half full! The National Theatre would be sharing this live feed with over 22 countries at the same time! 'London Assurance' was the final part of National Theatre Live and is returning later on in the year with Danny Boyle's (Slumdog Millionaire) version of 'Frankenstein', now that would be something to witness!

As with any visit to the cinema, you enter the room and hear the local radio station being played softly in the background. While we were waiting for the live feed, 'Lady GaGa' & 'Journey' entertained us through the surround sound speakers. Finally, the lights dimmed and a shot from outside the National Theatre could be seen. A beautiful sunset in London and a large screen outside the NT where a young crowd were spread out among the open area with picnics and enjoying the last few rays of sunshine. As a 'warm-up' they had, well basically, Jugglers on stage performing for about 15 minutes which was as much as I could take! Then we see inside the NT and it looks like an incredible building. The first scene began and I wasn't sure what to make of it. Eccentric characters, comedy along the lines of 'Blackadder' and a lot of make up. It didn't take long before I felt quite settled and just enjoyed the fantastic acting on offer as well as catching a few stars in the cast. (You might recognise a couple of familiar faces in the above photo.)

After about 1hr 30 mins, there was a short interval for 20 mins. You would have thought the house lights would've come on as majority of the audience were over 50 and it was dark in there. I was expecting to hear them fall down those stairs like dominoes, I just couldn't watch! I'm glad to say they all made it back in one piece for the final part of the show, which is more than I could say about me. I didn't need a toilet break and decided to stay in the Cinema. I'm my own worst enemy - who comes on stage again?? Those BLOODY Jugglers!!

The final part of 'London Assurance' was as witty and sharply acted as the first and before I knew it the cast were taking their final bow and heading off backstage.

It was a great insight in to the world of plays. I'm not sure I would actually make the effort to go in to London to specifically attend a show, but would go and see the live feed again in the Cinema.


2.)IN IT TO WIN IT.

I had entered a load of competitions now, but they won't close until the end of this week. If I have a new 'Mini Cooper' or a 'Henry Hoover', you'll be the first to know!

Experience #6 June: "A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE + 'IN IT TO WIN IT'"

Both my Sister and I were lucky enough to see a lot of the great 'West End' shows with our Grandparents when we were young. We saw 'Cats', 'Starlight Express' - We were down the front and I felt like the actors on skates were constantly too close to the edge of the stage and would end up in my lap at some point! & 'Joseph & His Technicolour Dreamcoat' to name a few. I took Mum to see 'The Lion King' last year for Mother's Day which was another memorable experience, so this time around I'd like to experience watching a play.

I'm not brave enough to head in to London on my own to see a play, so I've taken the next best option. Our local Cinema now shows plays from the 'National Theatre' in London direct in to the Cinema by the miracle of Technology - as it happens on stage that evening. I won't have to dress up or apologise to the (unlucky) person sitting next to me for opening my large bag of Malteser's and distracting him from the most important dialogue of the evening.

It's a different way to encourage Cinema-goers to the theatre, I doubt you'll be able to ask for a 'Baskin Robbins' "Big Boy" Ice Cream at a Theatre without hearing titters from behind you. (Although I've never been able to ask for that at the Cinema, even Mum plays it safe and sticks to the "two scoops please" while smirking at the "Big Boy" banner on the wall.)

Ok, so I guess a lot of my views of people that attend the Theatre might be stereotypical - upper class, snobbish laughs etc, but at least this way I will be able to get a taste for watching plays and experiencing a live show for myself. I think it's a fantastic way to encourage Cinema-goers (Anything beats the usual showings of "Space Chimps" & "Furry Vengeance") and I've noticed our Cinema also shows live 'as it happens' Opera.....but one step at a time!

The showing of "London Assurance" is at the end of June and is a little early (18.45) for my liking, but at least I can enjoy a large bag of popcorn at the same time ;)

A few reviews of the show so far include:

5 STARS
'An absolute corker of a production, one that will be talked about and chuckled over with reminiscent affection for years to come.'
Daily Telegraph

4 STARS
'A treat... stylish, hilarious and unmissable.'
Sunday Times

I could cheat and try and find a few "preview" clips on YouTube, but I think I'm going to wait. Go with an open mind (and a decent selection of snacks) and enjoy!

2.) 'IN IT TO WIN IT'



Aren't you sick of the same old smug competition winner photo (see above), me too, and this time I'm going competition crazy!

As this month's challenge is not a huge as some of the others I have completed, this month I'm going to enter as many competitions as possible. I don't care what the prize is, "someone's got to win, and you've got to be in it to win it!" as my Gradma would say, so fingers crossed!

COMPETITIONS ENTERED SO FAR:
(This will be updated as I enter each competition)

* 2 x tickets to see Aerosmith at O2 Arena, - easy choice. One of America's finest Rock bands - and one of my personal favourites :P

* Tickets to see 'The Baseballs' perform in Germany - They cover Modern Pop songs in a Rock n' Roll style - need I say more??

* 2 x Tickets to see 'Crowded House' in Madrid (+ meet and greet, flights and accommodation.) - I can't even name three Crowded House songs!

*Win tickets to Glastonbury - One Festival that's still on my 'to do' list.

*£800 of 'Next' Vouchers - I could do with some new shirts for work...

*Win £2000 in cash - erm....YES PLEASE!

*A Holiday for 2 in Las Vegas - HELL YEH!

*Win an iPhone - Well, it's cheaper than getting one on contract!

*Win a retro 'Stlyophone' - A chance to make a racket on the last train out from London after a heavy night out?? Go on then.

*Win a Mini Cooper - Could do with a nice (or any) car. That'll do for my first ;P

*£150 worth of gardening goodies - Someone say Ebay??

*Turtlewax duluxe car valeting kit - I don't own a car (yet) but it'll be looking brand new with a little help from that funky Turtle.

*A 5 door Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec - A back up if the Mini Cooper doesn't come through.

*A 5 Door Renault Clio 1.2 16v Dynamique - A back up if the Ford Focus doesn't come through.

*A holiday to the Dominican Republic - A free holiday in the sun anyone??

*An overnight break at Champneys - One for my Sister

*A holiday for 2 to Cyprus - With all these Holidays I hope I can get time off work :P

*A holiday for two to Provence, France - No sunny beaches this time round, but it's still a free holiday!

*£800 of Halfords vouchers - Surely that's a crime to spend that amount in Halfords?

*£375 towards a UK road trip adventure - This could be an interesting 'experience' :)

*The Samsung Jet mobile phone - A backup if I don't win the iPhone

*The Henry HVR200 Vacuum - We could do with a new one. Preferably free.

*Apple Nike and iPod Sport Kit - Just the motivation I need to get back in to the gym.

*Stainless steel fire pit worth £120 - BBQ + Summer + Beer = good times!

*£300 cash - Not quite £2000, but still..it's cash! :)

*X1 Adult England 2010 away shirts - Something to help me get in to the footie mood..

*A Dyson Ball upright vacuum - For when the 'Henry' hoover gives up.

*Wooden bird table and bird food - Doing my bit for nature.

*£2000 of John Lewis vouchers - I'm sure I could find something to spend this on.

*£50 Argos, Next, Debenhams, Amazon or John Lewis gift vouchers - Argos or Amazon will be fine thanks.

*Nivea sun tan protection worth £50 - A little something to go with the holiday in Cyprus.

*2 JVC Picsio cameras & a Toshiba laptop - I won't have time to surf the web and go on all these holidays at the same time :P