Student Journalism

     I'm officially a 'student journalist'! I wrote an article about being a front of house usher, and I bit back my fear and sent it to one of the main student papers at my university. The paper (which I won't name) rejected it, saying that it had 'nothing to do with theatre'.... right.

  Initially, I was crushed but I didn't give up! I sent it to another paper, it was accepted and my 'quasi-conversational tone and David Michell-esque rant' were praised. Here it is- http://www.cherwell.org/culture/stage/2014/09/28/the-men-in-black-life-as-an-usher

The moral of the story is...rejection will come but never give up!

Dead Poet's Society

   A few weeks ago, the world lost a phenomenal actor. I was so taken aback, shocked and upset when I heard the news of Robin Williams' death. Strangely, before the awful news broke, I'd spent most of the summer re-familiarising myself with my favourite films of his such as 'Hook', 'Night at the Museum', 'Jumanji' and 'Aladdin' to name a few, films that were huge parts of my childhood. To honour him, I decided to watch a film of his that I'd never seen before, 'Dead Poet's Society', a film that I'd heard a lot about in the past but had never gotten round to watching.

  'Dead Poet's Society' shows a more subdued side to Robin Williams as Mr Keating, an inspirational English teacher in a 1950s all boys American Prep school, who uses somewhat unconventional methods to teach his students valuable life lessons. The film really really touched and moved me; I would loosely describe it as a kind of American 'History Boys' but it is still very different from that classic. Although Williams isn't as wacky in this film as we're used to seeing him, there are still bursts of that comedic genius that we know and love. For example, there's a scene where he reads Shakespeare as John Wayne and Marlon Brando and his different voices are hilarious and spot on. Here are a few lessons that I learned from the film:

1) Carpe Diem- Seize the day! As cheesy as it sounds, don't be afraid to break the mould and make the most of the big world out there.

2) Live your life for you- don't feel pressured into making life-changing decisions that you don't choose for yourself. If I'd listened to people in the past instead of doing what I want to do, I'd probably be studying Economics or Engineering right now. Don't get me wrong, those are great degrees but they're not for me.

3) Teachers can really make a difference in the lives of their students. So, they should never be underestimated or looked down on and I think I'll probably teach at some point in my life.

4) Finally, if you're feeling sad or depressed, please seek help. Don't be afraid to share your real feelings and it is never too late for you to get help and support. You're not alone.
(If you or someone that you know needs help or is going through a tough time, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (UK).

Rest in peace, Mr Williams, and thank you so much for all the laughs.

A Streetcar Named Desire

  To say that I was very excited to see the Young Vic's production of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' would be an understatement. The play was one of my AS English Literature set texts for coursework about two years ago and I loved it instantly. I'm also a big fan of the 1951 Academy Award winning film adaptation that starred Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando. So, it's another understatement to say that I had very high expectations from this production and it certainly didn't disappoint.

  Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize winning play follows Blanche DuBois (Gillian Anderson), a fading Southern Belle with delusions of grandeur and a lot of emotional baggage. After losing her family's plantation and wealth to death and debt, as well as her young husband, who committed suicide after Blanche discovered his homosexual affair, Blanche relies on her grand exaggerations (often lies), her fraying poise and affairs with young men to protect herself from the harsh reality of her life. Due to her immoral conduct, Blanche is eventually forced to leave her home town of Laurel, Mississippi and she goes to stay with her sister, Stella Kowalski (Vanessa Kirby), and her brutish and abusive husband Stanley Kowalksi (Ben Foster), in their already cramped apartment in the French Quarter of New Orleans, a decision that brings about the play's tragic ending.

  Gillian Anderson, who is best known for the American sci-fi horror drama television series, 'The X-Files', was heartbreakingly stunning as Blance DuBois. I laughed and I cried with Blanche as Anderson effortless portrayed the varying moods of a woman whose life is slowly spiralling out of her control. Her performance reminded me a lot of Cate Blanchett's Jasmine in 'Blue Jasmine', a 2013 loose adaptation of 'Streetcar' from Woody Allen and just like Blanchett, Anderson too deserves numerous accolades for her performance. Vanessa Kirby (Great Expectations, 2011) held her own as Blanche's long-suffering sister, Stella, and Ben Foster (Kill Your Darlings) truly shined and chilled as the primal Stanley; he was charming enough for us to see why Stella is so enamoured by him but still terrifying enough to cause Blanche's final breakdown.

  A great show needs a great production team and this is the case for the Young Vic's 'Streetcar'. Magda Willi's set design is brilliant due to it's revolving and open nature; nothing is hidden to the audience and this visually represents how the truth about Blanche's situation cannot stay a secret forever. Jon Clark's lighting design also adds to this, especially through how Blanche gets more and more spotlights as her lies become exposed. The music and sound from Alex Baranowski and Paul Arditti respectively add a modern twist to the story, making Tennessee William's masterpiece even more timeless.

  This production deserves endless amounts of praise but it is nearly half two in the morning and even wannabe theatre critics need sleep sometimes. So, I'll end with this: the Young Vic's 'A Streetcar Named Desire' was incredible and there was a stella-r performance from everyone involved with it (pun intended).

Rating 4/5 ****
 

Scandal

  'Scandal' is everything. I want to be a gladiator in a suit. I want Olivia Pope's fashion sense. If these three sentences mean nothing to you and you have no idea what I'm talking about, don't worry, I'll explain.

  'Scandal' is an American political thriller television series created by Shonda Rimes, the writer of the critically acclaimed 'Grey's Anatomy'. It stars Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, a Washington D.C based crisis manager  with her own firm, 'Olivia Pope & Associates'. Pope is also the 'White House fixer', and it is her job to solve problems and scandals (hence the title) that the political elite face, in order to protect their public images. Pope's team (or 'gladiators in suits'), ex-CIA pro hacker Huck (Guillermo Diaz), judgemental but lovable litigator Abby Whelan (Darby Stanchfield), fast-talking lawyer Harrison Wright (Columbus Short) and new recruit Quinn Perkins (Katie Lowes), are all very loyal to Pope as she 'fixed' problems for all of them in the past and with their help, she is an unstoppable force and the best 'fixer' in Washington. Interesting fact: the lead character of Pope is loosely based on Judy Smith, who served as George H.W. Bush's Deputy Press Secretary and who also represented Monica Lewinsky in the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.

  However, Olivia Pope has her own problems: her past. Before she started her own business, she was the White House Director of Communications and her close relationship with the married President Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III (Tony Goldwyn), who she helped with his presidential campaign was not (and still isn't) innocent. What do you get when you add an affair to election rigging, assassination attempts, blackmail attempts, bombs, conspiracy theories, family dramas, and pregnant White House interns? An incredible television drama that leaves you on the edge of your seat with your mouth agape!

  It's not only the fantastic writing and crazy plot twists that make 'Scandal' the thrilling watch that it is. Kerry Washington truly shines in the lead role with her spot on efficiency and line deliveries, whilst also emitting class and elegance- the lady sure can work the colour white! (Another interesting fact: a clothing line has just launched that is inspired by Washington's outfits in 'Scandal'). The other cast members are also exceptional and the show seems to have everything from humour and wit to heart quickening romance and action.

  But that's still not why I like 'Scandal' so much, The show amazes me because even though Kerry Washington is an 'African-American woman in the lead role of a prime-time television series', the colour of her skin is not her defining feature on the show. In 'Scandal', Olivia Pope is not 'Olivia Pope, the African-American woman', she's just Olivia Pope, a very intelligent woman that is the best at her job. I wish all of society could be this post-racial in real life, with all POC being recognised first for who they are and their skill sets, rather than the colour of their skin.

  I could go on and on about why this show appeals to me so. I could continue to praise Olivia Pope's strong character and day-dream about how I want a Jake Ballard (Scott Foley) in my life (swoon). I could even rant about why Olivia's relationship with the President really irks me (he doesn't deserve you, Olivia!!), but I don't want to give away too many juicy plot details.

  Watch 'Scandal'. Really, I mean it. If you don't like it, that's fine. If you end up loving it like I do, that's fine as well. The show has its flaws like all great things do and I might do another blog post about them. However, right now, I'm going to retire and continue with 'The Becoming Olivia Pope Plan' with my Nokia Lumia 925 and my growing collection of white blazers. I'll work up to the heels and white coat.

Rating- 8/10