Something For The Weekend

Katie gets Hoodwinked...

Katie was excited to get an invite to the premiere of Hoodwinked last weekend. But she wasn't expecting to carry with her a big bad wolf of a hangover...

What do you get when you cross Little Red Riding Hood, a Big Bad Wolf, a granny with big hair and a handful of ex-Big Brother housemates? Complete and utter mayhem would be an accurate guess... throw a crowd of excitable children and a movie theatre into the mix and you've got a movie premiere.

Instead of gowns, the guests of honour wore fairy wings and glitter-encrusted pumps, apple juice replaced champagne and the noise level in Leicester Square's VUE cinema went up a few hundred decibels. “But muuuuum, I want popcorn!”.  After a big night out, this was the epitome of headache central... luckily, the animated movie in question, 'Hoodwinked' packed enough kiddie punches to keep the rabble quiet. Let's face it - that's exactly what the mums and dads of the world want.

For the childless, Hoodwinked may not be on the top of your 'must see before I hit the grave' list, but if you have a slightly oddball sense of humour this film may be for you.  I'd never really wondered what my favourite fairytale characters would look like when up to their eyeballs on crack. On Sunday, I found out.

Unlike your usual Simbas, Little Mermaids and Aladdins the characters in Hoodwinked are not particularly cute. Sure, they've got the big eyes, goofy expressions and lovely little noses... but these wood dwellers have an attitude to boot. The story is set in the aftermath of the Little Red Riding Hood story. The forest police critters are sent to investigate a disturbance at Granny's house (did I mention she’s a wrinkly adrenaline junkie?). The mystery that follows takes us on four different journeys. Granny (Glenn Close), the Big Bad Wolf (Patrick Warburton), the Woodsman (Jim Belushi) and Red (Anne Hathaway) all describe their movements on the day of the ‘crime’.

I found the storyline hard to follow - sure, it may have been the hangover but it didn't seem to faze the youngsters around me. They whooped, cheered and hung on to every scene... eyeballs wide in awe. Through my own drooping eyelids, I managed to catch the general drift. The 'camera work' is fast paced and action packed and the hyperactive squirrel scenes are a stroke of cinematic genius.

Creators Cory and Todd Edwards, take CGI animation to the next level. They also throw in a good old dose pop culture references and jokes for the oldies in the audience.

If you've got kids, go. If you don't... give it a try - just leave your hangover at home.

By Katie Spain

Book cinema tickets here

Chris gets Wicked for Charity...

Our number one Wicked fan, Christopher Gough from London has been mingling online with other fans of the show. On the 19th of September he attended A WICKED night out at the EJAF Charity Gala Performance.  Here's the lowdown in his own words...

Martin Ball (Dr Dillamond in ‘Wicked’) has done a fantastic job in satisfying the appetites of the legion of ‘Wicked’ fans out there by feeding us all moreish titbits about the show’s progress in his (now famous) blog. So much so, that the desire to join in and post some words of encouragement and praise has become infectious! After seeing a couple of previews of the show, I could not resist using Martin’s site to post the odd amateur review – without thinking about how many people out there get to read this stuff!

The next thing I know, e-mails are rolling in from other ‘Ozians’ with questions and comments. Great! Among them was Steve Wenk from Chicago Illinois who e-mailed to say that he was bringing his twin daughters to London specifically to see the Charity Gala Performance and attend the post-show dinner. Steve asked me for the odd bit of travel advice, which I was pleased to impart – and we arranged to meet up on 19 September. As luck would have it, Steve and family were sitting in the row in front of me at the theatre. Steve’s daughters were really excited about seeing Idina Menzel as ‘Elphaba’ (they have their ‘own’ production of ‘Wicked’ in Chicago – but travelling 3,000 odd miles to see Idina was no problem for them at all!

The gala performance went without a hitch; the cast and orchestra got their well-deserved standing ovation; and many Ozians met up at the Bluebird Brasserie to toask a great show and raise funds for a worthy cause. An altogether WICKED night!

Christopher Gough

the wicked witch of the West End...

Acting as a host to Martin Ball’s Wicked Diary, lastminute.com has seen his blog reach the eyes of thousands of people all over the world. From the back streets of Acton to the wilds of Australia, a community of Wicked fans has been flourishing in the realm of cyberspace, brought together by their love of the show.  But what is it that makes Wicked so desirable? 

It’s being billed as the untold story of the witches of Oz and focuses on a time pre-Dorothy, when two very different girls, Glinda and Elphaba, become friends.  One oozes goodness and innocence from every pore, while the other was born green and possesses a talent for magic that knows no boundaries. Naturally, she turns "bad" and, as with every good story, there’s a man at the heart of it.  A rather sexy one at that – enter Adam Garcia as Fiyero, best known for his lead in Saturday Night Fever.

Perhaps Wicked’s popularity has something to do with the fact that the film The Wizard of Oz is a story many of us hold close to our hearts. Even the most hardcore musical hater can’t fail to be intrigued as to what could have possibly happened before the precocious little girl and her puppy wandered in from Kansas, whinging about her black and white home.

Perhaps it’s the music; the kind of score that tugs at every heartstring before making you snort your wine back out through your nose with laughter.  You’ll crease during ‘Popular’, when Glinda’s giving Elphaba a makeover, and bawl during ‘For Good’, when the unlikely friends realise they have to go their separate ways.

It could quite possibly be the cast in their exceptional, quirky costumes.  You really get a colourful taste of what it must be like to live over the rainbow and the continuous nods at the film will leave you smiling.  For example, the stripy stockings Nessa wears before ‘that unfortunate incident’ and the cocktail that’s served before the dialogue, “limes and apples and pears, oh my!” These and more serve as tiny but special reminders that we're witnessing the work of a protective force, who've strived to ensure the original legend of Oz doesn't get lost in the razzle and dazzle. In fact, the show will probably make you want to dig out the movie that inspired a hundred fantastical imaginings when you were a kid.  Perhaps the magic you used to believe in never really died? Perhaps it just comes in a hundred, slightly more achievable forms, as you grow up.

For example, Dorothy was a lost little girl, looking to find her way home.  In the end she found her true courageous self instead, and home was never quite the same again.  In Wicked, Elphaba, a champion of the underdog and fatefully misunderstood, realises the only way she can ever really be happy, is to say "screw what everyone else thinks" and as a result, the land of Oz is changed forever.  It must be a magical feeling indeed, to be totally satisfied with who you are, (aaaw, sniff)

The main star is reason alone to book this ticket. It's hard not to gape in awe at the award-winning Idina Menzel, belting out the number ‘Defying Gravity’ with such force it’s a wonder she doesn’t actually take off, with or without a broomstick.  London’s lucky to have her in the opening period. After drawing in the masses in New York  Idina’s living proof of the kind of talent all London musicals need to get on board in order to match Broadway’s stunning standards.  Wicked is probably one of the most vocally challenging shows out there.  You’ll come away humming the songs but chances are, if you try and belt them out the way they do on stage, you won’t be able to.  Even if you happen to be a fantastic singer. Just another sign of the quality, talent and professionalism needed (and discovered, luckily) to pull it off. 

Watch Wicked with a good glass of wine and a packet of hankies, and prepare to be spellbound.  It’s a magical masterpiece of musical theatre that’s bound to sell out every performance and close to a standing ovation, as it has done every night since the previews started.  Believe the hype.  Wicked is truly Wicked.  By Becky Wicks

Get your Wicked tickets here

And we thought Oyster was a good idea...

The Thames Festival: free fun for all
This is a massive Mayor of London organised event, which will spread along the South Bank and the river over the weekend. So what does our Ken have in store for us? Music? Art? Film? A giant novelty boat race? Oh yes, and much much more. To get the full listings down load a programme from the website – in the meantime here are the bits we think look the tastiest:

The great river race – watch over 2000 enthusiastic rowers paddle, punt and heave dozens of novelty vessels 22 miles down the Thames. Last year's entries ranged from Viking longboats to Chinese Dragon boats, so even if they’re not the fastest vessels on the water you can guarantee they’ll be the most resplendent. They’re expected to start crossing the finish line around midday so get down there in time to grab a little spot on the banks.

Music – on Saturday, twelve adult choirs performing by HMS Belfast will be ‘Singing for Water’ (to help bring clean water, sanitation and hygiene education to rural communities in Ghana and India). A worthy cause indeed and one championed further (as the baton is passed over on Sunday) by a 400 strong choir from 46 primary schools performing at The Scoop (by City Hall). Presumably, they'll be accompanied by an 800 strong crowd of mothers and grandmothers waving tear-dampened hankies at the angelic little tykes - so, if you want to catch it ,you might be advised to arrive a little before the start time of 1pm.

The Thames Beach – this summer has seen a few beaches springing up around the capital, not least our very own lastminute.com beach. This weekend join in making a sandcastle city or listen to some live music at Regnum’s Beach by The National Theatre. Alternatively, check out an eclectic music mix with free performances from 12-5pm by Festival Pier (Saturday only).

The night carnival – a glorious musical procession of lanterns, dance, floats and breathtaking costumery. A bit like Chinese New Year but with fewer dragons (though I imagine there may well be a couple). Victoria Embankment - Sunday evening, 7:00-9:45pm.

Firework display – any festival worth it’s salt climaxes in a big-budget firework spectacular. Head for the Thames at 9:45pm on Sunday to get your taxpayer’s dues. It might seem like the apocalypse to the fish, but Londoners will be enjoying the pretty sparkles for miles around.

www.thamesfestival.org

A royal awakening

"I love this... it's like meerkats"

As I followed the journalist's gaze across the room I couldn't help but agree.  The reporters around us indeed had the characteristics of a fidgeting pack of meerkats. Nervously rising from their seats, peering to the back of the grand conference room before sitting back down again to check their notes.  In the corner, two fought over a front row seat with fierce determination whilst a sense of anticipation bounced off the chandeliers above our heads.

There's nothing like a London press conference. Especially one for a new British film with as many rave reviews as The Queen has received.  The bustling journos seemed strangely casual against the grand decor at the Savoy Hotel but the name placards before us explained why.  It's not often you get close to National treasures such as Dame Helen Mirren (The Queen), Michael Sheen (Tony Blair), Stephen Frears (Director) and Peter Morgan (Writer). 

The film is a revealing portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II and the turmoil of the Royal Family in the days following Princess Diana's death. At the time, Tony Blair was the newly elected Prime Minister and found himself challenged with the task of connecting the increasingly private Royal Family with the grieving British public.  Sound too political for your liking? It's not... if there's on thing that director Stephen Frears knows how to do, it's to tell a good story. Interviews with the man behind films such as Dangerous Liasons, The Grifters and Dirty Pretty Things are notoriously difficult. Judging by the nervous energy in the conference room, the people around me were well also aware of this.

With digital voice recorders poised, we sat praying that they'd make it through the interview. All equipment obsessions vanished however, as soon as the guests walked into the room.  There's something about Helen Mirren; she walks with a grace and steady confidence that commands respect. I doubt there's a woman in the world (other than The Queen herself) that can silence a room of serial talkers as effortlessly as she can. Her presence alone is moving.

As the stars settled in their seats, the meerkats suddenly morphed into hyenas, on the hunt for a perfect answer. Lucky for us, lastminute.com was also invited to a special private chat with Helen and Stephen high up in the surroundings of a Savoy Hotel room.  Close up, Stephen has piercing blue eyes beneath an experienced lined face and seemed to open up more in the more intimate surroundings of a comfy hotel room. Rather than his trademark blunt answers, he displayed a sharp wit and a sly sense of humour. Dressed casually and slumped in his seat he was a stark contrast to the poised, immaculately dressed Dame Helen Mirren. As they sipped tea, we chatted about lastminuteliving, blogging, the film and, of course, Helen’s wig...   

this weekend in London...

Here's our pick of this week's freebies happening in London...

FREE - Sept 9 - 13
Space Soon, Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road
If you're wandering round Camden this weekend, head on up to Chalk Farm and check out the free space exhibitions in the Roundhouse. You'll have to pay for the extras, like a talk by Alan Bean, the 4th man to walk on the moon, (£20) but it's worth a gander.

FREE - Sept 8 - 10
Oyster and Seafood Fair, Hays Galleria, Tooley Street
It's just a shopping centre, we hear you cry. Well you'd better get your butts down here this weekend for this fish-fest. Tastings, cookery demos, a steel band and a fresh fish market all give this gathering of shops an aquatic incentive.

FREE - Sunday 12 noon - 6pm
Brick Lane Festival, Brick Lane, near Liverpool Street tube
"Its party time once again for the most famous street of London… After Coronation Street (probably!).

Held every second Sunday of September, the Festival is now firmly established on the London calendar of events attracting over 60,000 people who come to enjoy the rich mix of culture, history, live music, films and food.

Fast becoming recognised as the alternative to Notting Hill Carnival, the event combines the excitement and buzz of a street festival, alfresco eating, fun fair, Brick Lane’s own Chili Film Festival (debuting this year) and a relaxing outdoor music concert with local and international performers." Taken from official website here.

FREE: Sat @ 1pm
Little People's Cookie Class, Villandry, 170 Great Portland Street
If you're planning on shopping but have to take the kids, here's an idea. Why not stop for lunch at Villandry, and while you're eating in piece, the kids are getting creative in the kitchen with the professional bakers, whipping up special gingerbread men for your pudding. Bless.