Something For The Weekend

how 'bout the circus this weekend?

If you've steered quite clear of the Circus since Stephen King's It sent clown inspired chills down your spine, fear not. Billy Smarts Circus, coming to Coventry on March 6 to 1, is positively creepy-clown free. And better still it's only £10 a ticket.

You'll find a dynamic mix of breathtaking acrobatics, aerial expertise, comedy, juggling and illusion, all set to wow you on the 2007 Tour.

With its contemporary take on traditional circus skills, this one's a spectacle that will thrill everyone from your gran to your old man. No squirty flowers here. Instead, meet Chico Rico, the side splitting clown from Mexico, experience the fast paced illusions of Ross Presto & Company and marvel at Roman’s Aerial Silks.

One of the highlights to be added to the bill is a brand new flying trapeze act, that’s taken America by storm - The Flying Bull Dancers. Their act includes a top catcher and a passing leap, and Anton Von Ostendorf’s legendary triple somersault - a move that's made the act a massive hit in the circus world.

Book Billy Smart's Circus now for a tenner

this weekend I'll be mostly...

Watching 6 nations rugby!! woohoo! i'll prob be getting VERY drunk in a great pub in waterloo, that actually has the murial of the battle of waterloo, what better place to watch the english rugby team defeat the damn smelly french!?! - London man ;-p

fancy it doggy style?

From March 8 - 11, over 25,000 dogs from all over the globe will be travelling to The NEC in Birmingham to compete for the ultimate accolade of Best In Show at the world's greatest dog show, Crufts.

Crufts, organised by the Kennel Club and supported by Pedigree Masterfoods, attracted 143,000 visitors over the four days of the show in 2006, easily keeping this annual extravaganza’s place in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest dog show in the world – and this year it’s been extended! 2007 will see Crufts take over The NEC Arena that will be used to showcase a fantastic new dog display programme with seating for 6000 people.

The move not only gives more people the opportunity to see the ever-popular special events and Best In Show, but also creates a better shopping experience, more catering facilities and a more enjoyable experience for all.

Dogs representing twenty-six countries competed at last year’s Crufts resulting in a record number of overseas competitors, making this a truly international event.

With around 100,000 paws on parade, Crufts 2007 is expected to provide unrivalled canine entertainment for people of all ages, through its mix of traditional crowd favourites alongside a wealth of exciting new displays of the dog’s many talents and roles within society.

As well as the highly prestigious Best In Show title, other hotly contested canine competitions will include the Obedience World Cup competition with challengers from all over the world aiming to prevent England from completing a hat trick of successes. The event will also host the Kennel Gazette Junior Warrant Final, with a younger generation of dogs bidding to show their potential as future Crufts champions.

Crufts offers visitors much more than simply seeing dogs in competition. Dog lovers and prospective owners will also have the chance to meet and greet 190 different breeds of potential pedigree partners in the Discover Dogs area, where they can gain expert guidance from handlers who will help them to find their perfect match.

The event provides the ideal opportunity to treat the dog or dog-lover in your life. With around 500 trade stands offering everything that you and your canine could possibly wish for it’s the perfect place to check out all the latest trends and toys for your two and four legged friends!

Crufts will also act as a showcase for a wide range of animal charities, which will be on hand to demonstrate the diverse range of valuable skills that dos possess which can help us in many different aspects of our daily lives.

In short, Crufts is a must for dog lovers everywhere!
*Taken from NEC website

this weekend at the Whitehouse...

Saturday March 10th: MyHouse @ The Whitehouse 

In case you didn't know, The Whitehouse has undergone a massive refurbishment since the new year and will be officially opening in early March. Groove Factory has been given an exclusive pre-launch date to check out the spanking new bars, extra standing room, bigger toilets and brand spanking new Turbosound sound-system!

Invited back to host the upstairs room  (now with unrestricted entry) will be the MyHouse residents Stevie Dee & Aubrey Price and will be delivering a more funky flavour to the Groove Factory mix.

Saturday 10th March
The Whitehouse - 65 Clapham Park Road, London, SW4 7EH
9pm till 4am
FREE before 9pm!
£8 - 9pm to 11pm
£12 - 11pm onwards

What a Treat

You’d have been forgiven for thinking there was a lightning storm brewing as Chris Evans walked out of the Garrick Theatre on Monday night. However, despite the barrage of paparazzi flash-lights, he had a cheerful grin on his face. To judge from his face, his verdict on Treats was a big thumbs-up to Billie. But, given that he’s hardly impartial, we thought we’d better give you a bit more to go on:

Who’s in it?
Billie won’t be the only familiar face you’ll find in this play, though; Kris Marshall who you’ll remember as the loveable klutz from My Family (or the long-suffering new-man of the BT adverts) takes on an altogether different role as the aggressive, opinionated and bullying ex-boyfriend, Dave. In fact, his usual typecast - the amiable but unfortunate puppy-dog - is taken on by Lawrence Fox (from Gosford Park and Becoming Jane). Lawrence’s character, Patrick, is the third point in the play’s fraught love-triangle.

So, what’s it about?
Dave, world-jaded journalist, returns home from a stint in war-torn Basra to find that in his absence Ann (played by Billie) has changed the locks and moved-in the most boring man in her office on the rebound. Tired of his intellectual tyranny and very un-intellectual philandering, Ann appears to have found a quiet happiness with the sweet and thoughtful Patrick. Dave’s refusal to accept her rejection, though, and Patrick’s cripplingly easy-going nature put the three of them in a stalemate of territory, possessions and desire.

What’s it like?
Initially, the play feels like a British sitcom; it has a cosy, three-person cast, a static “apartment” set and witty, fast-flowing banter (though if it were a sitcom it’d be a very well scripted one). As the action unfolds, though, a sinister battle for emotional possession begins to show through, motives, passions and allegiances are relentlessly interrogated and all three characters begin to crack under the pressure.

But, will I like it?
Treats may enrage you and it may frustrate you, but only because the characters feel like people you may have met in the real world and their situation is one that begs an uncomfortable question about the ways that men and women behave in relationships. You might see echoes of your own relationships, in fact, poking their familiar faces through the witty, energetic dialogue. So, if you like a few thought-provoking home truths, served up with a good helping of smarts and laughs, then you’ll love it.

Buy tickets to Treats from £25

Sara Sha’ath

Ed Blum on Scenes of a Sexual Nature...

Scenes of a Sexual Nature is best described as a comedic and sexually charged look at what makes us tick. On a sunny afternoon in August, temperatures soar between seven couples as they explore love, sex and relationships on London’s Hampstead Heath. Director Ed Blum shot the movie over just three days on a budget of just £260,000 and managed to score super hot stars such as Ewan McGregor and Adam Lincoln for the cast. To win a copy, enter here

Prior to the DVD release of Scenes of a Sexual nature on March 12th, Becky asks Ed Blum, exactly how did he manage it all?

I read that you re-mortgaged your flat to increase the budget? Is that true?

I took a loan out yes, if only so I could keep on going and feed myself, you know. I had to take a fee so I could get myself provisions mostly!

What did your bank say?

Oh they didn’t know what the money was for, I doubt they would have leant me it for a movie. I think I told them it was for a new kitchen. If I need another loan for another movie I think I’d like a bathroom next…

I was going to ask whether you would have invited a mean bank manager to the premiere, just to rub his nose in it?

(laughs) Well, we actually did have a bank manager there, as well as all sorts of people, but he was a specialist bank manager, just for film projects. I actually invited everyone to the premiere - even the cast came. We had lots of support but we just didn’t know what would happen.

You met the film’s writer Aschlin Ditta at School, had you worked together before?

Aschlin’s a great writer – we met at the National Youth Theatre. It’s not the first time we’ve worked together no, but it’s the first time anyone decided to put our movies into production. Aschlin actually knows Catherine Tate through other comedy projects and she loves his writing, so that definitely helped.

What’s Catherine really like, was she fun to work with?

Catherine’s great, she’s not only funny in real life but she’s incredibly down to earth and good natured. Actually, everyone was, they were all such a pleasure to work with. Because it was such an independent film that we’d started ourselves from scratch, there was a real buzz about it – everyone believed in it. And even though it was sort of made on the cheap, so to speak, everyone was excited to see what would happen with it.

Is it true that the actors were only offered Equity minimum and a percentage of the future profits to take part?

Yes that’s true, and there were no ‘favoured nations’ as we call them – everyone was involved on an equal footing from the start, which wasn’t a problem because everyone seemed to enjoy the script so much. Plus I think it was an easy project for everyone because there were only about three days of filming, no studio hassles, no long contract negotiations – you know, I think it must have been quite refreshing. Because of the speedy nature of it all it, taking part didn’t really affect anyone’s schedules.

You went on last at the Raindance film festival – were you surprised at the reaction?

Oh it was fantastic on so many levels to have such a great reaction and to close for them. I used to go on courses at the Raindance on how to make budget films, as did a lot of people, including some executive producers! It was very important to us to be received well by them, especially as ours was an independent film and we couldn’t really afford to pay for our own premiere. As it was there was a line around the block to see it and it totally sold out. We probably couldn’t have paid for a better one!

I’m told you’re off to LA. Does that mean the hard work is finally over?

No, I’m only half going out there for a holiday. I’m actually meeting all sorts of people. We’ve had some interest from America considering variations on the film and that was probably helped by the great cast in the film. But the best thing that could have happened was our deal with Sony.

How did that come about?

Well we actually set up our own distribution company called “The really honest little distribution company” which the cast loved as it really was all our own work, from start to finish. Sony just loved the approach in that the cast all wanted to help promote it, attend the premiere, help with PR and everything, it was like a family production.  Luckily that helped us get where we are, and helped get me my agent, William Morris in LA.  And now, who knows what’s next?

To win one of 10 Scenes of a Sexual Nature DVD's, email us here

Underneath the Lintel Q&A night...

Our Q&A with Richard Schiff last week went down a storm with our lovely customers, with about 150 people staying behind after the show to chat to the ex-West Wing actor, turned West End star.

For about 40 minutes Richard answered questions about the play and told us how different it is, playing to a British audience, than it is to playing in the States. He mentioned how quiet we are. Can you believe that? Quite obviously he hasn't spent much time standing outside McDonalds on Oxford Street at 2am on a Saturday night. That would change his ideas about quiet Brits.

Richard told us that on his first preview of the show in the States, after just a couple of lines, a person in the front row shouted 'Speak Up!' - which made him pretty nervous. Well, it would hardly fill a person with confidence on their first night to have a personal heckler in the audience, would it? We're pleased to report the volume levels have been fully checked and are quite fine for the current production of Underneath the Lintel.

Towards the end there were a few questions about West Wing. As you can imagine, Richard had a fair few stories to tell - one being about a visit to meet the (real) president - President Clinton. He was walking beside him in a procession, where people were waving their flags and shouting for Clinton's attention and Richard couldn't help turn round to the president and tell him that it all felt like an episode from the West Wing. Very surreal. We can imagine. Well, actually, we can't. Must be nice having presidential fans. It'd be a bit like Tony Blair coming up to our office and offering to make us all a cup of tea, forgetting the biscuits, and us saying, wow Tony, that's awfully nice of you, making the tea,... but forgetting the biscuits sort of feels like when you offered me a free education and National Health Service and somehow, I'm still going to be in debt to my country until I the day I die. Oh well. Might be different in America.

Anyway, the evening went very well and Richard was very relaxed - so much so that when leaving, he left with the audience, through the stalls and out to the front of the theatre, signing programmes for everyone. Aaah it's nice to know the presidential fanbase hasn't gone to his head.

Get tickets for Underneath the Lintel here

win a night in myhotel Bloomsbury

The most luxurious backdrop for your next visit to London, or even if you’re just looking to stay the night somewhere nice like a tourist in your own town, is a chic myhotel in either Chelsea or Bloomsbury. Through the influence of feng shui and cutting-edge design by Conran & Partners, myhotel Bloomsbury is a haven of tranquility in the heart of Bloomsbury and just a stone's throw away from Covent Garden and Soho – perfect for your shopping and socialising ventures. We’ve got a one night stay in myhotel Bloomsbury up for grabs when you enter this sexy little competition.

In each myhotel, guests can enjoy the delectable 24/7 mybar, the energy zone and the library, a peaceful residents-only retreat. Both myhotels are feng shui hotels – you’ll feel completely balanced thanks to the aromas used throughout, in every room and corridor. And the crystals and fish tanks are placed in just the right spots to sooth you.

These gorgeous, boutique hotels fuse influences from the East and the West in order to create a stay that is as memorable as it is unique. Forget the stuffy hotels of old and enjoy the thoughtful, lovely staff, all eager to make sure you have a stay to remember. Make the most of the chocolate fountain when you check-in and then enjoy yummy chocolate eggs and mini truffles in the comfort of your room.

The rates to stay at myhotels for Easter are also fully inclusive of an energy boosting continental breakfast and late check-out until 2pm to make the most of your stay in London.  Shop till you drop or dine until you explode in the swanky, Manhattan-esque restaurant.  With oodles of cocktails to die for you might not opt for the generous and mouth-watering healthy smoothies, but chances are you’ll be back to try one another time. We certainly did. 

Enter the competition here

Book your stay in the myhotel Bloomsbury here
Book your stay in the myhotel Chelsea here

Win a weekend in Brighton...

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside. We’re British after all. But there’s no digging with spades for the best deals on a sandcastle – if we’re going to spend a weekend in the company of the ocean, we’re out to get the best hotel so we can look at it. 

You can’t beat a bit of Brighton in our opinion. It’s Britain’s fave seaside city for a reason, and that’s because it’s a right mix of culture, specialist shopping, crazy nightlife and best of all, a top notch beach.  The Kings Hotel in Brighton is our brand new favourite, not only because it’s on the seafront, adjacent to the famous West Pier, walking distance from the Laines and all the bars and restaurants, but because it’s just a great hotel, for everyone. Whether you’re there for a girly weekend, or treating your mum, The Kings Hotel will serve it all up, plus a good, healthy lungful of fresh sea air to satisfy.

With 90 en-suite rooms, many with sea-views, all nicely decorated with Sky TV (if you feel the need to watch anything but the waves), the Kings Hotel is tops for comfort. There’s also a lovely modern restaurant – The Pebbles – if you arrive with a rumbling tum.  The Pebbles offers a brasserie style menu with dishes to suit all tastes – from Thai mussels to traditional carbonara.

Being just under an hour by train from London, Brighton makes for a perfect weekend escape by the sea. To win a free night in a four poster sea view double room, including breakfast and a bottle of champagne in the Kings Hotel, Brighton, send us an email with your name and phone number.

Email us now to enter.

To book your own stay in the Brighton Kings Hotel, click here

Daniel's Magic Wand...

Yeah yeah we know. Groan. Well, you can hardly blame us for the headline. We all knew the press would have a field day with this one, but luckily for our Daniel Radcliffe, they've all been more than kind about his London stage debut, Equus, and after this one, the world's favourite wizard will no doubt have his pick of parts in the West End.

Our theatre guys had a ball at the press night last week and Mark could hardly wait to enthuse about Daniels 'performance' to the young star himself. In fact, he stopped moaning altogether about his Oscars invite getting lost in the post as they they all had a fab night anyway, hobnobbing with the likes of Tara Palmer Tomkinson - who was getting in on the horsey fun. As usual. The Geldof Girls were there on cue, although neither even tried coming onto Daniel - a story in itself, don't you think! Graham Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, Richard E Grant and Stephen Fry were all enjoying the champers, although each was outshadowed in the fame stakes by the glorious Gail from Corrie, naturally. Christian Slater was there, prompting rumours about a possible West End return, following the success of his lead role on One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest last year. Come back Christian, you've got our vote as Daniel's understudy anyway,... we'd only come for the last ten minutes obviously, but we'd come every night. Ahem.

A fine erection indeed is the scaffolding outside the theatre, drawing every eye on Shaftesbury Avenue towards the show for maximum publicity. Way to go, well it's definitely working as tickets are hot property. You might want to remember to leave the kids at home though. This is raunchy stuff. The little wizard fans will have to wait for the inevitable Happy Potter musical, which is surely in the pipeline for when the movies wrap. Some things are just meant to be.

Meanwhile, if you're over 18, get in quick before the show sells out. We'll be bringing you a full review next week but for now, have an ogle at that bum. It seems that riding broomsticks and dragons for the past few years has done wonders for Daniel. We can't wait for the fitness video...

Get your Equus tickets here