Something For The Weekend

Susie Blake's wicked world...

SUSIE BLAKE has taken the stage in place of Miriam Margoyles, as Wicked's teacher and advisor, Madame Morrible at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre. Email her your questions and we'll send them her way, then put all her answers on our blog. Don't forget to tell us your full name, so she knows who she's talking to!

You'll recognise Susie's face as she's played the role of Beverley Unwin in CORONATION STREET for the past four years, and amongst her numerous other television appearances, Susie is still much-loved for her regular roles in Victoria Wood’s AS SEEN ON TV series and various specials.

What a great part to land in London's West End, as the singing school teacher with secret and an uncanny knack for changing the weather. She couldn't have picked a better show, quite frankly, as WICKED has already been seen by over a quarter of a million theatregoers in London since its first public performance on 7 September 2006, grossing over £10 million at the Box Office and twice setting new West End Box Office records for highest weekly gross.

Book Wicked here with no booking fee in May

Win a weekend at the Georgian House Hotel...

To celebrate the grand re-opening of this totally refurbished hotel The Georgian House is offering two lucky readers the chance to win a bed and breakfast break in a double room on any Friday & Saturday evening (subject to availability).

Described as a jewel in the heart of Norwich city centre, the Georgian House Hotel is a contemporary, stylish hotel set in an elegant Georgian building.  You can feel the history seeping through the walls as the hotel retains many of its original features, whilst incorporating a unique modern style and sophistication.

Having recently undergone a major modernisation and refurbishment the hotel now offers first class, boutique style accommodation, a fabulous new restaurant, sumptuous cocktail bar and impressive public areas and grounds.

Staying with them on a top-notch weekend should be a treat from the moment you arrive, until the moment you leave.  You’ll love the large, light, minimalist reception area and the smiley front of house team.  Each of the spacious bedrooms feature stylish décor with added personal touches – think complimenting colour schemes throughout, flat screen televisions, DVD players and free wireless internet access. 

Comfort is definitely a priority at the Georgian House, and so is filling that belly with brilliant food. RARE Grill and Steakhouse, a brand new restaurant located downstairs, is already creating a buzz in Norwich. The restaurant is understated but elegant, offering a relaxed dining experience – the simplest of food, cooked well, in a room with great décor, great sounds and great ambience.

For those who wish to enjoy a pre-diner aperitif, a late night cocktail or simply a pick me up in the middle of the day, The Mirror Bar adjacent to the restaurant offers a tailored selection of premier cocktails, wines and beers. Waiter, please…

To enter the competition, email us here - Sorry, this competition is now closed.
For special lastminute.com offers on The Georgian House Hotel, click here

Click below for more info about Norwich and to

Becky speaks to Jenny Seagrove...

Bill Kenwright’s a busy boy these days. Not only is he judging a thousand wannabe Joseph’s in the BBC’s Any Dream Will Do, but his production of The Letter, directed by Alan Strachan, comes to the Wyndham’s Theatre this month after an eight-week tour. Slightly different from his television venture, (except for when he makes the boys cry) The Letter is more of an emotional drama and stars Anthony Andrews and Jenny Seagrove, who happens to be Kenwright’s other half.

The lovely Jenny’s known to millions as Jo Mills, star of the BBC’s most watched drama Judge John Deed alongside Martin Shaw. Becky made a cup of tea and sat down for a chat about the play…

So Jenny, why this role? What first attracted you to it?
Well, the criteria for choosing new work for me is always ‘does it challenge me?’  Of course I always ask how entertaining for the audience it’ll be, but The Letter is entertaining and challenging… it’s very emotional, a very hard acting part, you know. Passionate. I like that my character is not quite what she seems to be - it’s a why-done-it as opposed to a who-done-it.

Any sex in there?
The director said to tell everyone it’s about sex, (laughs) but it’s not really sex how we would think of it. It’s set in 1927 for a start; sex wasn’t as obvious in those days. It was all kept under wraps and when people weren’t able to express their feelings, those emotions came out in other ways. The play’s about people’s suppressions and also about huge mistakes...

Spamalot attempt to smash a world record...

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT CELEBRATES ST GEORGE’S DAY WITH AN ATTEMPT TO SMASH THE GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR WORLD’S LARGEST COCONUT ORCHESTRA...

If you're not up to much on Monday night, to coincide with St George’s Day on Monday 23 April, cast members from the hit musical Monty Python’s SPAMALOT along with the general public will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Coconut Orchestra.

Even better, go along and take part in the record and get a tenner off your ticket to the show!

The SPAMALOT team will teach members of the public how to ‘clip-clop’ in time to the Python classic Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, prior to the record breaking attempt which will take place in Trafalgar Square at 7pm.  To be assured a pair of exclusive Monty Python’s SPAMALOT coconuts and possibly a place in the history books, you will need to have registered at one of a number of check points in Trafalgar Square by 6.30pm.

The Guinness World Record for the largest number of people gathered in one location playing coconuts at the same time currently stands at 1789.  This record was set on 22 March 2006 outside the Shubert Theatre in New York, to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Broadway production of Monty Python’s SPAMALOT.

The record breaking attempt will be part of a weekend of free activities organised by the Mayor of London.  It will be followed by a special screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in Trafalgar Square at 7.30pm. Be there!

Take part and then watch the show, with a tenner off!

who will be your next Danny and Sandy?

David Ian bickers with David Gest as he aspires to be the next Simon Cowell in the mean-stakes. Choreographer Brian Friedman grins like a Cheshire Cat in a way that's almost eerie, whilst West End star Sinitta twiddles her hair round her fingers and tries to be nice to everyone.

Sure, we've seen it all before, but judging by the 988 repeats on ITV and ITV2 this week, Grease is the Word looks set to reel in a few more viewers than even the X Factor managed last year. Thanks to cool new West End productions like Billy Elliot and Wicked, Grease wants to stay 'the word' about town.  Thus, this ain't no American Idol. It's bigger than that. The prize here is worth more than any record contract. It's a gateway straight to the heart of a thousand musical fans and a million Grease-lovers all dying to see their favourite show back on stage.

The smash-hit musical returns to the West End, opening at The Piccadilly Theatre on Wednesday 8 August, with previews from 25 July.  Of course, lastminute.com is selling tickets already so make sure you snap one up before they all go. Won't be long before they're the hottest, most in-demand tickets in town, we assure you.

Since breaking out on Broadway in 1972, Grease’s place has been firmly established in the cultural Hall of Fame, having seduced the hearts of millions with its back-to-back sizzling tunes and high-school sweetheart memories. The show will feature all the unforgettable songs from the hit film including ‘You’re The One That I Want’, ‘Sandy’, ‘Grease Is The Word’, ‘Hopelessly Devoted’, ‘Summer Nights’ and many more to get those toes tapping, and the karaoke machines back out and in action.

Talking of the show's enduring appeal, the producer David Ian commented, "Grease is the people's musical and to be bringing it back into London's West End with two brand new stars discovered in this exciting new ITV series, is as exciting as it gets "

Voted the “No 1 Greatest Musical”*, Grease has proved that a musical love story, bursting with denim, cheerleaders, slick hairstyles and raging teenage hormones, is timeless and universal.

This production originally opened in the West End in 1993 (co-produced with Robert Stigwood) where it enjoyed a fantastic run of 6 years.  The last international tour of Grease was a phenomenal success, playing to sell-out audiences and smashing records at many venues.  Since 1993, it has been seen by over 8.5 million people and has grossed over £160 million in the UK alone.

Whoever wins these coveted roles will have their careers set for life. But who will you be voting for? Check out the latest on the official website

Book your Grease tickets in advance, here

Win a weekend in the Dorset Square Hotel...

The Dorset Square hotel has been described as timeless, elegant and uniquely English, and it won the Conde Nast award 2007 as "The Most Excellent London Hotel", so you know it's gotta be good folks.

Part of the Small Luxury Hotel Group, like a true thoroughbred, everything about the Dorset Square Hotel is utterly English. Nestled in the fashionable Marylebone Village area of London's West End, this historic Regency residence is ideal for those who know how to enjoy the good things in life... quality, style and truly individual service.

Not to mention their Award Winning Restaurant, the Potting Shed, where you can sit back, relax and enjoy modern English cuisine with a selection of Southern European fare. With mountains of terracotta pots and seed boxes, there's even a live jazz performance every Friday evening.

All of the 37 rooms and suites are furnished with antiques, classic fabrics and original paintings for you to study as you slip into your fluffy bathrobe. The hotel offers a range of accommodation from double bed rooms to four poster bed suites and King junior suite, as well as air-conditioning, two-line speaker telephones, voice mail, wireless internet access, personal mini bar, satellite television, private safes, hair driers and bathrobes. All rooms have marbled en-suite bathrooms too, Frette linens, goose pillows, daily newspapers and work desks.  After a weekend here, you'll probably want to move in.

Marylebone itself provides a vibrant mix of stylish and fashionable shops and restaurants in a unique urban village environment. It's an unparalleled shopping destination in the heart of the West End of London. Writers and musicians, soldiers and statesmen, doctors and scientists, artists and architects are all among the galaxy of great names who have lived here in the past; ghosts that perhaps still haunt the streets of the Estate...

To win a weekend in the Dorset Square Hotel, email us your name and address here

- This competition is now closed.

***Please note: comments on this blog will not be counted as competition entries

go to the launch of Tolkien's new book...

First there was The Hobbit.
Then came The Lord of the Rings.
Now, comes J.R.R. Tolkien’s oldest story of Middle Earth... 

With all the magic, adventure and extraordinary depth of imagination that has made you love Tolkien's stories.On the 17th of April, publishers all around the world will be launching the first new book from the Tolkien Estate in 30 years – The Children of Hurin.

This exciting event will be held at Waterstones book store in Piccadilly with a full day's events kicking off from 10am. 

Join them for a day long extravaganza of readings, competitions and activities, including illustrator Alan Lee signing the novel.

Discover more at www.tolkien.co.uk

Enter our competition to win a signed copy of the book, plus tickets to LOTR the musical, by emailing us your name and address, here

***Please note: comments on this blog will not be considered as competition entries
 

Video of the week...

Let's face it, the hatred for all things tax-related spans the globe, and though it might not mean too much to us Brits - an American competition to win $25,000 in association with TurboTax - Vanilla Ice is involved, so we're bloody well gonna pay attention. That's right, VANILLA ICE is choosing the best YouTube video submitted to the brief - "make a rap about TurboTax." Some things have to be seen to be believed.

This is our personal fave, it's genius! Watch it, wipe off your tears and don't forget to click here and vote. These people deserve to win, if only for the fact that they danced around Manhattan spouting tax-related lyrics like crazy people.  Er... it wouldn't happen in London, people...

If you don't have a free youtube account, sign up so you can vote.

Notting Hill Arts Club...

Present DIVE...

9th April & 7th May, 6pm-1am, free before 8pm £5 after

The Notting Hill's new bastard bass driven (soon to be weekly) Monday night DIVE features a veritable line up of those hearing and playing the radio waves of tomorrow.

Presenting a slipstream of musical genres live (moving from punk experimentalism to the newest nastiest bass driven party music in town) DIVE is a bass heavy demented Monday night with one of the meanest resident dj line ups around…

In rotation there will be residents Hannah Holland (Trailer Trash), Sinden (Kiss FM), Radioclit, Naomi (All You Can Eat), Dan Dangerous (another music=another kitchen) and Starbuckers. Everyone of these residents is a player in their own right and responsible for the hottest nights, remixes and radio shows in London town.

Live on the 9th of April see Paloma Faith, ably supported by a surprise line up of nu punk terrorists. Keeping the needle firmly in the red will be Mc Chickaboo doing what only she can do next to the resident DJ tag team of Sinden and Hannah Holland.
Address: 21 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JQ
Tube: Notting Hill Gate
Dresscode: no suits & team colours
Info: 020 7460 4459
email: [email protected]
web: www.nottinghillartsclub.com

the wheels on the bus go round and round...

Sara took advantage of some tour bus tickets and set about being a tourist for the day in London. She later admitted that watching the sights she's seen a thousand times roll past the windows offered more for the imagination than she ever expected...

Did you know that Sean Connery and Roger Moore are neighbours, on the same street of London’s billionaire row in Belgravia?

Did you know that in 2002, when they dredged a section of the Thames for the Golden Jubilee, six unexploded WWII bombs were found at the bottom?

Did you know that Cleopatra’s needle is over 3500 years old and its twin-sister lives in Central Park?

Did you know that Gordon Brown is already living at 10 Downing Street?

Did you know that Trafalgar Square used to be the royal stables?

Did you know that Tower Bridge is not really made of stone? It’s actually steel with stone cladding over the top to make it match the Tower of London.

If you’ve got a head for trivia, The Original Tour will quite literally be a field day for you. Some of the facts and figures that the onboard guides had at their fingertips made us suddenly imagine what the cluttered streets around us would have looked like in Victorian times, or Elizabethan times, or even before the two cities of London and Westminster had grown to join together. The major monuments, like St Pauls and the Tower would have seemed so much further apart when there was still scrubland and trees in between. It’s completely mind-boggling when you compare it with the glass and steel monoliths that dominate our skyline now.

Even though the tour is made for “real” tourists, we found it was fun to sit back with the camera-snappers and watch the city go by on a sunny day. For someone who has been in and around London most of their life it’s actually refreshing to look again at all the parts we take for granted or don’t really see on a daily basis. The best thing about the tour, though, is probably the free Thames cruise. It’s not often you get to see London from that angle and it was quite exciting floating by the moored battleships which seemed giant in comparison to our boat and floating easily under the bridges was a nice change from battling through the crowded pavements above.

Plus, as if all that wasn't enough, you'll have an arsenal of trivia for the next pub quiz.
Book The Original Tour with Thames Cruise from £16.50