The story so far...blogging for the Live Theatre, Newcastle

Back in December, Live Theatre put a call out for bloggers, they wanted one per month to go and see plays and shows and generally promote the theatre more informally.

They asked for a summary of why you enjoyed theatre and if they liked  it, you were in. I got in!

I am the March blogger, a bit like the March hare but instead of running crazily through fields, I'm crazily going back and forth to the theatre.

For it seems that every two years in March, Live Theatre run a New Writing Festival for nine days. This means that there are events, plays, Q&As and music on daily and sometimes twice daily. Thankfully I haven't had to go to everything: but I've been to a lot.

It's been really enjoyable though, a right mixed bag so far.

Here are the blog posts that have been published:

• Linda Jameson's introduction
• Preview of what I was going to see in March
• PLAYlist - six plays based on songs
• Black River Falls by Bob Karper
• Trashed Organ - poetry and music

There's another four or so to come!

I'm ready for a lie down.

From South Shields to Southend

Oops, nearly the end of February already and my blogging is flagging. I have been busy though, that's my excuse.

Not only have actually been reading (another resolution you'll recall) - I've proofread a friend's book and read The Woman in Black (more on that in a later post), I've been out to see two comedians and a band this week!

From South Shields...

South Shields it seems is a hotbed of comedy at the moment - two comedians in one week from that neck of the woods!

 I started the week with Chris Ramsey, an enjoyable comedian (I was one of those who'd 'been dragged along while not having a clue who he was' - though I wasn't going to raise my hand to admit this unlike someone further along our row). He did a bit of picking on the audience which I don't really like, but thankfully swiftly moved on to his main act 'Offermation' which was brilliantly observed and very funny.

Next up was Sarah Millican - she seems to have been riding the crest of a wave of popularity this last year or so. It's well-deserved, her show is a bit smutty, very funny and delightfully delivered. She describes herself as a 'bit more sweary' on stage - and she certainly is. I thought it was great how she managed to make you feel like it was an intimate show even when we were seated way up in the upper circle: so far away that there were actual binoculars up there.

...to Southend

Nowt like a good stomping hoedown in a great venue - here's looking at you, Cluny 2 - and you The Lucky Strikes. (The Strikes are from Southend)

I saw The Lucky Strikes at the Sage Gateshead Americana festival last year and thought they were superb. I then discovered that the lead singer, Mat Boulter knew my favourite singer-songwriter Simone Felice and had toured with him. It was all shaping up well.

Some Facebook chat, a free Christmas CD and I'm convinced The Lucky Strikes are worth a looksee, worth buying their albums, worth going  to see. Last night at the Cluny2 was such good fun: I couldn't believe the manic dancing (from the audience) at  the end. I could have been in Nashville: I was happy.

Nativities at Live Theatre

So last week's review for Exeunt Magazine was of Nativities at the Live Theatre, Newcastle.

I enjoyed the play, though it did have some issues with plot, meaning it didn't always flow as well as it could have.

This was more than made up for by the delicious ginger ice cream we had in the interval.  Oh and the sleb spotting: Val from Emmerdale (I haven't a clue who she is) and Stephen Tompkinson (though I was a little alarmed when my plus one threatened to go over and sing the Wild at Heart theme tune at him...).

Read my review of Nativities at the Live Theatre.

Be my Valentine? The way to my heart.

Okay, so for Valentine's Day I give you this t-shirt from Cafe Press.

I think that Thrifty Gal might have won in the Valentine's Day card suggestions competition. This card  from Missus de Paperie on Etsy is inspired. I wish I'd found it! If someone bought this for me, I may just melt a little - I realise this makes me weird.

And really, there's a valentine featuring Castiel?

To be fair though, should anyone buy me that then I would be less interested in the valentine and far more interested in Cas... Best case scenario I suppose is that Cas is my valentine. Wait, I'm rambling aren't I?

End of January - the results are in...

Okay, so the resolutions are underway, but how am I doing?

Resolution 1 - Get fitter: I will do at least two exercise sessions a week

Absolutely cracked this. Just gotta keep it up. Week is pretty much made up of Monday lunchtime - swimming (40 lengths in about 30 minutes), Monday evening - Zumba, Tuesday lunchtime - spinning, Wednesday lunchtime - spinning, Thursday lunchtime - Abs, Thursday evening - Zumba, Friday lunchtime - spinning, Sunday - walk.

I'm not beating myself up too much if I miss one or two of these as I think I've got a lot going on. I would like to swap out a Zumba or a spin for a combat-type class but have yet to find one.

I've lost 2 inches off my waist and 1 inch from my bust. Need to do more in this area as I bought a dress for a hen night that's about two dress sizes smaller than I am. I have until March 24th.

Resolution revisited: Get fitter: I will do at least four exercise sessions a week.

Resolution 2 - Lose weight: I will lose three stone by the end of June 2012 *edit by the end of September

So I revisited this resolution within 24 hours of setting it! I think 5lbs a month as an average is very sensible - so aiming for September (and a likely trip to Greece) seemed like a good idea. Though this month I've lost:  10.5lbs. 

I can already fit into smaller clothes :)

Resolution 3 - Blog more: I resolve to blog at least eight times a month

In the words of Glee's version of Don't Stop Believin'..... "Ta-Da"!!!

I have to admit to not being great at sourcing blog entries or having them ready to go: I'm sure I could achieve more than eight per month.

Resolution 4 - Read more: I will read at least one book every two months

Examining John Taylor under the table was an eighties hobby of mine.

I actually finished a book of short stories called End of the Line edited by Jonathan Oliver. The book was free with a horror/haunted magazine. The stories are a mixed bag, but there's a Christopher Fowler in there which is always good value. They are all set around underground/subway systems. Siding 13 by James Lovegrove was particularly creepy.

I have also finished another book: Talking to Girls about Duran Duran by Rob Sheffield.

Thrifty Gal picked this up when we were last in New York and pressed it into my hand as she finished it telling me I'd love it. And I did. Each chapter has an eighties song as its title which acts as a great device for Sheffield introducing a memory. I particularly enjoyed the Morrissey chapter where Rob uses lines from songs to provide an ongoing discussion with his idol.

Of course, the fact that the book is peppered with eighties references means that you'll find yourself veering alarmingly from New Kids on the Block to Paul McCartney. Yes, I did post 'No More Lonely Nights' on Facebook the other night. It's all Rob Sheffield's fault.

When travelling home from a gig the other night (the remarkable Cornshed Sisters) I ended up eavesdropping on the conversation happening beside me. A man was having a conversation with a woman about the relative merits of Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf. Talking to girls about Duran Duran is the past, present, and undoubtedly, the future. Buy it now :)


So that's like two books in one month - go me!!

Thai China review - why would you choose this one?

Sometimes using the most recent review in your advertorial isn't really the best idea. I know they want to make it look genuine and unedited, but really?

See the alternatives: http://www.qype.co.uk/place/257480-Thai-China-Roker

Donna Disco

First theatre review of 2012 was Donna Disco at Live Theatre. I love the Live Theatre: it's intimate enough to be able to see the plays properly, has a nice bar (always important) and has plenty of lovely eateries nearby.

I enjoyed the play - it tells the story of a fourteen year old girl facing up to bullies, being a bit of an outcast, yet somehow being the most optimistic person around!

Read my full review of Donna Disco.