Sunday 6 February 2011

January: Work Experience, Matilda, The King's Speech and Carrie Bradshaw

Bit of an overdue post for January, I have really learnt the meaning of being rushed off my feet this month. Kept having to put off when I could sit down and write this post but a promise is a promise (see last post) and I couldn't put it off forever.

Most of January I was still at Travel Channel where I'd been since November as a Production intern. Then for the past week I've been at a PR agency in Camden who look after such big names as The Apprentice and Disney. The brands I've been working on are NPower (and subsequently the Football League), Beatbullying, Milkybar and We Are What We Do (social movement group behind the Anya Hindmarch bags). It's very hectic and quite stressful but I can safely say I've caught the PR bug. Everything I've learnt has just been SO interesting. There's a Football League promotion coming up soon that's really exciting, I don't know how much I can say but it's called What's My Goal? and Kevin Keegan is part of it. The photoshoot for it happened on Friday, and when the photos come out, I would like everyone to know that I picked out a lot of the clothes for it, just so you are all aware.
As well as those brands, I was also lucky enough to help out at a Cancer Research Race For Life publicity event on Wednesday morning where I met one of the guest appearances, Jeff Brazier.
The work experience was only meant to be for the week (well, originally it was meant to be a month but there was a lot of confusion and I ended up getting double booked) but the team I've been working alongside have allowed me an extra week, so I'm looking forward to what I'll be doing then.
I'm still working at Debenhams on Saturdays, and seem to be going out most Saturdays (therefore followed by a sleepy Sunday) so with all of that, it's a wonder I can keep myself awake long enough to be writing this!

Now onto my favourite things of the month...

Matilda, A Musical
(http://www.matildamusical.com/)



There is no other word to describe this musical, other than AMAZING. Everything was so well thought out - the set, the songs (penned by the brilliant Tim Minchin). Even the foyer during the interval was covered in blackboards for the children (and big kids) to write messages, thoughts, doodles etc.
The girl who played Matilda was completely adorable, whilst also being very very cool and she was supported by an incredible cast. All the children were hilarious, whilst Paul Kaye and Bertie Carvel were excellent as Mr Wormwood and Miss Trunchbull respectively.
 The musical was staged only at the RSC Courtyard Theatre in Stratford, and because of this smaller venue, you really feel like you are witnessing something new and exclusive and brilliant that noone else knows of yet. Which of course is completely untrue. Everyone soon cottoned onto it and everyone (that I know of) who saw it, LOVED it, just as much as myself.
Matilda, A Musical is enjoyable for everyone - for the children (obviously), whilst their parents can enjoy the stage adaptation of the book that they all grew up with. Matilda is not only my favourite Roald Dahl book (just pipping Charlie and the Chocolate Factory & The Witches to the post), but also one of my favourite children's books that there is, and this play brings it to life in the most magical way.

The King's Speech



You can't turn on the tv/pick up a newspaper/have a conversation without The King's Speech cropping up pretty early on. Deservedly however, it is a film worth talking about.
Colin Firth is the man of the moment, earning himself a handful (make that armful) of awards and nominations for his delicate portrayal of the past King of England, George VI. As much as I love Colin Firth in any role, it's so exciting to see him doing a non-romcom, and to see him do it so effortlessly well... I'm gushing, I do apologise. Helena Bonham-Carter and Geoffrey make up a great supporting cast too.
Ultimately, if you haven't seen it already (and I'm telling you, you're in the minority), I cannot recommend it enough!

The Carrie Diaries - Candace Bushnell



The Carrie Diaries is a prequel to the hugely successful Sex and the City book (and following franchise), depicting Carrie Bradshaw's high school years, aimed at a more YA audience.
I always found the original SatC book to be a lot different from the television series, in terms of characters mainly. But The Carrie Diaries has definitely been written with the fans of the tv show in mind. And, although it is a prequel, it also functions well as a stand alone 'coming of age' story whom many girls will easily relate to (which was always the appeal of Carrie Bradshaw to older fans). This is just the first book in what will be a series. Whilst it is not a groundbreaking plot, it is a very enjoyable read nonetheless, for the younger audience that it is written for, or for original fans who miss Sex and the City and will lap up any related merchandise.