Today Kevin Spacey has criticised the BBC for airing programmes such as 'I'd Do Anything' and 'Any Dream Will Do'. He believes that they're just a 13-week advert for a musical and, as artistic director for the Old Vic theatre in London, Spacey says 'where's our 13 week programme?'
I can see where he's coming from, the BBC are meant to be impartial and in some way it is a product they are helping to sell.
As a member of The Festival Players, an amateur theatre group in Loughborough, we would love a 13-week programme on our group - which is now on it's 209th performance. As would every other theatre group in the country, amateur or professional.
The fact is, selling tickets for local theatre can be hard work unless it's a big budget musical, so I do like that these shows promote theatre in general and may encourage people see what's on in their local area. But why just musicals?
It seems to me like these shows are only looking for pretty/handsome/glamourous/all singing, all dancing people. I for one cannot sing, or dance, but I've found a group that puts on some wonderful plays without all that, and anyone is welcome! We want people to come and see us too.
So, if you like these shows, have a look at what is on locally and go and see something different - you might just enjoy it!
As an aside - we've got to give some PR brownie points to Spacey for speaking up and giving the Old Vic and it's current production some nice mentions in the process!!
Helen
p.s. If you're free and near Loughborough this week, come and see our production of Pride and Prejudice, at the Cope Auditorium from Tues 1st - Sat 5th April. Tickets available from www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk.
I know it's a sneaky plug but you'll love it I promise!
Monday, 31 March 2008
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Mind Your Manners
I'm loving Japan's new idea of 'Manners' police on their Metro systems.
On the BBC news website it states, 'Newly appointed "etiquette police" will be asking travellers to turn down their headphones and give up their seats for their elders and betters.'
The idea comes as 9 out of ten people polled in the country thought public behaviour had declined. What a great response from the Japanese transport authorities to introduce something like this.
At Gemini, we all use public transport to get into work and we know how annoying it is to listen to a dance song blasting out of someone's ipod at 8.30 in the morning, or to have to ask someone to move their bag off the empty seat next to them so someone can sit down.
However, I can't help thinking that being part of the 'manners' police in this country wouldn't be a fun job, it's all fine asking a respectable looking adult to give up their seat but try it with one of David Cameron's 'hoodies' and they'll surely be met with a wall of abuse.
Shame, because it's a service I'd love to see on my bus!
Helen
On the BBC news website it states, 'Newly appointed "etiquette police" will be asking travellers to turn down their headphones and give up their seats for their elders and betters.'
The idea comes as 9 out of ten people polled in the country thought public behaviour had declined. What a great response from the Japanese transport authorities to introduce something like this.
At Gemini, we all use public transport to get into work and we know how annoying it is to listen to a dance song blasting out of someone's ipod at 8.30 in the morning, or to have to ask someone to move their bag off the empty seat next to them so someone can sit down.
However, I can't help thinking that being part of the 'manners' police in this country wouldn't be a fun job, it's all fine asking a respectable looking adult to give up their seat but try it with one of David Cameron's 'hoodies' and they'll surely be met with a wall of abuse.
Shame, because it's a service I'd love to see on my bus!
Helen
Thursday, 20 March 2008
Heather – go away!!!
Heather Mills is so ungrateful! Whist she is moaning about receiving ONLY £24million in her divorce settlement, many others are struggling to keep their head above water with the recent economic crisis.
Her constant whining about how hard done by she is has done her no favours. Can the woman honestly expect sympathy!? I think, like the judge in her hearing said, she really is living in a world of ‘make believe’.
Apparently in order to support her ‘reasonable’ needs for a year Heather requires;
o £3,250,000: income needs
o £645,000: to fully staff all seven homes
o £499,000: holidays to escape the press
o £125,000: clothes
o £30,000: equestrian activities (even though she doesn’t ride horses anymore)
o £43,000: for her driver…
and so the list goes on.
I’m afraid, like most people she certainly won’t get any sympathy from me! Heather, just stop talking! Take your £24.3million and go away - at least try and salvage a little dignity.
Emma
Her constant whining about how hard done by she is has done her no favours. Can the woman honestly expect sympathy!? I think, like the judge in her hearing said, she really is living in a world of ‘make believe’.
Apparently in order to support her ‘reasonable’ needs for a year Heather requires;
o £3,250,000: income needs
o £645,000: to fully staff all seven homes
o £499,000: holidays to escape the press
o £125,000: clothes
o £30,000: equestrian activities (even though she doesn’t ride horses anymore)
o £43,000: for her driver…
and so the list goes on.
I’m afraid, like most people she certainly won’t get any sympathy from me! Heather, just stop talking! Take your £24.3million and go away - at least try and salvage a little dignity.
Emma
Friday, 14 March 2008
Change in career – politics anyone? Free luxury housing??
We’ve been having an interesting discussion this morning in the office about the MP’s spending allowance…and we have decided that a change in career in maybe needed…
As young professionals struggling to get on the property ladder with the continuing council tax increases, car tax increases, hikes in petrol price, high interest rates….(we’re thrilled with the budget Darling - thanks!!) we couldn’t believe that MP’s get such a large amount of budget to spend of their second homes!
I would like a new washing machine, but I will have to put up with a heavily discounted one from the local supermarket – and £750 for a stereo would be lovely, but I don’t have that kind of spare cash! Haven’t these people heard of Ikea??
Maybe they should swap for a week to see how the majority of middle England is now living because of their monetary ignorance and see that we can’t afford that kind of money for our first homes, never mind a second one!!
Or, we decided, we need to get more involved in politics…tell a few lies, have an affair or two and be rewarded with a second home and excessive expenses….Westminster here we come...
Ruth (and Helen...and Emma...)
As young professionals struggling to get on the property ladder with the continuing council tax increases, car tax increases, hikes in petrol price, high interest rates….(we’re thrilled with the budget Darling - thanks!!) we couldn’t believe that MP’s get such a large amount of budget to spend of their second homes!
I would like a new washing machine, but I will have to put up with a heavily discounted one from the local supermarket – and £750 for a stereo would be lovely, but I don’t have that kind of spare cash! Haven’t these people heard of Ikea??
Maybe they should swap for a week to see how the majority of middle England is now living because of their monetary ignorance and see that we can’t afford that kind of money for our first homes, never mind a second one!!
Or, we decided, we need to get more involved in politics…tell a few lies, have an affair or two and be rewarded with a second home and excessive expenses….Westminster here we come...
Ruth (and Helen...and Emma...)
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Negative Sporting Reporting
I was very disappointed, but not surprised to see the way Indoor Athletics Championships was covered last weekend. Despite a gold and four silver medals being won across the board, including two new British records, the focus was firmly on the return to medal winning form by Dwain Chambers.
It has been no secret that selecting him was an unpopular choice - so why not brush his performance under the carpet in favour of Phillips Idowu who won gold with a new British record or 24 year old Jeanette Kwakye who also broke a British record?
With the rugby, football and cricket disappointments this year maybe it is time we sports fans took a leaf out of Colin Jacksons book - Positive Mental Attitude - and look to the positives happening in the sport rather than this continual doom and gloom!
Ruth
It has been no secret that selecting him was an unpopular choice - so why not brush his performance under the carpet in favour of Phillips Idowu who won gold with a new British record or 24 year old Jeanette Kwakye who also broke a British record?
With the rugby, football and cricket disappointments this year maybe it is time we sports fans took a leaf out of Colin Jacksons book - Positive Mental Attitude - and look to the positives happening in the sport rather than this continual doom and gloom!
Ruth
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Celeb drug use warning
Today's news is all about glamourising drugs use and celebrities getting off too lightly.
The United Nations drugs watchdog believes that being lenient on celebrity drug users sends out the wrong messages to young people.
I totally agree with this, celebrities have a lot of influence over young people and it doesn't make sense that those such as Amy Winehouse should be pictured high on drugs one day, and then receive an industry award the next. The reason why Pete Doherty recently won Hero of the Year at the NME awards is beyond me, why? why?? What sort of message does this send out?
However, I'm not sure that they're treated leniently just because they're celebrities, I think the current overcrowded state of our prisons stops most judges from sending anyone but the most hardened or dangerous criminals to prison.
I think the important aspect here is not so much the judges' actions, but the press for printing the pictures, running the stories and the entertainment industry for continuing to support celebrity drug users. I think they should be banned from the spotlight until they are rehabilitated, surely this is not only a better message for young people, but also gives the stars a chance to get better.
Helen
The United Nations drugs watchdog believes that being lenient on celebrity drug users sends out the wrong messages to young people.
I totally agree with this, celebrities have a lot of influence over young people and it doesn't make sense that those such as Amy Winehouse should be pictured high on drugs one day, and then receive an industry award the next. The reason why Pete Doherty recently won Hero of the Year at the NME awards is beyond me, why? why?? What sort of message does this send out?
However, I'm not sure that they're treated leniently just because they're celebrities, I think the current overcrowded state of our prisons stops most judges from sending anyone but the most hardened or dangerous criminals to prison.
I think the important aspect here is not so much the judges' actions, but the press for printing the pictures, running the stories and the entertainment industry for continuing to support celebrity drug users. I think they should be banned from the spotlight until they are rehabilitated, surely this is not only a better message for young people, but also gives the stars a chance to get better.
Helen
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