I am so thrilled that I managed to track down a cinema in the near vicinty that is actually showing the NTLive 'Encore' screening of Frankenstein by Danny Boyle. I've currently got a ticket for the screening with Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) as the Creature and Jonny Lee Miller as Victor Frankenstien. I can't decide whether or not should get a ticket for two days later when they show the opposite pairing, as both actors alternated roles each night. I've read fantastic reviews for both actors in both roles...so I think I might just have to get the other ticket!!!!
I have been invited to a wedding in Cambridge at the end of May and I may finally get to wear a vintage inspired halterneck dress that I bought over a year ago but any dressy occasion that I could have worn it has been sabotaged by the blasted weather....so here's hoping.
Due to the weather, I've not been doing a lot and therefore haven't had a great deal to post about, but I have been reading vast quantities of books, both fact and fiction. A number of books have leapt out of the norm by being both well written and 'different'. The lastest one has been:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Gallows-Curse-ebook/dp/B004PYDBHQ/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334322263&sr=8-1-spell
This is her third book, I didn't get into the second one but her first: A Company of Liars was amazing.
I've also been re-reading Alison Weir's phenomenal historical books and here are a few of the ones that I think are well worth a look:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alison-Weir/e/B000AQ41I6/ref=sr_tc_ep?qid=1334322444
I adore her books on Eleanor of Aquitaine; Isabelle, the She-Wolf of France and all her Tudor related ones.
If you get a chance...have a look.
TTFN
Polly
xxx
On a Cold and Frosty Morning.
Friday, February 03, 2012
OK, maybe cold is the understatment of this very new year; it's bloody freezing! I do not jest when I say that when I scrapped the ice of the car (windscreen, rear and side windows) it was -10c...MINUS 10!!!!!! That's brass monkey weather! But apart from that I would much rather this weather than the miserable rain that lasts for weeks that we get in this part of the world so frequently.
On brighter notes, you might have read in an earlier post that out leading actor had suffered a heart attack half way through the run but he's up and about and recuperating well!
After weeks of rehearsals and script learning I can now have a break and catch up on the films and books I've neglected over the period. I have an eclectic reading list and there's nothing much that I don't read but there is one book that has gripped me; I'd watched the new version of Tinker, Tailor Solider Spy with the marvellous (and now Oscar nominated) Gary Oldman, who I've loved since Dracula; so i dug out all my old John Le Carre Smiley books and started with TTSS. I had forgotten how wonderfully atmospheric his writing is. In places you can almost taste the tension and the secrets in the air. The mood is sombre and dark but the characters are so beautifully drawn that it pulls you into a world that you know must exist but wonder how anyone ever manages to stay sane in it.
I am still ODing on Sherlock, this is NOT being helped by the Mad Lep re-watching them and then either PMing or texting me with a comment and me thinking....Pants! now I will have to go and watch it again....just to verify. And that is such a terrible hardship...not! I can't wait until they start filming the new series as bits of it are filmed in and around Cardiff and they also use the sound stage used by Dr Who which is minutes from me.......I could find myself going out every lunch time just for a peak!!!
Anyhow, due to the central heating being turned up to the max at home and work my skin has been very dry so I pootled down to Benefit and purchased this:
http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/product/view/triple-performing-facial-emulsion-spf-15-pa
and so far it seems to be doing the trick. I do so love Benefit costmetics not just for the packaging and the names they call the products but they are just so wonderful and I find with my colouring (red hair pale skni) they actually make products for people like ME!!!!!
So as it's so cold I am tucking myself up infront of a roaring fire with a glass of wine and a good book and waiting for Sherlock Series 3!!
xxx
Polly
On brighter notes, you might have read in an earlier post that out leading actor had suffered a heart attack half way through the run but he's up and about and recuperating well!
After weeks of rehearsals and script learning I can now have a break and catch up on the films and books I've neglected over the period. I have an eclectic reading list and there's nothing much that I don't read but there is one book that has gripped me; I'd watched the new version of Tinker, Tailor Solider Spy with the marvellous (and now Oscar nominated) Gary Oldman, who I've loved since Dracula; so i dug out all my old John Le Carre Smiley books and started with TTSS. I had forgotten how wonderfully atmospheric his writing is. In places you can almost taste the tension and the secrets in the air. The mood is sombre and dark but the characters are so beautifully drawn that it pulls you into a world that you know must exist but wonder how anyone ever manages to stay sane in it.
I am still ODing on Sherlock, this is NOT being helped by the Mad Lep re-watching them and then either PMing or texting me with a comment and me thinking....Pants! now I will have to go and watch it again....just to verify. And that is such a terrible hardship...not! I can't wait until they start filming the new series as bits of it are filmed in and around Cardiff and they also use the sound stage used by Dr Who which is minutes from me.......I could find myself going out every lunch time just for a peak!!!
Anyhow, due to the central heating being turned up to the max at home and work my skin has been very dry so I pootled down to Benefit and purchased this:
http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/product/view/triple-performing-facial-emulsion-spf-15-pa
and so far it seems to be doing the trick. I do so love Benefit costmetics not just for the packaging and the names they call the products but they are just so wonderful and I find with my colouring (red hair pale skni) they actually make products for people like ME!!!!!
So as it's so cold I am tucking myself up infront of a roaring fire with a glass of wine and a good book and waiting for Sherlock Series 3!!
xxx
Polly
Welcome to 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
To the Chinese Year of the Dragon - which being Welsh I think is very appropriate!
Onto more humdrum things, the run of JB Priestley's When We are Married, went extremely well, apart from the leading actor suffering from a heart attack half way through the run. It put a slight damper on the proceedings but the news is good so we all have our fingers crossed.
On the vintage front, my local source has been very poor of late and I am begining to think that a lot of 'tresures' are being rooted out before they even reach the shops. But I was given a vintage fox fur stole by a friend who is totally vegan and against anything fur and leather but he hadn't got rid of it as it had been his grandmothers (but he felt it was going to a good home when he gave it to me, which was nice). My mother had yet again been marvellous having scouted round charity shops and antique shops to get stocking fillers for Christmas and as a result had various broches and a lovely compact.
On a happy front Dimitri Szarzewski had been chosen for the French Rugby Six Nations side, disappointing that Chabal hasn't been chosen but I'll be happy to watch that one hunky Frenchman.
Finally, after OD'ing on Benedict Cumberbatch over Thursday/Friday and then the weekend - series 1 and 2 of Sherlock AND the Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy last night...well a girl can never have too much of a good thing. Although, I will admit that after watching the final episode of Sherlock I was in BITS, sinvelling and sniffing for hours after...poor poor John Watson and to think that we have to wait another year for the next series!
Pip Pip
Polly
xx
Onto more humdrum things, the run of JB Priestley's When We are Married, went extremely well, apart from the leading actor suffering from a heart attack half way through the run. It put a slight damper on the proceedings but the news is good so we all have our fingers crossed.
On the vintage front, my local source has been very poor of late and I am begining to think that a lot of 'tresures' are being rooted out before they even reach the shops. But I was given a vintage fox fur stole by a friend who is totally vegan and against anything fur and leather but he hadn't got rid of it as it had been his grandmothers (but he felt it was going to a good home when he gave it to me, which was nice). My mother had yet again been marvellous having scouted round charity shops and antique shops to get stocking fillers for Christmas and as a result had various broches and a lovely compact.
On a happy front Dimitri Szarzewski had been chosen for the French Rugby Six Nations side, disappointing that Chabal hasn't been chosen but I'll be happy to watch that one hunky Frenchman.
Finally, after OD'ing on Benedict Cumberbatch over Thursday/Friday and then the weekend - series 1 and 2 of Sherlock AND the Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy last night...well a girl can never have too much of a good thing. Although, I will admit that after watching the final episode of Sherlock I was in BITS, sinvelling and sniffing for hours after...poor poor John Watson and to think that we have to wait another year for the next series!
Pip Pip
Polly
xx
comments on the weather!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Once again the British weather does it's best to flumox everyone. This morning was 6c when at the same time yesterday it was 12c, no wonder people are dropping like flies with colds and sniffles. A harsh winter is promised again, which is fine as long as we are prepared for it (which we never are). I suppose if we keep getting harder winters then the authorities will decide to be prepared (like the continent) but while we still only get 'occasional' harsh winters, I suppose we'll be left to the mercy of the weather and the road gritters.
On a brigher note...
I had been so terribly organised and sorted out the clothes I wanted to take on holidays to Italy; there they were tidily laid out in me dressing room - lovely autumnal clothes. Then....I thought that I had better check the weather for where I am going! Result? I had to put all my carefully selected clothes back in the wardrobe and yet again dig out the summer stuff as it's a monumental 25c out there...which lets be perfectly honest, is hotter than it's been for most of the summer here.
So people...this little blogger will get her summer...but in October in foriegn climbs.
see you soon!!
pip pip
Polly
xxxx
On a brigher note...
I had been so terribly organised and sorted out the clothes I wanted to take on holidays to Italy; there they were tidily laid out in me dressing room - lovely autumnal clothes. Then....I thought that I had better check the weather for where I am going! Result? I had to put all my carefully selected clothes back in the wardrobe and yet again dig out the summer stuff as it's a monumental 25c out there...which lets be perfectly honest, is hotter than it's been for most of the summer here.
So people...this little blogger will get her summer...but in October in foriegn climbs.
see you soon!!
pip pip
Polly
xxxx
was optimistic!
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
After thinking that we might get a wonderful Indian Summer...I have been sadly mistaken and the weather is now back to the usual summer weather: cold, wet and windy.
So all my summer clothes that I didn't put away last week can now continue on their merry way into the suitcases until next summer.
Plus all the local schools have been advised to move all their important work to the next few weeks as severe weather (ie three flakes of snow) are expected in November and December. Oh Joy unbounded.
I like the snow, don't get me wrong, as long as I don't have to try to get anywhere in it. I like sitting by the fire, with a good book or film and a large glass of red wine. Now that is a perfectly acceptable winter activity!
Polly
XX
So all my summer clothes that I didn't put away last week can now continue on their merry way into the suitcases until next summer.
Plus all the local schools have been advised to move all their important work to the next few weeks as severe weather (ie three flakes of snow) are expected in November and December. Oh Joy unbounded.
I like the snow, don't get me wrong, as long as I don't have to try to get anywhere in it. I like sitting by the fire, with a good book or film and a large glass of red wine. Now that is a perfectly acceptable winter activity!
Polly
XX
Has decided...
Monday, October 03, 2011
To have a weekly "Pet Peeve" section...
This is just to allow me to vent on the miniscule (and not so miniscule) things in everyday life that bug the pants off me!!!
OK...here goes:
Pet Peeve No 1:
Supermarkets...ok I know they have to exist (although they are not as prominent in European countries as here in the UK) but why oh WHY do parents allow their grubby offspring to sit or stand in their shoes....in a FOOD trolley? I mean...I have to put my food into that trolley once you've removed your snotty offspring from it. There are enough Health and Safety laws; surely children in trolleys - other than in the designated seat must be a hazard?????? Can't someone ban them?
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese?
Polly has now left the building.....
This is just to allow me to vent on the miniscule (and not so miniscule) things in everyday life that bug the pants off me!!!
OK...here goes:
Pet Peeve No 1:
Supermarkets...ok I know they have to exist (although they are not as prominent in European countries as here in the UK) but why oh WHY do parents allow their grubby offspring to sit or stand in their shoes....in a FOOD trolley? I mean...I have to put my food into that trolley once you've removed your snotty offspring from it. There are enough Health and Safety laws; surely children in trolleys - other than in the designated seat must be a hazard?????? Can't someone ban them?
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese?
Polly has now left the building.....
notices that summer has finally arrived!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Well, just when I thought that my summer dresses and shoes could be finally stored until next summer, we have had a delightful few days, full of blue skies and sun. Positively tropical weather in this usually soggy end of the country. The difference it makes in peoples moods is rather remarkable. Everyone arround is cheerful and happy, tempers seem to remain intact rather than snapping at the slightest thing.
On another positive note is the fact that today I am wearing a pair of my new shoes. Which I honestly thought that I wouldn't be able to wear until next Spring. Here they are:
Gorgeous Rocketdog Capricio that were an ABSOLUTE bargain in TKMaxx a few weeks back. I was totally muppet-like and should have got the red and the black pairs, but by the time I decided that I really couldn't do without them, only the demin were left but as they were at the remarkable price of £10!!! yes only 10 of out great British pounds! So really couldn't leave them there. I'm keeping my eye out for the red and the black ones and I will get them at some point.
I'm off shortly for another trawl round vintage/charity shops for costumes for the next two productions which are both set in the 1930's. One by Terrence Rattigan and the other by JP Priestly. So that should be good fun, I'm also in charge of props so I'm really looking forward to getting some great period pieces and hopefully not spending too much money.
I have also promised myself that I will TRY to be organised and tidy. I am not by nature one of the tidiest souls on earth and I usually leave a trail of chaos behind me (which is handy if I ever get lost) but I have recently come accross clothes, shoes and jewellery that I have totally forgotten about because I am SO untidy! This has got to stop as I'm buying things that I already have. So I'm treating myself this weekend to new storage bits n bobs so I can really get things organised. THEN I intend to go through all the boxes, handbags etc that are full of a mixture of everything and put everything in its place! The finally I won't waste half my time looking for something....because it will be in it's right place. How long this idyll will last I don't know but I am determined to be more organised! And not go shopping until I have sorted everything out!
Ooops...just realised that I am meeting Ma after work to go shopping....ah well...never mind! You should never look a gift bargain in the mouth!
luv
Polly
xxxx
is back again...
Thursday, September 22, 2011
ooh..aren't I a keen little blogger this week?
If you remember I admitted to the horrendous number of shoe purchaces that I have made in the last few weeks....well here is a quick glipmse of two of them...
Here are the first pair...
and here are the second...yes I know they are the same style BUT
"they were in a saaaaale" and I couldn't possibly leave them there, could I?
More shopping news to follow...
Polly
XX
If you remember I admitted to the horrendous number of shoe purchaces that I have made in the last few weeks....well here is a quick glipmse of two of them...
Here are the first pair...
and here are the second...yes I know they are the same style BUT
"they were in a saaaaale" and I couldn't possibly leave them there, could I?
More shopping news to follow...
Polly
XX
there's pale and then there's corpse-like!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I might have mentioned it before but I am a red-head with pale skin. No let me revise that...I have skin the colour of a dead fish's belly...
Usually at this time of year, a small smattering of freckles will have given me a semblance of colour, even though it's just a hint of a tint, so to speak. But with the weather we have had this year (ie biblical amounts of rain here in the West of these great isles) I have no colour at ALL.
I was pootling about in the kitchen on Sunday afternoon, when a rare ray of something bright emerged from the sky (I was later informed it was the sun... but I'm still not totally convinced) anyhooo...this bright light threw my palid complextion into releif. I am now SO pale you can actually trace the veins not just in my arms but also my legs....it's most dispitiriting. I could be used as a body double in Silent Witness and they would cut the make up budget in HALF.... I am now offically the palest I think I have ever been. Now I know that us vintage types try to avoid the sun (I even own my own little parasol) but there's pale and interesting and pale and corpse-like. I now fall into the latter category...
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride might just as well be my muse for Autumn...
BTW has anyone seen the new Wallis Simpson/Edward VIII film? It's not showing at my local flea-pit and I was wondering if it was worth the long haul to the nearest place that is showing it?
Also (fanfare please) I am most chuffed to announce that the film I was involved with earlier this year (I was the producer amongst other things....read location scout/wardrobe/continuity/actor etc) now has been released and is on IMDB.com!!!!!!!!
So many apologies for the tardiness of my posts lately but real life has once again rained on my parade. But I am back with lots of news which I will impart in my few next witterings.
PS I am ashamed to admit that I have purchased 6 pairs of new shoes over the past three weeks!
TTFN
Polly xxxxxxx
Usually at this time of year, a small smattering of freckles will have given me a semblance of colour, even though it's just a hint of a tint, so to speak. But with the weather we have had this year (ie biblical amounts of rain here in the West of these great isles) I have no colour at ALL.
I was pootling about in the kitchen on Sunday afternoon, when a rare ray of something bright emerged from the sky (I was later informed it was the sun... but I'm still not totally convinced) anyhooo...this bright light threw my palid complextion into releif. I am now SO pale you can actually trace the veins not just in my arms but also my legs....it's most dispitiriting. I could be used as a body double in Silent Witness and they would cut the make up budget in HALF.... I am now offically the palest I think I have ever been. Now I know that us vintage types try to avoid the sun (I even own my own little parasol) but there's pale and interesting and pale and corpse-like. I now fall into the latter category...
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride might just as well be my muse for Autumn...
BTW has anyone seen the new Wallis Simpson/Edward VIII film? It's not showing at my local flea-pit and I was wondering if it was worth the long haul to the nearest place that is showing it?
Also (fanfare please) I am most chuffed to announce that the film I was involved with earlier this year (I was the producer amongst other things....read location scout/wardrobe/continuity/actor etc) now has been released and is on IMDB.com!!!!!!!!
So many apologies for the tardiness of my posts lately but real life has once again rained on my parade. But I am back with lots of news which I will impart in my few next witterings.
PS I am ashamed to admit that I have purchased 6 pairs of new shoes over the past three weeks!
TTFN
Polly xxxxxxx
life defeats her yet again...
Friday, July 22, 2011
just when I thought work was calming down and a summer might actually be on the horizon...well I get the dreaded summer lurgy and have been struck down in all my 'ahem' glory for nearly two weeks.
Anyway, today is the first day that I actually feel human since probably week last Saturday! Indeed. On the Friday prior to the 'lurgy' I was invited to an 18th Birthday party in a swish hotel on a James Bond themed evening. It was a wonderfull event, with a casino, live Big Band and singers and on top of that the birthday girl had asked people not to give her presents but to donate to a local charity and nearly £900 was raised on the night. I would like to raise a glass to E for being such a wonderful girl and despite all that she has been through continues to be a role model and if I had a daughter I would be thrilled if she was like her.
There's a few more vintage purchases...bought today on my FIRST day out in an age. And I promise that I will post the pictures this weekend. I have taken all the pictures, honestly, it's just getting them organised to post!!!!
On a post I read from Retrochick about old books...I must admit I am among those that love that smell and feel of old books. More of which I will post later, including details of a Catholic prayer book with little devotional cards and I suppose you would call them memento mori cards that were still in the pages. you can see more here:
http://www.retrochick.co.uk/2011/07/22/why-i-love-second-hand-books
On another note entirely, why is it that gadgets fail together with spectacular synchonicity? My mobile phone, my ipod and my dvd player have all died in the space of 24 hours. Is someone trying to tell me something? Ok, yes I want a new phone...but do I go iphone or blackberry? I text more than speak on it so a qwerty keyboard would be useful. Anyone out there with any advice would be welcome.
Also my ebay selling will be up and running next week as I have loads of thing that I need to move along to allow me to actually be able to hang up my new purchases!!!!
Take care all
pip pip
P
xxxxx
Anyway, today is the first day that I actually feel human since probably week last Saturday! Indeed. On the Friday prior to the 'lurgy' I was invited to an 18th Birthday party in a swish hotel on a James Bond themed evening. It was a wonderfull event, with a casino, live Big Band and singers and on top of that the birthday girl had asked people not to give her presents but to donate to a local charity and nearly £900 was raised on the night. I would like to raise a glass to E for being such a wonderful girl and despite all that she has been through continues to be a role model and if I had a daughter I would be thrilled if she was like her.
There's a few more vintage purchases...bought today on my FIRST day out in an age. And I promise that I will post the pictures this weekend. I have taken all the pictures, honestly, it's just getting them organised to post!!!!
On a post I read from Retrochick about old books...I must admit I am among those that love that smell and feel of old books. More of which I will post later, including details of a Catholic prayer book with little devotional cards and I suppose you would call them memento mori cards that were still in the pages. you can see more here:
http://www.retrochick.co.uk/2011/07/22/why-i-love-second-hand-books
On another note entirely, why is it that gadgets fail together with spectacular synchonicity? My mobile phone, my ipod and my dvd player have all died in the space of 24 hours. Is someone trying to tell me something? Ok, yes I want a new phone...but do I go iphone or blackberry? I text more than speak on it so a qwerty keyboard would be useful. Anyone out there with any advice would be welcome.
Also my ebay selling will be up and running next week as I have loads of thing that I need to move along to allow me to actually be able to hang up my new purchases!!!!
Take care all
pip pip
P
xxxxx
The Age of Glamour is BACK!
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Some wonderful news on the glamour front...
The National Portrait Gallery in London is opening a new exhibition from today on the Golden Age of Glamour.
http://www.npg.org.uk/glamour/index.htm
To quote the NPG:
"Glamour of the Gods is a celebration of Hollywood portraiture from the industry's 'Golden Age', the period 1920 to 1960. From Greta Garbo and Clark Gable to Audrey Hepburn, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, it is these portraits that transformed actors and actresses into international style icons. In many cases these are career-defining images of Hollywood's greatest names and help to illustrate their enduring appear.
Feature over 70 photographs, most of which are exquisite vintage prints displayed for the first time, the exhibition is drawn from the archive of the John Kobal Foundation and demonstrate photography's decisive role in creating and marketing the stars central to the Hollywood mystique."
The exhibition runs as I said from today until 23rd October and from the trailer it looks to be a wonderful experience, it definately looks as if it's worth a trip to London for this. I'm just wondering what prints etc will be available to buy there.
Go have a look at the link! Its very interesting!
The National Portrait Gallery in London is opening a new exhibition from today on the Golden Age of Glamour.
http://www.npg.org.uk/glamour/index.htm
To quote the NPG:
"Glamour of the Gods is a celebration of Hollywood portraiture from the industry's 'Golden Age', the period 1920 to 1960. From Greta Garbo and Clark Gable to Audrey Hepburn, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, it is these portraits that transformed actors and actresses into international style icons. In many cases these are career-defining images of Hollywood's greatest names and help to illustrate their enduring appear.
Feature over 70 photographs, most of which are exquisite vintage prints displayed for the first time, the exhibition is drawn from the archive of the John Kobal Foundation and demonstrate photography's decisive role in creating and marketing the stars central to the Hollywood mystique."
The exhibition runs as I said from today until 23rd October and from the trailer it looks to be a wonderful experience, it definately looks as if it's worth a trip to London for this. I'm just wondering what prints etc will be available to buy there.
Go have a look at the link! Its very interesting!
a little ray of sunshine
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
There's very little to natter about as I've not been doing a lot lately, but when we had some lovely weather over the weekend I took some arty photo's of the flowers in the garden...hope they brighten your day.
A Japanese Maple.
A Japanese Maple.
Yellow Roses after the rain.
Leaves after the same shower.
.
The sky after the shower.
pip pip
Polly
xx
is back....
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A thousand apologies for being a tardy blogger lately, but real life has got in the way for the last few weeks.
A little round up of news: Othello went really well, full houses for the entire run (despite an opening night fiasco with the Public Liabilty Insurance and missing Health & Safety forms...which I will not go into any further, because, dear reader, I will rant about the imbecile that deliberately 'mislaid' the paperwork! Enough said!
At the moment, I'm in the middle of designing the new publicity material and poster for our next production which is Terrence Rattigan's French Without Tears. It's in honour of the centenary of Rattigan's birth. It's a light farce set in the south of France in the mid 20s I would guess....and rather Bertie Wooster-ish in places....but jolly good fun and a good excuse to delve into the vintage world to hunt out costumes and props.
I've no new purchases to report other than I bought Revlon's new lip stain 'Just Bitten' (as tested by Snoodlebug) and I love it. I bought the Gothic colour stain and it lasted for ages. So now I am going to try the darker purple one!
Squeezed into last weekend
was a quick photoshoot for a chum who had just splashed out on a new camera and wanted a model (read: someone who didn't have anything better to do on a Saturday afternoon and has a stash of costumes and wigs to hand...yes...me!) Here's a sample of the shot....he wanted a grainy 30s style shot with minimum lighting. He was pleased...I know very little about photography....so I'll try to believe him...haha.... anyway for your amusement is one of the shots. I don't have blond curly hair...honest!!!!
A little round up of news: Othello went really well, full houses for the entire run (despite an opening night fiasco with the Public Liabilty Insurance and missing Health & Safety forms...which I will not go into any further, because, dear reader, I will rant about the imbecile that deliberately 'mislaid' the paperwork! Enough said!
At the moment, I'm in the middle of designing the new publicity material and poster for our next production which is Terrence Rattigan's French Without Tears. It's in honour of the centenary of Rattigan's birth. It's a light farce set in the south of France in the mid 20s I would guess....and rather Bertie Wooster-ish in places....but jolly good fun and a good excuse to delve into the vintage world to hunt out costumes and props.
I've no new purchases to report other than I bought Revlon's new lip stain 'Just Bitten' (as tested by Snoodlebug) and I love it. I bought the Gothic colour stain and it lasted for ages. So now I am going to try the darker purple one!
Squeezed into last weekend
was a quick photoshoot for a chum who had just splashed out on a new camera and wanted a model (read: someone who didn't have anything better to do on a Saturday afternoon and has a stash of costumes and wigs to hand...yes...me!) Here's a sample of the shot....he wanted a grainy 30s style shot with minimum lighting. He was pleased...I know very little about photography....so I'll try to believe him...haha.... anyway for your amusement is one of the shots. I don't have blond curly hair...honest!!!!Anyhow....I have taken pics of ALL the goodies that I've bought in the last few months (finally got round to it on the wettest Sunday I have ever been bored through) and will post them when life calms down....
pip pip
Polly
xx
is panicking about tonight
Monday, May 16, 2011
Well, folks after all my whittering etc the final dress/techincal run through for Othello is this evening. I went to the theatre on Saturday to see the set being finished and yet again our stage guys have outdone themselves with an amazing set (apart from one bit where I need help to get through a gap backstage as I am wearing a huge Elizabethan frock) but other than that little hiccup it's stunning.
Costumes yet again are proving to be a 'last minute' issue, despite thinking that it was all done and dusted costume wise weeks ago. The chemise they sent me to 'die in' is completely transparent under the stage lights!!! I will go so far for my art, but not that far...dear reader.
The lines are now fine except for two lines which for the LIFE of me I can never remember, but luckily they are to myself so it doesn't really matter....much. Yet again there was controversy in the Programme notes from the Director but luckily I saw the proofs before they went to the printers and amended a few words!
On other things, I bought a fab set of 6 cocktail glasses for £3 in a car boot sale, I would think they are late 1930's ish...maybe a bit later and then would you beleive it...the following day in a local charity shop foung a glass jug with almost the identical pattern of glass etching (vines) for £2. I can't decide if I'm going to keep this or not as I'm running out of space, but if I do I'll mention it here that it's going up on ebay.
On another note, I should be going to Paris...possibly with a chum who's been poorly for a while and whats a little trip with some light shopping, sightseeing etc. I'm just going to be on the look out for handsome French rugby players (see earlier posts) although by the time we finally get there the season will be over.
Finally, on a devastating point, I was offered a ticket to watch Stade Francais play in Cardiff on friday, even though one of my hero's Dimitri Szarzewski might not even play...and where am I??? HUH???? On stage...I am mortified....gutted and tres tres desolete!!!!
Au reviour ma petite pommes!!!!
Polly
Costumes yet again are proving to be a 'last minute' issue, despite thinking that it was all done and dusted costume wise weeks ago. The chemise they sent me to 'die in' is completely transparent under the stage lights!!! I will go so far for my art, but not that far...dear reader.
The lines are now fine except for two lines which for the LIFE of me I can never remember, but luckily they are to myself so it doesn't really matter....much. Yet again there was controversy in the Programme notes from the Director but luckily I saw the proofs before they went to the printers and amended a few words!
On other things, I bought a fab set of 6 cocktail glasses for £3 in a car boot sale, I would think they are late 1930's ish...maybe a bit later and then would you beleive it...the following day in a local charity shop foung a glass jug with almost the identical pattern of glass etching (vines) for £2. I can't decide if I'm going to keep this or not as I'm running out of space, but if I do I'll mention it here that it's going up on ebay.
On another note, I should be going to Paris...possibly with a chum who's been poorly for a while and whats a little trip with some light shopping, sightseeing etc. I'm just going to be on the look out for handsome French rugby players (see earlier posts) although by the time we finally get there the season will be over.
Finally, on a devastating point, I was offered a ticket to watch Stade Francais play in Cardiff on friday, even though one of my hero's Dimitri Szarzewski might not even play...and where am I??? HUH???? On stage...I am mortified....gutted and tres tres desolete!!!!
Au reviour ma petite pommes!!!!
Polly
as if I haven't got enough to do.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Again, apologies for my tardiness over my posts lately. But real-life has been getting in the way of things, like rehearsals for Othello. Although, at least I don't have to worry about costumes for this, as we are setting it 'trad' so we have plenty of Elizabethan costumes that I can wade through. Lines are still last minutes; I promised I was NOT going to be still using the script this week, but guess what, it's Thursday and I still don't know them all...sigh!
Anyhooooow!!! Despite all the above, I started a new project last night. I wasn't intending to, but on a trip to a fabric shop (for darling Ma) I just happened to take a peek at the pattern book. A little bit of a mistake as I ended up buying a patter to use with some material that I've had hanging aobut for ages. So here's the pattern...
So I've cut out the pattern for the red dress (bottom right) but added a little more fullness in the skirt and the fabric is the black with red strawberries!!! I'm hoping that it will be finished by Sunday as I have a party to go to on Bank Holiday Monday (yes, cutting it fine again) I think that by adding a full net petticoat underneath will give it the right look (as oppsed to the rather flat version modeled above). I will keep you posted on this!
I have finally taken pics of all my recent purchases, so I will post those over the weekend. Including some lovely new vintage earings that I picked up at Jacob's Antique market in Cardiff.
So that's all for now, chaps! Hope you all have a lovely Bank Holiday and that its Pimms and G&T weather where you are!
Polly
xxx
apologises for the lack of posts lately
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The last few weeks have been very odd; not particularly busy but I just haven't had the oomph to actually do anything. I have lines to learn for a production of Othello, which I have barely looked at! And I swore that this time I would NOT leave it until the very last minute to learn them and then have to spend every waking second wandering round with a script in my hand, snapping at everyone who disturbed my "concentration".
Then to add to my misery, my muse decided to return and a fully formed story popped into my head which is demanding to be written ASAP and be quick about it too.
I did spend a splendid day out in Cardiff on Saturday with the glamourous Kath; we spent the day pootling round Jacob's Antique markets and both of us picked up some nice little trickets. I was especially pleased with an old etching of "Othello telling Desdemona his tales" it was out of a book and only cos a £1 so I was very pleased. I was "tres chic" as Mama put it, wearing my trusty dark blue cropped jeans, red stripy T and red ballet pumps, topped off with my little red cropped mac...vintage but not too out there for shopping; espeically as Cardiff was full of football supporters and you couldn't move for police. But we had a glorious lunch in a little Italian restaurant with a sweet attentive waiter and a nice bottle of Rose (which I don't usually go for) then back to the antique market for one last look before heading for the train before the match finished.
The crowd was totally different to a rugby crowd, there was a slight edge to everything which you just don't get at a rugby match...I supose at heart being Welsh one has to be a rugby girl.
On the shopping front I found this gorgeous vintage inspired skirt in Matalan of all places and it was firmly in my hot little hands before I could blink:
it looks fab with ballet flats! So with nothing more to whitter about and annoyed that the Pimms weather has suddently deserted us, I will sign off.
pip pip
Polly
RIP Jane Russell - pin-up extordinaire
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
What sad news today that the wonderful pin-up from the glamorous age of the 1940's and 1950's has passed away at the vintage age of 89. She embodied a style that was difficult to match with her endless legs and her witty retorts. She was classed as "mean, moody and magnificent" in The Outlaw, a film directed by Howard Hughes and which courted controversy from the start. But sadly her career was over by the 1960s.
Here are some glorious pictures of the late lamented lady:
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