The Month of Gigs and Plays

March was a busy one. Each year, it marks the month that I turn one year older. This particular birthday was a biggie. Bye bye teens and hello to twenty. Even a whole month later, I still find myself telling people I'm nineteen. So I kicked off birthday month with my first play, Two Gentlemen of Verona by the good old William Shakespeare, only this time, I was starring in it as the firehouse that I have grown to love wholeheartedly, Julia. Michael's Corbitches (as we lovingly called ourselves) put on two stonker performances of our modern day rendition. I will miss the life and soul that our cast injected into these characters, and also the people behind the parts, immeasurably. The cherry on top of the Shakespearian cake was being awarded the 'Fur Coat, No Knickers' Award for going above and beyond wearing next to nothing! Our show was followed by another 3 sublime Shakespeare renditions from the other groups at East 15 - The Winters' Tale, Cymbeline, and the Gorey yet Gorgeously done, Titus Andronicus.

This week was particularly theatre heavy. I went to see the brilliant Ocean At the End of the Lane with my friend Carys, courtesy of my mum who bought me the tickets as a birthday treat. This production was fantastic to watch, a must see! Full of magical illusions, physical theatre, dance, puppetry, dreamy sets and powerful musical elements. I have raved on about it ever since to anyone that enjoys a theatre trip, it really is one to watch!

The day after, I went to see the 3rd year BAMT's at Central perform London Road. Completely new to me, I discovered it is a Verbatim Musical based upon the murders of 5 prostitutes in Ipswich in the early 2000s. The students showcased their skills wonderfully and told the story to a gripped audience. They tied the whole performance together beautifully by handing out leaflets on sex workers, staying safe at night and took donations for supporting causes.

The ensuing week, I dabbled in some Chekov work with some MA directors. We looked at The Bear and The Proposal, both of which were very insightful to explore. Friday the 18th took me to a date which had been brewing in the calendar for a long time. My boyfriends' band, Perfect Strangers, headlining at the Camden Assembly. It was spectacular. I loved seeing Laurie and Max come alive on the stage, catching up with family and friends, and witnessing a very special moment in the bands' history be written.

Next up, Cleopatrick Brighton. With the weather on a sudden U turn upwards, we trekked down to the coast to see this Canadian rock duo rip up the Concorde 2. They were supported by Ready the Prince, two thirds of the New Rock Mafia and it was an epic night. To top it off, we hung around afterwards, watching the pink and orange sunset over the sea and said our farewells to both bands' as they packed up and off to Amsterdam to continue their tour.

March the month of gigs and plays came to a close with a royal bang, Royal Blood at the O2. First up, the Amazons, playing a cool 45 minute set with a load of chat and charm to add. Us in the pits played phone flashlight follow along with the seated audience members whilst we waited for the main event. Royal Blood knocked out 90 minutes of pure gold. Amazing setlist, Ben Thatcher on full form, and the classic Mike Kerr tongue-out faces a-plenty! What a month March, what a month.