My current obsessions

1. Game of Thrones (the TV show) Frankly, who isn't obsessed with Game of Thrones; I mean just LOOK at Jon Snow! Talk about gruff! I'm in the process of reacquainting myself with seasons 1 and 2, before moving onto season 3, which Cheryl kindly loaned to me. I know she's dying to gossip about season 3 with me, so I'm moving through 1 and 2 as quickly as possible! I'm even watching it as I type.

2. A Song of Fire and Ice (i.e. Game of Thrones, the books) - I'm currently a quarter of the way through the first book and can't put it down. The characters (particularly the female characters) are even more compelling in the books than they are in the series. Daenerys Targaryen and Lady Stark in particular are both far more complex characters in the books than they are in the series. I'll be posting a review of the book once I've finished it.

3. Wedding planning. Boy, it's proving harder than I ever imagined. Our particular problem is that we don't have a budget to work within (for various reasons), which makes planning almost impossible! The ceremony venue and registrar are booked though, as is the reception venue. My Pinterest boards are filling up nicely with ideas, and I already have most of it mapped out in my head. Just have to work out some way of paying for it all now!

4. My garden. We've lived in our little house for two years now, and as we've made the decision to remain until we can afford to buy somewhere of our own, I've decided that this summer I'm finally going to make something of the garden. I've always kept it tidy and mowed, but I've never really made it my own. I've decided to purchase some large planting pots and have various species of flowers in them. I adore tulips, so they are high on my list, and I'd also love some wildflowers, peonies and hydrangeas. I planted a white rose bush when we first moved in, which has somehow managed to thrive, despite my complete gardening ineptitude. A trip to the garden centre looks imminent.

5. Getting myself in shape. As most of my friends will know, in the last couple of years I've lost a huge amount of weight. This wasn't always easy, and took a great deal of self-denial and willpower. Over the last year that willpower has drained, and subsequently I've put around a stone of the weight I'd lost back on. My aim is that by the time Cheryl and I go to Dubai in September I'll be back in my bikini, and looking better than ever. I'm devising myself an eating and fitness plan to accompany this, and will be relying on my friends to prevent me from sabotaging myself (which I am prone to doing). I'm determined to be as healthy as I can be (whilst still enjoying life along the way!) I've been completely inspired by an online friend of mine, Laura Jane Williams, who has been working has ass off (literally) since the beginning of the year, and has lost 35lbs, gone from a size 16 to an 8/10 AND has run a 10k! Her dedication and commitment blows my mind, and I'm determined to follow in her (now very slender) footsteps! Some of the work gals and I have signed up for the Race for Life Pretty Muddy 5k in July (which you can sponsor us for here), so I'll be needing to get into shape for that. Well, any shape other than round, that is!

WEEKSTAGRAM // 26th March - 1st April

Quiet week this week...... Baked a Fruity Tea Loaf as a Mother's Day gift // Saw a beautiful combination of flowers on sale - tulips and hyacinths. Gave me some ideas for wedding flowers // The Mamma Mia Italian Food Market arrived in Cardiff and brought a touch of Italian tastiness to the capital // Cheryl and I had a wander around town and marveled at what passes for fashion these days! Feeling intensely old right now! // Started eating walnuts as a healthy lunchtime and post work out snack // Significant changes have been made to our wedding plans, including a change of date and change of reception venue. Aberdare Hall is currently the front runner for the reception venue. Meeting with the venue next week to discuss our ideas

Recipe // Fruity Tea Loaf

As today is Mother's Day I decided that rather than buying the usual flowers and chocolates for my mum, I would make her a cake. I chose this recipe as it's deliciously moist, and packed with all my favourite fruits. I used this BBC Good Food recipe, deviating slightly from the recipe by omitting the orange peel (as I'm not a fan), and adding a wider selection of fruits (semi-dried apple chunks, cranberries and dates). I'm really pleased with how it turned out, and my mum has asked me to bake another for her Bring and Buy sale next weekend.

Ingredients

300g mixture sultanas, raisins, dried cranberries, dried dates and sweetened apple
225ml hot tea
juice 1 orange
50g butter
100g light brown sugar
1 egg
225g self-raising flour
4 tbsp demerara sugar

Method (in words)

1. Place the dried fruits in a bowl and pour over the hot tea, orange juice and zest. Cover with cling film, then leave for at least 4 hrs or better still overnight.
2. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line the base of a 2lb loaf tin. Beat together the butter and sugar until creamy, then beat in the egg followed by the flour. Carefully stir through the fruit mixture. Spoon the mixture into the tin, then smooth over the surface with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle all over with a thick layer of demerara sugar.
3. Bake for 1 hr or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin, then turn out, cut into slices and serve.

Method (in pictures)

Have your ingredients to hand. I chose to use a wider variety of fruits in this cake than the recipe called for. You could also add nuts such as walnuts or pecans to give it a crunch. Preheat your oven the 160 degrees.

Pour the freshly squeezed orange juice and hot tea over the fruits, using a spoon to ensure all the fruit is covered.

Cover with clingfilm and leave to soak overnight. I left mine to soak for about 16 hours to make sure they were very moist.

Cream the butter and sugar. This will take a long time with an electric hand whisk, and you may find the mixture clumps together. If this happens, use a metal spoon to soften the butter a little by hand. Once the sugar and butter are well mixed and softened, whisk in the egg, followed by the flour. You will be left with a heavy dough-like consistency.

Add the fruit mixture to the dough mixture a little at a time. Make sure you add all the liquid from the bowl, as this will cake the cake its moist texture.

 Place in the centre of the oven and cook for 1 hour, or until a skewer comes out clean. Once cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin. Once it has cooled, carefully lift the loaf out, remove the grease proof paper and place onto a cake rake to allow the bottom to dry out a little.

If stored in a sealed and dry container, it will keep for a week. Enjoy with a hot cup of tea! 

WEEKSTAGRAM // 19th March - 25th March

I had my hair cut and dyed for the first time since August 2013. I had an ombre colour put through, using 7 different colours from root to tip // Bought some lovely treats for my new hair do. The Garnier Ultimate Blends shampoo is amazing. It's a blend of Argan Oil and Camellia Oil which leaves hair feeling really smooth and glossy // This week was all about the 'no make-up selfies' to raise money for Cancer Research. This was my contribution // Had a lovely meal at my favourite Indian restaurant, Spice Island, for Lisa's birthday // Celebrated Soph's Hen Party at Minsky's Showbar, complete with drag queens, strippers and buff waiters! // Celebrated Jem joining the 30 Club, during her fabulous Alice in Wonderland themed party at 10 Feet Tall // Enjoyed a yummy mango and falafel wrap from Coffee a GoGo // Cheryl, Hayley, Claire, Elen and I signed up for the Pretty Muddy Race for Life 5k race in July. Best start training!

WEEKSTAGRAM // 11th March - 18th March

I realised just how many books I'd started, but hadn't yet finished. Making a concerted effort to get through these in the next few months // I got very excited about mine and Cheryl's forthcoming trip to Dubai in September - our Pinterest board is packed with ideas! // My work orchid started to flower, but it fell off the following day // Cheryl and I paid a visit to the National Museum to view some art. Some was better than others // Daffodils to brighten up the office // Found a new geek programming obsession on Netflix - Grimm. Somewhat in love with David Giuntoli now // Took and walk around Cathays Park and got snap happy with Cheryl's fancy SLR camera. Saving up for my own now! // Went to see Wicked with Karen and Zoe at the Wales Millennium Centre. Amazing show. I enthusiastically blogged about it! // Cal and I went to see the 6 Nations Wales v Scotland match at the Millennium Stadium, which resulted in an astounding 51 - 3 victory for Wales. We then watched the nail biting final showdown between Ireland and France, which resulted in a superb tournament victory for Ireland // I was tweeted back by Giles Coren, TV presenter, Times Columnist, Foodie, and (most importantly) friend of my girl crush Sue Perkins. Felt very close to fame that day (even despite knowing that he tweets pretty much everyone back!)

Not pictured: Cheryl, Kath, Cal, Zoe and I came 3rd in The Heath's weekly pub quiz. Not really sure how we fared worse than last week, considering we had more people // Did two consecutive days of exercise classes. Feeling the burn // Cheryl and I planned an Easter trip to Tenby (photo ops abound!) // Considering entering the Pretty Muddy Race for Life 5k in July. Any excuse to mud wrestle, really.

Wicked - A review of the UK touring production

For one short night, in the Wales Millennium Centre, I witnessed musical theatre magic. I'm still catching my breath a day later.

For those uninitiated readers, Wicked (based upon the Gregory Maguire novel of the same name) is the untold story of the witches of Oz. The musical is told from the perspective of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (The Good Witch of the North), preceding the events of The Wizard of Oz. We learn how despite their vast differences in opinion and personality, Elphaba and Glinda become friends whilst studying at Shiz University. The story follows the two young women as they are molded and forged by the trials and challenges they face; including a love rivalry, battle against the Wizard's corrupt regime, and Elphaba's eventual downfall. The musical plays with our perceived understanding of the original story, and challenges the audience to rethink their own preconceptions and prejudices. It's about looking at things another way. It challenges our understanding of good vs evil, beauty vs ugliness, and right vs wrong.

I've seen Wicked twice before, in London, with the exceptional Kerry Ellis playing the lead role of Elphaba, Helen Dallimore as Glinda, and the drop dead gorgeous Adam Garcia as Fiyero. I thought I would be hard pressed to find another company as perfect as that. Oh boy, was I proven wrong! I was electrified the entire way through!

The costumes, props, and sets are better than I remember. Obviously some changes have been made to allow for the show to tour, but none of the wonder and spectacle is lost. I dream of one day owning one of the Ozian costumes - they are a glorious confection in emerald! The flying monkeys, which haunted my childhood nightmares, writhe and clamor across the stage in a terrifying chaos of noise. There are several scenes which younger audience members might find a little scary, particularly the visceral No Good Deed, which moved me to tears. Elphaba's pain and feeling of futility oozes from every intonation and gesture.


Emily Tierney opens the show as the wonderfully blonde, beautiful and beloved Glinda. She skillfully balances Glinda innocent self-absorption with an undeniably good heart. Her hilariously breathy rendition of Popular had me in stitches, and her seemingly boundless energy was infectious. I especially loved her nod to Evita during Thank Goodness! Keep an eye out for it. You gotta love musical in-jokes!

Liam Doyle was superb as the handsome prince Fiyero; exuding a charm worthy Zac Efron's star turn as Link Larkin in Hairspray. Madam Morrible is played to perfection by Marilyn Cutts, of Fascinating Aida fame. And a special shout out to Carina Gillespie and George Ure as Nessarose and Boq. Their stories are truly heartbreaking, and are played with a great deal of heart and sensitivity.

However, it's Nikki Davis Jones as the eponymous Wicked Witch, who steals the show! Her performance of Defying Gravity made my heart simultaneously beat like a train, and stop completely! I was still shaking from it well into the start of Act 2; it affected me in such a primal way. Her voice contains such incredible power (man, can she belt out a spine chilling high D flat!) but also has a soulfulness and heartache which comes from deep inside who Elphaba really is. She's now (alongside Kerry Ellis) my all time favourite Elphaba.

If you only see one show this year, please make it this production of Wicked. If there are any tickets left, I'm definitely going to be going again!

Emily Tierney as Glinda and Nikki Davis Jones as Elphaba

WEEKSTAGRAM // 3rd March - 10th March

I finally caught up with (apparently) the rest of woman kind and bought a 'magic lipstick'. It works with the alkali levels in your lips to create an individualised colour. Seriously, if this exists, what's the point of having any other lipstick!? // I took Cheryl to her first Zumba class - she came out slightly worse for wear // For Pancake Day Cheryl and I treated ourselves to a pancake lunch at Cinnamon Sticks // I then went home and cooked more pancakes. I ate 9 in total that day. Don't judge // Started a new skincare routine. Better be good - that pot of Clinique cost me £21 // Baked a cake for my nephew's birthday party - made a mess of my mum's kitchen in the process // The finished cake. Tasted pretty darn good // Me and the birthday boy. I can't believe he's 5 already! // Met my cousin's little girl, Lydia, for the first time. I admit, I felt a slight twang of broodiness.... // Wandering around Cefn Mably Farm Park reminded me of a) how much I miss living in the countryside, b) how friggin' cute falabellas and goats are, and c) how little townies know about the countryside. One woman confused a goose for a swan. I mean, seriously??! // We had such high hopes for the Wales v England 6 Nations clash, but it all ended in tears. Luckily cider and karaoke made up for the crushing defeat. 

Not pictured: Cheryl, Kath and I came 2nd in The Heath's weekly pub quiz (with hardly any cheating involved) // Conducted my first ever data collection. It went pretty well // Spent most of Monday 10th recovering from an horrendous hangover - detox starting immediately // Reconnected with a few old Edinburgh buddies. 

Recipe // Naughty Chocolate Fudge Cake

A few weeks ago, my brother asked me to make a cake for my nephew's 5th birthday party. As a keen baker I was happy to oblige, and quickly decided to use this BBC Good Food recipe for chocolate fudge cake, as it's been a perennial favourite in my house for quite some time. It's a really easy recipe to make, and goes down a storm with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

175g Self raising flour

2 Tbsp Cocoa Powder

1 Tsp Bicarbonate soda

150g Caster sugar

2 Eggs Beaten

150 ml (1/4 pint) Sunflower oil

150 ml (1/4 pint) Semi skimmed milk

2 Tbsp Golden syrup

For the Coating and filling

75g Unsalted butter

175g Icing Sugar

3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder

Drop of Milk

Method (in words)

1. Pre-heat oven to 180ºC/350F/Gas Mark 4 (less for fan ovens). Grease and line two 18cm (7 inch) sandwich tins.
2. Sieve the flour, cocoa and Bicarbonate of Soda into a bowl. Add the sugar and mix well.
3. Make a well in the centre and add the syrup, eggs, oil and milk. Beat well with electric whisk until smooth.
4. Spoon the mixture into the two tins and bake for 20 - 25 minutes until risen and firm to the touch. Remove from oven, leave to cool before turning out onto a cooling rack.
5. To make your butter icing, place the butter in a bowl and beat until soft. Gradually sift and beat in the icing sugar and cocoa powder then add enough milk to make the icing fluffy and spreadable.
6. If the cake has risen a little too high then use a serrated knife to even off the top, now sandwich the two cakes together with the butter icing and cover the sides and the top of the cake with more butter icing.

Method (in pictures)

Make sure you have all your ingredients to hand.

Weigh out your ingredients. Here I've already combined the flour, cocoa powder and bicarb. It doesn't matter if you are slightly over/under.

Sift your flour, cocoa powder and bicarb into a large bowl. Try and sift as high as you can to get air into the mixture - this will make your sponge light and fluffy.

Add your sugar and mix well into the mixture.

Once you've added your wet ingredients, mix well with an electric hand whisk, or an electric mixer (if you're lucky enough to have one). Make sure you check that every but of dry mixture is added (glass bowls make it easier to see this).

Carefully pour your mixture into your pre-lined tin. Place into the centre of a preheated oven and keep a close eye on it! My first cake burnt because I was too busy painting my nails!

Whilst the cake is cooling you make can your buttercream icing. Simply combine butter, icing sugar, cocoa powder and a drop of milk. This butttercream will go hard fairly quickly, so make sure you keep stirring it whilst it's in the bowl.

Finally, decorate your cake. My nephew is hugely into Star Wars so I used a pre-made icing sheet transfer to decorate it, surrounded by a sea of chocolate buttons. 

Have fun baking! 

Cardiff Comic Con - March 2014

It's a fact - geeks are the best people! I've been wanting to visit a comic convention ever since I first heard about Comic Con International in San Diego. Whilst that's still on my 'to visit' list, it sadly won't be for some years before I can get to go to California. Which is why I'm delighted that Cardiff now hosts it's own Comic Con at the Motorpoint Arena!

The event, which started in August 2013 and will hopefully run twice every year, draws in  huge crowds from all areas of fandom. In the queue alone I saw the following cosplay: Dr Who; Game of Thrones; Star Trek; Star Wars; X-Men; Lord of the Rings; The Avengers; Ghostbusters; Disney; Kick Ass; plus a lot of manga. Inside it was a veritable visual feast of awesomeness! The auditorium is crammed full of stalls, selling anything and everything a fangirl or fanboy could desire (t-shirts, models, vintage figurines, artwork, plus much more).

My two favourite stalls were Genki Gear, who sell brilliantly quirky t-shirts (and are now my best friends because they've met Benedict Cumberbatch!), and FanGirl Quest, who seek out fandom shooting locations and "sceneframe" the shots. Those girls are are very possible my geek love soulmates, and I'd love to be involved with their project in some way (hint). There are also several displays of original props and items used in various movies and shows. There is also the opportunity to meet and have a photograph with a variety of TV and movie stars. This year's stars included: John Rhys Davies (Gimli from Lord of the Rings); Danny John-Jules (Cat from Red Dwarf); Chris Judge (Teal'c from SG-1) Eve Myles (Gwen from Torchwood); Lee Merriweather (Catwoman); Devon Murray (Seamus from Harry Potter); plus many more!

The event does get really busy, and there are lots of opportunities for you to part with your hard earned cash, but it's something I'd highly recommend everyone visit. The weekend is so choc full of joy and creativity, and everyone is there to just have good, old fashioned fun. It's a place which encourages imagination, and allows people to truly be themselves; which is only ever a good thing!

The next Cardiff Comic Con is set to take place on the 8th and 9th November this year. I'm definitely going again, and I already have my cosplay in mind.....

Photo Gallery by QuickGallery.com

WEEKSTAGRAM // 23rd Feb - 2nd March

Cheryl introduced me to the wonderful world of E.L.F. cosmetics // The obligatory selfie (a requirement when in the presence of the full length mirror!) // Afternoon Tea in a newly discovered gem - Cinnamon Sticks (High Street Arcade). It's a Instagrammers paradise, with vintage movies played for your enjoyment (we saw Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Calamity Jane) // Kath and Cheryl enjoying a good natter over tea and cakes the size of small children // Spring finally came to Cardiff, and then promptly left again // A photo I tweeted to Cardiff University went viral when they retweeted it, and has been found as far away as California // Cheryl, Karen and I went to (yet another) ceilidh, with the fantastic Uisge ContraBand playing // Helen and I enjoyed a stroll in the sunshine, and took in the eclectic sites of the St David's Day parade celebrations // We then had a total geekgasm at Cardiff Comic Con // Pizza party with the girls on Saturday, whilst watching Groundhog Day // Lovely lazy Sunday with Cheryl and the Rhiwbina Handmade Market (I didn't buy anything, but may have found a wedding photographer!)

Wedding Planning Tips

Planning a wedding is tremendous fun! It gives you and your beloved the chance to express your love in front of those you care about most in the world. However, if you're not careful it can turn from something joyous to the proverbial albatross around your neck.

My fiance, Cal, and I, have set our date for August 2015, and our preparations are well underway. We're loving every minute of the planning, and derive a lot of pleasure from it. Through my own experience, and from speaking to several of my friends who have already tied the knot, I've compiled my top 10 tips for a (hopefully) smooth and stress-reduced wedding planning.

My Top Ten Tips

1. Set your budget, and stick to it

Whether your budget is small (like mine) or large, setting a budget is a must! Without a well managed budget even the most organised couple can lose track of their wedding finances. Set out lists of exactly what you need, and when you need to get it by. If, like me, you're saving bit by bit (and not wanting to rely too heavily on parental handouts), I suggest staggering your spending. You don't need to buy your entire wedding outfit in one go!

2. Give yourself enough time

As the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a wedding planned in one. Of course it's perfectly possible to plan a wedding within a limited time frame, but you have to be willing to cut corners and make concessions should you wish to do this (unless you have bags of money, in which case please give me some!)
Most couples give themselves a year in which to plan a wedding; ideally a little bit longer. Remember that popular venues book out a year in advance, so if you have your heart set on that castle in Scotland, make sure you book early! Time keeping, preparation and organisation are the key to a smooth running wedding day. 

3. Take advice on board, and rely on your bridesmaids/groomsmen

I think weddings should be a collaborative event. I've loved taking advice and tips from those who've already been through it, and it's great to draw upon this wealth of knowledge. Remember though - taking advice on board, doesn't mean you necessarily have to follow it. Don't allow anyone else to bogart your wedding; and yes this includes your mother!
I think bridesmaids and groomsmen are the linchpin to any successful wedding. A good bridesmaid will do whatever the bride asks of her (well, provided it's reasonable). A great bridesmaid won't even need to be asked - she'll already instinctively know what you need because she's already so involved with the wedding. I'm lucky to have three truly amazing bridesmaids, who have been really supportive and helpful already. I trust each of them implicitly, and I'm not afraid to leave things in their capable hands. I've included them in every aspect of my planning, and have taken a lot of inspiration from each of them. They each have their strengths, and I fully intended to utilise them!

4. Get inspired

Here I'm going to break the myth every person who has ever planned a wedding tells themselves - your wedding is not ever going to be 100% unique. If you've thought of something, I will guarantee that someone, somewhere, has also had the same idea as you! We each of us borrow ideas from other weddings, be it colour schemes, favour ideas, or choice of music. But I see this as a hugely positive thing. There are so many amazing ways to gain inspiration for your wedding. From bridal magazines, to wedding blogs, to Pinterest (my personal favourite), there are thousands of ideas out there to help you make your day extra special. 

5. Shop around

Wedding Fact - everything costs three times as much when it has the word 'wedding' in front of it. This means it really pays to shop around. Try and get as many quotes as you can, and think outside of the box when it comes to suppliers. Websites like Etsy and Folksy are fantastic for finding inexpensive bespoke pieces, including dresses, jewellery, invitations, centre pieces; you name it!
One top tip I learnt from one of my bridesmaids is to not tell the supplier that the item you're ordering is for a wedding. The particularly applies to wedding cakes, which are (in my opinion) the most stupidly over priced part of the day. If you need to say anything, just tell them the cake is for 'an event'; if you're collecting the cake yourself then they never need to know otherwise. Don't allow yourself to be taken advantage of by suppliers, and don't be afraid to haggle.

6. DIY
You can cut costs by doing a lot of things for yourself. If you're creative or artistic (or even just really good at following You Tube tutorials), use those skills to create your own centrepieces, decorations, bouquet and invitations. Not only will it save some money (and is lots of fun), it'll also make your look unique.
Etsy has a marvellous array of graphics and pre-made invitation designs you can download for a small cost, and then have printed yourself. This gives you greater creative control, and many designers will happily work with you to make your design precisely as you want it. 

7. Be brutal

This is especially relevant to those of us on a tight budget. Do you need that string quartet? Do you really need to release doves? Do you really need 5 tiers on your cake? If the answer is anything other than a firm "yes", put the idea on the back burner. Your wedding won't be any less lovely without these additions, and the only person who'll know they're missing is you!

8. Include your partner

It's common in wedding planning for one partner to take the lead. This is absolutely fine, as sometimes couples work best when they're not tripping up over one another. However, don't forget to include and consult your partner in all aspects of the wedding planning. Remember - it's their wedding too, and the wedding should speak about you both as a couple, not you as an individual.

9. Set up a wedding website 

Lets face it, most people are online these days. Even those who aren't know at least someone who has access to the internet. Thanks to this the frugal couple can reduce the cost of their wedding invitations by having the bulk of the their information online. Websites like Wix provide a free and easy to use service which'll allow couples to set up and manage their own wedding website. Through these websites your guests can RSVP, learn more about the big day, and find useful information about the day (directions, dress code, etc). I also recommend using social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WedPics.

10. Do it your way

Never forget it's your wedding. Don't feel as though you have to follow convention, simply because it's traditional.

One last thing - don't allow the details to overshadow the most important aspect of the day; the fact that you're marrying your one true love. Love is the answer, and you know that for sure! 

Killer Queen - A review of Europe's Top Queen Tribute Band

I love Queen! I mean, really, who doesn't! Although I was, sadly, too young to ever truly appreciate them in their heyday (Freddie died when I was 9), thanks to my parent's musty but eclectic record collection, I was able to connect with their phenomenal music in my teens.

As a general rule, I'm a little bit dubious about tribute acts, especially those who are trying to imitate such iconic stars. They can often times seem farcical, or lack that je ne sais quoi that made the original so electrifying. Therefore I went in with limited expectations of Killer Queen at St David's Hall. I imagined the best I could hope for would be some semi-decent tunes, and a chance to sing Queen karaoke with my friends and 1200 other Queen fans.

From the moment the band burst onto the stage in a shower of golden flames, my expectations were blown apart. Killer Queen are as close to the real deal as I think anyone is likely to get. The band have been performing together since 1993, and their joy in their craft is obvious and infectious.

Freddie 2 is so much like the original Freddie it's almost eerie. He had everything down pat, from Freddie's mannerisms, to his signature Butch Castro look (including what I hope are false bad teeth). By the time Fat Bottom Girls started playing he had the audience eating out of his hand; with everyone either clapping their hands, stamping their feet, or in the case of my friends and I - up and dancing in the aisles. They played all the hits you'd expect: Killer Queen, I Want to Break Free, Bicycle, The Show Must Go On, Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, and many more.

As a child of the Wayne's World generation, only one course of action was permissible during their second encore of Bohemian Rhapsody. I do have a slight headache this evening due to the rather enthusiastic headbanging, but it was entirely worth it.

Catch them in your area if you can!

La Traviata - A Review of the WNO's February 2014 Production

I’ve long been a fan of the WNO (Welsh National Opera). Over the last few year they’ve taken great care to re-brand themselves, and shake off the belief held by many that opera is only for the elite and the intelligentsia. On the contrary, opera can, and should, be enjoyed by everyone. Much like Shakespeare, it was written for mass appeal, and mass enjoyment. Looking around the breathtaking Wales Millennium Centre’s auditorium last night I was gladdened to see that people of all ages, sexes, and styles were there; from men in tuxedos, to women in jeans and t-shirts. They’d all been brought together by not only their shared love of music, but because the themes that run through opera are echoed in the lives of each and every one of us – love, hope, despair, joy, jealousy, anger, sacrifice, loneliness, and so much more.

Everything about this production of La Traviata (The Fallen Woman) was perfect. For those of you unfamiliar with the libretto, it’s (basically) the same plot line as Moulin Rouge - man falls for courtesan; courtesan must break his heart to save him; the couple are reunited just before the courtesan dies of TB. It’s an attack on hypocrisy and prejudice, and aptly demonstrates that not only should you never judge a book by it’s cover, but that humans possess an amazing capacity to change and evolve.

The heartbreaking duets between Violetta and Alfredo (played to utter perfection by Linda Richardson and Peter Sonn) had me transfixed, with every single note drenched in passion, loss, and hope for a brighter tomorrow; a tomorrow which, sorrowfully, never comes for Violetta. 

The staging and props were especially clever as the colour palette changed with each act to reflect the changes in Violetta’s life and mood. Death was a subtle but ever present fixture, as the set designers had cleverly carved Violetta’s tombstone into the stage floor. Even in her happiest moments they were reminding us of her impending and inescapable fate. 

The conductor, Simon Phillippo, leads an orchestra of such joyous extremes; with the lightest of woodwinds, to the most brooding strings. The soar of Dammi tu forza, O cielo! in the second act had me close to tears. Or in the words of another famous courtesan of the modern era (the lovely Vivian from Pretty Woman), “It was so good, I almost peed my pants!”

If you get a chance, please go and see this production. It’s a highly accessible piece, even for those who have never seen opera before.