Look at this little fella

Might treat myself to a proper camera getting into random images :)

Bukowski tattoo

So my sister had this very life like tattoo done yesterday on her thigh. It's of Bukowski. The very talented Milan didn't cease to amaze with his skills at Eagles Wing Manchester. If your Manchester based and want done seriously good art pop down. There in Shudehill (by the bus station) and are open 10-6 Monday to Saturday :) 

How????

This performer 'sits' in Market Street in Manchester but how does he do it? That's not a riddle it's an actual question? 

My review on The Masque of Anarchy, Manchester International Festival

The Masque Of Anarchy

Directed by Sarah Frankcom

Performer Maxine Peake

 

Manchester is no stranger to culture with its variety of famous museums, galleries and theatres ranging from the intimate Three Minute Theatre all the way through to the exquisite Lowry, a city of musical notoriety and history that now more than ever seems to be back with a bang. The Manchester International Festival is a celebration of that attracting over 200’000 visitors in its recent years. The festival not only brings renowned International artists to our stage but also commissions a broad range of original works to be showcased in our hometown.

This year I was particularly excited by two high profile events. Kenneth Brannagh was to grace the stage as Macbeth and Maxine Peake was to perform a political poem by writer Percy Bysshe Shelley, directed by Royal Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom. Sadly I was too slow off the mark to purchase Macbeth tickets but I was lucky enough to squeeze into a performance of the latter.

The Masque of Anarchy was to be performed just four times over three days. I booked a ticket for the final show on the Sunday evening at 9.45pm. I was to attend alone and was extremely excited about seeing a show inside the historic Albert Hall. As I reached Peter Street I was greeted by a huge queue and hoped that my ‘standing only’ ticket would still allow me to get up close to the drama. The air felt electric as the crowd of all ages, styles and backgrounds started to slowly enter the building, chattering excitedly to each other like children on a school trip. We headed up the stone staircase and into what can only be described as an old beautiful chapel, a perfect setting for such haunting subject matter. The hall was busy and sweaty yet the quiet orchestral music still created chills. The stage was awash with candles and the room was full of anticipation.  Shelley’s powerful 91 verse poem written about the Peterloo Massacre was banned for 30 years and it has not lost any of its poignancy in today’s news. At 10pm the fidgeting crowd drew a breath and silenced as Maxine appeared, elegantly dressed in a long white dress, candle in hand and stepped to the centre of the stage.  She announced the title before commencing with the rollercoaster of verses, wide eyed as if in a dream like state she flawlessly recited the poem almost making its old language seem modern. Her hands shook with adrenalin as she conducted her audience with a mix of hope, vulnerability and power. ‘What is Freedom?’ She asks after a whirlwind of verse and people shuffled in the silence as if expected to respond. Everyone hung to her every word, hand gesture and breath straight through to the final repetition of ‘Ye are many- they are few’ and all too soon it was over. After a humble bow Maxine exited through the audience who seemed nothing less than enlightened by the experience.

Some images from a 50's style shoot by Dahlia Aljanabi

New tattoo

A quick pic of my new tattoo.. Big thanks to the artist Milan at Eagles Wing Studio Manchester. 4 and a half hours of pain was well worth it, I did well actually I'm pretty proud of myself. I had 5 minutes to go literally when I felt faint and needed a break but still not bad eh 

Coronation Street

I was back on the street this week for some hospital scenes. I would love to get a part in the show its got such a nice vibe on set. The cast and crew that I've met are lovely!! Fingers crossed eh!