Back to the Blitz December 29, 2008
Posted by Ria Keen in performing, singing stuff, teaching stuff.Tags: chris rozanski, education, musical theatre, performing, singing, talent, teaching
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Blitz! EP cover 1963
I have spent the last three months working on a production of Lionel Bart’s Blitz! for The Birmingham Theatre School. It was a truly fantastic experience.
The production hasn’t been staged in any major way for a while, so it was good to take a 40-something-year-old piece and dust it down a bit – despite the fact that, when it was originally staged, Noel Coward remarked that it was ‘twice as loud and twice as long as the real thing’.
Our particular production was a vehicle for the BTS 1st-term drama students to cut their teeth on, and it was a baptism of fire – BTS is a ’straight’ drama school, not a musical theatre school, and Blitz! is a full-on musical. It’s also an adventurous piece for 1st-term students to undertake, but they absolutely did themselves proud.
It’s always a joy to see students produce genuinely excellent work, and it rarely happens in the first term, but this was one of those rare times when everything just seems to come together and the magic happens. There were several performances of note, but one of the real stand-outs was Kelly Ward, an actress in her early twenties, who gave a masterclass in acting every night playing a 50-something Jewish matriarch – Kelly had never sung before, and yet she took hold of each of the fearsomely tricky songs written for the character of Mrs Blitztein, and delivered as if she had been doing it for years. She was quite terrified, quite brilliant, and completely inspiring.
Another awesome performance came from Matt Coppell, nephew of football hero Steve Coppell. Talent clearly runs in the family – not only is young Coppell a talented session drummer, but here he also proved that he is one hell of an actor. Playing the character of Georgie Locke, the young love interest in the play, he broke the audience’s heart every night, especially with his wonderful re-worked, mournful version of the great song ‘Who Wants To Settle Down?’ in the second act. It’s my bet this hugely charismatic young man is going to be a star one day. Watch this space.
The third top-drawer performance came from Craig Houston, playing Harry, the roguish Blitztein son on the run from the army. He’s another one to watch – I believe we’ll be seeing him in musical theatre once he graduates.
The direction was brilliant (courtesy of the maverick and utterly unique Chris Rozanski), the re-workings of the songs were superb, and the main cast were focused and professional – a complete joy to work with.
It’s not often that one can say that it’s an absolute pleasure to go to work, but this term it was. I shall not forget this production, or this cast, for many years to come.
M.E. improvement using MSM December 28, 2008
Posted by Ria Keen in M.E., natural health.add a comment
MSM powder - looks dodgy, works a treat!
Further to my previous post, I am happy to say that MSM powder continues to work in alleviating – even eradicating (for now) my M.E. symptoms. Those of you with M.E., or with relatives or friends who have it, will know that it’s a frustrating illness for which there is little respite and even less effective treatment.
MSM powder (and it has to be the absolutely pure stuff – quality varies enormously from supplier to supplier) seems to have provided a miracle ‘cure’ for me. I’ve been using it for two-and-a-half months and there’s been no sign of any of my ‘normal’ symptoms, despite having spent the last month or so working ridiculously hard and long hours on a production (see ‘Back to the Blitz’). I take half a teaspoon twice daily, in water. It has a slightly bitter taste but really it’s nothing to worry about, and if it alleviates your M.E. symptoms then hey-ho, go with it!
Other beneficial ’side effects’ of taking the powder are that my skin has softened and improved in texture, to a remarkable degree, and my nails are growing quickly and strongly after a lifetime of soft, useless nails which broke if the wind blew in the wrong direction!
Some of my students have tried MSM after seeing the amazing effect that it has had on me. It hasn’t worked for all of them, unfortunately, but it has worked for the majority, so that can’t be bad. The people who have tried it include folks with M.E., folks with severe arthritis and others with skin disorders. Aside from one lady (a long-term M.E. sufferer) all have seen positive results.
In case you’re wondering, I have no vested interest in any company selling or manufacturing MSM products – I just thought that it was worth sharing my experiences so that maybe other M.E. sufferers can benefit too.
If you’re wondering where to get the absolutely pure stuff, I’ve been using this company, who seem vey knowledgeable, reliable and all those other good things. They’re also slightly bonkers, selling a strange combination of buttons and supplements. Strange but true 
Here’s the link to their site:
