Complete! Two resolutions down (see 3 plays and see 4 shows at the west end). I went to see the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time last month.

I agreed to see the play based on two things. The first being that I remembered I loved the book, although I couldn't actually remember why. The second, that the stage looked very similar to the Nether (my favourite play). Turns out the play's just as loveable and the stage is just as magical, although I don't think anything will ever live up fully to the Nether' set design.

#56 See four shows at the west end; The Nether

A few moths ago I went to see the Nether with a friend.

It turns out writing about something you love is incredibly hard, however, simply put, the Nether is everything I will ever want from a play.

The story itself is incredibly dark, and by now if you've heard of the play you'll probably know why. With such a dark subject matter form the off start (it involves children), I felt completely unsettled and incredibly close to standing up and leaving. The whole subject unnerved me to the core, but perhaps because of that the whole story becomes so pertinent and I really cared for it in every single moment of the play.

The real star though is the production, which follows the example of the engrossing and inventive storyline, and combines traditional staging with futuristic digital projections which merge seamlessly with the crisp staging of dollhouse Americana, poplar trees and the most brilliant use of mirrored walls. The whole effect is otherworldly and a perfect example of when out digital minds entrenched in our cinematic references and cues, actually manage to mould all of this into something new and spectacular.

I enjoyed the speculative nature of the play and I really hope to see something else by the playwright. It really was the best play I've ever seen.

#Watch 4 Films From Obscure Countries

Well number 1 in my slightly racist resolution will have to be Chico and Rita, which I thoroughly enjoyed last week. (I apologise for the strange resolution title. I think what I meant is from a country non-typical to me. And in this case, that would be Cuba).



I've started reading a lot of comics lately, so the sexy side to cartoons was no new feat, although watching it on a train is probably not a good idea. Or maybe even never. But yes, the nudity and sex is definfelty something to be aware of - no grandparents or children.

Overall though this is a beautiful film, both in story and art, whose sweetness will melt any cold English heart.

#56 Watch 4 West End Shows

Wicked; a musical for musical performers.

I'd heard so much about Wicked beforehand, being an old fan of Glee, and well a human being in the western world, and so I was incredibly happy when my sister presented me with a free ticket. 'Great!', It though 'I finally get to see what all the fuss is about'.

Wicked is a good musical. The music ticks all the boxes Disney has instilled within me when judging any musical drama, and the visuals were rich in tricks and skill. However, there was something particularly "industrial" about it's near perfection, which really undermines any opportunity for real heart, intrigue or even beauty. It is in this meticulous approach to creating a musical however, which lends itself so well to musical performers, and perhaps explains why I associate it so much with young aspiring Idina Mensels. The voices on stage were great, and only show what a good composition can do for a great singers voice, but I'm sorry to say it is only these technicalities which make it good, but not great.

All of that said, as much as I pretend, the story did draw me in with it's; talking animals, a dystopian regime, and an ugly duckling love story, all elements which spoke to my inner nerd, even if they weren't really properly explored.

#56 See 4 Shows at the West End

Number 2; Made in Dagenham. 

I really hadn't expected much. I really hadn't expected anything to be honest other than Gemma Arterton singing trills about feminism (It is so much more than that). So I was really happy when instead I found myself in a very British musical which made me laugh audibly (yep I'm one of those) and had me tapping my foot away at the motown inspired tunes, not to mention gazing admiringly at the incredibly intelligent set design.

A musical to like, maybe love, but probably not see or listen to any time soon again.

#92 Speak Portuguese

In Portugal I was able to practice a few questions, mainly 'Onde e...', as in 'where is..' and 'Qaunto e....', 'how much is' but ultimately my Portuguese is still pretty terrible for most everyday scenarios. My most successful conversation was actually with the 9 year old daughter of my Mum's friend. We spent about half an hour on an off discussing Disney star Violetta and the Portuguese version of Polly pocket - Obrigada Violetta!

#26

Finished Raising Arizona, one of Film 4's 15 films to see before you die, and I only realised afterwards it's one of the Coen Brother's earlier films *Hand to Face*

Holly Hunt, one of my favorite actresses, whose reverse lisp is literally the best thing to enter my ears EVER, is naturally great and even more so, dare I say it, is Nicholas Cage who gives perhaps the best performance of his career (there is no basis for this statement other than my faint memory of National Treasure). The film is really charming, to put it best, and has some really nice use of framing, costume and very brown or saturated scenary to create the twee hillbilly world of the Americana. Oh an it's got a very good soundtrack (which I noticed is now being used on Channel 4's Catastrophe).