Musicals Are Still Making Their Mark in London

London’s West End has always staged a lively selection of musicals, and in recent years the genre has been given a further lease of life by the popularity of shows featuring the work of a single artiste or band. There is still plenty of room for the likes of Billy Elliot, Cats and Les Miserables, along with revived classics such as High Society, Guys and Dolls and Gypsy, but the shows that are really wowing audiences are what are being coined as  ‘Jukebox Musicals’.

Extending The Run of American Idiot Underlines the Importance of Musicals

The latest West End success to get the audience dancing in their seats is American Idiot, showing at the Arts Theatre.  This lively, enigmatic show is based around the Green Day album of the same name which was released in 2004. The central themes of urban disaffection, drugs and friendship underpin the plot, but it is ultimately the power of the music that shines through and makes this show such a hit. Although Green Day may not necessarily reflect the tastes of the average British theatre-goer, the success of the run highlights the fact that there’s plenty of room for everyone in a West End audience.

http://artstheatrewestend.co.uk/whats-on/

The success of the Abba showcase ‘Mama Mia!’ and ‘Jersey Boys’, which tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, underlines what can be achieved with a set list of exceptional songs and a cast capable of bringing them to life. The inherent feel-good factor of shows that tell a story through a montage of hit records resonates with audiences who can connect with music that is already familiar in an entirely new way.  In this way, Jukebox Musicals provide an escape to a bygone world and in the case of Mamma Mia! we get the chance to savour some classic Abba songs against the backdrop of a beautiful Greek island. What’s not to like?

Of course, this type of show is nothing new - The Buddy Holly Story was a mainstay of the West End throughout the 1990s – but their recent success has catapulted the genre to the forefront of the box office. A simple look at the current London listings reveals ever more examples of the Jukebox Musical, including Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Let It Be, based on some of the best Beatles offerings and Sunny Afternoon, which features the music of The Kinks. While nostalgia may be one of the main draws of such shows, they also highlight the fact that for many people you just can’t beat live music.

There would have been a time when it was difficult to imagine an entire show based on the songs of a single act, but in truth any singer or band with a sufficiently large back catalogue could be the feature of a West End show. Many of the more recent pop chart success stories could be translated to a live theatre show, including perhaps the likes of Amy Winehouse, Rihanna and Beyoncé.  It’s not too difficult to picture a show based on the in-fighting, controversy and showmanship of Oasis, if only because at the heart of the performance will be some of the most memorable rock songs of the past two decades.

Long live nostalgia!

Footnote:

The arts in all forms continue to thrive in London, and it’s often made possible only with the support and patronage of many groups, organisations and private individuals who share their passions in the most practical of ways.   Organisations such as The Tate Foundation, which include figures such as Sir John Ritblat, Lady Ritblat, Sasan Ghandehari and John Porter, ensure that the capital will remain a center of artistic excellence for generations to come. 

http://www.artnews.com/top200/yassmin-and-sasan-ghandehari/

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/visualarts/article4499559.ece

http://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/support-and-donate/ual-development-council/

http://www.tate.org.uk/download/file/fid/51351

5 Must-See London Art Exhibitions This Summer

As a city packed full of wondrous art, culture, architecture and design, London is bursting with some of the greatest art galleries, museums and exhibitions in the world.  So art lovers are spoiled for choice with a full range inspirational art exhibitions and displays to visit this summer.

To help you along in deciding just where you may want to visit, here are is a selection of some of the must-see exhibitions:

Sculpture in the City

Square Mile

August 2015 – June 2016

The magnificent outdoor exhibition of artwork by some of the world’s most renowned artists returns this August with a free display that puts a series of contemporary art pieces in the heart of London’s Square Mile.

It includes the striking “Charity”, by world famous artist Damien Hirst, which features a giant sculpture of a girl holding a teddy, stood atop a charity collection box, located outside one of London’s most iconic architectural landmarks, The Gherkin.

Other artists to feature their work in Sculpture in the City this year include Adam Chodzko, Bruce Beasley, Laura Ford and Kris Martin.

http://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/support-and-donate/ual-development-council/

Duane Hanson

Serpentine Sackler Gallery

2 June 2015 – 13 September 2015

The intriguing and eerily realistic work by late US sculptor, Duane Hanson, is brought to life by his exceptional ability to turn the completely mundane into works of art.  

Highlights of his 40-year career include the portrayal of working class Americans going about their daily business, showing members of society who are often overlooked or who ‘didn’t stand out’, immortalised in fibreglass and bronze fabrications. The exhibition is the first survey show in London since 1997, the year after Hanson’s death in 1996.

The exhibition has been hailed as “the one that will stop visitors in their tracks” and is certainly worth a look over the summer months.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/visualarts/article4499559.ece

Carsten Holler: Decision

Hayward Gallery – Southbank Centre

10 June – 6 September 2015

Enjoy the chance to really become part of the art you are seeing.  As the name of this interactive exhibition suggests, ‘Decision’ immerses visitors in a series of experimental environments from the very start.

It’s an intriguing look at human perception and decision making which begins with a choice of entrances to the exhibition and then includes darkened corridors, spiral slides and the chance to fly over Waterloo Bridge.

Carsten Holler is a Belgian artist, born to German parents, who began his early career as a scientist. This is evident in his vision of museums and galleries as a place of experimentation, which continues with the playful ‘Decision’ – the artist’s largest survey show in the UK to date.

Ravilious

Dulwich Picture Gallery

28 July – 30 August 2015

Dulwich Picture Gallery’s fantastic selection of more than 80 paintings by Eric Ravilious includes famous works such as ‘Train Landscape’ and ‘Westbury Horse’ as well as works from private collections which give an inspiring insight into his oeuvre from the mid-1920s up to his death in 1942.

Separated into six subject areas which were of particular interest to the artist throughout his career, the exhibition offers a view into the enchanted world of Ravilious’ mystical and magical mind, while giving visitors the chance to look deeper into the message they portray.

Agnes Martin

Tate Modern

3 June – 11 October

The evocative and mesmerising paintings by the American abstract painter Agnes Martin are beautifully presented in this exhibition at the Tate Modern, which is the first retrospective of her work to be shown since 1994.

The subtle pencil lines and pale colour washes show the artist’s conviction in the emotive and expressive power of art which spanned the several decades of her career.

The exhibitions continue a summer of bringing the arts as far into the public domain as possible, with organisations such as UAL working hard to keep London at the forefront of world art with the support of patrons and collectors such as Michael Goedhuis, Deirdre Hopkins JP, Nigel Hurst and Sasan Ghandehari and Yassmin Ghandehari.

http://www.artnews.com/top200/yassmin-and-sasan-ghandehari/

Take advice and find the landlords insurance London people trust

It’s a long-standing dream for many people to own a property portfolio, but if they don’t find the type of landlord buildings insurance London can rely on that dream can become something of a nightmare. Property ownership can be a wonderfully profitable journey, of course, and it brings with it a great many rewards, but it has to be done properly from the first moment onwards. If it isn’t, it could lead to a series of major issues and a lifetime of stress-related headaches. To put it simply, you have to have an insurance policy that you can trust.

The UK’s iconic capital represents a wonderful area of investment for the budding property owner, but without adequate landlords buildings insurance London can be something of a graveyard for investors who began the journey with hope in their hearts and a smile on their faces. In the heart of the largest and most exciting city in the country, there is money to be made, without a doubt, but there are still too many under-prepared and somewhat naïve investors who end up losing all they had. Thankfully, there is plenty of good advice and guidance freely available.

Listen to those who know about the landlords insurance London can provide

With several providers looking to supply you with a policy that will cover you against a number of potential outcomes, you have to make sure that you understand the small print. We all hope to find the best landlord buildings insurance London has to offer, but without some much-needed guidance the quest could come to nothing. And this is one area in which you need to either do the homework that needs to be done or have someone close to hand on whose advice you can trust.

Given the fact that property ownership in London can turn out to be such a lucrative option, you can understand why many individuals, syndicates and organisations are looking to invest here. There is money to be made, of course, and some investments can produce spectacular profits, but it isn’t a licence to print money. A great deal of care still needs to be taken, and this begins with the planning stage. Those who invest for the sake of it can end up losing in a most dramatic way, but those who take care and make sure all their bases are covered are likely to enjoy long-term benefits.

Don’t forget the commercial property insurance London can rely on

If you have ever thought about investing in bricks and mortar, you should bear in mind the fact that when it comes to commercial insurance London leads the way. The UK’s highly impressive capital represents a golden opportunity for major investment, as long as you do all you can to protect your purchase. To put it simply, if you don’t have an adequate level of cover for all potential eventualities, you may find that in the end you lose money rather than create it. There is plenty that can go wrong, of course, especially in such a large and bustling city.

Over the years, a growing number of investors from all over the world have chosen to spend some or even all of their money in the UK. Those that have done well here have always made sure that the best commercial property insurance London has to offer is in place before anyone occupies the building. With so many issues to take care of, an investor could perhaps be forgiven for forgetting to seek out the ideal policy, but this is an issue that needs to be given high priority as soon as is practically possible.

When it comes to commercial insurance London investors have plenty of choice

There are so many areas of London which are perfect for investment, including many locations in the outlying suburbs. Perhaps the most prominent of these is Croydon to the south of the city, a once-quiet backwater in Surrey but now something of a boom-town in its own right. In recent times, a growing number of investors have chosen to sink their money into some highly important office blocks which have attracted several high profile names in the world of business. When it comes to finding commercial property insurance London investors aren’t just interested in the centre of the city.

While many investors in the UK’s capital are British, there are many more from all over the world. In recent times, several Russian and Chinese corporations have invested in London, and of course this thriving metropolis has been popular with Middle East investors for a long time. In years to come, no doubt there will be men and women from other regions too, all looking to maximise an investment in the British property scene. It could be that one day all roads lead to London, and for the UK’s commercial market this surely has to be a good thing.

Three great ways to enjoy a day off, all followed by some quality time in the dog friendly pubs in Sussex

The south-east of England has always been a popular destination for tourists from all over the United Kingdom and across the world, and with so many pubs for walkers in Sussex to choose from, you can finish off a great day out with some quality time in a historic inn. No matter what you do on your precious days off, you can finish them in style in this wonderful region. Here are three ways to make the most of your time spent in Sussex.

Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters

If you ask people about the southern English coastline, the chances are they will think of the famous white cliffs of Dover, but in many ways the cliffs around Eastbourne are even more impressive. Beachy Head is a wonderful place from which to savour stunning views of the English Channel, and it also plays host to many extreme sports enthusiasts who are determined to make the most of the winds here. If you’re planning a visit in the coming weeks, be sure to bring a camera with you in order to capture the extraordinary scenery.

The South Downs, followed by time in one of the dog friendly pubs in Sussex

You can easily lose yourself among the glorious countryside in Sussex, and if you have your dog with you so much the better. This is English walking country at its finest, featuring well-worn paths to guide you and a series of pleasant hills which are not too demanding on the legs. No wonder so many people who are lucky enough to live here spend plenty of time among the natural beauty of the villages and hamlets of the iconic South Downs. And the pubs for walkers in Sussex will be ready to welcome you when you need to rest.

Shopping in Brighton

The magnificent city of Brighton & Hove has long been a magnet for tourists from all corners of the globe, in part because of the dramatic seafront. It’s important to bear in mind, however, that it is also a major draw for lovers of retail therapy. There are so many wonderful stores to choose from, ranging from familiar international brands to quirky independent shops selling highly impressive handmade items. If you have never shopped in Brighton & Hove, it’s high time for you to take a trip to the city and to get ready for an experience that will surely never be forgotten.

The best round the world tour begins with London airport transfers

There are so many people at Gatwick and Heathrow on any given day, and the lucky few will have made their way there via London airport transfers. Those who are planning a round the world trip will be starting their journey with a stylish car ride through the streets of the UK’s iconic capital. There is something wonderfully luxurious about this leg of the trip, especially if the passengers are planning on roughing it a little as they make their way around the globe for the next few months.

From London, the round the world passenger has a choice of heading to the west or to the east, or perhaps even south to Africa. The majority of people who are faced with such a decision tend to start on an eastward journey to explore mainland Europe. There are a great many flights from Heathrow and Gatwick to destinations like Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam and Lisbon, and from there it’s easy to see much of the continent by train, bus, short flights and even in a hire car. The latter option will be fun, but not as much fun as the London airport transfers that started the whole odyssey.

Travelling in style can make every trip more wonderful, so it's a good idea to seek out the most luxurious executive taxis Aldershot can offer. When it comes to starting the trip with executive cars Camberley residents know who to speak to. It's so good to have the type of executive chauffeur Guildford can trust.

Those who use Paris as their first port of call sometimes tend to stay in the French capital for longer than they initially planned. The celebrated City of Love is in many ways the perfect destination for travellers, thanks to a lively atmosphere, a rich history and some truly inspirational landmarks. One of the best ways to see the city is from a boat on the meandering waters of the River Seine, especially if it’s to be accompanied by a pleasant lunch accompanied by a glass or two of the local red wine.

There are of course many other cities waiting to be explored across Europe, not to mention a whole host of stunning beaches. Many of the best of these can be found on the various Greek islands like Corfu, Crete and Zante. If you find yourself spending any time on Santorini, make sure you set aside time to watch the sunset at least once. Here they are particularly spectacular in the summer, so find a good vantage point, order a cold beer and settle back to watch nature’s finest way to end any day.

Never forget the pleasure of using London airport transfers

As you make your way slowly and carefully around the globe, you can be forgiven perhaps for thinking back to the start of the trip and the stylish London airport transfers, especially on occasions when the local transport system is perhaps not so stylish. If you are making your way to a museum in Turkey on a bumpy bus or perhaps to a hotel in Barcelona via a crowded train you might hanker for the day you travelled in an elegant limousine past the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square. London has never been an easy place to say goodbye to.

Heading further east into Asia, you will find so many wonderful places to explore, adding to the diversity of the whole experience. Countries like Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam are well-known destinations for back-packers and gap year students, of course, but they are also attracting more and more round the world trippers of all ages nowadays. Even further east, cities like Beijing and Tokyo will provide a fascinating insight into how people live their lives in a culture that is completely different to our own in the United Kingdom.

http://www.jracars.co.uk/airport-transfers/

It goes without saying that other places of interest will continue to attract your attention along the way. Australia is surely a must-visit for all round the world trippers, and in some ways you won’t even have enough time to do more than scratch the surface of this fascinating country. Sydney will obviously be a major attraction in its own right, but locations like Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth will also appeal to you. Then of course you have to decide whether to make a trip to New Zealand as well, in order to take in the glorious sights of Auckland and perhaps even to take in a game of rugby or two.

Before you make your way back to Britain you will want to see some of the amazing sights of North America. The Canadian Rockies are perhaps a must-see, and of course the Grand Canyon in the USA should also be on your wish-list. There are some fascinating cities in America, including Chicago, San Francisco, Miami and Boston. For most of us, however, the number one city to visit in the whole of North America is surely New York, because the Big Apple offers some amazing sights, including Times Square, Central Park, Madison Square Garden, the Empire State Building and Broadway. Bon voyage!

Acoustic barriers play a pivotal role in motorway life

If you live close to one of the UK’s many motorways, you will no doubt be extremely grateful for the existence of acoustic fencing. We all know that a major road can generate a great deal of noise during any given day, and without acoustic barriers in place life would be pretty miserable for those whose houses and flats are located close by. Britain is a somewhat congested country, especially in areas close to the larger cities, so housing being located close to motorways is, to put it simply, a fact of everyday life.

The M25, London’s famous and somewhat notorious orbital road, is a good case in point. When it was first planned, designed and constructed, the M25 was mainly passing through quieter areas, and on the whole it didn't have a great effect on the lives of many people. Those who lived nearby were definitely disadvantaged by the existence of this motorway, of course, but there were fewer sufferers then than there are now. As the city has inevitably expanded, so the number of men, women and children who were affected by the road started to increase dramatically.

http://www.grammbarriers.com/our-products/acoustic-barriers/

These days, a drive right around the M25 will show you that it touches the lives of thousands of residents in Surrey, Hertfordshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire and many other counties. If you were a freelance copywriter working from home, to use an example, the quality of your working environment will have been greatly diminished. Trying to get important projects off the ground in what was once a quiet and peaceful place may not have been so easy once the M25 came to town. Most experts will tell you that the road was needed, of course, but along the way there has been a great deal of collateral damage.

With a strategically placed collection of acoustic barriers in place, a great deal of the noise can be absorbed, and this can make the difference between a bearable existence and an impossible one. We all need to have some peace and quiet in our lives every now and then, but if you live close to the M25 you will probably have less of an opportunity for tranquillity than others. One of the major problems for people who live nearby is that there are now fewer occasions when the motorway is quiet.

Acoustic fencing can make all the difference

At one time, local residents could at least rely on some peace and quiet at night, because the acoustic barriers would muffle the sound of a motorway that wasn't playing host to much in the way of traffic. In recent years, however, the M25 has become increasingly voluble during the night-time hours because of a significant amount of roadworks that have been taking place. In many areas, such as those around Heathrow and those near to Clacket Lane services, the motorway has been extended by the addition of extra lanes, and some of this work has taken place at night.

For the long-suffering local neighbours, the din has been almost unbearable. As well as the noise from the roadworks themselves, the subsequent lane closures have intensified the sound of the traffic. Rather than three somewhat empty lanes of cars, vans and trucks, there is often one single lane of concentrated traffic noise instead. All in all, you have to be a very patient person if you want to come to terms with living beside the motorway. These works will end at some point, of course, but that’s only small comfort for the neighbours.

It may be that during the height of the morning and evening rush hours, the decibel levels will be at the lower end of the scale. Traffic can be noisy, of course, but if many of the vehicles are barely moving this could lead to a little respite for the locals. The sad fact is that the M25 is already handling many more vehicles than would have originally been expected, and this figure looks set to rise even further in the years to come.

The M25 is perhaps the most extreme example of how life can be for those who live nearby, but it’s worth noting that there are many more motorways in Britain and of course many more people who live close by. The provision of acoustic fencing is very welcome and much needed, but in truth even the best acoustic barriers can only do so much. If you are looking to move home in the coming weeks and months, it might be a good idea to look into the proximity of the local motorway network before you make a decision about a particular property. This seems to be a very sensible precaution to take, as it could save you a great deal of heartache in the long run.