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This isn’t the typical play or show I would normally go and see, but because Orlando Bloom stars in it I knew I had to!! I’ve always had a crush on Orlando Bloom, since I was about 6 or 7 years old when I first watched Pirates of the Caribbean. So imagine me, just sat there looking at him all the time during the play, because that’s exactly what I was doing. ![]() Anyway let me give you a brief overview about the play. There are only five characters in the play, Killer Joe, a dad, step mum, brother and sister. The play was set in a trailer park in Texas with the Smith family who is struggling for money to pay off some drug dealers. So in order for them to repay the debt, they hire a detective (Orlando Bloom) who, in his spare time, works as a hitman killer, in order to kill off their mother. They believe they can use their mothers insurance money to pay off the debt. However, not all goes to plan when Killer Joe meets the innocent daughter. The play was very dark, sinister but also comedic which I feel it had to be, to make up for the dark moments. There was violence, sweating and nudity which definitely made us feel uncomfortable at times which was probably the writer’s intentions! Because of this awkward, uncomfortableness you feel more connected to the characters, and can feel their emotions and feelings because it’s so intense and truthful. The actors were incredible in portraying the life of a family struggling to live and work off this debt, as well as finding a way to pay off Killer Joe for his work. Other than Orlando Bloom, the actors were all fairly well known too!! Sophie Cookson (Kingsman, Huntsman) played the daughter, Adam Gillen (Benidorm) played the son, Neve McIntosh (Doctor Who) played the step mum, and Steffan Rhodri (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I) played the dad. They all played their characters sooo well!!! They all gripped the audience into understanding more about their terrible situation, as well as showing that each character played a role in the mess they had made. Also seeing as it was set in Texas, their accents were on point. No one faulted, you couldn’t even tell that the southern American accents were just for the performance; it felt so real! Orlando Bloom though… wow. I’m so glad I got to see him acting in person. He played with charm and coolness, as well as the evil ‘don’t mess with me’ vibe. The stage setting didn’t change, unlike other plays and shows, so all was seen was the inside of part of the trailer where all the drama happened. What was also interesting was how when everyone took to their seats before the performance, chatting before it started etc, the actress who played the 20-year old daughter was already on stage in character. She was watching tv, cleaning up mess on the floor, it was just like seeing someone at home. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a play or show which does that whilst the theatre is being filled! I loved also how the stage was connected to the audience. By that I mean there were no steps or platform leading to the stage, it was all on one level. So the people who sat in the front row were essentially sat on the stage. It added to the atmosphere and made you felt like you were witnessing everything with the characters. We sat on the fourth row to the front, so we could see every facial expression, could smell everything (the characters were smoking etc), I could even see Orlando Bloom’s eyes perfectly… his eyes are just gorgeous. I was just mesmerised by his performance. (I need to stop fangirling over him whoops…) Oh yeah we also got to see him bare bum too… I’m not complaining ;) Here's some pictures featured in the brochure we bought... Here's some pictures I found online... Even though it was completely different to what my family and I usually see at the theatre, I would definitely go and see it again. It’s just a shame its only at the theatre until 18th August. This gripping, uneasiness but comedic play was definitely one of the best I’ve seen ever. 10/10 from me!!! Lidia xx Social Media:
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Over the weekend I got the chance to see “Woman in Black” at the theatre again, and it was so much better than the first time!! I first went with my secondary school in year 10 or year 11 (cannot remember exactly), so it was a long time ago!! My brother, dad and I went to the matinee performance at 4pm and surprisingly the theatre wasn’t completely full. We got fairly cheap tickets in the stalls, so we thought why not! We were sat a few rows from the front but anyway in the stalls would have a great view because the theatre is tiny- it's probably the smallest one I’ve been to. Like I said perviously, I had been to see it before so I knew roughly what was going to happen but I had forgotten most things to be honest. The two male actors (there’s only three actors in the whole performance) seemed to be the same as when I went back in school. However, this time around I enjoyed it so much more probably because the first time I was very nervous, and I kept covering my face during the spooky parts! This time though I wanted to see everything and be fully immersed within the storyline. If you’ve seen the film then you will have a rough idea of what will happen in the play, however personally I feel it is more similar to the book. Obviously some things are slightly different to show a different perspective and interpretation which is always refreshing in my opinion. The story involves very dark, spooky scenes where there little or no light at all! The actors use the full length of the stage, as well as the aisle and surrounding areas around the audience ;) which definitely makes you feel more involved in the story. There are the usual jump scares which isn’t a surprise if you’ve read the book or seen the film. Also there are some layers with the play which I really liked! In the beginning, the two male actors are portraying Arthur (the man who has witnessed all the horror) and an actor who is going to help Arthur explain his story to his friends and family. We as the audience are watching them rehearse, with Arthur playing the narrator and the actor playing Arthur. So there’s several perceptions and layers if any of that makes sense, and they show this by using different lighting especially. This definitely makes it different compared to the novel and the film. Ok I’m rambling now, but it’s such a great play to watch as in my opinion it is so different to anything that is at the theatre right now. I’m so glad I got to see it again after so long, I now prefer so much more than the first time! It made me jump so much, I felt everything that the characters were feeling, and you feel the journey of the horror story. Even the ending is great! It ends on a slight cliff hanger and it gets your mind wondering which Is always fun!! I’m not a massive fan of horror, scary movies but I really enjoyed going to the theatre to see this! If you are ever in London and want to watch something at the theatre, check out "Woman in Black"!! Lidia xx Social Media:How time flies!! I remember writing posts on applying to university and now I’ve just been given my second year results!! It’s crazy how far I’ve come as a person since 2016 and I feel like now I’ve received my results, why not give you a little reflection of how this year has been. This year has been challenging compared to first year. Yes, first year was hard… fitting in, adjusting to university life and the work load. But second year for me has had its challenging moments too. Even though I feel more comfortable and fit in more (I have my group of friends who are amazing and I wouldn’t have been able to get through second year without them), the work load has been slightly different to first year. Of course I knew second year was going to be a step up from first year, but it was still a bit of a shock. The modules were a lot more in depth, and feeding on from first year modules which was good but the quality of work expected was on a different scale. The assignments were a lot more challenging and made me use my brain a lot harder. The content was a lot more stressful as I feel it there was more of it this year! Also, most of my assignments this year overlapped a lot compared with first year, so I really had to improve my time management!! Having said that, second year has enabled me to focus more on my strengths as well as acknowledging areas in linguistics which don’t work for me. It is challenged me a positive way and has pushed me further out of my comfort zone which I’m so happy about. It has made me grow a lot (not physically I’m still 5ft unfortunately haha) as a person and I hope I can continue to grow and work with both my weaknesses and strengths within third year!! Speaking of third year I am very nervous. My stomach feels so weird when I mention those two words. I think it’s more of shock than anything else, that this time year I will have finished (and hopefully will have received a good grade!) and then I'll be out in the big wide world!! I am excited for a new challenge though, and to hopefully be able to secure myself a career which interests me and start to create a successful life for myself. Graduating also is something I’m really excited about… being surrounded with all my friends who have helped me along the way, and just celebrating another achievement!!! Oh yes, I forgot to say my grades for this year!! I am very very proud of myself but I cannot believe I achieved a 2:1 overall (or a 'B' grade if you aren't familiar with university grades). Some modules were definitely harder than others and you can see that in some of my grades, but I managed to achieve 1st’s and 2:1’s in the eight modules I completed this year!!I knew it was possible but you know what I’m like- doubting myself and thinking I can't do it...but from this I feel like I’m finally starting to believe in myself and acknowledging I have the ability to achieve great things in life. I am definitely on track to get a great degree grade. If I keep up the good work (I’m definitely going to try my hardest next year and put even more effort into it than what I’ve done so far) and I should graduate with big smiles all around. ![]() University has changed me, and I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved so far. I have come a long way since finishing alevel; I’ve gained more confidence, independence, strength and motivation to achieve the things that I want to achieve! Obviously I'm still learning to become more confidence etc, but I’ve changed so much since 2016. I am starting to be who I want to be and not give two monkeys about what others think. For example, I would have never posed like I have in the pictures shown in this post, back in 2016 or possibly never! I am starting to love myself, and not care what others think. I've always been the shy,unconfident kid who was scared of being judged and having everyones eyes on me. But now I feel like a completely different person (in a good way). If I want to pose a certain way for a picture and ask my friends and family to take a dozen pictures of me posing, hell yes I'm going to do it!!! I am becoming my own person physically and mentally, and university has helped me a lot with that. I still need to work on self-love and self-worth but I’m definitely on my way!! Wow this post got really deep, really quickly… Let’s end it here before it gets even more sloppy!! Lidia xx |
Hi I'm Lidia, a 21 year old English graduate from the UK. Blogger of all things lifestyle, disney, reviews and travel.let's get social:Categories
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