Spandau Ballet: The Soul Boys of the Western World Tour

While growing up, it is not unusual to be exposed to your parent's (or whomever is raising you) favourite bands/music, reminiscent of when they were younger. For most, it was The Beatles or Rolling Stones, Meatloaf and Fleetwood Mac. For us, it was Van Halen and Spandau Ballet. What a contrast, am I right? 

When you grow up with one thing, you can either get over it once you are older, or you can appreciate it more. Spandau Ballet is an example of the latter, much to our mother's enjoyment. (She's their number one Australian fan, the Original Fangirl). So, when it was announced that the British 80s New Romantic band was returning to Australia in May 2015, our mother was quick to purchase tickets for herself and our dad. However, what she forgot to do was ask to see if we would like to come! However, in the end, after expressing how we would love to see Spandau Ballet in concert (after watching their new documentary, Soul Boys Of The Western World, with her), we purchased our own tickets. 

Now, you may not have heard of Spandau Ballet, but you may know their hits "Gold" (a favourite of the 2012 London Olympics) and romance classic "True". 

An Intro to Spandau Ballet: The Soul Boys of the Western World trailer

As it is an 80s band, and we weren't even alive when Spandau Ballet were in their prime, we expected to be the only people our age actually attending the concert. And we were correct -- at least from what we could see. The only people we saw younger than us, were children who came along with their parents, probably without a choice. We were joking that our presence made sense when we were walking around with our parents, until we split up as we had different seats from them. Then people probably thought that we were lost or something. Let me tell you, we were not lost! (Update: Claire saw plenty of boys our age afterwards. Hello, where were you hiding?)

In our seats we took our Instagram pics, started the obligatory "I'm at a concert" snap story on Snapchat, sung along to the 80s jukebox playing over the speakers, discussed our favourite 80s song** and hoped they would play our favourite songs. We're pretty sure we were given questionable looks from the Gen X audience members around us, but who cares? We're fans as much as them (a bit late to the party, but still.)

The concert itself was amazing. Those men are in their 50s but they still got it! Big props to Tony Hadley, the lead singer, who could still hit those high and long notes after all these years, and to the musicians Martin and Gary Kemp, Steve Norman and John Keeble for their simply electric energy.

Highlights include our (and our mothers) favourite song Round and Round, which, half-way through the song, included old footage from their 80s days played on the screen behind them. This was a very heart-strings tugging move for us, especially when you think about the line "We were the news" from the song and then the old footage form their hey-day/the height of their frame. It gave us SO MANY EMOTIONS (which is quite astonishing for two people who weren't even alive back then. Thanks Mum and the Spandau Ballet documentary movie for making us feel like we were also fans in 1985). 

Graceful and Claire does not take ownership of this photo. Source: Spandau Ballet (Official) Facebook page.

Another favourite was when they did their homage to the Bliz Kids of their past (and looking at them now in their suits, you would not have known they were so outrageous/Blitz kids/founders of the New Romantics back in the 80s, honestly) with their funky neon BLITZ sign. The first time Gold was sung was a beautiful acousitc version where us, the audience, sang most of the words. When a whole arena of fans all sing the same song at the same time is a truly magical moment. The second time was their second encore, the perfect ending.

Overall, it was a stellar night. The music of Spandau Ballet for us is like a warm, comforting hug. It reminds us of our childhood, plus who doesn't feel all fuzzy inside listening to some smooth sax? 

Stay Gold,

(not even sorry)

Grace and Claire

**  (We both agreed our favourite 80s song is If You Leave by Orchestral Manouvres in the Dark, from one of our favourite movies, Pretty in Pink. It just gives us The Feels. Snaps to that music video #classic.)

Theatre Kid Life: Tech Week Starter Pack

Hello all, 

It's time to talk about something that we love with a passion and is a major part of our lives: MUSICAL THEATRE.

Boy oh boy do we love our theatre. We love it so much that I have done 6 shows in the ensemble and 6 shows in the backstage crew. I'm not quite sure what it is that I love so much about it. Maybe it's how the cast and crew (ok, more like the cast, and the crew, which sometimes crosses over. The division is real), all become super close and bond in the way only hours upon hours of rehearsals could provide. Or maybe it's the live-ness of it all. Everything is happening, the set changes , the performance, the music, right before your eyes. Music! Talent! Creation! Oh my goodness. 

I've just finished a 7 show run with a student theatre group at our Uni. This is a show that I have been working on since February, as one of two Assistant Stage Managers. It was an amazing, hands-on experience that required me to work throughout the whole process, rather than just turn up one week before the production and learn all the set changes. I was one of two people in charge of props, which is something I haven't done before, as well as ASM backstage. I had never done a 7 show run before so it was a lot of hours, but so worth it.

As mentioned above, this was not my first theatre production. After doing this many shows, you start to know what it is you need to survive Production Week aka Tech Week. 

Production Week is the week leading up to opening night where you move into the theatre and you rehearse with all elements finally together (props, set, lighting, sound, costumes, make-up, the whole razzle dazzle). However, this always takes a few days to get right, and it's when most decisions are made, so Production week can be tedious, hence why it's also known as Hell Week. But no fear! Because I know exactly what you need to make it through. 

TECH WEEK STARTER PACK

1. Backstage Crew

This is me from when I was crew for Legally Blonde! I used pink lipstick and a pink pen because whoever said orange is the new pink is seriously disturbed.

A plain black jumper: This depends on when your production is running, but for me, production season is during the cooler months, and you're going to need to rug up, you backstage ninja. Mine is a large zip-up hoodie from the men's section at K-Mart. One pocket has a hole in it but it keeps me warm and disguised throughout the show's run.
An extension to this is black jeans, black shirt and closed toe black shoes. Plain black. There can be no other colour or any traces of white on there at all or else your clothes will be gaffed. (It's serious business, yo. You cannot and are not supposed to be seen by the audience.)

A small torch: Backstage in the wings is dark. It's dark, and the only light you have is one or two blue lamps. This is so the audience cannot see what is in the wings and thus ruin the illusion or detract from the performance. And if you're going to try to co-ordinate set pieces, props, follow along with the script, read or running sheet, find out what the hell is that on the floor and who the hell is that lurking in the corner? (Oh, it's a cast member, don't worry), you're going to need a small torch. And don't forget the blue cellophane, because those lamps are blue for a reason (it's a less harsh/bright light)

 This is my torch. It's a mini Dolphin that comes with a clip for me to clip to the belt loop of my jeans (black, like everything else/the backstage crew's soul) and the cellophane is actually a blue gel for the stage lights, held on by gaff because that's all I could find on opening night in the wings during a show.

Sugar: Lollies. Packets and containers of them. Get a stash. Get party mix, snakes, Skittles, MnM's, etc. Something small, something quick to eat, and a lot of them. Because you will get hungry, and you will need the energy. Tech week can have you in the theatre all day and late into the night, and then you do it all again the next day/night. You can try to eat healthy during tech week, and it can be done, but you will be craving sugar and McDonald's, and about every junk/comfort food ever. But just roll with it. You are excused for this week. 
Thank goodness for $2 Allen's Lollies specials at Coles <3

Pen/Highlighter: You will forget things, and things in the run will change. This might be a prop, a task you have to chase up, a set piece you need to assign to someone, etc. Notes will be taken, because this week is all about sorting all elements out in order to make the show run as smoothly as possible and the best it can be. If you don't have a pen/pencil/highlighter, you might forget something. Above is some of my notes from two of my running sheets.

2. Cast

Claire as Clarice the Jet (Dress Rehearsal)

Pineapple Juice: Juice is another source of sugar. However, pineapple juice is also really good at opening up your throat for singing. This is something I picked up when I was in the cast and it has become a constant presence. (Lollies also applies here)

Stockings:This one is for the ladies.If you are required to wear stockings, which, if your legs are even the little bit exposed, no matter how long or short your costume is, you will be, you will need spares. Because ladders will happen, and you cannot go on stage with ripped stockings, unless the role requires it, am I right, ladies? Tip: spray your stockings with hairspray to prevent ladders/also works to stop ladders from spreading.

Bobby pins: You will need them. Trust me.

Foundation: Stage make-up is big, bold (and beautiful). You will generally be asked to bring foundation that is one or two shades darker than your skin tone for this purpose, otherwise the stage lights will wash you out and the audience won't be able to see your face. Embrace the cake face, darling. 

These photos come from two of my past productions as a cast member. The photo credit does not belong to us.

All in all, Tech Week is where all that bonding you have been doing at rehearsals and production meetings comes in handy, because then you're able to a. keep each other sane and b. it really shows when you're all able to work together and create the best show ever. It is stressful, it is exhausting, but when you finally get an audience in the theatre, and you hear the applause, it makes it all worth it.

And finally, please please PLEASE be patient with everyone. If you're a cast member, please listen to and be patient with the crew. You may have been rehearsing for weeks/months but the crew only have one week to learn everything. Also, it's for your own safety, if a big set change is happening. Crew, please be patient with the cast, they are excited and tired just like you. You're all in the same boat, but it'll all work out fabulously. AND BE KIND TO YOUR PARENTS/HOUSEMATES. And thank them for supporting you. Patience and gratitude goes a long way.

Stay gold!

Claire xx

Grace's Adventures in the Kitchen

Welcome back!

Last week was terribly busy for the two of us. With churning out essays after essays, (trying to) stay on top of readings, work and Claire's rehearsals until 10:30 each night, cooking dinner was my only break from studying. I don't know what it is about the cooler weather, but it always makes me want to cook and get more creative in the kitchen. I'm not usually fancy when it comes to cooking, but I felt like mixing it up a bit, as I was heading into dangerous territory of cooking the same meals each week. Pinterest and my copy of Charlotte Pike's Hungry Student's Cookbook (Vegetarian edition) have become my new best friends! All of the meals that I cooked this week came from these two sources. I am desperately on the look out for the other two Hungry Student Cookbooks, especially the baking one! I am in love with my copy of the vegetarian one, and I'm not even a vegetarian! Just because you are a student does not mean that you must live off mi goreng and baked beans on toast! So, without further ado, I present to you the first installment of Grace's Adventures in the Kitchen!

(Sorry that there are not photos for all of the meals. I'm kind of a terrible food photographer.)

MONDAY: Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Recipe found here

Lately, Claire and I have been opting to make our own schnitzel (especially because veal schnitzel is so expensive!). Our first attempt was kind of a failure. Remember: flour, then egg! Crumbed chicken products our one of our weaknesses, so making our own nuggets seemed like the logical decision. By making your own, you know that it is 100% chicken breast! One chicken breast should be enough to feed two people. We used two and ended up with too many.

TUESDAY: Butternut Squash and Tomato Gratin

Recipe from The Hungry Student Vegetarian  Cookbook by Charlotte Pike.

My oh my, did I enjoy this too much! Basically, a gratin is just a fancy way of saying potato bake. All this recipe is, is butternut pumpkin, a can of diced tomatoes, cream and cheese. A can of diced tomatoes is one of my pantry must haves. I feel that you should always have one in stock at all times, because they can be used in so many things! Also, pumpkin is in season, so it is cheap at the moment (Around $1 per kg.). Once I figured out how to chop and peek a pumpkin, this was super easy to make. I served it on its own, but you could easily use this as a side dish, or even serve it with pasta, and have plenty of leftovers. 10/10, would recommend. I want to make it again already!

WEDNESDAY: Jacket Potatoes with Creamy Mushrooms

Jacket potatoes are so easy and filling (when you have the time to wait 60-75 minutes for it to cook in the oven), and potatoes are inexpensive. To dress it up a little, I chose the creamy mushroom filling that was also in the Hungry Student Cookbook. Claire was craving bacon, so I added some chopped bacon pieces in there too. Add some cheese on top, and voila! An easy meal.

THURSDAY: Beany Nachos

Recipe from Hungry Student Vegetarian Cookbook.

I felt super proud of myself for deciding to cook this one, because I got to use up a few things I already had in my pantry/fridge. The only ingredient I had to buy for this was the corn chips (just plain Coles brand worked fine) and another can of tomatoes, as I already had kidney beans, sour cream, a little bit of salsa I really needed to use, and avocado on hand. Plus, this was also inexpensive as I didn't need to buy mince (which the price for just went up $1). I added a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste just to help thicken the sauce a little bit, which made it extra tomato-ey, but that's okay. Once again, 10/10 impressed with this cookbook!

FRIDAY: Leftover Nacho Sauce with Pasta

This meal is basically what it is. I had some leftover kidney bean and tomato sauce from the night before, so I heated some up, cooked some pasta, and boom. Dinner made easy. To add more veggies, I had some broccoli on the side.

So there is the first installment of this series. With mid-year break coming up, I will have time to perhaps spend time on more complicated dishes! Plus, there are a few baking recipes I want to try. 

Let me know if you decide to try any of these recipes, or what you have been enjoying cooking lately. I am always looking for more cooking inspiration!

Stay Gold,

Grace.