BEST OF 2014: PLAYS, ACTORS, BOOKS, TRIPS AND MUCH MORE (PART II)

Best  Play

The Crucible - I was just sitting there, on the left, behind the girls ...

I've been to the theatre a few times this year (HERE,  HERE and HERE ) but, no doubt: The Crucible. seen at the Old Vic in London twice at the end of June, beginning of July. It was great not only because I could make a dream of mine come true - which was seeing Richard Armitage on stage - but because the thrill I experienced in the audience will always stay with me as one of the dearest, most exciting memories of my entire life. Here's my report of that incredible experience with pictures and anecdotes. 

CELEBRATING SHAKESPEARE IN A VERY BUSY FORTNIGHT

Another busy fortnight has passed at work. The end of the school year rapidly  approaches with its haunting burden of deadlines, decisions to be made, reports to be written. A nightmarish fortnight ahead and then some relax, I hope. 

What have you been dreaming of or  actually doing these latest couple of weeks? Unfortunately,  I could grant  myself very  little rest, hence I didn't have enough time for proper blogging, reading or reviewing but I could watch new TV series, go on with the ones I had started seeing and even go to an event in Rome to celebrate old Will's anniversary. I must do something different from the housework and schoolwork,  if I want to remain sane.  Women on the brink of a nervous breakdown has never been one of my favourite titles but it is simply perfect to describe my life.

HELEN MIRREN, THE BEST NEVER REST

(by guest blogger Spencer Blohm) Despite having her 68th birthday and the premiere of her new film RED 2 both happening within the last few weeks, fantastic Dame Helen Mirren is showing no signs of slowing down. At the film’s Los Angeles premiere, Helen arrived in a stunning green Elie Saab gown paired with tasteful jewels and platform, lucite stripper heels she picked up for $40 on Hollywood Boulevard. Helen calls the heels her “secret weapon” on the red carpet -for the lift they give her backside and tautness created in her stomach. This isn’t the first time Helen has pushed standard conventions of what it means to be an “older woman” in show business.

While most actresses her age are gravitating towards more “mature” roles, Helen is choosing to do quite the opposite. After already spending the majority of her career paying her dues on the theater circuit, it seems like Helen is finally ready to have some fun! She has gracefully transitioned from playing the Queen of England, to the madam of a brothel, to the dean of a university for monster, all within the past few years.