Gladiator live in concert

As I sat from the luxury of my private box, hairs on end, tears in my eyes, watching some of the most epic movie scenes ever made, with a live orchestra belting out the soundtrack, the thrill of the cinema died for me.

Ridley Scott’s blockbuster Gladiator played on a giant screen inside the Royal Albert Hall, accompanied by the Philharmonia Film Orchestra and Philharmonia Chorus. THAT is entertainment. THAT is how all films of that calibre deserve to be shown.

The venue is presenting the film live in concert for the first time, until Wednesday May 28. I have no idea if tickets are sold out, but if they’re not, grab them now. Stop reading this, and buy those tickets.

Hans Zimmer’s sweeping score is belted around the theatre, aided by the fantastic acoustics of the venue, which coincidentally was modelled based on the design of the Coliseum itself. It was meant to be!

The film is a film to end all films anyway, as it’s five academy awards go to prove. It follows Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) as he encounters betrayal and slavery, and faces epic gladiatorial battles to avenge the murder of his family and emperor. However, its soundtrack is almost unbeatable, save for Lord of the Rings, which has already been shown in concert at the Royal Albert.

To watch conductor Justin Freer bringing the beautiful strings and brass to life was incredibly special and Lisa Gerrard’s guest vocals were the most haunting I’ve ever heard.

I’m talking hair on the back of your neck stuff. Even as the credits rolled, the audience watched in silence, enraptured by the music being played out in front of them. As the enchanted audience stood in rapturous applause at the end, a wave of emotion came over me. I have never felt so touched by a live performance.

Amazingly powerful stuff. I will be returning and I wholeheartedly recommend everybody to do the same.

Three cheers for John Lewis

It was only when I moved out of home that I fully appreciated the brilliance of John Lewis. It’s a one stop shop for all of your home, fashion, and beauty needs.

But more than that, it’s a British institution and as a lover of all things British, John Lewis is a place I think deserves some championing.

So here I go!

I popped into the Kingston branch to scoff a scone at their lovely riverside Place to Eat today (which btw sells ridiculously good cakes). While I was there I spotted banners and labels pretty much everywhere advertising John Lewis’ 150th anniversary.

150 years is pretty good going for any high street store, but browsing around it’s not hard to see why they’ve endured where others haven’t. I sound like my mum here, but it oozes quality. It’s a cut above, isn’t it?

Just like we all know Waitrose and M and S are for posh nosh, we all know John Lewis products have a stamp of quality that we British love.

Following the 150 year anniversary theme, the Kingston store have installed a pop up shop near the main entrance, selling items adorned with iconic prints featured in John Lewis throughout the years.

Not gonna lie, it was a struggle not to buy it all. Even the 150th special edition paper bag I got given to carry my haul got me excited. Note to self – must stop collecting bags.

I know this sounds very gushing, but there’s so much rubbish on the high street these days. We are drowning in American brands and unethical coffee chains. If I see another Starbucks or Hollister opening, I might scream.

It’s places like John Lewis that need to be celebrated and championed, because 150 years is an impressive history when it comes to retail.

So here is to another 150 years. John Lewis, I salute you!!

A spot of wedding body training at Barry’s Bootcamp London

I’ve been hitting Barry’s Bootcamp London since it opened last year. It’s a love hate relationship, as in I hate how much I love it.

Until Barry’s, my exercise consisted of a single ab crunch to reach the remote and the occasional bicep curl using a spoon laden with my best pals Ben and Jerry.

I can’t put my finger on what makes Barry’s so successful, and I suppose if it was that easy to sum up then everybody would be doing it. What I do know is it’s a great place to make friends and take friends.

The other day I took my bridesmaid, a Barry’s virgin, and introduced her to what I call the torture chamber. The last time we exercised together we were wearing training bras and netball skirts during a school PE lesson. Oh to be 16 again!

In an added wedding twist, our trainer and task master that day was Faisal, who is also my lovely groom, so I suppose we made a bit of effort.

I’ve done countess workouts at the UK’s flagship Euston branch, but having my old school friend and bridesmaid puffing away next to me made this HIIT session extra special.

I fully recommend future brides and their wedding parties to get down there and kick some ass together. There’s something twisted but also special about sharing an entire hour together, believing you are one incline away from a cardiac arrest. I would kick off my hen party there if I wasn’t so keen on my hens actually talking to me again.

Hobbling out like a pair of tomatoes after the hour-long session, we vowed to return again the following week for more wedding sculpting.

As we left, I asked my bridesmaid what she thought. She summed it up perfectly by saying, “It’s so weird. Everyone is really nice. People actually smile at each other.”

Maybe that’s why I love it. It’s like a little family.

So all you brides, grooms, bridesmaids and best men, get your arses down there for some pre-wedding workouts and come and join the little sweaty family!