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A Night Out to Remember for a Very Long Time: The Rocky Horror Show

By Friends & Family, Gigs & Shows, Happiness & Joy, ReviewsNo Comments
Rocky Horror Show 2013 A few months ago my good friend Steve and I booked tickets to watch The Rocky Horror Show. Poor Steve had never seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show DVD; so I encouraged him to watch it before we went. Well I say encouraged… it was more a forced watching.

This weekend with tickets in hand and costumes in man-bags, I dragged Steve to see the matinee performance of The Rocky Horror Show at Manchester Palace Theatre.

Before the performance Steve and I went for a delicious meal in the new Velvet Central Restaurant & Bar. As well as the tasty food, it hosts a luxurious, yet relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff.

Then Steve and I headed off to the theatre for The Rocky Horror Show. Here are some photos:

Rocky Horror Show 2013
Rocky Horror Show 2013
Manchester Palace Theatre.
In the bar, after Steve & I changed
in the one toilet cubicle.
Rocky Horror Show 2013
Rocky Horror Show 2013
“Oh Rocky (Steve)!”
Frank ‘N’ Furter (Me) says.
My fishnets & gold/black stilettos.


Rocky Horror Show 2013 Steve & I took our seats ready for the start of the show. As the show began I pulled out my phone, turned off the flash and took the first photo (below). A Usher appeared at the end of the row and flashed her torch at me. I twisted my neck towards her direction to be met by her angry scowl and she indicated that no camera’s were allowed. This is not the first time I’ve experienced an appalling, militant and killjoy Usher at Manchester Palace Theatre.
Rocky Horror Show 2013
Rocky Horror Show 2013
The first photo taken,
interrupted by the appalling Usher.
The Interval: If Steve won’t wear his
Rocky wig, then I’ll wear both.

For the first part of the show I didn’t feel able to take anymore photos. This was a great shame as the set, costumes, lighting, choreography and directing were all brilliant.

However in the second part of the show I snapped a few more photos; despite a further warning from the killjoy Usher.

Rocky Horror Show 2013
Rocky Horror Show 2013
Part 2 – Draw the curtain.
Part 2 – They’re back.
Rocky Horror Show 2013
Rocky Horror Show 2013
The cast after before the encore of Time Warp & Sweet Transvestite.
The cast bow and enjoy the applause at the end of the show.

Rocky Horror Show 2013 A Short Review
I’ve already mentioned that the set, costumes, lighting, choreography and directing were all brilliant. Brad & Janet did have dodgy accents that were slightly off-putting at first; along with Brad feeling one-dimensional throughout the show. Phillip Franks (The Narrator) was fantastic with real banter between the audience and himself.

Overall the show was beyond amazing with all the favourite songs performed including: Science Fiction/Double Feature, Time Warp, Sweet Transvestite, I Can Make You a Man, Don’t Dream It, Be It and I’m Going Home.

Oliver Thornton (Frank ‘N’ Furter) was truly outstandingly. He added his own unique diva-esque personality into the character which made the role his own and worked wonderfully. Oliver Thornton plays the Frank ‘N’ Furter of today; one who is aware of his fame and ready to celebrate his 40th Anniversary.

Here is video Oliver Thornton as Frank ‘N’ Furter singing Sweet Transvestite:

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I highly recommend a night out to your local theatre to see The Rocky Horror Show.

You can also buy the orignal Tim Curry Rocky Horror Picture Show, DVD & CD Lip Box Special Edition on Amazon.

Write soon,

Antony



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Sunday 23 June 2013

My Birthday Presents

By Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, TV, Online Streaming & Films2 Comments
My Birthday Presents - Happy Birthday Cake

My Birthday Presents – Happy Birthday Cake

 It was my birthday last week. I had a birthday tea with mum, caught up with my sister & brother, saw Kay, Steve and Simon (Cumbria Adventure: The Druid Circle, Old Farmhouse Pub/Restaurant, Holly Trinity Church & Millom Castle) my friends.

I was kindly showered with gifts. Here are some photo’s of what I got:

My Birthday Presents - Love Notebook

My Birthday Presents – Love Notebook
My Birthday Presents - Don't count the days, Make the days count

My Birthday Presents – Don’t count the days, Make the days count
My Birthday Presents - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme DVDs

My Birthday Presents – The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme DVDs
My Birthday Presents - Keeping Mum DVD, Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella, French & Saunders Still Alive Live Tour DVD

My Birthday Presents – Keeping Mum DVD, Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella, French & Saunders Still Alive Live Tour DVD
My Birthday Presents - Paperchase photo frame

My Birthday Presents – Paperchase photo frame
My Birthday Presents - Thortons classic collection

My Birthday Presents – Thortons classic collection

I would like to say a massive thank you for the presents, cards and money family, friends and work colleagues gave me. As well as a huge thank you to those I celebrated my birthday with me.

Take care,

Antony

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Thursday 23 May 2013

Cumbria Adventure: The Druid Circle, Old Farmhouse Pub/Restaurant, Holly Trinity Church & Millom Castle

By Adventures, Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, PaganismNo Comments

Cumbria View Panorama

Cumbria View Panorama

Simon and I planned an adventure out in Cumbria to see The Druid Stone Circle and Millom Castle, both sites neither of us have visited before. We found the sites on The Modern Antiquarian.

While traipsing through a field looking for The Druid Stone Circle, we found this wonderful altar:

The Druid Circle - Altar

The Druid Circle – Altar
Me sat on the altar

Me sat on the altar

Then we saw the circle. The stones are smaller than the stones at Castlerigg but nonetheless beautiful:

The Druid Circle Cumbria

The Druid Circle Cumbria

(Note to Seekers of the Circle: After the cattle grid the circle is on the right.)

Simon at The Druid Circle Cumbria

Simon at The Druid Circle Cumbria
Me at The Druid Circle Cumbria

Me at The Druid Circle Cumbria

We had dinner at Old Farmhouse Pub/Restaurant near Ulverston. The atmosphere and food were both delightful:

Me Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant Sign

Me Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant Sign
Simon Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant

Simon Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant
Me Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant

Me Old Farmhouse Pub / Restaurant

Then we headed to Millom Castle:

Millom Castle Cumbria Sign

Millom Castle Cumbria Sign
Millom Castle Cumbria

Millom Castle Cumbria

We thought the entrance might be through the Holly Trinity Church. The church was a little gem of ancient architecture in it’s own right:

Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church Gates

Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church Gates
Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church

Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church
Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church

Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church

We quickly discovered that Millom Castle is in private ownership with no access to the public. This was a huge shame as from the photos you can see that it was an exquisite ruin:

Millom Castle Cumbria

Millom Castle Cumbria
Millom Castle Cumbria

Millom Castle Cumbria
Millom Castle Cumbria

Millom Castle Cumbria
Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church Information Board

Millom Castle Cumbria Holy Trinity Church Information Board

The information board appeared uncared for but the Castle was not. The private owners had scaffolding up and were living in the castle. This indicates that the owners want to restore the Castle to it’s former glory. Let’s hope they do and then open the doors to the public.

We had a great day out, dubbed our Cumbria Adventure.

Write soon,

Antony



I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


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Friday 17 May 2013

Good Times: May Bank Holiday Weekend

By Creativity, Friends & Family, Happiness & JoyNo Comments

Last weekend was the May Bank Holiday weekend. I didn’t have any plans; but good times came from spontaneity. The sun illuminated the days and brought with it a warmth that holds a promise of a good summer; either that or it was being a terrible tease. Still I decided that as well as doing some writing, I would use it as an opportunity to spend time with friends.

On Saturday Steve came round and we went out on a random adventure out for tea. We ended up in The White Crow. It looked like a local pub, for local people on the outside; but was a bustling family-run restaurant pub on the inside. The food was fresh and we devoured it as we caught up with one another.

The White Crow Napkin Steve Face Masks

Afterwards we headed to a local supermarket to pick up some treats for TV time. While shopping we spotted some face masks and decided to pamper ourselves. I bought a thermal face mask and a peeling one.

On Sunday I did some writing in the morning and finished off an article for The Gay UK. Steve and I went to my mum’s for Sunday dinner, which was delicious as always.

In the early evening, Steve, mum and I stood in the back garden catching the last rays of the sun when a stray cat climbed over the fence and into the garden. He strutted over to us and began meowing. I wanted to stroke and feed him but mum said that he might have fleas; so I decided against it. As I talked and tried to ignore the meows, the cat lifted up it’s front two paws onto my leg. Very cute. I freed my leg, looked at him and explained but I don’t think he got it.

On the Bank Holiday Monday afternoon Sye, some of his friends and I headed to one of our favourite pubs to enjoy the beer garden. We had something to eat then my literal animal magnetism kicked in again and I attracted a little bird. I honestly felt like Snow White in that scene where she talks to the birds.

Sye Watts Beer Garden Antony Simpson Beer Garden

Beer Garden Bird

Monday evening came, Sye and I caught up while I applied the peel-off face mask. I felt it get tighter and tighter on my face until I could barely speak. When it came to the peel-off it mostly came off in one piece, but I will still finding odd bits of it in odd places on Tuesday.


Antony Simpson Face Mask

Antony Simpson Face Mask Antony Simpson Face Mask

I had a brilliant May Bank Holiday weekend and I hope you had a great one too. It was fantastic to catch up with friends and family.

Take care,

Antony

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Saturday 11 May 2013
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