Manchester

I needed to just write something about this as my heart is in pieces and none of my house are awake to lament with me.

By now you've probably heard that there was an explosion, suspected terror attack,  at Ariana Grande's concert last night in Manchester in which 22 people have died and many more injured. It's always horrendous whenever anything happens like this but Manchester is a place I adore and I have friends from there, friends who are at uni there now, people I admire in the Youtube and celebrity world; it's their hometown. I've been to Manchester Arena a few times myself. The city itself is lovely and a place I will happily visit again and again. So this is hitting pretty close to home in a strange way.

I think it's the fact that  I know some of the dead are going to be children. Kids who just like Ariana's music and were probably so excited about seeing her and they never got home. They should be at school today and they aren't. My heart absolutely breaks for their families.  I can't even imagine how horrible this is.

However, the British people are the most resilient people I've ever come across, I should know I'm a British person myself. The emergency services are absolutely brilliant, running towards the danger. Taxi drivers were offering free lifts, people offering their spare rooms for those stranded, local hotels ensuring kids separated from their parents are safe and trying to help them get in contact. I even saw a guy on twitter from Liverpool who drove between the cities all night giving lifts where he could and refusing to take money for it as well. People have been queuing at blood donation centres this morning. It is people like this that need to be remembered, not the murderer whoever they may be.

It takes tragedy to show how good humans can be as well, which I suppose is sad in a way but at least for everyone affected by this attack they know there is someone out there who is going to listen and going to help. If I was in the area I would be doing something to try and help but seeing as I'm about 100 miles away there isn't much I can do but offer words of support so I guess I'm here if you need a chat.

I feel better for getting this out in some form. So thanks for reading despite the mess of a post it is. If you want to know what I'm feeling but in a more articulate way James Corden did a lovely video on his show that sums it up.

The emergency number is this if you happen to be reading this and could do anything to help (I know it's a long shot but still) : 0161 856 9400

Laura x

30 Day Movie Challenge....in one post because I'm lazy

I mean I have nothing else to say than the title really. I saw my lovely friend Holly doing this on twitter and I thought I wanna do that but all in one go because knowing me I'd completely forget I was doing it. Sorry the last few posts have just been talking about my interests but hey I'm good at talking about my own interests. Also sorry if any of these repeat...

1. Your favourite movie
 I have far too many but the Harry Potter movies in general.
2.  The last movie you watched 
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
3. Your favourite action/adventure movie 
Kingsman: The Secret Service
4.  Your favourite horror movie
The only horror movie I've ever willing watched and enjoyed was Suburban Gothic
5. Your favourite drama movie 
A tie between the Imitation Game and Hidden Figures
6. Your favourite comedy movie 
Hot Fuzz
7. A movie that makes you happy
Mary Poppins
8. A movie that makes you sad
Marley and Me
9. A movie you practically know the whole script of
Any Harry Potter movie
10. Your favourite director
Tim Burton
11. Your favourite movie from your childhood
Cinderella
12. Your favourite animated movie
SO MANY... but Big Hero 6 and Zootopia are excellent
13. A movie you used to love but now hate
Honestly not sure there are any ....
14.  Your favourite quote from any movie
Okay I think a lot of my favourite movie quotes are also from books too so I'm omitting them. So I think one that is purely from a movie is probably "My philosophy is worrying means you suffer twice" from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Despite the fact I am the biggest worrier alive, it is a good philosophy to have. 
15. The first movie you saw in the cinema
Finding Nemo
16. The last movie you saw in the cinema
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
17. The best movie you saw in the last year
Hidden Figures
18. A movie that disappointed you the most
The Fault in Our Stars
19. Your favourite actor
Eddie Redmayne
20. Your favourite actress
Emma Thompson
21. The most overrated movie
La La Land.... sorry about it. I liked it but it perhaps didn't need all of the hype it got.
22. The most underrated movie
What If
23. Your favourite character from any movie
Technically a literary character but Hermione Granger
24. Favourite documentary
No idea if I even have one
25. A movie no-one would expect you to love
Unstoppable
26. A movie that is a guilty pleasure
Shrek tbh
27. Favourite classic movie
The Sound of Music
28. Movie with the best soundtrack
Pirates of the Caribbean
29. A movie that changed your opinion about something
The Theory of Everything - it didn't necessarily change my opinion on anything but it definitely made me feel like I'd watched something that had an effect on me.
30. Your least favourite movie
I don't know because I've probably never watched it

My top five fave musicals!

I absolutely adore musical theatre, always have and probably always will and I honestly think there is something for everybody within musical theatre. It's a very accepting, wide-ranging place.

So today as I felt like writing about something and why not I'm going to give you a rundown of my five favourite musicals (I may do a follow up post about songs....and Disney musicals). I am aware a lot of my favourite musicals are the most popular ones....but there is a reason they are popular. 

5. Oliver!

- Oliver has a special place in my heart as it was the first musical I ever acted in myself .... at the age of 10 and a primary school production where I played the owner of the funeral parlour but still. I've a lot of pleasant memories attached to this show and I was lucky enough to see Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean and all-round comedy legend) play Fagin in the West End. I remember it being amazing, the entire show has such heart and the music is wonderful. It's funny, it tugs at the heartstrings and it's overall a truly wonderful show.  

Favourite song - Consider Yourself

4. Rocky Horror Picture Show

- Whether you've seen the film or seen it live you will know how truly insane Rocky Horror is. Trying to explain the plot to people who have no idea about it is makes you realise how weird it truly is. But there is no way to describe how you feel watching it (especially the live show) other than a feeling of delight. The songs are absolutely classic and memorable - I will never not dance to Time Warp if I hear it - the characters are all imperfect (granted some more than others). It's also absolutely hilarious; it's the one stage show where you encouraged to sing, dance, and even heckle. Regardless of it's frankly mad plot and innuendo-filled script, I highly encourage seeing a live production of Rocky Horror if you can as I can guarantee it will be one of the most fun nights you will ever have. 

Favourite song- Time Warp (duh)

3. The Book of Mormon

- I don't think I can even describe how much I love this show (and it's only at number three so wait for the praise I have for the other two). It is one of the funniest, sweetest, cleverest, most brilliant things I have ever witnessed in my life. The music and book are written by the guys who did South Park so it's humour is perhaps a little dark for some people. But when it comes down to it, it has a nice plot, amazing music, hilarious characters and the staging is fantastic. My twitter name is even named after one of the main characters in this show and has been for five years now (yes I'm a geek). (also follow @elderpr1ce lol). There is a reason it won a Tony for Best Musical and I'm also pretty sure Andrew Rannells was nominated for Best Actor too. Give the Book of Mormon a chance and I'm certain you will crack at smile at least something within it.

Favourite song - Turn it Off or Spooky Mormon Hell Dream

2. Hamilton: An American Musical

- The entire world was talking about Hamilton but I believe it's thoroughly deserved as to why it was so talked about. Lin-Manuel Miranda is an absolute genius and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. Hamilton combines two of my biggest passions - musical theatre and history. It tells the story of the Founding Fathers and the American Revolution in a thoroughly modern way using rap, R&B, musical theatre and Brit-pop music to reflect the characters themselves. Alexander Hamilton was clearly a fascinating man along with his wife Eliza and Miranda's music portrays them in a legacy that is so lovely. I cannot fathom how amazing the music is in this show; there are so many little things within it like foreshadowing and repetition that tie everything together. I managed to get tickets to see Hamilton when it comes to the West End next year and I honestly cannot wait to see it in person as I know if it made me cry just listening to the soundtrack god knows what I'll be like seeing it in the flesh. If you don't like typical musical theatre songs, this may be the musical for you as it is far from a typical musical.
Favourite song - Satisfied

1. Dear Evan Hansen

- So this musical is relatively new but it's already taking Broadway by storm and with it it has taken my heart entirely. The show is about a teenager named Evan Hansen who suffers from social anxiety (same boy same) who gets caught in a web of lies ...that's all I will go into because I highly encourage you to listen to it. But my gosh this show is just so wonderful and I haven't even seen it live. The music is stunning (written by the guys who wrote the music for La La Land just fyi) and it's a perfect balance between theatre and modern pop music. I relate very much to Evan as a character as I'm pretty sure many people can as who hasn't struggled to fit in at some point and who hasn't ever felt lonely? It deals with mental illness in a lovely, powerful way. Ben Platt is an absolute angel of a singer and I could listen to him all day and you can hear in his voice how much he puts into this show (if he doesn't win the Tony I will literally fly to New York and demand answers from the panel). Just please please listen to it as I can't even tell you how much I adore this show. PLEASE COME TO THE WEST END ALSO THANK YOU. Favourite song - Waving through a Window


I have to give an honourable mention to the musicals Mary Poppins, Hairspray, The Addams Family Musical, Billy Elliot and Heathers as they also all have special places in my heart and their music is outstanding.

Basically just listen to musicals please.
See you soon!
Laura x