Voice of Tomorrow

There seems to be a glut of talent shows around at the moment. We've had X-Factor, American Idol has just finished and Britain's Got Talent is currently on our screens and in our papers - you can't fail to miss it.

Last night I went to the Bloomsbury Theatre to see The Voice of Tomorrow. ttp://www.thebloomsbury.com/event/run/1260

Brainchild of Artisic Director Russell Scott, this is a similar X-Factor style evening of entertainment where the audience even get to vote via keypads.

Three judges including Claire Sweeney gave their thoughts after each group of three contestants and at the end of the evening the audience voted. The promised sing-off didn't happen; no doubt there have been some behind-the-scenes shenanigans which have meant a change in format but I feel we really missed out on that aspect and we were left feeling a little cheated on that score.

The same show will be on tonight and the final on Saturday.

I have to say the contestants were all very good and most have already had some sort of musical training but the outstanding star of the night goes by the name of Cerys Hine who is already a very polished, mature and utterly watchable performer.

This is a show designed to find our west-end stars of the future rather than a pop extravaganza and the prizes include a sign-up with a top west-end agency, a scholarship place for the Music Theatre course at the Royal Academy of Music and a recording opportunity.

Whoever wins, as in the TV programmes, it gives the contestants an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of movers and shakers in the industry and there were some wonderful performances to give some current west-end performers cause for concern.

Hopefully the technical issues and pregnant pauses between tracks will be ironed out by tonight and the show itself will present as more professional to match that of the artists.

For anyone reading who fancies there chances, should it happen again, go to http://www.voiceoftomorrow.com/ for more information

The Lipstick Effect

Well, it appears that the Lipstick Effect is in full swing!

I found this article in the Huffington Post and thought I would share it with you since I couldn't have put it better myself!

History and research has shown that when the economy goes into a recession or a depression, the sale of lipstick increases. "The Lipstick Effect"... A term coined after the Great Depression, which saw sales of cosmetics rise in the four years from 1929 to 1933.
As the theory goes, glum consumers continue to spend money on small luxuries during times of economic or emotional stress to buy their spirits, a point underscored in the months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, which saw lipstick sales double.
It seems difficult for women to justify spending their hard earned money on the latest Louis Vuitton handbag or those Christian Louboutin pair of heels. At least they can still splurge on themselves with a small item like cosmetics or lipstick...to look good and hopefully feel better about themselves...
Humm...using the luxury of cosmetics to lift our spirits and feel pretty...well, that might have been the case in the Great Depression.... Ladies, times have changed...the current depression puts higher demands on everything...including our cosmetics.
Faced with news of increasing layoffs, straining economic pressure and the fact that competition out there is much greater than ever before...in all facets of life...we need to step it up. Let's face it; no one really knows when the next ball will drop. Everyone seems to be competing to get that client, keep that job or end up being one of the hundreds trying to get that one available new job. How do you get noticed, being one from so many...how can the fact that you have years of experience, knowledge and the ability to get the job done, not be overshadowed by the dark under eye circles you have from not sleeping. How can all the years you've put into your field be recognized as an asset when your self conscious about your uneven skin, rosacea or that nasty breakout? It does sound a bit silly, but is it? First impressions DO matter. Your appearance is a good investment even when times are very tough. People, who take care of themselves daily, seem to be able to get ahead of those who don't. Think about the time you spend getting your resume coiffed. The time you spend in finding the appropriate suit, all the hours spent hunting on search engines looking for jobs...
Time can give you the professional knowledge. But time can also take away the youthful sparkle of your appearance if you let it. When you look good, you feel confident. That gives you a Competitive Edge and something your colleagues and clients will certainly recognize, appreciate and come to expect.
The Lipstick Effect of 2009...cosmetics to help us feel pretty is not enough. Find multi function products that will treat your skin; to make you look good, feel good and that are good for you. Learn how to apply it properly for your field of business...and walk into a room confident that you have done everything to best represent yourself...with a Visual Competitive Edge!

So there you have it ladies and gentlemen. Don't hesitate to contact me at http://www.imageplusconsultandsee.co.uk/ if you would like my help!

Anyone for a free singing lesson?

Recently I was directed to Utube to witness this incredible video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWt2YJCJleY

As a professional singer who also teaches this was both hilarious and shocking.
There are so many nutters out there, she could have been for real BUT....
turns out she is very clever.
"Amanda" is her alter ego. The real Colleen Ballinger can been seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4LxMzeWCXM and under psychosoprano on Utube.

I am such a fan! No doubt she can sing but I LOVE Miranda. Someone get her on the box!
I think her Caro Mio Ben is very special - and watch out for her rendition of the American national anthem. Just too awful!

Enjoy!

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Having decided to make the most of an evening in town, I decided to go and see Priscilla, Queen of the Desert which recently opened at the Palace Theatre in London.

I remember seeing the movie all those years ago and really enjoyed it.

However, the show is spectacular. In spite of being right up in the gods (it was sold out otherwise) I had a great time. This is a really great feel-good show guaranteed to put a smile on your face and have your toes tapping and what's more, the audience was extremely well-behaved!

Read more at http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-tickets-article-7282.html

Go and see it!

Audience Etiquette

Recently I have been to the theatre twice as a punter. Quite a rare thing due to being too busy and also finding it difficult just to sit back and enjoy without being so critical as a professional.

Anyway..... first outing was to see the King's Singers http://www.kingssingers.com/ at the Wycombe Swan. They were, as always, superb. Very professional, well-rehearsed, relaxed and gave a really tight performance. However, I remembered why it is that I rarely go to classical concerts once the audience piped up with the coughing - once one starts, the herd mentality kicks in and everyone has to have a go!

Then we get the sweetie unwrapping and, rather than a quick rip and it's done, we have to put up with the "I'll try and do it really surreptitiously and quietly, over as long a period of time as possible and then maybe no-one will notice" WRONG!

In spite of requests to turn off mobile phones and beeping alarms on watches, it never fails that we get one such event during the course of an evening. What is the matter with people?

THEN..... we get the person who simply HAS to make a comment or clap IMMEDIATELY at the end of what should be a beautiful moment of quiet appreciation of a wonderfully soft ending, which completely ruins the moment. Not to mention those whose clap in the middle of a piece. Isn't it obvious that the performers haven't finished? They are in the middle of breathing for the next verse for Heaven's sake! AAArgh!

So I suppose it will be a while before I venture out again, unless it is for a rousing West End show where the music is loud enough to drown out the audience as in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - to follow.....

Oh, no, what have I done?!

Well, I am forever harping on about the importance of blogs and how they improve your networking opportunities so I thought it was time I actually did something about it!

Now I am already thinking, "What have I done?! This will mean more time spent at the computer - any excuse not to have to do the filing, the washing , the ironing, etc., etc."

I am having an easy day today - something very rare as you will no doubt discover if you become a regular reader.

Spent an hour in the garden tidying up the dead stuff and being delighted by the buds ready to pop. Spring is definitely on it's way! Lots of frog spawn in the pond and the first bumble bee was out and about today. The fish seem to have woken up too - good to see "the boys" again - Moby is looking good - am relieved to see he hasn't been eaten!

They know nothing about the Credit Crunch and I am happy to say it hasn't affected my business thus far. Lots of people seem to need their "me" time and are treating it as a priority. Bless you all!