The Real Jane Austen

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Jane Austen - Theatre Masterpiece - Behind the scene

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5

Atonement - Behind the Scene

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Sense & Sensibility 2008

Persuasion 2007

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Irritation

i wonder about people sometimes.

i take the initiative to write up a weekly work report frequently - granted the last time i reported was early Feb. since then, however, there was really nothing to write home about, so i didn't report until friday, end of Feb. I had expected to receive some sort of response for that long report. Some sort of indication that it was useful or even that it has been read! But no....its been a week now and not a hoot abt any of my queries.

i hate this feeling of being slighted and my contribution, trivialised. yes, i can decide to keep doing the best i can for the organisation and unto the lord. BUT i am still human and want some sort of feedback about my contribution.

i hate this!

Miss Saigon

The time has come.

I don a simple black sleeveless top (it's still hot in Perth, even for a 5pm show) coupled with a black pencil skirt. Shoved a shrug in my bag, just in case it does get chilly. With final touches to my cheeks and lips, I was ready to go. Together with my Miss Saigon tickets in my hot little hand, I managed to sneak in a pack of Kleenex too, as I left my room. After dropping off the kids at my sister's house, we were off on our Miss Saigon adventure.

We arrived early - very early indeed. Finally, at 5pm, we handed in our tickets and were seated. Being about 10 rows from the stage, I was pretty pleased with our prime position, that was until rather tall ladies comfortably took the seats across the aisle infront of me! Listening to the orchestra do their final tunings of the instruments, I was secretly coveting the vantage point of the elevated rows seated behind. Oh well, the show still had to start and elevated or not, I was thrilled!

And start it did.

That last minute reach for the pack of tissue, paid off. The second number "Movie in my Mind" got to my very sentimental heart and the show tugged at me, the whole duration of the show! I had no way of controlling my tears and with every song Kim sang, the dams burst again! Well, the antics and theatrics of the Engineer (who Cy thought stole the scene!) gave me some reprieve from all that crying. He certainly made me laugh.

The lead characters were believable and loveable. You can feel their anguish and their plight. American import, Laurie Cadevida was Kim. As beautiful and flawless her acting were, even with a brilliant voice, I felt she lacked the power of Lea. I had expected a more impressive vocal range, intensity and power that is required of a Kim, what with all that range of emotions she is expected to exude. Laurie was indeed sweet and desperate but she couldn't be loud/aggressive at times. Consequently, she would be drowned out in duets or trios, by any of the other principals.

Australian David Harris (Chris) was a darling. His potrayal of a kind, jaded and angry GI was astonishingly captivating. Some parts in his songs, I braced myself in anticipation of his voice breaking but he managed to pull through beautifully and taking me away with him! Awesome!

Another American import, Leo Valdez was flawless as the Engineer. He, hands-down, stole the show for me. I am not a fan of his character but his portrayal of the cynical character is astounding!

I must say tho, I had problems accepting Juan Jackon's operatic take as John. Juan had a powerful and strong voice, strongest of the cast, I reckon. HOWEVER, his operatic overtures made it nearly impossible to hear what the hell he was singing about! He then, would drown everybody else!

The show lasted 2.5 hours with half an hour intermission - I probably cried a good 1.5 hours worth! I am useless when it comes to really tragic movies, but having cried that way in a live production is the first for me!

Truth about people

years ago, working at my first job as a public accountant, the one hard and painful lesson i learnt was that people only watch for their own back, while stabbing yours. it was another archaic game of survival - just a little renewed from its older cavemen aged one. you hunt, just don't be the hunted. unfortunately then (perhaps even now)i was the hunted.

i am always at a cross-road when it comes to doing what is right and doing the right thing. sometimes i wonder about the sentiments of that statement. do i pursue my rights or do i step into the realm of altruism...again?

you know in the end, no one really appreciates your altruistic act. for as long, after their've used you (also read, abuse), they got their way. yes, they pay you but you are forever indebted to them in one from or another. that is how life pans out for us, mere employees..

so in the end, it pays to be vigilant of your rights and to deploy some form of contingency plans for your life..just in case, you become a basket case, workwise!!

Jane Austen Run

Watched Sense & Sensibility 2007 last nite...loved it. loved the casting..loved Dan's Steven's Edward Ferrars (better than i do with Hugh Grant's!)..ahh..twas a breath of fresh air! Just for the record, replayed the ending where Edward proposes to Elinor, over and over again!

And then there was Persuasion BBS 1995 version - which i thought was ok..but felt the chemistry between Anne and Wentworth a little lacking for my liking. Now I am really hanging out for the 2008 version with yummy Rupert Penry-Jones. Ahh that one will be worth pining for! I am already partial to this unseen version already!

"You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever." Wentworth writes to Anne.