The Extreme Staycation

Location: London, UK  COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown Today we watched Hamilton on Disney Plus. This was pretty much the reason I subscribed in the first place and as it's quite long, I thought it best to schedule it in. And we made a night of it. Curtain up at 7:30pm, (vegan) ice-cream at the interval and we genuinely clapped in all the appropriate places. I loved the show when I saw it in the West End - I was one of the first big group bookings I think, there were 19 of us!  I've listened many times to the soundtrack and it was a real thrill to see it again.  It felt live and I got goose bumps with the opening chords. It is hands down one of the smartest musicals I've ever had the pleasure of watching and I'm going to be re-watching and listening again very soon.

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown On this date last year I was at Wembley Stadium seeing The Spice Girls. And it was genuinely one of the best nights of my life.  I didn't get to see them when I was younger as a five-some but seeing Baby, Scary, Ginger and Sporty live on stage was fantastic. It's hard to explain why exactly but essentially The Spice Girls were an integral soundtrack to my formative teenage years. I love a good bit of pop music and the queens of GIRL POWER had hit after hit after hit.  And the thing is, they are great songs! I promise you - request Wannabe at a wedding or somewhere where they play live music (I requested it at Piano Works Bar to actual cheers I tell you) and it will go down a storm. # V i v a F o r e v e r

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown Theatre is probably going to be one of the last type of venue to open and is going to struggle.  The Nuffield in Southampton has already gone into administration. 50 members of the House of Lords have signed a letter urging the government to provide financial support to the performing arts industry.  The letter is below. What I find incredibly sad about this, is that there was virtually no reporting of this.  At all.  Google it, you won’t find much. I know that at a time of economic uncertainty it will be low down the list of priorities of things and people who need money.  So, let me just ask you a question.  During lockdown, have you watched tv?  A film?  Read a book?  Listened to music?  The artists which brought you that work need to be paid and need support now and for the future so that the very entertainment that has helped keep us all sane and t...

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown What are the small things that you miss? For me, it's a simple one.  I miss going to a coffee shop, getting a big, extra hot coffee and going for a walk. I have many coffee shop apps on my phone that have gone untouched for the past 35 days which is UNHEARD OF for me. I love walking.  I enjoy being outside, the exercise, the time to listen to a podcast, walk with a friend or call one for a catch up  or just to ruminate. I think it's the small rituals - getting your breakfast or lunch from somewhere each day, the reading time on the commute, being able to pop into a supermarket without having to put a couple of hours aside that in some ways are the hardest adjustments to make. Nice thing: The 1990s were pretty seminal in my development and Fearne Cotton is now broadcasting a Sounds of the 90s show weekly on the BBC.  Highly recommend to any fellow 90s sufferers! https://www.bbc.co.uk...