Hello,
once again thank you for following Man of London.
Please check out my new project Man of Scotland. A different focus on modern Scottish culture.
Man of London : Man of new pastures
The time has come for Man of London to move on to new adventures. This will be the final post on this blog. A new one will begin soon.
Thank you for following,
Greg Flucker
Man of London.
Filed under Uncategorized
Man Of London Listens : Gossip : A Joyful noise
Beth Ditto has done it again.
Correction, Beth Ditto, Hannah Blilie and Brace Paine have done it again.
Gossip (Formally The Gossip) have produced an album that is simply top notch.
The group, who found fame in the U.K with Standing in the way of control, a track many still associate with E4 show Skins, have raised the bar once again with their latest sound.
A joyful noise is an eleven track album which has a sound that Man Of London cannot get enough of.
Immediately when listening to a preview of the bands new album on The Guardian website, several tracks instantly bounce from the speakers.
The first is move in the right direction is an anthem of hope, determination and self-empowerment. The delicious tones of the synth that fill your skull from the beginning of the track made it very difficult for Man Of London not to dance.
Rewinding one track to Get a job and the ferocious power of Ditto’s voice comes through very quickly. Her voice matches her strong ‘not giving a fuck’ persona that she’s been known for throughout her career and, as always, she tells it like it is.
Not every track on the new release has the party atmosphere. The album as a whole is more emotive than that.
I won’t play is a track that is for anyone who has ever loved and lost. However, rather than sit alone and the corner and cry, Ditto takes a stand, she isn’t going to lose out. Man Of London doesn’t like quitters. One thinks Beth Ditto and friends know this.
It’s hard to convey how fantastic this album is without listening too it. Man Of London offers you one piece of advice. Go Listen! This is definitely going to be a staple of my music collection now, rather than later.
Filed under Books/Movies/Music
Singin’ In the rain : Man Of London visits The West End
Standing outside The Palace Theatre in London’s west end there is no mistaking what is being performed inside.
The oversized umbrellas and neon signs make sure that everyone around knows that Singin’ in the Rain has arrived.
It’s been a long time coming.
The Gene Kelly classic debuted on screen in 1952, and it’s only now that a realistic representation of the work has come to the stage.
From the heights of the somewhat cramped balcony (If you are tall or suffer from vertigo, Man of London thinks you should sit in the stalls below) Man Of London eagerly awaited the arrival of one’s favourite musical to the stage.
Man Of London was somewhat wary if the production would do Kelly, Reynolds and O’Connor justice, and, one was pleasantly surprised.
To put it simply, Singin’ in the Rain is the best West End show that I have seen in a long time.
Fantastic cast
The talented ensemble cast ensured that you were constantly entertained and when it came to mastering some extremely difficult dance moves, particularly in the ‘dream’ sequence where protagonist Don Lockwood (played by Adam Cooper) takes us into a vibrant and multicolored New York City, where one foot wrong by any cast member would ruin the performance.
Scarlett Strallen is fantastic as Kathy Selden, contradictory as she is powerful yet shy.
Her talent is seen to be unlocked by Lockwood and it seems as if there is nothing stopping her.
Daniel Crossley and Katherine Kingsley who play Cosmo Brown and Lina Lamont respectively provide the comic relief.
Brown’s quick whit and Lamont’s high pitched shrill ensure that a laugh is never far away.
Michael Brandon’s performance as studio head RF Simpson manages to give the performance that old Hollywood feel, and at times , makes you feel as if you are in the age of the “talkie” and that the 1930’s are just around the corner.
Mesmerising set design
The design of the set is one of the most complicated I have ever seen for the stage.
The huge backdrop of Monumental Pictures studio lot was heavily used and allowed actors to fully interact with their surroundings to really bring the script to life.
The director’s ingenious use of video clips throughout the performance allowed the stage version to stay true to the original story and perhaps that’s why the performance was so enjoyable.
The real spectacle of the stage is unleashed during the title number. 
Just as we see Lockwood enter the stage, water streams down from the room and, as you will notice if sitting in the higher levels of the theatre, will rise up from the floor, and in seconds the stage is flooded and, as you are warned as you enter, the first seven rows of the audience were soaked by the cast.
It’s not commonplace for one to attend a show and have absolutely no criticism of it, but there is a first for everything.
Man Of London can honestly not find fault with the performance, the cast are simply phenomenal, the production value is high and makes the performance, while interval refreshments are reasonably priced compared to some other performance spaces in theatre land.
If you’ve not bought a ticket for the production yet, what are you waiting for?
Man Of London misses you.
Apologies for being missing of late. Expect new content soon. 🙂
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Man Of London = Sense Of London
Man Of London is currently on hiatus.
Check out the project to tingle the senses of the modern gentleman
Filed under Other
Man Of London. Man Of Ailments.
For the second time this month, Man Of London (the blogger formally known as ManOfLondon) is sick. Boo.
I believe that London life, with it’s hectic schedules, as well as its well used public transport system gave aided my current bout of tonsillitis.
Man Of London feels it is his duty therefore, to inform you, Men Of London, of my top tips which usually keep my feeling tip top.
Nothing is one hundred percent effective, however these steps will help keep you on your toes unlike a certain someone ( I am currently Man Of Bed / Man Of Tissues).
Top Tip one.
Hand sanitiser. Say it with me.Hand Sanitser.
This bad boy is your number one tool in the fight against flu.
It isn’t expensive too. At around ninety-nine pence , this is a tube essential.
Use regularly when traveling around the city.
Germs can linger on hand rails and door handles for hours, and on a packed tube train hurtling towards Cockfosters, that can only spell disaster.
Apply to hands and rub vigourusly until dried in, any pesky bacteria that was lingering around is now destroyed leaving you looking cool, rather than burning up.
Top Tip Two.
Sneeze to please.
Got a cold? If you have the sniffles and need to sneeze, always sneeze into a tissue. It stops the infection spreading and protects your fellow man.
Plus. Protecting your fellow man makes you feel like a super hero. Awesome.
Some brands of tissue now come in antiviral variations which are an excellent choice.
Top tip Three.
Back to basics.
When you are home from traveling, make sure you wash your hands properly, and prepare a dinner full of fruit and veg to keep the immune system in the zone.
Top Tip Four.
Vitiman S(uave).
Multi vitamins are an effective way to ensure your providing your system with the boost it needs during this infectious time.
Many retailers stock multi vitamins designed specifically for men.
Take regularly to ensure you stay fit as a fiddle.
That’s all of the advice Man Of London can currently give to the modern man making his way through the big bad city.
If you do end up in the same unfortunate position, make sure you rest, remain hydrated and get lots of sleep.
And all that Jazz: ManOfLondon loves theatre : Chicago.
Criminal. It’s criminal how little ManOfLondon gets to go to the theatre. It (crime) was also the main focus of the long running west-end show Chicago.
The femme fatale really did get to have her cake and eat it .
Watch out for Roxy. She will be the innocent girl next door until she blasts a hole in your heart.
Theatre-land
The Garrick theatre is the perfect setting for the 1930’s inspired play. The glamour of the show is reflected in the building.
ManOfLondon and his trusty companion got a little carried away and almost purchased a bottle of bubbly . Thank goodness we had the striking realization that we have to live a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget.
The bar prices at the theatre are reasonable by west end standards, with a bottle of house wine setting you back around £16. Make sure you ask for a plastic glass so you can take your drink to your seat with you.
The stage set up is fantastic and MOL (that’s me!) thinks it has been used to its full potential. The minimalist stage places the live band at centre stage and gives them the recognition they ever so rarely get down in the band pit
The ensemble cast worked well together to bring some comical drama to the stage.
The musical numbers are fantastic too.
The infamous “All that jazz” had even the most ridged of gentleman tapping his feet, while “when you’re good to mamma’ blew me away.
ManOfLondon recommends that you pick your seating wisely, as the theatre is an old venue areas of the upper balcony do have a slightly obscured view- however the tickets are discounted for those on a budget!
ManOfLondon knows that musicals are not for everyone, however, there is something magical about the theatre that cannot be mimicked in film.
The action is live, the performance is so close you can connect with it and most of all; it will always be slightly different each time.
ManOfLondon urges you to check out your local theatre as soon as possible.
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Happy new year
Happy new year from ManOfLondon. Many posts to come in 2012.
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Man of London 