SEPTEMBER ROUND-UP

Tom’s Kitchen, Chelsea

Tom Aikens was first brought to my attention on the BBC’s Great British Menu, which in 2013 asked the chefs to design a four-course meal for the Comic Relief anniversary banquet. I found his creative dishes absolutely inspiring (in particular his “Egg Chicken / Chicken Egg” starter and Rabbit in a Hat main), and so was hugely excited to finally get to go to one of his restaurants. Tom’s Kitchen appears small and canteen-y, but has a menu to make you salivate. The temptation of truffled macaroni cheese, triple cooked chips and baked Alaska was almost too much to bear, but trying, as ever, to make sensible eating choices, I had a more slimming dinner of a steak tartare starter, sea bream special and half a raspberry crème brulee (accompanied by a delicious Chelsea Gardens cocktail made of gin, cucumber, apple and elderflower).

My starter, pud and drink were perfection, but on reflection I may have opted for a different, more exciting main. For the price, it was a shame to eat something I could have cooked for myself at home. Next time I eat at Tom's Kitchen, those chips will be goin’ down!

Borough Market 1000^th Birthday

No, you did read that right. On 20^th September, Borough Market celebrated its one-THOUSANDTH birthday. How many other businesses can say that they’re just as popular now as they were with the crusaders? It’s unlikely that they would have indulged on the Borough Market delicacies that I did though: toasted cheese sandwiches, duck confit salad, macaroons and marshmallow flavoured vodka, but hey, we can’t say for sure, can we? I also took home two incredible Turkish treats; my giant Turkish figs made a delicious Sunday lunch pudding, and although I’ve never really been a fan, the Turkish delight was, well, delightful. Over the week or so there were a variety of special anniversary events, including visitors walking through paint and leaving a trail of multi-coloured footprints throughout the market.

Whenever I go to Borough Market I wonder why I’m not there every weekend. It’s such an experience, for all the senses.                                                                                                                                                       

My Night With Reg, Donmar Warehouse

Originally written by Kevin Elyot twenty years ago, ‘My Night With Reg’ was brought back this year to the Donmar Warehouse, for its first major revival, by director Robert Hastie. Set in 1985, the play focuses on the lives of a group of gay friends and begins with their reunion after several years of separation. Like with any reassembling of loved ones there are both laughs and heartbreak; I’d hate to give too much of the plot away but as the title suggests, Reg has some explaining to do… The play, however, is hugely bittersweet; without a direct mention the plot revolves around the underlying theme of Aids, and the fears within the gay community at the time.

I know I probably say it every time, and prepare for me to contradict myself in future blog posts, but THIS was my favourite Donmar production to date. An extraordinary cast produced an extraordinary play.

Foxcroft and Ginger, Bethnal Green

You’ve guessed it – I’ve been stuffing my face yet again! When finding myself in Bethnal Green with an empty stomach and an hour to kill, I stumbled across Foxcroft and Ginger on the Mile End Road. Named after the owner Quintin Foxcroft and his redheaded wife, this trendy and relaxed café prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients. There’s a wide variety of dishes on the menu including lots of breakfast options. I was very jealous of the man next to me who was munching on homemade hash browns (one of my fave breakfast items). I also watched as an array of doorstop-sized sandwiches went past, all made using their special sourdough breads.

Nevertheless I had a delicious and satisfying chicken salad made with chickpeas, butternut squash, spring onions, peppers and a spiced yoghurt dressing. Yum, yum, YUM. There’s also a branch of Foxcroft and Ginger in Soho – sounds like a good wintery lunch spot to me, or even a quick coffee-and-a-croissant pit-stop.  


Before I Go To Sleep

A mysterious thriller starring two of my favourite male actors and Nicole Kidman, who really is growing on me after all of these years! She plays Christine Lucas, plagued with a memory span of only one day after a traumatic accident. With the help of a video camera, Christine starts to piece her missing years back together, but who is she to trust; her loving husband, or her professional doctor?

There are some serious spine chilling moments, a few tear jerkers, and there's no way anyone could predict all the twists that this plot provides (you'll change your opinion of the characters at least twice). Do go and see 'Before I Go To Sleep' for a great story and a super performance from all.

Coriolanus, Donmar Warehouse

Blood, guts, and a bit of hunky sword fighting - if you want gritty Shakespeare, get yourself down to the Donmar to see Tom Hiddleston star as Coriolanus.

Before last night I only knew Tom Hiddleston as Thor's evil brother Loki - pale, a bit weedy, and with a fierce streak of sibling rivalry. I also knew nothing about Coriolanus, except that it was a Shakespearean play about war and generals, and there had recently been a film adaptation starring Ralph Fiennes.

As whenever I go to the Donmar though, I was pretty sure I'd enjoy myself. The productions are usually of the highest standard, and we even had a bit of Hollywood glitz thrown in (a very welcome treat when you've been there as many times as I have!)

The play is based on the life of Roman general Caius Marcius Coriolanus. When Rome is threatened by war and famine, their hero is forced to step up and save the day. But after success, a power overdose, and some malicious manipulation from his rivals in government, his people rise against him, and he is forced to turn his back on those who hold him highest.

I'd built up an image of what to expect from Hiddleston's performance, but was instantly knocked back with his first steps on stage. He carried himself like a fighter and leader, and was much taller, broader and, um, "fitter" than I had previously realised. He spoke with such strength that, as a member of the audience, I was in awe and a little frightened all at the same time. As the lead character, he's really put through his paces in this role, both emotionally and physically. He did an incredible job, and deserves all those screaming girls outside the stage door (I saw this amusing meme online, but after witnessing the crowds last night, I don't disagree!)

I know I sound like a broken record, but every member of the cast was exceptional (maybe I'm just easily pleased, but I like to think I just have good taste in productions). Reading through their bios afterwards, I see there is a real mix of experienced and relatively unknown actors, but aside from recognisable faces, you wouldn't have known. They made an incredible acting body, with about half the cast even taking on multiple roles. Really, really impressive.

What also made Coriolanus so great was the staging. There are many routes that the costume department could have gone down, but apparently Roman story + Shakespearean play + 21st Century production = very nearly Steam Punk. No complaints from me! The props were simple but incredibly effective; in the main battle scene I felt all the Les-Mis-style drama and excitement with just a row of metal chairs, a ladder and the odd flare.

Well I won't spoil the ending, but by the time he was taking his final bow, Tom Hiddleston had a face full of blood, tears in his eyes, and a massive grin slapped across his face. We all leapt to our feet for him and his co-actors. What a performance! It may be tricky to get tickets for the Donmar performance, which ends on 8th February, but luckily for you, Coriolanus will also be broadcast on screen on 30th January by National Theatre Live. See their website for participating cinemas.

The Same Deep Water As Me, Donmar Warehouse

While others were enjoying the warm summer's evening on Thursday, I was stuck in the office… Well, sort of…

I went to the Donmar Warehouse to see Nick Payne’s new play The Same Deep Water As Me. The play is set in a personal injury law firm in Luton, run by Barry (Nigel Lindsay) and Andrew (Daniel Mays). One day, Andrew’s school friend Kevin approaches the firm with his claim. It is soon revealed that Kevin is running a business of his own, scamming big corporations through small “No win, no fee” claims, and he wants Andrew to join him. Although simple at first, the plot starts to thicken when others are brought into the mix, and soon relationships, friendships and businesses all hang in the balance. Will they all come out of it unharmed?

It’s true, on first glance the storyline doesn’t seem that riveting, but it’s more Payne’s real but witty script and some wonderful acting that made The Same Deep Water As Me such a good play. Like everything I see at the Donmar, there are a heap of recognisable faces like Marc Wootton (Nativity 1 & 2, Arthur Christmas), Niky Wardley (Catherine Tate, Coronation Street), and I wracked my brain through the first half trying to place Nigel Lindsay before realizing – of course! Shrek! Daniel Mays is one of my favourite British TV actors, and although he always plays a similar role (good guy with a dark side!), I’d watch him in anything. Keep a look out for what’s on at the Donmar; the tickets are cheap, the theatre is small and intimate, and there are always great actors and plays to see there!