OK, yes, I have used a Lily Allen quote to re-launch my blog, but fuck you, I like her! Her and Kate Nash. Yes I am aware that if they had children they would technically give birth to themselves, but the point is, the lyric pretty much sums up what a wicked 24 hours this has been...
So many small things have contributed to what has essentially been a bloody good day! Last week I found out I had been selected to be a featured character in new British film "Boogie Woogie" doing 8 days filming in London. I started filming today, getting up at a ridiculously un-necessary and gloomy 4am, hobbled into a taxi, to discuss the ins and outs of the film industry with a Southampton taxi driver. I arrived at the station to find it was locked. I nearly shat. If I had the wrong time for the train I was FUCKED! Thankfully the puss faced sweepy cockite (He may be a thoroughly nice chap, but I just love that description. Like Dickens innit?) opened up the station doors, and I stumbled onto the platform like Stephen Hawkings after a breakdancing competition (The universe may be expanding Stevie babe, but 1 caterpillar and you're fucked).
I arrived on set in London some 2 hours later, chilled out and eventually got talking to my soon to be new Spanish friend Marta. I'm not a massive believer of fate, but I've met some awesome people over the years, and I guess something is controlling that right?. I spent about an hour talking to this girl, doing the general extras chit-chat you do to try and make myself sound interesting. Believe me, there is nothing more boring than hearing some ex-Oxford graduate on a gap year telling you his 'hilarious anecdotes' fresh off the set of Holby City.
But, thankfully this wasn't the case. I was pleased and interested to have met someone from a totally different cultural background, and someone who I spent many hours having an interesting conversation about Spanish and English life, music, film, language etc etc. Bearing in mind this was all before 9am, that's pretty good! We exchanged email addresses in a polite sort of way and made our way downstairs for the filming.
The scene we filmed was shot in Damien Hurst's private club in London, which was a gorgeously bohemianesque room with disturbing paintings and intimate decor. The main character is played by the wonderful Alan Cummings, and I also found out Christopher Lee and Joanna Lumley are to be taking part, which is massively exciting. I don't know if this secret? Probably best you don't tell anyone, just in case! Except me, I already know! Ssh!
So we filmed there until 1pm. A really fun day shooting. Looking like it will be a great film so far.
After a bit more chatting, I found out it was Marta's birthday, so, seeing as I had no plans for the rest of the day, decided to take her out for lunch. It's these kind of weird impulse things I do that make my life a little bit more interesting. It was a little weird, having known someone a matter of hours, and already spending the day together, but as she had no family or friends around her, and she'd kept me amused and entertained whilst filming, I thought it was the least I could do. We went to the Science Museum and then out for drinks, it was a lovely day, and she said thanks to me she had a lovely birthday, which was genuinely lovely :). It's a bit of a mint card situation mind, as I did so much walking I can no longer feel my feet. "The price of happiness is a sole scorned". If that's not an ancient proverb, it shuold be.
While I was out I met up with my comic chum Darrin Rows who is over visiting from Canada. It would be wrong of me not to have some sort of conversation about stand up, so that was my daily fix. If you get a chance to catch Darrin, do, he is awesome.
So it's been a lovely day. Earlier in the week was my gig at Hamptons in Southampton. Thanks to everyone who came. Hope you enjoyed it? I love running that gig, all acts were on top form, and it's building on our idea of bringing alternative and established acts to an appreciative audience. And that they were! A brilliant night was had by all. The next on is 17th October with the awesome SCOTT CAPURRO. Scott headlined my Holborn gig last week and did an hour of blistering stand up, offensive, punchy and hilarious. Come see him for just £3! plus the brilliant Stephen Grant, Danny Rigby and Carl Donnelly and yours truly as MC. Message me for tickets! And before that, next Sunday 14th October Perrier Award Nominee HOWARD READ headlines at The Nuffield Theatre. £8/£6.50 tickets. Plus support. Tickets on 02380 671771.
OK so enough plugging. Here's what I think is good elsewhere this week...
FILMS
This Is England a truly brilliant film. Please watch it. Brilliant performances, funny, hard hitting. Beautiful.
Run Fat Boy Run Suprisingly very funny. Simon Pegg as ever is hilarious, and Hank Azaria is equally as good. Some great cameos too. Definately worth a watch!
MUSIC
The Tiger Lillies. If you haven't seen these guys, you should! Haunting, disturbing, chilling music from the masters of macabre music. I had the pleasure of seeing Shockheaded Peter in the West End a few years back. So good. Check them out on YouTube.
THEATRE
Mary Poppins Ok, so I went to see Mary Poppins in the West End last week, and wasn't really sure what to expect. I had an afternoon to kill and got a half priced ticket. It's a really fun show, and you don't necessarily have to like the film to appreciate the musical. It's a lot darker, and more enjoyable. The sets and technical design is stunning, and "Feed The Birds" nearly made me cry. That might have been the air conditioning, but it's a really sweet story nonetheless.
Right thats enough of me blabbering away. I'm off to bed after a long long day! I hope everyone is feeling happy :).
Off to see Stewart Lee at The Nuffield tomorrow. If you haven't booked, please go and support one of the finest stand ups of the last 10 years. If you haven't heard of him you are a fool and should be shot, but I will give you another chance if you book tickets! The man is a legend.
Please leave some comments and stuff.
Night
CM x