We recently took a little trip to London to see the hit musical ‘Rock of Ages’ and just had to come straight back and rave to you all about our amazing time…If you were thinking of going to see something fun and love a bit of good old fashioned ROCK then look no further!

Rock of Ages is an absolute blast from start to finish. It has a fast paced mix of humour, touching scenes and of course a kick ass soundtrack!! It features familiar songs from all your favourite rock acts and we absolutely guarantee that you’ll be singing and dancing along by the end. We certainly were!

Be prepared to just embrace the fun and take in the silly antics which will leave you in fits of giggles. From the hilarious Stacee Jaxx to the equally awesome Drew, Sherrie, Denny Dupree and the unforgettable Lonny, your narrator for the night.

Each and every one of the performances, from the leading roles to the ensemble and the band were faultless. They are believable, full of emotion and you find yourself completely immersed in your own little bubble of rocking great tunes!

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ROCK OF AGES the musical is written by Chris D’Arienzo, directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine. Scenic design is by Beowulf Boritt, costume design is by Tony Award nominee Gregory Gale, lighting design is by Jason Lyons, sound design is by Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski, and projection design is by Zachary Borovay.

Five times nominated for the prestigious Tony Awards in the US (including ‘Best Musical’), ROCK OF AGES the musical is a celebration of Los Angeles rock culture, with a great story to boot. Set in 1987, a small town girl meets a big city rocker in LA’s most famous rock club and they fall in love to some of the greatest songs of the decade – all classic tracks which will have London rockin’ for more.
A much anticipated film of the musical, directed by Adam Shankman (Hairspray), is now well into production, starring Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin and Tom Cruise.

LONDON CAST:
Leading cast:

Dennis Dupree – Justin Lee Collins
Stacee Jaxx/Father – Shayne Ward
Drew – Oliver Tompsett
Sherrie – Natalie Andreou
Lonny – Simon Lipkin
Hertz – Rohan Tickell
Justice/Mother – Rachel McFarlane Regina/Candi – Jodie Jacobs
Franz – Sandy Moffat
Mayor/Ja’Keith Gill – Nathan Amzi Ensemble – Natalie Andreou

Ensemble – Grant Anthony
Ensemble – Carly Mercedes Dyer
Ensemble – Cordelia Farnworth
Ensemble – Ian McIntosh
Waitress #1 – Twinnie-Lee Moore
Ensemble – Jamie Muscato
Ensemble – Andrew Spillett
Reporter – Zizi Strallen
Young Groupie – Amy Thornton
Joey Primo/Sleazy Producer – Dylan Turner

Tickets for ROCK OF AGES are available from THE SHAFTESBURY THEATRE: Box Office: 020 7379 5399 or at www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk.

Performance Times:

Tuesday to Friday at 7.30pm
Saturday at 4pm and 8pm
Sunday at 3.30pm and 7pm

Rock of Ages will last approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval.

Show contains adult themes. Parental guidance recommended.
Tickets are priced from: £20

Further Information: Shaftesbury Theatre Details:

Box Office: 020 7379 5399
Postal: 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London. WC2H 8DP
http://www.shaftesburytheatre.com

Combining the absolute relaxation, beautiful weather, and stunning surroundings of Ekies All Senses Resort, with the spiritual wellbeing of varying Yoga classes to make the perfect vacation to kick-start the new season.

Experience yoga at sunset as the sun sets on the hotel’s secluded beach.

Ekies All Senses Resort is a luxurious, award-winning property set in the beautiful Vourvourou Bay, in the Sithonia region of Halkidiki, with stunning views of Mount Athos. This chic hotel, with just 64 rooms and suites, boasts a swanky vibe of contemporary design and is an idyllic destination to escape to. With a wealth of fresh, organic produce, this resort is the perfect place to sample delicious Mediterranean cuisine.

The yoga studio offers two options:

Option A – 11-13 May 2012 includes half board and 16 hours of yoga. Early registration (before 31/03/2012) prices start at €425 per person based in a couple sharing a double room.

Option B – 11-16 May 2012 includes half board and 8 hours of yoga. Early registration (before 31/03/2012) prices start at €186 per person based on a couple sharing a double room.

For more information on the resort, please visit www.ekies.gr

The Trafalgar Hotel, situated in the heart of London on Trafalgar Square, has created three hotel packages exclusively for women.  Each package is tailored to suit women of all ages whatever their passion – whether it’s shopping, theatre breaks, cocktails & dancing or simply being pampered…

With its great location next to an iconic London landmark, the hotel offers everything a girl could want right on her doorstep. All packages are available from Thursday – Sunday and are based on two adults sharing a double or twin room, with breakfast included.

Cocktails in the City
The evening begins with champagne on arrival, followed by time to catch up on gossip with the girls over a round of sophisticated cocktails at the Trafalgar’s stylish cocktail bar, Rockwell. The Trafalgar Hotel is just a stone’s throw away from the West End’s theatre district and party hotspots, so guests can go on to a show or a club, or simply continue the evening with Rockwell’s great tasting cocktails. Packages start from £276 per room.

Shop, Spa & Stay
This package is perfect for shopaholics catering to every budget, from high street to high end designer boutiques. Upon checking into The Trafalgar Hotel, guests will receive a £50 voucher, valid at the world-renowned Selfridges department store. The central location of The Trafalgar Hotel means that a shopping spree can incorporate two of the biggest high streets in the UK: Oxford Street and Regent Street, which are only a short walk away. Ladies can unwind after a day of retail therapy with the fabulous Temple Spa pamper pack, which is filled with goodies created for the ultimate luxury relaxing experience. Packages start from £295 per room.

The Girls’ Night In
The girls’ night in has had a Trafalgar Hotel makeover. Waiting in their room each guest will find mini bottles of Pommery Champagne and a luxury Temple Spa hamper. An in-room movie with popcorn and Temple Spa products creates the ideal setting for a slumber party. With a delicious dessert from the hotels great room service menu thrown in, the evening becomes a perfect girlie getaway. Packages start from £282 per room.

Bookings must be for a minimum of one night and guaranteed by credit card.

About The Trafalgar
The Trafalgar Hotel is a stylish 129-bedroom hotel located at 2 Spring Gardens, on the doorstep of Trafalgar Square. Owned by Hilton, the property operates under its own individual brand name and has earned a reputation for being one of the capital’s most desirable contemporary, design-led hotels. Unique features include the award-winning Rockwell bar and restaurant, known for its innovative menu and a longstanding affiliation with art and music over the last decade. The sixth floor roof bar, Vista with breathtaking views of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the London Eye has recently expanded its floor space from 108m2 to 353m2, making it central London’s biggest rooftop venue. With a capacity for 200 people, it boasts a distinctively smart design using clean geometric lines and a striking colour palette of monochrome, bold reds and hot pinks that really bring this space to life. Both outlets are open to non-residential guests and are available to book for private events. For more information, please visit www.thetrafalgar.com.

On December 6th 2011 we attended the 2011 Alfie Boe tour at Bristol Colston Hall. What an amazing event!

Regardless of whether or not you are a fan of classical music, you needn’t worry. Alfie delivers a wide range of songs to suit everyone and his astounding voice takes each one and makes it his own, in his beautiful and charming way.

I came along with my husband, mum and 8yr old daughter so I can definitely vouch that people from all age ranges will enjoy the show! Alfie has a natural, friendly and easy-going stage presence that instantly makes you feel right at home. Despite the venue being very large, things felt surprisingly intimate. There was much laughter as Alfie joked with the audience and the orchestra and everyone was certainly in high spirits all the way through the performance.

Alfie Boe has an instantly recognisable voice; it is simply breath-taking. It is shown off to its absolute best potential on well chosen tracks from both of his albums and of course a little treat for all the Les Mis fans out there.

Highlights of the show for us had to be the stunning ‘Bring Him Home’ which brought the whole audience to tears and to their feet for a rapturous standing ovation. We also loved ‘Tell me it’s not True’ and a very beautiful, festive rendition of ‘Have yourself a Merry little Christmas’ which really did get everyone into the Christmas spirit!

There was much singing, dancing and some audience participation at the end and somehow my 8yr old daughter even ended up on stage with another younger audience member during the final song. She got a hug and a kiss from Alfie (which made her whole night!) and danced along happily alongside him. What a guy!

In short, if you are looking for an evening of entertainment, a voice that will leave you absolutely blown away and a fantastic atmosphere then get yourself to one of the amazing Alfie Boe tour dates linked in full HERE . You WILL have a blast!

Follow Alfie on Twitter
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Find out more on the Official Alfie Boe Website

Celebrity favourites the North Pole bar in Manchester and the Polar Bar in Liverpool opened for business this week with star studded launch events…

The North Pole bar, Manchester

Winter pop-up bar the North Pole bar has launched for it’s 4th year in city centre Manchester’s Cathedral Gardens attended by 1000 of Manchester’s VIPs and the stars of Coronation Street, Waterloo Road and Hollyoaks. In attendance were Debbie Rush (Coronation Street) and family, Mikey North (Coronation Street),  Ellis Hollins (Hollyoaks) with his mum Jacqui and friends, Ben Ryan Davies (Waterloo Road) with his parents, Jack P Shepherd (Coronation Street) and his new fiance Lauren Shippey, Katherine Kelly (Coronation Street), XFactor star Lloyd Daniels, Manchester band the Courteeners and many many more.

A cosy and luxurious winter haven for families and shoppers in the daytime and party-goers at night. It is situated in Manchester’s Cathedral Gardens (by Urbis) and will be there until Christmas. The North Pole bar is a 500 square metre venue split into three rooms: a cosy new Chesterfield filled winter lodge, a contemporary ski chalet and the Rudolf Room, a decadent red velvet draped area for Christmas parties and winter film screenings.

Guests to the North Pole bar can enjoy warming hot cocktails, the full Illy Coffee range plus a festive hog roast and sausage grill to keep out the cold.

www.thenorthpolebar.co.uk

The Polar Bar, Liverpool

The Polar Bar, Liverpool’s very first pop-up winter bar can be found at Liverpool One, Chavasse Park, from now until January 10th. The launch was attended by Hollyoaks’ Karen Hassan, T4/Hollyoaks Matt Littler with girlfriend Jayne Mahon and Coronation Street’s Andrew Lancel. The bar is an impressive stylish wonderland with warming cocktails and festive food galore providing a cosy and luxurious escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre for families in the daytime and party-goers at night.The 500 metre square bar boasts a luxurious snug, cosily furnished with Chesterfield sofas and vintage rugs for relaxing après work or shopping, plus separate seating and standing areas ensuring there’s room for all to come in out of the cold. Not losing its intimate feel, the bar splits into two with a larger area that can be opened at busy times or booked separately for Christmas parties. At capacity the venue can hold almost 1000 people.  Guests to the Polar Bar can enjoy warming hot cocktails, the full Illy Coffee range plus winter warmers of pie and mash and scouse from Pickled Walnut.
www.thepolarbar.co.uk

Know someone who is going away this winter? We love this unusual gift idea from Tales From The Earth, in the form of a silver same moon around the world keepsake coin!

Carry this sterling silver token with you wherever you travel. The compass represents the many paths you have to choose from, but always a safe journey. The words – the same moon around the world – are a reminder that on the night of a full moon, the moon appears full to every point on earth; however far away, your family and friends are looking up at the same moon. This is your bond.

Priced at £56.00

Get it HERE

Visit Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire, this autumn half-term (24-28 Sept) for an action-packed day out. There will be a stunning climax to the week with park’s end of season firework and laser shows on Saturday 29^th and Sunday 30^th October.

This year the theme of Classic Sports Anthems comes at a perfect time with the 2012 Olympics being at the forefront of everyone’s mind. The 30-minute displays will start at 7pm, so those that are lucky enough to enjoy the park all day can stay and take advantage of the spectacular displays around the lake. Last entrance to the park is at 6pm.

Sponsored by two of the biggest radio stations in the UK, Heart FM on the Saturday night and Capital FM on the Sunday night, their resident DJ’s will be playing music all around the park giving it the perfect atmosphere to end the season on a high.

With a host of rides being open until 9pm, people can experience the thrill rides after dark, including Shockwave, Europe’s first stand up rollercoaster and Apocalypse, the 54 metre drop tower voted the UK’s scariest ride by Channel Five’s The Gadget Show.

For younger visitors the park is home to Europe’s only Thomas Land™ attraction, which features a variety of rides themed around the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. There’s also a 4D cinema showing Marvin the Martian and a 15-acre zoo with over 100 different animal species.

Four alternative Fashion Cities to Visit in The Americas! In the run up to London Fashion Week this September all eyes are on the world’s favourite four fashion capitals; London, Paris, Milan and New York. Hilton Worldwide knows that there are many other cities out there that ooze with creativity and posses the potential to become a fashion Mecca. So Hilton Worldwide has scoured the American continent to find four destinations that rival those old favourites in an attempt to discover where to go after New York.

Los Angeles
L.A. is renowned for film stars and red carpet events and the 90 block fashion district means there is no shortage of boutiques to browse. It was in L.A. where Julia Roberts went on that famous Rodeo Drive shopping spree in the film Pretty Woman. And of course it is the place where the world watched Lauren Conrad take on her internship at Teen Vogue.

Located within walking distance from the world-famous Rodeo Drive and just moments away from the popular Century City Centre Shopping Centre, The Beverly Hilton is an equally stylish place to stay. On Friday July 8th 2011 the hotel became the resting spot for Prince and Princess William and Kate at the start of their inaugural visit to the USA. With 569 rooms including 101 suites and a luxury health and wellness facility, the hotel complements the luxury experienced in the City of Angels.  Visit www.beverlyhills.hilton.com

Miami
With the Miami Beach Convention Centre being home to Miami Beach International Fashion Week since 1998 and the increasingly fashionable swimwear range that is on offer by designers, it is little wonder that Miami has shot up the fashion destination rankings. The Lincoln Road Mall spans 10 blocks of the Miami Beach district, with the golden sands close by, showcasing the latest bikinis – fashion junkies will have plenty to see and do.

The Miami Design District is now home to fashion icons and notables like Christian Louboutin, Maison Martin Margiela, Duncan Quinn, Y-3 and other fashionable treasures.  Minutes away from this glamorous neighbourhood is the Conrad Miami, the perfect stay for any fashion conscious visitor to the city. With plenty of elegant rooms to choose from and a rooftop plaza featuring a swimming pool, hot tub and private cabanas, the hotel is as fashionable as the guests it attracts.  Visit www.conrad.hilton.com

Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the fashion capital of Argentina, with the Palermo neighbourhood highlighting the best in Argentine clothing design. The Palmero area is made up of the Viejo (old), Chico (small), Hollywood and Soho districts, scattered with both high fashion and boutique stores. Buenos Aires is a haven for fashion worshipers from across the world.

The trendy Hilton Buenos Aires hotel will complement any shopper’s vacation to Argentina. With all rooms featuring a stunning view of Puerto Madero including the long line of lavish yachts docked along the river, Hilton Buenos Aires is an ideal retreat after a day of shopping out on the town.  Puerto Madero, the newest district of Buenos Aires city, provides a unique setting where nature and contemporary architecture coexist, and features renowned bars and restaurants, shops and a casino.  Visit www.buenosaires.hilton.com

Chicago
With Chicago being home to the Chicago Apparel Centre as well as the Merchandise Centre it is a wonder that Chicago was not previously thought of as one of the traditional fashion capitals of the world. The Chicago Apparel Centre contains more than 250 showrooms dedicated purely to apparel and accessories. The street of Michigan Avenue is bursting with fashion retailers known throughout the world for their forward thinking including Prada, Juicy Couture and Jimmy Choo.

The Palmer House Hilton Hotel is located in the Centre of Downtown Chicago on East Monroe Street and with Macy’s being only two blocks away it’s in a prime shopping location. This, coupled with the Health Club & Fitness Spa available on site, the hotel is the ideal place to stay when in Chicago on a shopping spree.  Visit www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com

With an array of destinations to choose from throughout the Americas, Hilton Worldwide features hotels and resorts, located everywhere from pristine islands to cultural havens and city centers to ecological paradises in the USA, Canada, Barbados, the Bahamas, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. For the best rates and packages with lowest price guaranteed visit www.hilton.com for more information.

Eleven rooms are Thomas & Friends™ themed, each with a hand-painted scene on the wall and ceiling, depicting a different character from the Thomas & Friends series, along with unique themed bunk beds, and train track patterned carpets in the corridors leading to each room.
Guests can choose from two restaurants, Parklands Brassiere and Parklands Restaurant as well as two bars, Parklands Bar and the Carousel Bar, so guests will never be stuck for a choice of fine food and drink.

The hotel will also be a popular venue for both private and corporate events as it includes a beautifully styled, large hospitality suite, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. This suite can accommodate up to 150 delegates for the likes of conferences, exhibitions and product launches or wedding parties and other celebrations. In addition, the hotel has three smaller rooms, each accommodating up to 12 people, making them ideal for board meetings.

Colin Bryan comments:

“It’s been a long time coming and we’re all really pleased that the hotel is now ready to welcome visitors through the door. With the hotel now open, we can turn Drayton Manor into more than a theme park, it will become a leisure resort where families can come and enjoy a few fun filled days away from it all and let our excellent hospitality team take care of all their needs.”

For more information or to book a stay go to www.draytonmanorhotel.co.uk or call 01827 285551. The hotel is also on Facebook www.facebook.com/Drayton-Manor-Hotel and Twitter www.twitter.com/DraytonManHotel for regular updates and news.

Girlie Gossip take a trip to the Mamma Mia show in London and make the most of our time there with a budget overnight stay in Travelodge, which is right in the middle of the west end action!
Over 45 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show!

Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.  The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives!

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Mamma Mia Review

We headed into London last month to indulge in our passion for Theatre shows! As you may have guessed from previous coverage, Girlie Gossip is a huge supporter of Theatre shows and we truly believe that the atmosphere at each one is something that creates the ultimate ‘feel-good’ few hours that everyone should experience!

Mamma Mia is one of those musicals that you just know is going to be great fun. From the moment the music starts the audience becomes engrossed in the lives of the characters as we are introduced to a young girl called Sophie, desperate to find her father.

Of course, if you have watched the movie you will already know how the whole thing plays out, but as fans of the big screen film ourselves we found it a real treat to go and see the show being played by fresh and exciting actors and an energetic cast. Each one of them put so much effort into their role that you can’t help but be pulled into the Mamma Mia bubble. Even my husband found himself clapping and singing along, as were loads of other men in the audience, so don’t be afraid to drag them along with you girls. They will love it once they are there!

The highlight of the show for us was the chemistry between Donna and her friends and the hilarity that comes with their adventures. The songs were heartfelt and upbeat and the audience were ALL on their feet for the final 20 minutes of the show. Well, it’s pretty impossible to stay seated when that party atmosphere starts up!

One of the most fun and energetic theatre shows we have seen in a long time and a real must see if you are in London!

The Prince of Wales Theatre is situated on the corner of Coventry Street. It has a fab bar for getting the girly drinks in before the show and the nearest London Underground Stations are:Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. Go to http://www.mamma-mia.com for more info and to book your tickets!

Make a night of it with Travelodge!

We stayed at the Covent Garden Travelodge which was right next to all of the biggest and best theatres. This budget hotel was clean and convenient for those wanting a short break in London. The prices were really reasonable and we would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to go and do a theatre trip without having to fork out the high costs of a central London hotel.

The breakfast is also great value, especially if you have a family of hungry travellers with you!

The main lobby can be a little hectic, but don’t be put off, the staff are friendly and helpful and we had no problems at all. In fact, we’ll be returning there again soon for our next overnight London break! Highly recommended.

Find out more and book for yourself here: http://www.travelodge.co.uk