Wimbledon 2013
If you (like me) are missing Wimbledon already, here are some photos from my visit to SW19 last Thursday. Sadly I didn’t get to see our champion Andy playing a match (although we did see him out on the practice courts) but we did watch some other tennis legends playing including Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe. Great day – & what a fantastic championship! Congratulations to Murray! 🙂
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| Britain’s Kyle Edmund on his way to victory in the Boys’ Quaterfinal match |
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| Martina Navratilova & Pam Shiver Vs Iva Majoli & Natasha Zvereva |
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| Pam Shriver dancing on her birthday match! |
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| Majoli & Zvereva |
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| Watching the Women’s semi-final matches on Henman Hill |
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| Former Wimbledon Champion Richard Krajicek with Britain’s Mark Petchey |
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| Sir Cliff! No singing this year though! |
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| John McEnroe |
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| Jeremy Bates |
Dalston House
Yesterday I visited the Dalston House interactive art installation, designed by Argentine artist Leandro Erlich and commissioned by the Barbican.
The Barbican describe the exhibition as: ‘resembling a theatre set, the detailed facade of a Victorian terraced house – recalling those that once stood on the street – lies horizontally on the ground with mirrors positioned overhead. The reflections of visitors give the impression they are standing on, suspended from, or scaling the building vertically.’
Dalston House is open till 4th August and is free, so if you get a chance to visit it you definitely should. The visual illusion is really impressive and great fun. 🙂
For more details about Dalston House please see this link: http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=14756
Kate Steel
Last Wednesday my friend Kate Steel and I spent the early afternoon at Hampstead Heath – There was tree climbing, prom dresses, and oodles of colourful flowers and balloons. Please see below for photographs and interview.
Kate is a versatile professional actress who trained at East 15 Acting School, gaining a distinction on the Masters course. She has played a variety of roles in theatre, films and commercials and has worked with directors such as Andrew Davies. She has trained in Los Angeles, where she also performed in theatre and television.
What inspired you to start acting?
I was a primary school teacher for five years before daring to ‘dream the dream’. I started treading the boards up in my hometown of Hull, whilst still teaching, which was pretty full-on!…
…As I got bigger roles, the smell of the greasepaint lured me towards entertaining the idea of auditioning for drama school. I didn’t think I’d get in to be honest, as it’s so competitive, so when I was offered one of twelve places at East 15 and some funding, I was wheel-spinning out of the staff car park down to The Big Smoke!
First time on stage?
I danced from the age of three and did shows in big theatres and a few dance festivals, but I had little confidence (and a rather mean teacher for years) and I was one of those gangly kids who was always shoved at the back. I did pretty well in all my exams though – which really annoyed my teacher!…
..My first proper big role on stage was playing Tzeitel in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ up north, and my sisters were cast as my sisters, so it was a real family affair! I loved that musical and as the eldest of four, I am a ‘Tzietel’ through and through. I even got to star in my own wedding every night!
Current acting projects?
I am just doing the rounds of auditions for a mixture of things and I’ve got a few ‘irons in the fire’, so watch this space!
Current influences?
Just life really. I love meeting people and am blessed with an eclectic mix of friends upon whom some of my characters have been loosely based – no names will be given! And I am an incorrigible people watcher…
… From a young age I visited the theatre and even aged four I would listen as intently as all the adults in the auditorium. I particularly love Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, but more modern composers such as Maury Heston (Titanic – The Musical) are also fantastic…
…I am drawn to “family affair” films too – perhaps because of my own experience – one of my favourites is “In America”, starring two sisters, telling the semi-autobiographical story of the Sheridan family as they move from Ireland to New York.
What inspires your acting?
I am definitely an eight-year-old (or maybe a ten-year-old on a good day) at heart, and kids spend their whole lives engaging in the world of make believe, dressing up, doing role play etc. Acting is just that really – there’s a reason why a play is called a play! In my spare time I tutor children and this continues to fan the flames of youth within me…
… It is a real privilege to be given the chance to play a character who perhaps lives in another place, or is from a different era, and I love the process of researching the role, finding the voice, movement and rhythm of someone who might be quite dissimilar to yourself. My last theatre role was playing an Eastern European murderess, so that was quite a leap!
Future acting plans?
Erm, world domination?! Well, one can dream…
Other creative pursuits?
I still dance and have added street dance, Palestinian dabke and Irish to my repertoire since moving to London!…
… I also play the French horn, though I am so busy it seems to be mainly at Christmas when brass playing actresses prove quite popular at carol services! I play the piano – not especially well, but would love to play the harp … Just a little one that I can transport around to folk evenings in country pubs…
…I love doing voiceovers and would like to do more cartoon characters – A trip to Disney to record at the studios in Hollywood would be nice. I used to run past them when I was in LA but never plucked up the courage to call in…
… I was one of three finalists for World Book Day Storytelling Superstar this year, and I was pleased to be commended by the royal attendee, Camilla Parker Bowles, for my ability to captivate hundreds of primary school children. It was easy really, I just played myself in a past life – ‘Miss Steel’ on that day.
Please take a look at Kate’s website: http://www.katesteel.com/
Thanks for visiting my blog
Samantha x
Beside the See Side
Rachel Elliott
On Sunday 19th May, I joined my talented friend Rachel Elliott for a stroll through Highgate Woods. We both share a love for music and photography, so whilst there we discussed music, Rachel played guitar, and I took photographs (please see below). Rachel is a multi-instrumentalist. she studied classical music at Reading University but is currently branching out and finding her own style as a singer/songwriter.
What inspired you to start playing music?
I don’t think it ever occurred to me not to, because I grew up in a music-filled household, for which I’m really grateful. My dad has always been in bands, and there were always instruments and gear in my house…
…Our front room did have a dining table in it somewhere but it was mostly used as a recording studio, and the downstairs toilet next to it had an XLR socket under the carpet as it had good acoustics. To me that was just normal! We had a piano, I think there was a guitar around, and my dad had a drum kit at one point, so I suppose it was natural to just have a go on them…
…I think I used to sing a lot and am told I sang the tunes before I could say the words, like lots of little kids do. My mum taught me some tunes on the piano- perhaps that was the first thing I learned?…
…And I remember writing a song about the New Year, which I happen to remember was 1983 (because that was the only lyric in the song), and I still cringe that I did a solo performance to my gramps once in his kitchen.
First time on stage?
I’m not sure, I was in a kid’s choir at church, so maybe it was then. Or playing the recorder in school concerts? I used to cry my eyes out all the way through them when I could see my mum in the audience. Very emotional child!
What instruments do you play?
Piano, guitar, a bit of bass and singing. I used to play the oboe, but it has been under my bed for years. I really want to be a drummer – my dream is to sing lead vocals while drumming – one day I’ll get there.
Current involvement with music
I do a lot of music at my church. And in the last five years I’ve been exploring songwriting. I love it! I’m learning it needs discipline, like any art, which doesn’t come easily…
…I find writing words difficult, as I am a girl of many words and thoughts, and can’t express them succinctly. I’m trying to be more disciplined though, and occasionally a whole song pops out quite quickly.
Current musical influences?
SOOOOOOOO many….don’t know where to start. It’s different every day. Today: Luke Sital-Singh, Martin Smith and Iain Archer.
SOOOOOOOO many….don’t know where to start. It’s different every day. Today: Luke Sital-Singh, Martin Smith and Iain Archer.
What inspires your songwriting?
I’m not really sure yet, as I still feel quite new to it. I’m always trying to find new music to listen to, and try and get to as many gigs as I can, and of course that’s really inspiring. The key is to not then think ‘that’s so amazing, I could never write anything like that’ and give up – which is easy to do…
…The process of creating something (music or otherwise) feels so good, and so I try and make that my motivation. I seem to always be wanting to express what I consider to be mysteries of the universe (or at least for me) as those strangely seem to be on my mind quite a lot (!) but it either then sounds like I take myself far too seriously, which isn’t really the case, so then I find myself wanting to inject humour into it…
…I need to learn to just keep it simple. Words never seem to be enough though, they can never express the deep parts of us, in my experience – or perhaps I’m not very articulate. I find it very frustrating!
Future singer/songwriting plans?
Just having a go and trying to get better and learning from other people – I know so many great musicians and writers, and they’re all so gifted! I love performing though, so I’d like to do more of that. I was such a shy kid, but nowadays it turns out that perhaps I like the stage after all!
Follow Rachel on twitter: www.twitter.com/rachyelliott
Thanks for visiting this blog 🙂
Samantha x
Beside the See Side
351 Years of Mr Punch
I had such a good time photographing last year’s ‘350 years of Mr Punch’ Celebrations that I decided to start my photoblog with the images I took at the event. ‘Beside the See Side’ is now 1 year old (1st post on 16thMay 2012) & I couldn’t resist returning to Covent Garden again this year to see the street performers and to enjoy another Punch & Judy party. Although the event was smaller than the one to mark the landmark 350 years of Mr Punch, it was still lively, fun, and very well attended. Here are some photos from the celebrations:
Previous Punch & Judy themed posts:
Many thanks for supporting my blog over the last year. I really appreciate it
Samantha x
Beside the See Side
Helen Lloyd
Helen Lloyd is a singer/songwriter/musician/music producer from North London, who creates beautiful, stirring music.
Please have a listen to Helen’s music here: https://soundcloud.com/helenlloydmusic
And also please ‘like’ her fb music page to keep up to date with Helen’s recording, production and performing work:https://www.facebook.com/helenlloydmusicuk
This Monday, in the Bank Holiday sunshine, I did a photoshoot with the talented & stunningly Helen, and these are some of the pictures.
Many thanks for visiting my blog
Samantha x
Beside the See Side
Mitch Daniels & Tom Triggs – Busking
On Thursday I joined singer/songwriter Mitch Daniels & percussionist Tom Triggs as they busked on the Southbank. It was brilliant – A beautiful location, early evening sunshine, and loads of fantastic music. 🙂 Plus I got lots of photographs of their live performance.
Mitch Daniels’ music is largely Folk and Jazz based. It’s influenced by the easy-listening sounds of acoustic pop marvels such as Jason Mraz, John Mayer and Jack Johnson. Mitch Daniels & Tom Triggs regularly perform at acoustic venues & music festivals. They will be headlining The 02 Academy2 in Islington this Autumn.
To keep up to date with Mitch Daniels’ musical adventures please check out his website: http://www.mitchdaniels.co.uk/ and ‘like’ his fb music page: https://www.facebook.com/mitchdanielsmusic
Many thanks for visiting my blog
Samantha x
Beside the See Side
Pilgrim’s Progress – St James Church, Muswell Hill
I hope that in the near future, St James’s production of Pilgrim’s Progress will be toured throughout London & beyond as it is utterly fantastic. It would be a real shame for more people not to get the opportunity to see such a captivating and original interpretation of John Bunyan’s narrative.
Everything from the acting, live music, lighting, costumes, etc, was truly impressive. It was an amazing show, which not only illustrates the depth of talent that can be enjoyed locally, but is also a testament to the way hard work & focus can turn an artistic idea into a solid reality that has the power to affect many. Here are some photographs from a spectacular show.
Many thanks for visiting my blog 🙂
Samantha x
Beside the See Side
Beside the See Side
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Although show time stops during the colder months, Shakespeare’s Globe still remains open to visitors who can explore the museum and enjoy guided tours around the iconic theatre. Shakespeare’s Globe is a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre. It is located on the Southbank of the River Thames, a few hundred yards from its original site.
I recently visited the Globe for the first time and was struck by the visual impact of the building. I look forward to returning during the summer to observe a play at Shakespeare’s Globe. In the meantime I have posted some photographs from my visit below.
For more information about Shakespeare’s Globe, including details of the guided tours, future productions, and the history of the theatre, please visit: www.shakespearesglobe.com
Many thanks for visiting my blog
Samantha x
Beside the See Side
Wytham Wood
Wytham Wood is an Oxford-based folk band, comprised of Anneli Chambliss (Lead vocals, guitar) and Jules Dickinson (Lead guitar, vocals). Anneli and I have been friends since we were both students at Oxford and we have always shared a love for music and art.
I was so pleased to have the opportunity to hear Wytham Wood perform live at the Wheatsheaf in Oxford, on Sunday 17th February. They have beautiful songs and really emotive music. I can’t do justice to their sound on this blog – you really have to hear them live for yourself – but here are some photographs from a wonderful gig, and an interview with eloquent lead singer Anneli. 🙂
The Beginnings
About a year and a half ago, I was at a friend’s open mic, and in walked this very friendly Cornish art teacher with a Gibson. The moment the guitar came out and he played it I was totally ‘sold’ on his sound. It was one of those moments where you wonder ‘why hasn’t this musician been picked up by a major project?’ because all the elements are there – but I think Jules is someone who just loves music for music…
About a year and a half ago, I was at a friend’s open mic, and in walked this very friendly Cornish art teacher with a Gibson. The moment the guitar came out and he played it I was totally ‘sold’ on his sound. It was one of those moments where you wonder ‘why hasn’t this musician been picked up by a major project?’ because all the elements are there – but I think Jules is someone who just loves music for music…
… So that was something we had in common. We only started working together later on, very gradually, enjoying playing pretty folk covers after work in living rooms with cups of tea.
Inspiration
We seem to be rooted very strongly in British folk music, prog, and classic rock, but especially in anything from the 60s and 70s with intricate strings, non-standard tunings, and really moving lyrics and vocals: Fairport Convention, Michael Chapman, Roy Harper, Ralph McTell, John Martyn, and even Joni Mitchell.
… In practice, you’ll sometimes hear medieval or renaissance progressions in our underlying chords, or we may go off on an atmospheric ‘prog’ tangent before coming back to a song that has a more standard ‘pop’ feel. Sometimes we combine the two, and in that respect I think people might hear similarities between what we do and Show of Hands…
… Our inspirations are really drawn from folk sounds that can evoke both the natural world and the otherworldly, based on personal experience and even to some degree (for me at least) spiritual types of experiences. The idea is just to get immersed in beautiful patterns, sounds, and lyrics that have a powerful emotional content…
… An emerging theme for our newest songs seems to be the things that happen when you close your eyes and imagine or remember, and the ways that nature and ‘real life’ experiences and emotions can merge and grow into each other…
The name
‘Wytham Wood’ goes against the first rule of band names, which is that they should be easy to pronounce! The pronunciation is White-em Wood. But Wytham Woods is a real, ancient place just outside of Oxford that’s an important landmark in the local landscape…
… Maybe our ‘Wytham Wood’ is an imagined part of a real place… But I think the name is a reflection of a project that is rooted in the ‘crossroads’ nature of Oxford and some of the ways that this city and area seem to stand apart from time.
Previous musical experiences
You could say we both have ‘long instrumental histories,’ and as a duo I think our individual histories really come out strongly. Jules grew up around an amazing folk music scene in Cornwall: he tells me that from around the age of 16, he was involved with the famous ‘Folk Cottage’ after an advert was put up at Truro school…
You could say we both have ‘long instrumental histories,’ and as a duo I think our individual histories really come out strongly. Jules grew up around an amazing folk music scene in Cornwall: he tells me that from around the age of 16, he was involved with the famous ‘Folk Cottage’ after an advert was put up at Truro school…
… Jules was a regular at really important clubs such as ‘Pipers’ in Penzance and ‘Fal Folk’ (Falmouth) and got to know many well known bands, including Steeleye Span, Fairport, and experimental guitarists such as Nigel Mazlyn Jones. He apparently watched Michael Chapman play when he was 16 and still learning to play, and he was totally blown away.
… For my part, I’ve been a bit of a peripatetic migrant and am definitely a musical chameleon. I’m half-Finnish, grew up in Texas playing piano, sang in choirs through high school, got involved with a choir singing Bulgarian and Slavic folk music at university, and then met Dave Longstreth of Dirty Projectors and toured as one of his ‘stoned rhinemaidens’ for The Getty Address (though anyone who knows me knows that won’t mean literally!)…
… A few years later on, I’d arrived in Oxford to do a graduate Egyptology course, decided I would finally learn to play a guitar a little more properly, and the rest is history… I’m certain that all of that singing and instrumentation over the years must come out in our music, both in technical and emotional ways.
Wytham Wood in 2013
We’ve been busy learning how to use Protools and record a demo of original songs, again in the nice warm of a living room with cups of tea. It’s been hard work, but we’re nearly there! So 2013 should see us out and about performing more, writing as much as we can to hone our sound, and sharing music experiences with other people. It’s a huge privilege to have a chance to perform, and we hope other folkies will enjoy these sounds, too.
You can check out Wytham Wood in cyberspace:
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| Surely no blog about Oxford would be complete without a photo of the Radcliffe Camera! #memories |
Thank you for viewing this photoblog
Samantha x
Beside the See Side
Samantha Edgley Photography 