The Long Long Breakfast at Cote Bistro

I had some luck with the Italian restaurant Strada in Covent Garden earlier in the week and had seen this equally inviting restaurant nearby called Cote Bistro. For breakfast on this Saturday morning, I chose to dine there. It was already past 10am and the restaurant waning in customers until lunch.

Despite the lack of customers, this was a slow ordeal. It started promising when they offered me the lunch or breakfast menu and quickly seated me in the pleasantly designed interior. But after ordering a coffee (£1.95), orange juice (£2.25) and eggs florentine (£7.50), things went downhill from there. First of all the eggs were actually good which are really eggs benedict with spinach. Although I could see the wait staff of four speeding here, there and to the downstairs kitchen it was difficult to get their attention to order a second cup of coffee. It was nice they brought a complimentary bottle of water, which comes with the meal, but I was nearly done with my eggs so the point was lost on me.

There was no reason for service this slow since it was the lull between breakfast and lunch. The longest wait was to ask for my bill and pay. Excluding the wait time, I probably could have ordered and eaten within 20 minutes. With the waiting, the meal took 40 minutes until I left. The total with tax and tip (note: service charges are automatically added to bills in most restaurant in London) was an overpriced £15 (US$24).

Evidently this restaurant is one in a chain with locations in England and there appears to be additional locations planned. With so many choices of restaurants in Covent Garden, it's unlikely I'd have reason to re-visit this restaurant when in London again. More info cote-restaurants.co.uk for hours and location.

'Aspects of Love' Romances at the Menier Chocolate Factory - The Review

With ‘Aspects of Love’ combined with ‘Love Never Dies’ the result in one word is “purpose’. As discussed in one of my first posts no trip is ever completed until you have completed a purpose big or small. It’s the goal or reason for your travels. I have listened to the 1989 London recording many times and after 20 years, I have been longing but never had the opportunity to see a production of ‘Aspects’. This was finally it. At the Menier Chocolate Factory, the 20 year wait and the 7,500 miles to London was worth it.

Based on David Garnett’s novel of the same name, the musical tells the story of passion, love and loss across three generations of a family and their companions set against the backdrop of 1940’s France and Italy. Alex Dillingham (Michael Arden), a young student travelling through France, falls in love with the alluring actress Rose Vibert (Katherine Kingsley). As the pair embark on a passionate affair, the unexpected arrival of Alex’s Uncle George (David Willetts) changes their lives forever. It's a love story spanning twenty years binding six people and three generations.

Each member of the small ensemble was well cast. American actor Michael Arden breathes life into the role of Alex. His voice is a deeper tenor and he sings beautifully. With Arden’s handsome portrayal you see Alex grow from infatuated youth to mature soldier.

The cast of actors have to be some of the bravest ever to take a stage. The performing space is rather tight that some scenes take place just inches from the first row of the audience. That would intimidate a lot of actors. But not once did they break character.

Katherine Kingsley has the difficult task of embodying Rose. She must convey many sides of a character that can appear acrid and selfish but Kingsley still manages to earn our sympathy by the end of the play. She is beautiful in every scene and employs an exquisite French accent. Her final number “Anything But Lonely” becomes a powerful, moving and defiant ballad.

With over thirty scenes, this production design utilizes one set that evokes both indoors and outdoors as well as settings from a theatre to a French villa to a Venice art studio. Projections on a center screen helps to evoke the time and place. The backdrop with built-in blank windows, doors, picture frames and bookcases are infused with lights to make all or part of this set stand out add in each particular scene.

This is one of Lloyd Webber's most intimate musicals and is sung throughout. The music is captivating and lush. I was pulled into the world of these characters and if love changes everything, all have been changed by their various relationships for the rest of their lives.

Elegantly performed, sung, designed and produced. This version of ‘Aspects’ deserves a life beyond this one. 

All photos used for illustration purposes only.

The DETAILS

• Where:  Menier Chocolate Factory (Tube: London Bridge)
• When:  Tue-Sat 8pm; Sat & Sun 3:30pm
• Running Time:  2 hrs 40 min
• Ticket Prices:  all seats £32
• Opening:  Jul 15, 2010 (previews from Jul 7, 2010)
• Closing:  Sep 26, 2010
• Cast Recording:  Unavailable.  The remastered 1989 Original London Cast is available.

'Aspects of Love' in Rehearsal at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Found these rehearsal photos of the 'Aspects of Love' cast released by the Menier Chocolate Factory on broadway.com and broadwayworld.com and thought it might be nice to share them here before attending tonight's performance of the show. This production is directed by Trevor Nunn who also directed the original London version in 1989 and Broadway version in 1990.

Characters:

Alex Dillingham, a young Englishman

Rose Vibert, a French actress with whom Alex fall in love

Giuletta Trapani, an Italian sculptress and mistress to Alex's Uncle George 

Sir George Dillingham, Alex's uncle and English painter 

Jenny Dillingham, daughter of George and Rose 

Marcel, a French actor manager

Hugo, Rose's lover

Michael Arden (Alex)

Katherine Kingsley (Rose)

Rosalie Craig (Giulietta) and Martyn Ellis (Marcel)

Rebecca Brewer (Jenny, aged 15) and Dave Willetts (George)

Michael Arden (Alex) and Dave Willetts (George)

Dave Roberts, Jill Armour, Ian McLarnon, Dominic Tighe (Hugo) and Rebecca Brewer (Jenny).
Below: Michael Arden (Alex) and director Trevor Nunn.

Note: all photos by Catherine Ashmore and used for illustration purposes only.

Menier Chocolate Factory Makes 'Aspects of Love'

The Menier Chocolate Factory is currently presenting a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Aspects of Love'. The building that houses the theatre with exposed wood beams, cast iron columns and brick interior sits a few blocks south of the Thames river. It was built in 1870 as a factory for Menier Chocolate, a Parisian company that was ultimately sold off during the 1960s and '70s.

The building now houses a restaurant and bar, rehearsal room and a versatile theatre space that can seat up to 180 depending on the configuration. A July 2010 New York Times feature sums up the story of this unusual theatre. Here are excerpts edited from the article presented in two parts:

The Chocolate Factory, in a former confectionary in the Southwark section of London pumps out critically acclaimed hit shows on shoestring budgets.

Founded in 2004, the theater has quickly become a creative force in the West End and increasingly on Broadway, where it has garnered 24 Tony (Award) nominations for three of its revivals: 'Sunday in the Park with George (2008); 'A Little Night Music' (2009 starring Catherine Zeta-Jones) and 'La Cage Aux Folles' (2010 starring Kelsey Grammer). As for London, of the 30 shows that the Chocolate Factory has procued, 10 have moved to much larger theaters.

Theater lobby and bar with exposed wood beams.

Such transfers have been essential moneymakers for the Chocolate Factory, which has an annual operating budget of about £2 million (US$3 millon) and does not receive a government subsidy. To create those shows for such little money, the Chocolate Factory has minted a minimalist aesthetice -- simple sets, basic costumes and lighting, actors often playing two or more roles -- on budgets that are on par with major not-for-profit Off-Broadway theaters. Plays cost about £80,000 (US$120,000), and musicals between £300,000 and £500,000 (about US$450,000 to $765,000). A typical Broadway musical costs US$8 million to mount. All cast members, even stars, are paid the same company wage of £300 a week, or about US$460. And the theater's permanent staff includes only three employees.

The goal of the Chocolate Factory, where theatergoers sit as close as three feet from the actors, is to remove the distraction of epic size production numbers, which can consume money and rehearsal time, so the creators and cast can focus on realizing a show's essence."

Click here for part 2 posted on 9/19/10 or here for the full NY Times article.

Exposed brick hall with production photos leads to auditorium.

Pollock's Toy Museum, A Step to the Past

Toy store and museum entrance next door (brown doors)

Before computers and even before batteries, many of us grew up with toys that used simpler methods to entertain. Such is Pollock's Toy Museum, a small attraction devoted to a huge collection of toy theatres, teddy bears, china dolls, board games, doll's houses and more. Every nook, corner, hall and stairway is filled with these amusements of yesterday. Since it was a little more than a couple hours before dinner, I had time to check out this attraction near my hotel.

The museum was originally opened in 1956 in Covent Garden as a seller of toy theatres, one of the museums most unique exhibitions. Eventually the museum collection grew and moved to its present location on Scala Street in 1969. The museum is two adjoining houses from the 18th and 19th centuries with collections on three floors. Walking on the creaky floors through each room is like walking back to the past. The museum will likely be fascinating for those who grew up with similar toys rather than to the game boy/console/computer generation. The collection is best enjoyed by reading the brochure given to visitors.

Toy store on ground floor.

Equally fascinating is the toy shop on the ground floor. Looking at all kinds of toys for sale that appeared to be long gone, it reminds us of the fascination in our youth with things simple and in essence recalls how life was as well.

Museum is open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm. Located at the corner of Scala and Whitfield Streets. Admission: Adults £5, Kids £2.Tube: Goodge Street. More info at pollockstoymuseum.com.

Photos below: selection of cards, space ships, rocking horse and toy theatres. Bottom right photo is view through toy theatre on the bottom left.

Pear Juice, My UK Obsession

Pears are one my favorite fruits. So when I saw bottles of James White Organic Pear Juice I couldn't resist.  I quickly gulped down a bottle at the National Theatre Cafe earlier yesterday after visiting the London Eye. I loved it so much I picked up another bottle to take away. At a cost of one pound forty, each bottle isn't exactly a bargain. After that I kept on searching for this juice anytime I was thirsty or near a museum cafe but it's not easy to locate. Also unfortunately this brand of juice is only available in the United Kingdom. For U.S. customers this is the kind of product that supermarket Whole Foods (or as my east coast friends jokingly call it 'Whole Check' due to the high prices) would probably carry. So in that case, maybe it's best I can't find the juice here in Honolulu. I know....I should invest in a Magic Bullet blender.

Their website offers lists their entire product line. Visit jameswhite.co.uk for more info.

Meet the Cast of the 25th Anniversary Touring Production of 'Les Miserables'

John Owen-Jones (Valjean) and Earl Carpenter (Javert)

Sometimes things happen by luck. If I was not exploring the internet the day before my flight to London to check if the shop Dress Circle was open on a Sunday, I would have likely missed this store event which was occurring on the Friday prior.

So in a way it was by luck that I found myself at Dress Circle on this Friday afternoon. Four of the actors appearing in the 25th Anniversary Tour of 'Les Miserables' made a store appearance at Dress Circle to autograph the Les Miserables 2010 Cast 2CD set. It was a special event to attend after witnessing their performances the day before and finding it a revitalized musical with an excellent ensemble.

Gareth Gates (Marius) and Madalena Alberto (Fantine)

Appearing at the signing were John Owen-Jones (Jean Valjean), Earl Carpenter (Javert), Madalena Alberto (Fantine) and Gareth Gates (Marius). Also appearing was Claude Michel-Schonberg, the composer of 'Les Mis'. Standing in line it was obvious not only fans of the show were there but the many fans of Gates. He is a runner-up on the first season of the reality competition show Pop Idol on which American Idol on U.S. television is based upon. In addition he has sold over 3.5 million records in the UK alone and starred in the last West End revival of 'Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'.

A simple diversion for the afternoon and what a souvenir to gain.

The autographed CD

Here is a quick rundown on the multiple recordings available: The Les Miserables 2010 Cast preserves the changes in the show after the 1985 Les Miserables Original London Cast was produced and is far far superior to the New York Les Miserables (1987 Original Broadway Cast) Recording. The other English language versions are the live Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert at Royal Albert Hall and the 1990 Les Miserables Complete Symphonic Recording which preserved the entire score and includes music not recorded on the original London or Broadway recordings.

On DVD is Les Miserables: The 10th Anniversary Dream Cast in Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall.

The event taking place in the Dress Circle basement

The line of persons waiting for the in-store event along Monmouth Street

Madalena Alberto (Fantine) and composer Claude Michel-Schonberg

Dress Circle Shop London

Billed as the 'best showbiz shop in the world', fans of London theatre should make a stop by Dress Circle. Click here for my post about this London shop. Today it was a visit for an in-store event (see next post).

Shop online at dresscircle.co.uk

The shop is located at 57/59 Monmouth St (Tube: Leicester Square). Hours Mon-Sat 10am-6:30pm and Sun 12pm-5pm.

Dress Circle Shop Front on Monmouth Street

Konditor & Cook, the Curzon Soho Cafe

Don't miss the Konditor & Cook Bar & Cafe in Soho. Many visitors may think this cafe is the concession for the Curzon cinema and only for moviegoers with which it shares a space. But the cafe is open to all and accessed through two entrances, one on the corner and one fronting the cinema box office. This is the practical place to enjoy sweets and savories in the cafe, on the go or at the cinema. It's central location along Shaftesbury Ave is also a great hangout before and after the attending the theater.

Despite grabbing a table in front of the case of cakes, cookies and meringues, I went savory and had a large coffee (£2.40) and one of their popular sausage rolls (£2.30), a spiced pork sausage wrapped in flaky golden pastry. My bill was about eight U.S. dollars.

"Konditor" is german for pastry chef. So the owner I guess is both a pastry chef and cook. The cafe is open Mon-Sat 9:30am-11:00pm and Sun 10:30am-10:30pm. More info at konditorandcook.com. Tube: Piccadilly Circus.

By the way if you are interested in specialty films, the Curzon Soho multi-plex is one of the top art house cinemas in London.

Changing of the Queen's Lifeguard

Just so happen while revisiting Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Queen's Life Guard had finished at the Horse Guards Parade. The New Guard leaves the Barracks at about 10:30am and the ceremony is at 11am. Pictured here is the Old Guard returning to the Hyde Park Barracks after the ceremony and crossing in front of Buckingham Palace. The Changing of the Guard at the Palace that most visitors yearn to see is a separate and different ceremony.