I started this year off with a play at the NT: England people very nice. The play had just opened, preview week. I found it to be an interesting and engaging account of waves of immigration into the East End starting with the French Huguenots and ending with the Bangladeshi's. It had the right balance of humour and history. I was somewhat surprised to read the reviews of the play describing it as racist. Admittedly the play follows the Prince Harry 'paki' incident and Carol Thatchers racist comments (wog) and therefore we (media) are more sensitive to these issues. However this play if anything encourages debate about race/immigration and why such terms are offensive and where ethnic stereotypes come from, something we appear reluctant to do. I say go see it and make up your own mind. Music concerts this month included Nerina Pallot and Catie Curtis. Nerina was testing out new material in a very small room at the Roundhouse Camden, the new tracks were wildly different so not sure how they will work on one album. Amazing vocals once again I am left wondering why she isn't more famous, biggest hit to date remains Everybody's gone to war (tip of the iceberg). The final musical event for this month - Catie Curtis at the Borderline Soho London, I waited 7 years and nearly missed it, thanks to roadworks and an accident which closed the Hammersmith Flyover, got there just in time to catch the tail end of the Support act Sadie Jemmett (sp). Catie doesn't appear to have changed very smiley and there was a lot of audience participation...lol. She performed some oldies Magnolia Street, Bicycle named Heaven, Kiss that Counted, Soulfully, People look around, plus new tracks Happy, Princess and the Mermaid (amongst others). My favourite was Start again which she played for us last time, but especially re-learnt for today (Thank You). We got to hang out with Catie Curtis and chat to her, it was a great evening. Whilst it was great to see Catie again I am worried that we might have to wait another 7 years before she returns to our shores. I really hope this isn't the case. I think I will have to make it my personal mission that Catie' s music reaches a wider audience in the UK in order to justify these costly/timely gigs (Everyone's presents from now on will be Catie Curtis CDs)
Mood: Apprehensive
Reading: Mother Millett
Listening to Catie Curtis: Sweet Life, Ani Difranco (Misc), Missy Higgins
Films - None, to be rectified next month
