#the dancing is amazing and the movement of the costumes blew me away

[andyy-says]

The Slipper and the Rose (1976) - Costume Design by Julie Harris

[rileylou99]

The Eras Tour is SO MUCH bigger than people are giving credit for

Hi, these are my observations of the era's tour after going to the Santa Clara Night 1 show.

PEOPLE ARE NOT GIVING TAYLOR EVOUGH CREIT FOR THE ABSOLUTE ATHLETE SHE HAS BECOME

She is playing three hour shows while singing and dancing and RUNNING basically the length of a foot ball field. Santa Clara is home to the Levi's stadium which is HUGE but also obviously a football stadium. She doesn't take any intermission and really only gets a break when she's doing an outfit change which were not longer than maybe a minute or two. As someone who has done theater, costume changes are not a break at all, she possibly got a sip or two of water and changed while also moving half a football stadium in length. She looks SUPER FIT buy also very healthy. She has been known for being extremely vocal about how her weight has been unhealthy on tour and how it made it extremely hard so just the physical training she has to have done along with vocal training to sing HUGE NOTES and continuous for three hours is amazing. and I know someone is going to say " oh she's not singing live its recorded" I CAN GARENTY SHE IS AT LEAST 90% of the time because you could hear it in the speakers from the third tier of the stadium. if she was recorded, I wouldn't be able to hear in the speakers her vocal influxes so don't even try. Her vocals sound different every night, with different high notes and adlibs she adds in. ( Also she hella messed up the words on one of her songs sooooo)

2. THE STAGING IS EXCEPTIONAL

I know lots of artist are putting on exceptional stages and as someone who frequents concerts, there is a lot to take away visually from what her and her team did. The dancing was very clearly choreographed to be visible from both the floor level and the highest seats. the formations were EXCELENT, the movements were LARGE and the lines were beautiful. Along with the dancers being AMAZING the stage was made of screens that were constantly having some visual that either acted as a backdrop to those of us high in the stadium and mirrored the backdrop that she has playing which also integrated the camera visual. Lots of artist have screens and they just project different camera angles but the large cream changed from a full back drop to multiple screens, to two tall screens. The staging has a beautiful musical theater feel to it that it elevates the songs and how the experience is felt in the audience. there was only a few moments from the high level that I couldn't either see he on the stage or on a screen and part of that was speakers and part of that was a very tall man just happen to be in front of me. Her costumes are EXCUISIT and I know plenty of people have talked about them and while I now REALLY WANT her purple dress from our show because its was so fluffy, enough places are talking about her costumes that I'm not gonna rant about them because I could just gush.

3. HER SETLIST IS CRAFTED BEAUTIFLY

Taylor has been known for having great shows since she was like, 19 that's been kind of her legacy and this blew away my expectations. I am not a self proclaimed "swifty". In wasn't a huge fan of her music in my teens years and I really only knew songs because they were on the radio in the car and we didn't have CD's playing lol. I only got into her music once her album Fokelore came out in 2020 as it was lockdown and I honestly was going through a lot emotionally and that album accompanied my healing very well. This tour has a collection of her songs but she has a huge discography so she cant possibly play every song but she plays ALOT! Some songs are the whole song =, she will fuse a course with a verse and maybe two to transition into another song, but she plays a lot of songs going from early country to her folk songs to her super synth pop albums and while not everyone will be happy because their favorite song may not have been played, I would be very surprised if someone left that show disappointed. I got lucky with our show because she played at least a quarter of the songs from my two favorite albums, but it was a great playlist that gave someone a song they could scream ( I screamed a lot and I am feeling it but so worth it ).

Was this show the best show I've seen as a fan of her music, yes. Would I argue everyone agree, of course not. If she isn't an artist you enjoy, I'm not sure you would have a good time, but the statement that it is a well crafted performance is indisputable. NOW DO I THINT SANTA CLARA NEEDS TO GET CROWD CONTROLL, yes!. Dear god, I understand the stadium is in an unfortunate spot, as it is 90% residential, yes but my god it it was like leaving a theme park at closing on a holiday . 70,000 sold seats, and while they did close 5 streets in every directions, it took way to long to just walk away from the stadium. I would not feel safe leaving a football game from this stadium and the only reason this crowd didn't make me nervous was the fact it was like 80% 16-25 year old girls moving like a zombie horde.

I spent at most 400 bucks between my ticket, hotel, food and drinks and gas and I would say its WELL WELL worth it. If you have been debating going to her next tour, I would 100% recommend.

So thank you Taylor Swift for an amazing show.

[rainbowsky]

SDOC4 Episode 11 and Repechage

Getting excited for the finale!

Cross Style Fusion Battles

I absolutely love this idea of matching street dancers with various other, more traditional dance styles. What an incredible opportunity to see new approaches to dance, and what a great opportunity for the dancers to learn something new and expose themselves to different styles and moves.

Hilty and Bosch with Hou Yao and Zhuang Ting vs AC and Ibuki with Li Mengju and Yu Xuejiao

What a cruel match-up. Team BOOM! vs two of my favorites!!!

Team BOOM!

I love the idea of fusing locking with Latin dancing. It is such an excellent pairing and it worked ridiculously well. Especially since H&B are so precise and coordinated.

I was completely blown away by this performance. Everything about it was perfection. I have no complaints whatsoever. They were such a natural match for this style and they did an outstanding job of making an exciting dance performance that felt fun, exuberant and skillful. Fantastic job.

Team Han Geng

AC LOOKED SO AMAZING!!!!!!

I was so excited when I saw that they got Flamenco. Flamenco is one of my favourite styles of dance, and I was so so excited to see it in this context. It is well-matched with waacking. This fusion was surprising and very successful.

I died about a thousand times during his performance. I can't get over AC in that outfit and makeup. When he did that opening pose with the cape I thought I felt my heart stop.

Ibuki really shone in this as well. She fits so naturally within this "bright smile, big showmanship" space.

I was so proud of them both. They blew me away. I can't believe how much they were pushed outside of their comfort zone and met the challenge. There were a couple of minor errors, but I was so proud of how well they both performed.

This entire performance was so bright, so colourful, so exuberant, so exciting. I have no words.

Of course I was excited to see Team BOOM! win, but I really was proud of Ibuki and AC. They deserved to go through to finals based on that performance.

Chunlin and Eleven with Yi Lifan vs David and Keven with Su Peng vs Poppin C and MT-POP with Wang Jaijun

Chunlin and Eleven

That was some of the manliest modern dance I've ever seen in my life. 😅

Yi Lifan is seriously hot. Phew. He's also an incredible dancer and performer, which is to be expected given his position in his company but still bears mentioning because, wow.

Everything about this performance was a treat, not least because it was extraordinarily well choreographed, well staged and well performed. The story, the sound, the costumes... I'm completely blown away by absolutely everything.

I was impressed by how much growth I saw in both Chunlin and Eleven. They really came to life as their characters and were mostly indistinguishable from the overall dance group. They pulled this off and then some. My hat is off to them.

Team BOOM!

OK, WTF.

This takes me back to my write-up about episode 9, where I talked about how important it is to create oppositional tension in a performance that is about some form of conflict. THIS is a master class in how it's done. Wow, my brains are splattered all over the ceiling.

Su Peng is such an incredible dancer. There are no words to describe how impressed I am by him and every movement he made. His height and his imposing presence onstage took my breath away. His legs were mesmerizing.

I am equally impressed by how much this fusion elevated David and Keven. They really rose to this challenge and knocked it out of the park. I was so stunned to see some of the beautiful lines they were making, and the elegant moves that I hadn't seen out of either of them before. I have a feeling this experience is going to have a big impact on their dance moving forward.

There were some amazing homo-erotic moments in this dance performance that totally blew me away. I doubt that's what they were going for - they'd probably cringe if they thought there was even a hint of that - but that's how it landed on me. Loved it. In fact I'll never complain about seeing men rip their shirts open or embody sexual tension.

This performance really delivered in so many unexpected ways. 😅

Every moment of this performance was crackling with action and tension and expressiveness. Wow, loved it so much. Almost completely flawless. So so so proud of them.

Keven trying to act all modest about his bare chest during feedback was so cute.

Team Yixing

Wang Jaijun has brought something new and powerful into the dance style of both Poppin C and MT-POP. This Fusion worked out exceptionally well in terms of creating a beautiful flow between all three dancers while still showing some of the character of each of their styles.

I was surprised to see this performance didn't get more votes than it did. I felt they handled it exceptionally well, and it was a beautiful performance. I suppose it just didn't bring the street dance element forward quite enough, but I still thought it was a beautiful message about resilience, and beautifully performed.

With that one exception, the outcome of the voting otherwise reflected my own feelings about the three performances. I was so proud that Team BOOM! got 95 out of 96 votes. They earned that. Their performance was almost perfect.

Xiao Jie and Stone with Xie Xin vs Huang Xiao and George with Zhu Jiejing

Team Han Geng

Wow. I absolutely love this choreographer. The work she has created here is stunning. This piece was packed full of jaw-dropping moments. The use of this flowing clothing was so brilliant in the way that it created an intense rippling effect when they moved, which was especially powerful when they did the rapid shuddering at a few points.

I found the pacing and the sharpness and the beauty of this piece, and the smart, quick moves interspersed with slow motion and reverse effects, totally haunting.

It was good to see this fierce choreographer whip these boys into shape. She handled them well. Unfortunately they didn't quite rise to the occasion. Not the way that I would have expected them to at this level. I was a bit disappointed with their performance. They both stood out to me as not being at the same level of the dancers they were working with. Especially Stone.

Having said that, it was a beautiful piece and I really enjoyed it. So memorable.

Team Yixing

For those who are familiar with the film but were confused by the story - the performance is based on the opera (the one the lead characters in the film were performing in), not the film.

This was a breathtaking performance, almost flawless. This choreographer is so impressive. She managed to bring the story and characters to life, and to immerse us in the action, with nothing but a red chair.

The choreography was dramatic and powerful, with many 'wow' moments, yet it still managed to come across as understated and exquisitely tasteful. There were so many reveals, things that felt fresh and new.

George and Huang Xiao really rose to the occasion and gave us an incredible, totally convincing performance. The fusion of styles was excellent. We could clearly see elements of both styles, yet they flowed together very harmoniously. This team matched the challenge perfectly, and deserved their win.

Acky and Ma Xiaolong with Lui Fuyang vs Gogo Brothers and Luo Wen Bo

Team Han Geng

I was really transported with this story. So beautiful and fantastical, and so well-performed. This trio was perfection. I loved seeing the three of them together. They had excellent chemistry.

Lui Fuyang is an exquisite dancer. The elegance and grace of his movements were stunning.

The costumes and stage setting and the beautiful illustrations in the background - especially with the two cranes flying off at the end - really transported the viewer into another world. The costumes were so understated, and very creative.

I loved the way the choreography gave us contrasts and tension while still feeling fluid and harmonious.

Acky once again shows his gift for conveying a character. He really brought that old man to life. I'm so impressed by him. HIS PERFORMANCE! Wow.

The fusion of styles in this piece worked out exceptionally well. I loved this performance so much - among my favorites of the night.

It was exciting to see the Mongolian dance performance during feedback. They both moved so gracefully, and it was interesting to see the differences in style between Han Geng and Lui Fuyang.

Team Yixing

Luo Wen Bo is so beautiful and fairy-like. So tall and elegant. Captivating. Her eyes are hypnotic. I truly felt like I couldn't look away from her throughout the performance and feedback. She has magnetism on a level that is rarely seen.

This is another performance that transported me to a completely different place. I felt like I was right there with them in the desert. It was impressive how they created an atmosphere that brought the story to such vibrant life. It felt so immersive.

This performance, the setting, the costumes - everything was so colorful and magical and exciting. The fusion of styles was quite good. It was smart to cast the brothers as travellers; it gave them a lot of space to do their thing while still enabling them to integrate the styles. Really well done.

It was nice to see this dance and culture highlighted given everything that's been happening to the Uyghur people. Change would be even nicer.

Bouboo and Momo with Hao Ruoqi vs Mr Three and Rochka with Zhu Han

Team BOOM!

This performance didn't do anything for me at all. I don't know why, it just didn't grab me. Of course there were beautiful moves and moments, but the concept didn't grab me, or didn't come across for me through what was presented.

There was also an utter lack of chemistry with this trio that left the whole thing feeling flat for me. A disappointment. That and the costumes, which I hated. The music was beautiful, but not enough to make up for all of that.

They all danced exceptionally well. The fusion of styles was actually quite good. I just didn't feel any connection whatsoever between the dancers and the story, or between the dancers themselves.

The choreography gave us some great shapes and some interesting moments, but that wasn't enough to pull it all together for me.

Bouboo is such a ladies man. Wow. The guy just doesn't quit. 😅

Team Han Geng

This performance had some of the same issues that I've complained about in the past. Not enough tension between supposedly oppositional forces. This always ends up feeling like such a missed opportunity.

The dramatic moment when the swordsmen leapt out through the screens at the back was brilliant. It completely transformed the performance.

There were parts of this 'battle' that felt like 'both sides doing sword drills together' rather than fighting, but there were also some powerful moments, such as when they all came charging across the stage at each other. Stunning.

The shot toward the end, with the dancers all lined up behind Rochka and all the swords coming up around his head, was incredible. Even more powerful upon second viewing of the performance, after I had a clearer understanding of the concept behind the dance.

I think a big part of why this performance didn't quite come across as well as it could have, was because the concept wasn't made clear enough in the opening moments. The choreographer explained during feedback that the story was meant to be about a leader becoming paranoid about who might overthrow him. An excellent concept that didn't read fully in the opening sequence.

Looking back over the performance a second time after having learned that bit of information, I still felt the story didn't come across very clearly. The only cue we got at the beginning was Rochka grasping his head and shaking it a bit, with the other dancers in the background.

Having said that, it was an exciting, very dramatic performance, and the swords were a huge highlight for me. So beautiful and so intense. I've always loved sword dance - versions of which are practised in many cultures. Here's an amazing one you won't want to miss.

Battle Round

The battle round was scary. Bouboo really pulled out all the stops despite his injury. Kudos to him. DD's encouragement no doubt helped with that.

AC gave a couple of great performances, and at one point I really felt he was robbed, but oh well judges are judges.

It was a shame that AC and Ibuki ended up being back to back in the order of performers. It made it so much harder for both of them to get points because they kept on coming up against each other.

I was proud of Momo for stepping into the ring.

It all went by SO FAST!!

Eliminations

AC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course I saw this coming as the points were unfolding, but it was no less heartbreaking. He looked so beautiful in that makeup, and seeing him cry was too much for me.

It was interesting seeing him mention Tyrone. Tyrone is truly a legend. He passed away last year. I'm incredibly glad that AC had an opportunity to meet him. I felt so choked up hearing him talk about what Tyrone wanted to leave the world with. 🥺

I think it's safe to say he achieved most of that with his legacy.

Honestly I cried through AC's entire speech. It was simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming to hear him bare his soul a bit. It nice to get a bit more of a glimpse into his experience and background. I especially love that he seems to have the support of his father.

Hand it to Acky to close out the episode by making everyone laugh, dance and cry. He is such a beautiful soul. I love him so damn much.

Repechage

Decided to tack it onto the end of this post because it was pretty short.

Overall the solos were fairly uninspired from all the dancers. I think maybe because of the lack of an audience, the energy just wasn't there.

AC - there's nothing to say. You all know how much I love AC.

Yu Wan - Still not feeling him. He doesn't get deep into the music. He feels flat.

Stone - as an individual dancer he isn't as strong as when he's working in a group.

MT-Pop - someone I liked from the start. Such a unique style, so much stage presence.

Acky - of course I love this man, and I'm not surprised to see him in this repechage. He never gives up.

The judges - I love it when they give us performances by the judges. It's fun to see the styles they're into. I'm always especially impressed by Tam Rapp. She's such a badass dancer. Some of the moves she does are mind-blowing.

The battle was hard fought, and it came so close between AC and Acky. AC really left it all on the floor. NGL I would have preferred to see AC win, but it's hard to begrudge Acky. He's such a fighter.

IMPORTANT: Please, when responding to this post, remember not to give any spoilers. I want people (including myself) to be able to read the notes of these posts and not get spoiled. Thanks!

[jackmmbirrell71]

Annette (2021)

Seeing this film has made me realise that you can do literally anything with film. This film blew me away and since leaving the cinema I haven't stopped thinking about it. I had no idea what I was going into. All I knew was Adam Driver was in it, Sparks wrote it and it won Best Director at Cannes. From the opening musical number I was hooked. The breaking the fourth wall, the sining, the dancing and the outlandish introductions to the characters was breathtaking to watch. It only got more clever from there. The first act of the film being mainly split by Adam Driver’s character, Henry McHenry, doing an on stage performance to Marion Cotillard’s character, Ann, performing at her opera was cleverly edited together in way that their relationship to one another was perfectly presented without the characters even interacting. 

If you’ve seen Hamilton it’s a bit like that. There is very little spoken dialogue through out the film but it works in this instance, like it does for Hamilton. It draws you more into the story and what’s happening but does it without over playing the signing and dancing by having slowed down moments of ‘pure cinema’. The story takes some twists and turns that quite frankly are outlandish yet have a place to work in this film. The quirkiness of it just adds to the thrill of it all and is a main reason why the film stays with you long after viewing it. 

I adored the cinematography in this film. The camera movements were wonderful and two in particular stuck with me. The first was the beautiful one shot opening number with the ensemble cast singing and marching down a street which was lit perfectly with side street lamps that contrasted great with the costumes of the characters. And the second, my favourite, was the one shot revolving shot around Simon Helberg’s character, The Conductor, which revolves around him at speed whilst he makes a monologue while conducting an orchestra while also breaking the fourth wall. The speed, flow and tightness of the camera works perfectly and is accompanied by some brilliant acting and an amazing score. 

The other thing I love about this film is it’s heavy influence on theatre with sets clearly being displayed through the cinematography in scenes of importance and this I love as the film does heavily rely on everything being exaggerated and the idea of theatricals being a means of media as the characters have a history of ‘on the stage’.

This film is definitely one you either love or hate due to how out-of-this-world it is. Its musical numbers are weird but that’s what makes it unique. It’s hard now a days to find a musical that isn't so cliched and as a musical lover this film is one that is fresh and daring. 

RATING- ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[fullsung]

Shapes // Winwin x Reader // Ch. 3

FYI I almost blew my brains out retyping this after it got deleted so I hope you enjoy!! 

figure skater!winwin, ballerina!reader ; haters to lovers au ; slight angst, fluffy ending, smut (in next chapter) // wc: 1,296

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

Chapter 3

tw: character insults other characters body, brief mention of family death, language

You’re standing outside the ice rink waiting for Winwin and his coach. You're supposed to see him perform his routine and correct him where he is lacking artistically. You felt pressured, since at the previous Olympics, Winwin fell short of the gold medal because the judges felt his performance lacked in artistic value, and if the same thing happens this year, it’s going to fall on your shoulders. 

You’d be lying if you said you weren’t excited. Even though Winwin wasn’t the nicest towards you, you knew he was good at what he did, especially considering the fact that you might’ve stayed up until 3am watching every interview and filmed performance after realizing you might be in love with the asshole. Plus you’ve never seen figure skating live before, yet alone China’s best.

You turn around to see Winwin dressed in a long gray coat, a black fluffy sweater, brown pants and black boots, next to him a taller, plumper man, wearing a tracksuit, who you assume is his coach, but there’s a third person. A man clearly much older than Winwin and even his coach, dressed smartly. You can’t help but notice he has a slight resemblance to Winwin. “Hello Miss Y/L/N, it’s such a pleasure to meet you” the man extends his hand out for a handshake, which you respectfully accept. “I’m Winwin’s father” He beams at you. It finally hits you, that’s where the resemblance comes from.

You were standing by the door to the rink, ready to watch Winwin’s routine. You figured you’d record it on your phone, so he wouldn’t have to do it over and over again every time you pointed out something you wanted to correct, because if he was aiming for gold, the routine was probably hard. Music starts playing, and you shift your gaze to Winwin.

*psssstt watch this (I love Yuzuru so you know I had to do it. Okay moving on)*

You were shocked. Amazed. Winwin was already attractive, but as soon as he started performing he practically transformed into a god. His lean and strong body gliding across the ice, combined with the look of pure concentration and focus in his eyes made him look ethereal, but Winwin’s father clearly thought otherwise. 

“Terrible! You’re an absolute disgrace! Not only was that repulsing, but you also embarrassed yourself in front of Miss Y/L/N! I want this routine perfect!” The old man stormed off and found a bench to sit on further away from the rink, you didn’t miss the flick of anger in Winwin’s eyes.

It had been about three hours of you pointing out areas where Winwin’s dancing was stiff or emotionless, and giving him tips to strengthen and improve certain ballet inspired movements, and even though you didn’t think it was possible, Winwin did even better than the first time. You tell Winwin you’re done and he heads over to the locker room to get changed. Just as you’re about to leave, Winwin’s father calls your name. “Miss Y/L/N, is that all for today?” He asks, you give him a respectful smile “Yes it is. He’s fixed all the areas there was trouble in, and with continuous practice he’ll perfect it in no time. The routine is almost flawless now” He nods at you “Don’t you think he should lose some weight? I saw some of the boys at your academy, they’re all so thin. Winwin was sick for a while and gained some weight, I couldn’t stand seeing him today, he looked like a whale on ice” He laughed. You were dumbfounded, how could a father say something like this about his own son? You catch Winwin behind his father looking at you, not failing to miss the glimpse of sadness in his eyes before he turns away and heads into the changing room. “I’m sorry sir but Winwin’s body is absolutely perfect. He needs to stay healthy to perform well. Now if you’ll excuse me” You give him a curt nod and head into the locker room after Winwin.

You see him on the bench, hunched over, almost inaudible sobs coming from his body. You quietly walk over to him and put your hand on his back, he looks at you, eyes red and puffy, tears still streaming down his face “Please Winwin, talk to me. I know you don’t want to but I’m not leaving you alone until you do” You tell him, concern laced in your voice. Winwin wanted to give you a snark remark and tell you to leave him alone, maybe insult you like he always did, but deep down he knows it's all an act. “I don’t even want to skate anymore. I’m tired of it. I skate because I love it, but after my mother passed away, my father made it seem like it was some sort of obligation. After i won silver 4 years ago he’s become even worse. At first he was proud, but then it turned into pressuring me to do better, saying that if I won silver I could easily win gold, and that I had to do it for my mother. I’m in my 3rd year of college, I just want to enjoy my life, relax, not have him breathing down my neck, so I’m quitting figure skating after the Olympics. I’m only putting up with him until then, but after that I’m cutting him off. I finally won’t have to hear him call me a whale on ice” He said the last part with a soft chuckle

You were shocked at his confession, but at the same time happy he confided in you. “You know, I used to hate ballet. At first I did it because it was fun and I liked the pretty costumes, but when all this word started spreading around about me being some sort of child prodigy, and I started making a lot of money from my guest appearances, it quickly turned into a chore for me. I felt pressured to maintain my “perfect ballerina” image, and the harsh comments I received from people claiming I was not worthy of anything I had received made things even worse. But as I got older I realized that it isn’t worth it living for other people. They had expectations of me and I realized I didn’t have to meet them. I’m happy where I’m at right now. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m content” 

“I love you, you know?” Winwin said, looking at you with admiration in his eyes. “W-what?” You stuttered “I’m in love with you. I know you probably don’t feel the same because I was an asshole to you, but I just couldn’t deal with my feelings for you, even from the first day i met you. You’re too out of my league, too much of an amazing person. But you gave me strength. I was so close to dropping out of the Olympics lineup, but whenever it got hard I’d think of you, and your smile, and it made me want to push forward. Whenever I’m next to you I can barely even breathe, and I’m sorry I was such a dick”

You stared at Winwin, still mildly in shock, but smiling as you realized what he just said. You reach your hand out to cup his face and lean forward, pressing your lips to his. Winwin’s hands move to hold the back of your head, and in that moment nothing else matters. You both move your lips, perfectly synchronized, Winwin’s lips still slightly cold from being on the ice for too long. The kiss is blissful and puts you on cloud nine. After a while you pull away, smiling at him, “I love you too you idiot”

sorry if this was shit but I had to retype it and it’s almost 4 am so forgive me

[nyxravessnow]

2.5D Stage Ranking (Personal Opinion)

I decided to do a personal 2.5d stage and musical ranking. For anyone who is looking for suggestions for shows to watch you might be interested in this.

This is a part one of two

Couple of disclaimers:

I will do two top 10′s. One for quality and one for personal enjoyment as when I thought about it those lists came out quite differently.

I am quite opinionated but I will try and only say positive things as I am only going to do the ones I think are at the top.

I have not seen a few 2.5D productions, including popular ones such as Ensemble stars so please don’t be offended that I haven’t included it.

Ranking and explanations under the cut

Top 10 in Quality

I have ranked the quality of these shows based on several elements:

Staging, costuming, actor’s performances, blocking (dances and fights),  comedy (if there is any), emotion, singing and songs.

I was not basing this ranking at all of faithful adaption of the original source material as for some I have not seen the original source material so I cannot make a fair judgement on that.

1. Tied in First is Mankai A3 and Kuroshitsuji

This be quite a shock for some people as Black Butler is considered by some to be in a different league to all other 2.5d productions. While A3 is very different, I could not chose which between the two I actually thought was higher quality overall. While Black Butler does, I think have better staging, costuming and singing, for the most part. I do think the actual songs for Mankai compliment the story a little better in places, as well as the comedy and emotion landing better with me in Mankai than Black Butler. The actor’s performances is probably the hardest thing to judge. While I think no one in Black Butler ever stands out as weaker at their role, there are very few for me who stand out. I think I would say there are only two who really stood out to me. Sasaki Yoshihide (Druitt) and Uehara Takuya (Grell). While Furukawa Yuuta’s singing was amazing he never really blew me away with his performance. Whereas in Mankai there are so many actors who I think managed to capture the emotions of the characters and the changes the characters go through. But there are a few who I think do stand out as being obviously weaker than the others.

Overall Black Butler has outstanding production value and no weak performances but never absolutely blew me away.

Mankai did have some weak moments and obviously lower production value than Black Butler but did often blow me away with certain bits. 

3. Touken Ranbu Stage  4. Touken Ranbu Musical

While these two are not tying as they have the same source material I will deal with them together.

I haven’t actually seen as much of the stage as I have a few other shows on this list but there was no doubt in my mind that both Touken Ranbus had to come 3rd and 4th and overall I think Touken Ranbu Stage just edged ahead of the musical.

I would say that despite coming from the same original material both shows have a distinctly different feel. While the stage feels like a drama, the musical feels more like a soap opera. While I don’t think it is similar to any actual soap opera show, it has many highs and lows constantly throughout the show. 

Whereas I felt like, from the stages I’ve seen, the stage stays on a similar tone throughout the show until the end as is quite tense except for a few breaks for comedy. (I am not including the most recent show in my thoughts as I feel as though it deviates from the norm for the stage.)

The costumes for the stage are marginally better I feel as though this is a slightly unfair thing to compare as the costumes for the musical have to be designed for a lot more movement for songs and dance numbers. 

But I will compare them as I am basing this on quality so I think the main thing that brings the stage higher than the musical for me is the production value. The staging and costuming is excellent. The acting is phenomenal and while I don’t think the comedy is always better than the musical. I think the comedy it does have is very good.

The musical for me wins outright in only one category which is emotion (as the stage does have songs as well and I cannot fault a single one whereas I can fault a few in the musical). For some reason the emotion in the stage never hit me as hard as the musical did. I have never cried at the stage (though I have not seen the extremely recent ones) but I have cried at every single musical. I think the actor’s portrayal of emotion and the writing of emotional situations just beats out the stage but that is the only category it clearly wins in for me.

Overall stage has much higher production quality and, just on quality, I would not say it has almost any faults.

Overall I think the musical is much more emotional and the production quality is very good, just not as good as the stage.

5. Bungou Stray Dogs

I am not sure for this show, as with Prince of Tennis later, if it would be on this top 10 if I hadn’t seen it live. Seeing this show live was amazing. 

I think the acting performances are perfect, the blocking is excellent and the staging works perfectly for the stage.

Honestly, I cannot think of a single fault this show has which might seem strange as I have put it below four other shows which I do find a few faults with but I think comparatively it’s production value just isn’t as high as the previous four.

6. Tied at sixth is Naruto and Onmyouji

I have very little to say for both of these as while I think they are excellent quality, neither of them are stages I have watched many times. I also have not seen the second Naruto stage.

I think Onmyouji might have the best costuming of any 2.5d show in my opinion. Every single character looks flawless, even more so than the usual quality of 2.5d shows. I also think that the acting is solid and the staging works very well for the show.

Naruto probably has the best blocking of any 2.5d show. The trampoline that is used for the ninja fights works perfectly and I think it looks amazing. The staging is excellent and there are no faults with the performances or the costumes. 

8. Prince of Tennis

I definitely think if I was basing this off the 1st season solely then it would not be in the top ten. Neither would it be if I was basing this on the first and second season. But I think the fact that they both exist is one reason why Prince of Tennis is in the top ten. The evolution and improvement the show has undergone in the 16 years of its existence I think cannot be overstated. 

From the costuming to the acting to the staging to the singing to even the posters I think that 3rd Season Prince of Tennis is the perfect way to depict a sports anime on stage. While I do have problems with some of the actors, which I will not get into, I think Prince of Tennis has evolved into a high quality, mature and great show. 

I might be a bit biased as I have seen it live 14 times, I do think that it holds up on DVD.

I don’t think any other sports anime adapted for the stage has got the way to depict their sport as perfect as Prince of Tennis has. While I think it may be the easiest to depict it never looks strange or unrealistic but actually increases the quality of the show I think as the games look so clean.

Overall I think that it is an amazing show that has come so far and there is a reason it has been going on for 16 years.

9. Haikyuu

I think while it might not have as good production value as other shows on this list Haikyuu is so beloved for a very good reason. The actors do very well, it blends comedy and emotion well and has great staging. The comedy in Shinka no Natsu is amazing and perfectly depicts a training camp and evolution arc. I have actually watched a lot of this show I’m just not quite sure how to explain the quality of the stage.

I think it’s quality is very good and there are very few things I would fault it just never blew me away with any elements like those above did

10. Bakumatsu Rock

This one may not seem as obvious to some people and I’m sure very few people would put it in their top ten for quality but for me the costumes are fantastic and the performances of nearly all the songs is very good. The only reason it isn’t higher on the list is I was not a fan of the recast of Cindy and Sensei (I do know Ii got recast as well but honestly I have no problems with his new actor). I much preferred the previous actors and I think, especially Cindy’s original actor, they had something and understood the character in a way the recasted actors didn’t.

I think everything in the original two plays was perfect for the kind of show Bakumatsu rock is and also I still find Sensei’s original actor’s drum playing to be very impressive as it looks so much like he is actually playing.

So that’s the top 10 for quality list, I will do the top 10 for enjoyment next. If there is a show on here and I haven’t mentioned too much about it but have not mentioned only seeing it limited amounts then there’s a chance it’s on the next list and I’m going to go more in detail then

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Description:

When I arrived at the holiday resort, little did I know that in just a few hours time, I’d be forced to dance half naked in front of several strangers with my flabby belly on show for everyone to see.

I’d been really looking forward to this weekend – It was a chance to let off some steam and unwind with some of my friends.

In fact, I was relieved to be away from home because I’d been going through a rough patch with my fiancé and needed some time away to think things through.

Unfortunately, things went downhill shortly after we arrived when I discovered that I’d be taking part in the middle eastern tradition of belly-dancing!

Sure, it was meant to be a bit of fun with the girls – but the very thought of my belly fat shaking uncontrollably scared the life out of me. And…

Although, I tried to make my excuses, my friends are very persuasive. So…

As you can imagine, I was feeling well and truly out of my comfort zone and the thought of making my belly dance for all to see scared the life out of me.

In truth, I’d struggled with my weight for years, but with things not going too well with my fiancé, I’d found comfort in eating on fast food and my belly had ballooned beyond control.

To everyone on the outside it seemed like everything was perfectly fine.

Unfortunately, behind closed doors things were far from fine and over the last year or so we’d both grown apart. Yet…

Neither of us wanted to admit that the relationship was over. Instead we would niggle at each other and row constantly.

I felt miserable and to make myself feel better I would eat, and eat and eat!

I was out of control. Yet…

It wasn’t until I put on the belly-dancing costume that I realized just how bad things had become…

I stepped outside to show the girls my costume, I felt so ashamed. Of course, my friends didn’t say anything about my over hanging belly. They didn’t need to, it was plain to see!

The girls laughed and joked together, all while taking photos – I stood in silence and once again, put on my fake smile for the camera. I tried to pull in my stomach as best I could, but it didn’t  hide the fact that I was a good 40+ pounds overweight.

As time went on and the “belly dance” grew nearer, my doubts grew stronger. It’s one thing showing your belly off to your friends, but it’s another shaking it up and down and side to side in front of several strangers.

As I waited nervously for the class to begin, I couldn’t bear to glance down…

After another minute or two the teacher arrived ready to start the class.

Not only did I have to show off my flabby, out of shape, belly but I now had to wiggle and jiggle it backwards and forwards and side to side.

The teacher shouted from the front of the class, “Are you ready girls?”

I would never be ready for this, not in a million years. Yet…

Off I went moving my hips from side to side and font to back. With each little movement Icould feel the rolls of fat on my belly wobble like jelly.

My face was now bright red with embarrassment and I wanted a hole in the ground to swallow me up.

I tried to block out my belly fat, I really did, but it was no use.

After less than a minute the humiliation was too much to take. I left the class with tears streaming down my face.

My friends followed, but it was too late – the damage had been done.

After the nightmare weekend, I arrived home, I was really feeling sorry for myself. Although…

I couldn’t bring myself tp tell my fiancé what had happened. I just sat that there quietly eating my ice-cream.

I wanted to forget the whole incident and pretend it never happened. However…

That night, I was flicking through the photos on my phone and there it was…

A photo of me, wearing that god-awful, belly dancing costume – it made me cringe and feel physically sick.

I couldn’t believe that I’d been so naive as to jiggle my flabby belly backwards and forwards in front of a several of strangers! What was I thinking?

I knew that I wasn’t in the best shape, but It wasn’t until I saw this photo, that I realized how bad things had really become.

I stood naked in front of the mirror…

I tried to pull in my stomach. It wasn’t pretty, my belly just hung there in a flabby mess.

I wasn’t just “a little out of shape”, I was a good 40+ pounds overweight and looked dreadful.

Listen, this was me at my breaking point…

There’s going to come a time when you finally reach your breaking point and you realize that something HAS to change.

Maybe you’ve been frustrated with your weight for a while now…

Maybe you’ve felt unloved and alone for far too long…

Maybe you had a horribly embarrassing moment like I had, where it triggers this mental shift in your brain, and you decide right then and there that you’re NOT going to take it anymore…

Whatever it is, reaching your breaking point is the BEST thing that will ever happen to you…

It’ll save your life…

It’ll jumpstart your weight loss in ways you can’t even imagine…

Because when that drive and determination kicks in, and you take all that built up frustration and anger from years of low-self esteem, others making fun of you behind your back, and maybe even feelings of depression…

You take ALL of that and finally put it towards something powerful and positive…

Which is YOU taking back your life and getting the body of your dreams so you can look and FEEL absolutely amazing every day of the week. However…

The one thing I needed at this time in my life was some extra guidance and support. I couldn’t do it alone and that’s when I turned to my big brother for help…

Yep, I’m Sarah’s big brother…

Not only did I want to help Sarah lose weight, I wanted to see her happy again! Although…

In a strange kind of way, if it wasn’t for Sarah’s belly dancing torment, I’d have never stumbled upon the weird metabolic formula that not only helped transform her body in just a few short weeks, it has also helped transform 1000’s of other men and women too.

In fact, if you stay with me until the end, you’ll discover the weird metabolic formula that allows you to eat all your favorite foods and lose fat faster than your ever thought possible.

Just make sure you keep an open mind, because what I’m about to tell you is frowned upon by so-called experts and the medical industry. However…

It works and it works bloody well 🙂

Big Brother To The Rescue

After seeing the physical and emotional turmoil Sarah had gone through over the last few months I was more than happy to help. Yet…

I wanted to gauge if Sarah was really ready for a change. So, the next day I sent her a text message with a short exercise routine to complete.

The day after, to my surprise, I got a message back from Sarah saying “Hi Gav! Wow, that was tough and my body aches…in a good way! What’s my next workout?!”

Good start! Maybe she was ready to finally lose her excess weight and transform her life…

I called her right back and said “Right, if we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it properly. Okay?”

I told her about some of the extreme methods I use with my one-to-one clients to get rapid results. Rather than picking one method, she said “Let’s use all of the extreme fat loss methods. Can we do that?!”

That made me laugh, but at the same time, a bit apprehensive…

Okay, so Sarah was definitely serious about losing weight, but I REALLY wasn’t certain that combining several “extreme” fat loss methods was such a good idea.

Would Sarah be able to stick to the plan? Would these methods complement each other or work against each other? And would it even be safe to do so? These were just a few of the questions bouncing around inside my noggin. Yet…

After some arm-twisting, Sarah convinced me to put this weird metabolic experiment to the test that would attempt to help her lose fat fast, especially those pesky pockets of fat around her hips, belly and thighs. So…

Like some sort of Frankenstein, I got to work on creating a powerful formula that would dramatically reduce inflammation, supercharge metabolism and boost hormonal mojo – ALL at the same time.

If I could do this, then I could potentially create a red hot metabolism, otherwise known as your “Metabolic Hot Zone”…

While in this zone your metabolism stays elevated for hours, days even, allowing your body to release stubborn fat cells and reveal a tight, toned body for the first time in years.

The funny thing is that instead of making it all complicated and difficult to follow for Sarah, I kept it ridiculously simple…

I sent Sarah a simple text message every day with diet instructions and a short exercise routine to follow. Now…

What happened next was crazy, because Sarah noticed her skin starting to glow, she slept better than she had in months and by day 5 it was obvious things were working well, because her clothes started to feel loose too. So…

With her motivation sky high, we kept this going for a total of 19 days!

It was so easy to follow and the results were coming thick and fast, why wouldn’t she?!

I’m so glad she she stuck with it, because at the end of 19 days her results blew my mind. But…

Before I tell you more about Sarah’s amazing transformation, I need to tell you why so many so-called experts have got this fat loss malarkey totally wrong.

Fad Diets And Traditional Workouts Only Cause A Metabolic Deep Freeze – Making Your Belly Fatter!

That’s because you’re about to discover a brand new fat loss formula that not only helped my sister, but has helped men and women just like you get a firm, flat, toned stomach with short, simple bodyweight movements and a unique diet cycle in as little as 19 days from now.

The best part about this new body slimming breakthrough is that it will ignite even the most sluggish metabolism regardless of your age, gender or how out of shape you are, so that you can finally achieve the slim and toned body you’ve dreamed of – EVEN IF:

ANYBODY AT ANY Age Can Switch ON Their “Metabolic Hot Zone” And Achieve A Flat And Firm Belly With This Breakthrough Formula. 

All you need to ignite the Metabolic Hot Zone is your own bodyweight and a proven rapid fat loss solution to FINALLY shrink your belly, as well as tone your hips, butt and thighs. 

If you THINK  having a flat and firm belly is a lost cause or some sort of pipe dream – be sure to read every word of this article and you will be both shocked and pleasantly surprised…

Now, I must warn you…You cannot find this new belly slimming solution anywhere else. This is the first time it’s be made available to the public on this very page.

Just imagine this time next week when your friends and family compliment you and ask if you’ve lost weight.  You look in the mirror to not only reveal a flatter, firmer belly…but a person with a new found confidence and zest for life. And that’s just the beginning, because this never before seen solution will also release powerful anti-ageing molecules that will smooth out wrinkles and help you look up to 10 years younger.

Before we dive into how this is all done, I need to tell you something…

There’s a bizarre idea among many health professionals that losing 1-2 pounds a week is good progress…

Let me tell you something, losing 1-2 pounds a week is all very well, but it’s very slow progress AND frustrating if you’re spending hours in a gym or dieting. In my experience “slow and steady” often gives up…

In a recent study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition they found that those who lost their excess fat slowly when starting a new diet or fitness program would give up before those who had faster results.

And in my experience losing a large amount of fat in those first few weeks of starting a new fitness and diet program does your willpower and confidence the World of good.

Seeing the inches drop off and being able to fit into an old pair of jeans is an amazing feeling and it encourages you to stick with it long-term.

Personally, I think the results in those first few weeks have really got to excite you. The problem with the “1-2 pounds a week” notion, that many health professionals often speak about, is that it’s based on outdated methods. There’s actually a far quicker way to lose fat and transform your body.

It drives me crazy when I see people following this lame advice and struggling with their weight loss for years. Let’s be honest, if you’re several pounds overweight then you can certainly lose more than 1-2 pounds per week.

And I’ll tell you how in just a moment…

If traditional cardio workouts produced fantastic results we would probably overlook the sheer boredom of it all. Unfortunately, that’s not the case…

You see, exercising on some medieval torture contraption isn’t the best way to lose belly fat. I get so frustrated when I see people plodding along in a bid to banish their wobbly bits. So, let me be straight with you…

If you LOVE doing traditional cardio and it makes you feel good, by all means keep doing it. I’m not going take that away from you. But…

If you want to burn as much fat as possible, please read on…

In a study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness (Vol. 52(3):255-62), sixty overweight young women were separated into three groups.

Groups 1 & 2 exercised five days per week for 12 weeks and the researchers concluded that group 1 (shorter, more challenging workouts) produced far better results than of those in the traditional cardio group. Traditional cardio strikes out yet again!

This is not the only study to prove that traditional cardio is terrible at burning belly fat. I could rattle off several more studies, but chances are, you already know this.

You’ve more than likely followed that classic workout of doing 10-minutes on the treadmill, then 10-minutes on the cross-trainer, followed by another 10-minutes on the bike.

And where has it got you…

Most people I speak to struggle to lose weight because they haven’t got enough TIME.

I’ve got a young family and I know how tricky things can be when you’re trying to juggle the kids, work and other social engagements.

So, yes – TIME is a BIG problem.

I’ve been there. Getting to the gym and then back home can be a mission in itself. Even a quick gym workout can take you the best part of an hour-and-a-half when you factor in travel, changing and showering.

And this is a common mistake people make…

The government has told us that we need to aim for 5 hours of moderate intensity exercise, like jogging, each week. That’s a big ask for those who have children or jobs. It’s these sorts of guidelines that block fat loss, makes us look old and leads to a number of diseases.

You see, we’ve all been brain-washed into thinking that we’ve got to join a fancy gym and spend hours there to burn fat, when that’s simply not the case at all.

You can get BETTER results with far LESS time.

You don’t need long exercise sessions or even a gym to get in the best shape of your life. You can exercise from the comfort of your own home with zero equipment wearing whatever you want to…

As long as you as follow an exercise plan that is not only effective in terms of time, but also burning belly fat fast, so that you can get on with the rest of your life.

You’ve heard it all before right…

“If you want to lose weight you have to give up your favorite foods”. So…

No more pizza, ice-cream, cookies, cake or wine…EVER! 🙁

The thing is that this is complete nonsense, because you can still enjoy ALL of your fave foods WITHOUT guilt and actually keep your metabolism firing on all cylinders.

The answer is to use your fave foods strategically…not to cut them out completely!

Of course, if you eat donuts and cookies ALL the time that’s not going to work, but neither will cutting out all the foods you love. And not just from a psychological standpoint, but a physical one too.

You see, many men and women cut out the foods they love and drop the calories in a bid to lose weight. And this might work initially, but soon after your body’s hormones, in particular a pesky hormone called leptin, will kick up a fuss and bring your metabolism to a crawl. So…

To make sure you stay in your metabolic hot zone and keep leptin happy, the best thing to do is up your calories strategically and enjoy some of your fave foods. Happy days!

Look, I know that you’ve tried to lose weight and failed…probably several times! You’ve tried the gadgets and gizmos, the fad diets and maybe even some of Dr Oz’s magic beans.

Did you lose fat quickly? Did you tighten and tone your stomach? Did these methods make you feel good about yourself?

But, that’s really not your fault…

So, let me be straight with you. The reason you you didn’t succeed with all these other programs:

Instead, to get the long lasting results you desire, you need a NEW approach…a SMARTER approach…

One that synchronizes your hormonal mojo with special bodyweight movements to switch ON your Metabolic Hot Zone, so that your body will melt through belly fat effortlessly, finally giving you that flat and firm belly you’ve always wanted, no matter what your age or level of fitness.

What you REALLY need is a system that:

Sarah had tried all kinds of diet programs in the past such as Weight Watchers and Slimmers World, but they just didn’t do the job and left her feeling disappointed.

She’d complain about always being hungry and have to fight the urge to eat because these programs were always about restricting your diet and counting calories…which she hated!

Sarah felt like she was drowning and was desperate to lose her belly once and for all.

And that’s when she turned to me for help…

Listen, it really was awful to hear my sister in an emotional mess, not just from her weekend trip away, but to hear of her failing relationship too.

Of course I wanted to help her lose weight, but I was determined to see her happy and enjoying life again. So…

I put together an experimental fat loss plan, based on the secrets I had learned over the years with the idea of synchronizing her diet, exercise and hormones to help bring her metabolism in from the cold and into what I call the “Hot Zone”.

It was only a matter of days until she started seeing the belly slimming results in the mirror, which really helped her motivation, but by the end of my 19-day plan her results shocked and pleasantly surprised both of us.

She lost 17 pounds and 15 inches from her body…in just 19 days.

To say that Sarah was on cloud 9 would be an understatement. In fact, she was thrilled with her results.

But she hadn’t finished there…

She was was keen to lose even more fat, so she stuck with it for a further 3 weeks and the next time I saw her I couldn’t believe my eyes. Her belly fat had COMPLETELY vanished, not to mention her skin was glowing and her arms and legs were more toned too.

She felt great and looked fan-bloody-tastic. But more importantly, it gave Sarah her confidence back. The confidence to go and enjoy life to the fullest – and just in case you wondered – the confidence to finish things with her fiancé and move on with her life.

This was the moment I first realized the full power of switching ON your Metabolic Hot Zone and the fantastic belly shrinking results that would follow.

I was so excited by Sarah’s amazing vanishing belly, that I knew I had to share these powerful strategies with other men and women around the world who were struggling to lose belly fat.

Why is The Hot Zone Formula™ the  #1 solution to achieving the slim and defined body you have always wanted, FASTER than you ever thought possible?

Because it synchronizes how you eat with the way you exercise to activate your body’s hot zone hormones, which in turn opens the fat loss ‘floodgates’ and accelerates your metabolism so that you can melt away fat every hour of the day. This is not only the fastest way to burn fat, it’s the only way for men and women over 30 to switch ON their Metabolic Hot Zone.

As you now know, with each passing year your metabolism get’s colder and colder, making it more difficult to burn fat.

And when you eat or exercise the wrong way, this only FREEZES your metabolism and causes further fat storage around your belly, hips, thighs and butt.

Once you reach 30 years old your metabolism automatically starts to slow down year after year BLOCKING fat loss and storing fat becomes a certainty.

However, it is possible for men and women over 30 to reverse this metabolic clock, so that you stop weight gain in it’s tracks…You’re just not using it!

The best part about The Hot Zone Formula™ is that you can get lightning fast results with a few diet tweaks and some special bodyweight movements in about half the time of regular workouts.

The Hot Zone Formula™  uses a simple 3 step sequence to sync your Hot Zone Hormones and fire up your metabolism, so that losing belly fat becomes effortless.

By following this simple formula your icy-cold metabolism becomes a thing of the past as you permanently upgrade your metabolism, keeping belly fat at bay for years to come.

And this is how ANY man and woman, at ANY age, at Any fitness level can melt away belly fat easily and boost their self-confidence beyond measure.

In fact, I’m sure you know men and women that are already using this formula. Those very same people that seem to stay slim all year round, year after year no matter what they eat. Whether they know it or not, they’re using this 3 step sequence to boost their metabolism and keep it in the Hot Zone.

And that’s the exact reason why you’ve been frustrated year after year…

This powerful 3 step sequence awakens your body’s natural fat burning systems from their icy slumber and cranks up the heat forcing your metabolism into the Hot Zone making stubborn fat around the belly, hips, thighs and arms a thing of the past.

Switch OFF The Deep Freeze

First, we need to awaken your metabolism from it’s icy slumber.

Then we need to prime your metabolism for faster fat loss by switching on your Hot Zone Hormones.

And finally, open the flood gates to ALL your excess fat by activating your Metabolic Hot Zone.

You see, most diets and exercise routines simply focus on the calories and this might work for the younger kids, but in my experience with working with thousands of men and women over 30, you’ve got to focus on both your metabolism AND your hormonal mojo to fully activate your Metabolic Hot Zone, so that you can get a flatter belly in less time AND effort.

Quite simply, when you follow these 3 simple steps your body won’t have any option other than to burn belly fat quickly.

Hi, my name is Gavin Walsh and I’ve spent the last 15 years helping 1,000’s of men and women, just like you, transform their out of shape, flabby body to a toned and sexy body that turns heads.

I’ve seen first hand the struggles that men and women in their 30’s and beyond have been through and why so many fad diets and exercise routines have left them fatter with almost no hope of getting the body they truly desire.

Many so-called experts simply don’t target the one thing that matters…switching ON your Metabolic Hot Zone.

When you switch ON your Metabolic Hot Zone your body’s natural fat burning processes are ignited making fat loss almost effortless, even from stubborn areas like your hips, butt and thighs. Yet, millions of men and women in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s are suffering with from a metabolic deep freeze making it almost impossible to lose ANY fat, especially from around the belly.

Fortunately, I’ve been able to work with some of the world’s top fat loss experts and have seen their best kept belly slimming secrets first hand. Through my own private clients I’ve been able to build on these secrets and even throw in a few new ones of my own! In fact nowadays, I’m regularly sought out by the press to comment and contribute on fitness and fat loss matters featuring in the likes of Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Cosmopolitan and Harpers Bazaar to name just a few.

By the way, this is also a picture of me below and at the time of this photo my Wife had just given birth to our first child. Let me tell you, nipping off to the gym several times a week was a big no-no during this time. Mrs W would have killed me! Yet…

Ever keen to stay to stay fit and healthy I followed the same methods I’d given to my sister just weeks before and to my surprise I ended up being in the best shape I’ve been in for years.

Now, I know what you’re thinking…

You’re probably thinking that I’m probably one of these personal trainers who lives in a gym and eats broccoli 24/7, right? And that I should be in good shape!

Can I be honest with you? Yes, I eat healthy and exercise, but I’m actually a regular type of guy, with all the commitments that come with juggling a young family and work.

I’ve got a serious sweet tooth and a wife that loves to bake cakes, which is not the greatest combination, but I’m not giving up cake for anyone! Plus, this might shock the “fitness gurus” out there, but I even drink the odd beer from time to time…just don’t tell them!

See, I told you I was a normal kind of guy!

After seeing Sarah’s amazing  results it suddenly dawned on me…

I may be on the verge of a major breakthrough that could well help 1000’s of men and women melt away ugly belly fat in record time.

Maybe I could film the short bodyweight workouts I gave Sarah.

Perhaps I could turn the scribbled notes into a step-by-step plan and help lots more people, just like you, get jaw dropping results.

And that’s exactly what I did…

My sister was the first guinea-pig, but I had to confirm that my Hot Zone Formula worked with other men and women too.

So,  I tried it with a small beta group…

The result: They ALL lost weight rapidly.

In fact, the results were anywhere from 7 – 25 pounds in just 19 days.

I would hear these beta testers bragging about how much weight they’d lost and how the fat was still dropping off even after the program had finished

Yet, that wasn’t the only thing.

They started feeling more mentally focused, had 10x more energy, had more tone in their muscles and they looked and felt healthier than they had in years.

How could I not share this information with you?! So…

I packaged this breakthrough system into a step-by-step plan to help men and women transform their bodies from flabby to firm in just 19 days.

I’m absolutely convinced that these flat belly secrets I’m about to share with you will FINALLY help you achieve the body you deserve.

You see, even though I’ve been using the same unique belly shrinking formula with hundreds of my personal clients…

I’m on a mission to help as many men and women get their best EVER body by switching ON their Metabolic Hot Zone and  flattening their belly PERMANENTLY.

And, the only way I can do this is by packaging up all my strategies and secrets into one easy-to-use, follow along system that ANY man or woman call follow, no matter what age or fitness level to get the best ever body.

In fact, I’ve specifically designed this fat loss system for men and women that have struggled with their belly fat no matter how hard they’ve tried in the past. If this sounds like you, then Lean In 19 is the answer.

“After having a baby 7 months ago I had lost quite a bit of weight but was still, what felt like was, a long way off the size I was pre-baby and it was getting frustrating that I couldn’t fit into the clothes I wore before I had our little boy. I had been thinking for a few weeks that I needed to do something about it and had started exercising but as I was a gym bunny before I felt that the exercise I was able to do at home wasn’t hard enough to get the kind of results I wanted. I signed up for Gavin’s program as with a 7 month old child I wasn’t able to get to the gym and the exercise I was trying to do at home when I had a moment, weren’t giving me the results I wanted. It was just what I needed to give me that extra push and the exercise I needed to get great results.

Getting an email everyday with the exercises for that day is a real boost as not only does it stop it being boring but you feel that Gavin is with you ever step of the way. It also gave me the extra motivation to do the exercises and not cut corners as otherwise you have Gavin to answer to!! The exercises range from 5 minutes to 30 minutes and that was perfect for the amount of time I had each day around looking after my little boy and our busy schedule. Sometimes I’d look at what exercise I needed to do for the program and think it was going to take me an hour but in reality it was never longer than 30 minutes. The intensity ranges through the program from lung busting to just a little out of breath but as you can go at your own pace it’s all attainable and as the days go by and your fitness increases you feel better and more proud of yourself. When I started the programme I was 139 pounds and at the top end of a size 12 dress size, I’m now 128 pounds and am in a size 10. In all I lost 13″ and the weight and inches are still coming off. The results are fantastic, I lost 13″ and 11 pounds in 19 days and feel that the weight will stay off, not like some of the fad diets and programs that are around. I will definitely be keeping up the healthy eating programme that comes with the exercises as it’s yummy and wasn’t hard for me to stick to. The weight and inches are still coming off even though I’ve now finished the program. I couldn’t be happier!!”

“Hey Gavin, Just a quick update as I’m off to Spain tomorrow and wont be able to finish the program

DO NOT WORRY I will be starting again when we get back and my girlfriend will be joining me too

To be honest I cannot believe the difference, I have gone from 15stone to 14stone and taken 4″ off my belly.

Thank you so much for your help and advice and we will be back in touch after the holiday.

When I first created the Hot Zone Formula I knew that I needed to do more than simply focus on the calories, especially if I wanted to target stubborn belly fat. And that’s why I created these 3 phases.

Each phase will boost your metabolism, but the REAL power is when you combine each phase. This unique combination thrusts your metabolism into the Hot Zone making fat loss almost effortless and when you SEE a flatter and more toned stomach just days from now, it really spurs you on to do even more.

Let me tell you about each of these phases below…

To wake up your metabolism I designed a 5 day diet strategy that’ll quickly fire up even the most sluggish metabolism and have it burning belly fat faster than you ever have before.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll discover…

To turn up the heat on your metabolism we need to throw in some exercise, but not just any ordinary exercise. These workouts have been specifically designed with busy men and women in mind and can be done from the comfort of your own home in minutes.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll discover…

Combine phase one and two to fully activate your Metabolic Hot Zone and synchronize ALL of your body’s natural fat burning systems so that you can burn belly fat 24/7.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll discover…

Seriously, this system is truly unique and virtually guaranteed to work when you follow the 3 step formula. In fact, I’d go as far as to say you’ve never experienced anything like this before and that’s because most diets and exercise routines DON’T even attempt to unite your hormones with special bodyweight movements that sky-rocket your metabolism for days.

I’ve spent years training 1000’s of men and women, just like you, and have first hand experience of the struggles they’ve been through. Yet the good news is that when these men and women have used this powerful formula they’ve not only lost belly fat for the first in years, they’ve discovered a new found confidence in themselves and a joy to live life to the fullest.

NO other program targets your Metabolic Hot Zone – This is the best AND only way to switch ON your Metabolic Hot Zone.

Look, the bottom line is: you simply can’t find anything like this anywhere else except on this very page.

I know how busy you are with the kids, family and work. Yet, that’s the beauty of this program. I’ve designed it in a specific way so that you can get your workouts done and then get on with your day with minimal fuss, all while keeping your body smack bang in the middle of it’s Hot Zone for several days at a time.

“Very pleased to report I’ve lost 7lbs and 3 inches from the tum.

I didn’t follow the plan exactly, the diet I did but exercise wise I am doing a combination of Gavin’s exercises or gym classes because I love them, so much fun! And this way I can sustain it exercising daily etc, thanks Gavin for all your knowledge and motivation.

I want to be honest here and give you a friendly warning, because although this lean body formula works extremely well, it’s not another quick fix of short cut.

It will take some effort on your part, but if you’re unmotivated or looking for a magic bullet to burn fat faster and although I’ve made this as easy as possible, it’s probably best we part ways now.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to keep an open mind and follow my unique formula, LEAN IN 19 is the breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for.

Whether you have 5, 10, 15 or even 20+ pounds to lose, this program will work for you no matter what your age or fitness level – as long as you take action.

So, if you’ve been struggling to get the belly slimming results you desire, then Lean In 19 is for you.

Make that decision to start today. You owe it to yourself.

“I absolutely loved the programme. I liked how you (Gavin) came across – not harsh or aggressive and I adore your assistant – the puppy! At first glance the programme seems hard, but in reality its not. You are delivered an exercise programme daily plus you have Gavin’s support at the end of the email, and I liked the fact you did not have to wait an age for a reply! Also, as a working mum, being able to train at home with the kids in the other room is great.

For me the reason I wanted to lose weight and get fit is mainly because I am getting married next year and although I will be a 40-something bride I want to walk down the aisle looking my best, I am aiming for a size 10. I do not want to waddle and feel self-conscious as all eyes will be on me. Also my weight had been affecting my joints, especially my knees, so I knew I had to do something.

In the past I have tried everything – the ritual humiliation of weight watchers and being weighed in front of people, not losing and being told off!, going to a gym and after a few weeks losing motivation because I didn’t know what to do. I did, a couple years ago, do a 4 week boot camp in a local park, it was good but as a busy working mum, it was difficult to fit the sessions in.

Although I did not lose a huge amount of weight (in total about 8 pounds) I did lose a lot of inches. Before I started the programme I was, if I admit to myself, a size 18, pretending to be a size 16. I am now a comfortable size 14. Losing a massive 9 inches off my waist so much so my H2B is complaining I have no belly to rub. My mum who is very quick to tell me when I have gained weight said I was looking slim and she could see that my bum and hips were shrinking. Most of all I feel great in my self: more confident. I am less grouchy (I think eating clean has help with the elimination of the sugar and bad saturated fats). The programme has given me the kick up the backside I needed to start to lose the remaining 2 stone before my wedding and for life!”

Although the photos don`t do me any favours, I personally don’t think I have looked so good since leaving the forces over 20yrs ago! Which is all down to your work outs and nutritional advice,

It’s not been easy, but if you really want something its worth the pain, both mentally and physically and this was definitely worth it.

My main aim was to try and increase my fitness to be able to complete my first triathlon, which I hope to do on Sunday. I will be competing against my gym manager who has been taking my money for the past 6 months (membership). If i beat him I will be pointing him in your direction! I would do it all again, (cause I can).

I am supremely confident that this system is the most comprehensive and effective fat loss program ever created. I know, that’s a big call, but that’s how confident I am that when you follow this easy-to-use system you’ll get better results that anything you’ve used before.

However… I decided not to stop there. I wanted you to be so over the top thrilled about investing in the Lean In 19  formula that I decided to fill in the ‘gaps’ by creating 4 special bonuses that will make your transformation even easier!

“I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and your Lean in 19 program for helping me get into shape for my wedding.

A few months ago I was at my wits end trying to lose weight having failed miserably and time was running out.

I’ve always been big but thought I was pretty fit doing annual bike rides, marathon and triathlons for charity but your program showed me how unfit I was and how effective a few simple changes can be. My friend Sarah put me in touch with you and I started Lean In 19 end of May, she checked in with me Day 3 and I could only summon the response – my ass is killing me!

Well 19 days later, I was 14 pounds lighter and the inches had fallen off and I loved having Gavin pop into my living room every morning at 5am to put me through my paces!

Now, you might think that a breakthrough system like this would cost a tidy sum…and in all honestly, it probably should. Yet…

When I first created this system I wanted to make sure that EVERY man and woman over 30 struggling to lose belly fat could afford to achieve the body they’d always dreamed of…

Without breaking the bank.

And this is where the internet steps in, because you get instant access to everything you need in one easy-to-use spot for one super low price.

Plus, as the creator of this slimming solution I want to get as many testimonials from men and women just like you and this means that I’m slashing the price even further to reward you for being an action taker.

All you need is a little commitment and determination for 19 short days to see a brand NEW you every time you look in the mirror.

So for the next few days, take advantage of this insanely low price.

And to sweeten the deal, I’ll make sure ALL the risk is on me…

You can go through the entire 19 day program FIRST – and if you decide it’s not for you, just let me know and I’ll refund EVERY penny.

I’m so confident that you’ll visibly see a flat and firmer belly after just 19 days using this slimming solution I’m offering an UNCONDITIONAL 100% money back guarantee.

This simply means that all the risk is on me! If you’re not satisfied with your results, don’t like the program, the workouts, or even my British accent in the follow-along videos all that you need to is shoot me an email and I’ll refund every penny.

No hard feelings. We can still remain friends.

The refund will be super fast, usually within just a few hours.

I won’t take it personally. I won’t even ask “why”. I’ll refund your money with a smile just because you gave this breakthrough system a try.

That’s my personal guarantee. Love it or hate it, all the risk is on me and that’s how it should be.

So remember, if for ANY reason Lean In 19 doesn’t live up to your expectations, all you have to do is just drop me an email within 60 days of your purchase and I’ll give you a full, no-questions asked refund.

This means you can actually use and apply THREE full 19 day cycles of Lean In 19 with ZERO risk. And if you’re not blown away AFTER you take action and achieve the dream body you’ve always dreamed of, you get ALL your money back.

Remember, Lean In 19 is a brand NEW system and I want to get this belly slimming formula into as many hands as possible, so that men and women just like you can experience the thrill of having a flat belly and new found confidence.

If you’ve lost your mojo and are frustrated with the shape of your body, yet are prepared to follow my proven 3 step formula, then Lean In 19 is for you.

However, you need to act fast because this special discount is on a first come first served basis and I’m not sure how long I’m going to be able to continue this ridiculously low price.

I’ll be honest with you…

I’m personally responsible for over 1000 real world body transformations and that number is growing by the day.

But the ONE THING that I noticed was that some people simply will not take the necessary steps to really make it happen.

The reality is, if all you do is use my special bodyweight workouts you’ll get noticeable results in the way your belly looks and feels.

For most people, this is usually enough to motivate you to keep following these these belly slimming workouts so you can continue shrinking your waistline, melt away stubborn fat and transform your life.

However… For every person that I see take action and commit to using The Hot Zone Formula, there’s another person who ignores this information completely and continues for another year, trying to figure it out all for on their own and worse, NOT getting any results.

Which leaves me with one final question for you… Which person do you want to be?

Remember – the only reason you’ve been frustrated year after year with unsightly fat hanging off your body is because you were lied to…And that’s the reason you’ve felt TRAPPED…

Those other diets and workout program don’t activate YOUR Metabolic Hot Zone and actually work against your body prolonging the metabolic deep freeze making it almost impossible to burn ANY fat.

That’s why it hasn’t been your fault – today is YOUR day… your day to retake control by taking responsibility: Try Lean In 19 for 60 full days, on me… and see the results you desire, or you pay nothing!

Do the smart thing and choose to take action and responsibility right now for your body and life.

Remember, the choice is yours.

The workouts, the diet plan, and the follow-along videos are there for you.

Now it’s time for you to take action.

Just try it, that’s all I can ask.

See you on the inside, so we can start transforming your body like never before!

Fitness & Fat Loss Expert

P.S. – Don’t forget, my Iron-Clad, 100% Money-Back Guarantee, I’m giving you a full 60 days to maximize your fat burning potential and discover what so many others have – a way to “outsmart” your metabolism and burn an INSANE amount of fat without the pain and suffering of dieting down. Grab it right now, RISK-FREE.

Lean in 19 is a 19 day rapid fat loss program that combines a highly effective exercise program with advanced nutrition techniques (cheat days, fast days, carbohydrate depletion) and numerous other “advanced” fat loss methods.

The secret is in the set-up. I’ve tested all these methods over several years and finally found the perfect formula.  These methods will stimulate fat loss, increase metabolism and limit fat gain in the most effective manner possible.    Every single day, every single workout, every single thing you do on this program is for a very specific reason that contributes to the overall rapid fat loss effects of the program.

Simply put, when you learn how to unlock the right methods in the right combination and in the right sequence, the results are incredible.

NO.  In fact, you’ll have a full blown cheat day each week where you can literally eat WHATEVER you want . That’s right, THREE out of the short 19 days that make up the program require that you indulge all your cravings without worry.  And the best part?  It’s all set up so that you accelerate your results. Burning FAT while cheating.

Great question, because many diet programs have a significant ‘rebound’!  The great thing about Lean in 19 is the fact that it protects your metabolism throughout the entire course of the program to make sure the weight you lose stays lost after the 19 days conclude.  Not only that,  I’ve created a 12 week maintenance plan to help you lose even more fat once the 19 days are finished.

Of course!  You can use Lean in 19 as many times as you’d like to help melt away your fat loss goals quickly; We just recommend that after each 19 day cycle you spend at least 4 weeks doing a more moderate program like my maintenance program, to allow your body to recover from the somewhat “extreme” methods used within the Lean in 19 program.

No!  That’s the beauty of the internet. The entire program will become immediately available to you via download after your purchase – no shipping fees, no waiting for results!

Yes, you’ll be able to follow the diet plan without any problems at all. However, for the exercise plan I recommend that you go at your own pace and take the first days easy to see how your body reacts to the specific training regime and contact me if you have any issues.  The program is set up to have you losing fat fast while increasing your metabolism–no matter what age you are. In the oldest person I’ve had take part in the program was 77 years young!

While the program is “extreme” in nature, modifications can be made to make it suitable for a wide range of fitness levels and starting points.  The truth is that it’s going to be tough and you’ll curse my name and wonder why in the World you started this plan, but after you’ve finished each workout you’ll feel great and once the fat starts to drop off you’ll be over the moon. So, for best results follow the plan as it’s laid out, that’s how you’ll get the very best results.

Of course.  The program was designed with my sister in mind, but you know something! I’ve had over a hundred men go through this program and I even use it with my male clients.

Simply put, if you follow the Lean in 19 program exactly as outlined in the materials, and do NOT lose more fat in 19 days than you ever have previously, just contact me and I’ll refund your money.  It’s that simple.

I stand behind my product as the fastest fat loss program ever created, and if doesn’t yield those results for you when followed, you get your money back.  No hassles, no hoops to jump through, just a prompt, courteous refund.

As you can see, the burden to deliver is 100% on me—the only thing you need to do is let me prove it to you!

Please read my brutally honest disclaimer: Due to recent statements from the FTC, it is required that I identify what a typical result is. The truth: most people are lazy and do nothing with the products they buy. So most of the time, their typical results are zero. The biggest factor is you. There is no such thing as a miracle pill or silver bullet. You’re the only one that can make this happen. So step up and let’s make your dream body a reality!

Note: Upon purchase, you will be given instant access! This is a virtual product, that can be conveniently downloaded or accessed anywhere with an internet connection. No hard product will be shipped. ClickBank is the retailer of this product. CLICKBANK® is a registered trademark of Click Sales, Inc., a Delaware corporation located at 917 S. Lusk Street, Suite 200, Boise Idaho, 83706, USA and used by permission. ClickBank’s role as retailer does not constitute an endorsement, approval or review of this product or any claim, statement or opinion used in promotion of this product.

Copyright 2017 – Gavin Walsh – All Rights Reserved

Click here to get Woman loses 17 pounds in 19 days. — The Hot Zone Formula at discounted price while it’s still available…

All orders are protected by SSL encryption – the highest industry standard for online security from trusted vendors. Woman loses 17 pounds in 19 days. — The Hot Zone Formula is backed with a 60 Day No Questions Asked Money Back Guarantee. If within the first 60 days of receipt you are not satisfied with Wake Up Lean™, you can request a refund by sending an email to the address given inside the product and we will immediately refund your entire purchase price, with no questions asked.

[sambart93]

2018.01.01 Kuroshitsuji Musical: Tango on the Campania [Review!]

Official Site here Official Twitter here Press Coverage 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Video Coverage 1, 2

CAST and CHARACTERS

Furukawa Yuta as Sebastian Uchikawa Reo as Ciel Uehara Takuya as Grelle Mikata Ryousuke as Ronald Harashima Motohisa as Snake Okazaki Momoko as Elizabeth Takagi Shun as Fred Abberline Terayama Takeshi as Sharpe Hanks Utsumi Akiyoshi as Edward Akisono Mio as Francis Nasu Kozo as Alexis Kawai Ryunosuke as Ryan Stoker Izumi Shuhei as Undertaker Sasaki Yoshihide as Druitt

Non-Spoiler Review

This is a very HIGH production with very HIGH production quality. It's also very faithful to the original story. The dancing and ensemble are super professional, the singing and song have some amazing moments, the setting and the apparatus' and how they've moved around the scenes and used in different scenes are great. The projection mapping was great also. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters, the costumes, the funny moments. It was a very, very enjoyable stage. This stage is loved by so many people for many different reasons; the production value, the fans of the actors (especially HideSama and Uehara, they both got woo'd at the end when I went), fans of the anime and manga like myself. This series has been in the works for almost ten years (apparently ten years this year) so of course you're not going to be disappointed by what they produce. I am thoroughly pleased with the performances and characters of Ciel, Snake and of course, the ridiculous Druitt! Also the dancing ensemble are absolutely phenomenal in this; I could not stop watching them; their dances were either very very fluid like a dead corpse would be (because that's what they were playing) or very robotic (just like a zombie would be) and it all fit perfectly. While I was originally upset that Tamaki wouldn't be coming back at Snake, I immediately fell for Harachan's Snake; he did perfect! And damn Ciel's Reo is just a phenomenal actor and he will go far; some of the notes he him in the songs actually gave me goosebumps and impressed me a thousand times over. I could go on, but I don't want to spoil anymore for you. If you're already a fan then you're gunna watch it regardless of my review right? xD And if you're not a fan yet, seriously, just give the manga a shot and if you sort like that, then watch the first season of the anime and then if you're sure you like the world and characters enough, (while I do love the absolutely mess and ridiculousness of the first few stages) start from the 2015 stage! You won't be disappointed. Rating: 8/10

*

SPOILER REVIEW!

As I mentioned in my 2018 Resolutions, I realised how shitty, critical, and negative I was getting in my reviews, so this year I'm being more objective and writing more about the positives; also, every　time I see a play I'm going to ask on twitter what things YOU want me to focus on and write about too so it's more balance and not only pleasing me, but then you're also getting stuff you want to know about the stage out of me, so follow @sambart93 for those! Now to the review!

STORY

Also mentioned above, the stage is very faithful to the original material, so if you want to know the plot to this one either read the Luxury Liner Arc or just go to the synopsis here. This is probably my SECOND favourite Arc that I've read (to be honest I haven't kept up with any of my manga series these past 13 months or just including Kuroshitsu... I'm sorry!) in the Kuroshitsuji series and for the stage to be so faithful to the original material made me so happy!

THE POSITIVES

PART ONE [About 1 hour]

My seat was Row V, which actually ended up not being bad at all! It was a lot closer than I thought.

There's a scene where the doctor shows an audience of him bringing a corpse back to life, and the dancing by the ensemble girl in that scene is absolutely amazing! I can't describe it but it was so fluid and matches the music perfectly, I was so impressed!

There's a titanic pose with Ronald and Grelle was great! Ronald really didn't want to do it but was forced to. And then soon after (or during this scene) Grelle is singing, and Ronald is just clapping behind Grelle so unimpressed - I was dying with laughter.

Most of the songs this time around are very good too! Some of my favourites from the first part is the main Campania song, Druitt's solo and I quite liked Ronald's solo too! Sebastian’s solo song is amazing too! He has a LOT of high notes to his in it. He sings the song about 3 or 4 times throughout the stage, or at least it feels like that.

I really like how this stage is gruesome too and not holding back on the projection mapping blood spurts and lots of red colour and use of red fabric to show that it's just pure blood shed going down on this boat - maybe I enjoyed it a bit too much? xD

Even when I first read the manga, I've always loved Lizzie’s badass moment and it did not disappoint on stage ever - it was great seeing her kick ass. 

I really really do like this Ciel. I felt this way the first time I saw him last year but this time around really solidified it for me! He has a lot of potential and I think he will go very far if he continues to pursue acting. A part of me really hopes his voice doesn’t break and that he doesn’t grow for like another ten years so he can constantly be our Stage Ciel xD

A small thing, which is also in the main story (to my memory), I love how Ciel is in pretty-decent-sized heels throughout this, whereas Lizzie is just in flats xD I found it totally adorable!

For those who were worried about Hidesama - because I personally haven't seen him since he was on crutches for K-Stage - HideSama is walking, kneeling, and such smoothly and fine so I guess he's pretty much okay now. Although I do feel like he was limited in the types and amount of dance moves he got so I guess he's still not 100% and/or he's just be cautious for a decent amount of time, which is a good idea! And of course he was absolutely ridiculous as Druitt! I was most impressed with his voice! I knew he was good at voice acting since I've seen how different his voice is in real life compared to in TouStage compared to in HakuMyu, but he ONCE again changed his voice for THIS stage and I was so surprised and impressed! He's really talented with his voice! No wonder he also gets voice work too! But yes, his character was ridiculous as ever and had my cracking up with the things he did even when he wasn't the center of the stage or story at the time.

Oh and I really, really like the new Snake too! I didn't realise when it was first announced who the hell it was. But about 10 minutes into the stage I realised who the damn actor was and I got super excited straight away! I should never have doubted or been pissed at him! He's such a great actor and he did not disappoint at all as Snake! I ended up super super liking him like straight away! AND it was his birthday today! So HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY!!

The stage and the apparatus’ are flawless as usual. I was fascinated at watching the ensemble pull the apparatus' around and seeing how they had used every inch of the parts to make something relateable and useful for the actors. The staging and parts of the set were amazingly well done - which is expected I know...

Also, the outfits are great!! I think that's just me really like the Victorian Era and clothing but I love the clothing from this series and seeing it in the flesh is always so great to see!

The way Mikata, Uehara and Izumi swung their weapons around with so much control but also with such smooth motions was so amazing!

PART TWO [About 1 hour]

Druitt had two solo songs; one in each part. but his solo in part two had me cracked up! Especially the opening of it which his hip thrust and the echoing of his high voice and the colourful, flashing lights. It was so funny and ridiculous. It was also the only song which had audience participation and it got all of the audience clapping which I enjoyed and was fun. He danced and moved more in this solo compared to his Part One solo which made me even less worried about his leg ^_^

Grelle forced Ronald to do the titanic pose at the end again and he was so reluctant, it was so funny! I also think this is how they END the play which is just the best way to end it >.<

The Undertaker Scythe's is SO badass and looks so good in real life! I was so fangirly inside when I finally saw his Scythe IN THE FLESH! I've been waiting for this Undertaker reveal in the stage series for a while! Also I LOVED how he swapped out a normal blade for his Scythe behind his back, it was so smoothly done!

Going back to how much I love this Ciel; Reo hit some seriously BIG notes towards the end! I was so freaking impressed!!! If he keeps up with all this training and such, his voice is going to be amazing! It's already amazing because I didn't think 12 year olds could hit such high notes but he did, and he blew me away when he did it!

I really, really, really loved the dance ensemble in this one! I was so fascinated and enticed by them and their fluid and robotic movements really matched the whole dead bodies and zombie theme very well! They totally added to the whole thing and made the stage so much more entertaining and fun to watch thanks to their talents! There was one particular female dancer (she got a lot of the main dance parts) which was so damn good, I couldn't take my eyes off her. I need to find out which one it is. But the dancers all have blindfolds on for most of the stage - being dead bodies and all - so it'll be difficult to find out WHO.

Ciel always has the best outfits! I've always wanted to cosplay him. I've always wanted to own his clothing. This stage didn't change my feelings about his outfits at all; only increased them xD

The scene/moment just before Ciel and Seb's back story was so great! The ensemble were holding Reo and Yuta mid air and it was like a slow motion of them trying to grab each other's hands before Ciel gets consumed by the zombies and just as Seb gets stabbed in the back with the scythe. It was an amazing moment! I loved it!

CURTAIN CALL

Three rounds of applause, speeches after the second round, and standing ovation at the third round.

It was Harachan’s birthday so we sang Happy Birthday to him, and he was yelling thank you at the Undertaker who was right next to him (xD) and deep bowing on the floor to the audience in thanks. He was so sweet! He was like 'I've never had so many people wish me happy birthday! I think this will be a great year!'

HideSama spoke at the curtain call and a bunch of the crowd wooooo’d when it was announced he'd be the one speaking. He spoke about how he saw the circus one last year and felt, at the time, that he wanted to return to the world, and said he's glad he’s back after two years. And at the end he put on his Druitt voice and yelled 'TADAIMA/I'm home'.

Yuta also mentioned that apparently it’s their 10th anniversary for KuroMyu this year!

THE NEGATIVES

I try and keep a positive spin on the points somewhat:

While I did love the Elizabeth badassery scene, I couldn't help but notice that it was lacking in TouStage/HakuMyu/KStage-level-like sword fighting choreography. To a normal viewer, they probably wouldn't notice but in my eyes, the choreography was simplier and slower and looked a lot more like acting-fighting (like the ensemble obviously running into her swords to land the hit rather than it feeling like a flawless move from the character) to what my eyes are used to seeing. It doesn't take away from the fact that Elizabeth is really a sword fighting badass and that's the moment in the manga I really started like Elizabeth.

Unfortunately, the only ones I couldn't warm up to is Lizzie’s family. For some reason I just didn't take any liking to Francis or Alexis. I think I least liked their song too - oopsies. Her brother was okay though, and I liked how protective he was of Lizzie because it got really funny, like when Ciel safely brings her to her family and he's like 'take her and make sure she gets off safely' and he's like 'of course I will! I'm her brother! But I won't mind if you don't make it out alive okay? *bye*' it cracked me up!

Final note; I felt the first part was a lot stronger than the second half. Especially because a large chunk of the second half was dedicated to Ciel and Seb's back story and once again we got that contract scene at the start of the back story. Personally, I wish they wouldn't redo this scene every stage. Also I felt the crowd getting restless around me when the backstory starting going for like 20 or so minutes. I think a large majority of us wanted to get back to the main, present story. It wasn't a bad backstory at all; the song Ciel and Seb did during it, with the use of the projection mapping, was really good and creative, and Seb's 'kuso gaki / this little shit/brat' bitching was amusing, but it was a little too long.

GOODS

I only bought the pamphlet and the photobook and I've already put a lot of the photos throughout the review, but I'll put the rest of the others that I liked here:

*

And that's all! Did I do well keeping positive and objective?! Now the real challenge is, can I hold this up?! We're only one day into 2018!

Anyway, hope you enjoyed it!

[fitnesshealthyoga-blog]

New Post has been published on https://fitnesshealthyoga.com/a-gift-from-the-stork/

a gift from the stork

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope your week is off to a great start.

Guess what?! Baby August is here! 

The weather on Friday was cloudy and cool; I told my mom it was the perfect day to have a baby, not really thinking it would be “the day” that August was born. I was SO excited when I got the text with a picture of him while we were out rock climbing with friends. Kyle and Meg were only at the hospital for two hours before he arrived! I spent the rest of the afternoon with the hugest smile on my face, knowing that he was finally here and that everyone was safe. I couldn’t wait to meet him (!) but I had promised the girls that we’d go to a festival at Liv’s school before hightailing it to the hospital.

We played games, got their faces painted, and enjoyed the festival for a couple of hours,

and then the Pilot took them home for bed while I picked up sushi and coffee for Kyle and Meg, and headed to the hospital.

The.best.ever.

It was so nice to hang out with Kyle and Meg for a bit, hear about the amazing birth story (Meg is a champion) and snuggle with August. He looks JUST like EJ, and is the sweetest little guy. I love him so much already and can’t wait to spend more time with him. The girls are going to go crazy for him! I headed home just in time to watch a little Queer Eye – I’ve been savoring the last episode for a few weeks, only watching 5 minutes here and there – and crash out. 

Saturday morning, we were up bright and early, so we had breakfast together and headed to the dance studio. After dance, we got some more supplies for the backyard garden. The Pilot reseeded the grass while the girls and I planted flowers, along with a garden bed full of tomatoes, basil, cucumber, rosemary, carrots, zucchini, and mint. We’ll see what ends up surviving. 😉 I also took a 45-minute live DJ Peloton ride that was liiiiiiife. 

Saturday night, madre came over to hang out with the girls for a bit while the Pilot and I went out for a little date.

We ordered drinks and an enormous cheese board + the famous goat cheese tart (if you ever go to Commoner, you have to get this tart)

and made a run to Target. It’s the ultimate parent date when a Target stop is included. 😉 It was so nice to get Easter basket supplies before everything was totally picked over. After Target, we made a stop at Cashew Cow for vegan ice cream and dropped some off to Kyle and Meg before making it back home in time to put the nuggets to bed. 

Sunday morning, we slept in (YAS) and then went on a family walk in Sabino Canyon. It was absolutely perfect outside (in the 70s) and so many of the plants and cacti are blooming!

We spent about 40 minutes walking one of the shorter trails. The girls sprinted out and backs in between getting piggyback rides, and it felt so great to get some sunshine and fresh air.

After our nature outing, I took the crew to see The Missing Link while the Pilot got in some airline studying. I wish I could tell you it was a riveting, charming and enjoyable movie, but P fell asleep about 15 minutes into it, and it lost my attention around that point. I ended up reading a book on my phone the entire time. (No one was around us, so I turned the brightness way down and tucked my phone into my backpack to read.) It goes to show that Hugh Jackman can’t always save the day, but Liv loved it, so there ya go. 

The Pilot took the girls on the weekly grocery run while I typed up most of this blog post + a couple of upcoming WebMD blog posts, and then we made giant chopped salads for dinner along with Instant Pot sweet potatoes.

(I love how Caro is smiling in this picture! The salad had romaine, spinach, grilled chicken, cucumber, red bell peppers, blackberries, blueberries, dates, Primal Kitchen ranch and was mixed up in a huge mixing bowl.) 

This is one of my all-time favorite simple dinners, and the girls like picking their salad components. I took my salad with me to go since I was picking Nana up to be my date for the touring production of Fiddler On the Roof. Fiddler is one of those classic musicals that will always have a special place in my heart. I fell in love with musical theatre around when I saw the movie version for the first time, and it was one of the first shows we did in middle school. This production was especially wonderful and I love how the actor who played Tevye truly made the role his own. The dancing BLEW ME AWAY; it felt very traditional with little shoulder shakes and wrist movement, but had some modern elements in there, too. It was so, so good.  The voices, the acting, the set, the costumes… everything.

This morning, I’m grabbing coffee with a friend, getting in an upper body workout (from the Lean Machine fit guide) and starting to work on Summer Shape Up! If you have any requests for this Shape Up, please let me know in the comments. 🙂

xoxo

Gina

Need a workout? Try this outdoor HIIT workout!

Last day to get 15% on the Beautycounter site! If it’s your first time ordering, you can check out my suggestions in this post, or send me an email (or drop a comment below) and I’d love to help.

Source link

[jonasmaurer]

a gift from the stork

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope your week is off to a great start.

Guess what?! Baby August is here! 

The weather on Friday was cloudy and cool; I told my mom it was the perfect day to have a baby, not really thinking it would be “the day” that August was born. I was SO excited when I got the text with a picture of him while we were out rock climbing with friends. Kyle and Meg were only at the hospital for two hours before he arrived! I spent the rest of the afternoon with the hugest smile on my face, knowing that he was finally here and that everyone was safe. I couldn’t wait to meet him (!) but I had promised the girls that we’d go to a festival at Liv’s school before hightailing it to the hospital.

We played games, got their faces painted, and enjoyed the festival for a couple of hours,

and then the Pilot took them home for bed while I picked up sushi and coffee for Kyle and Meg, and headed to the hospital.

The.best.ever.

It was so nice to hang out with Kyle and Meg for a bit, hear about the amazing birth story (Meg is a champion) and snuggle with August. He looks JUST like EJ, and is the sweetest little guy. I love him so much already and can’t wait to spend more time with him. The girls are going to go crazy for him! I headed home just in time to watch a little Queer Eye – I’ve been savoring the last episode for a few weeks, only watching 5 minutes here and there – and crash out. 

Saturday morning, we were up bright and early, so we had breakfast together and headed to the dance studio. After dance, we got some more supplies for the backyard garden. The Pilot reseeded the grass while the girls and I planted flowers, along with a garden bed full of tomatoes, basil, cucumber, rosemary, carrots, zucchini, and mint. We’ll see what ends up surviving.

I also took a 45-minute live DJ Peloton ride that was liiiiiiife. 

Saturday night, madre came over to hang out with the girls for a bit while the Pilot and I went out for a little date.

We ordered drinks and an enormous cheese board + the famous goat cheese tart (if you ever go to Commoner, you have to get this tart)

and made a run to Target. It’s the ultimate parent date when a Target stop is included.

It was so nice to get Easter basket supplies before everything was totally picked over. After Target, we made a stop at Cashew Cow for vegan ice cream and dropped some off to Kyle and Meg before making it back home in time to put the nuggets to bed. 

Sunday morning, we slept in (YAS) and then went on a family walk in Sabino Canyon. It was absolutely perfect outside (in the 70s) and so many of the plants and cacti are blooming!

We spent about 40 minutes walking one of the shorter trails. The girls sprinted out and backs in between getting piggyback rides, and it felt so great to get some sunshine and fresh air.

After our nature outing, I took the crew to see The Missing Link while the Pilot got in some airline studying. I wish I could tell you it was a riveting, charming and enjoyable movie, but P fell asleep about 15 minutes into it, and it lost my attention around that point. I ended up reading a book on my phone the entire time. (No one was around us, so I turned the brightness way down and tucked my phone into my backpack to read.) It goes to show that Hugh Jackman can’t always save the day, but Liv loved it, so there ya go. 

The Pilot took the girls on the weekly grocery run while I typed up most of this blog post + a couple of upcoming WebMD blog posts, and then we made giant chopped salads for dinner along with Instant Pot sweet potatoes.

(I love how Caro is smiling in this picture! The salad had romaine, spinach, grilled chicken, cucumber, red bell peppers, blackberries, blueberries, dates, Primal Kitchen ranch and was mixed up in a huge mixing bowl.) 

This is one of my all-time favorite simple dinners, and the girls like picking their salad components. I took my salad with me to go since I was picking Nana up to be my date for the touring production of Fiddler On the Roof. Fiddler is one of those classic musicals that will always have a special place in my heart. I fell in love with musical theatre around when I saw the movie version for the first time, and it was one of the first shows we did in middle school. This production was especially wonderful and I love how the actor who played Tevye truly made the role his own. The dancing BLEW ME AWAY; it felt very traditional with little shoulder shakes and wrist movement, but had some modern elements in there, too. It was so, so good.  The voices, the acting, the set, the costumes… everything.

This morning, I’m grabbing coffee with a friend, getting in an upper body workout (from the Lean Machine fit guide) and starting to work on Summer Shape Up! If you have any requests for this Shape Up, please let me know in the comments.

xoxo

Gina

Need a workout? Try this outdoor HIIT workout!

Last day to get 15% on the Beautycounter site! If it’s your first time ordering, you can check out my suggestions in this post, or send me an email (or drop a comment below) and I’d love to help.

The post a gift from the stork appeared first on The Fitnessista.

a gift from the stork published first on https://olimpsportnutritionde.tumblr.com/

[toussainttomove]

“No Matter how Displaced One feels in one self and where one fits in the world. One should keep giving thanks and praises to life” ATB-WOD

Greetings People of this glorious earth!!!!!

It was a while ago I did my entry last month after my sharing at Pure Heart Centre and other amaizng work.

A lot has happend since we last connected. 

I shared Windows of Displacement @SOAS University and not blowing my own trumpet but it was so much fun. It was the first I felt so confident performing the piece. Personally I think it was because I prepared much better than I did before. I also stopped caring and went with how I have been feeling I need to be in this piece. You wouldn’t think a dancer who is alright looking may I add, has body issues but I do. I have insecurities, despite knowing that I am a cute looking dude. I am still much aware of some things I am unhappy in myself with these things come so much more to the fore front when you’re about to go on stage by yourself topless to dance and sing your story to a room filled with strangers. However they are strangers and may never see you again. So the conundrum continues. 

Soas University was amazing, I was put to ease by the audiences’ response to the piece. So much of what they were saying affirmed that the piece is relevant to now and needs to be made. The mission is not causeless and the rebel does have a purpose thus forth the rebel continues to make the work. The work is not only this piece though, the piece is only the tip of the iceberg poking above the water. The rest of the work is deep and unseen, it is the converstations I dear to have and the truth and power I express and reclaim. More projects are in the pipeline along the frequency of WOD. Some gentler and intimate some grander and more collaborative. 

Two members of the audience-not the whole audience I forgot to take pictures. 

I met some cool people at Soas and Paru the lecturer who got me in to perform even said; “If we were to ask someone to make a piece of theatre based on our migration and the diaspora masters degree it would be this show.” She said something along the lines of this and that just blew me away to be doing a piece of dance theatre and be recognised by an academic. This is what I wanted, performing there was for that achievement and I did it. (Pat self on back proudly) 

Here is a link to that fun performance. Watch share...

I came back to Leeds Feb 1st and was in the studio by Feb 2nd. (give me a break please... Barcelona)

This marked the beginning of working at RJC Dance. The special thing with working there is it’s so close to home. I literaly strole down the hill and im there. I have been working with Akeelah Betram, who is an amazing visual artist and such a sweet being. Seriously she destroys my worries with her quiet work method yet super positive and reasuring way of being. RJC’s space is so big I felt like I was going to get lost in it but from the days with sometimes no break, working like a crazy person I now feel like it is my space. Kathy who runs RJC is so excited so much so that she won’t even come in the studio to watch anything she awaits Friday 17th @7:30pm when I perform the entirety of the piece. Such discipline, it is understandable why she is so respected. 

Such a love filled photo. 

Today Akeelah and Omari took many pictures and videos of me in my costume. It made me feel used ad abused but its all part in parcel with the work. They make an amazing team, we couldn’t have planned it any better. I have been really enjoying learning about how I work. I am learning that there is actually no one way. Each day that arises something new comes to be donw, it is up to the artist to fall or rise when the occasion calls. For example today Akeelah and Omari became the directors, I have been the bossy boots and in charge of things recently and for the filmm to be honest I have had no ideas for it, luckily Akeelah has that vision. So in that instance for the work to get what the work deserves I had to fall to trusting my collaborators as they were in their element and I was just in a weird place of but I made the material like this and that. However movement needed to change for screen and so one had to adapt to bring the best out of what we were creating together. 

True smooth style.

I went to see the elders last Tuesday. I was covering their chair dance session which is usually with Deonapolis Clarke aka Naps. He is awesome such big shoes to fill but I gave them my heart and soul. That is all it’s about really absolute devotion and surrendering selffless. Afterwards I had words with a few Elders asking about Blues Nights which took place in Leeds a lot. Apparantly Leeds was one of the cities where people would come have a bender going to many different Blues in Chhapeltown then forget to go home haha. My self and Sai Murray are curating a project which looks like its going to be an epic one where we are going to bring some elderly togetehr with some young people. There will be a series of workshops which will introduce the groups and hold a space for them to learn things togetehr and transfer very important information. When and elder dies the world looses a library. True tings thus forth the artist work is to find new ways to engage the elderly and the youth so we don’t loose too much vital information. Humanity is a walking forgetful archive, we gots to sort it out mate. 

That transitions perfectly into talking about the Think Tank I was in on the weekend of Feb 4/5. Theama is the name and it is a think tank being orchestrated by a team working with Akram Khan. I was invited as an observer but you know me I don’t just observe haha. Im a sponge, soaking up as  much informnation and experience as I need in order to filter it into other places I may need it. I learned a lot in these conversations spanning the themes of mythology, technology, artificial intelligence, hip hop, school curriculum, anthropology, music, activism, art and family.  I was super grateful to be there. I met some amazing people who I never thought i’d be in a room with because I just didn’t. But any and everything is possible, I never thought I would have a one man show, but I do. I fully do haha. Check the thoughts which were illustrated throughout the day.....

It is pretty epic. The day felt like something of change was in the air. Paths were crossing. I remeber my first A level lectures in dance hearing my teacher talk about Akram Khan and then seeing his piece Rush. I fell in love with the movement, the dynamic, the rhythms. Fast forward 9 years and im in a room listening to Akram tell a story about his Dad, he’s sat next to Es who makes sets for the likes of Beyonce and Kanye West. If you told me i would of been there a year ago, I would of said how???

I am learning the how doesn’t matter. What matters is the intention. How comes in the now. 

Now I leave you as I am tired and I think ive told you everything. Oh waitI am filming the second part of the Random Acts (channel 4) project tomorrow so I need to be in super on it mode. Early night. 

I leave you with this awesome capture from today by Omari Swanston Jeffers aka Supa Black.

[thecarrot-top]

Taylor Swift reputation stadium tour blew my mind.

First of all she’s been a queen since her very first album which my parents bought for me the month it came out. I fell in love and every time another album has dropped since then I’ve gotten it the day of. So I’m a crazy super fan. Unfortunately with life and school and work I’ve never been able to find the time and money to go to one of her shows but that’s on the top of my bucket list.

Okay her vocals. Wow. We been knew that she’s a good singer. She sings for a living so obviously she’s a good singer. But the fact that everything is done live is incredible. So many artists choose to sing live over their own track when doing these types of tours so that when they run out of breath or miss something it fills it in the background so it’s not as noticeable. She sang every word live. She harmonized and belted our the words and just the sheer talent and power from that blew me away. She was jumping and singing without missing a beat. I mean...how?! A true artist in her element. Conviction in every word that she sang and spoke. She stood on stage in front of thousands with just her voice and her guitar and had our complete attention. An amazing vocalist and an amazing musician.

The way she interacted with the crowd. That woman knows how to work it. She entertains. She gets them moving and jumping. She converses with them and is honest. She talks about love and her reputation and friendships. Her words are so encouraging. This is a woman the media has been determined to tear down standing tall and confident living her truth no matter what anyone else thinks. She’s such a good role model in this day and age of social media and everyone trying to present only the best version of themselves even if it’s not authentic. She’s genuinely herself and if people don’t like her she shakes it off. (sorry I couldn’t help myself) it makes me want to square my shoulders and walk through the world showing it myself exactly as I am.

Her dancing. So good. I’ve always seen interviews or posts or clips of her at award shows where she or the narrators would comment on her quirky awkward dancing and how she made it a fad. This was not the award show dancing we’ve seen with “a lot of arm movement.” The routines were so mind blowing, most of them done in heels as far as I could tell. Her dancers weren’t doing the moves around her. She was right along side them working that stage and showing off her moves and sweating along side them (what setting spray does she use?). She introduced her female dancers in the beginning of the show. That just melted my heart. You could tell that they were all a family. They had worked their butts off for this. There was a bond and a familiarity between everyone that was so pure and wonderful to see. They were performing with their hearts and souls on that stage and it was so raw and beautiful. So much time and effort was put in by each one of them to create this amazing experience for all of us and they went above and beyond anyone’s expectations.

Her fashion is obviously ever changing. Also always on point. The emblems. The glitter. The snakes. I loved it all. She rocked it all proudly and looked phenomenal. The fact that nearly all her merch and costumes from this tour incorporated snakes is such a baller move. It’s like when people say you give people the power to make you feel inferior and hurt you. She took that away. It could have been a horrible reminder of past drama. Instead she claimed that symbol and rocks it constantly. Also shout out to Karen for being the most wonderful snake to exist.

She’s incredible. She’s an incredible performer, artist, role model, person and cat mom. Her and her songs have been there for so many of us whether it’s playing them when we celebrate our happy times or someone that understands our pain and expresses it through song during sad times or when it’s the exact thing you need to hear at that moment. I’m so grateful for her, the dancers, the band, the behind the scenes team, everyone involved in giving us this amazing gift. I laughed, I cried, I sang along and danced in my living room. Thank you Taylor. You shine so bright. Thank you for being there for all of us. Here’s to many more years to come of your wonderful self and our support and love for you 💕😸

[samlim-blog]

Samuel Jonathan R. Lim Ma’am, Liza Castaneda Critique paper on the Snow White Last sunday, Dec 9, i watched Snow White - A ballet play that took places in the Cultural center of the Philippines. This is my first ever ballet play to watch actually and i had no idea what to expect from the show. As the curtains opened i wasn’t very surprised with the set. It looked cartoonish with the huge mirror in the middle of the stage. Although during that scene what i think was amazing was when the evil queen (a.k.a my absolutely amazing prof Ma’am Liza Castaneda) came out with a small mirror and her butler. The first thing you’ll notice is their outfits and i have to say they looked very legit and not some costume you’d just buy out of a toy store. It looked high quality and stayed with how the costume looked like in the animated movie. This applies to all the other costumes that the dancers used. Snow white’s costume was really accurate as well having the classic blue top and yellow skirt. The butterflies and the birds costume had such a great adaption, letting viewers not having a hard time identifying what type of animals they are. The dwarves costume dope, with the masks they had that made them looks like they came from the movie the Hobbit or lord of the rings. All in all the costume department worked really great and pulled off such a good job for making the audience feel the disney setting of the play. What blew me after this act was the set design of the forest and the house. It was absolutely amazing. They did such a tremendous job in building that set. The lighting was also on key and on mood. The trees in the forest along with a specific tone of light gave us so many different vibes depending on the scene. I remember the first scene in the forest where snow white starts dancing with the animals. It looked so magical! Literally it is what i would imagine if i'm thinking of a disney forest where the animals can talk to you and the trees move. Let’s not forget about the house that opens like a doll house. It’s crazy and such a brilliant idea! Props to whoever thought about making it that way. Really appreciate how it would open and close so that they can switch up the stage and maximize the space for the dances. I, whatsoever have no knowledge or background when it comes to ballet except maybe that most of the time your toes always have to be pointed, but that did not stop me from appreciating the beautiful choreography of each act and not to mention the talent of the different dancers in the play. From start to finish i was always blown away with skill these dancers have. The first dancer you’ll encounter in the play is the evil. We see such grace at the same time we also feel the emotions that she is trying to portray and show the audience. This is the part where she asks the mirror who’s the fairest of them all and she finds out it is this girl, snow white. We see the spark in her emotions through the way her body moved and showed that she was enraged and very bothered to the point she would ask someone to find Snow White and murder her. Snow white and the prince were exceptional. They were amazing like honestly wow. I don't know what i well-trained ballet dancer looks like but i'm pretty that these two were. Their technique, facial expressions, body movement and aura were off the charts. Whenever they would spin, you’d see the body control they have. I don't understand how i person can spin and spin around for more than 4 times and stop so gracefully without losing balance and feeling dizzy! You absolutely need mad talent and a lot of hours of practice to master that. Oh let us not forget how fit these guys are? Crazy! The guy was in leggings but you could see the cuts and the shape of his legs. I would never expect a ballet dancer to have those muscular legs! Even looks more muscular than the legs of football players. The seven dwarves portrayed each of their character so good!! Well, maybe not so with sleepy but i get that you really can't express that because its a dance play and with dancing you always have to be moving. I really admire how each individual represented their names. I’d like to special mention the dancer who played dopey because she did such an amazing job. You really see the playfulness and kulitness of the character. It really felt like dopey from the animated film. Also, i want to acknowledge the mobility of these dancers. I’m pretty sure it is not easy to dance with a full costume on, especially with a helmet and thick shoes to make it look like they have big feet, but that did not stop them from pulling off great acts and performances! The play snow white blew my expectations and perceptions of how a ballet play is. I honestly thought it would be boring but man was i proven wrong in so many ways. After watching the play it had me respecting the ballet community hugely because of the passion and effort people, from the writers, producers, dancers down to directors put in to this art. What these people are doing is not easy and i have mad respect for them. Definitely would say that play was absolutely astonishing and i would recommend my family and friends to watch and support the ballet community. Hope they do a Lion King play next! Surely they’d do an amazing rendition of it!

[jhaaaasworld]

The Lasting Echo in the Mountains

After a dizzy trip, we finally reached our destination: the home of the nation’s artistic pride and its artists who have  been sculpting the country’s best human masterpieces since 1978. The school sits beside a  mountain’s shoulder.  The road to the Philippine High School for the Arts will make one’s head roll upside-down as it resembles the “Bitukang Manok” in Atimonan, Quezon. after the moment we have entered the PHSA arc, I gazed on my right and saw the intrinsic beauty of Mt. Makiling. After a while, small cottage-like houses appeared in my view.

”Classroom nila yun”, said my classmates who has been there before.

I always drive pass the campus’ entrance but I never thought of such an astonishing view of the school.It was a perfect mix of fine human architecture and nature’s ingenious craft. It is necessary for the school to boost their student’s creativity, and because of that , I can’t help but  compare my school with such a flawless environment. I was even hoping that I had the chance to experience that kind of privilege.

The bus stopped at a downhill slope in front of the cottage-like classrooms. One-by-one, we went down with some PHSA faculty and our class adviser. We were welcomed by a tall, beautiful young lady wearing a rosy turtleneck tucked in her jeans,and a lipstick of the same tint as her top. She has a short hair that is pony-tailed at the back of her neck. With a warm smile and a trembling laughter, she nervously introduced herself to the small crowd. Her name is Lora Noreen Domingo, the author of the exhibit,and she will be our escort for the whole trip.

I can see the excitement of my classmates as their faces were clothed with genuine smiles and non-stop talks while we were walking towards the room. Nobody seemed sleepy or indisposed-only people with lots of energy  even though the trip  is at the “siesta” time part of the day. Maybe it is because we did  not have our field trip this year so we were really looking forward to  other trips outside the campus.

I have been a fan of fine arts since the time I learned to draw. I was in the 5th grade when I first went into an art exhibit at a hotel in Makati City. It was an exhibit which featuredexpressionism-a modernist art movement that uses a painter’s subjectivity, distorting  reality to evoke emotions and ideas. As I gaze at every artwork, an ambivalence of amazement, confusion and fear crippled through my skin. My eyes struggled to move away each time I stare at a piece. The exhibit gave me chills that last until now, and it heavily influenced my own sketch style.

The atmosphere I had felt in Noreen’s exhibit was similar to that of a professional artist. The only difference is that it  was not a fine arts exhibit but a creative writing exhibit. Honestly, I did not expect to see such brilliant work  with an impeccable setting. The walls of room were  filled with paintings depicting the  tales of a tribe  with pictures, videos, and costumes that represents the indigenous Manobo-Lapaknon culture. The yellow lightings partnered with red and yellow-themed walls show the dominant color of the tribe, and set the visual tone. However,I must admit that the small space of the exhibit limited our movements while we listen to her speak.

The tour started with the images of the said tribe. Noreen introduced its members according to the hierarchy in their kingdom: the king, his wife, soldier called Bagani, the priest and the tribe locals. Their king’s name is Rajah Asaytona whose birth story is believed to be mapped by the stars. Inisia, his mother,was being brought on a baroto, the boat they were riding to the maternal clinic. They were still halfway through when Rajah Asaytona was born. When the boat appeared on the river banks, a citizen blew a horn called budjong,then the localities gathered around the new born baby and had a glimpse of their future king.

A video playing at a corner next to us caught my attention when it showed  a tribal child dancing like a chicken. I first thought it was a cultural dance show but when a tribal man leading the ceremony approached the tourists for a prayer, I realized it wasn’t. Noreen said it was  an initiation ritual. She taped the whole ceremony while taking the rites. The scenario was  similar to those poor-budgeted American horror indie films. Though  it did  not look very weird and creepy because it was filmed at daylight,  I was still preparing  for something  to just show up. Fortunately, nothing frightening or gross appeared except for the drawing of a cross on the palm using fresh chicken’s blood.

While Noreen was still narrating her experience upon going through the ritual, I watched another video on the opposite corner of the room. Filmed by a stream, the subject of the short clip were  children collecting shells at past afternoon. They sell these shells to motorists passing by their houses, and it acts as their main source of income. The  mussels inside the little shells can also be eaten. By dropping the shells into the stream, one can tell if there is something to eat; living shells go against the stream’s flow while the empty shells do not.

I explored the exhibit by myself for a while before coming  back to Noreen’s tour. There were more stories, poems and songs  on the walls. Instead of social media and television, the pieces of literature are what fill the tribe’s boring afternoon. Written in Butuanon, Loreen translated a  poem in English, entitled “Kining Kahimtang Ko” (This is my Fate). Also hanged on the ceilings were the actual sample of shells I’ve seen in the video and some of the tribe’s indigenous clothing. There was the vest of Rajah Asaytona and some of the accessories they wear. The accessories were necklaces and arm bands made of colorful beads inserted to a nylon-like string.  

We were almost at the end of the exhibit when we came across the letters from the tribe. The natives wrote in Butuanon language but Noreen translated the letters in English.. This part probably left the most impact on me.. The letters contain the status of the tribe,their individual dreams, and their hopes of what they want to be after they have finished their education. Most of the time, their dreams include having a stable job.. It is despairing to see how globalization  created a margin for these people. Natives were forced to leave the tribe to experience the lavishness brought by globalization, even though their lives were already filled with simple joys and a humble network.

Different messages, different people, different stories,one thing unites them— the desire to be accepted. Every message presents a tone of fear: fear of judgment and rejection. To ease their insecurities, I wrote a short reply to one the letters.

It was already late in afternoon when the bus arrived to fetch us. Just as usual, the class was very noisy, laughing and screaming at the top of their lungs which resonates through the towering mountains. Some of them took  pictures of the beautiful downhill view.

The trip back to campus made me a bit dizzy but I didn’t mind because  I was still amazed by Noreen’s entire work. I was amazed, not only by the technicalities of her writing and the methodology of her study, but also by the lasting impact her study  creates for the Manobo-Lapaknon community. This can serve as an inspiration for aspiring writers to explore such topics and not limit their  scope on themselves,  and to serve for a greater purpose.  By exposing Noreen’s own origin, we were familiarized with the neglected culture of the Manobo-Lapaknon.We were able toblur the margins that contained such  communities in a separate circle, and identify ourselves as no different from others

We should write to empower those who seemed to be forgotten because throughwriting, we can be the voice of the unheard.

[demitgibbs]

Behind the Scenes: Cirque Du Soleil’s ‘OVO’ Comes to Sunrise & Miami

Cirque du Soleil will be performing in Florida in July 2017 with “OVO,” its newest touring show in arenas. The show will perform in Sunrise at the BB&T Center from July 13-July 23 and in Miami at the American Airlines Arena from July 28-30 as part of a global tour in arenas around North America.

Thrilling more than 5 million people worldwide since the show premiered in Montreal in 2009 as a Big Top show, “OVO” will embark on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but now in arenas, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show in their own town.

“OVO,” meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement.

When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It is love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in more than 400 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

It was a pleasure to sit down with the Artistic Director of “OVO,” Tim Bennett, for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

What was your first job in a theater?

At 19 I was hired to do a dance show at Hershey Park in central PA. It’s a theme park adjacent to the chocolate factory. That was my first professional job.

When did you know entertainment would be your career?

I always did school plays growing up, but when I was in junior high school I started to feel the very strong urge to go into acting. The summer after I graduated from Junior High, I went to NYC (first time) and saw my first Broadway show – the original production of ‘Chicago.”  I was so impressed and inspired by it, that I decided there was nothing else that would fulfill me as much as working as an actor.

When you were acting, what was your favorite part(s)?

I’ve always loved farces – classic 5 door farces with fast paced action, mistaken identities, chases, slamming doors, bad puns, and girls in their underwear. There was a farce called “Scapino” that was a modern day telling of an old Moliere play. Jim Dale had done it on Broadway back in the 1970s. I had the opportunity to play the title role and had more fun with it than any other role that I’ve ever done.

You have also directed many shows, other than Cirque, which was your favorite(s)?

I have two – because they were very different jobs. The first is “The Lion King,” where I was the Resident Director of the Las Vegas company. I enjoyed working on “Lion King” more than any other show. I love the story and its universal message, the music, and the many styles of storytelling – from puppetry, shadow play, clowning, modern dance, praise poetry, and classic musical theatre. We also had a wonderful cast of Broadway veterans, who were amazing artists. Being able to work on that show was a real gift.

But I didn’t create “Lion King,” as Resident Director I maintained it. As an original director/choreographer, my favorite show was “Urinetown.” I love the story and message of it, as well as the very farcical playful way that it is written. I also love the opportunity as a choreographer, to create material that pays homage to (some say parodies) other classic musicals and their styles.

How did you come to get hired by Cirque?

I saw my first Cirque show, “NouvelleExperience,” on the Santa Monica Pier back in the early 1990’s and absolutely fell in love with it. The wild imagination that spawned the costumes, music, make-up, and Cirque environment, as well as the incredible acrobatics blew my mind. I thought that it was one of the most creative shows that I had ever seen, and thought to myself “I really want to work with this new company Cirque du Soleil.” At the time, I was still a performer but I had no acrobatic skills, so there wasn’t a place for me. Fast forward a few years to when I moved to Las Vegas with “The Lion King.” There I was surrounded by Cirque shows, and I went to see every one of them. My passion to work for Cirque was reignited. My job at “The Lion King,” was very similar to what I do for Cirque, and when “The Lion King,” eventually closed, I reached out to Cirque right away.

Your title is Artistic Director. What exactly does that entail?

I’m responsible for the artistic integrity of the show. My job is make sure that the show is as exciting, surprising, fresh, and looks as great as it did on the day that it opened. I’m also responsible to maintain the original director’s vision of the show. I do whatever is necessary to make sure that happens. I run rehearsals, work with the coaches in trainings, cast and integrate new artists, work with the Performance Medicine teams to keep the acrobats healthy and rehabilitate injuries, give notes on the shows to artists and the technical departments, add new acts or change existing ones, and coordinate with the PR teams to create events. I also do a lot of operations work from budgeting to scheduling, to casting, and long range planning for the show.

I’m not going to ask you what your favorite part of “OVO” is as I think that would be unfair, but is there a particular act that gets talked about more than the rest?

We have a few unique acts that come up a lot in conversation because they aren’t seen a lot of places, or because our particular take on them is different and special. We have a Chinese “foot juggling” act that most people haven’t ever seen before. It’s a team of 6 Chinese acrobat Ants who juggle various pieces of their “food” and then eventually each other…with their feet.

We have an act that is a combination of trampoline and a crazy huge climbing wall – the biggest of its kind. Since crickets can jump 300 times their body height, we have our crickets jumping, bouncing, and leaping all over the wall via the trampolines. Finally, we have a straps act where our two butterflies soar and dance at the top of the arena in what is the most beautiful and exciting love duet that I’ve ever seen. Audience members always comment about it.

What makes “OVO” special, and what should the South Florida audiences expect from “OVO”?

There are a number of things that make “OVO” unique. It is one of the most playful, colorful, positive, and energetic of Cirque’s shows. It also has a great Brazilian flavor – from its samba music to its characters, to its name (OVO is Portuguese for “egg.”) We also have some of the top circus artists in the world, working alongside Olympic gymnasts and world champion acrobats in some acts that are pretty unique. It’s not a Cirque show that you’ve ever seen before.

But I think what makes it the most special is its message. It’s a story of inclusion, and how a community of insects first reject a “Foreigner” insect because he is different from them. They don’t understand him or his ways and therefore they are threatened by him. Over the course of the story, they realize that they and the stranger are more alike than they are different, and they come to understand and eventually accept and even love him.

What I really love is that “OVO” is a wonderful representation of the culture and world of Cirque du Soleil itself. Inclusion is one of the greatest strengths at Cirque. Our production consists of a troupe of over 100 artists, technicians, and staff from 21 different countries working together as story tellers to amaze and delight audiences. We are a mix of many languages, skin colors, religions, and cultures – French, Russian, American, Ukranian, Brazilian, British…and many more. We work as a team without regard to politics or borders, and the trust between us has to be uncompromising. If we can all work together at the circus to do what we do, there is no reason why others around the world can’t do the same.

Tickets which start at $35 for adults (subject to change) and $25 for children. Senior, military, student discounts and family 4-packs are all available at cirquedusoleil.com/ovo.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/07/12/behind-the-scenes-cirque-du-soleils-ovo-comes-to-sunrise-miami/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.tumblr.com/post/162902477060

[cynthiajayusa]

Behind the Scenes: Cirque Du Soleil’s ‘OVO’ Comes to Sunrise & Miami

Cirque du Soleil will be performing in Florida in July 2017 with “OVO,” its newest touring show in arenas. The show will perform in Sunrise at the BB&T Center from July 13-July 23 and in Miami at the American Airlines Arena from July 28-30 as part of a global tour in arenas around North America.

Thrilling more than 5 million people worldwide since the show premiered in Montreal in 2009 as a Big Top show, “OVO” will embark on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but now in arenas, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show in their own town.

“OVO,” meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement.

When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It is love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in more than 400 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

It was a pleasure to sit down with the Artistic Director of “OVO,” Tim Bennett, for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

What was your first job in a theater?

At 19 I was hired to do a dance show at Hershey Park in central PA. It’s a theme park adjacent to the chocolate factory. That was my first professional job.

When did you know entertainment would be your career?

I always did school plays growing up, but when I was in junior high school I started to feel the very strong urge to go into acting. The summer after I graduated from Junior High, I went to NYC (first time) and saw my first Broadway show – the original production of ‘Chicago.”  I was so impressed and inspired by it, that I decided there was nothing else that would fulfill me as much as working as an actor.

When you were acting, what was your favorite part(s)?

I’ve always loved farces – classic 5 door farces with fast paced action, mistaken identities, chases, slamming doors, bad puns, and girls in their underwear. There was a farce called “Scapino” that was a modern day telling of an old Moliere play. Jim Dale had done it on Broadway back in the 1970s. I had the opportunity to play the title role and had more fun with it than any other role that I’ve ever done.

You have also directed many shows, other than Cirque, which was your favorite(s)?

I have two – because they were very different jobs. The first is “The Lion King,” where I was the Resident Director of the Las Vegas company. I enjoyed working on “Lion King” more than any other show. I love the story and its universal message, the music, and the many styles of storytelling – from puppetry, shadow play, clowning, modern dance, praise poetry, and classic musical theatre. We also had a wonderful cast of Broadway veterans, who were amazing artists. Being able to work on that show was a real gift.

But I didn’t create “Lion King,” as Resident Director I maintained it. As an original director/choreographer, my favorite show was “Urinetown.” I love the story and message of it, as well as the very farcical playful way that it is written. I also love the opportunity as a choreographer, to create material that pays homage to (some say parodies) other classic musicals and their styles.

How did you come to get hired by Cirque?

I saw my first Cirque show, “NouvelleExperience,” on the Santa Monica Pier back in the early 1990’s and absolutely fell in love with it. The wild imagination that spawned the costumes, music, make-up, and Cirque environment, as well as the incredible acrobatics blew my mind. I thought that it was one of the most creative shows that I had ever seen, and thought to myself “I really want to work with this new company Cirque du Soleil.” At the time, I was still a performer but I had no acrobatic skills, so there wasn’t a place for me. Fast forward a few years to when I moved to Las Vegas with “The Lion King.” There I was surrounded by Cirque shows, and I went to see every one of them. My passion to work for Cirque was reignited. My job at “The Lion King,” was very similar to what I do for Cirque, and when “The Lion King,” eventually closed, I reached out to Cirque right away.

Your title is Artistic Director. What exactly does that entail?

I’m responsible for the artistic integrity of the show. My job is make sure that the show is as exciting, surprising, fresh, and looks as great as it did on the day that it opened. I’m also responsible to maintain the original director’s vision of the show. I do whatever is necessary to make sure that happens. I run rehearsals, work with the coaches in trainings, cast and integrate new artists, work with the Performance Medicine teams to keep the acrobats healthy and rehabilitate injuries, give notes on the shows to artists and the technical departments, add new acts or change existing ones, and coordinate with the PR teams to create events. I also do a lot of operations work from budgeting to scheduling, to casting, and long range planning for the show.

I’m not going to ask you what your favorite part of “OVO” is as I think that would be unfair, but is there a particular act that gets talked about more than the rest?

We have a few unique acts that come up a lot in conversation because they aren’t seen a lot of places, or because our particular take on them is different and special. We have a Chinese “foot juggling” act that most people haven’t ever seen before. It’s a team of 6 Chinese acrobat Ants who juggle various pieces of their “food” and then eventually each other…with their feet.

We have an act that is a combination of trampoline and a crazy huge climbing wall – the biggest of its kind. Since crickets can jump 300 times their body height, we have our crickets jumping, bouncing, and leaping all over the wall via the trampolines. Finally, we have a straps act where our two butterflies soar and dance at the top of the arena in what is the most beautiful and exciting love duet that I’ve ever seen. Audience members always comment about it.

What makes “OVO” special, and what should the South Florida audiences expect from “OVO”?

There are a number of things that make “OVO” unique. It is one of the most playful, colorful, positive, and energetic of Cirque’s shows. It also has a great Brazilian flavor – from its samba music to its characters, to its name (OVO is Portuguese for “egg.”) We also have some of the top circus artists in the world, working alongside Olympic gymnasts and world champion acrobats in some acts that are pretty unique. It’s not a Cirque show that you’ve ever seen before.

But I think what makes it the most special is its message. It’s a story of inclusion, and how a community of insects first reject a “Foreigner” insect because he is different from them. They don’t understand him or his ways and therefore they are threatened by him. Over the course of the story, they realize that they and the stranger are more alike than they are different, and they come to understand and eventually accept and even love him.

What I really love is that “OVO” is a wonderful representation of the culture and world of Cirque du Soleil itself. Inclusion is one of the greatest strengths at Cirque. Our production consists of a troupe of over 100 artists, technicians, and staff from 21 different countries working together as story tellers to amaze and delight audiences. We are a mix of many languages, skin colors, religions, and cultures – French, Russian, American, Ukranian, Brazilian, British…and many more. We work as a team without regard to politics or borders, and the trust between us has to be uncompromising. If we can all work together at the circus to do what we do, there is no reason why others around the world can’t do the same.

Tickets which start at $35 for adults (subject to change) and $25 for children. Senior, military, student discounts and family 4-packs are all available at cirquedusoleil.com/ovo.

source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/07/12/behind-the-scenes-cirque-du-soleils-ovo-comes-to-sunrise-miami/ from Hot Spots Magazine http://hotspotsmagazin.blogspot.com/2017/07/behind-scenes-cirque-du-soleils-ovo.html