My favourite Christmas film

I think most of us have that one film which makes you feel like the season is well and truly here. That one film that when you can watch over and over again and never get bored with. For me, it's The Holiday.

It's cheesy, packed full of plot holes and continuity errors. Not to mention as well the ridiculous stereotype of what living in the English countryside is like (seriously, when I worked in London, I never saw a quiet train like that, let alone a seat!). But despite of (or maybe because of it) I love it. It's gently inoffensive, no-one dies and everyone has a happy ending. And let's face it, that's all you want this time of year, isn't it?

This also seems a good time to confess that I've never seen The Grinch or Elf and that I truly believe Die Hard is a Christmas film.....

Cathy
xx

My favourite Christmas song

Everyone has a favourite Christmas song - and sometimes that song can bring back so many memories.

Some of my favourites are ones I remember from childhood such as Band Aid, Slade and Wizzard. But my absolute ultimate number one - is a real marmite choice for a lot of people.

The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York. This was released for Christmas 1987 - the year the other half and I started going out. I blame him for introducing me to The Pogues and really, you could say this became our Christmas song.

The lyrics are - shall we say - interesting? I remember overhearing two teenage girls hearing the song for the very first time some years back and couldn't help but giggle at how shocked they were at the words.

What do you think? Is this a Christmas song for you?

Cathy

xx

A Garden Centre Christmas

So we're nearly halfway through the month, the New Year is looming and I'm struggling to keep up with myself. So it makes perfect sense to do a series of posts about my favourite things at Christmas on my blog - right?

Now, over the last 5 years of my blog, I've done various posts like this before. But not recently so I thought it would be fun to re-visit a few themes. First up - garden centres.

I'm sure this is a relatively recent thing. I certainly don't remember garden centres being such a must do highlight of the season when I was younger. But with better transport options and the rise of social media - a visit to your local garden centre is now very much a part of Christmas.

At the time of writing - I've visited two that are local to me. Haskins and Garsons. Both have really evolved into go-to destinations that you can also buy some bits for the garden in as well!

I think, between the two, Garson's has the slight edge for me. Every year they have reindeer - and who doesn't love a reindeer?

And of course, there's always that one person who doesn't quite get into the Christmas spirit...

Thanks for reading the first of my twelve days of Christmas!

Cathy
xx

Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers at The Point, Eastleigh

The Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers arrived at The Point Theatre in Eastleigh this week as part of their UK tour. Mugenkyo are Europe’s leading Taiko drum group and are currently celebrating their 25th year of performing. Founded by Neil Mackie and Miyuki Williams, they learnt their craft from the prominent Taiko master Masaaki Kurumaya Sensei in Fukui, Japan.

To be honest, I didn't know a lot about the Taiko drums. The other half knew a bit more and was very excited to see them performed live. On arrival, we noticed earplugs were being handed out and we could hear the drums in the distance as the players warmed up - we knew were in for a loud evening!

The show was a mix of new material and some older favourites from the last 25 years. The first half of the show was called Tribe and was described as a celebration of our collective human spirit. With a variety of drums, (plus a megaphone!) dramatic lighting and dance, the mix was a fusion of traditional and contemporary. The overriding impression I had straight away was how much the players were enjoying themselves. The love they had for the drums and performance shines through to the audience and you can't help but be involved. Culminating in the final piece of One World Tribe, the mix of voice and drums was haunting and reminds us that we are all one world and one voice.  

During the interval and at the end, some of the players were in the foyer of the theatre to answer questions and meet the audience. It's such a personal touch that makes you feel more connected to the whole show.

The second half celebrated the last 25 years of the Mugenkyo. The first piece started with a solo by the groups founding member Neil Mackie on the Odaiko, a huge drum which takes immense energy to play and can only be described as almost hypnotic. The precision and synchronicity of the drumming with the other players was spot-on throughout the show, sometimes playing two drums at once whilst moving around the stage with martial arts-inspired choreography .

At the end of the show the cast truly deserved their standing ovation. The amount of energy and stamina needed for every show is mind blowing. Quite how they manage to perform at that level night after night on their tour is beyond me. Mix this with their humour and warmth and obvious enjoyment and it make this a show not to be missed.

As well as touring, Mugenkyo have released a number of albums and concert DVD’s which makes them the most artistically prolific Taiko group outside of Japan. They also perform at large-scale events and festivals at home and abroad and run weekend workshops in rural Scotland where you can learn to play the Taiko drums (which honestly sounds like the best stress relieving idea ever).

A big thank you to Mugenkyo and to The Point for inviting us along. The Point Theatre is a little hidden treasure in Eastleigh and every time we visit the staff make you feel so welcome.

The Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers are touring throughout the UK until the 24th November 2019. You can visit their website here for more information on dates and tickets.

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

[Press tickets gifted for the purpose of this review]