Come Along, Marilyn!: April 2017

#15: Say Chic | A New Blog!

April 29, 2017

#14: The #HelloWorld Campaign | How To Connect With People

April 22, 2017

Hello World. My name is Hannah and I am an eccentric.

I've been pondering on life recently, as I border the realm of adulthood. There are roughly seven and a half billion people on this Earth. 7.5 billion minds, 7.5 billion lives, 7.5 billion stories. And yet, I will only get to hear a small fraction of them. In fact, there is no way that I could hear everybody's stories. Even if your life story took just one minute to tell, it would still take me 14,269.35 years to hear everyone's. So let's call it 14,000 years for simplicity.

If I lived for 100 years and listened to people's stories for every minute of my life, I would still only know 1.4% of people on this Earth.

With that in mind, I have a new mission in life. It is this: To hear as many as I possibly can. And to never, ever say no to a story.

Humans have such an incredible power to connect to others. We, some more than others, have the gift of empathy. We can relate to each other, learn from observation and heal one another with words. Reaching out and listening to others, talking about yourself, getting to know people - these are things in-built in our core systems and these are skills which make us such a unique and diverse species.

In the 21st Century, this diverseness and ability to speak up about our own views and opinions is seemingly also what has divided us and what continues to divide us. People are so caught up in their own stories, they forget that every single person is running the same course. We cannot possibly hope to truly know everyone on this Earth. But it is so important that we at least value the lives we do know.

So I am going to try something. After reading this, post a sentence on social media and tag it with the hashtag #HelloWorld. Make it a sentence to sum-up who you are. It could be a sentence which describes your hobbies, your job, your interests. Or an interesting fact, or your eye colour! Anything you like.

I want to get to know as many people on this Earth as I can and in this age, with the Internet being such a prominent force in our lives, there is no better time to begin.

My sentence is this: #HelloWorld. My name is Hannah and I am an eccentric.

drama

#13: Peter Pandemonium - Adventures of a Musical Director

April 15, 2017

If you have visited my YouTube channel at any point, you may know that I have participated in shows with a company called RARE Productions. Well, this year, they employed me as the Musical Director for my area and I became part of the show team... I even have the t-shirt to prove it!

So, "think of something wonderful" and promise me you'll "never grow up" as I take you on a journey through Peter Pandemonium... Well come along, "Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning!"

Auditions

Our tale begins back in November 2016, when I auditioned for my area's production of 'Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure'. I did the singing, acting and dancing (to some extent!) and had a recall to read for a couple of characters. Then, I received a letter in the post which told me... drumroll please... that I had been chosen to play PETER PAN! Now, this was all very exciting for all of three days, until I was offered the position of Musical Director for that same show and had to make the hardest decision of my life: Title Role or MD. For an aspiring performer/director, this was like making me choose between children.

The Prep

Having sacrificed the title role in the name of working with one of my closest friends (find her blog righty HERE - she's posting part deux of these adventures tomorrow!) I received the script, score and keyboard and set to work learning all the music. Out of the whole four month process, this was the hardest part of making Pan, simply because nobody really knows any of the music. It's an absolutely beautiful soundtrack and I urge you to download it HERE - you won't regret it!

The First Rehearsal

"Aaaaaaa!" my brain screamed as the butterflies in my stomach threatened to 'flutter' up my lunch. It was just a little bit terrifying singing music nobody knew in front of a cast of 8-21 year olds. The most frightening bit was doing it in front of my co-workers, both of whom had seen MDs come and go and who had both done many shows before. BUT it was all okay! The kids seemed to pick up the first song in no time and before long it was over to the choreographer to put it on its feet (aka start the dancing...)

More Rehearsals

We had a total of 10 rehearsals, not including tech/dress runs, which adds up to 40 hours in which to make a show. Sounds like a lot but in actual fact the ensemble was split into 90 minute groups so we only really had 15 hours per group, to teach the show to! Crazy, but somehow we managed it. And, I still managed to have fun with my show team along the way. Big thank you to Hollie and Wendy, without whom I could not have even attempted the production!

Slight Stumbles

There were a few mishaps along the way, namely the keyboard having a meltdown and me doing as I was instructed and "turning it off and on again". Also, general working with children struggles, such as a child being sick, an eight-year old boy flirting with the girls and two kids having a water fight mid-rehearsal. Through it all, I couldn't help but laugh at some of the helpless expressions myself and the director pulled, as our wonderful choreographer handled it like a BOSS.

Show Week

And the butterflies have returned as we enter into the dress rehearsals. One of which went brilliantly, the other... erm... well...

Anyhow, the majority of the numbers went well, especially from a musical perspective. The chorus took to the stage like dynamite and I was very impressed with the passion put into some of the main cast's songs. Myself and the show team made some notes, got everything sorted and then... we realised it was Thursday: Opening Night.

The Shows

I was definitely more nervous for show number 1 than for anything else. I have never known pressing buttons to be so stressful. But, upon a great run of Act One, I relaxed a little. The rest of the show ran smoothly on the whole and we were set up for a great run of shows over the coming few days. We had a small band - myself on keys and our brilliant drummer, Peter*.

*Yes, we have Peter the Drummer and Wendy the Choreographer in Peter Pan. We also had a George playing George Darling and a John playing Starkey. But don't get me started.

But, the fun was in more than just the shows. After all, the show team got to the theatre a little earlier than the cast... Have a look at what we did when all the setting up was done...

Hard at work...

Such a poser, up in my balcony!

A face at the window?

Asleep on the job - it was a long day!

I can't wait to do it all over again in our next show! Let me know what musicals you've been loving and remember,

Hannah x

face

#12: Problems Only Glasses-Wearers Know

April 08, 2017

There are some struggles in life that only the lucky few will ever experience...

#1: Picture Perfect

Looking like you have no eyes when you find good selfie lighting is such a problem. You're faced with two options. Either, you remove your glasses, at risk of not being able to see the shutter button to take the photo. Or, you spend hours trying to find a patch of light that hits everywhere apart from those shiny reflective shards of glass on your face. It's no mean feat to get a decent picture of a glasses-wearer.

#2: Spot-On

I don't know about anyone else but I seem to always get spots between my eyebrows. It's likely a cross between oily teenage skin and the fact that my glasses are always pressing against my face. A combination of the two means those zits just hit me dead in the face. Although glasses are useful for covering said spot, it's immensely painful should anyone decide to hit you in the face (I speak from experience).

#3: Dirt, Glorious Dirt

Here's what I want to know. How come, even after washing your glasses so thoroughly, even after using the spray and cloth (let's be real, everyone uses their t-shirt)... your lenses are STILL DIRTY?! How, in that time it takes to get them from your hand to your face, do your glasses still accumulate smudge marks and dust? I swear there's something in the air...

#4: I'm sorry, where?

"Just look straight ahead for me at that big letter A."

Oh I'm sorry, you mean that smudge on the mirror? Nothing quite makes you feel blind than not even knowing where the eye chart is. And, the last line is just a joke. Nobody can actually read that from two metres... right?

#5: Sun, Summer and Sight-Issues

For those of us not lucky enough to have colour changing lenses, nor cool enough for prescription sunglasses, the age old question of time comes around, every year, during the summer months. Blindness or brightness? If I wear my glasses, I am blinded by the sun. If I wear my sunglasses, I am blind anyway... I end up saying: "Ah screw it, I'll just stay in the shade."

Although I complain, it's worth having glasses... even if just for the fact that we look damn cute in little round frames and a vintage rose blush!

What do you love/hate about glasses? Let me know in the comments, or on my social media links at the top of the page and remember,

Hannah x

Beauty

#11: Lazy Student Face & Favourites

April 01, 2017

A guide for the lazy, broke and/or clueless... AKA me, myself and I.

I make it no secret that I haven't got any kind of knowledge at all in the face department. I only recently developed an interest in what I'm putting on my face when, back in October, I started doing a few more acting jobs and for a few weeks, my face was in and out of stage makeup near-on every day. So, I decided to get a few staples to help my slowly dying skin get its glow back...

Disclaimer: In no way am I making any attempt to be a beauty blogger. I literally have no idea what I'm talking about.

CLEANSER - The Orange One, by Neutrogena

Or, 'Visibly Clear Spot Clearing Facial Wash' as it says on the packaging. This works wonders on my puberty-stricken skin. With an excessively oily t-zone, but generally red and dry around my jawline and nose, Neutrogena's oil-free cleanser is a must-have item in my bathroom. It's especially good for those annoying 'Time of the Month' breakouts, keeping redness to a minimum and clearing up whiteheads with 2% salicylic acid. At less than £5 for 200ml, it's a good ol' student bargain!

FOUNDATION - Truly The One , by GOSH

This is only a recent discovery, but again a relatively cheap one, so perfect for suffering students, like myself. At only £9.99, 'GOSH BB Cream' is pure magic to someone who knows nothing about makeup. It matches so perfectly to my skin tone - which is rare for an olive-skinned gal like me - and it gives great coverage, lasting all day and I can't even feel it on my skin. Plus, with an SPF 15, it'll be a definite for the coming summer months.

CONCEALER - The Cheap & Cheerful One, by Makeup Revolution

'Makeup Revolution Matte Concealer' is a £1 wonder, bought on a really low budget which surprisingly does the job quite well! I use the shade 'Light/Medium', which suits my skin perfectly and apply it in red areas, after my BB cream, loosely blending with my index and middle fingers. The good thing about this is that it's easily blendable, not so much with the stick, but with my finger and with other creams. I take a bit on my finger and dab under the eye, focusing specifically on the inner corner, where I get particularly dark. It does the job, it's a cheap and cheerful student seller and for that reason, it's on my 'Face & Favourites' List!

POWDER - The One I Constantly Run Out Of, by Miss Sporty

And that's not a bad thing. I slap this one on like there's no tomorrow. 'Miss Sporty So Clear Powder Transparent' is my handbag essential that I could not do a day without, especially if that day just happens to be a show day. At £2.99 and with antibacterial properties, it's a bargain and I don't feel bad about layering it on my skin. I won't say that it has necessarily cleared my pores, but it hasn't made them any worse, as some powders have done. 'Transparent' is the word, it leaves no hint of colour, so it's not too light for my skin. It gives brilliant coverage, beautifully setting my concealer and foundation. I've been using this for a good few months now and I'm not inclined to change anytime soon.

BROWS - The Only One I Know How To Use, by Collection

I won't lie when I say I am rather new to the brow-filling community. I only really started so I didn't look like a faceless alien playing 'Lily St Regis' in a local production of 'Annie'. Simply called 'Eyebrow Kit', I use the shade 'Blonde' because the brunette palette was a shade of black I think even the devil would run screaming from. It comes with three powders (one for the outline, one for filling and one for highlighting), a double-ended brush and brow mascara. At the moment, I have taken to using my own brush and just the outline colour to fill the whole brow, but I expect when the summer sun starts to lighten my hair, the lighter brown will also come in handy. The mascara is great, holds the shape of my brows all day, but the solution does get a little gross with powder quite quickly, it being a small bottle. But, for £3.99, it ain't half bad!

LASHES - The One I Rave About, by Max Factor

I never shut up to my friends and family about this product. Max Factor 'Clump Defy Mascara' in 'Black' is something I received as a Christmas present a really long time ago but has been a staple in my makeup collection ever since. It's the priciest thing on my list, traditionally at £10.99, but for lashes that look effortlessly long with, you guessed it, NO CLUMPS, it is money I am willing to spend. With tightly knit bristles on a curved edge brush, it follows and accentuates the shape of my natural lashes and adds length and darkness, creating the appearance of awakeness for that 9AM lecture.

LIPS - The Really Lazy One, by...?

I have trailed the whole internet and on not one site can you buy one of my favourite products of all time. '2True Cheek n Lip Tint' (Rose) is essentially exactly the same as 'Benetint', but knock £30 off. Anyway, I have done my best to find an alternative replacement and have (luckily) found one!

W7's 'Lip and Cheek Stain' in the shade 'A Hint of Bali' is perfect for a lazy non-lipstick kind of girl like me. Working weekends in a bridal shop, where everything is white, means lipstick is a no-go anyway, but I am too low-maintenance to be worrying about whether I have a red line around my lips whenever I go to eat. Lip tints have always been my go-to and a little goes a long way, especially with this brand. The colour adds a little pink to my otherwise olive face, but is discreet enough that it adds natural beauty, complimenting my skin tone perfectly and at only £2.35 a bottle on Amazon, it is a bargain worth betting on.

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#15: Say Chic | A New Blog!

I'm launching another blog!

So let me explain...

What will you post?

Where can I find you?

Put a note in your calendars! MAY 1ST // 1PM UK TIME // LIVE LAUNCH PARTY

*

And remember...

Hannah x

#14: The #HelloWorld Campaign | How To Connect With People

Hello World. My name is Hannah and I am an eccentric.

#13: Peter Pandemonium - Adventures of a Musical Director

Auditions

The Prep

The First Rehearsal

More Rehearsals

Slight Stumbles

Show Week

The Shows

But, the fun was in more than just the shows. After all, the show team got to the theatre a little earlier than the cast... Have a look at what we did when all the setting up was done...

I can't wait to do it all over again in our next show! Let me know what musicals you've been loving and remember,

#12: Problems Only Glasses-Wearers Know

There are some struggles in life that only the lucky few will ever experience...

What do you love/hate about glasses? Let me know in the comments, or on my social media links at the top of the page and remember,

#11: Lazy Student Face & Favourites

A guide for the lazy, broke and/or clueless... AKA me, myself and I.

CLEANSER - The Orange One, by Neutrogena

FOUNDATION - Truly The One , by GOSH

CONCEALER - The Cheap & Cheerful One, by Makeup Revolution

POWDER - The One I Constantly Run Out Of, by Miss Sporty

BROWS - The Only One I Know How To Use, by Collection

LASHES - The One I Rave About, by Max Factor

LIPS - The Really Lazy One, by...?

Let me know what bargain's you've been buying and share your makeup hacks with me on my social medias at the top of the page. Remember,

Hannah x

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