ARTIST: Pakpoom Silaphan
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It’s time for our Christmas issue already! The overly jolly adverts are on tv, the mince pies are on two-for-one and the ice rinks are slippy. This can mean only one thing: it’s our Christmas issue already! FRONT COVER
I’ve got to tell you now, we haven’t bought you any presents! Ok, that’s a lie, this edition is jam-packed with glorious gifts! We have Christmas Markets, two comedians, loads of music news and a festive sackful of fashion features. Have a wonderful Christmas and an even better New Year readers! Here at Laissez Faire we are of course going to get cracking on the first 2012 edition, well after a sherry or two perhaps. See you next year!
Ruth Boulter Editor
DON’T MISS...
THE FACE OF FASHION - Meet the graduates
ART DIRECTOR / HEAD DRESS / HAIR STYLIST YUHI KIM
PAKPOOM SILAPHAN - Remastering the masters SECRET SOCIETY - The Candlelight Club
PHOTO by DOH LEE
FESTIVE FANCIES - London Christmas Markets
STyLIST
DOUBLE ACT - Introducing two comedians
MIRAESON
MAKE UP ARTIST
IN SEARCH OF GREAT MUSIC - The Edge
YUKA HIRATA
MODEL CATHERINE HUDSON
A BIG SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FROM TEAM LF: Sally Fabulous Francis Brian Movie Mills Ricci Buster Bryson Emily Proofer Philippou Britt Booker Pflüger Elin Nordic Robinson Ruth Runs the Show Boulter Stephen James Music Miller Jonathan Jester Madge Irena Super-Dooper Stupar Sasha Horoscopes Helim
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LAISSEZ FAIRE LONDON is published by Richmond Media Ltd H.Q:
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Laissez Faire London
M A FASHION & DESIGN If Laissez Faire readers ever doubted this paper’s credentials as a supporter of the quirky and diverse arts, let me bring your attention to the fascinating minds and riveting fashions designers showcasing some of their work over the following pages.
With practiced eye and skilled hands, these eager protégés of fashion are exciting, to say the least. Delving into their thinking process, one can sense these MA Fashion & Design students will be the movers and shakers of the fashion world in years to come, watch this space…
2011
FASHION
Chi Chi Luo Inspired by a trip to Tibet last summer...
Bright, vivid, and energetic colours represent Tibet’s culture: kindness, boldness, faith and passion
ILLUSTRATIONS: Development stage
Braided Tibetan hair inspires part of the collection with complicated handcraft techniques such as macramĂŠ and knotting, along with colourful wooden beads influenced by Buddhist prayer beads.
CATWALK Images: www.catwalking.com
Initially playing with these colours and using different hand-dye techniques results in some pretty amazing combinations using fluid fabrics, such as silk chiffon and silk jersey, then draped and layered them up to create a new look: a Tibetan look.
Chi Chi Luo rinlochi@hotmail.com www.chichiluo.com
FASHION
Emilia Bairamova The Brit who Knits
Emilia Bairamova is a London-based womenswear designer specialising in Knitwear has been inspired by the memoirs of Elizabeth Wurtzel, whose life was a projection of complexities whilst suffering from depression.
Emilia Bairamova emilia@emiliab.com www.emiliab.com
PROZAC NATION Photographer: Nicole Maria Winkler Images: www.catwalking.com
This current collection aptly named ‘Prozac Nation’, is a discernment of Lizzie’s depression through nine hand-knitted dresses. Each dress refers to a particular state of Elizabeth’s mind and together they visualize the process of her reinvention in form of shape, colour and texture. Exaggerated sleeves, necks and other body parts; unexpected chunky brass zips allowing to transform garments and a vivid colour palette create an instant impact.
FASHION
Yeashin Kim Spreading a Little Happiness
This collection is inspired by creatures and corals of the seas and a touch of late 18th century style Baroque art of the Rococo period, in which artists exaggerated emotions. Yeashin emulates this in her cloths to create a joyful and happy feeling when viewed by another.
Wanting to create clothes that can be recognised by people, Yeashin expressed her characterises herself as the basis of her designs. “I am a very complicated person; it’s difficult to explain in words, so I choose concepts and designs that would express all those complexities.”
Photographer: Marina Magalhaes
Photographer: Nadine Ijewere
Yeashin says in previous collections she focused on creating mainly with the perception of the eyes. In this collection, a great proportion of the finished articles came from the mind.
Photographer: Sean Michael
Photographer: Shelley Radish Clover
YEASHIN KIM yeiyei1044@hotmail.com
THE ARTS CLUB
CENTRAL ST MARTINS
A bastion of fashion and the arts, Central St Martins has never been afraid to shock, provoke or inspire. How will it do in its new location – Kings Cross? We find out…
Representatives of Laissez Faire were given a guided tour of London’s newest centre for artistic and creative minds. Here at The Granary, in the middle of Kings Cross, students are invited to pool, paint, carve, design and weave their energies into producing something of beauty. It’s the new Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. Scuttling through with my trusty guide and visitor’s pass in hand, my first impressions were the architects’ great appreciation for space and dedication to simple forms. The architects in question are Stanton Williams and they are focused on the future. It’s almost like walking into an Apple Mac store, but 30 times bigger and without the irritating tourists – an industrial warehouse conversion with ultra-high ceilings and quirky uses of space. Floor-upon-floor of classrooms with see-through glass and seamlessly connected, cavernous corridors enable students to interact and pass seamlessly from dance studios to photography studios. It’s totally 21st Century and there’s something for everyone and every specialism, from fine art, graphic and industrial design, to fashion and textiles. Those who liked to play around with old typesets will find themselves in clover with the original 1920’s Linotype machines. Not to mention a ten-dimensional library – where even my guide got lost – with large tables, huge sofas and an array of books collected by the college over the years. Not difficult to get inspired in a place like this! There’s no shortage in state-of-the-art equipment either, this is an Apple Mac-friendly establishment. If someone turned the lights off, all you would see is a field of apples glowing hypnotically in the dark. On the move from the iconic and terribly fashionable institution in High Holborn, Professor Jane Rapley OBE, Head of Central Saint Martins, said: “For more than 150 years Central Saint Martins has pioneered radical innovations in art and design teaching and learning. Our new building allows us to create the highest quality learning environment – a place connected to the most advanced developments in contemporary culture and industry – a place where students and staff will continue to provoke, challenge, inspire and take risks.” The best analogy I could give is like studying to become a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn. It didn’t matter if you failed, it just made you feel intimate with the subject. But instead of walls lined with massive portraits of luminaries and towering achievements, there’s a sense of quietness and serenity at St Martin’s, which gives the mind time and space to explore the crafts. Towards the end of my tour, my ears were treated to a pianist practicing the classics – how very artsistic an ambience that created! Graduates of Central Saint Martins include Sarah Burton, Jarvis Cocker, Sir Terence Conran, Paloma Faith, Michael Fassbender, Colin Firth, Lucien Freud, Gilbert and George, Anthony Gormley, Stephen Jones, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Gerald Scarfe, Posy Simmonds. I can’t wait to see this list in another ten years, with the new development and great investment injection; it will surely provide a platform for Britain’s great creatives for years to come. Watch this space… Central St Martins College of Arts & Design Granary Building 1 Granary Square London, N1C 4AA +44 (0)20 7514 7444
ART
Pakpoom Silaphan
Re-mastering the masters If you’re not familiar with the name Pakpoom Silaphan, then you’re about to get schooled. So what does it take for a modern-day artist to ply his trade in Central London? Playing fast and loose with sacred brands and iconic figures requires plenty of plain living and high thinking. We all begin somewhere, and rummaging around backyard sources made Pakpoom different, and so successful. This out-and-out abolitionist takes no prisoners. Emma Love from The Independent called it “a sign of the times”. By Jove, Laissez Faire grabbed my dear stalker hat, pipe and magnifying glass and started investigating…
ART “
... a comment on the power of advertising and branding in contemporary culture, and how the image is such a commodity in our society.
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Why do you tend to use the brands coca-cola and Pepsi in most of your work?
When I was growing up in Thailand, there was an abundance of advertising for Western brands, especially Pepsi and Coca-Cola. I loved the iconic design, so I started collecting them. Later on when I had moved to London to study print-making and fine art, I rediscovered my childhood collection, which were vintage by then. So I started to use them as a kind of canvas for my work. Andy Warhol has been an inspiration for a long time, for the way he elevated familiar brands such as soup cans to high art. I’ve also been inspired by religion, and did a ‘Last Supper’ series featuring 13 warning lamps that I found on building sites, and applied a figure from the da Vinci’s Last Supper to each of the 13 lamps. I suppose you could say Duchamp was an influence too, as the ready-made plays a bit part in my artistic practice. What is the inspiration behind your work?
Popular and contemporary culture inspires me. Iconic figures from recent history often appear in my work, not just the creative icons for example musicians like John Lennon and the Rolling Stones, and actors such as Marilyn Monroe, but also familiar faces from our culture such as The Queen. Who inspires you? What message are you trying to convey by using iconic individuals alongside well known
I’m inspired by a lot of artists, including the ones I featured in my current solo exhibition at Scream ‘Remastering the Masters’, which is on until 7th January 2012. The exhibition pays homage to artists whose work I admire such as Salvador Dali, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Gilbert and George, Keith Haring It’s a mixture of representing my experience of East and West, and those two cultures meeting in my and Andy Warhol. work in the form of the Eastern advertising signs, and the Western icons. And a comment on the power of advertising and branding in contemporary culture, and how the image is such a commodity in our Has the recent flooding in Thailand had an impact on your work? society. The floods in Bangkok feel very close to home for me, as it’s where I grew up. So obviously seeing your How did you start out as an artist and how did you drive through your creative talents to home town devastated by such a disaster is upsetting, more so for the people whose lives have been become as good as you are? effected. I’m not sure it will change the way I look at art, because for me and many other artists, I feel that art can act as an escape from, as well as a reflection of the world around us. I studied fine art at Silpakorm University in Thailand. Then I worked in an advertising agency in Thailand for a period, before moving to the UK to study print-making at Camberwell College of Art, What are your strengths and weakness as an artist and how do you see yourself progressing and Fine Art at Chelsea. I’ve always been creative, and I think the combination of studying fine art, and in this field? practical experience as a designer in an advertising agency, resulted in the style that I guess is now my signature. I always want to learn and progress more. And each new exhibition is a new challenge. product brands?
Can you explain, in layman’s terms, the creative processes in developing one of these master-pieces?
What other projects do you have in the horizon?
I will be exhibiting with Scream at the London Art Fair from 18-22 January 2012 at the Business Design I use the vintage signs as a canvas, then source images of the figures that I want each piece to be about. I Centre in Islington (www.screamlondon.com). make a line drawing based on each image, but block out the details with white emulsion. It’s a mixture of collage, drawing and ready-made.
Artist: Elise Mary Yasmin Pellican pinktinkelise@hotmail.com www.elise-mary-yasmin-pellican.blogspot.com/
Alexandra Delve, Sally McMillan and Rebecca Thody looked at the Snow Queen ballet. It inspired them to create a winter-wonderland scene around the mannequin and a frozen window look.
Creative Christmas at the Fashion Retail Academy FASHION RETAIL ACADEMY STUDENTS ON THE LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA IN VISUAL MERCHANDISING WERE TASKED WITH DESIGNING AND INSTALLING A CHRISTMAS WINDOW IN JUST ONE WEEK. LAISSEZ FAIRE IS DELIGHTED TO PRESENT SOME OF THE INSPIRING CREATIONS. This group of VM students wanted to create a modern Christmas window. They used silver Christmas trees, turned them upside down and suspended them from the ceiling. Hot pink and bright blue for the dress and baubles were chosen, as they are bright colours not traditionally associated with Christmas.
THIS ONE YEAR DIPLOMA COURSE DEVELOPS THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO MAKE STUDENTS ‘JOB READY’ TO APPLY FOR VISUAL MERCHANDISING ROLES IN RETAIL STORES.
Why study at the FRA rather than at a local school or college? • • • • • •
Sponsored by Arcadia Group, Marks & Spencer, Next and Tesco Full time and short courses taught by practicing professionals Work placements integral part of most courses Work with over 90 high street and luxury brands Industry professionals give master classes and guest lectures The building, central London location, environment and teaching are inspirational
Forthcoming FRA Open Days: 25th January 2012, 14th March 2012, 25th April 2012 Apply on-line now at: www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk
Jack Wright and Emily Shaw’s Masquerade window took inspiration from the folk rhyme ‘Who Killed Cock Robin? and the painting by John Anster Fitzgerald. The models are styled as birds – the sinister sparrow who shot Robin with his arrow, and the red feather breasted Robin. The rich red tones and sense of theatre add a dramatic dimension to this window.
RECOMMEND
Secret Society
You never know where it’s going to be, you never know who’s going to be there, but you can be damn sure it’ll be an incredible, one-off evening, every time! Ruth Boulter went undercover in the hunt for London’s most elusive entertainment venue: The Candlelight Club.
In a dark, dark town there was a dark, dark street and in the dark, dark street there was a dark, dark house, in front of the dark, dark house there was a teeny tiny candle, guiding you to… THE CANDLELIGHT CLUB! Ok, there’s a certain amount of literary licence going on there, but you get the gist – it was rather dark and instead of a sign, there was a candle – the email sent that day guided you to the candle with just a postal code for reference. Beyond the candlelit doorway was one of the best nights I’ve ever had in London – and I’ve been having fun here for nearly a decade!
The garden scene led on to reveal a large dance hall, booming with 20s jazz, lit entirely with candles, and filled with revellers swooning, sashaying and giggling in the flickering shadows. The bar buzzed away along the sidewall – a rough trestle table made ultra-glamorous under the weight of potent potions and exotic ingredients. Every single detail was considered: the beautiful burlesque artists left the audiences’ mouths agape with their feather fluttering; the live band ensured every single guest hit the dance floor with wild abandon and a flourish of 20s-style moves; and the boardwalk-esque hot-dawg stalls filled rumbling tums. The heady night swept quickly into morning, through a haze of dancing, Stepping through the doorway, all I knew was that it was a Boardwalk Empire- drinking, dancing, dining and all-consuming delight! themed night, with appropriate cocktails, music, entertainment, dress code and all in the perfectly zeitgeisty surrounds of a clandestine, pop-up speakeasy. I I realise, at this point of writing, that I am, in fact, rather in love with this slinked in, in my best 1920s number, feeling terribly overdressed, but by step somewhat secret soirée and am beginning to regret spreading the news. All this five, I’d entered Narnia. This time, however, the other side of the wardrobe was a adulation and I only went to one of their evenings– it’s different every time! I vibrant, lavish and raucous courtyard lit with twinkling fairy lights, leafy plants, implore you to indulge – and I’m not the only one. I met up with Mr Clayton ornate tables, chairs and incredible costumes! Hartley, half of the mystery duo behind the event to find out more…
Photos copyright of Clayton Hartley, sky and Michael Marks
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... because we don’t advertise the location (even ticket-holders only find out where it is a couple of days beforehand)... Where is the best place to pick up a costume in London?
How long have you been Candlelight Clubbing?
We’ve been doing the Candlelight Club for just over a year – our Boardwalk Empire event on 22nd I must say I often wonder where our guests find their outfits. On our website we have a directory of places we know that sell original or repro period clothing, but if you want to hire something for the October also happened to be our first birthday. evening you could try Prangsta. But I’m also told that some high-street outlets like Top Shop have been selling flapper dresses this year. What’s been your favourite event so far? I’m not sure that I have one. Even when we wherein a smaller space when we started there was always a good atmosphere. I guess there were certain things that we tried which I thought went well – at our Kentucky Derby event, because of the time difference between London and Kentucky, we were able to projective footage of the race at 11pm. We got hold of the odds and our guests could place bets with tokens. I was afraid that people would just ignore the screening but for those couple of minutes everyone really got into it. Likewise for our Royal Wedding event we made our own commemorative mugs (celebrating the Queen Mum’s wedding in 1927 – because for us it’s always the 1920s). We serve done of the cocktails in them, and guests could take them home. People got into the spirit of it – at the end I heard a group loudly singing “God Save the King!”
Do you ever worry about too many people finding out about your events and losing the
And then there are some cocktails that I was pleased with, if only for the idea behind them – at our recent 1920s Shanghai party one cocktail was called the Opium Dream and contained poppy liqueur; a tour Mad Hatter’s Tea Party we managed to make a cocktail modelled on the description of the taste of the “Drink Me” bottle that Alice finds in Alice in Wonderland. At our forthcoming Christmas event we have one cocktail made from homemade mincemeat vodka and one called Gold, Frankincense and Byrrh, which includes Goldschläger, a vermouth called Byrrh and some bitters actually made from Frankincense. This playfulness is a big part of what we do.
What fun and frivolity can we look forward to in the future?
exclusive, secret side?
We've never exactly tried to keep our events a secret, but because we don't advertise the location (even ticket-holders only find out where it is a couple of days beforehand) and we only sell tickets in advance, it means that everyone there on the night has made a commitment ahead of time to be there and to get into the spirit of it. I think that’s what gives it a special atmosphere. You don't get people just wandering in off the street in jeans. I actually want our events to feel friendly and inclusive, to feel like someone's party rather than a nightclub.
As for the future, I hope we can keep it fresh by coming up with new themes each time and exploring new cocktail ideas. But, now that we're in our second year, there are some themes that we are tempted to turn into annual or regular events, such as the Valentine's Day Massacre and our Absinthe Specials, with their tablecloth-painting competitions. But we’re also open to suggestions!
Words by Ruth Boulter
Visit www.thecandlelightclub.comand get on the guest list to find out more.
CULTURE
Festive Fancies
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The traditional Bavarian offering at the Southbank Centre promises all the joys of a truly traditional Christmas market experience...
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Ricci Bryson turns his back on London’s Christmas retail scene, in favour of far more traditional fare. Mulled wine, mince pies and thermal baths – it’s hard work but someone’s got to do it.
As the nights grow darker, and December draws around us, twinkling The traditional Bavarian offering at the Southbank Centre promises all Christmas lights pop up all over the Capital and festive window displays the joys of a truly traditional Christmas market experience, mulled wine, entice us into the malls, shopping districts and department stores. mince pies, bratwurst, hot chocolate etc. Located between the Southbank Centre and The London Eye, the South Bank Christmas market has set up As tempting as stepping inside these bastions of bulging bags is, there are camp here for the fourth year in a row, with over 50 wooden chalet-style actually a host of shopping experiences taking place across London which stands selling gifts, food and lovely little stocking fillers. hold much more allure. Filled with sugared almonds, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and all Christmas spices and fine festive scents your heart While wandering about this Christmas market, keep your eyes peeled for could desire. unusual Christmas presents such as amber and silver jewellery, handcrafted toys, glass ornaments for your Christmas tree and unique candles in all With a spring in my step and a glow in my cheeks – I’m not sure if it was shapes and sizes. There is also the carousel in the centre of the festive furor the bite of the wind or the bottle of mulled wine I guzzled earlier – I set here, which offers younger visitors an enjoyable ride set against the iconic off to investigate two of London’s Christmas markets. My first stop was backdrop of the London Eye. a visit to a classic German-style Christmas market on the Southbank.
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The quaint streets and square behind Bath Abbey transform into a gorgeous and bustling market space come December...
Alternatively, for something a little more contemporary, why not visit my second destination – cheeks still glowing. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland returns for the fifth year running, with free admission and even more entertainment and new attractions than in previous years. Since its launch in 2007, Winter Wonderland has attracted millions of visitors, making it one of the Capital’s most popular and dazzling winter events. An amazing family attraction, Winter Wonderland boasts plenty to do, from ice skating and big wheels to roller coaters and circus troupes. One could spend hours pouring over the gift stalls, food stands, and enjoying the host of events changing daily at this exceptional yuletide spectacle. With so much going on in London this holiday season it's easy to forget, there is plenty going on across the country as well. My third Christmas-themed destination was to the wonderful town of Bath to inspect their world-famous Christmas market – could it beat London’s greats? You can get there in just under two hours from Paddington station, so it makes the perfect London getaway. The quaint streets and square behind Bath Abbey transform into a gorgeous and bustling market space come December, with more than a hundred traditional wooden chalets touting handmade gifts. And, if the shopping gets too much, you can always treat yourself to a relaxing dip in the open-air Thermea Spa with unprecedented panoramic views of Bath and billowing clouds of steam as the hot water meets the cold air – exceptional. There is plenty to do this holiday season, so why not switch off the TV, wrap up in your best scarf and visit some of the amazing attractions across London and the UK. And if you know of any not-to-be missed things to see and do in the New Year, get in touch!
Words by: Ricci Bryson / twitter.com/riccibryson / www.riccibryson.co.uk
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BOOK REVIEW
All I Want For XMas The great literary scout Ms Britt Pflüger tells us all about the hottest new book about to hit our shelves… and it’s one for the girls.
Christmas at Tiffany’s by Karen Swan Pan 25 November 2011 583pp £6.99
Three cities. Three seasons. One chance to find the life that fits. Fairytale of New York meets From Notting Hill with Love...Actually in this highly enjoyable romantic comedy drama. When her three best friends join her to celebrate her tenth wedding anniversary in Scotland, thirtyyear-old Cassie seems to have it all, most notably the successful lawyer husband Gil and his country manor. But her seemingly perfect life falls apart when she discovers that Gil has not only been having an affair with none other than her friend Wiz, but also fathered her young son, Cassie’s godchild. Before the shock has fully set in, Kelly, Anouk and Suzy whisk her away, a cunning plan about to take shape: Cassie is to live in turn with each of them for four months, to work out where she belongs in the world and who she really is. Cassie arrives in New York with her heart in tatters and finances in dire straits, but Kelly takes her under her wing and into her tiny Manhattan apartment. In no time at all, she has been transformed from mousy lady of the manor into a New York fashionista even Carrie Bradshaw would be proud of – a prerequisite for her new job in Kelly’s fashion PR company. It all seems to go swimmingly, until she single-handedly jeopardises her friend’s business and is rescued by Luke, a famous fashion photographer and ladies man...
While New York is all about fashion, Paris becomes the place where Cassie, transformed into a chic brunette by Anouk, learns her passion for cooking, thanks to depressed celebrity chef Claude. But a sudden suicide and betrayal, not to mention a romantic but doomed trip to Venice, make her escape to London and a heavily pregnant Suzy – and a reunion with Suzy’s explorer brother Luke who left a mysterious present for her under the Christmas tree at Tiffany’s in New York months earlier. Luke is engaged to the impossibly glamorous and successful Lacey, and so Cassie has been blind to his carefully coded messages to her – until a wedding and a birth force them both to confront the truth... By turns funny and moving, Christmas at Tiffany’s is the perfect read for the holidays: a heartwarming and yet sexy page turner about love, loss and friendship, filled to the brim with believable and likable characters, handsome hunks and cowardly cads, fashion (contrary to the oddly dated cover), glamour and cupcakes, atmospheric settings and plenty of twists and turns. It is in fact so enjoyable that it is easy to forgive the odd cliché so beloved of the genre (my favourite is “I’m saying that I love you,’ she whispered, gazing into his blue eyes which were as bright and clear as the Arctic waters he explored.’) A cracking good story, perfect for enjoying with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie – or better still, vintage champagne and caviar blinis.
Britt Pflüger is a literary scout and agent. She also runs literary consultancy Hardy & Knox: www.hardyandknox.com.
Wenlock and Essex: 18-26 Essex Road, Islington, London, N1 8LN, tel: 020 7704 0871, www.wenlockandessex.com Edge Music London: website: www.edgemusic.co.uk, email: edgemusiclondon@gmail.com,
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Edge-Music-London/215667828500279, Twitter: twitter.com/edgemusiclondon Cyrus of the Sun: website: www.soundcloud.com/cyrusreynolds, Twitter: www.twitter.com/cyrusofthesun Quadrophony: Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Quadrophony/306193529410510
ENTERTAINMENT-
Music maestro Stephen Miller gives us the latest instalment in his search for truly great music in London.
On The Edge
Edge Music London - Redefining classical music Every musical genre or style has a stereotypical image attached to it. Forms such as hip hop and heavy metal (or any of their contemporaneous genres) have a deeply entrenched set of connotations belonging to a period of just a few decades. What about a genre then that spans hundreds of years like Classical music? If you were to ask a straw poll what their impression of classical music was, the majority would talk of stuffy concert hall renditions, well-known works repeated and orchestra dressed in dark eveningwear. Yet how can one idea reflect a music so versatile, diverse and unrelated as to encompass early baroque and late 20th Century. Are we the audiences ignorant or is classical music not being performed in a way that does it justice?
clavichord, a keyboard instrument so gentle and delicate it could only be appreciated by the performer and those in proximity. I’m sure he would have made it a prominent orchestra instrument should he have found a way to amplify it. With this in mind, it seems even more ridiculous to treat classical music with the inappropriate reverence we have become accustomed to – even the classical greats were innovative and eccentric. Edge Music wants to promote the hippest and most stylish musical compositions and performances possible, just as Bach, Mozart and Beethoven did when they were composing and performing.
Edge Music has big ambitions – at the moment, the concert series is planned for the third Thursday of The works of our great composers are not holy relics, museum exhibits or even historical milestones, every month at the Wenlock and Essex in Islington and will be recorded by Hoxton Radio. And that’s they belong to all of us and form the very basis of modern music. Even to us peasants dressed down in not all, Danielle and Emily are looking to make a festival out of it, featuring other aural art forms, such our jeans and t-shirts, they continue to be influential and inspirational. If hip hop relates to turntables, as spoken word. and heavy metal relates to overdriven guitars, then the classical tradition does at least relate to orchestral instruments, not to mention hundreds of years of musical forms such as motets, fugues, concertos, If you can make it down for the next concert, at 7.30pm on Thursday 19th January, then do, there’s a real sonatas and symphonies. treat in-store. I’m delighted to reveal two of the acts performing: has taken a fresh approach to the performance of classical music. Danielle Cyrus of the Sun: A chamber ensemble of harp, string quartet, keyboard and electronics playing music Jalowiecka and Emily Askew are both classically-trained musicians who have created a platform from composer and ensemble member Cyrus Reynolds. According to Edge music: “This is cinematic showcasing the brightest and most forward-thinking composers and performers. Danielle and Emily post-classical music at its best. Think Brahms vs. Batman.” have promoted Edge Music London vigorously, and through collaboration with the classical music colleges, and associations with mostly classically-trained musicians, they have been inundated with Quadrophony: An exciting new electric guitar quartet based in London specialising in leading-edge requests from composers and performers who want to be involved. contemporary music. They gave their debut concert in September 2010 at The Forge in Camden. In May 2011 they were asked to premier Stolen Guitars by Gabriel Prokofiev for his LSO Eclectia series at LSO Go to any of the Edge Music events and expect the unexpected – there are no rules and it’s certainly St. Luke’s. not boring. You may hear cellos, flutes and violins alongside synthesisers playing new compositions, or you may hear Bach’s most heralded compositions played by an entirely electric ensemble. Why not play Don’t miss this opportunity to hear some great new music and watch performances by some of the most Bach with modern instruments? He often re-wrote the same melodies for different instruments, and was exciting classical acts London has to offer: frequently invited to test out new organs and keyboard instruments. His favourite instrument was the Edge Music London
If you think you’re the next big music thing in London then get in touch with Stephen at: steve@laissezfairelondon.co.uk
ENTERTAINMENT
Richard Herring
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The show broadly asks the questions ‘what is love?’, ‘does it really exist?’ and ‘do I get any?’.
Lessons In Love
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Our resident theatre-goer, Jon Madge catches up with comedian Richard Herring to find the answer to a burning question: “What is love anyway?” I heard an interview a little while ago with Jeremy Hardy. He was asked why he bothered with political This wouldn’t be half as impressive a show coming from someone else. Not only is Herring a veteran comedy when his fans agreed with him, surely he was just preaching to the converted? He agreed. performer but his self-deprecating, teenager-in-an-adult’s-body character hides a subtlety with gestures and a lyrical love of language that is all the more effective coming from a man who is happy to admit a Comedians are entertainers; they only succeed if they find an audience who wants to hear what they’re fat woman falling out of a hammock is the funniest thing imaginable. Especially if it’s onto a concrete saying, which makes exploring genuinely new subjects dangerous and, often, just not worth the effort. floor. Luckily, it’s an immutable law of the universe that there’s an exception to every rule and to this one it’s Richard Herring. The beauty of what he says contrasting with his character has maybe hurt Richard Herring’s image. He can be seen as less sophisticated than his former comedy partner Stewart Lee and less erudite than his Herring’s new show focuses on love. That might not seem like a new and innovative subject for comedy current one Andrew Collins. But, if anything, that should be a testament to his generosity as a performer, but, when you consider that his stated objective is ‘to destroy love’, that’s part of what makes it so bloody something that becomes abundantly clear when you see him perform alone. clever. His superpower is to make slapstick work without images. So if you see this show, expect mental images The show broadly asks the questions ‘what is love?’, ‘does it really exist?’ and ‘do I get any?’. It’s a mix of created with the skill of a renaissance master. Alongside that there’s advice for relationships, some stories from Herring’s life and comments on society in general. The promotional material did promise heartfelt poetry and a contentious new model for the definition of a stalker. some academic research as well, but that was mostly confined to an unexpected bit involving exponential maths and Ferrero Rocher. The trouble with exploring new ground as a comedian is that you risk leaving your audience behind. They have to be in on the joke before you reach the punch line. This show manages to offer safe passage Where other comedians would rely on jokes about their partner’s quirks and awkward bedroom out of that comfort zone. And that makes it a rare thing: comedy that will make audiences think, rather situations, Herring risks alienating his audience by looking at whether love is childish, pointless or even than just make them think they’re right. just downright depressing when you think about it. It’s definitely a gamble, and the contention that Catch Richard Herring’s What is Love Anyway? at venues across the country until April 2012 parental love is the least impressive form of love, whilst children are just plain incapable of it did have some people in the audience shifting uncomfortable in their seats. Words by Jon Madge
ENTERTAINMENT
Alun Cochrane
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Trips to B&Q, taking out the bins, owning a dog, these are the sorts of places he sets up his comedy mines.
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A Moment with Alun Cochrane.
For anyone that’s not seen Alun Cochrane, the most important piece of information about him is this: Thankfully, the informality of his delivery works just as well in a massive theatre as it does in smaller he starts slow. club venues. Usually that’s his first joke too which, ironically, gets a laugh pretty quickly. From then on the tone for his act is pretty much set, as a string of surprising paradoxes. He’s very slow in delivery and style and will happily take that time to really explain a joke. Oddly, the result of that is a constant stream of laughs with throwaway lines and tangents offering little laughs as the set-up builds for a big joke, warranting an equally big laugh.
His regular appearances on panel shows like Mock the Week, along with his weekly slot on Frank Skinner’s radio show, have drawn a new audience to Cochrane’s gigs. This is a good thing. His comedy walks a line between the deliberately drawn out musings of Stewart Lee and the lowest common denominator material of Michael McIntryre and his imitators. It’s accessible yet new.
At the Bloomsbury Theatre, those clearly worried by his slow-burn introduction were the most outspoken Cochrane’s subject matter is usually the mundane. Trips to B&Q, taking out the bins, owning a dog, about how great he was at the interval bar. Although that might have been relief from finding out his these are the sorts of places he sets up his comedy mines. And invariably he strikes gold. Here too, it’s a promise of delivering nine ten-minute sets, just to break with convention, was just a joke. paradox, the everyday nature of his topics are at odds with the absurd humour he finds in them. Making a room full of people laugh at his unfounded estimate of Alan Titchmarsh’s height should be proof By his own admission, Cochrane probably won’t be playing stadium venues for a while. He’d feel too enough of how well he does this. guilty about causing that level of traffic for one thing. But this boutique venue tour is the best opportunity to see him in a larger setting. This latest tour is nicely in keeping with the theme of paradoxes. It’s a shorter tour than most, and mainly takes in ‘boutique’ venues, but it also sees Cochrane playing some of the biggest solo venues he’s played Alan Cochrane’s Moments with Alun tour has now finished, yet. Considering his chatty style, there was a chance that this wouldn’t transfer well to larger venues. It’s visit: www.aluncochrane.co.uk for more events and dates. always easy to spot an Alun Cochrane virgin, they’re the ones looking around in the first five minutes of the gig, trying to work out if it’s started yet and whether the chatty northern man on stage is an act or an over-friendly roadie. Words by Jon Madge
ENTERTAINMENT
Feeling Good About (French) Films
DECEMBER
JANUARY
Romantics Anonymous
War Horse
Directed
Directed
by Jean-Pierre Ameris, starring Benoit Poelvoorde and Isabelle Carre.
A beautiful French cinematic confection that surpasses the delights of Chocolat and Like Water For Chocolate. Jean Rene owns a chocolate factory on the verge of bankruptcy. In an attempt to save his business he employs Angelique, an expert chocolate maker. Their passion for chocolate is soon matched by their obvious attraction to each other, but unfortunately they also share an embarrassing fear of intimacy, which threatens any chance of a normal relationship. The film is full of hilarious vignettes. There was also a special treat for patrons who attended a preview screening of the film at the Picturehouse Gate Cinema, Notting Hill, when a chocolate tasting was offered by Hotel Chocolat prior to the screening. Rescheduled Release Date: Friday 2nd December.
The Artist
by Michel Hazanavicius, Dujardin and Berenice Bejo. Directed
starring
Jean
Rarely can one say that they have seen one of the greatest films ever made, but of the thousands of films that I have seen The Artist is undoubtedly in my top twenty films of all-time – no mean feat I assure you. It has picked up accolades wherever it has been screened culminating in a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. In the midst of so many gloomy, pessimistic and apocalyptic films, it is a relief to watch a film that is all about joy. It is set in Hollywood in the late twenties at the time when the silent film industry was beginning to contemplate talkies and the many changes they would bring. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a star of silent pictures and dismisses the new technology of talkies as a passing fad. At the same time a young actress and dancer, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), whom George discovered, is being promoted at the studio as The It Girl. When sound inevitably comes in, Peppy’s career surges to new heights while George’s celebrity status falls dramatically, his film flops and he is soon labelled a has-been. The use of sound effects and a wonderful musical score – not to mention the stars tap-dancing their way across the screen – makes this film a must-see for cinephiles and film lovers who wished they made films like they did in the old days...well, they do. Released date: Friday 30th December.
by Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch. Based on the best-selling children’s novel by Michael Morpurgo and adapted into a successful play, War Horse finally reaches the screen under the direction of Mr Hollywood – Stephen Spielberg. It bears all the marks of a typical Spielberg film: heart-tugging scenes supported by an emotional musical score by John Williams, a young lad as the protagonist who does not seem to have a cynical bone in his body and a breathtaking story that holds your attention to the last. Albert Narracott forms a bond with a horse, which his father has bought at auction to work on his farm. The horse is a thoroughbred and is not suited to working the land, but with Albert’s guidance, the horse, which Albert calls Joey, completes the task. When a rainstorm ruins the crops Albert’s father is forced to sell Joey to the British army to pay the rent. Albert enlists in the army in an attempt to reunite with Joey. Release date: Friday 13th January.
The Decendants
This is a different George Clooney to what we have come to expect. Here he gets personal, playing a family man facing the realisation that for far too long he has been an absent father to his two daughters, now eighteen and eleven. A boating accident that leaves his wife and the girls’ mother in a coma for Matt King (Clooney) to face reality. Matt runs a law practice and is a trustee of a large and beautiful family plot of land in Big Island, Hawaii. As he tries to come to terms with parental responsibility he learns that his wife was cheating on him and he is determined to find out who her lover was and confront him. This is an Alexander Payne movie, director of About Schmidt and Sideways, and one would expect his signature awkward humour along the way – we are not disappointed. Credit also goes to Payne’s casting director as his films are so brilliantly played by actors who seem to fit the character perfectly. Sometimes a star is overlooked for a lesser name because their unfamiliar faces give authenticity to the role. Thomas Haden Church was selected over Clooney for Sideways for that very reason, while in The Descendants because Clooney is uncharacteristically playing a parent rather than a gung-ho hero, businessman or politician, he is seen with fresh eyes, and it works. Release date: Friday 27th January.
Words by: Brian Mills / www.facebook.com/pages/movies-by-mills/124445137614043
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Illustrated by: Alvaro Arteaga www.alvaroarteaga.com
LAUGHTER TO THE BRAIN IS LIKE EXERCISE TO THE BODY# Thanks for all the jokes you have sent in. You lot clearly love this page! Try to keep them clean though London, some of these are really pushing it. Sorry for any offence caused.
Now, when I had a problem, I had two assholes to call. Then I Don’t take your anger out on someone you know; take it out came up with an idea... on someone you don’t know and whom deserves it. Here’s I called asshole #1. He said, ‘Hello’ I said, ‘You’re an asshole!’ how... (But I didn’t hang up.) I was sitting at my desk when I remembered a phone call I’d He asked, ‘Are you still there?’ I said, ‘Yeah!’. He screamed, forgotten to make. ‘Stop calling me’. I said, ‘Make me’. He asked, ‘Who are you?’ I found the number and dialed it. A man answered, saying I said, ‘My name is Don Hansen’. He said, ‘Yeah? Where do ‘Hello’. I politely said, ‘This is Chris. Could I please speak you live?’ I said, ‘Asshole, I live at 74 Limetree Avenue, in West London, a semi-detached house and I have a black Beamer with Bryan Carter?’ parked in front.’ He said, ‘I’m coming over right now, Don. Suddenly a manic voice yelled out in my ear, ‘Get the right And you had better start saying your prayers’. I said, ‘Yeah, f***ing number!’ And the phone was slammed down on me. like I’m really scared, asshole,’ and hung up. I couldn’t believe that anyone could be so rude. When I I then called Asshole #2. He said, ‘Hello?’ I said, ‘Hello, tracked down Bryan’s correct number to call, I found that I asshole,’ had accidentally transposed the last two digits. After hanging up with him, I decided to call the ‘wrong’ number again. He yelled, ‘If I ever find out who you are...’ I said, ‘You’ll When the same guy answered the phone, I yelled ‘You’re an what?’ asshole!’ And hung up. I wrote his number down with the He exclaimed, ‘I’ll kick your ass’. I answered, ‘Well, asshole, here’s your chance. I’m coming over right now’. word ‘asshole’ next to it and put it in my drawer. Every couple of weeks, when I was paying bills or had a really Then I hung up and immediately called the police, saying that bad day, I’d call him up and yell, ‘You’re an asshole!’ It always I was on my way over to 74 Limetree Avenue, in West London, cheered me up. When Caller ID was introduced, I thought my to kill my gay lover. therapeutic ‘asshole’ calling would have to stop. Then I called Channel 7 News about the gang war going down So, I called his number and said, ‘Hi, this is John Smith from in 74 Limetree Avenue, in West London. I quickly got into my the telephone company. I’m calling to see if you’re familiar car and headed over to Fairfax . with our Caller ID Program?’ I got there just in time to watch two assholes beating the crap He yelled ‘NO!’ And slammed down the phone. I quickly out of each other in front of six cop cars, an overhead news called him back and said, ‘That’s because you’re an asshole!’ helicopter and surrounded by a news crew. And hung up. NOW I feel much better. One day I was at the store, getting ready to pull into a parking spot, Some guy in a black BMW cut me off and pulled into Anger management really does work. the spot I had patiently waited for. I hit the horn and yelled that I’d been waiting for that spot, but the idiot ignored me. I Clinton walks out into his garden one day and in the snow he noticed a ‘For Sale’ sign in his back window, so I wrote down sees “bastard” written in piss. his number. He is so outraged he goes into the oval office and calls the CIA A couple of days later, right after calling the first asshole (I and FBI to tell them to find out who did this horrible thing to had his number on speed dial), I thought that I’d better call his garden. the BMW asshole, too. So they go out and investigate and when they return they say, I said, ‘Is this the man with the black BMW for sale?’ He said, “Well Bill, we’ve got bad news and we’ve got worse news, ‘Yes, it is’. I then asked, ‘Can you tell me where I can see it?’ which one would you like to hear first?” He said, ‘Yes, I live at 74 Limetree Avenue, in West London. It’s a semi-detached house and the car’s parked right out in And Bill says, “What’s the bad news?” front’. I asked, ‘What’s your name?’ He said, ‘My name is Don Hansen’. asked, ‘When’s a good time to catch you, Don?’ He The agent replies, “It was Al Gore.” said, ‘I’m home every evening after five’. Aghast Bill yells, “That dirty no good son of a bitch!!!!! What’s I said, ‘Listen, Don, can I tell you something?’ He said, ‘Yes?’ I the worse news?” said, ‘Don, you’re an asshole!’ Then I hung up, and added his number to my speed dial, too. So the agent says, “It was Hillary’s handwriting...” ANGER MANAGEMENT
HOW DERIVATIVES WORK
Sam owns a bar in Brixton. He realizes all of his customers are unemployed alcoholics bums and can no longer afford to drink at his bar. To tackle this problem, he comes up with a new marketing plan to allow his customers to drink now, but pay later. He keeps track of the drinks consumed in his book-ledger (effectively granting the customers loans). Word gets around about Sam’s “drink now, pay later” marketing strategy and, as a result, increasing numbers of customers flood into Sam bar. Soon he has the largest sales volume for any bar in South London. By allowing his customers freedom from up-front payment demands, Sam gets no resistance when, at regular intervals, he substantially increases his prices for wine and beer. As a result, Sam gross sales volume sky-rockets. A young and dynamic local bank called the Leyman Sisters recognizes that these customer debts constitute valuable future assets, and increases Sam borrowing limit. He sees no reason for any undue concern, since he has the debts of the unemployed alcoholics as collateral. At the bank’s corporate investment section, expert traders transform these customer loans into DRINKBONDS, ALKIBONDS and PUKEBONDS. These securities are then bundled and traded on international security markets. Naive investors don’t really understand that the securities being sold to them as AAA secured bonds are really the debts of unemployed alcoholics. Nevertheless, the bond prices continuously climb, and the securities soon become the hottest-selling items for some of the nation’s leading brokerage houses. One day, even though the bond prices are still climbing, a risk manager at the original local bank decides that the time has come to demand payment on the debts incurred by the drinkers at Sam bar. He so informs Sam. Sam then demands payment from his alcoholic patrons. But being unemployed alcoholics, they cannot pay back their drinking debts. Since Sam cannot fulfill his loan obligations, he is forced into bankruptcy. The bar closes and his eleven employees lose their jobs. Overnight, DRINKBONDS, ALKIBONDS and PUKEBONDS drop in price by 90%. The collapsed bond asset value destroys the bank’s liquidity and prevents it from issuing new loans, thus freezing credit and economic activity in the community. Send in your top jokes to: editor@laissezfairelondon.co.uk
Artist: Sasha Helim www.bee-bop-a-lula.blogspot.com
HUMOUR-SCOPES
Well laissez Faire readers – you seem to have stumbled upon our regular horoscopes/humourscopes page. We can’t Work out Why but our resident star gazer is still rather mean this edition – something mustn’t be in alignment. We dare not change her Future-telling Words – best not to mess With things you don’y understand eh? Take note – these are not For those in search oF positive advice or, er, real advice, or any advice at all…
Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Aries have ram-like eyebrows and smug expressions. You think you are infallible this week. God is an Aries. This would make Satan an Aquarius. If you happen to clean toilets, you probably form a one-man union. Then you’ll go and picket in the parking lot. People run away when an Aries comes around this week. If they do not, the Aries will set them on fire.
On Thursday you’ll be one minute up and next down. Your earthy nature may mean that you don't shower as often as most people. Or it may be you roll around with your nose in clover and sigh. All Taureans want to be God. Unfortunately, God is an Aries. You are generally tough to figure out because you answer every question with a question. Most Taureans love conflict. If nothing is wrong, then that is something wrong in itself.
You reckon you’re a halfand half mixture of Socrates and Michelangelo. In reality it's more like Prince and Bea Arthur. Gemini’s are pushy and overbearing. You pick fights with small children and moon people at weddings. You like to use Libra’s as punching bags. Beware of a sore throat this week as Gemini’s speak very loudly in order to be heard. This is unfortunate as they are nearly always talking to themselves. In fact, you may find yourself picking an animated argument with yourself in the bathtub. A Gemini is essentially nothing more than a paranoid Aquarius.
You’re nosy and want to know what's going on in the lives of everyone in the galaxy. However, you tend not know what's going on in your own. You might get lucky this month and a friend will tell you. Cancerian’s only get dressed because they have to. Your fashion sense can only be described as ‘erratic.’ You are more likely than any other sign in the zodiac (except Pisces, who does not iron) to iron your clothes by sleeping with them sandwiched between the mattress and box-spring. Your speciality is making a pair of underwear last for almost a month.
You like to kiss mirrors a lot. Genghis Khan was a Leo, and so is Barney the Dinosaur. You will constantly interrupt conversations to talk, and will place yourself in the way of someone who is trying to leave before you have finished saying what you need to say. You’ll also need physical affection at all times in the month of November; unfortunately, you can't find anyone because everyone thinks you’re an irritating punk.
The world according to Virgo’s is not in shades of black and white, it’s more like in shades of clean and dirty. Dog hairs make Virgos foam at the mouth. You try being cool by doing everyone’s laundry. They'll separate everything by colour and fabric until it consists of fourteen loads of three things apiece. Then they will put them in the washer in alphabetical order by name of manufacturer. December will see you opening and shutting the refrigerator door, attempting to fool the light inside.
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces
Libras quote from David Mamet plays for the purpose of describing philosophical concepts. Then they have those concepts engraved upon nice little wallet cards. Always on the cutting edge of what the rest of us think is absolute pretentious bulls**t. You have huge collections of CDs you’ve never even listened to. You’ll feel charitable in December and will donate to designer charities. Hollywood is full of Libras. You’re the reason butterfly hairpins and parachute pants have made a comeback.
You became a computer nerd so you could use made-up, bulls**t terminology and get away with it. All hackers are Scorpios and spend hours online thinking you're going to find fame on a chat board. As the festive season approaches your number one grudge about never having been abducted by aliens or being the victim of a government conspiracy reemerges. Most of those fake virus warnings or cash offers from Bill Gates are you’re attempt at stirring something up. Ironically, Bill Gates is a Scorpio.
You are louder than usual and lack social grace as the holidays draw near. You seek to offend. Sagittarians will usually have nicknames like Thunderpooper or Vomitus Maximus. Animals and small children love Sagittarians. This is unfortunate since adults usually hate them. You’ll have a excellent month if you work in the circus.
Always on the move, hardworking, reliable, and dull as hell, heading to their next delusion of grandeur this December. They are often good at math which explains why they are such pains in the ass. Probably most politicians are Capricorns, which is why our country is always in a rut. Capricorns are like a strange cross between a Leo and a Virgo. They think that this makes them both charismatic and logical. In reality, it means that they are tight-assed and nitpicky. In the event of nuclear war, only cockroaches and Capricorns would find a way to survive. The rest of us just don't want to live in a world like that.
For these party lovers, “anytime, anywhere” is their motto. Older Aquarians tend to be nostalgic about the 1960s because that was the last time they could be naked in public and get away with it. Early December’s fitness regime will consist of can playing volleyball with themselves. And they frequently do. If you want to know what the food is like on Saturn, ask an Aquarius. They can also walk on water if they try really hard. This usually happens in the bathtub. Aquarians can allow themselves every possible vice on the planet, and don't think twice about it. That is why they piss everyone else off.
Never use logic with a Pisces; they live three feet off of the ground or some place Narnia. Their tools of debate are non-sequiturs, quotes from Elizabeth Barrett Browning and, of course, crying. Cancerians say one thing and do another. Scorpios say one thing and do it just for spite. Pisceans say far too much and do whatever the hell they want.
Artist: Elise Mary Yasmin Pellican pinktinkelise@hotmail.com www.elise-mary-yasmin-pellican.blogspot.com/