Play Review: Titus Andronicus at the RSC (WARNING: SPOILERS)

As part of their current season, the RSC are performing an adaptation of the revenge tragedy, Titus Andronicus. The play explores the repercussions of the title characters actions as a returning Roman war hero, with his kin and enemies alike suffering from a deluge of vengeful actions.

From the moment you take your seats, you enter a world of sheer destruction and bloodshed. Characters meet a vast variety of fates, each as heinous as its predecessor. Throughout the course of the play, we see rape, dismemberment, blood poring from every possible orifice, and every possible form of murder available to the Romans. In particular, what we witness in the closing scenes of the play is pure Shakespearean carnage: a stabbing frenzy and total massacre that sees the stage littered with the bodies of the few characters who have not yet met a grizzly end.

Overall, I have to say that this performance is one of the best I have ever seen at the RSC, and it is certainly the most graphic. The company never disappoint with their adaptations, but in particular, the attention to detail, in regards to the stagecraft and use of costume, cements Titus as a truly remarkable play. The performances given by all of the cast are of the high standards you expect from the well-established company, with particular mentions to the young actress Rose Reynolds who plays Titus' long-suffering daughter Lavinia, and John Hopkins who portrays the emperor Saturninus in the adaptation. Any actor who can hold his breath underwater before being bathed live onstage deserves great recognition.

Titus Andronicus is currently showing at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon and ends on the 26th October.

Return to blogging

After a very long absence, in which I have finished a degree, graduated from university and thrown myself head first into the snakepit of full time work, I have made the executive decision to return to blogging.

However, I have also decided that it is time for my blog to mutate into more of a multi-dimensional beast, and therefore I am going to be spreading my wings from the fashion focus of my earlier posts. From time to time, I will still blog about the fashion world, but I also want to broaden my horizons, and thus I have decided that I will henceforth discuss a plethora of topics that interest me here on Elegance and Eccentricity.

From fashion and beauty, to films, music and lifestyle, I hope there will be a bit of something for everyone, and I hope that the wonderful people who supported me during my initial adventure into the world of blogging will continue to support me on my return!

Jubilee Weekend

Queen Elizabeth II

1952 - 2012

My Fashion Pet Peeves

Unfortunately I haven't been able to post recently, as exam season and an operation rendered me incapable, but I am now rested and refreshed and will commence posting again! 

During my recovery, the weather was beautiful - one of those rare weeks of British sunshine that we yearn for every year. Typically, now I have recovered enough to start venturing outside, the weather has turned on us. Combined with my slow recovery, the grey overcast sky is enough to leave me in a pretty bad mood which has resulted in this post: MY FASHION PET PEEVES.

1. Irregular sizing:

To be quite honest, I'm not exactly sure what dress size I actually am. Although I tend to fit into a UK12 from most places, my wardrobe contains a variety of sizes ranging from UK8 - UK14. As for S, M, L sizings, I rarely know where to start. The British high street desperately calls out for a standardisation of dress sizes. Not only do the irregularities cause confusion, it can also be quite off-putting. When shopping, having to go up from your usual size can actually be a bit depressing, whereas finding you need to go down a dress size is a wonderful feeling. It's enough to drive you crazy, and can unnecessarily add time to a fitting room session, whereas opting to skip the changing rooms can create the exasperating hassle of returns and refunds. If the clothes industry simply regulated sizings better, a lot of time, irritation and distress could easily be prevented.

2. Lack of choice for unusual sizes:

I hate to admit it, but I am somewhat of a freak, due to my extremely small feet. In general, I am somewhere between a size two, and a two and a half. Thus, it is actually quite difficult for me to find shoes that were not designed for a small child that do not gape on me. Heels in particular prove to be a challenge, and I often end up opting for styles that are completely covered in to prevent my feet from falling out, or I have to pad them out with insoles. However, I am not alone, and I am not the only person I know with disproportionately small feet. Therefore I find it difficult to understand why more shops or websites have not seen fit to produce fashionable adult shoes for those of us who are not so well endowed in the foot department. There are companies who produce 'teenage' high heels, but generally (and quite rightly for shoes aimed at a pubescent market) they are fairly small heels rather than the skyscrapers I tend to prefer. I'm sure there must be a similar problem at the other end of the scale, with large-footed girls struggling to find elegant heels that do not look like they have been designed for cross-dressing consumers. It does not seem fair that a wide range of choice is not a luxury to which everyone is entitled.

3. Double denim:

Once seen as one of the most heinous fashion crimes, the last few years have seen a resurgence of double denim as an 'ironic' favourite of the indie crowd, and S/S 2010 even saw the 'trend' on the catwalks of renowned fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren and D&G. Quite frankly, I hate it. Pair your jeans with a smart blouse or a quirky sweatshirt. Accessorize a denim shirt with a patterned skirt or leather shorts. That denim jacket will look cute over a floral summer dress. Just do NOT wear any of these items together. At any time. It is not ironic; it is ugly and lazy, and it looks like you lack the ability to piece together a reasonable outfit comprised of more than one material. For me, double denim should be sent to a room 101 dedicated to the 1980s and 90s, and it should stay there.

Summer Wish List

I may be on a student budget, but a girl can dream...

1. £65 - Butterfly by Matthew Williamson for Debenhams

2. £595 - Pandora

3. Rayban

4. £50 - Oasis

5. £85 - Oasis

6. £65 - Oasis

7. £32 - Miss Selfridge

8. £200 - Kandee Shoes

9. £35 - Topshop

Inspiration

1. Fantasy and Fairytale

I have always been fascinated by fairytales and fantasy fiction, and recent cinema releases such as Dark Shadows and The Hunger Games are no exception. However, it is not only the escape provided by this type of fiction that fascinates me: I love to see how fantastical worlds can be demonstrated through the costume choices. Colleen Atwood, a costume designer who works closely with director Tim Burton, is particularly talented at capturing mythological and visionary elements and displaying them through the exquisite costumes she designs. And of course for many women across the country, 2011's Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton was the epitome of a real-life fairytale, with her now-famous Sarah Burton dress inspiring scores of brides.

2. 1960s

The swinging sixties brought a marked change to the fashion industry. The conservative hemlines of the early decade were swiftly replaced, with the invention of the mini skirt by Mary Quant in 1964 - perhaps one of the most defining and liberating events in feminine fashions. Indeed, the style still proves popular today, demonstrating the enduring nature of sixties fashion. For me, popular culture has sparked a renewed surge of interest in the fashion from this decade. Between the 2009 film 'An Education' and the television drama 'Mad Men', sixties fashion has been showcased at its best, perfectly capturing the elegance and innovation of the decade. Definitive women from the era, such as Jackie Kennedy and Twiggy, are still cited as fashion icons today, demonstrating the influence that the sixties still has on modern fashion.

3. France

With Paris as one of the undisputed fashion capitals of the world, it is not difficult to see that France is, and always has been, an incredibly stylish nation. Therefore it is not surprising that this nation is home to some of the biggest names in the fashion industry - Jean Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent, and of course, Chanel, all hail from France. Quintessentially, French fashion embodies the idea of simple sophistication, a look exemplified perfectly by Coco Chanel herself. A simple breton stripe top or a string of pearls add a touch of 'ooh-la-la' to any outfit, both of which were looks that Ms Chanel herself pioneered.

One Dress - Four Ways

1. Lunch with the girls:

Dress: £20 from boohoo.com

Shoes: £20.99 from missguided.co.uk

Bag: £32 from Topshop

Bracelet: £7.50 from Topshop

This look is sophisticated, yet casual. The dusky pinks tones of the shoes and bag provide an unusual contrast to the blue of the dress, while the gold tones of the shoe buckles, bag detailing and bracelet compliment each other and bring the accessories together. This bracelet is perfect, as the delicate design suits the elegance of the outfit, while the unusual style adds a quirky edge to an otherwise conservative look.

2. Dinner with your partner:

Dress: As before

Jacket: £30 from Miss Selfridge

Clutch Bag: £22 from H! By Henry Holland for Debenhams

Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

Adding black accessories to a bright dress will really accentuate the colour and make it 'pop', and a simple black blazer is both a practical and chic way to cover up against the evening chill. The bag and shoes I have chosen are simple yet sophisticated, and they compliment each other well in terms of colour as well as texture.

3. Cocktails by the pool:

Dress: As before

Shoes: £55 from Oasis

Bag: £25 from Oasis

Hair Accessory: £1.99 from H&M

Here I have created a holiday evening outfit. Next to the dreamy blue of the dress, straw accessories provide a look that is reminiscent of sea and sand, perfect for this type of look. Matching the texture of the shoes and bag, as well as the colour, creates the illusion that these accessories were designed to be worn together. I have added a simple cream hair flower to add a whimsical edge, which would look best when paired with wavy beach hair.

4. Festival Chic:

Dress: As before

Sunglasses: £5.99 from H&M

Headscarf: £3.15 from Forever 21

Sandals: £8.75 from Forever 21

Bracelet: £8.50 from Topshop

Brown sandals are the perfect accompaniment for any summer look and in this case, they add another focus colour to build an outfit around. Festival fashion is all about 'anything goes', and that is why I have chosen these quirky and colourful sunglasses. Along with the headscarf and bracelet, they all contain tones of blue and brown which really draw the look together. Colour co-ordination is vital for creating a sense of unity with an outfit like this: there is a very fine line between quirky yet care-free, and car-boot sale disaster.