Scottish Ballet's Highland Fling

  Photograph by Graham Wylie.  

It was Mama Pom's 60th birthday a couple of weeks ago and we went to see Scottish Ballet's latest production, Highland Fling. I enjoyed it so much I contacted their Communications manager and blogger Ann for some photos to share. 

The ballet is based on a traditional ballet La Sylphide, but has been given a contemporary adaptation by Matthew Bourne,  a choreographer who was won many awards. Now i'll be the first to admit that my dance knowledge is virtually non-existent, and sometimes I don't really 'get' it. I find with things like this its always good to get a programme and have a wee read of the synopsis, so you have an idea of the storyline before it starts!

 Photograph by Graham Wylie.  

The ballet is a love story, set in Scotland (funnily enough). This means that there were some great sets and costumes, all retro and tartan.  I particularly liked the opening scene set in the toilets of a club! Without spoiling the story too much, it is about a guy called James-

Photograph by Graham Wylie.  

who spends the whole time in a kilt, and is engaged and then married to a girl called Effie. However, a Sylph comes along and steals his heart-

Photograph by Graham Wylie.  

The show is full of mesmerising dances, great music, and was thoroughly enjoyable. It was a perfect birthday night out for my mum, which my whole family enjoyed. I have only been to the ballet a few times, the last time before this being at a blogger event kindly put on by Scottish Ballet. Unfortunately at the time I was struggling a bit with things and didn't blog about it or express my gratitude, but it was amazing. Having been to these productions I would definitely recommend a trip to the ballet to anyone, and am already planning to go and see Scottish Ballet's Hansel and Gretel which is on in December. As well as this, I want to try and go to the theatre more generally, as its nice to get out and do different things, get my culture on!

If you live in Edinburgh Highland Fling is on at the Festival Theatre from the 22nd-25th of May, and there are still tickets available.

Have you been to the ballet?

Thai Tuesday at Chaophraya

A while ago I was invited to try out Thai Tuesday at Chaophraya, a new Thai restaurant in Glasgow. As I am working away in England just now it took a while for me to be able to go, but last night I went along with my friend Laura. The thai tuesday deal involves buying an Asian platter for two (£9.95 each) and you each get a free cocktail worth £7.50. We were both really excited to try out the restarant, as we love eating out, and have both been to Thailand.

First impressions of Chaophraya were great, it is so elegant and opulent inside. In a former life, the building was part of the Academy of Music and Drama, and my own Mama Poms worked there before I was born, teaching German to opera singers. Remnants of this past can be seen on the staircases, as there are plaques with the names of famous composers. More recently, the building was a cheapy shop, selling lots of random household items and clothes. I always thought that was such a waste of a lovely building, so I am glad to see it is now being used in a way befitting of its grandeur.We ate in the restaurant part, but there is also a bar downstairs called Palm Sugar, and private dining rooms. In fact, the place is huge, and spans four floors apparently! Would have liked to have had a good wander around but I am sure that would have attracted some odd looks!

First up, the cocktails. Laura went for a Siam Smile, which has vanilla vodka, passionfruit and pineapple juice topped with champagne. She enjoyed it, but it was a little too tart for my sweet tooth.

I went for an Oriental Mojito, which is a Thai twist on the classic cocktail. Mojito's are my all time favourite cocktail, and this one also included my other favourite drink, Strawberry and Lime Rekorderlig cider! The cocktail has your classic Mojito ingredients of rum, sugar, lime juice and mint leaves, but with the added flavour of strawberries and the cider. It was lovely. A refreshing and fruity drink, with the usual crispness of a Mojito. I definitely want to have this again!

Food wise, we got the Asian Platter, which had chicken satay, prawn tempura, chicken spring rolls, marinated pork and duck salad. I love a platter at the best of times, and this one was a cracker. A great mix of flavours, with just the right amount of spice.

We also added some grilled pork skewers which were also scrummy!

Overall, I loved Chaophraya and can't wait to go back. I don't think the Thai Tuesday deal is still running, but their normal prices are very reasonable and it feels like such a treat when eating in such plush surroundings. I would definitely recommend that if you have a restaurant locally you try it out. There are currently branches in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. You can find more details on their website here.