As if the Royal Court’s Enron needed any more publicity, Rupert Goold has just been named by the Evening Standard as best director. The second play written by Lucy Prebble, Enron was sold out at the Royal Court before it even opened for the six week run. After working for over a year with Rupert Goold, artistic director of headlong theatre, Enron is a co-production between the Royal Court, Headlong and Chichester Festival theatre, and looks at the downfall of the legendary finance company.

Incorporating all forms of medium, the play uses video installations from a 2005 documentary, ‘The Smartest guys in the Room,’ as well as music and dance, resulting in an enjoyable and highly watchable report on creative accountancy and the infamous scandal of Enron.

Although at times Prebble and Goold’s metaphors can appear a tad overdone, with raptors and blind mice, there’s no doubt that this is a polished and stylish interpretation.

Praise worthy performances go to Sam West in particular, who plays the Enron executive, Jeffrey Skilling, so acutely that there is practically no recognition of the actor himself and even manages to evoke some sympathy out of the audience in his final scenes. The cast is equally skillful, aptly revealing their greed and stubbornness, to produce engaging and driven performances all round.

Dominic Cooke, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre declares, ‘We take great pride in offering up the very best new plays to become the classics of the future.’? So, there’s little surprise to learn that Columbia Pictures have apparently already bought the rights.

Enron opens at the Noel Coward Theatre on 16 Jan and runs to 8 May 2010

www.enrontheplay.com

You can imagine our excitement when we discovered that London’s famous Hummingbird Bakery is spreading its little wings and branching out from its leafy Kensington locations to set up a third venue on the mean streets of Soho.  Wardour to be precise. 

Forerunners of the London cupcake revolution ignited by our love for Sex and the City, the brand is now famous for its all-American pale pink whipped butter-cream frosting, rich chocolate sprinkles, and moist sponge cake so good that we want it whether we’re hungry or not and damn the consequences.  If it’s good enough for body fascists Gwyneth Paltrow, Cat Deeeley, Stella McCartney and Elle Macpherson – not to mention fashion darling, Matthew Williamson, it’s certainly worth that extra mile at the gym. 

The Soho bakery will feature suitably funked up décor and artwork, though still retaining that signature pink, chocolate and cream colour scheme we’ve come to know and love.  Whether it’s a mid-morning indulgence, lazy afternoon tea or post-work pick-me-up, we are, like, so there!  The new bakery will also stay open til 9pm to appeal to Soho night owls and we can also expect a roster of flavours that changes daily plus limited-edition bespoke offerings as befits a fashionista following. 

Just like the personal shopper service at a boutique, customers can also pop into the Soho branch’s private consultation booth where they can discuss bespoke orders with the experts away from the hustle of the queue (and believe us, there WILL be a queue). 

With cupcakes freshly made and individually iced on the premises every day (Gordon take note) you’ll be spoiled for choice but if you fancy going off piste well that’s fine too.  There’s also a wide range of traditional American cakes such as the cream cheese frosted Red Velvet and even Key Lime and Pumpkin Pie. 

www.hummingbirdbakery.com

The Hummingbird Soho
155a Wardour Street, London, W1F 8WG
Opening Times: 10.30am-9pm everyday

© Alfred Wertheimer / Photokunst.com

After the success of the Proud Group’s music venue in Camden, Proud have launched a new gallery in Chelsea, and to introduce it they are hosting a photographic exhibition for one of the most famous cultural figures in history, Elvis Presley.

‘Elvis at 21:From New York to Memphis,’ reveals photojournalist Alfred Wertheimer’s images for the first time in the UK. Previously a struggling freelancer, in 1956 Wertheimer was assigned for a one-day shoot involving a pre-famous 21 year old singer Elvis Presley. Taking advantage of the singer’s naturalism in front of the camera, the day transpired into a trip and Wertheimer managed to capture behind the scenes shots of an unguarded young man who would later on become a legend and which would form the collection ‘New York to Memphis.’

The photographs show Presley before, during and after his performances and are thought to be the most genuine and honest taken of him. Wertheimer was taken aback by how inviting the singer was, allowing him to secure even the most private moments in his works. It was because of this that Wertheimer became compelled to continue photographing the musician well over his initial assignment.

Wertheimer’s year’s worth of photographs, represent the defining moments in Elvis’ career, showing his move from anonymity to his crowning as ‘The King of Rock and Roll,” something no future photographer would have the chance to do again.

From November 18th-January 31st 2010

Proud Chelsea

161 Kings Road SW3

www.proud.co.uk

GILT, the five-star Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel’s sophisticated champagne lounge, is fast becoming our guilty pleasure. 

It’s the perfect place for whiling away an afternoon or evening following a spot of retail therapy on Sloane Street.  Get back to the simple pleasures of yester-year playing beautiful wooden board games such as Marcala, Labyrinth, Chess, Backgammon, Draughts and Puzzle Box – bought from Harrods, natch – or gadget addicts may prefer the ultimate test of a steady hand, the classic Buzz Wire Game where players must move their wand from one end of the wire to the other without buzzing off.

We suggest you leave the serious drinking til after this one as the successful will be rewarded with a complimentary Christmas Cocktail.

Delectable new seasonal additions to the cocktail menu include four mouth-watering concoctions guaranteed to fill you with Christmas cheer.

For Traditionalists:  White Christmas – Grey Goose vodka, Banana Liquor, half a banana and white chocolate sauce with a seasonal sprinkling of cinnamon

For party animals:  Merry Berry – a blend of Baileys, Khalua, white Crème de Cacao and Grenadine with fresh strawberries

For mistletoe fiends:  Christmas Kiss – a heady mix of Armagnac, Limoncello, Lychee Liquor, Hibiscus Syrup, Louis Latour and a couple of drops of Angostura

For the young at heart:  Stocking Filler – a decadent combination of Chambord, dark Crème de Cacao, Crème de Mure and white chocolate sauce

Snack on caviar, Peking duck and foie gras pancakes and crab and lobster spring rolls. 

Well, you wouldn’t want to drink on an empty stomach now would you?  

Besides, all those EFAs are bound to increase your brain power and have you emerge a winner. 

www.jumeirahcarltontower.com

The story leaked almost a year ago, but we are finally seeing the fruits of Christian Louboutin’s labours, now that his own customised Barbie has hit the online shopping mecca net-a-porter.

Well, it’s only a sign-up list for now, but December will see the launch of the series of three dolls, all given the glam treatment by the man of the ubiquitous red soles. One of the infamous dolls is dressed in very on-trend black pleather, wearing a pair of killer heels that can be interchanged with the whopping 4 pairs that come with each doll. Each perfectly crafted show sports the red sole and comes in a tissue-lined miniature Loub box, although the designer caused a bit of controversy when he announced that Barbie has ‘cankles’ and had to be slimmed down in the ankle department for the occasion…

Look out for the ads, which feature a superimposed Louboutin frolicking with the starlet herself in numerous super-glam settings. They will also make up a collectable calendar, also on launching soon. Register at www.net-a-porter.com now!