Your summer reading list
'THE WEDDING PEOPLE' BY ALISON ESPACH
'QUIETLY HOSTILE' BY SAMANTHA IRBY
THE PROSE (1971-2020), BY DEREK MAHON (GALLERY PRESS)
'EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS' BY OISIN MCKENNA
THE RACHEL INCIDENT BY CAROLINE O'DONOGHUE
BREAKDOWN BY CATHY SWEENEY
'COUNTERATTACKS AT 30' BY SOHN WON-PYUNG.
"ENTANGLED LIFE: HOW FUNGI MAKE OUR WORLD, CHANGE OUR MINDS, AND SHAPE OUR FUTURES", BY MERLIN SHELDRAKE
'SO THRILLED FOR YOU' BY HOLLY BOURNE
'LIG SINN I GCATHÚ'/LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION BY BREANDÁN Ó HEITHIR
EXOPHONY BY YOKO TAWADA
CARELESS PEOPLE BY SARAH WYNN-WILLIAMS
'BOODENBROOKS' BY THOMAS MANN
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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
If you love musicals, you'll adore this sun-drenched singing retreat in Spain
STANDING in front of a West End musical director, a professional vocal coach and a class full of singing enthusiasts, I begin to question all the life choices I've made that have got me here. I don't often get nervous, but I'm now expected to start singing – aloud, and in a room full of people! Advertisement 7 Sunbathing meets singing in Spain 7 Huerta Belinda villa is a majestic mansion Credit: Olly Hewitt I'm on a Sing, Eat, Retreat break, where each escape focuses on a different showstopping show. I love musicals – I've seen Jersey Boys, As a sound therapist, I know that belting out your favourite songs releases feel-good endorphins that can help to boost your immunity and lower stress levels, and that singing in a group amplifies these benefits. But, even with that knowledge, I've never actually sung in public, not even karaoke. Advertisement Joining the cast This six-night retreat is hosted at a sprawling mansion-style villa, Huerta Belinda, complete with an A-lister-worthy pool, intricately tiled courtyards and views of Morocco. Stepping in, I feel like I've made it to the judges' houses on The X Factor, and that either Nicole Scherzinger or Simon Cowell will walk through the door any minute. Once we're past introductions, musical director Steve Moss of Les Misérables and And after a welcome dinner and drinks, we quickly settle into a routine. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Our days are filled with vocal warm-ups, ensemble singing, smaller group vocal tech sessions, where we learn about things like breath control and posture, and one-to-ones to improve individually. A performance director also chats to us about staging and 'acting through song'. Exploring the Beautiful Costa de la Luz Each day of vocal work starts at 10am, ends in the early evening and also features group rehearsals for the live public concert we're working towards. There's some downtime to sit by the pool and soak up the sunshine, have a massage (for an additional cost) or use the sauna, but most of us end up using the time to try to memorise the lyrics. Advertisement The idea is to be 'off book' for the show. Of course, all that singing builds up quite the appetite and, luckily, all meals (except one when we go to a quaint local hotel for dinner) are included. Think continental breakfasts with eggs in the morning, mezze-style buffets at lunch and huge, hearty paellas, casseroles and roast chicken with veg for dinner. There's also an endless supply of crisps, biscuits and cakes to snack on throughout the day, as well as sliced ginger, lemon and hot water on tap for throat-soothing teas. Advertisement Sing for your supper Like any good ensemble cast, we are made up of a wide range of people – men and women, aged from 23 to 50-plus, with a doctor and teacher in the mix. More than a handful have sung at previous retreats – one lady is on her fifth visit – and inevitably, there's an open-mic session in the main living room after dinner each evening to show off what we've learned each day. 7 Huerta Belinda is a tranquil villa Credit: Olly Hewitt 7 The rooms at the singing retreat aren't too shabby Credit: Giles Bracher Advertisement This place is a karaoke fan's dream come true! If I'm honest, my first one-to-one session feels like an extreme version of rejection therapy. Luckily, Steve happens to be one of the most charming people I've ever met, so I'm not even offended when, in between kind words and gentle encouragement, he tells me I need about 20 more lessons to become a half-decent singer! Still, I leave the session feeling in awe that I'm learning from an industry leader at the top of their craft, and I'm excited to see where this experience will take me. Advertisement As the week goes on, we're also treated to an outstanding guest masterclass with West End star and vocal wizard Luke Bayer. After the session, everyone is left buzzing with energy from his tips and direction, especially when he ends it with a bonus private performance of Dear Bill from the musical Operation Mincemeat. This is Me It's soon Friday night, the soundchecks have been done, the lights are up and the glass-walled garden room of the villa is teeming with locals. MD Steve becomes our conductor, a round of applause welcomes us to the stage and, fuelled by adrenalin, everyone pulls it out of the bag as we perform several hits from the film, as well as an encore of Someone In The Crowd from Advertisement 7 Farzana Ali gets vocal Credit: Farzana Ali 7 Tuck into authentic Spanish paella The four strongest singers also perform solos. I'm so proud of myself and my new pals that, under the bright lights, I resolve to join a choir so I can continue singing when I get home. Advertisement That night's open-mic session is even more jubilant. Emboldened by my time on stage, I agree to be a backing singer for guest tutor Luke as he belts out And You Don't Even Know It from Everybody's Talking About Jamie. We have so much fun and I can't believe I've gone from never singing in public to sharing a mic with a West End stage lead. Read more on the Irish Sun I've been to many retreats, but this one has helped me to connect with myself in a way I didn't realise I was even seeking. Advertisement From now on, I'm going to embrace my singing voice – even if I'm not yet ready for the stage! FYI Six-night Sing, Eat, Retreat breaks cost from £995, including all tuition, most meals, soft drinks, wine and beer ( Return UK flights to Gibraltar, a 35-minute drive away, cost from £51. 7 Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman Credit: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Your summer reading list
'THE WEDDING PEOPLE' BY ALISON ESPACH 'QUIETLY HOSTILE' BY SAMANTHA IRBY THE PROSE (1971-2020), BY DEREK MAHON (GALLERY PRESS) 'EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS' BY OISIN MCKENNA THE RACHEL INCIDENT BY CAROLINE O'DONOGHUE BREAKDOWN BY CATHY SWEENEY 'COUNTERATTACKS AT 30' BY SOHN WON-PYUNG. "ENTANGLED LIFE: HOW FUNGI MAKE OUR WORLD, CHANGE OUR MINDS, AND SHAPE OUR FUTURES", BY MERLIN SHELDRAKE 'SO THRILLED FOR YOU' BY HOLLY BOURNE 'LIG SINN I GCATHÚ'/LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION BY BREANDÁN Ó HEITHIR EXOPHONY BY YOKO TAWADA CARELESS PEOPLE BY SARAH WYNN-WILLIAMS 'BOODENBROOKS' BY THOMAS MANN
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Katie Price forced to QUIT huge 33 date UK tour with Kerry Katona in massive blow to fans
KATIE Price has pulled out of her planned theatre tour with pal Kerry Katona, leaving the future of the show up in the air. The two popular reality television starlets - who met on I'm A Celeb - were set to join forces for a "tell-all tour". 3 Katie Price has been forced to pull out of her theatre tour with pal Kerry Katona Credit: PA 3 The two reality stars had planned a 33 date tour across the UK Credit: Instagram But former glamour model two ladies visiting towns up and down the country for "An Evening with Katie and Kerry - On Tour". A source told The Sun: 'Katie is gutted and tried everything she could to make it work but she has had to step away from the tour because she has childcare commitments and also a very busy schedule. "She hates letting her fans down and hopes to be able to do something similar in the future . "At the moment, it's unclear whether Kerry will continue without her or if the whole tour will be scrapped. READ MORE ON KATIE PRICE "There is no bad blood between Kerry and Katie, they're still best of mates, but it's a huge blow to their fans.' A rep for Katie confirmed she has pulled out, saying: 'Yes, that's correct. Kate has childcare commitments that come first.' The duo were set to start their tour in Ellesmere Port on September 11 and conclude on October 22 in Hull . "share stories of their friendship, marriage and divorce , bankruptcy , 'I'm A Celebrity', the importance of family, their constant press attention and turning their lives around". Most read in Celebrity A post promoting their tour at the time said: "Join them for an evening that promises to be warm, inspirational, motivational and lots of fun!" Katie Price boasts she earns 'really good money' but claims she can't rent anywhere to live after bankruptcy hell One of the ticket sites continued: "There will also be some song and dance and an opportunity for audience questions." And meet and greet tickets had also been announced, with one theatre stating: "40 Meet & Greet tickets are available for an exclusive after-show Meet & Greet with the ladies." Fans were divided by the news , with some overjoyed about the exciting tour, and others up in arms branding it "embarrassing". "A brilliant idea. That will be fun," said one fan. "Yay, can't wait," added another, complete with a red heart emoji. 3 Katie has been forced to step back due to childcare commitments and work schedules Credit: Dan Charity
