Explore News June 2007
Out and about The latest news from bmi destinations including Copenhagen, Esbjerg and Lille
Also in the diary…
DISCOVER the latest talent and get a tip-off about the hottest new films heading for a cinema near you at the Brussels European Film Festival on 29 June-7 July (www.fffb.be).
If you’re a fan of Venice and the British artist John Singer Sargent, the city’s Musei Civici Veneziani (www.museiciviciveneziani.it) is holding an exhibition of some his finest works (till 22 July).
NUMBER CRUNCHER
4,500
…cattle take over Edinburgh on 21-24 June, as the cream of the farming crop roll up for The Royal Highland Show (www.royalhighlandshow.org). If you haven’t discovered the Farmer Giles in you, don’t worry; there are plenty of other activities on offer, from show jumping to falconry displays. So head for the Scottish capital and rekindle your love of nature.
Sea sculpture
THE DANISH TOWN THAT’S MAKING ITS MARK IN THE MODERN ART WORLD
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY is to New York what Man Meets the Sea is to Esbjerg. A tall comparison? Well, the nine metre high porcelain-white sculptures, created by Svend Wiig Hansen in 1994 to celebrate the Danish city’s 100th anniversary as an independent municipality, should definitely be first in line when contemplating Esbjerg’s modern art. The four seated men are meant to create the mood of an acropolis, while also reflecting purity and innocence.
They’re one of the reasons why Esbjerg (www.visitdenmark.com) is fast gaining a reputation for its impressive modern art collection. Works such as Robert Jacobsen’s sculpture Esbjerg, 1963, and Thorbjorn Lausten’s The Clock, 1998, have also transformed the seaside town’s coastline.
Words: Emma Juhasz, Amy Wetsel
Grand opening
POP LEGEND GEORGE MICHAEL TO CHRISTEN NEW WEMBLEY STADIUM
After its extensive makeover, which cost £757m and has taken almost five years, London’s Wembley Stadium finally reopened in May and holds its first concert on 9 June. The lucky man who gets to serenade England’s grand new venue is pop icon George Michael. Wembley‘s managing director, Alex Horne, is delighted with his star performer: “This is a fitting first gig. We are looking forward to putting the stadium back on the world map as a major music destination.”
Michael, 43, is no stranger to Wembley; he performed his final gig with his old band Wham! there in 1986 and has sung solo at various concerts since. However, until last year, the man who has sold over 80 million albums worldwide had not sung at a stadium for 15 years. Fortunately, he’s decided to step up to the mike again this year, so don’t miss your chance to see him in action (www.wembleystadium.com).
Two for one
Some of the world’s finest art, antiques and objects d’art will be on display in London at The Summer Fair Olympia: Fine Art and Antiques on 7-17 June. voyager readers can get two tickets for the price of one by simply presenting this page at the ticket office, so you may be able to afford that Picasso after all. For further information please visit www.summerfairolympia.com*
Jeddah
ERSIPIT PELAWI OF THE ROSEWOOD CORNICHE OFFERS AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO SAUDI ARABIA’S BEAUTIFUL SEASIDE CITY
FIRST TIMER? Take a drive around the city to get a sense of its grand architecture. The Al Hamra Open Air Museum (pictured), on the
Corniche, features work by artists such as Joan Miró and Henry
Moore. Al Balad (Old Jeddah) is full of history and its streets conceal many ornate houses, including the magnificent Nassif House. For Muslims, there are the sacred sites of the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah.
BEEN BEFORE? Saudi Arabia has just launched Year of the Diver, so this is the ideal time to explore one of the top 10 diving destinations in the world. The SerafiMega Mall (corner of Tahlia and Sitten Street) is one of the largest shopping malls in Saudi Arabia, covering 23,000m2. For amazing scenery, there is the Wahba Crater, which is a vast extinct volcano.
POWER LUNCH Bubbles Lounge is one of the newest restaurants here and serves delicious fusion cuisine (Corniche, +966 (0)2 6566666). Al-Multaqa (Leylati Wedding Complex, +966 (0)2 6833435) features a buffet with an emphasis on sushi; it is simply the most luxurious restaurant in Jeddah. HEAD FOR DINNER Pearls Café (Prince Abdullah Street, +966
(0)2 6642281) lies behind heavyset doors, which open out to reveal a purple interior and quaint reading corner. La Cuisine (Palestine Street, near Jamjoom Centre, +966 2 663 0363) has a pianist, soft lighting and wonderful French food.
LOCAL SPECIALITIES Try the staple dish of the Kingdom, AlKabsa; rice and meat cooked with spices and served with salad. Al-mandi is a similar dish but is prepared by being barbecued in a deep, covered hole. For breakfast try a piping hot Mutabak – dough folded into a square, filled with syrup, cottage cheese and sugar.
TAKE HOME The shisha, or water pipe, is the most recognisable symbol of popular Arab culture; take one home to socialise with your friends. The perfumes of Arabia are unforgettable. Try Agarwood, for men, and Rasheeqa, the most popular and graceful perfume for women.
ERSIPIT PELAWI, Head Butler, is a veteran in the hospitality industry. He’s worked with everyone from former
US president Bill Clinton to the Vietnamese
President Pan Vankai.
Rosewood Corniche, A Rosewood Hotel, PO Box 48122, Jeddah 21572; +966 (0)2 257 8888, www.hotelcorniche.com
One to watch
AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS LAURA MICHELLE KELLY DISCUSSES HER NEW ROLE AS AN ELVEN PRINCESS IN THE LORD OF THE RINGS MUSICAL AND SHARING THE SCREEN WITH JOHNNY DEPP
How did you get started?
I was hooked on acting from the moment I played a yellow rag doll. It was my first role, which I performed with my brothers when we entertained the old ladies up the road with songs that Dad had written.
What does it take to get to the top?
You have to be tough and never give up – even when you lose out to one of the popular girls for a role in the school play.
What’s your worst moment so far?
Being punched in the face when I was in Beauty and the Beast. I was second understudy and I’d been preparing for months. Then my big moment finally came. I ran on, stood in the wrong place and Beast hit me. I was in agony; my whole face swelled up. At least I made it through the number somehow.
What was it like winning an Olivier for Mary Poppins?
I thought I’d been entered into a race where I’d come last, so I was overwhelmed. I had actually tried to leave before the ceremony began, as I was so nervous – fortunately my husband persuaded me to stay. I think it goes without saying that I didn’t have a speech prepared.
The role brought you more success…
EMI signed me up to write an album just as Mary Poppins started and Guy Chambers – who has written songs for Robbie Williams – got involved after he saw me in the play.
And now the stage version of The Lord of the Rings…
This is a real adventure. I’m getting to do things on stage that I’ve never done before – but I won’t tell you what, as it would spoil the surprise!
How have you prepared for your role as the Elven queen Galadriel?
Well, I’ve made a point of not watching the film version. I really admire Cate Blanchett [who played the role in the film trilogy] but I want to bring something new to the character. I love being a blonde, though – it’s quite true that people treat you differently.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
Julie Andrews and Barbra Streisand. They’re so musically talented and they’ve also successfully crossed over from theatre to film. I was quite intimidated when I met Julie Andrews while I was in Mary Poppins, but I shouldn’t have worried, as she was lovely and full of stories.
What next?
I’m starring in the film version of Sweeney Todd, directed by Tim Burton. I’m really looking forward to my scenes with Johnny Depp – I can’t believe my luck that I’m going to work with him.
Words: Emma Juhasz Photography: © Simon Turtle
CURTAIN UP: LAURA’S CV
Born in 1981, Kelly grew up on a farm on the Isle of Wight. She was 16 when she first performed on the London stage in Beauty and the Beast and 19 when she played the lead in Whistle Down the Wind. Kelly made her Broadway debut in Fiddler on the Roof in 2004 and won the Olivier Best Actress in a Musical award in 2005 for her portrayal of Mary Poppins. Catch her in action in The Lord of the Rings at London’s Theatre Royal from 20 June; www.lotr.com
