Lussorian wanted to highlight the services of Colossus Security, not your run of the mill security agency.
Sure, the company provides the usual manned guarding, door supervision and general security in London duties, but it is more their Close Protection (body guarding) service that is of interest.
Highly trained SIA standard licensed officers are on standby for close protection UK clients for peace of mind when required.
Colossus Security’s bespoke, individual protection is perfect for high flying execs that need to focus on the job, not their environment. The security service eradicates risks that are in evidence in today’s world.
The service incorporates all of your needs, whether it is residential protection or constant security on the go, Colossus ticks all the boxes.
Celebrities, CEO’s and politicians have all used Colossus for their close protection service. Maybe, if you have any doubts about your personal security, you should try them too?
By Lussorian’s roving reporter - Toby Rose
The legendary alternative film festival arrived at London’s 02 from its snowy mountaintop USA perch. And it was graced with royalty. Hollywood royalty in the shape of Robert Redford, and the House of Windsor version – HRH the Prince of Wales.
“Sundance London marked our first time hosting an event in the UK, and we are grateful to all our supporters and collaborators for the reception we received. These four days have seen features, documentaries and live events with insightful filmmakers and musicians, as well as passionate audiences in attendance.” Said Robert Redford, President & Founder of Sundance Institute,
Musically themed, the festival showcased the vital contribution of the musical score to the cinema experience. And it was not just theory. The Q and A with Robert Redford was hosted by Nick Hornby, whose novels include High Fidelity which is a tribute to the music fan. His fellow guest was soundtrack legend T Bone Burnett who is known for his atmospheric musicial scores notably for the Coen Brothers, O Brother.
Sharing the stage with the Hollywood legends was the band, the Guillemots. In tribute to the star guest of the evening and founder of Sundance they performed a choppy up-tempo version of ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head’ - the signature theme of ‘Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. Very fitting.
Other musos in attendance included musical siblings Martha and Rufus Wainwright. The singer once created an entire stage show around an homage to Judy Garland. You don’t get more Tinsel Town than that!
The festival closed with an intimate performance by Rufus and Martha Wainwright following the World Premiere of Sing Me The Songs That Say I Love You ~ A Concert for Kate McGarrigle, Lian Lunson’s film about the music of their mother, folk singer Kate McGarrigle
Sundance in London brought to a local audience many of the highlights of this year’s Sundance in Utah. One of the big favourites was ‘Queen of Versailles’ which told of the story of a billionaire brought low by the credit crunch. The documentary told the bitter sweet story of how his lavish plans to create a Versailles style home turned to dust.
On a more serious note was ‘Chasing Ice’ a dramatic documentary about the pioneering work of photographer James Balog who charted the retreating glaciers of Greenland, Iceland and Alaska. His efforts to position to motion capture cameras in some of the wildest and most beautiful locations in the world were breathtaking. Aside from this dramatic landscape there was the personal courage of James Balog who was battling with a knee injury.
Sundance was a showcase of the cream of the Sundance crop. A welcome and exciting arrival on the festival circuit.
By Lussorian’s roving reporter Toby Rose
The Oliviers got bigger and better this year and symbolic of this was the move to the prestige premises of the Covent Garden Opera House.
A giant red carpet, winding up the street, was truly star studded, and once again under the banner of headline sponsor Mastercard. Big names including Barbara Windsor to Tye Daley of Cagney and Lacey fame stopped for snappers, TV interviews and autograph hunters alike. The air might have been chill but the glamour shone through.
Barbara Windsor with Lussorian’s Toby Rose
And the anticipation was high, as this year has been a stellar year for London Theatre. As James Earl Jones was to note when he presented the Best Director to Matilda’s Matthew Warchus. The was a time when the question was if a show had ‘legs’ - which meant could it pay the rent for a theatre run.
Now, he said, the question posed is whether a London show has the ‘wings’ to fly to over for a Broadway transfer. There is an air of confidence in this booming sector of Britain, which has posted its eighth successive year of breaking box office records.
Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatres, revealed that the 2012 Oliviers were the biggest ever. Not only that but the event itself was something of a record breaker “possibly the biggest one nighter anyone has done, ever. We had about 450 people on stage” he told The Guardian.
The Crazy For You Posse
Among those on stage were the world-class winners of this year’s crop of gongs. Including Best Musical Revival for Crazy For You at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre. It also received an Olivier for costumes, which were on fine display when the cast took to the stage to perform a number to rapturous applause.
Collecting her second Olivier was Ruth Wilson for Anna Christie and also back for a prize was Sheridan Smith who won for Best Supporting Performance in Flare Path. The hot star – who last year won for her outstanding role in Legally Blonde – was not in able to attend in person. None other than her director Trevor Nunn read out her acceptance speech modestly omitting the, no doubt, gushing thank you reserved for him.
Later at the party Sheridan’s mother, mentioned in the speech and wildly cheering from the circle, explained how she was taking care of Miss Smith’s three dogs.
The eagerly anticipated Mastercard Best New Play Award went to a true quality piece, Collaborators at the Cottesloe at the National Theatre. And another high point was appearance of Ronan Keating singing the Bacharach classic I’ll Never Fall In Love. He was then joined on stage by Kimberly Walsh, for a sweet duet.
But in a night, which saw two barnstorming productions going head to head One ManTwo Guvnors and Matilda - it was to be the endearing charm of the Roald Dahl musical which was to emerge the decisive winner with 7 Oliviers.
Billy Elliot showcased the talents of a brace of young lads in tutus, the audience at the Royal Opera got to see the young ladies who made the title role in Matilda their own. They bounced on stage and sang a song from the show. Hearts melted and their performance heralded an evening, which was to see Matilda scoop the lion’s share of Oliviers. The inventive charm of the musical swept all before it.
Dame Elaine Page channelling Evita
The evening culminated with the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Sir Tim Rice and to give fine voice to his peerless achievements in theatre was Dame Elaine Page, who sang a rousing Evita. The performance left the Royal Opera House in no doubt as to the legacy of one of giants of musical theatre.
The big beast of London’s theatre land marvelled and whooped as The Lion King cast invaded the auditorium to bid farewell Oliviers 2012 in high spirited style. In yet colourful sign off tribute to the talent of the night’s Lifetime Achievement recipient Sir Tim Rice who had just been congratulated on the big video screen by two of Britain‘s biggest showbiz beasts Sir Elton John and Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber. Proving that when it comes to Theatre land, London remains King of the Jungle.
(Written by Toby Rose)
Prince Harry is everywhere. Very much the action Royal. At the same time he displays a strong empathy with peoples he meets. To rework his mothers moniker…he is the People’s Prince.
Not an ounce of pomp. In an attack helicopter, in Afghanistan, in the arms of a beauty, coming to the aid of a mugged pal in South London and, recently, in Rio. What a way to finish off his Royal Tour – a convincing win at polo in Sao Paulo. A globetrotting Prince of Polo. It was Prince Harry’s first visit to Brazil and by way of a souvenir he a scooped the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup in a match which took place at Haras Larissa, Campinas, Sao Paulo.
It was a convincing win of 6-3.
Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, paid tribute to the polo playing Prince’s winning team. “We’re honoured to support Sentebale for the second year. It was great to witness such a well-played game, with the Prince’s team taking the cup”.
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The recent singlehanded glad-handing tour of some of the most sun kissed and scenic parts of the Americas was a triumph. He handled gold medalist sprinters, republican prime ministers and 12 year old blind girls with the same ease. His style was relaxed and always engaged and had the talent of finding the right tone in all circumstances. The rules of engagement Of Captain Wales were simple there were no rules.
Seen from the outside this was like a dream gap year n the space of ten days. And the event was topped off with a very juicy cherry in the cake..or in this case Sugar Loaf Mountain, ending his solo tour in Rio.
A carefree spirit was much in evidence when he energetically dance the samba with the ladies and plunged into the favalas. Here he showed that he didn’t just do handshakes he could shake his hips as well. All executed with a deft common touch. But it was at the polo that Harry showed that he is not just a beaming smiling People’s Princes with a world class line in small talk. He a player with talent and skill which saw his team lifting the trophy.
The sporty nation of Brazil will have seen his hi jinks in Jamaica with Usain Bolt and loved his lighthearted approach to sport. This from a nation so proud of Pele and its world cup winning soccer squad.
After all the photo opps things got serious when he climbed on his polo mount. Being pukka with the chukka and twisting and turning his steed in a fast moving match is bound to thrill spectators. And when you have a competitive competitor like Prince Harry, it is a level playing field for the royal horseman. No amount of blueblood or size of silver spoon makes a difference and the crowd knows this and loves it all the more. Their Prince is one of the people and fights his corner with the commoners. Or some at least some rich dudes and artistos.
Speaking of his work for Sentebale the Prince said “I hope that with the position that I’m in and the title that I have, I will continue to be able to use that to bring attention to these disadvantaged kids all over the world.”
Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers also said: “We’re honoured to support Sentebale for the second year. It was great to witness such a well-played game, with the Prince’s team taking the Cup.
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(Written by Toby Rose)
Before Harry Potter there was Bond. While the young wizard may be giving 007 a run for his money at the box office, in comparison he is most certainly wet behind the ears.
For this year, the man with the Golden Gun celebrates his 50th year on the big screen and almost as long as a movie legend.
This milestone in cinema history is being celebrated in Jermyn Street, the stamping ground of Bond creator, Ian Fleming. This Up Town corner of St James’s, which inspired this most British of movie icons, can be seen worn or splashed on by countless Bonds striding the screen.
Now the purveyors on this most sophisticated of streets are coming together to mark a very special 50th birthday.
Names steeped in Bond mythology join forces to celebrate their part in the Bond story. Visitors will get a chance to share in the Bond backstory. Jermyn Street is at the ready to bring to the fore its Bond heritage from shirts to eau de cologne.
Fleming had his office off Jermyn Street, home to outfitters which just ooze the style of the British gentleman. The only thing missing is an Aston Martin showroom. This is the home of the wardrobe that supplied the world’s most sophisticated spy. From this smartest of streets came cologne from Floris and shirts from Turnball and Asser, to name just a pair of high-class names with a Bond link.
And the Bond connection lives on. Though much has been made of the makeover provided by Daniel Craig the current Bond joins Bonds from Connery onwards by having his shirts crafted by Turnball and Asser. Here there are men of quality and style adorning the walls.
This Hall of Fame is a truly eye-opening insight into a world of the dapper. Many of the photos of past clients are not only signed, but also inscribed with a kind thought from a satisfied customer. And what a customer list! The famous faces looking out are testimony to the quality and discretion of this quintessentially English Jermyn Street. Quintessentially Bond. Indeed big names, which figure large on the wall of fame, include many legends of the big screen.
After looking at the gallery of the great on the walls, there is something very special in seeing the envelopes bearing the names of Bonds past and present, this is an extra special moment. It is an insight accorded to only the most trusted clients. So it was a great honour to see at first hand the vital statistics of a man with a license to kill.
The signature of Liberace at Turnball & Asser
The names linked with the Bond legend are joining forces to mark the fifty years since the smartest of spies. Also closely linked to the mystique of Bond are Floris, who provided the great smell of OO7 with their blend, No 89. And the creation comes from their historic shop, which has the air of a film set. So quaint and you sense the craftsmanship at work.
But the true magic is revealed to a chosen few who get to enter the back room where bespoke fragrances are created. In this room you get to sniff tapers of ingredients, which are mixed to create a personal scent. A sanctum sanctorum for the discerning and might be better known as the scented sanctorum.
The glass cases lined with bottles of the most exotic and rarefied smells are all tools for the alchemy that goes into the creation of each special scent. This most fashionable of chemistry sets could almost mark the cross over point with young Harry Potter. Though, needless to say, Floris would never consider waving a crow’s foot or snake’s tongue under a client’s nose. At the same time you know you are in the presence of magic.
So Bond is definitely fifty years young. A symbol of never outmoded style.
