When a show becomes the subject of so much hype (Matthew Warchus’ show received rave reviews when it premiered at Stratford Upon-Avon last year), you can’t help but feel that it will fall flat in performance. Amazingly however, Matilda the Musical lives up to all its hype and more.

This is the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC ) musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story. Our heroine is Matilda, an extraordinarily gifted young girl who devours Dostoevsky and Dickens in between standing up to her bullying headmistress and unfeeling parents.

Cleo Demetriou as Matilda

11 year old Cleo Demetriou excels in the title role, delivering just the right amount of pathos and humour. There are gripping performances too from comic Paul Kaye as Matilda’s father, the ghastly Mr Wormwood,  Melanie La Barrie as the lively local librarian and particularly from the cross dressing Bertie Carvel as the terrifying Miss Trunchball – best actor awards will surely be coming his way. Yet the stars of the show are arguably the ensemble, all of who expertly sing and dance their hearts out with such infectious raw energy and enthusiasm.

The RSC Production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical

It’s a magical show from start to finish: a triumph of the imagination. Rob Howell’s book and alphabet strewn set set is astounding and choreographer, Peter Darling, uses it to dazzling effect – especially during the Act 11 opener, When I Grow Up, which is performed by the cast on swings.

As for criticisms? If I had one, it would be that Tim Minchin’s musical score will probably never be regarded in the same light say as Les Miserables or Phantom. Nonetheless there are a couple of killer songs – step forward Naughty with its poignant lyrics “Even if you’re little, you can do a lot; You mustn’t let a little thing like little stop you” – that perfectly underline Matilda’s plight.

Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchbull

All told, Matilda represents musical theatre at its best. It’s innovative, inventive and ultimately fabulously fresh. And  the ending – which sees the Trunchball and Wormwoods get their come-uppance,while Matilda is taken in by her sympathetic teacher, Miss Honey (Lauren Ward) -  radiates warmth and will leave you feeling so uplifted, that your heart will be humming for weeks afterwards.

The RSC Production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical

Matilda The Musical is on at The Cambridge Theatre until February 12 but mark my words: this show will run… and run… and run…..

To book tickets call 0844 800 1110 or visit www.matildathemusical.com

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Due to overwhelming response and success of last year’s event, “ARTISTically Fashioned” Art Basel Celebration is returning to the heart of Miami Design District during the most prestigious art weekend.

Celebrating Art Basel with Haitian art invading fashion on Friday, December 2, 2011 the event will help fund raising for the children in Haiti to send food, medical supplies and all the essentials of survival. Featuring the best in Haitian art and fashion, interior design and dynamic LIVE paintings of models, the celebration will take place in the showroom of award winning interior design firm Deco One Interiors Group at 3900 N. Miami Ave at 7 p.m.

Owner of Deco One Group, Aldo Conigliaro said, “We pride ourselves in providing unique compelling designs that satisfy even the most discerning tastes.”

The fun and fashionable event will be benefitting Care One Bit, a 501 © 3 status non-profit humanitarian organization that is committed to helping the children of Haiti who are powerless to help themselves. The organization’s mission is to empower the people of Haiti with resources that will enable them to provide for themselves and their families.

Cocktails will be served and there will be complimentary dessert all night decorated with fashion inspired by My Cupcake Love.

Source: Miami Downtown Life

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United Kingdom design house Project Khan has created a “Military” edition Range Rover SUV outfitted with exclusive features inside and out. Haute Living takes a look at the high-security luxury vehicle.

Designer Afzal Kahn has taken an already luxurious vehicle, the Range Rover, and outfitted it with features which would be fit for the military. The luxury SUV received several additions on both the exterior and interior to make the car more secure. While many of the original form features were retained, the additions Kahn made are stylish and intended for rich consumers who likes being extra secure.

Kahn is also credited with making a Project Kahn Rolls-Royce a few years back. Kahn took the already luxurious Rolls-Royce Phantom and had it tuned to exude even more exclusivity. It was outfitted with a Pearl White finish and new 22-inch “Silver Mist” alloy wheels. Other upgrades included a bespoke interior design to suit individual tastes, custom clear side indicators and black piano trim. He didn’t touch the engine though, saying “there’s no need to even worry about the engine as it is without a doubt one of the finest engines made today.”

Source: Born Rich

Former beauty icon and actress Marilyn Monroe is no stranger to grabbing the attention of those surrounding her. Even years after passing away, the star manages to make headlines. Now, a show-stopping stage costume worn by Monroe in one of her hit films is heading to auction and is expected to fetch approximately $312,000.

Numerous Marilyn Monroe garments have sold before at auction for astronomical prices and so it makes sense why her costumes keep being listed. Auctioneers Profiles in History have just announced a new stage costume from the 1957 film Bus Stop.

The green and black sequined garment has a presale price of $312,000. In the movie, Monroe played a naïve yet determined saloon singer with dreams of making it in Hollywood. The dress has been described as one of Monroe’s most iconic looks, adding to the anticipation as it heads to auction. Promotional posters of the movie featured Monroe in the dress; this image became one of the more popular images of the legendary actress.

William Travilla, who was Monroe’s favorite designer and had made many of her costumes in the past, created the iconic dress.

Other highlights at the auction will include the original movie camera used by George Lucas to film Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. It is a Panavision PSR 35mm camera with an estimated sale price of around $200,000.

Source: Elite Choice

It comes as no surprise that the holiday season is always the busiest time of the year for purveyors of fine spirits.  Not only is a bottle of something special a timeless gift, but exceptional cocktails are the hallmark of a smashing holiday party.

What’s different this year is how many of the spirits bottles flying off local shelves are USDA-Certified Organic—and how many different organic spirits consumers now have to choose from. In fact, Altitude Spirits had such success with their organic vodka, Vodka 14, that in 2011 they began importing Papagayo Organic Rums, Juniper Green Organic Gin, Highland Harvest Organic Scotch, and UK5 Organic Vodka. A

All of these critically-acclaimed brands promise to offer the spirits connoisseur on your list a memorable gift this holiday season, or to be the basis of an exceptional cocktail at your holiday party. To help get your seasonal entertaining started, check out these holiday inspired cocktail recipes from Altitude Spirits. pouredpure.com.

• The Notte Silenziosa:

This sophisticated Italian twist on everyone’s favorite holiday standby, eggnog, begins with 0.75 ounces of Vodka 14, 0.75 ounces of amaro, 0.25 ounces of Angostura bitters, 0.25 ounces simple syrup, 0.25 ounces of heavy cream, and an egg yolk in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, until the yolk is thoroughly beaten.  Strain into a martini glass and garnish with fine shavings of fresh nutmeg.

• The Christmas Creamsicle:

An orange infusion provides a delectable, completely natural flavor for this festive cocktail. Start by placing slices of organic orange in a sealed glass container with Juniper Green Organic Gin and allow it to steep at room temperature for about six days. When ready to serve, combine 2.5 ounces of the infused gin with half an ounce of light cream and an ounce of sparkling water. Stir and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a candy cane and a leaf of fresh mint.

• The Highland Fence:

Begin with three ounces of Highland Harvest Organic Scotch Whisky to create this sweet Scotch treat. Add three ounces of apple cider and a dash of ground cinnamon. Shake and serve on the rocks, garnished with an apple wedge and a cinnamon stick swizzle.

• The Hot Black Maria:

In a shaker, mix two ounces of Roundhouse Corretto Coffee Liqueur, two ounces of Papagayo Organic Silver Rum, four ounces of fresh black coffee (hot), and two teaspoons of powdered sugar. Shake. Serve in a coffee mug topped with whipped cream.

To learn more, visit http://altitudespirits.com or http://pouredpure.com

AMOREPACIFIC, the much buzzed about Asian botanical brand, which has been around for over 60 years, has released two festive holiday gift sets featuring their most effective collection of skincare products.

The all new TIME RESPONSE collection is the first skincare collection of its kind with targeted approach to reversing and protecting against all sings of aging. The collection is proven to reduces lines, wrinkles and promotes an even-toned complexion and increases skin radiance and firmness.The four products in the TIME RESPONSE Limited Edition Gold Holiday Set  include the TIME RESPONSE Skin Renewal Creme, TIME RESPONSE Eye Renewal Creme, TIME RESPONSE Skin Renewal Serum and Green Tea Aroma Potpourri. The TIME RESPONSE holiday sets are available at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

For the younger ladies on your holiday shopping list list, or those who wrestle with dry skin, AMOREPACIFIC’s MOISTURE BOUND Limited Edition SILVER Holiday Sets is the perfect way to hydrated skin and delay signs of aging. The metallic set includes the standout product the MOISTURE BOUND Rejuvenating Creme which is light moisturizer that keep the skin buttery soft. The MOISTURE BOUND sets are available at Sephora.

Products can also be found at

AMOREPACIFIC Beauty Gallery & Spa

114 Spring Street  New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-0400

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PHOTO: Maserati Kubang Concept

When I heard Maserati was building a luxury SUV I almost puked a little bit in my mouth. Why oh why would an Italian luxury sport car maker need to make an ugly bloated luxury SUV?

People want them that is why and the new Maserati can also bring in tons of money for the brand so they can further expand. Looking at this concept by Maserati you may say that it looks nothing like a Maserati at all. The only thing that resembles modern day Masers is the grille on this new SUV. Underneath it all is just a Jeep platform because of the companies relationship with Chrylser.

The suits at Maserati will get what they want though because these will be hot selling SUV’s just take a look at how popular the Porsche Cayenne is…

The name for this new Maserati luxury SUV is just temporary from what I have been reading although right now you can go to an official Maserati web site where they call it that. The price for this new Maser will be just over $100,000 putting in the ball park of higher end Porsche Cayenne’s and the likes of the BMW X5 M and Mercedes ML AMG luxury sport SUV’s.

I want to see this new Maserati in person before I give my final judgement.

Joseph De Lucca is a Haute Living contributing writer and also publishes the luxury automotive lifestyle Web site LuxVelocity.com.

Holly Madison spent her afternoon skating at the outdoor rink at the Venetian.

It was a holly jolly Christmas when Holly Madison laced up her skates and took a spin on the outdoor ice skating rink at Winter in Venice at the Venetian. Dressed in a pink sweater and festive scarf, the star of “Peepshow” and “Holly’s World” glided along the ice while fans gathered around the rink, located at Doge’s Palace adjacent to the outdoor gondolas. After showing off her skating skills, Madison mingled with holiday characters and enjoyed a chocolate gelato.

The ice skating rink is just one of the many ways guests can experience Winter in Venice at the Venetian and the Palazzo this holiday season, taking place now through Jan. 8. Winter in Venice is the first true celebration of the winter season on the Las Vegas Strip, with 49 days of holiday festivities throughout both resorts, including strolling carolers, candy cane stilt walkers, puppets, jugglers, magicians, the Nightly Spectacular holiday show and an awe-inspiring 65-foot LED holiday tree.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

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Source: luxurylivingrealty.net

For years Miami’s most exclusive island, Fisher Island, reigned as the country’s most expensive zip code. Falling real estate prices have knocked it down a few pegs on the list in recent years, but the people who call the small island home, many of whom probably bought their homes at the height of the market, are still excessively wealthy.  And apparently, that wealth reigned supreme -  according to Forbes’ calculations, Fisher Island is still America’s number one “Millionaire Capitol.”

Forbes.com searched through IRS data and ranked zip codes by the average income of those who make at least $200,000 a year. They then estimated the average net-worth for people making over $200,000 a year. Fisher Island came in first place by a large margin.

The financial magazine estimates that the “average net worth for taxpayers here with at least $200,000 of income is $57.2 million.” The average for the next locale on the spot, Alpine, N.J., was only $27.5 million.

Several Florida areas made the list. Palm Beach came in fourth with an average high-end income of $23.3 million. Boca Raton was at seventh with $21.2 million. Key Largo was 11th with $17.9 million.

Another Miami area, Bay Harbor Islands, was 14th with $16.6 million. Fort Lauderdale and Naples also made the top 20.

Source: Miami New Times

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Megafans who want a piece of Apple’s history (besides their beloved products) now have an amazing chance. The ultimate piece of the company’s legacy, its original 1976 legal contract, will be going up for auction through Sotheby’s in December.

The auction house is expecting anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000 for the iconic piece of tech history, although speculators and Apple enthusiasts are willing to bet it exceeds expectations. The document, dated April 1, 1976, is signed by early Apple founders Ronald G. Wayne, Stephen G. Wozniak, and the late and great Steve Jobs.

The documents originally belonged to Wayne, dubbed Apple’s “forgotten founder” as he excused himself from the company for $800 early on, much to his misfortune. Through a university archive, Sotheby’s gained access to the papers and is now putting them up for sale through the unprecedented auction.

“The consigner bought the documents in the mid-1990s from a manuscript dealer who had acquired them from Wayne,” explained Richard Austin, head of manuscripts at Sotheby’s in New York. “It was right before Jobs rejoined Apple. At the time, everyone thought that Apple was pretty much finished.”

The auction will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 13 in New York. Bidders may also participate in the auction simultaneously online.

Our Haute 100 list details the happenings and accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets. To see the entire Haute 100 San Francisco list, click here.