Welcome to a new feature on The Cocoa Diaries entitled My Cultural Life, which features various personalities talking us through some of the films, music, concerts and theartre productions that have impacted their lives. This week we kick things off with TV presenter Marverine Cole, who has recently launched a podcast called Quintessential Voices that you can listen to here.
What was the last film you saw?
Fences, which was an extraordinarily powerful and poignant movie. I’m astounded Denzil Washington didn’t win Best Director at the Oscars this year! But I’m thrilled that Viola Davis did win Best Supporting Actress.
What book has most impacted your life?
Be Happy! by Robert Holden P.H.D
What was the first concert you attended?
It was probably the 80s pop band Go West at the Birmingham’s Odeon Theatre when I was 16yrs old, my Mum chaperoned me. I was an obsessed fan. I love my Mum even more for enduring it!
What song would you describe as the theme tune to your life?
Montagues and Capulets by Prokofiev – it’s a boisterous, tumultuous, terrifying and unapologetic piece of music, that’s also mixed with short periods of calm and serenity.Montagues and Capulets by Prokofiev
The first record/album you bought was…
Michael Jackson’s Thriller Album. I saved my pocket money to buy it, and handed it to my eldest brother who jumped on a bus to town to HMV and buy it for me.
The last theatre production that touched your soul, was…
Bob Marley’s One Love The Musical. I literally saw this last week at its UK premiere at Birmingham’s Repertory Theatre. It was written and directed by the genius that is Kwame Kwei Armah. The cast, crew and musicians were extraordinary. Mitchell Brunings’s depiction of Marley brought him to life in a way I never thought could be possible. And when the entire audience stays standing after the final ovation to sing, dance and jam with the cast, some joining in on stage, you know the show’s hit the jackpot. The breathtaking fusion of Marley’s life and music, set in the political context of the time tells a story I wasn’t aware of. I felt educated and completely elated. Marley’s global significance in the history of music, and of Jamaica is unequivocal.
What is your TV guilty pleasure?
Can’t Pay We’ll Take It Away on Channel Five. I had a brush with the bailiffs once in my life, once was enough. Also My Cat From Hell on Animal Planet ( I adore cats).
What would you rather do: go see a good play, snuggle up with a page-turning book, go to a concert, or go to the cinema?
A play or musical because that feeling of being close to the actors, singers, dancers or musicians is totally captivating. I always leave shows feeling like a 15year old girl, the days when I wanted to become an actress.
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