Possession
A.S.Byatt’s Possession is a book I’ve found very difficult to get into, as did Julie Walters, according to the current Mslexia. I was pleased, therefore, to discover that Knaresborough Film Society and Knaresborough Library were joining forces to screen the film and follow it with a discussion.
Apart from the fact that the diminutive and dark haired Roland Michell had turned into a strapping blond American research student and his girlfriend Val has disappeared completely, I enjoyed the film. Inevitably, a lot of the original is missed out, which is probably a good thing. I hold my hand up to skipping most of the poetry in the book and skimming through the interminable letters between Christabel and Ash. How different from today’s courtship rituals!
Unfortunately, we returned to the car to find the offside wing mirror broken - for the second time this year - which cast a cloud over the evening. However, I’ve now returned to the book with renewed enthusiasm.
Posted 19/11/08 - Permalink to this story
Telling signs
A sunny afternoon lured us all out for a walk through the autumn colours in Thorp Perrow‘s arboretum. We used to live just down the road in Bedale and know it well. It’s an interesting place to visit at any time of year and the woodland is particularly beautiful at the moment.
These happily juxtaposed signs caught my eye. Fortunately, we emerged from the grounds unscathed.
Posted 16/11/08 - Permalink to this story
A real whodunit
This evening saw me at Ripon Leisure Centre to review The Late Edwina Black for Ripon Rowel Players.
Written In the style of a Victorian melodrama, this four-hander, performed by Graham North, Linda Blades, Josie Suddards and Steve Barlow and produced by Marguerite Moss, opened on the eve of the eponymous deceased’s funeral. Then a Scotland Yard inspector arrived on the scene. His insistence on a post-mortem marked the beginning of a series of twists and turns, noises off and doubt over whether Edwina Black had actually died. I was kept guessing until the very end, which had to be a good sign.
My full review should be appearing soon in the Ripon Gazette and its sister newspapers.
Posted 14/11/08 - There was 1 comment on this story
A very short ramble
We humble extras ‘have to take the rough with the smooth’, to quote my agent. Today, it was the turn of the smooth.
Dressed in full rambling gear, as instructed, I arrived promptly for a 7.30 a.m. start. Having anticipated a long, wet, windy day somewhere out in the wilds, I was surprised to find myself required for only one scene; indoors, at that. By 9.30, I was on my way home again with a full day’s pay to look forward to. Tough job, but someone’s got to do it!
Posted 10/11/08 - Permalink to this story
Quantum of Solace
The opening song was incomprehensible - it had words, I suppose, but I couldn’t catch any of them - and the tune made no impression at all. Can no one compose the likes of ‘Goldfinger’, ‘Diamonds are for ever’ and ‘Thunderball’ any more?
I couldn’t keep up with all the chases and explosions either. A credible story was sacrificed to the special effects, some of which were ridiculously overdone. Daniel Craig and Judi Dench, superb as ever, were badly let down.
The famous John Barry theme tune, consigned to the end of the film, made me sob with nostalgia for ‘Q’, Miss Moneypenny, Dr No, Scaramanga, Jaws, Smersh, Spectre ... Those were the days!
Posted 08/11/08 - Permalink to this story