Ripon Writers’ Group Christmas Party
Four calling birds
Three calling birds singing con brio
Are packing their bags, leaving me, oh,
I can’t really blame ‘em.
My cats - I can’t tame em -
Have reduced their quartet to a trio!
If you want to know what that’s all about, take a look at Ripon Writers’ Group.
Posted 09/12/08 - Post the first comment on this story
A Doll’s House
Having long equated an Ibsen play with a Bergman film or a Leonard Cohen song as entertainment to cut your throat by, I was in two minds whether to set off for Harrogate Theatre this evening. The bad weather had already put off two of our party and only inbred reluctance to waste a ticket already paid for drove me out of the house. Well, I am Yorkshire born and bred.
My absent friends missed a treat. The production by Harrogate Dramatic Society, in the intimate surroundings of Harrogate Theatre’s Studio, was superb. The actors were word perfect, the costumes and sets impressive and the technical work flawless.
Rachel Conyers’s interpretation of Nora Helmer could have graced a West End theatre. Only rarely off stage, she made this very demanding role seem effortless. The disintegration of Nora’s claustrophobic marriage to Torvald, ably played by Alan Harwood, and the interference of their respective confidants, the recently bereaved Christine Linde (Jenny Antram) and the terminally ill Dr Rank (Paul Dunstan) were all very convincing. The money lender Krogstad, the catalyst to Nora’s transformation from a doll-wife to a woman determined to strike out on her own, was played by Chris Rawson, who put over very well the loneliness and desperation of this complex character.
For a 21st century post-feminist audience, there are even moments of humour and I had to keep reminding myself that this play, written in 1879, was considered shocking by Ibsen’s contemporaries.
Posted 05/12/08 - Post the first comment on this story
The Cat
My story A debt repaid is included in the winter issue of The Cat, the Cats Protection magazine.
An Asian shopkeeper, threatened by a racist thug, is saved by Rajah, the old cat he rescued as a kitten. Rajah’s target was actually the milk offered to Ganesh, the elephant headed god, but his leap through the air was very timely!
Posted 01/12/08 - Post the first comment on this story
Hibernating cats
Did you know that cats hibernate?
With devoted indoor staff catering for their every need, why would Thomas and Tabitha venture out into a frosty garden?
We, on the other hand, have to wrap up warmly and go in search of fresh supplies for them.
Posted 30/11/08 - Permalink to this story
Undressing Mr Darcy
Quite an experience this evening! I went along to a History Wardrobe performance, not knowing what to expect, and was certainly not disappointed.
A very appreciative audience in Melmerby Village Hall saw an imposing Mr Darcy enter in full late 18th century gentleman’s regalia of greatcoat, tall ‘directoire’ hat and Hessian boots. Having struck a pose, he was then stripped layer by layer by his fellow actor - she in a demure frock of the period - down to his (deliberately opaque) muslin drawers. This was a cheeky rather than erotic process, although one chap was overheard complaining that his wife had insisted on arriving ridiculously early in order to secure a seat on the front row.
The style and purpose of each item of clothing was described in minute detail, further illustrated by readings from Jane Austen and other contemporary writers. For Janeites and fans of Georgette Heyer - and I confess to being both - this was a fascinating performance.
History Wardrobe has a large selection of costume based shows to offer and I recommend following the link to the website.
Posted 21/11/08 - Permalink to this story