23/04/2026 by Peter Viney
The 1958 film of Terence Rattigan’s SEPARATE TABLES (follow link) has been added to the 60s retrospective film review section. OK, 1958 is stretching it a couple of years. David Niven and Wendy Hilliard got Academy Awards. Burt Lancaster and Rita Hayworth didn’t. There’s a reason for that. It was always a fine play, but in combining the two elements, I thought the two American stars were totally eclipsed by the fine British actors.
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17/04/2026 by Peter Viney
Follow link to the Hurn Court Opera production of LA TRAVIATA at Christchurch Regent. This was a marvellous production with emerging young professional singers. It goes on to Blandford and Winchester. A rare chance to see first class opera at a reasonable price too.
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14/04/2026 by Peter Viney
Not so much a review as a recommendation. FOLLOW LINK to the short article. It’s on BBC iPlayer, ten episodes based on Mary, the least attractive of the Bennett sisters in Pride and Prejudice. No plot spoilers.
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31/03/2026 by Peter Viney
New at Around and Around.
Warner Bros (Decca) 1960-1965 added to the new WEA section, the first of many links. This is the 77 Sunset Strip / Everly Bros / Peter Paul & Mary era, from the start of the company to when they switched from Decca distribution.
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27/03/2026 by Peter Viney
Roald Dahl’s The BFG (Follow link to my review) sees its latest incarnation as a stage play. It’s an RSC / Chichester co-production and we saw it at Chichester. It’s a visual feast, and seeing this spectacular show with hundreds of schoolkids was a bonus.
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24/03/2026 by Peter Viney
This was a surprise discovery advertised prominently on Amazon Prime last night. Lindsay “If ….” Anderson’s THE WHITE BUS (follow link to review). It was filmed in 1965, released in 1967. It’s a mere 46 minutes. I’ve added it to my long film review series of 60s Retrospectives, a task which passed the time during Lockdown. There is a full list of the 60s reviews at the end.
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22/03/2026 by Peter Viney
Review of THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND (follow link) at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre. This is a musical version of the true story of a 13 year old boy in Malawi who buily a wind turbine and saved his village from drought. First there was his autobiographical book, then the film. It makes a fine musical, full of exuberant dance and music. It’s going to London for the summer. One to see.
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22/03/2026 by Peter Viney
Follow the link to the review of HENRY V at the Royal Shakespeare Company (follow link). This is a major large cast production with Alfred Enoch as Henry V. It should be a play for our times. We saw it before reviews came in, and I might be right out on a limb with my opinions iof it. Which are strong. See the review.
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15/03/2026 by Peter Viney
Review of Terence Rattigan’s MAN AND BOY at the National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre. This is late Rattigan and very different from his best known style. It was also just about fully booked. The powerful performance of Ben Daniels as the multi-millionaire swindling financier is outstanding. It is set in a financial crisus in 1934. The play is most known because the financier tries to pimp his own son toa gay business rival.
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13/03/2026 by Peter Viney
Review added of Thornton Wilder’s OUR TOWN (follow link), considered by some to be the masterpiece of 20th century American theatre. This is the first production of the new National Theatre of Wales, and stars its artistic director, Michael Sheen. It’s a triumph, as it is so full of movement, and handles the play;s shifts from comedy to tragedy. It’s at the Rose Theatre, Kingston-on-Thames, one of the UK’ds best theatrical spaces.
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