17/10/2026 by Peter Viney
We were checking out BBC FOUR’s “performance” series and decided to rewatch AN INSPECTOR CALLS by J.B. Priestley (Follow link to review). We saw the original broadcast in 2015, and it is now a staple on DVD for GCSE classes. The play always works, but this is a particularly fine version, with David Thewlish as the best inspector of the lot. It’s on iPlayer now, though BBC FOUR often hides its “Performance” block.
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12/10/2026 by Peter Viney
Led Zeppelin’s Swan Song label (follow link) is the latest addition to record labels at Around and Around. It was under the Atlantic umbrella, but they chose the artists themselves: Bad Company, Maggie Bell, The Pretty Things, Dave Edmunds, Sad Café. It was fairly short-lived but interesting.
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11/10/2026 by Peter Viney
I’ve added a Rant on charities. Uncharitable which proves what a mean sod I am.
READ IT HERE (follow link)
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10/10/2026 by Peter Viney
Another one in the 60s Retrospective review series. Bryan Forbes directed THE L-SHAPED ROOM in 1962 (follow link to review) and Leslie Caron picked up two major awards in the lead role. A great trio of character actresses embellish the film: Avis Bunnage, Pat Phoenix and Cicely Courtneidge. This was another in the BFI Vintage Classics Blu-Ray series, which is the very best way of seeing these 60s classics.
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09/10/2026 by Peter Viney
Emma Rice’s production of TRISTAN & YSEULT (follow link to review) in its 2026 touring version, reviewed at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford. The tour goes on intermittently till April 2027. This is one of the most influential plays of the 21st century. It seems to get even better. Great cast, great choreography, great music. See the review.
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05/10/2026 by Peter Viney
Another review in the series of Film” 60s retrospectives. This time it’s John Schlesinger’s A KIND OF LOVING (follow link).
It was based on Stan Barstow’s kitchen sink novel from 1960, and scripted by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall. It starred Alan Bates, June Ritchie and Thora Hird. We saw it in the BFI crisp restored version, and it looks great. It’s at the upper end of the genre for quality too.
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30/09/2026 by Peter Viney
The third A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM of 2026 reviewed (follow link) This is at Chichester Festival Theatre and is a major production, It’s a radical new version, set in 1994 in Sussex. Theseus and Hippolyta are Conservative politicians and Raves have just been banned. The lovers end up at the rave, run by rich Bohemians, Titania and Oberon. The ‘rude mechanicals’ are the local Young Conservative Association, with Bottom the Video Rental’s Shop Owner. It’s very different, but then the Dream can be. See the review.
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27/09/2026 by Peter Viney
Review of the London African Gospel Choir with PAUL SIMON’S GRACELAND REIMAGINED (follow link) at Poole Lighthouse, 26th September 2026. They’ve been touring this with 23 performers since 2016, on and off. It was a sold out show, an exuberant performance, and they went down very well. BUT … my review is sadly, negative, I thought the sound balance was really bad, and sorry, their performances were a travesty on the original songs. There you go. I hate doing bad review, but if you don’t give an honest opinion, then the vast majority of good reviews don’t count.
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19/09/2026 by Peter Viney
Review of the 2026 production of AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare’s Globe. Follow the link. This is the fourth good comedy at The Globe this year, they seem to be on a roll. It runs till late October too. There were lots of empty seats on Friday afternoon, as the season draws to a close, You can easily get in and standing is a fiver. It’s set in the 18th century and it’s innovative and an unusual take … not a radical one. It’s true to text. The cast shone, especially Lola Shalan as Rosalind and Jonnie Broadbent as Touchstone. Gracie Oddie-James was a memorable Celia.
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17/09/2026 by Peter Viney
A new “rant” added on tea and coffee and preferences. This was inspired by Paul ranting about preferences for tea and coffee, which made me think of the topic further. Take a look. LINK CLICK HERE TO TEAS & COFFEE. I don’t think it’s social class at all. I think it’s down to eras.
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