Posted in Uncategorized on 30/03/2024| Leave a Comment »
Philips Group has the introductory page on the fourth of the “Big Four” UK record companies with the links to various Philips labels.
Philips is a large section covering the label from 1953 to 1974. It’s heavily illustrated, and includes its issues of classic Columbia (USA) originals up to 1962. Then we have Frankie Vaughan, The Springfields, The Four Seasons, Dusty Springfield, The Walker Brothers, Scott Walker as well as the brief releases from Elton John, then David Bowie.
Posted in Uncategorized on 18/03/2024| Leave a Comment »
Review of Matthew Bourne’s dance theatre adaptation of EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (follow link). This stage dancing spectacular is on a long tour and we saw it at Southampton’s massive 2300 seat Mayflower Theatre. It was virtually full. It is a major theatrical experience – very funny, romantic, thrilling, with superb dancing, set and costumes.
Posted in Uncategorized on 14/03/2024| Leave a Comment »
A play by Jez Butterworth is a major event. After The Ferryman, Jerusalem, Mojo he is as good as it gets for the 21st century. A review here of THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA, yet another 5 star triumph for us. It’sset in Blackpool in 1976, with flash back sequences to 1955. Go to the review to see why. it is unmissable.
Posted in Uncategorized on 14/03/2024| Leave a Comment »
Review of OPENING NIGHT, (follow link) adapted by Ivo Van Hove from an obscure John Cassavetes film. It stars Sheridan Smith as the famous actress, Myrtle Gordon, preparing for a play’s opening night on Broadway. Music is by Rufus Wainwright, and it’s a musical, though a musical without dancing. Sheridan Smith and the other leads, Nicola Hughes and Hadley Fraser, are brilliant. However, the adaption itself is deeply flawed. Go to the review.
Posted in Uncategorized on 09/03/2024| Leave a Comment »
Come Into The Garden Maud (REVIEW IS LINKED HERE) is a late Noël Coward play, one of his Suite in Three Keys trilogy from 1966, which he wrote as his intended stage swan song. The BBC produced it in 1982 as TV play, starring Paul Schofield and Geraldine McEwan with Toby Robins. It’s America v Europe in classic American Literature mode. It’s not one I’d seen before. It’s a descriptive review, with screenshots, so plot spoilers.
Posted in Uncategorized on 06/03/2024| 1 Comment »
HMV, Columbia – Children’s (FOLLOW THE LINK) covers EMI’s various children’s series releases on the AROUND AND AROUND site. They’re not particularly collected, but the sleeve designs (of some) and the quality suggests they will be eventually. There’s lots to look at. Nostalgia?
Posted in Uncategorized on 05/03/2024| Leave a Comment »
The first recent film review for a while, and two years after it won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, but the excuse is it now on DVD and Blu-ray and streaming. So link here to see the review of TRIANGLE OF SADNESS, written and Directed by Ruben Östlund. Warning – plot description and photos, so it is a spoiler if you haven’t seen it.
Posted in Uncategorized on 03/03/2024| Leave a Comment »
We have seen so many versions of this play. So can the RSC’s 2024 version of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM compete? (link to review). It’s directed by Eleanor Rhodes. Matthew Baynton is Bottom, Rosie Sheehy is Puck, Bally Gill is Theseus / Oberon and Sirine Saba as Hippolyta / Titania. All four young lovers are as good as you can get. The thing is, Matthew Baynton was indisposed (Ah! from Horrible Histories fans), and the understudy, Laurie Jamieson was completely brilliant. This is the one with the stage illusions for the Forest of Arden. We were ecstatic. Picture: Rosie Sheehy as Puck.
Posted in Uncategorized on 03/03/2024| Leave a Comment »
Review of Mark Ravenhill’s play BEN & IMO (follow link) at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre. It tells the story of Benjamin Britten composing ‘Gloriana’ for the 1953 coronation gala, assisted by Imogen Holst, daughter of Gustav Holst. No, we didn’t think it sounded interesting either … but it was surprisingly good. See the review.
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