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A new article on responses to the new BBC TV series SS-GB  (FOLLOW LINK) based on the Len Deighton novel from 1978. The appalling sound has caused an uproar. I’ve commented.

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Review added of Worst Wedding Ever (linked) at Salisbury Playhouse. An original drama production, written by Chris Chibnall. Excellent mainstream comedy, with a short tour following. This is a popular play which could run for years if it gets to the West End.

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A personal tribute to my old friend John Wetton, RIP.  (FOLLOW LINK). This article mainly covers his early days in bands: Corvettes, Palmer-James Group, Tetrad, Ginger Man, Splinter, Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music … others can pick up the tale of UK, Asia, Qango and the John Wetton Band. It’s long and heavily illustrated.

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Review of The White Devil by John Webster  added (LINKED), This production is directed by Annie Ryan in candlelight. The play focuses on revenge, lust and jealousy in classic Jacobean style and works the Wanamaker’s recreation of a Jacobean indoor theatre well.

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Review of the “ballad-opera” The Transports at Exeter, Phoenix. It was written by Peter Bellamy in 1977, and chosen by Mojo magazine as one of the 100 Greatest Recordings of The 20th Century. It was “Folk Album of The Year” in 1977. This new version features members of Bellowhead, Faustus, The Young ‘Uns and Nancy Kerr. How good was it? Well, I haven’t seen anything better in the six years I’ve been writing this blog.

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Review of the Sean Foley directed The Dresser, with Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith. After a much acclaimed London run, the production is on tour. Here at Chichester. It’s a backstage tragicomedy set in 1942, while they’re playing (trying to play?) King Lear.

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Review of Margo Price at The Bullingdon, Oxford  (LINKED) on Friday 20th January. MidWest Farmer’s Daughter was mu favourite album of 2016, so anticipation was high. A high-energy show to a sold-out packed hall.

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Review of The Cactus Blossoms in Poole, (LINKED)with fine support band Junco Shakers. The Cactus Blossoms are brothers from Minneapolis, and this was the first gig of their 2017 European Tour. It sets the bar very high for concerts this year! Brilliant. They sound like the Everly Brothers, the original songs are powerful, and they covered Hank Williams, Chuck Berry, Lefty Frizell, The Kinks, Patsy Cline & The Beatles. That’s eclectic. Read the full review.

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It has SO many awards and five star reviews. So here’s MY take on La La Land (linked).

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My task of moving articles from my old website continues with an article on the Anglo-Continental Drama Evenings  (LINKED) we produced on Wednesdays from 1971 to 1980. These were shows for ELT students, and at least provide an old photo gallery of us at work in the early 1970s. I’ve added more photos for the new version.