Most of my recent viewings will be television as things have been rather wearying of late, but Bertie was kind enough to get tickets for Death of a Salesman with Laurie Metcalf and Nathan Lane. Rounding out the central cast was Christopher Abbott as Biff (quite impressive) and Ben Ahlers as Hap (whom I knew…
Tag: humour
Shenanigans, Generally
19 January 1596: Walter Hay, a goldsmith, brought up on charges per the Elgin Kirk sessions for playing bowls and golf (obviously an athletic enthusiast) on a Sunday when he should have been attending to the sermons in the kirk. Five pounds and a promise never to do it again. The eldership of the church…
Reading into the New Year
I’ve been doing a lot of reading since I got here before Xmas and I wanted to try to keep track of as much as I can. A few books were waiting for me: some because shipping to the US was too much especially for contributor’s copies (why punish the publishers?). So very happily reading…
Out Now: Hobo Camp Review
Hobo Camp Review issue 50 is out, reminding us that in the midst of all the horrors we must create and play and communicate. Even editor James Duncan’s editorial for this issue reminds us. I’m pleased to be in this issue along with a bunch of names I recognise. I have a little story ‘The…
Daft Days & Discipline
In these daft days between the Yule and Hogmanay celebrations it’s easy to lose track of time, as Fergusson suggests. He also claims this is the time to enjoy ourselves in all the usual ways: Let mirth abound, let social cheerInvest the dawning of the year;Let blithesome innocence appearTo crown our joy;Nor envy wi sarcastic…
Dark Moon, Dark Goddess
As the dark moon is upon us this month and the winter solstice approaches, naturally thoughts turn to the Cailleach here in Scotland. The Crone of Winter some call her; she is the one who made the landscape as the old tales tell. She shoes up in the romantic poetry of the eighteenth century, such…
The Devil’s Manacles!
THE DEVIL’S MANACLES! There are two kinds of people in the world: those who think socks are fluffy and cosy — and those who know the truth! They are a trap of the dark satanic forces! When you walk through the door, do you kick off your shoes and peel off those diabolical skins? Then…
The Eyes Follow You Around the Room
I’d not been to the National in some time and it was hot and I was tired from running around London already that day so after a nice lunch (peh!) in the crypt at St Martin’s I crossed the road to see some old favourites. Title many of you will know was taken from this…
Matinee: A Damsel in Distress
Sometimes you need to cheer yourself up with a little hoofin’ and laughing and ingenue romance. As I did the other day thanks to iPlayer. A Damsel in Distress was just what the day needed: Fred Astaire, George and Gracie in London where a most youthful Joan Fontaine has fallen for an American and of…