Tag Archives: downton abbey

Obituary: Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham

A champion of great British morals and aristocratic hauteur who presided over Downton Abbey – both TV drama and stately home. Read my full Telegraph article here

Posted in Film, Journalism, TV | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Strictly Speaking: Week 3

Sigh. A theme week. The triumph of the dressing-up box and the selling of Strictly’s soul to Disney. This Movie Week had its particularly trying moments (Pokémon, I ask you), although a few couples transcended, or even utilised, their themes … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, Journalism, TV | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Strictly Come Dancing, week three: who had the best technical chops?

My Oscar winners for Movie Week were Kelvin Fletcher, Michelle Visage and Catherine Tyldesley. Though Fletcher didn’t land the clean routine suggested by nabbing this year’s first 10s, with some lift hiccups, he excelled in both the Charleston basics (strong “swivel” foot action) and … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, Journalism, TV | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Where to see celebrities onstage in London

The best starry shows, from Fleabag‘s sexy priest Andrew Scott in Present Laughter to Gwendoline Christie AKA Brienne of Tarth in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Read my full TodayTix article here

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alys, Always, Bridge Theatre

Harriet Lane’s memorably unsettling 2012 novel, about an overlooked sub-editor who infiltrates the literary elite, has been adapted for stage by Lucinda Coxon. Its combination of psychological thriller and industry satire is decently translated, but a conservative production from Bridge … Continue reading

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Importance of Being Earnest, Vaudeville Theatre

Classic Spring’s year-long season ends with Wilde gone wild: a free love riot that yanks the queer subtext into text, with everyone from masters and servants to, er, the long-lost brothers sharing snogs and cigarettes. The famous passive aggressive tea … Continue reading

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BWW Interview: Jeremy Swift talks The Importance of Being Earnest

The actor discusses appearing in the Wilde classic, plus Downton Abbey and the upcoming Mary Poppins Returns. Read my full BroadwayWorld interview here

Posted in Film, Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Half a Sixpence, Noel Coward Theatre

This Sixties Tommy Steele vehicle is joyfully reborn in another Chichester Festival Theatre musical triumph, now comfortably ensconced in the West End. The unstoppable George Stiles and Anthony Drewe have seamlessly renewed and added to David Heneker’s original score, and Julian … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BWW Interview: Phyllis Logan

The actress talks Secrets & Lies, Downton and her current role in Noel Coward’s Present Laughter. Read my full BroadwayWorld interview here

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ralph Fiennes’s Richard III Leads June’s Top 10 New London Shows

From starry Shakespeare and Rattigan productions to big musicals and resonant new plays. Read my full BroadwayWorld article here

Posted in Journalism, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment