For the want of a National Insurance Card, a political career is lost. In a real-life tale that features high English political figures and bumbling assassins worthy of a Coen Brothers movie, “A Very British Scandal” tells the story of Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe’s fall from grace after being accused of trying to kill … Continue reading Review: ‘A Very English Scandal’ combines pathos, humor in tale of politics and class
In 1973, when I was 14, I went with my parents to the opening of the Odeon Kingswest in Brighton, a new three-screen cinema. One of the movies, “The Poseidon Adventure,” was getting its British premier and many of the stars were there so the street in front of the cinema was crowded with … Continue reading A disaster movie and the Fab Four
KILGORE — Imagine the chance to see four different professional theatrical productions in four days. Imagine if you got a 30-minute explanation of each production by the play’s director prior to the performance. Now imagine sitting down with the director, cast members and technical directors the morning after the show for a 90-minute talkback over breakfast. … Continue reading TSF’s ‘Bard & Breakfast’ workshop teaches tricks of theatrical trade
KILGORE — It is always a pleasure to stumble across an unexpected gem and the Texas Shakespeare Festival’s “King John” shines brilliantly. When I saw the lineup for this year’s festival I was most excited to see “King John” precisely because I had never seen it, nor even read it. It is an exaggeration to … Continue reading Review: TSF’s ‘King John’ turns ‘minor’ play into major triumph
“As she wheeled her wheelbarrow, through streets wide and narrow Singing, “Cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o.” — "Molly Malone," a traditional Irish folk song BRIGHTON, England — On a recent flying visit to see my parents I just had to make time to indulge one of my guilty pleasures — a nice bowl of cockles … Continue reading Warming the cockles…
April is National Poetry Month. I have enjoyed writing poems since I was a kid, but I tend to get lost in other ventures and don't write as many as I should. Sometimes I will compose something on a car journey based on something I heard on the radio or in a song or from … Continue reading Musing on National Poetry Month
May contain spoilers Ssshhhh… The horror movie genre is the source of some innovative film making lately and, following on the success of “Get Out,” which picked up an Oscar for Jordan Peele’s screenplay, “A Quiet Place” is a taut and clever entry into the field. Directed, co-written (with Scott Beck and Bryan Woods) and … Continue reading Review: ‘A Quiet Place’ is silent surprise
Review: LU theatre's "The Importance of Being Earnest" is terrific entertainment “The Importance of Being Earnest,” is a farce about deception and triviality, but there is nothing deceptive or trivial about Lamar University theatre's latest production. The excellence is in plain view. Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy gets a fresh showing with an ensemble that is … Continue reading Lies, lies … and great fun
NEW YORK — I must begin with a disclaimer. Glenda Jackson is a personal hero of mine. Of course, she is a terrific actor, as her two Academy Awards and countless theatrical honors will testify, but she also spent 23 years in the British Parliament working tirelessly as a Labour MP for a London constituency. … Continue reading Review: Jackson triumphs in ‘Three Tall Women’
The Beaumont Friends of the Library held their annual 10-cent Book Sale this past weekend. The basement was crammed with 5,000 to 10,000 books (plus some records, DVDs and CDs) for the ridiculously low price of 10 cents each. For even the casual bibliophile, it is an opportunity too hard to pass up. But what … Continue reading So many books, so little time
