A Being Human St. Georges Day tribute

Happy St. Georges Day Even though it’s not an official bank holiday (yet) in England and evil things are said to occur on St. George’s Day in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, it’s a time for celebration. Generally observed by nations around the world of which Saint George is the patron saint, 23 April is recognized as […]

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BBC's 2012 Shakespeare Olympiad

A long-time tradition of BBC programming will be ramped up a notch in 2012 as part of the BBC’s contribution to the Cultural Olympiad and Festival. Television adaptations of the works of William Shakespeare have been announced that include both documentaries and plays. BBC viewers will be treated to the likes of Richard II, Henry […]

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Monday Scattershooting – Lark Rise, David Tennant and more…

Lark Rise to Candleford axed After four seasons, the BBC’s popular period drama adaptation of Flora Thompson’s memoirs of her Oxfordshire childhood has come to an end. Set in both the small hamlet of Lark Rise and the neighboring, wealthier town of Candleford, the series starred Julia Sawalha (Absolutely Fabulous), Olivia Hallinan and Linda Bassett. BBC […]

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Scattershooting on a Monday….Downton Abbey, Judi Dench and more

More trolling around the Internets bringing you more tidbits of witty banter to amaze your friends with at parties…. Downton Abbey production begins in February We reported last week that Downton Abbey is set to go into production next month in the UK. Now that the second or four episodes has come and gone on […]

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Frankenstein descends on London's West End

For those in and around the UK in the not-too-distant future whether by residence or on holiday, here’s a definitive ‘must-see’ moment to quickly consider….and, to report back to us on. Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in Frankenstein Look up ‘must-see’ in any dictionary and you’ll read a description of the upcoming production of […]

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Penelope Keith: The English language is in decline

After reading the recent comments of the great Penelope Keith, I feel that it is my obligation to be as brief as humanly possible with respect to today’s post. To be fair, Ms. Keith is referencing modern-day Britain. That said, I still feel it necessary to be brief so as to not add to any […]

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Soon to be Dr. Lenny Henry to you

Lenny Henry’s long and winding road towards a PhD 29  years to be exact. 29 years of comedy by day and Shakespeare by night, with light at the end of the tunnel, as he began to jump start his education at the age of 22. Well-known for his acting talents over the years, whether it […]

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Kenneth Branagh returns as Wallander

PBS’ brilliant Masterpiece series enters its 40th season in a few weeks with a stellar line-up of both familiar faces and newcomers. Sunday, October 3, on PBS stations nationwide will see the return of Kenneth Branagh in the role of police inspector, Kurt Wallander. Based on the novels of Swedish novelist, Henning Mankell, Branagh’s portrayal […]

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Dawn French trades her collar for a night at the opera

Sunday night saw the return of Dawn French to London’s Royal Opera House stage in the role of La Duchesse de Crackentorp in “La Fille de la Regiment“. French, who originally played the part to rave reviews in 2007, doesn’t sing, speaks her lines in English (with French subtitles) yet still, according to early reviews, commands […]

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Don't like Shakespeare? You might after this…

Seemed like an appropriate way to both celebrate St. George’s Day and remember William Shakespeare on the 394th anniversary of his death by throwing out an early alert to everyone to watch or DVR the upcoming Great Performances presentation of Hamlet on PBS and KERA. This Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation, starring David Tennant and Sir Patrick Stewart, […]

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