Happy 95th — Dame Patricia Routledge!

One of the few upsides of digging out after another year of semi-living under an ever-present pandemic cloud is the opportunity to send good wishes for a very happy birthday to the brilliant Dame Katherine Patricia Routledge, who turns 95 today. Given Hyacinth would have been appalled at the possibility that I might forget to drop […]

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Happy 80th, Dame Penelope Keith!

Today is Penelope Keith’s 80th birthday. With a long public television history dating back to the days of Good Neighbors and To the Manor Born to her efforts serving as host for PBS’ The Funny Ladies of British Comedy and More Funny Ladies of British Comedy and right through to her more recent presenting efforts in the numerous […]

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Jeremy Lloyd and the World of ‘Captain Beaky’

Even though the Are You Being Served and ‘Allo ‘Allo co-creator/writer passed away in December of last year, friends, family and colleagues gathered last week at a memorial service to celebrate the life and work of Jeremy Lloyd, share their stories and read poems and stories by the writer including excerpts from The Woodland Gospels […]

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'Death Comes to Pemberley' premieres Oct 26 on PBS' Masterpiece

It’s quite possible that Death Comes to Pemberley just might take your mind off the fact that when it premieres on PBS in the States this Fall, the new season of Downton Abbey will be airing in the UK. Possible, but not likely. Starring Matthew Rhys (The Americans), Anna Maxwell Martin (Bletchley Circle), Trevor Eve […]

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'Death Comes to Pemberley' comes to PBS in October

Another day, another ‘Masterpiece’ on PBS. This time, it’s Death Comes to Pemberley, starring Matthew Rhys (The Americans), Anna Maxwell Martin (Bletchley Circle), Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) and Matthew Goode (The Good Wife). Based on the book by P.D. James, which is a murder mystery continuation of the events of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, […]

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Sir David Suchet heads to the West End as….Lady Bracknell?

The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy of false identities and true love has a brilliant history on stage. Over the years, the iconic role of Lady Bracknell has been played by what seems like a who’s who of British greatness as Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Penelope Keith have all uttered the […]

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'Death Comes to Pemberley' comes to PBS, BBC One

When it comes to BBC, ITV and PBS, when the drama rains come, they pour. Already on the books for 2013-2014 are the know commodities of Downton Abbey 4, Sherlock 3, Call the Midwife 3, Mr Selfridge 2, Bletchley Circle 2, the final five Hercule Poirot mysteries, another George Gently series, more DCI Banks, Scott […]

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