Arts

The Day of the Jackal (Sky Atlantic)

This mega-production by Sky starring Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Logan and Charles Dance inevitably invites comparison with the Frederick Forsyth best-selling novel and the 1973 Fred Zinnermann film with Edward Fox. Frederick Forsyth admitted that he was paid vast amounts of money to do nothing or [...]

December 13, 2024 // 0 Comments

Conclave (2024)

Conclave is the film of the Robert Harris story of a papal election. It’s not the normal stuff of films as it has no action sequences, nor special effects, nor glamorous young stars and the tension lies in the supervision of the election by Cardinal Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes). There are 5 [...]

December 12, 2024 // 0 Comments

Two art books: Rogues and Scholars/Don’t Tell Sybil

Rogues and Scholars, penned by the ex-chairman of Sothebys – James Stourton – is a fairly comprehensive and balanced assessment of the London art market from 1945 to 2000. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the author centres on the two main players – the auction houses Christie’s and [...]

December 11, 2024 // 0 Comments

The Van Morrison Alumni Band (Cadogan Hall Friday 29.11.2024)

Last Friday evening – after contacting a London-based couple we’ve known for a while to enquire whether they’d noticed this advertised concert and were informed they’d already bought tickets for it – the Memsahib and I attended an evening of Van Morrison’s music as performed by THE VAN [...]

December 1, 2024 // 0 Comments

RECENT MODERN FICTION

The Proof of My Innocence (Jonathan Coe) I am a big Jonathan Coe fan and a new book of his is a great event. This differs from previous novels as it is a detective thriller about the murder of a left wing blogger Christopher Swann at a right wing conference hosted by Lord Wetherby. Coe is a [...]

November 20, 2024 // 0 Comments

Second day in Madrid: The Thyssen collection

Yesterday I went to visit the Thysenn collection which makes up a trio of fine museums with the Prado and Reina Sofia. The collection was amassed by the super rich industrialists the Thysssens – father and son. It was offered to London in the 1980s who suggested Canary Wharf whilst Madrid [...]

November 17, 2024 // 0 Comments

London 2014/2124

Ten years ago I made my momentous decision to leave London for the South Coast. I was born in London and regarded myself as a Londoner. My closest friend- alas now passed – opined that I would be back in 2 years if I could afford the housing prices. I can see the attraction and attractions of [...]

November 12, 2024 // 0 Comments

The Rugby weekend

Harlequins have always operated a productive academy and one of the greatest supporter’s joys in any sport is the emergence of youth talent. Thus on Friday night I watched with utmost interest the game on the Premiership Cup – yet another competition – between Quins and Ealing [...]

November 10, 2024 // 0 Comments

FAWLTY TOWERS (THEATRE) – 3 stars out of 5

If under pressure and asked to list a selection of the Top Ten all-time greatest British sit-coms I should imagine that – in no order of excellence – I’d probably be scouting in the territory containing the likes of Steptoe And Son, Porridge, Only Fools And Horses, Till Death Us Do [...]

November 1, 2024 // 0 Comments

The charts 1969

It is often said that our generation was lucky to grow up with the music we did – and it’s true. The other day I happened to have my radio pre-tuned to Boom. When I switched it on, the Australian DJ was playing the charts of late 1969 and I was amazed what good music it was. There were four [...]

October 23, 2024 // 0 Comments

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The Day of the Jackal (Sky Atlantic)

December 13, 2024 // 0 Comments

This mega-production by Sky starring Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Logan and Charles Dance inevitably invites comparison with the Frederick Forsyth best-selling novel and the 1973 [...]
Conclave (2024)

December 12, 2024 // 0 Comments

Conclave is the film of the Robert Harris story of a papal election. It’s not the normal stuff of films as it has no action sequences, nor special effects, nor glamorous [...]
Two art books: Rogues and Scholars/Don’t Tell Sybil

December 11, 2024 // 0 Comments

Rogues and Scholars, penned by the ex-chairman of Sothebys – James Stourton – is a fairly comprehensive and balanced assessment of the London art market from 1945 [...]
The Tanner Report: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

December 9, 2024 // 0 Comments

In a spirited performance Fulham held a superior Arsenal side though from the commentary and coverage on Sky you would not have thought so. After braving the elements, [...]
England win Test series 2-0.

December 8, 2024 // 0 Comments

It may have passed your notice as sporting events and achievements outside the UK are sparsely covered but New Zealand, without Kane Williamson, won their series in India [...]