• Shetland Series by Ann Cleeves
  I decided it was time to read the Shetland books - especially as the last one is due out this year. I really loved the TV adaptation (having not read the books) and the only minor quibble I have now is that Doug Henshall* does not really fit the description of the Spanish heritage of Perez - but that is all. (O - and I thought Sandy was a chubby sort of guy - but I made that up I think).
  As I thought that Fran had died prematurely of natural causes, Blue Lightning came as a bit of a shock. Other than that - brilliant.
  
  * Also brilliant in his role in Network - although maybe a bit young (looking at least) for the role of Max Schumacher?


• The Last Secret Of The Temple by Paul Sussman
  I could not get hold of an audio book for this first book by Sussman so it took me a little longer to get round to reading it myself. Here we see how the two policemen on each side of the fence get together to solve their first crime. As I said - his thriller writing improved over the 3 books - not being a writer I can't really say how or why. However, you can see that the opportunity for these two to be long term partners in combating crime were going to be limited - and the author ensured that was indeed the case in the third book, before his own untimely demise. Well worth the read.
  

Posted by Christina at 5:53 pm | Category: Art and Culture, Books of the Month | Permalink

Little did I imagine in 1972 that I would be doing this in Grayshott Village some half a century later..... as I'm guessing Colin didn't either....
Great evening!

Posted by Christina at 11:14 pm | Category: Art and Culture | Permalink

I am quite interested in revivals from this period, so I took the opportunity of getting some tickets for a preview evening. Controversial in 1951 - but that was a lifetime ago (mine in fact) and I loved it. Beautifully staged and acted, showing both interior (on two levels) and exterior action all within the one brilliant set.
I did find it quite difficult to hear from my seat in the slips; since it's set in a club in Soho and there's a lot spirited party atmosphere, I found that following the sparky dialogue proved tricky, especially at the beginning. I'm afraid I think this is my hearing rather than the play though.

Posted by Christina at 9:21 am | Category: Art and Culture, Days Out | Permalink

Another pensioners afternoon out at our local village hall.
This is an excellent film worth all the notices. Considering the grim subject matter, the film surprised me with its moderately positive ending - and a lot of (albeit black) humour.

Posted by Christina at 11:27 am | Category: Art and Culture, Days Out | Permalink

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, Link

I had pretty low expectations for this - and how wrong I was. It was absolutely wonderful - great music and cast - and turns out it's a cult hit. It's a tragicomic musical based on Victor Hugo's novel L'Homme Qui Ri; premiered at the Bristol Old Vic before transferring to the Trafalgar Studios, (a venue I'm becoming quite fond of), where it's into an extended run.

Posted by Christina at 9:22 am | Category: Art and Culture, Days Out | Permalink