As the comedy play The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel embarks on a UK stage tour, I’m very pleased to publish this interview with its author, Deborah Moggach. The play is based on her 2004 novel, These Foolish Things,which inspired the acclaimed 2011 film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, starring Judi Dench and Bill Nighy. With … Continue reading
Alwyn Mellor gives rare performance in Wales
Acclaimed former Welsh National Opera singer Alwyn Mellor is giving a rare performance in Wales in aid of a local charity, close to her heart. The show, Something Wonderful!, will include well known songs from film and stage by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and other greats, with soprano Alwyn accompanied by Michael Pollock on piano. … Continue reading
Rocky Horror at 50: Richard O’Brien on life, laughs, and singing
As The Rocky Horror Show reaches its half century, with a UK tour in 2023, we’re pleased to publish this interview with its creator Richard O’Brien. What was your inspiration behind The Rocky Horror Show? Someone asked me to entertain the Christmas staff party at the EMI Film Studios and so I wrote a song … Continue reading
It’s raining sharks – the joyfully bonkers world of Sharknado
What could be more terrifying than combining extreme weather and a shark attack? That’s why those wonderful people at The Asylum and SyFy Films gave us the Sharknado movies – a gloriously outrageous series of horror-sci-fi-comedies, directed by Anthony C. Ferrante. The six Sharknado films have become modern cult classics. From their outrageous premises to … Continue reading
“Tomorrow they’ll hang the man they say killed my sister”
My old friend Chris Marshall [not as old as me] has written his first novel – a pirate adventure aimed at young adults. Shadow of a Pirate, written under his pen name Kit Swift, has received great reviews and was even shortlisted for the Firefly Fiction Competition Wales 2022. Not bad for a first attempt! … Continue reading
How old is Batman?
How old is the Batman? It’s a question Helen Armitage tackles in this piece on ScreenRant, concluding that – in the comic books – he ranges from his 20s to mid-50s. But how about on screen? I was prompted to ask this after seeing The Batman (2022) at the cinema in the summer [of 2022] … Continue reading
An Inspector Calls – and we have some questions
The award-winning Stephen Daldry production of the J.B. Priestley classic An Inspector Calls is touring the UK again. In this interview, cast members George Rowlands and Evlyne Oyedokun discuss acting, touring, and what makes this 75-year-old school-text staple, and 30-year-old production still so relevant today. Continue reading
Flat-footed running leads to a high school art project
When I joined a flat-foot support group on Facebook to ask advice on running shoes, I never imagined it would lead to the inpiration for a high school art project 3,000 miles away. It sounds unlikely, I know, but that’s how the project Destination: A Journey Through Time and Space for grades 11-12 in the … Continue reading
Textile artist Karen wins Pride commission
I’ve been lucky enought to know some very talented and creative people over the years. One I actually had the pleasure of working with (in fact she was my boss) is textile artist and educator, Karen O’Shea. Karen’s latest achievement is winning a commission from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Cardiff & Vale … Continue reading
Swansea Jazz Festival is back on the waterfront
The much-missed Swansea International Jazz Festival is back this summer. The city’s celebration of jazz has had two years off because of the pandemic, and had already switched to a more low-key autumn event because of budget uncertainties in 2019. But now, thanks to a partnership between the city council and Swansea Jazz Club, it’s … Continue reading