You’re never too old for adventure: interview with ‘Marigold Hotel’ author Deborah Moggach
Film / Theatre / Writing

You’re never too old for adventure: interview with ‘Marigold Hotel’ author Deborah Moggach

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

Rocky Horror at 50: Richard O’Brien on life, laughs, and singing
Film / Music / Rock / Songwriting / Theatre / Writing

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

Crucible of the Vampire – now hear the horror
Film / Horror / Writing

Crucible of the Vampire – now hear the horror

British independent film company Ghost Dog Films, who have already branched into graphic novels and video games, have now produced a first ebook and audiobook. It’s based on Ghost Dog’s 2019 film Crucible of the Vampire, which also spawned the excellent graphic novel, which I featured previously. The story – set in a spooky old … Continue reading

Best gigs, playing on a no 1 hit, and those suits – catching up with Anthony Strong
Jazz / Music / Pop / Songwriting / Writing

Best gigs, playing on a no 1 hit, and those suits – catching up with Anthony Strong

I first came across super-talented jazz singer and pianist Anthony Strong at the 2013 Brecon Jazz Festival. I loved the performance, describing it as “as sharp as his suit”, and since then we’ve kept in touch on social media. If you’re not familiar with Anthony’s work, you can check his website here. But I wanted … Continue reading

Short films project finds success in competitions
Comedy / Film / Horror / Music / Romance / Science fiction / Writing

Short films project finds success in competitions

A series of short screenplays, known as The Annalium Project (featured in this blog earlier this year), has been finding success in international competitions.  The project’s creator (my pal) Robert Lancey had been hoping to have started filming the first film ‘Sssss’ by now, but the continuing COVID-19 pandemic has kept that on hold until … Continue reading

‘Visions of Beulah’ – short film explores reality and meaning
Film / Writing

‘Visions of Beulah’ – short film explores reality and meaning

When artist Mari reveals to her PhD student boyfriend that she can hear his thoughts, he decides he must think in images to maintain balance. As he opens himself up to imagination and memory, his world loses its characteristic rationale. That’s the intriguing premise of the forthcoming short film by Thomas Riordan, Visions of Beulah. Continue reading