Inspired by the letters of Charlotte Brontë, The Moors is a claustrophobic tale performed in the round at the intimate Hope Theatre. The venue is petite and oppressive, perfect for the tense confinement the play wants us to feel. Although the Moors are outside, the desolation they invoke encroach into every scene.

The young governess Emilie (played by the excellent Meredith Lewis) has just arrived, to find her new employers just as desolate as the bleak landscape. Agatha is in charge (Imogen Mackenzie enjoying her Gothic Nurse Ratched role), but her sister, Huldey, is the counterpoint. Huldey produces light where there is darkness, innocent joy where there is gloom, wearing hearty pink to Agatha’s ominous black. Kenia Fenton’s lightness as Huldey is heart-warming to watch.

Kenia Fenton as Huldey

For me, it’s Tamara Fairbairn who pitches her performance to the mood of the play – both quirky and menacing. Is she Marjory or Margaret? We never quite know. Which is how it should be.

Tamara Fairbairn as Marjory/Margaret

The subplot of the mastiff dog and the moorhen leaves me cold. Is it necessary? I don’t think so – others may disagree. Peter Hadfield and Matilda Childs do what they can with the bizarre scenes they are given – an intertwining parable that is a little too obvious as it crawls to its inevitable conclusion.

Hudley, Emile, Agatha and Margaret/Marjory

And therein lies what I think is a problem with the structure of the play. It is so full of threat and menace that, at two hours, we become numb to it. The constant ‘scary’ soundtrack, cleverly designed by Julian Starr, does its best to create the eerie atmosphere. But there is not enough action or comedy to truly relax us so that the shocks hit home. Too much is on the same level. Phil Bartlett’s direction attempts to keep some movement and flow, but I think it’s an issue with the heart of the play: trying too hard to scare and unnerve… perhaps more light and shade would help, as there is a creepy evening’s entertainment here which is desperate to get out and chill us!

Photography Steve Gregson

Poster Designer Matt Smith

Director Phil Bartlett

Producer Ella Dale

Designer Sophia Pardon

Music Daniel Kluger

Sound Julian Starr

Performances until Saturday 5th November 2022

Shows at 7.45pm

Length 2 hours, plus an interval

Tickets www.thehopetheatre.com

Prices £16 (£13 concessions)

Location The Hope Theatre, Hope & Anchor, 207 Upper Street,

Islington, London N1 1RL

Instagram @thehopetheatre

Twitter @TheHopeTheatre

Facebook /thehopetheatre

At the beginning of Sept I attended Wellbeing by the Lakes Festival & had such a wonderfully uplifting day. We listened to fascinating talks, practiced mindful movement, picnic’d by the lake & met some inspiring souls.

This is where I met Shelly, co-founder of Moonma. We chatted whilst my friend & I browsed the rails of beautiful quality, Eco-friendly t-shirts emblazoned with uplifting messages, reminders of positivity & mindfulness. One mantra caught my eye: ‘And still I rise.’

Several days later ‘And still I rise’ was still in my heart & mind. It is a mantra that really resonates with me so I reached out to Shelly to discover more about Moonma.

Moonma is the co-creation of mother-daughter team, Jackie & Shelly. Jackie’s spiritual journey started over 2 decades ago in the wake of life knocking her down time & again as it is often the case. But Jackie’s kindness & love, drive & determination & her spiritual practices got her through.

Shelly had a spiritual upbringing, growing up with yoga, meditation, mindfulness very much part of her life thanks to her mum’s magical influence. They both swim in the sea at the full moon & practice moon meditations. Hence, Jackie’s nickname: Moonma.

Jackie & Shelly wished to create something that would empower others to be present & connected. They felt strongly for the power of words & embodying the essence of these words: and Moonma was born. A delicious array of clothing & gifts decorated with inspiring & intentional mantras guiding you to feel good inside & out.

Wearing the mantra you want to reflect that particular day, is like setting an intention for the day & a gentle reminder, whenever you catch a glimpse of the message, to turn inwards for a moment & connect to the essence of those words.

It was wonderful chatting to this inspiring mother daughter team. I joked with them that there was no way I could work with my mum but they are obviously a close family & working together was a natural progression.

I told them how inspired I had been by the mantra ‘And still I rise’, how it really sang to me. They told me they had created a beanie with it on further to my suggestion & that they had expanded the range to include other products bearing these words – I can’t wait to see them & get my order in! They also said the inspiration for this t-shirt was May Angelou’s fabulous poem And Still I Rise.

But there comes a point when words can no longer do the product justice, a picture says a thousand words so why don’t you check out it out for yourself, There’s new product coming very soon! Find out more: https://www.moonma.co.uk/

If you would like more information on how to practice mindfulness, meditation & yoga message Alex Bannard  at alex(at)alexbannard(dot)com.

For free resources check out her Facebook group: Mindfulness & Yoga for Self-Care, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MindfulnessYoga4Relationships

Alternatively please check out her website: alexbannard.com

Last week saw the team at Columbia Community Association with rooms to sort,  furniture to move back, even the kettle and fridge, which will leave the office and return to the kitchen. ‘Further to walk’ whispered Marion to Frost Magazine. ‘However, as we are delivering a Warm Spaces programme, we need to ensure our visitors are comfortable and well catered for so back to the kitchen they went.

The team were really delighted to receive the most generous donation from Beverlea Jayne Mitchell who together with her friends and family rallied round to support the Warm Spaces project with tea, coffee and biscuits. Frost Magazine knows how essential the community is to the well being of an area, and it seems, every week, the kindness of this  community, of which the CCA is the centre,  knows no bounds. Margaret Graham’s mother, Annie Newsome would be so delighted to see all this and who knows, perhaps she can, sitting up there on her cloud.

Red Shoes Bob without his shoes – No, Margaret didn’t nick ’em,she has her own Red Shoes

 Bob – he with the two pairs of red shoes – just saying –  mounted the Smart Television on the newly plastered  dried out wall, while  Pauline the treasurer returned from what seemed to Marion to be her 100^th holiday this year (meow Marion – Frost will tell Pauline you said that, so very there) and organised the licence. Davey from Equan is arranging an aerial and frankly the team really don’t know what they would do without such fabulous people.

It seems external refurbishment is not going to plan, so it’s back to the drawing board but Marion – ever the optimist – is sure everything will get sorted quickly. ‘Does anything ever go to plan? ‘ she asked Frost.  

‘Not in my world,‘ muttered Margaret before smiling and fibbing. ‘Of course it does..’

Of course, the various classes continue unabated and yet another email room hire request for Roadshow type events. How exciting. Like Topsy, it is growing.

‘Should we apply for a building extension?’ mused Marion. ‘Should I  put this on the agenda for our next meeting?‘ Margaret suggested not, unless she wants to be run out of town. 

Just look at the above – yes – Teddy Bears were made at  Cultural Creations so how about a Teddy Bears picnic sometime soon? Is Margaret to be run out of town now?

Lee from Faltec  started a new project this week, clearing out more business units  and he let Marion know he will keep an eye out for yet another tele. The lovely Justin and Alan, the comedy duo, came back  to do some plastering and kept everyone entertained. Marion even saw them shaking their boogies to the music from the exercise class and Marion still thinks they should have taken a video and watched it go viral on the internet. The biscuit tin was,of course, replenished for their coffee break(s) 

Brian Mason and Wayne called to see what was required in way of name plates for the doors, ‘They loved the names we choose,‘ Marion told us, ‘And we reminisced about days gone by and how fabulous it is to bring our childhood memories of growing up in Brady Square back to life.’

Ever eager to keep up with the times, the CCA had arranged for someone to look at the possibility of solar panels. More on this later. Stu the Boss from Equan has promised to pop in to discuss what else they can do help the internal refurb along. (Marion AKA Polly P to her friends) has lists, but what’s on them is hush hush. Frost fears the worst! Lee the joiner, placed an order last week for materials to make a slight alteration (Arch) in one of the communal rooms which will make a vast improvement to the appearance. The materials are not a problem, manpower is the issue, but Marion is confident they will find a way, because they always do, ‘That’s what makes them special.’

Liam, now aged 6 having a grand time at his party – Happy Birthday Hip Hip Hooray

This weekend is jam-packed, Early Birds bring the Diddi Dancers, followed by a succession of birthday parties, Bouncy Castles and Discos. MBC are in creating amazing ceramics and not forgetting Sunday’s Wargamers.

There are not enough days in the week for the team to get through everything but they are loving the progress, it may be slow but it’s positive.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

Frost loves to feature ARRAN Sense Of Scotland. A family company based off the beautiful and wild Scottish Isle of Arran, ARRAN Sense Of Scotland’s mission statement is ‘to help the world connect with nature’ and their amazing range of pure and natural beauty and home products are a great way to do just that.

So I was thrilled to discover they have a brand new Christmas collection of candles.

The company love to link their high quality products with their heritage, and Coorie is a Scottish word meaning to snuggle or cuddle, similar to the Scandinavian concept of Hygge. It’s about embracing the outdoors and balancing life out with small pleasures – something which more and more of us are recognising as important, together with good health and closeness of family and friends. Coorie fragrance is citrus with warm undertones of amber and smoked wood – are you picturing the remote Scottish cottage with the log fire? Yes, me too.

And whilst we’re snuggling up in our island cottage, how about two more scents – Hot Toddy (nutmeg, patchouli, vanilla and frankincense) or Mandarin and Petitgrain (orange, mandarin, cinnamon and thyme)?

At £25 each for a beautifully presented and boxed 30cl candle (burning time approximately 35 hours) these make a luxurious gift for to make that special person feel appreciated. But it’s not just candles – ARRAN Sense Of Scotland – check out this link for a whole range of fabulous products.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

This week Joffe is delighted to bring us all one of the most eagerly anticipated crime mysteries of the year from two-million-selling author Joy Ellis — SOLACE HOUSE is out now for the special launch price of just £0.99 | $0.99.

Holly Stewart moved into Solace House wanting a fresh start for her and her family.  The property was cheap because a tragic murder had taken place there, but she didn’t know its full ghastly history. Now, her husband’s lost his job, the children are bullied at school, and someone’s prowling around the garden at night. Someone who wants them gone . . .   Detectives Jackman and Evans find themselves torn between helping people in the present and solving crimes of the past.

The Lost Brother by Gretta Mulrooney 99p/99c

A brand-new mystery featuring detective Tyrone Swift from bestselling author Gretta Mulrooney.  You stare hard at the man in the photo, you’re sure that’s your brother. But he’s been dead for years . . . hasn’t he?

The Missing Pets Mystery by Rachel Ward 99p/99c

A quirky murder mystery set in a sleepy Somerset town which I so enjoyed, not just becauase I enjoy quirky but because i lived in Somerset for quite a while, and was no tonly Patron of the Arts Centre, but instrumental is setting up the Yeovil Literary Prize.Which just goes to prove I am a shocking busybody! 

All is not well in the little town of Kingsleigh. Three cats have gone missing in a week. One or two could be coincidence, but three is a pattern. Bea Jordan knows her till at Costsave is the best place to hear any leads on the missing pets.   But her enquiries unearth a much bigger story . . .

The Fatherland Files by Volker Kutsher £2.99/$4.99

One of my absolutel favourite authors, and series. DISCOVER THE MILLION-SELLING MYSTERY SERIES THAT INSPIRED THE HIT TV SHOW BABYLON BERLIN.

“This is a first-rate historical thriller and Gereon Rath is one of the most intriguing detectives in fiction.” NB Magazine

“Conjures up the dangerous decadence of the Weimar years.” The Sunday Times

We move on now, to some sad news.

ELIZABETH GUNN, respected author of eighteen mystery novels, passed away on 30 August 2022 aged ninety-five. Born Elizabeth Anne McConnell in Chatfield, MN, on 10 June 1927, she met and married Phil Gunn one summer in Yellowstone National Park. Together they owned and ran motels in Helena, MT, for more than twenty-five years, and raised two daughters. During her years in Montana, Liz earned her pilot’s licence and flew herself and Phil across the US. Eventually she and Phil sold the motels and travelled through Mexico, the Caribbean, and the US, scuba diving and snorkelling. They moved to Barcelona, Spain, for a year and Liz finished her bachelor’s degree, receiving her diploma from the University of Minnesota aged sixty-five.

During those years Elizabeth realized her lifelong dream of becoming an author. Her first murder mystery was published when she was seventy. Her last two novels were published when she was in her nineties and one of her series, the Detective Sarah Burke Mysteries, was reissued by Joffe Books in 2021. For Elizabeth, the highest praise came from the cops, firefighters, and even FBI and DEA agents who would come up to her and say, simply, “You got it right.”

She is survived by her daughters, Susan Gunn of Helena, and Anne Gunn (Mark Rapf) of Sheridan, WY, and three grandchildren, Elizabeth Rapf, Rebecca Rapf, and Leslie Gunn. She will long be missed by family and friends but remembered by readers who will enjoy her novels for years to come.  Sail on, Liz.

Now, to lift our spirits:

Joffe Books Associate Commissioning Editor Steph Carey has signed six absolutely unputdownable crime thrillers from C.J. Grayson! 

C. J. GRAYSON lives in Darlington, North East of England, with his wife, Becky, and his three sons.  Joffe Books Associate Commissioning Editor Steph Carey acquired C.J.’s Darlington-based crime thriller series featuring detectives Max Byrd and Orion Tanzy and his new series, featuring detective April Fisher, which is set in Manchester.

C.J. Grayson says:  “I’m not only excited but overwhelmed to be publishing with Joffe Books. Joining their passionate, knowledgeable team who are continually publishing high-quality fiction, along with their fantastic collection of successful authors, I can’t wait to see what the future holds! It’s safe to say I’m in very capable hands.”

Steph Carey says:   “C.J. Grayson has not one but two incredible series — both fantastically dark and gritty — and I know our readers will love the gripping, twisty plots and richly drawn characters in his crime thrillers. I’m so pleased to have him on board!”

And there we have it for another week, but go onto Joffe Books to read all they have on offer.

Steiner Hall has recently been beautifully refurbished and re-launched as Marylebone Theatre, situated near Marylebone railway station and Baker Street tube station.

The inaugural production – an in-house company with a cast of sixteen – pulls no punches in today’s political climate. Peter Oswald’s Dmitry is a heavyweight play, full of juicy speeches and guttural anger. It is based on the German playwright Friedrich Schiller’s unfinished work Demetrius from 1805.

Tom Byrne as Dmitry

Set in 1605, the ruthless tsar Boris Gudonov, former chief of Ivan the Terrible’s secret police, rules Russia through fear and oppression. Meanwhile, in Poland, a young man called Dmitry appears, claiming to be the missing son of Ivan the Terrible and therefore the rightful heir and tsar of Russia. Fuelled by their fear of Russian aggression, the Polish army take up Dmitry’s cause and march on the Kremlin to capture the throne.

If all this sounds like the plot of a Shakespearean history play – you wouldn’t be far wrong. The characters thrust themselves around the stage with gusto, shouting at and threatening each other, with an earnestness and energy that is quite exhausting! There is little shading in this long play – everything is either very contemplative or very forceful, either quiet or loud.

Clifford Samuel as Petushok

Within this intense framework, it can be difficult for the actors to appear as well-rounded characters, especially as there are quite a few accents bouncing around the stage. Tom Byrne’s Dmitry somehow doesn’t appear to be as regal as he claims to be (he slouches like a teenager too often for me!). Clifford Samuel’s focussed Petushok is a calming presence. Poppy Miller’s Tsarina, Maria (Dmitry’s mother), has a believable intensity that creates some of the few genuine tender moments amidst the barrage of noise and action.

Poppy Miller as Maria with Fyodor

Tim Supple’s direction is spot on, allowing the play’s ultimate climax to unfold at breakneck speed – although one wonders how long this production would last if the actors didn’t attack their lines with such pace!

Dmitry is a juicy play – a classic tragedy lacking in Shakespearean nuances, but palatable and prescient nonetheless. One can’t help but watch and wonder how much of this is actually happening now within the corridors of the Kremlin…

Paul Vates.

Photography Ellie Kurtz

Director Tim Supple

Writer Peter Oswald

Performances until Saturday 5th November at 7.30pm

Location Marylebone Theatre, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT

Tickets From £25, available from www.marylebonetheatre.com

Running time 2 hours 40 minutes inc interval

Facebook @MaryleboneTheatre

Twitter @MaryleboneTHLDN

Instagram @marylebonetheatre

This morning I was talking to a Ukrainian and a few days ago to Frost Magazine’s medical correspondent, Dr Kathleen Thompson,  who is not only an award winning author with From Both Ends of the Stethoscope, but a prize winning ballroom dancer. She was telling me how delighted she was with a dance dress she had ordered from Ukraine very recently. It was not only a perfect fit, but beautifully made, and arrived on the day they had promised. All this in spite of all the difficulties Ukraine is enduring.

So Frost Magazine was delighted to view the stunning LITKOVSKA collection, especially at this heartbreaking but inspiring time.

The latest collection by LITKOVSKA,  entitled «Vesnianka» as a tribute to traditional Ukrainian spring-greeting songs, and  explores the beauty of life and its stages, linking coming-of-age not only to one’s own individual development, but to cultures and nations as a whole. Honouring the solar year,

Traditional Ukrainian culture, I understand, celebrates every phase of nature’s cycle, associating spring – and its «Vesnianka» hymns – with rebirth. For LITKOVSKA, «Vesnianka» is a visual tale about hopes for tomorrow, and fears and choices to be made: a documented metaphorical transition, the collection praises a fearless step towards the new dawn, the new spring, a new world.

Who can’t empathise with this and so much of all of the above is there, in the collection.

Ukraine is facing a fundamental change – and while initiation is often dreadful and gruesome, it invariably leads to a hopeful tomorrow.

The brand’s founder Lilia Litkovska sees Ukraine as an unquenchable source of inspiration: a young nation going through its adolescence and fighting for its freedom. Hurrah to that. 

The designer’s homeland is still in its «Spring» years, which became a core of the collection’s concept. Since the beginning of the invasion, Lilia Litkovska has been committed to helping her country financially and artistically, raising awareness about the struggles of the war, creating charitable projects and championing the work of her fellow Ukrainian designers. For the SS’23 collection, the designer also aimed to combine couture with a bold statement. Several pieces are decorated with an embroidery of a heartbreaking poem called «A Prayer of a Ukrainian Patriot», which was initially written by a political dissident in his blood on the walls of his cell in 1930-s.

In terms of visual aesthetics, LITKOVSKA stays true to its refined, arts-inspired chic – an intersection between sophisticated tailoring and daily comfort filled with allusions to traditional Ukrainian costume. The neutral colour palette ranges from innocent raw linen to strict and bold black pieces – a subtle way to accentuate the diversity of choices youth brings. Weightless fringed dresses and crocheted accessories sit alongside tailored masculine suits and intricate gowns. SS’23 LITKOVSKA styles are unified in their difference: ceremonial and down-to-earth, androgynous and feminine, bountied with pitch-perfect lines and charmingly chaotic silhouettes, they embody youthful energy in a humble, intimate way.

An absolutele triumph of heartfelt imagination and original design. Bravo..

From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson

We all know that the Columbia Community Association is not just a pretty face, but its involvement in community fundraising, and support for the community is ongoing and second to none, and inspirational.

The CCA application to host “Warm Spaces” has been successful and they will be able to open their doors and offer their facilities for those in need over the Autumn and Winter months. Phil from Di’s Diner has typically  agreed to come on board and make fresh soup and buns on a daily basis. ‘How can we ever thank Di’s Diner – but heavens, we do,’ say the team.

Marion, Kam and Dianne

Kam from the Polish Centre dropped in to collect the cheque for £250 from money raised from the Hamper raffle in aid of Ukrainian support, which in some areas seems to have fallen by the wayside. Not in Columbia though and it is aid very much neededand. And the CCA list goes on:. 

The joint CCA with Woodridge Gardens held a MacMillan Coffee morning on the 30^th September which raised the magnificent  total of £200 for Cancer Support. Imran from Crave for Desserts donated cakes for us to sell.  Here is a sample to wet the appetite and make you forget all about those pesky things called calories.                           

Deb and Linda baked fabulous cakes, and  Sister Mary  accepted the team’s  invitation to join us ( In Marion’s words ‘I adore having her here, she an Earth Angel and very special to us all) she will be delighted at all the 40 hats people have knitted for her beloved Seafarers.   

Frost Magazine team are busy knitting in between work, and have moved on from beige to green. They are not perfect, oh dear me no, but warm and we are trying not to drop too many stitches and get the tricky sewing up of the brim ticketty boo. 

How do the Columbia Community Association do all that they do? How does the community do all that it does? But they all do, and what’s more,  we all know the CCA  will keep on being the heart of the community, come what may.  

And as an addendum to Marion Taylor, please note that Margaret Graham now has red shoes too, it’s not just Bob, who by the way, has 2 pairs. OK yeah yeah, I agree, you told me they were on Amazon. So you win, but I win a little too.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square