The Mousetrap at Chichester Festival Theatre: Review

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Vicky Edwards

The Mousetrap on Tour
Chichester Festival Theatre
Until 28 November
www.cft.org.uk

Photograph by Liza Maria Dawson

It is almost inconceivable that after 63 years there is anyone who hasn’t seen the world’s longest running play, and yet the Festival Theatre was full of wannabe sleuths last night.

Opening with an eerie whistling of the nursery rhyme Three Blind Mice, the killer doesn’t faff about – the first murder of the night takes place almost before the house lights have gone out.

Cut to Monkswell Manor, a guest house being run by a young couple whose enthusiasm is offset by their complete inexperience of running such a business.

As the snow falls and guests arrive at Monkswell, swiftly becoming stranded there by the wintery deluge, it becomes clear that among their number is someone with murder in mind – but who?

The mistress of suspense, Christie’s script certainly cranks up the tension beautifully. Everyone could be linked to the murderer and could therefore be a target. Menace and anticipation transcend the stage and the audience, as a man, quivers with anticipation.

There are a few laughs to relieve the apprehension, mainly born of Christie’s superb observations of character and human nature, but in the main the evening is more inclined to baited breath than belly laughs.

A bit more ham than cheese in places (some of the cast are guilty as charged when it comes to occasional overacting), the intrigue and enticement to find out who the killer is makes forgiveness of such over-the-top moments easy to grant.

Particularly strong performances come from Anne Kavanagh as the magnificent battle-axe Mrs Boyle, and also Luke Jenkins as a suitably authoritative Sgt. Trotter. Edward Elgood also convinces as the immature and borderline-bonkers Christopher Wren, who could just as easily wield a machete as he could a feather duster.

Is The Mousetrap dated? Truthfully, yes. But it is also a British classic; a splendid piece of ripe Stilton that should be embraced and enjoyed absolutely in its original form.

As to whodunit…

Ah, but that would be telling!

A Day in the Life – Martin Etheridge

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Margaret Graham

In September 1982, my life changed. I was in the Royal Artillery on a small arms exercise. The vehicle I was in veered off the road and went down a ravine. Five of my mates were killed outright and the driver broke his neck. I was 20 years six months at the time; the first I knew of my accident was when I came out of coma on my 21st birthday. A lot of my family had gathered at my bedside and that’s what brought me round. The guys in the beds round me had come back from the Falklands (but I didn’t even know it had all kicked off!)

The injuries I sustained have proved a major limitation to my mobility (I use crutches and a tricycle to get about) and to my speech; I make myself understood, but long conversations prove difficult, However, you can’t ignore me (I rather overdo the volume to compensate for a lack of clarity in my speech!) WHAT, YOU DIDN’T HEAR THAT?

Although verbal communication is a challenge, I have always had a bit of a talent with words – I used to act (with Graeae) and sing (before the accident). In recent years, I have got into writing and have recently completed my first novel, which has just been published.

The book features the tale of a street cleaner who overcomes adversity – drawing on some of my own experience, although his period of “rehab” was a lot shorter than mine. The book is aimed at young adults and upwards.

Although my mobility has been severely limited, I pride myself on my independence, and get out and about round my local community in Isleworth and Twickenham, as well as taking overseas holidays under my own steam. I don’t usually read my book when cycling, but nevertheless the local drivers steer well clear…:

I’m always working on my general fitness. It’s not like army training now, but I’m a regular at the local swimming pool (Pools on the Park in Richmond). The staff are always on hand to support me:

Although my first book is only just out, I’ve already written a sequel (“Malcolm’s Mediterranean Misadventure”) and hope to keep developing as a writer. I’m doing some local book signings to support the sales of my first book, even though writing with a pen is difficult for me and I often slip back into using the typewriter that my uncle gave me when I was recovering in hospital.

What a Load of Rubbish by Martin Etheridge (published by Clink Street Publishing 29th September 2015) is available to purchase from online retailers including Amazon.co.uk and to be ordered from all good bookstores.

Christmas Gift List For The Book Lover

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Frostie

Frost: That Was The Life That Was. The Authorised Biography by Neil Hegarty. The authorised biography which has been written with the help of the Frost family. A true insider look of the life of a man who was part of history. Riveting. Frost: That Was The Life That Was: The Authorised Biography is available here.

David Downton: Portraits of The World’s Most Stylish Women. A beautiful and stylish book. Featuring a host of gorgeous women from Cate Blanchette to Dita Von Teese. The portraits are as gorgeous as the women. David Downton: Portraits of the World’s Most Stylish Women is available here.

The Who. The Official History With Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey. The official history of The Who with two of The Who. Excellent stuff. The Who: The Official History is available here.

Nora Roberts Shadow Spell. Book two of the cousins O’Dwyer trilogy. A great fiction novel for a loved one to get into on boxing day. Shadow Spell: 2 (The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy) is available here.

Nick Middleton. An Atlas of Countries That Don’t Exist. A compendium of fifty unregonised and largely unnoticed states. This is a brilliant and well designed book. Perfect for the coffee table and as dinner party fodder. Genius idea. An Atlas of Countries That Don’t Exist: A compendium of fifty unrecognised and largely unnoticed states is available here.

Daniel James Cole and Nancy Deihl. The History of Modern Fashion. A gorgeous book for the fashionista in your life. In-depth and knowledgable without being boring. The History of Modern Fashion is available here.

Henry Carroll. Read This if You Want To Take Great Photographs of People. Essential and entertaining. Carroll really knows his stuff. Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs of People is available here.

The Mindfulness Colouring Diary. An adult colouring book AND a diary. Keeping you calm and organised: brilliant. The Mindfulness Colouring Diary: An illustrated diary of anti-stress colouring is available here.

Jason Brooks. London Postcards.Contains 20 detachable postcards from the stunning work of Jason Brooks’ from his London sketchbook. London Postcards is available here.

Peter Duggan’s Artoons. Over one hundred funny cartoons on the world of art. As entertaining as it is original. This is a perfect present. Peter Duggan’s Artoons is available here.

Mortlach Whisky Sponsors Private Viewing Of The Cycle Revolution Exhibition At The Design Museum

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Tuesday 17th November 2015 saw Mortlach whisky take pride of place at the private viewing of the Design Museum’s newest exhibition, CYCLE REVOLUTION, an exhibition which celebrates the diversity of contemporary cycling in Britain, from everyday commuting to Olympic level competition, and looks at where design and innovation may take the riders of the future.

The exhibition runs from 18th November 2015 through to 30th June 2016 at London’s world leading Design Museum, celebrating the diversity of contemporary cycling in Britain from every day commuting to Olympic level competition, looking at where design and innovation may take the riders of the future.

The exhibition looks at cycling subcultures through four ‘tribes’ –

the High Performers who reach Olympic speeds…

the Thrill Seekers who take on all terrains…

the Urban Riders who pedal our cities mile by mile…

and the Cargo Bikers who work on two wheels.

The private viewing event was attended by over 300 guests, who were invited to try a choice of two Mortlach Rare Old serves.

Mortlach, the luxury single malt Scotch whisky is notorious for its powerful, complex and unique flavours that have earned it the title of ‘The Beast of Dufftown’.

The private viewing was opened by Deyan Sudjic OBE – Director of The Design Museum

Frost Magazine correspondent Corinne Tuddenham-Trett with Georgina Bell and Sir Terence Conran

Mr and Mrs James Giles

The Design Museum’s passion for celebration innovative design concepts and individuals reflects Mortlach’s own design-focused approach and echoes the whisky’s history of innovation from its birth in the golden era of Victorian industrial engineering and design.

Guests enjoyed two Mortlach cocktails:

Acciona: Mortlach Rare Old, Lillet Blanc, Merlet Lune d’Apricot gomme, Regan’s orange bitters

Mortlach Rosemary and Honey Sour: Mortlach Rare Old, Manuka honey, fresh rosemary, lemon and barrel-aged bitters

Edward Taylor, Georgina Bell and William Butler-Adams OBE (CEO Brompton Bicycle)

Georgina Bell (Brand Ambassador for Mortlach Whisky), Andrew Ritchie MBE (Inventor of the Brompton folding bicycle) and Beatrix Ong MBE (Fashion Designer and Patron of the Design Museum)

About Mortlach Scotch Whisky…

This unique and astonishingly complicated distillation process, which commentators have attempted to explain as ‘2.81 distilled’, produces a whisky so flavoursome that whisky commentators have referred to it as the ‘Beast of Dufftown’ – a bold, rich and powerful spirit tamed for years in the finest oak casks.

Mortlach has been considered a secret weapon amongst whisky blenders, going into some of the world’s most treasured and beloved blended whiskies. With its thick, rich, robust character the whisky provides backbone, body and character in the blending world. It’s also highly prized by whisky lovers across the world – highly sought out but, in the past, hardly found. That was until in 2014 the distillery was given the limelight and recognition it not only deserves, but one that it truly has earned with the launch of 4 new luxury single malts.

www.mortlach.com

About the Cycle Revolution Exhibition…

The last decade has seen a revolution in cycling, on a scale not witnessed in the UK since the Second World War. Cycle Revolution celebrates the diversity of contemporary cycling in Britain from every day commuting to Olympic level competition. It brings together bicycles, clothing, accessories, equipment, film and photography to explain where cycling is now and where it might take us in the future. The exhibition looks at cycling subcultures through four ‘tribes’ – the High Performers who reach Olympic speeds, the Thrill Seekers who take on all terrains, the Urban Riders who pedal our cities mile by mile, and the Cargo Bikers who work on two wheels. British bespoke bicycle frame building is showcased in the exhibition in a recreation of a bicycle making workshop featuring artisans from across the UK. Cycle Revolution closes with a glimpse into the future of cycling – how it is changing the infrastructure of the city, and how architects, designers and urban planners are responding to the needs of twenty-first century cyclists?

Enjoy the ride! Don’t miss the specially-commissioned Ben Wilson bicycle sculpture in the museum’s Atrium, cycling films in the 1.5 Gallery and series of cycling related talks and events.

Continue the conversation on social media and feature on the exhibition’s Social Wall @designmuseum #CycleRevolution.

Highlights of the bikes on display include:

Sir Bradley Wiggins’s 2015 Hour Record bike and 2014 World Championship Time Trial bike
A number of Team Sky’s Pinarellos from the 2015 Tour de France, as well as kit and equipment from the team’s 2015 Tour de France win
Sir Chris Hoy’s Great Britain Cycling Team London 2012 Olympic Track bike
The Lotus Type 108 ridden by Chris Boardman at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games
Eddy Merckx’s 1972 Hour Record bike Francesco Moser’s 1984 Hour Record bike, loaned for the exhibition from the personal collection of Sir Bradley Wiggins
The earliest prototype Brompton in existence
A 1978 Breezer Series 1
A 1969 Raleigh Chopper
Bike builder’s workshop – showing the tools, materials and skills that combine to create a bespoke machine. Six independent British bike builders are profiled – Donhou Bicycles, Toad Custom Cycles, Hartley Cycles, Robin Mather Cycles, Mercian Cycles and Shand Cycles.
High profile cyclists including Lord Norman Foster and Sir Paul Smith discuss their passion for cycling and hopes for its future in the closing film.

Pre-book your ticket now (Members and children go free) – £13 Adult £9.75 Student £6.50 Children (6 to 15 years old inclusive)

For group bookings, contact +44 (0)20 7940 8783. Prices include optional donation. Tickets are subject to a £0.50 booking fee.

There are a small number of cycle racks outside and beside the museum, and limited space to park bicycles along the riverside railings.

The museum has a cloakroom with limited space for folding bikes, helmets and panniers. 1 ticket for 3 exhibitions.

Related events…

22 Nov 2015 11:00 Cycle Culture Tour Take a Cycle Culture tour with Artouride and discover some of the gems of London’s design-led cycling scene.

28 Nov 2015 14:00 Stories from the Saddle: Jon Day’s Cyclogeography. The Stories from the Saddle series invites cyclists of all stripes to the museum to share their story of life on two wheels. These monthly talks are part of the Cycle Revolution programme.

01 Dec 2015 19:00 Breaking the Cycle: A Slow Journalism Night The editors of slow journalism magazine Delayed Gratification host an evening which delves into some of the disruptive technologies and innovative designs that are challenging the status quo.

06 Dec 2015 13:00 – 16:00 Jingle (Bicycle) Bells. To coincide with the museum’s Cycle Revolution exhibition, everything you need for the festive season, on two wheels. Plus don’t miss Santa on a Bike and Christmas Carols.

10 Dec 2015 19:00 Home is Elsewhere: 50 years around the world by bike Long-distance cyclist and touring legend Heinz Stücke reflects on fifty years on the road to celebrate the launch of his book.

Images: Shane Finn (Visual Devotion) and supplied

corinne@frostmagazine.com

www.corinne-modelling.co.uk

@ladycdtt

Dashing Through The Snow by Debbie Macomber Reviewed: Tracy Baines

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Ashley Davidson is desperate to spend the holidays with her mother in Seattle. Dash Sutherland has an interview for the job of a lifetime in Seattle and must arrive by 23 December. Both frantic to book a last minute flight out of California, Ashley and Dash collide at the airport to learn that there are no flights and only one rental car available.

After a rocky start, the two reluctantly agree to drive to Washington tighter. But their journey isn’t without obstacles, and a misunderstanding with the law threatens to ruin their holiday plans altogether.

Settle down to be entertained and ride in the back seat of the car that Ashley and Dash are sharing. It moves at a swift pace and the dialogue is sparky. A light and frothy romance with a happy ending. If you’re looking for a little escapism you’ll find it here. Many of Debbie Macomber’s books are made into TV movies and as I was reading I could see it fitting very well into the 3.00pm slot on Channel 5.

To be published 19^th November 2015 by Arrow

Taking Pity – David Marks Book Review

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Margaret Graham

They have taken DS Aector McAvoy’s family, and DCI Colin Ray’s foundation. They have taken DS Trish Pharaoh’s fight. Now the criminal network with Hull in its clutches, and not known for it ‘gently gently’ approach, intends to take everything that remains from those who dare to stand in its way.

Taking Pity is a police procedural thriller that is as merciless as its criminals. It whacks along on the backs of three officers who have reached the end of their tethers, and who chase the villains, knowing that by doing so, they are risking everything.

David Mark has been a journalist for fifteen years, including seven as a crime reporter with the Yorkshire Post in their Hull Office and has created a complex and at times devastating world.

Taking Pity is extraordinarily compulsive, though dark, reminding me of Rankin and the author, David Mark has created protagonists with a core of humanity. This humanity is severely tested as they forge a way through the twists and turns which must be the lot of all detectives.

How can they do this in such a merciless and base world, and still retain any integrity or compassion? I ask this question seriously, and admire those who work within the law-keeping forces.

Taking Pity is that sort of novel, it makes you think, and question. It’s gritty and realistic and I’m glad it’s not me out there, trying to make sense out of grim acts and their perpetrators.

If you like Rankin, you’ll like this.

Taking Pity by David Mark. Paperback. £7.99 Quercus. Also available as an ebook.

The Food of Love, Book 1 Laura’s Story by Prue Leith Reviewed by Jan Speedie

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Margaret Graham

The Food of Love, Book 1 Laura’s Story by Prue Leith

Reviewed by Jan Speedie

Prue Leith has had 5 novels published and has now embarked on number 6 which is to be a trilogy of stories about the Oliver family: Book 1 Laura’s Story. Prue Leith is well known as a cook, restaurateur, business women and judge on the television series Great British Menu. Having published 12 cookery books she decided to turn her writing skills to fiction.

The Food of love is the story of the Oliver family and their lives during and after the Second World War. Donald Oliver has moved his family to a Cotswold farm where he hopes to be accepted by his aristocratic neighbour but his domineering attitude makes this impossible.

Laura Oliver has always doted on her father. She is beautiful, spoilt and tempestuous so when she falls in love with Giovanni, an Italian POW, her father is outraged.

Laura and Giovanni flee to London to start a new life together. They struggle with poverty, hardship and destitution but their love for each other remains strong. Slowly they realise their dreams but not without consequences to other lives.

Prue has woven a story about food and survival during wartime rationing and the introduction to the British nation of Italian themed cooking in Giovanni’s restaurants. The smell of garlic, pasta and tomatoes rises from the pages.

Who will feature in the next episode of this trilogy about the Oliver family?

Prue Leith has played a key role in changing our eating habits in Britain. She lives in London and Oxfordshire.

Published by Quercus in September 2015

Available in Hardback: eBook: at £19.99

Month 10 of My Reading Challenge By Frances Colville

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Frostie

The first book I picked up this month was a biography of Thomas Hardy by Claire Tomalin, entitled Thomas Hardy: the Time Torn Man. This is not a quick read. It’s lengthy, detailed, and packed full of information about the life and works of Hardy and the people around him. But it’s not a difficult read. It’s well-written, the information is interesting and for me provided new insights into the work of a great author. I particularly liked learning more about his first wife Emma and trying to understand how their relationship deteriorated over the many years they were together.

Earlier this month I went to a talk at the Cheltenham Festival of Literature by Paula Hawkins, author of the best selling The Girl on the Train. It’s always interesting to listen to an author talking about his or her work. Unfortunately on this occasion an unguarded question from a member of the audience told me the ending of the book before I’d got to it. And that is something you don’t want to happen with a psychological thriller. Despite the spoiler, I did enjoy the book. It’s a fast-paced, keep-you-on- the-edge-of-your-seat read. I got a bit fed up with all the changes from one date to another, and I found the three female characters rather too similar. But I still recommend it – and I gather it’s being made into a film as well.

And then a book I’ve been looking forward to reading ever since I first heard it was going to be published. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mocking Bird which is such an iconic book that I wasn’t sure if anything else could live up to it. And my conclusion is that it didn’t. Written before To Kill a Mocking Bird and rejected by publishers, it does read like an unedited early version. It’s more a stream of consciousness than a novel with a plot, and there are some annoying sections when the author switches from third to first person. I could see how To Kill a Mocking Bird had developed from it, and how much better a writer Harper Lee became once she had found the voice of the child Scout instead of the adult Jean Louise in Go Set a Watchman. But that doesn’t mean the latter isn’t worth reading. It deals with important issues in its own right and it’s also a significant stepping stone towards fully appreciating the greatness of To Kill a Mocking Bird. I’m very glad to have read it.

A book I have spent a great deal of time reading and re-reading this year is an anthology of short stories and poetry to which I contributed, and for which I was co-editor and proofreader. It’s called Narrative Threads and is a compilation of the work of sixteen Dorset-based authors and poets, known as Story Traders. Every piece in the book has a connection with the theme of rope, because of the importance of the rope and net industry in our local town of Bridport. Of course I recommend it – for its variety and uniqueness as much as anything – even though just at the moment I’ve had enough of going through it with a fine toothcomb.

Next a thoroughly enjoyable couple of evenings reading The Future is Ours, one of Margaret Graham‘s early books. Set during the aftermath of the Second World War and then the Korean War and the run up to the Cold War, a period which has always interested me, it’s a very human story with a delightful main character Rosie. A book which is very easy to read as it’s well-paced and the writing just flows.

And finally something completely different – a family/travel memoir called Grape Expectations by Caro Feely, which describes the new life she and her husband (with two very young children) carved for themselves in a vineyard in the South of France. Not the best-written book of its type I have read, but it’s a compelling read and I have endless admiration for someone who can achieve so much under some fairly adverse circumstances and still have the strength and enthusiasm to write about it.

Overall, not a bad month in terms of number and quality of words read, and books crossed off my list. Onward and upward!

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle

Category Archives: Culture