Pop-Up Opera are back for autumn with a reimagining of Bizet’s famous masterpiece La Tragédie de Carmen as they continue to challenge the perception of opera and bring it to the next generation.

In 1981 Peter Brook collaborated with composer Marius Constant to reimagine this emotive opera and, now, Pop-Up Opera will stage this stripped back incarnation. Sung in French with Pop-Up Opera’s signature ‘silent movie’ captions in English, this dark and thrilling piece may not always be as you expect.

Their retelling of this intense and tragic tale follows the four key multi-faceted characters in a thought-provoking drama of unhinged love and jealousy.  Actions are not without consequences and the stark reality of the repercussions for Don José are laid bare as the story unfolds in a series of his tormented flashbacks.

Director John Wilkie comments, Peter Brook’s incarnation of Prosper Merimee’s Carmen has fascinated me for many years – everything is trimmed away from the grander adaptations with which many are accustomed to focus on the intense interaction, the tragedy of the four protagonists. This production will be set at the end of the Spanish Civil War and we will investigate
the psychological elements that lie at the heart of this retelling of Carmen’s tale. I am immensely looking forward to bringing life to La Tragédie de Carmen with this very exciting team.

Pop-Up Opera’s combination of unique venues and cast of outstanding singers showcase this innovative opera

company’s  consistency in capturing the essence of this incredible refined and raw art form.

Tour:Sat 22nd Sept Court Gardens Farm, East Sussex, 7.30pm Orchard Lane, Ditchling, Hassocks BN6 8TH

Tues 25th Sept Asylum Peckham, 7pm Caroline Gardens Chapel, Asylum Road, London SE15 2SQ

Find out other tour dates (and there are many):  Website www.popupopera.co.uk

Twitter @PopupOperaUK, #LaTragedieDeCarmen

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/popupopera

‘What would you like to drink?’

Do you find yourself struggling to think of an option that would really thrill?

Well, Frost has some great new ideas for you.

First – alcohol (of course). So why not try Britain’s oldest wines and spirits merchant – Berry Bro^s & Rudd, St James’s, London? Besides all their amazing wines, I can recommend two other of their products.

First – the ginger liqueur – named King’s Ginger, because it formulated by them in 1903 for King Edward VII, no less.  And I can see why the king liked it. Smooth and light with the ginger warmth at the back of your throat – delicious neat or with ice.

Second – No 3 London Dry Gin – named after their premises – No 3 St James Street. A classical dry gin, celebrating juniper at its best.

And – great news – you can try these and their other products, because they also host private events – fine food dining and wine tastings within their (two acres) of cellars, deep below the London streets. What a fabulous experience. See their website for details.

But what if you’re driving, or simply don’t want alcohol? Well, easy – go to The London Essence Company for some really special beverages.

I was blown away by their Grapefruit and Rosemary Tonic Water – in a large glass, with plenty of ice, this delicious mixer, created from distilled botanicals and natural flavourings was perfection.  And, if needed, it will complement a good gin too. Other flavours include bitter orange and elderflower, and pomelo and pink pepper, in addition to classical tonic water.

And if tonic water is not for you, try their very special ginger ale, made from steeped ginger root and aniseed distillate, or their rhubarb and cardamom crafted soda.

Stocked by Waitrose and Ocado.

Well, after all that writing, I think I need a drink.

By Dr K Thompson, 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

As a grandmother of a toddler, I am always keen to explore new ideas to make learning fun, so my attention was captured by Mrs Wordsmith.

This is a series of reading aids for 2-5 year olds, based on research into learning and vocabulary retention. Subscribers receive a monthly pack containing a picture book, a word-of-the day workbook and a pack of word cards.  There is also a word-of-the-day display stand so that the child is able to see it and learn it throughout the day.

The books and cards are beautifully illustrated with amusing pictures to help the child learn. Mrs Wordsmith uses word-pairing – a proven system which links similar words. It focuses on different types of words every month, selecting words most commonly used in everyday speech.

The aids help children navigate the nuanced range of feelings they experience, giving them the words to tell the difference between upset and frustrated, and they help them to be aware of their needs, with words like hungry and sleepy.

There is also a separate pack available for older children (7-11 year olds) called Gargantuan.

If you want to try before you buy, you can download a free sample from the website. I’ve tried it with my grandson, and it is a lot of fun for both of us.

https://www.mrswordsmith.com/products

By Dr K Thompson, 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

The White Rose Book Cafe have told Frost Magazine about their fabulous programme as the school holidays approach, and then there’s the drift into autumn after a summer which reminds our office of the 1976 glory. Well, those that were born then, anyway.

The Art of Reading by Damon Young is a celebratory tribute to the power of one of our must undervalued skills – an ideal gift for the avid reader. ‘An engaging enquiry into the transformative power of reading: Melissa Harrison, author of Rain.

Tel: 01845 524353 to reserve a signed copy of the book. A Free Event.

Ripon Festival in September

White Rose BookCafe is delighted to host a couple of events in association with Ripon International Festival.

Tickets are available at the bookshop.

Kate Atkinson: 14th September. Tickets £10 each (student £5) – £5 off the purchase of the book ‘Transcription’

Salley Vickers – 9th September at 2.30  Tickets £7 each

Tickets also from the Festival website where further details can be obtained.

http:www.riponinternationalfestival.com

Books can be reserved at the bookshop

And also, – a roll of drums if you please, maestro – two of my favourite ‘lads’:

The stars of Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet will be talking about their books. I’ve read and loved Julian’s so am thrilled to see a third, and having listened to Peter’s whimsical humour it’ll be a good one – who can forget him cornering the cat, I was on the floor laughing, just as much as he was, on the floor I mean, not  laughing.

Julian you can meet in September, date to be advised, and Peter’s book is launched in October, and the party will be at – roll of drums… White Rose BookCafe 18th  October.Author  Milly Adams aka author  Margaret Graham, who will be a new resident of Thirsk by then, will be there, notebook in hand to report on it for the international Frost Magazine.

(Images courtesy of White Rose BookCafe)

As the author of a breast cancer guide myself, I was keen to review Annie Belasco’s book.

Was it another of those personal accounts of cancer? Well yes … and no.

Annie tells a gripping tale about having breast cancer in her early twenties and dealing with the fear, the surgery, and the gruelling chemotherapy.

But what makes Annie’s story stand out is the journey into her psyche – and the impact of a life-changing diagnosis on the mind of a young woman – and it isn’t always pretty.

At the start, Annie is looking for her Prince Charming amongst the bars of Benidorm. She gives on-line dating more attention than the rather large lump in her breast. After all, that was probably just a cyst.

Except it wasn’t, and totally shell-shocked, she has to face urgent decisions she just doesn’t want to make – like should she have her eggs frozen in case the chemotherapy affects her fertility? Damn it, she hasn’t even got a partner. And yet, she has to decide, and quick.

Through her treatment, she continues her quest for a soul mate. Amazingly she finds the wonderful Sammy, who is not phased by her wig, or the fact that one boob is currently AWOL.  He really is Mr Perfect, and Annie admitted to me when we spoke, that in some ways it was because of her cancer that she found him.

So did she spend all her time telling this hero how much she loved him? Well, no, not really …

And this is where Annie is frank about the psychological effects of cancer.  We know that, when people are undergoing any catastrophic life situation, they go through stages of denial, anger, bargaining and depression before they can finally accept and deal with it. During this process, at least some of the time, they can be irritable, unreasonable, confrontational and generally not very nice – often to those they care about most, and Annie illustrates this beautifully in her account.

This very normal behaviour can of course affect relationships, particularly if loved ones don’t understand that it isn’t ‘personal’. Fortunately Sammie was made of sterner stuff and Annie’s book has a happy ending.

This is a fabulous book for anyone trying to deal with a serious illness, directly or indirectly and consequently it was snapped up by TriggerPublishing.com, a publisher which specialises in mental health issues.

Annie is speaking at the Pink Ribbon – RSM Conference: What Causes Breast Cancer? What Cures It? On 14 September 2018 at Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, London. This is an excellent conference with world-class breast cancer experts, so do come along and listen to Annie and her fellow speakers.

Love and Remission by Annie Belasco

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