‘dark and suspenseful, but, sadly, a little too on the safe side’

This play is based on a true story about the serial fraudster George Love, who, at the start of the 20th Century, took pride in tricking young women to marry him, then after the wedding nuptials he would take their money and disappear into the night. So far, so good…. or not, depending on where your sympathies lie.

[Fred Perry as George]

Fred Perry plays George – with that enormous task of making a rogue both likeable and believable. He has to win us over quicker than his victim, otherwise the whole exercise will be in vain. In that task, Perry succeeds. He is immensely watchable – as is Scarlett Brookes, all innocence and shocking vulnerability as Adelaide.

[Scarlett Brookes as Adelaide]

However, were it not for these two strong performances, the weaknesses in the play would be even more apparent. There is a confusion of styles: reportage and straight play – fourth wall and no fourth wall, as it were. Also the design is messy rather than stylish, at times I found my eyes just as confused as my ears. Karoline Leach’s script has a few monumental jumps in logic as the characters have their psychological battles. Who is in charge here? Is it George? Adelaide? The script? Hard to tell.

[Fred Perry and Scarlett Brookes]

Director Phoebe Barran has tried to make a serious thriller out of something not quite as clever as it thinks it is. Overall, there are many worse ways of spending an evening in the theatre – Tryst is dark and suspenseful, but, sadly, a little too on the safe side.

Paul Vates.

Photography ℅ Savannah Photographic

Producer Chiswick Playhouse Productions

Writer Karoline Leach

Director Phoebe Barran

Cast Fred Perry and Scarlett Brookes

Designer Jessica Statton

Running Time 85 mins (no interval)

Ages 11+

Performances until Saturday 29th February 2020 – Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm

Venue Chiswick Playhouse, 2 Bath Road, London W4 1LW

Tube Turnham Green (District Line and, occasionally, the Piccadilly Line)

Tickets Box Office and www.chiswickplayhouse.co.uk

Twitter @ChiswickPlay, #TrystChiswick

Fred Hageneder is in love… with trees. This is obvious from the passion emanating from his impeccably researched and illustrated book, The Living Wisdom of Trees (illustrations by  Lizzie Harper) 

Full of stimulating facts, thought-provoking symbolism and intriguing knowledge of the healing power of trees, it is a book that should be absorbed slowly. 

Run your hand over the sepia cover with its beautifully simple illustration of a monkey-puzzle tree. Open it and smell the innocence of childhood, to a time when libraries were magical places of silence and learning, and you will see that each tree — intricately but simply illustrated by Lizzie Harper, a talented natural history and botanical illustrator — is given its place.

From the humble apple tree with its quirky habit of regrowing thorns when left to its own devices, to the majestic willow tree; the bark of which is still used as an anti-inflammatory, then the giant redwood; believed to be capable of living for up to two thousand years, and the humble, thought-provoking yew. 

In the hollow trunk of the yew, a new ‘root’ develops, destined to take over the business of keeping the tree alive. Eventually the old trunk falls away, creating an apparently young tree. This, as you can imagine, makes the age estimation of yew trees very difficult.

In these days of uncertainty, when we are torn between instant profit and the long term future of our planet, take time to be transported on a reflective journey of times past, and allow yourself to be led into a world of hope for the future that is The Living Wisdom of Trees.

HB and Kindle available on Amazon.co.uk

Tapas? Yes, but so much more. La Bodega Restaurant in Chalfont St Peter has a well-established reputation as the place to go for delicious food, a warm, friendly atmosphere and rather special wines. From a casual lunch with friends, to a big celebration, it won’t disappoint. In fact, I’ll use any excuse to feed my addiction for their heavenly Berenjenas Al Horno (baked aubergines with tomatoes and cheese, to you and me).

But what’s the secret of their success? It’s simple. The owner, Juan Gil Rios (photographed with the desserts), has already created several successful Italian restaurants with his business partners in the Bucks/Berkshire area, including La Cantina in Marlow. So unsurprisingly, with his more recent venture he wanted folks to experience his native Spanish food. And how?

The large tapas menu includes specialities from his home region of Galicia, such as Pulpo A La Gallega – exquisite marinated octopus with potatoes, but also numerous meat, fish and vegetarian options from across Spain – some you’ll recognise, some you may not, but each guaranteed to make your mouth water. And don’t expect the tiny portions served at some tapas restaurants – these are all good sized plates – more like the Spanish raciones. All the food is cooked freshly to order, so if you get food envy, you can always order additional dishes.

Señor Gil Rios also understands the need for good wine to complement such delicious food. In fact he personally selects and imports superb wines at very acceptable prices – naturally there is are some fabulous riojas, but whatever your preferred source country, you’ll find some great choices.

The restaurant is in an attractive 17^th Century building, formerly The George Inn, however it’s been transformed internally into a light, spacious and welcoming venue, with a lovely outside area for those lazy summer days.

Most of the staff are Spanish-speaking and are patient and encouraging if you want to practise your holiday Spanish, but if that’s not for you, they all speak perfect English too.

So how to finish? Well with dessert of course. And despite your straining waist-band you’ll struggle to resist the sweet trolley – cheese cakes, chocolate cakes, crème brulée, profiteroles and even the traditional Galician Tarta de Santiago – all freshly made and begging to be eaten.

The restaurant has its own car-park and, in case the wine proves too irresistible, its own aparthotel next door, RiosHouse George-Inn,– book yourself a table, you deserve it.

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

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.

What if your future was in the past? Well, read – or listen to Outlander – and discover how complicated it can be.

1946,And Claire Randall goes to the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. iI’s a second honeymoon and a chance to re-establish their loving marriage.  One afternoon, however, Claire walks through a circle of standing stones and is transported into 1743 where the first person she meets is a British Army officer – her husband’s 6 times great-grandfather
Unfortunately, blackjack Randall is not the man his descendant is and while trying to escape him, Claire  falls into the hands of a gang of Scottish bad ‘uns and finds herself, as Sassenach an Outlander,  in danger from both Jacobite and red coat.

Marooned and in danger, e her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser a gallant young Scots warrior. Lo and behold,  Claire finds herself torn between 2 very different men – husband or Scots warrior?
Committing the ultimate bookworm betrayal, I watched the TV series before I even approached the audio book, and became engrossed. I was intrigued to see what the series would be like, and I picked up a copy, the first in the series.

I was not disappointed, Gabaldon Is a beautiful storyteller I was immediately hooked. Prior to discovering Outlander, I knew little of Scotland’s history, including the Highland clearances.   Outlander not only brought   history to life, but I found it unputdownable.  There is something for everyone from time travel romance and adventure with some violence thrown into the mix.

With parts of the book being narrated from Claire’s pov we discover more about Claire’s character:  she’s funny amusing intelligent and has a great overview of life even with a potty mouth.

paperback, eBook and Audio available