Simon Read

Didn't expect to be at the sunny seaside again this year! This is Looe in Cornwall

Postcard from Looe

Postcard from Plymouth

I've had a fun and interesting week. I hope you have too.

It's Barbara at the Half Moon in Putney. The Brighton band's pop sensibilities and excellent harmonies make for a brilliantly fun live experience. Do check them out if they play live near you. It'll be a fun evening

Fair shout

It's Barbara at the Half Moon in Putney. The Brighton band's pop sensibilities and excellent harmonies make for a brilliantly fun live experience. Do check them out if they play live near you. It'll be a fun evening

YouTube video by Smeagol A Message from Mars (1913) Trailer

#blackandwhitefilm of the day: A Message From Mars, 1913. Ever wondered what the first British #scifi film was? Now’s your chance to see the interesting 68-minute 112-year-old movie, based vaguely on A Christmas Carol, on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 4.50am
youtu.be/UmukUSt7faM?...

It's fascinating how many of the early tropes have been assimilated into the genre

YouTube video by Smeagol A Message from Mars (1913) Trailer

#blackandwhitefilm of the day: A Message From Mars, 1913. Ever wondered what the first British #scifi film was? Now’s your chance to see the interesting 68-minute 112-year-old movie, based vaguely on A Christmas Carol, on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 4.50am
youtu.be/UmukUSt7faM?...

Hopefully you'll love it

I saw The Weir at the Harold Pinter Theatre. It was an Irish story of five people sharing stories in a pub. What was it about? Nothing, and everything. It was both joyous and heartbreaking, with Brendan Gleeson a towering central presence. It's exactly what theatre should be.

Wednesday #cocktail treat is a Milk Beach Martini at the Soho cafe of the same name. It's Four Pillars Gin, samphire, rosemary & oyster leaf vermouth, celery bitters and smoked sea salt. Sophisticated in taste and price, at £14, but I would happily have another (if I could afford it!). Pip pip!

I saw Hamlet at the Lyttleton Theatre. It was pacy, punchy, and powerful with Hiran Abeysekera a lively Prince of Denmark and Francesca Mills standing out as a bouncy Ophelia. An impressive modern-dress production with interesting staging.

Postcard from London

It's one of my favourite kinds of days: a two #theatre trip day. First is Hamlet at the Lyttleton Theatre, just 2.5 hours long rather than the usual.4. Later it's Brendan Gleeson in The Weir at the Harold Pinter. I've seen two of Conor McPherson's plays this year so looking forward to this revival.

#blackandwhitefilm of the day: 13 Rue Madeleine, 1947. Jimmy Cagney is as watchable as ever as a US spy trainer who discovers there’s a German agent among his team. It’s based on true events as Cagney is captured and tortured for his knowledge in Paris on @Film4 at 1.10pm
youtu.be/eEcm65YmqKM?...

I saw Rossini's La Cenerentola (Cinderella) at The Coliseum. It offered brilliant performances, a wonderful orchestra, and a stunning set, as you'd expect from the ENO. But, despite familiarity with the story, there seemed something a little lacking in the score. A memorable experience nonetheless.

Tuesday's #theatre treat is actually an opera. I'm seeing La Cenerentola at the Coliseum, in an English-language version of Rossini's classic staged by English National Opera. It’s Cinderella, but not as you know it, is the promise. I'm looking forward to it

YouTube video by Unseen Trailers Made for Each Other (1939) ORIGNAL TRAILER [HQ]

#blackandwhitefilm of the day: Made For Each Other, 1939. James Stewart and Carole Lombard, two of the great 30s stars, marry quickly but face comedy battles with family and bosses before heartbreak and tragedy hit them on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 1.05pm
youtu.be/LT5ocMiaqek?...

#blackandwhitefilm of the day: Made For Each Other, 1939. James Stewart and Carole Lombard, two of the great 30s stars, marry quickly but face comedy battles with family and bosses before heartbreak and tragedy hit them in a touching melodrama on @TalkingPicsTV at 1.05pm
youtu.be/LT5ocMiaqek?...

No, it's Hamlet

#theatre trivia: which play is this a warning about?

Goody-bag merch from Tory Conference branded "When Labour negotiates Britian loses" and signed "Kemi Badenoch".

It helps to be able to spell the country you say only you are competent enough to run.

Gosh, I haven't thought of that one for, checks dates, 47 years!

Their tongues were firmly in their cheeks

Lyric of the day:
"Her escape was so urgent, she forgot her detergent"
Can you name the song?

YouTube video by Network Distributing "Man on the Run" - Order now

#blackandwhitefilm of the day: Man On The Run, 1949. Deserter Derek Farr is accused of murder after being caught up in a jewellery robbery. Tension rises as he tries to track down the real killers before the police catch him on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 2.25pm
youtu.be/A9z6ZF9NJhU?...

One of London's narrowest homes is on sale for £1.19m - Take a look inside London's second narrowest home at 7ft wide is on sale for £1.19 million. Take a look inside.

Would you splash out £1.29m for a seven foot wide home? www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/2551259...

A picture to cheer you up: The Beatles having fun