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Continue reading →: Book Review: Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier My rating: 3 of 5 stars I know the opening pages of Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel extremely well having used the opening for several years with my GCSE English students. It was an extract given in a past paper and I found it…
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Continue reading →: An Interview with Charlotte Keatley
By Ken Powell A shorter version of this interview was published here for Lancashire Life magazine. This is the interview in full. Charlotte Keatley wrote the play ‘My Mother Said I Never Should’ in 1985 aged just 25. The play has gone on to be the most performed play by…
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Continue reading →: Theatre Review: The Rite of Spring by Phoenix Dance Theatre
By Ken Powell The contemporary ballet group, Phoenix Dance Theatre, performed ‘Left Unseen’ and Igor Stravinsky’s classic ‘The Rite of Spring’ at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake on Wednesday 8 May, and gave the audience a thing of beauty which was hard to define. Stravinsky’s musical work famously supposedly caused…
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Continue reading →: Book Review: The New Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan
The New Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan My rating: 4 of 5 stars I am a definite fan of Peter Frankopan. His original book ‘The Silk Roads’ I consider one of the best books I’ve ever read, of any kind. Certainly the best introduction to history in terms of readability…
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Continue reading →: Book Review – The Economics of Arrival by Katherine Trebeck & Jeremy Williams
The economics of arrival: Ideas for a grown-up economy by Katherine Trebeck & Jeremy Williams My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have followed the writings of Jeremy Williams for many years. His articles on environment, technology, architecture and a host of other areas concerned with stepping us ‘back from…
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Continue reading →: Theatre Review: Equus by Peter Shaffer at Northern Stage, Newcastle
The English Touring Theatre (ETT) have just completed their time at Newcastle’s Northern Stage before continuing on to a run at Guildford performing Peter Shaffer’s ‘Equus’. It is a superb production. The subject matter is dark and based on an actual real event – a boy blinds several horses with…
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Continue reading →: Book Review: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Interested in learning more about this book? Shortform provide a brilliant set of summary notes you will find really helpful. Get your free trial here with 20% off the subscription you use the link. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by…
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Continue reading →: Theatre Review: Heart of Darkness
By Ken Powell I’ll be blunt: ‘Heart of Darkness’ is one of the most excitingly innovative and challenging productions I’ve ever had the good fortune to watch. I can’t recommend it enough. The production is touring but currently on at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake. Performed by the curiously-named ‘imitating…
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Continue reading →: Book Review: How to Avoid Huge Ships And Other Implausibly Titled Books by Joel Rickett
How to Avoid Huge Ships: And Other Implausibly Titled Books by Joel Rickett My rating: 4 of 5 stars I have an eclectic taste in art forms, to say the least. Whether I review books, or theatre productions, or music, the range of material I like is pretty vast. I’m…
