" Visiting Old Friends In A New Habitat!"

 

                              A lovely break with old friends we've known for donkey's years!

 I met P when we were 14 (!!) and since then, we've been neighbours in 2 different houses we've lived in! Our children grew up together and 2 of them ( my younger son, their younger daughter) even appeared to invent their own language...

Our friends now live in a village near Penrith and it's always fun visiting. We've recently had a great time catching up...

Snaps show:
Heavy work in the kitchen....Menfolk ( well, one of them!) preparing supper for a Village Hall Celebration for St George's Day....
A gentle walk around a Cumbrian garden...
This is followed by our friends singing ( beautifully!) with their " Occasional Choir".....which should certainly be MORE than " occassional"!....
then you'll see my husband R ( highly Shakespearean, with colander on head, saw in hand) going Once More Into The Breach...
and lastly the delightful Vicar with his equally delightful wife.... playing and singing their Gilbert And Sullivan...
A great time was had...and hope to go again soon!!

"Romeo And Juliet: From Globe To Clwyd!"

THIS snap is THE GLOBE THEATRE...but recently the touring company, appeared at Theatr Clwyd, with a magical production of " Romeo and Juliet".

This was a delight from start to finish......the stage built in authentic Elizabethan style.....the actors, some playing  more than one role in true Elizabethan fashion.....Samuel Valentine as an engaging  ginger-haired Romeo.... Cassie Layton, a strong very feminine Juliet. There was Sarah Higgins as Nurse.... Travelling Players.... who teased the audience ( always nice to be included!)...PLUS  songs, dances ...fights, beautifully crafted....Steven Elder as a  remarkable Capulet...

SO MUCH of this  deserves a tremendous lyrical waxing!

"REBECCA At The Lowry"

Having scoffed Du Maurier's " REBECCA" lots of times since I scoffed  it ( aged 15) over 2 rainy August afternoons on a Parker Knoll in my parent's dining room******......  I HAD to visit M/Chester Lowry..... with Friends Of Chester Lit Fest...for KNEEHIGH theatre company's new production.

AND I was not disappointed...in fact, this was one of the most INNOVATIVE/enjoyable plays seen for a while...
BUT of course such an iconic story when developed into a play would NOT please everyone...and I think that WAS the case...but  I found it MEMORABLE...with fantastic cast, PLUS brilliant arty stage design, lighting that thrilled ( and chilled!) with lots of dance and  music, ....1920's dance routines, Cornish shanties.......

"REBECCA" by KneeHigh will long be remembered by me and my companions.

***** I can STILL see the roses outside, through that dining room window.....red ones, white ones ...dripping in the rain...as Mrs Danvers, evil in black, descended the stairs at Manderley............

"Julian's Niece Jessica".....

An interesting session at MALPAS FESTIVAL...hearing Jessica Fellowes, niece of writer Julian Fellowes, talk about her work as author of 3 companion books to her uncle's " Downton Abbey" 

Her latest one: " A Year In The Life Of Downton Abbey" .

Jessica gave us juicy insights into the whole caboodle.... the cast, the plots, the development of much-loved ...(and not so much-loved! ) characters......the filming, the lot....PLUS lots of fascinating details about her own fascinating family/heritage. 

A Spellbound Audience!  

" Mr Sloan At Chester Theatre Club"

CAST with SPONSOR: 

TOP: John Henry, Ray Bengree, John McGinn 

BELOW: Jo Perry with Sponsor (Insurance Brokers:"Risk Services North West" 

Another successful production last week at Chester Theatre Club:

Joe Orton's classic dark (very dark) comedy" Entertaining Mr Sloan" directed ( brilliantly) by Delys Rostron with the 4 charactres played by John Henry ( Mr Sloan), Ray Bengree ( Ed), Jo Perry ( Kath) and John McGinn ( Dadda)

All gave strong and convincing performances in a gripping play, which caused a sensation when premiered  in 1964...and still has plenty of food for thought.... 

John Henry ( MR SLOAN) with DIRECTOR, Delys Rostron: 2 highly talented people!

" My Brother, the Artist Who Paints With A Vivid Brush.."

My brother ( ANDREW LAWRENCE)  is again exhibiting his paintings in Studios and also in his own studio at home.See poster below( top right hand corner)  SEE A's website: www.vividbrush.com

" A New Era For St Mary's On The Hill"

                                  There was a  very welcome Happening in Chester last week.....

A Presentation was held at St Mary's Centre, celebrating the fact that Matt Baker's fabulous Theatre Company ( "Theatre In The Quarter", which includes grandson G's group, "Jigsaw") has taken over the role of running the Centre ( a fabulous old church called St Mary's On The Hill)......as a " key venue in the city's vibrant cultural life".....

St Mary's will be owned/managed by CWAC ( ie. " Cheshire West And Chester"with its new Labour Council) but Matt and Co will lead all the activities ...THIS is superb news..... and we look forward an exciting mix of art forms...involving lots and lots of Cestrians.......CONGRATULATIONS!

BB KING: KING OF THE BLUES

Fantastic Musician, who'll be much missed. His music delighted me over many years...Thank you!
                                       HEAR HIM SING " WHY I SING THE BLUES" ....

CHESTER LABOUR PARTY'S SECRET WEAPON??!

G aged 9 yrs 11 months, canvassing with Lord Barry!

G with Chris Matheson, for City Of Chester Labour Party HQ.

                                                     MY vote is wobbling...............????