Tonight, a short bike ride from where I live, I went to a concert given by the extraordinary Russian violinist Maxim Vengerov.  The programme was very demanding, comprising nothing but two violin concertos - one by Britten, one by Dvorak.  And after that, he played an encore ( Read more... )

Last Sunday, which we call Palm Sunday (you’ll see why in a minute!), there was a community play performed in a nearby town called Abingdon to act out the last days of the life of Jesus.


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Cycling to work, as usual but in the sun (not very usual!), I heard/saw a bagpiper standing (in shorts and T-shirt - not in a kilt) by my favourite stretch of river, playing his music into the morning air.  Was he Andy Murray's brother ( Read more... )

Finally I have seen the fourth BBC production (broadcast a few weeks ago as the last of a series of four Shakespeare history plays televised to celebrate our Queen's diamond jubilee) with Tom Hiddlestone as King Henry V, John Hurt as the Chorus and Anton Lesser as Exeter.


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I'm slow in catching up with these BBC Shakespeare productions but, at last, scrounged my way in front of a friend's TV to watch King Henry IV part ii, whost cast included Jeremy Irons, Julie Walters, Simon Russell Beale and Tom Hiddleston.

I found this a more satisfying episode dramatically in the 2012 BBC series than the first part of Henry IV.  ( Read more... )

It's been raining for ever here AND it is the season for watching outdoor theatre, so guess who got wet sitting in front of the Globe Theatre's touring production of "Hamlet"?

This was what I saw as I was queuing in the quadrangle of the Bodleian library, waiting to buy a ticket for the play:


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Did anyone see the BBC's adaptation of Shakespeare's Richard II last night?  It was the first screening of four of Shakespeare's history plays, newly adapted for television as a celebration of our queen's diamond jubilee.  There are some well-known actors in the cast lists - Jeremy Irons, Tom Hiddleston, Simon Russell Beale come to mind but I'm ( Read more... )

What have I been doing lately?  (obviously not replying to comments and emails ha ha)  Click the pic to find out!


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