Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

We had to buy two copies of book 5 to prevent just such a scenario.

I have just finished 'Joe Cinque's Consolation' by Helen Garner - an account of a murder trial.

Highly recommend it.

Currently reading 'Carpentaria' by Alexis Wright, and indiginous author. 600+ pages, and not a book that I can read a few pages at a time. It reminds me of reading/watching Shakespeare: takes me some time to get into the language/groove, then I really enjoy the experience.

Cheers

Caroline

I have recently read a fantastic chick lit called Lucy in the Sky.

Have just finished Jodi Picoult's book Mercy which was not my normal read but absolutly brilliant really made you think and drew you in.

Am now on Labrynith by Kate Mosse

I am re-reading " the Stand" by Stephen King - still brilliant the second time around !

Grinning At The Edge by Paul Allen

A biography of Sir Alan Ayckbourn.

Middle daughter has been working with him (Sir Alan) so I thought I'd find out a bit more about him.

Mid A 15 wrote:Middle daughter has been working with him (Sir Alan) so I thought I'd find out a bit more about him.

Can you expand on this? Curiousity definitely piqued... (sp?)

Ajarn Philip wrote:

Mid A 15 wrote:Middle daughter has been working with him (Sir Alan) so I thought I'd find out a bit more about him.

Can you expand on this? Curiousity definitely piqued... (sp?)

She is a postgraduate Theatre Studies student and got herself a part time job at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, Yorkshire which is where Ayckbourn initially performs most if not all of his work.

He recently revived and directed Relatively Speaking and she was invited to observe the whole process from initial rehearsal through to First Night Performance which she found a really rewarding and educational experience.

I'm no expert on the theories of contemporary theatre but I THINK she is arguing in her dissertation that the process naturally moved from one of cooperation to one of collaboration and there were also corresponding shifts in identity.

Hopefully with your drama background Phil that makes some sort of sense!?

It's all a bit too abstract for me if I'm honest.

Mid A 15 wrote:She is a postgraduate Theatre Studies student and got herself a part time job at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, Yorkshire which is where Ayckbourn initially performs most if not all of his work.

He recently revived and directed Relatively Speaking and she was invited to observe the whole process from initial rehearsal through to First Night Performance which she found a really rewarding and educational experience.

Long since interested in Ayckbourn. I'd heard about his work in Scarborough and have always been curious about the man. I think your daughter has been (deservedly, I'm sure) very fortunate! As for the theories, well, I was an (astonishingly unsuccessful) actor, dwahling, the roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd, etc - the deep thoughts about motivation and the evolutionary process of a performance I leave to my many intellectual superiors!

Sorry, seriously off topic, but an interesting diversion (for me, anyway) - good luck and positive thoughts, mildly tinged with envy, to your daughter.

Ajarn Philip wrote:

Mid A 15 wrote:She is a postgraduate Theatre Studies student and got herself a part time job at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, Yorkshire which is where Ayckbourn initially performs most if not all of his work.

He recently revived and directed Relatively Speaking and she was invited to observe the whole process from initial rehearsal through to First Night Performance which she found a really rewarding and educational experience.

Long since interested in Ayckbourn. I'd heard about his work in Scarborough and have always been curious about the man. I think your daughter has been (deservedly, I'm sure) very fortunate! As for the theories, well, I was an (astonishingly unsuccessful) actor, dwahling, the roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd, etc - the deep thoughts about motivation and the evolutionary process of a performance I leave to my many intellectual superiors!

Sorry, seriously off topic, but an interesting diversion (for me, anyway) - good luck and positive thoughts, mildly tinged with envy, to your daughter.

She is very aware how lucky she was to receive the opportunity.

From what she has told me Ayckbourn appears to be a very grounded, down to earth sort of chap and not at all "luvvy".

I also get the impression that he doesn't have a great deal of time for theatrical theories as expounded on so many Theatre Studies and related courses.

Thank you for your good wishes to my daughter.

About a third of the way through Harry Potter, Hallows.

Currently: One In Three by my next door neighbour Adam Wishart, a highly readable account of the history of cancer, written in the wake of his father's death. Only just started it, but it's superbly written, and was nominated for a science book prize.

Before that, Mr.Tambourine Man by John Einarsson, a warts'n'all biography of Gene Clark, former lead singer/songwriter of the Byrds and one of my favourite songwriters. Thoroughly engrossing, thoroughly depressing at points. Unusually, a music biog where not only the early years are fascinating.

and still trying to stuggle through the biography of Vita Sackville-West

Blondie, I hope "struggle" doesn't mean you're soldiering on with a dull-but-worthy book against your will...

Not that I mean Vita S-W is dull, but many's a boring book been written on a fascinating subject.

blondie95 wrote:and still trying to stuggle through the biography of Vita Sackville-West

Sissinghurst is worth a visit Amy if you haven't been there.