Maxine Gordon was a familiar face on British TV for many years. For me, she will always be Anne Marie in the dark children’s drama Midnight Is a Place, and she kindly spoke to me about that programme for a chapter I’m contributing to a book*. But our ‘interview’ (conducted via email and voice note) … Continue reading
It’s been way too long since this blog caught up with the work of rising New Jersey R&B star Jo Rivers and her video producer, my near-namesake DJ Weltch. So, let’s put that right with a look at her two latest songs, including a collaboration with producer, songwriter, and rapper Don Michael Jr and explore … Continue reading
The remarkable story of the USA’s first saint, Francesca Cabrini, is told in a new feature film, being previewed in the UK this week (8 March 2024) for International Women’s Day and Mothering Sunday. This powerful epic movie comes from Alejandro Monteverde, award-winning director of ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฎ, following Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who … Continue reading
The spine-chilling stage thriller The Woman in Black arrives at Cardiff’s New Theatre next week [September 19-23] as part of its UK Tour. And I’m pleased to share this interview with the acclaimed author of the original novel, Dame Susan Hill. Continue reading
There’s no shortage of ‘religion’ on film – priests battling demons, nuns singing, monks solving crimes. But a straightforward faith-based film about a church’s revival is much rarer. So, the success of Jesus Revolution might be something of a surprise. This new (2023) feature film from Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle tells the true story … Continue reading
The glorious retro animated Famous Five ads for Great Western Railway are back for summer 2023, with their first new adventure for three years. A new TV ad, Five Get There First, promotes travelling by train and how it can deliver a level of comfort, speed, sustainability and ability to socialise you don’t get by … Continue reading
I wouldn’t normally use the title of a film as the heading for a blogpost about it. But how can you improve on Powertool Cheerleaders vs the Boyband of the Screeching Dead? It’s the best movie title I’ve come across for a long time. And the film is every bit as entertaining. It’s the latest … Continue reading
As the comedy play The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel embarks on a UK stage tour, I’m very pleased to publish this interview with its author, Deborah Moggach. The play is based on her 2004 novel, These Foolish Things,which inspired the acclaimed 2011 film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, starring Judi Dench and Bill Nighy. With … Continue reading
Acclaimed former Welsh National Opera singer Alwyn Mellor is giving a rare performance in Wales in aid of a local charity, close to her heart. The show, Something Wonderful!, will include well known songs from film and stage by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and other greats, with soprano Alwyn accompanied by Michael Pollock on piano. … Continue reading
As The Rocky Horror Show reaches its half century, with a UK tour in 2023, we’re pleased to publish this interview with its creator Richard OโBrien. What was your inspiration behind The Rocky Horror Show? Someone asked me to entertain the Christmas staff party at the EMI Film Studios and so I wrote a song … Continue reading
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