Dead Sexy, My Dear Watson

I found this in an old Reveal magazine.  Jane Ellis, the editor, and her feelings about a certain Mr Cumberbatch...

  Benedict Cumberbatch, the award-winning actor who plays TV's Sherlock Holmes, recently topped a sexiest man national newspaper poll ahead of David Beckham

  Now several of my colleagues cannot see why this should be.  He certainly is not conventionally handsome and has said of his win: 'It makes me laugh.  I don't know about being the sexiest man in the world.  I'm barely the sexiest man in my flat and I'm the only guy living there.'

  But this is all wrong thinking on the part of my colleagues and false modesty on Benedict's part.  The guy is hot. Anyone who saw the Sherlock episode entitled A Scandal In Belgravia will attest to that.  And, by the way, this episode has been viewed 2.5 million times, making it the most watched show on BBC iPlayer.  

  People have said it's because actress Lara Pulver gets her kit off, but it's Sherlock's reaction to her nudity that makes the show so damn sexy.  Plus, I have actually seen Benedict himself in the nude playing Frankenstein's monster at London's National Theatre and I can tell you, it was far from being a shabby experience. Seems quite a few readers agree with me. You are tweeting things like: 'He shouldn't be sexy but he is', 'Epitome of sexy geek', and 'Prefer him to Mark Wright any day'. 

 Am I too old to have a poster of him up on my bedroom wall?  (Don't answer that!)

Nicely said, David!

Sherlock at the Movies!

Yes, I made this. Enjoy!!


♫ Sherlock at the Movies! ♫ from XxLadyClaireXx on Vimeo.

Star Trek : Into Darkness

Cannot wait to see this!

The 2012 Cheltenham Literary Festival or The Evening I Met Benedict Cumberbatch...

Once upon a time there lived a woman.  A woman who was a little bit Sherlocked and little bit Cumberbatched.  
Since she first saw this wonderful actor Benedict Cumberbatch on TV and film, her mission had been to try and meet this fantastic actor.  

So, onto Cheltenham, the final frontier....
These are the thoughts and actions I can remember from the Sherlock talk at the Centaur that day.

Cos on that night of Saturday 6th October 2012, all my wishes came true...

  

After a good 4 hour journey to reach Cheltenham (and almost getting lost), my friend Jackie and I arrived there in plenty of time for the Sherlock talk we were so looking foward to.
There were numerous Sherlock-clothed fans around, and numerous Harry Potter-clothed fans around too (as J K Rowling was on beforehand).

After we had a look around the racecourse (ok, after I dragged Jackie around to look at the course!) we then went back in and waited in the bar area to go and take our seats.
We did have quite a lot of time to kill as JK's talk had to go first.  So it was a case of saying hello to various other Sherlock fans and just being patient.

Finally, people started to move and we were let in and took our seats.  We had an ok view, but considering the trouble I had getting the tickets I couldn't complain.

After the warm-up man started to outstay his welcome the show commenced.

Louise Brealey (aka Molly Hooper) came on stage first.  She got a huge round of applause but not a patch on the one her 'interviewee' got next....

Ben came on stage to massive cheers (and yes, some screams) and he actually had to wait a little while for the crowd to stop applauding him.
I had a fairly good view of him.  It was a shame he was sitting on the stage turned away a little from the side of the auditorium I was sitting, but like when I went before in 2010 (to see Derren Brown), there was a big screen, which I did have to use quite often to see Benedict properly.

Loo was obviously nervous but did a good job, even going so far as to say how freaky some of her dreams had been recently because of her nerves. Benedict did turn to her at one point and say that he wanted to hear more about her dreams!
But I think Benedict was quite nervous too.  One of the first things he did after he'd come on stage and the applause had died down, was to get us all to stand up, say hello to everyone sitting near us, to shake our limbs etc, and then sit down.  He made some comment about us all feeling better after that!

I also loved the bit when later on in the talk Benedict suddenly realised he hadn't taken his coat off.  Of course, as soon as he removed his duffel jacket the wolf whistles etc, started.  So Ben stands up and starts to pretend to do a striptease with the buttons on his blue shirt!  Loo said something like, "Oh, one more button" and Benedict sort of looked at her and she came over all embarrassed and said she was starting to blush!  Haha, it was great!

They both mentioned halfway through the talk about the signing afterwards, and they said it would only be for an hour.  And not long after that, with the talk a good 30 mins or so from finishing, I noticed some girls leaving.  Then I kept hearing more seats flipping up and even more people departing.  I could see them disappearing all around the place.  
Speaking personally, I totally understood why they did it.  It even crossed my mind to leave then too and get in line along with them to make sure we got to meet Benedict after.  But we'd paid to hear a talk on Sherlock.  We'd paid to hear what Benedict had to say about playing him.  And really, if it meant not meeting him after, then so be it.  It was a shame they left, because they missed the floor being opened up to Benedict, and even he picking the questions himself.  I just found the various people leaving early a distraction more than anything.  
But it was noticed, because Benedict actually said something like,  "Where are all those people going?"  Some people in the audience did shout out to him the most obvious reason, but I don't think he responded to it.

Loo did ask Benedict about the 'present that Molly give to Sherlock that Christmas'.  Now, I did tweet Loo to ask Benedict that question.  So I'm assuming it was my question she was (sort of) putting to him (she'd asked people on Twitter a few days ago to send in questions for her to ask Ben).  But she proceeded to tell him what she thought was in it, whereas I wanted his own ideas on what the present contained.  Anyway, it was quite funny seeing/hearing his response to it being a green mankini!  He even made a joke about wearing it outside his cycle gear the following week (when he did that 45-mile charity bike ride).  Now, I'd pay to see that!

When the talk was over (far too soon, it seemed), everyone shot out to get in line for the signing and the chance to meet Ben.
We found the line and stood.  I must admit that I really wasn't sure if we were going to get to meet Benedict or not.  We couldn't see how long the queue was (as it went off into another room) and it was a bit disconcerting to keep seeing girls walking past, obviously having met him and had their books signed etc.  Most were in differing states of giddiness.

The queue was moving but very slowly.  It took us a good 30 mins or so to get up towards the end of the corridor (managing to see Ben through the window in the other room where he was signing as we made our way.) But when we entered the other room... good Lord!   The queue snaked upwards, back on itself, then around in a horseshoe, then it was all barriered and twisty-turny near the table where Benedict was sitting down signing!  We just couldn't see that we'd make it to meet Ben in the hour he'd given.
Anyway, we continued to queue knowing that sooner or later one of the organisers was surely going to come along the line and inform us that Ben had finished signing for the hour and that was it.  But it never happened.....

We ended up standing in line for approx. 90 mins until we got near to where he was (it actually felt much longer than that to me).  
When I could actually see him clearly at the table, I took the one and only photo I actually managed to tell my befuddled mind to take.  It's just a shame he blinked.....

Yes, my heart was thumping a bit but funnily enough I was fairly calm.  I had in my head a couple of things to say to him but I still couldn't believe he was actually sitting there not far from me!  It was kind of surreal.

We had been told to only have the one item and have the page ready where you wanted it signed.  And when I got right near him, feeling quite self-conscious, I handed it to a lady close by who then passed it along to Benedict quickly, ready for when I stood in front of him.

The first thing I said to him, which didn't quite come out how I intended it (I wanted to remark on how tiring all this signing etc, must be), but I ended up blurting out, "You must be knackered?!" to which he said, quick as a flash, "I am a bit".  He had been about to sign my book at that point but after what I said he chose then to have a drink.  He had two glasses of differing substances on the table.  One was clear and fizzy, but he drank from the other which was a liquid of a differing colour.  Ben was drinking whisky on stage (well, so he said), but whatever he drank when I was standing there made him grimace and pull a face.

When he got back to signing my book I asked him if he was going to do any more Cabin Pressure.  To which he said that he hoped to record some more in December.  I noticed that he really does look at you when he speaks, he doesn't just give you an off-hand response whilst signing, he actually stops and looks right at you. And, naturally, I came over all shy (as usual!)  He did look quite pale, I thought, and yes, very tired. 

I really don't know what I said in response to that but I did say to him that I loved the show, and that it's helped me get through some difficult days at work.  I also mentioned that John Finnemore had put on his blog that he'd already written S4 etc.  Benedict seemed to soften and relax a little then (I suppose even he gets a little nervous about meeting lots of different people).  But he praised John, calling him 'brilliant' and repeated that they hoped to record the next series in December.  He said this as he looked at me with a smile and a small wink.  Yes, a wink!

By now he'd signed my book.  Sadly not dedicated but I wasn't too bothered.  After all that happened in trying to meet him in London that time, and then selling some tickets to another talk he did at Cheltenham and missing the opportunity there, it was just lovely to finally meet him face to face.  And to talk to him too!

 

I made a point of remembering to thank him as I took my book back and left, to which he said something along the lines of, "You're welcome, and thank you".

And, yes, I fangirled!  I never thought I was like that, but after Jackie and myself had left, I practically skipped out of the Centaur in a daze.  I've always thought it was a myth saying that people 'walk on air' but truly, I could well have believed it that night because....

I'D FINALLY MET BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH!

I found out afterwards that he'd fully intended in the end to sign for everyone.  That was approx. 2,000 of us.  And he didn't finish until 12.40am.  Amazing cos that queue was huge, behind me and in front.

Ok, some things didn't pan out.  
I regret that I didn't take many photos.
He wasn't posing for any due to time issues which was fine.  I just wish I'd hung around as some of the other people did, and stood at the side snapping him like a pap.  I had my really good camera on me too with a great zoom, but it's a little bit cumbersome to carry etc, so I didn't bother.  I do kind of regret that.

Jackie, who I went with (and who I was meeting for the first time) was perfectly lovely, she did video me with Ben but it didn't come out all that great.  It was difficult because we were a little squashed up when you got close to where he was sitting.  The table being in a kind of 'L-shape' there.  
But I did manage to take a couple of video snapshots of Ben when he was talking to me although you can't really see me in them (which isn't altogether a bad thing), just my shoulder.

So all in all it was a fabulous day/evening, full of lovely people, a wonderful Sherlock chat and topped off by the splendiferous cherry on the proverbial cake by meeting Benedict himself.  Something that even now, as I blog this almost 6 months later, I still can't believe I've actually managed to do.

Mission accomplished.

In A Land Of Myth And A Time Of Magic, The Destiny Of A Great Kingdom Rests On The Shoulders Of A Young Man. His Name... Merlin.

A programme I love.  Aside from the legend we all know & love, this BBC drama had everything and I enjoyed it more and more as it progressed.  Right up until the very sad news that proclaimed it would be no more...

Colin Morgan was quite wonderful as the sorcerer, Merlin.  Having to fulfill his destiny in protecting Camelot & Arthur, and yet also having to hide the fact he has this most wonderful gift of magic.  For him, a blessing and a curse.  And yet I was watching it, aching for the moment when he would finally reveal his true self to Arthur.

Bradley James as Prince/King Arthur displayed the right amount of arrogance which goes with someone of privilege, but was also someone who you ended up caring about.  Arthur became someone who matured, especially when he finally became King and learnt about all the responsiblities which came with that title.

 
Richard Wilson was a revelation as Gaius, the court physician.  I suppose Victor Meldrew is a hard character to shrug off, but there was absolutely no sign of him here.  And he played Gaius with the right amount of knowledge & assurance for the role he held at Camelot, and yet with tenderness & care for Merlin, the son he never had.

Katie McGrath as Morgana was equally as good playing the evil sorceress.  Her character getting progressively more obsessed in trying to defeat Arthur and claim the throne for herself.  Her journey from being the kind but strong-willed King's ward to the witch she became was one of the highlights for me of the Merlin drama.

And then there was good Queen Guinevere.  Another character who had a real journey in going from a maid to ending up ruling the land of Camelot.  Beautifully played by Angel Coulby.  Guinevere was feisty but compassionate with a heart of gold.  It didn't take Arthur long to know where his heart lay.  And, once Lancelot perished, Guinevere gave her heart freely to Arthur in return.

There were so many other great characters, ranging from Arthur's noble Knights, to the lovely Lancelot, from Mordred to Uther Pendragon. All wonderfully played.  Even Kilgharrah (the great dragon), superbly voiced by John Hurt, had a hugely important part to play.  In fact, John Hurt's voice used as the narrator at the start, as well as the dragon, was another enormous highlight of Merlin for me. 

The drama was aimed at a family audience.  Although some story lines were quite dark, there was enough wit & humour to more than balance out any of that.
The 'bromance' which Arthur and Merlin played out was so lovely to watch.  The banter they displayed on screen was a joy and was the glue which kept the entire show together.  

Arthur giving Merlin all these mundane, grotty jobs because of his royal standing, and yet Merlin doesn't complain, knowing that he's destined to be there for Arthur no matter what, so therefore he serves him openly and yet protects him privately.  He asks for no credit and gets none.  
But that all changed in that very final scene between Arthur & Merlin which had me weeping tears of sadness.....

And I shall be having the great pleasure of seeing Colin Morgan acting live on stage soon, in a production of The Tempest at the Globe Theatre in London.  I can't wait!

Merlin, series 1 trailer...

Merlin, series 5 trailer...

 

 
 

Shall We Take A Turn?

I've always had a big love for the period drama.  No particular era, although I do have a penchant for Georgian and Victorian times.  But I just adore watching a well-written drama from a bygone age.  Perhaps it's the manners people expressed in those times, the curtsey and bows that strangers used to say hello & goodbye.  Perhaps it's because back then, gentlemen were gentlemen and behaved as such.  Perhaps it's because people lived out their days more leisurely (I do, of course, refer to those who had money).  Perhaps it's the costumes, the ladies had some glorious dresses to wear, and the men, well, who could resist a handsome gentleman in a cravat and waistcoat?

I have enclosed a few of my favourite period dramas which I've enjoyed watching (some of them lots of times) over the years.


North & South, a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, starring the lovely Richard Armitage, Brendan Coyle and Daniela Denby-Ashe.  I saw this years ago and have been smitten with Mr Armitage ever since.

Jane Eyre, starring Timothy Dalton & Zelah Clarke.  Still my absolute favourite version of this story.  No matter how many other ones I've watched over the years (and I've seen them all) this one is still the best.  It manages to make me feel every emotion there can be in a period drama.  I think Dalton is superb as Edward Rochester and, for me, no one has come close to his portrayal of the character.

 

Pride & Prejudice, whether it be the BBC version or the (latest) film version.  I wasn't a fan of the 'filmed' one first of all but it has grown on me, and I suppose it's quite nice seeing the story played out in a refreshingly short time.  Although, the TV version is probably the most definitive version there has ever been.  Played beautifully by the cast involved, it'll always be the one which other Pride & Prejudice dramatisations will be compared to. 

 

 

Hornblower was based on the seafaring stories by C S Forester, and starred the lovely Ioan Gruffudd.  A drama I watched by chance and was completely hooked on from thereon in.  Yes ok, the rather dashing Mr Gruffudd was an added incentive, but the hugely popular mini-films with its mixture of heroism and swashbuckling action sequences were a joy to watch.  I loved them.

Anne Of Green Gables, and I mean the Canadian version which was made in the 80's starring Megan Follows and Colleen Dewhurst.  Again, watched this purely by accident, catching it half-way through the series when channel-hopping.  I was instantly drawn first of all to the unrequited love which Gilbert Blythe held for Anne (Gilbert played by Jonathan Crombie who I ended up having a huge crush on back then) and then the other characters, and that was it.  I ended up watching the rest of it and then bought the video so I could see it from the very start.  I wasn't a fan of the 'continuing story' they made in the 90's.  Don't think that was necessary.  But the original is a drama which I still love, made me read the books, and is something which I still quote lines from even now.  A beautiful story of belief, hope, passion and love.

Well, that's a few to be going on with.  No doubt I shall think of lots more which I've forgotten about, but those mentioned here are the period dramas I can think of that I know I've watched countless times.

Now onto Catherine Cookson dramas...

Sadly they're not made for TV anymore, but back in the late 80's/90's, these dramatisations were on TV almost every week, with some of Cookson's books being made into a 3-part drama.  They starred actors/actresses who have since become big stars and I loved them and watched every single one.  Some I enjoyed more than others.

Here are a few of my favourites...

The Glass Virgin, which starred Brendan Coyle, Emily Mortimer & Nigel Havers.

 

The Cinder Path, which starred Catherine Zeta-Jones and Lloyd Owen.

The Tide Of Life, which starred Gillian Kearney, Ray Stevenson and the lovely James Purefoy.

 

The  Rag Nymph, which starred Perdita & Honeysuckle Weeks and Alec Newman.

Period drama, I just love them...

I have a Facebook Group here... I ♥ Period Drama

Benedict Cumberbatch in Look Back In Anger (July, '12)

This is a posting about my time at London to see the reading of the John Osborne play, Look Back In Anger.

I freely admit that I went purely to see Benedict Cumberbatch perform.  So therefore this posting is mainly about my thoughts & feelings with regard to seeing him in the flesh etc.  So don't expect a blow-by-blow account of the play.

  

Got to the Duke of York theatre with time to spare, noticing on arrival that there were quite a few people milling around on the not-too-wide pavement.  I did wonder then if they were waiting for someone....

My friend who I was with (Mandy) was trying to get a return ticket for her daughter which she wasn't able to, so we ended up just milling outside along with everyone else (even though it was raining).

There was an oldish man on a step selling The Big Issue, and he said to both Mandy & myself that "he was out now".  And we were like, "who is?"   "Do you mean who we think you mean?"  Anyway, he didn't really reply so Mandy went to speak to her daughter, but something made me turn my head and look a little way up the road and there, standing outside the right-hand side of the theatre front was Benedict Cumberbatch himself!

There was quite a few girls around him taking photos & getting autographs, and he being that bit taller than everyone else, I could see him clearly above them.  And the first thing I spotted was his beige 'War Horse' cap.

So, I went over, scrabbling around in my bag for something he could possibly sign.  When I noticed that Mandy was still talking to her daughter and clearly hadn't noticed.  I shouted a few times to her, to no avail, so in the end, when I wasn't far from Benedict himself, I turned round and gave an loud whistle and shouted, "Mandy, he's over here!"  Good lord, if Benedict happened to hear any of that he must have thought I was incredibly common!

So, we ended up kind of just standing there hoping to get close and get something signed but sadly it didn't happen.  Cos not long afterwards I heard him say that that was all he could sign for now and that he had to go inside the theatre.  He proceeded to walk straight past me and that was that.

I turned round and watched him as he walked past only to be a little miffed to see him sign stuff for a couple of people who were behind me (and thus standing where I'd been at the very start), so I walked over and stood there.  I could have touched his leather jacket, I could have got his attention by saying his name, but I didn't.  I guess I didn't want to appear pushy, and I was remembering that he had already said once that he must get inside the theatre.  So I just stood there, willing for him to slightly turn my way cos I certainly would have asked for him to sign something then.  It was difficult not to when he was literally right in front of me (albeit with his back to me). But when he finished, sadly he just walked straight off into the theatre.  Never mind, I was hoping he'd come out to see his fans after the performance.

The play reading was 2 and a half hours!  I had front row seats.  Front row seats to just sit there and admire the talent there in front of me.  Front row seats to enjoy all the performers just sitting there acting their socks off in the same chair for the entire duration of that afternoon's performance.

And whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the play, even though it was a rehearsal reading and not an actual production as such, actually seeing Benedict on stage was something else....

I admit that I spent the whole time just gazing at him, looking at every little bit of him I could.  Yes, I was trying to enjoy the play but when 'he' was literally only a few feet away from you, and on stage the whole time, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.  I was really giving him the once over (or twice and thrice over!)  I was eyeing up his watch, his shoes, his colourful natty socks, his leather jacket which he took off on stage during the first half, his muscles (oh those muscles, which he'd got just finishing Star Trek and which I could see clearly through his white t-shirt...gulp), oh, and his lovely floppy hair which he seemed to like playing with.  It was very easy to do that from the front-row with Ben just sitting there right in front of you for a few hours.  He did tend to look around at the audience if he wasn't reading a scene so I got a few nice bits of eye contact too (one of which I felt compelled to turn away!)

Ben did almost stand up during his performance a few times. It's amazing how physically into it he got. He was always turning around in his chair directly addressing his words to the person in question.  (Did I say turning?  More like bouncing!)  It was great to see.  And whilst everyone else had their scripts in a nice black folder...not Benedict, his script was all loose in his hands (with a few things written down here & there, I noticed).

One particular scene I remember was between Benedict's character (Jimmy Porter) and Rebecca Hall's character (Alison Porter) and was towards the end.  They were married in the play and had been estranged for a while (mainly cos Jimmy was always such an absolute pig to her), and in this scene he discovers that she'd been carrying his child but had miscarried.  It was beautifully played, especially by Rebecca.  There were tears aplenty from both of them and I just sat there completely drawn-in and mesmerised by this scene being played out before my eyes.  

This wasn't the only time Benedict cried during the performance.  Another time I remember in particular, was equally as moving.  The emotion displayed was astonishing.  Benedict didn't just weep, but he really cried.  He had tears dripping down his face, coming off his chin and there was snot and everything.  Yes, that shows you just how much into this role he actually got.  It was really incredible.

But Benedict aside, the play was fantastic.  All wonderfully performed with some superb acting.  Such an array of talent on the stage (the likes of Rebecca Hall & Anna Maxwell-Martin not to mention Benedict himself), doesn't happen very often and it was an honour to have been there that day to see it.

When the show finished, because of where I was sitting, I could see the cast off-stage at the side. And while I was getting my stuff together I could see Ben chatting with them and I kind of took my time because his voice just stood out from the others, even off stage.

And then we were outside the theatre.  Good lord.....

The people waiting for him afterwards was quite incredible. I've never seen that amount of people waiting to get near someone in a long time.  When he came out, Benedict had a bit of a 'rabbit in the headlights' look for a moment (although he did get a huge cheer when he first came out which I thought was nice).  When he first emerged he actually just stood there for a few seconds as he surveyed the huge crowd before him and it was like he was thinking, "Holy crap, are you all here for me?"

Mandy and myself were right at the back of the queue.  I say 'queue' in its broadest possible sense, it was more a crowd.  A throng.  A mob, if you will.

The old man selling The Big Issue was still there, and he kindly gave up his step and asked me if I fancied standing on it so I could get a better view of Benedict.  I was quite touched by this act of generosity and stood on the step (although I got the impression that this man was wearing a 'seen-this, done-that' sort of expression).

It's a shame Benedict didn't hang around longer than 10 minutes though.  Once things seemed to get a little more congested than it was deemed fit, one of his fellow-performers from that afternoon came and helped him away before things got a bit much for him.

A couple of factors I thought contributed to this.......

• I wish when people had had their photo/signature/time with Benedict, that they then had had the good grace to move out the way. Nope, most just stayed put getting in the way.  Someone did say to me that they tried to move but couldn't.  Well, that's when the words, "excuse me" come into good use, surely?

• The dealers there (who sell the autographs they get) were really starting to anger Ben.  Apparently he said no to someone three times who already had had numerous photos signed and who still kept pestering for more.

• I know that with some theatres in London that they do operate a system whereby at the stage door people can queue for autographs/photos etc, in an orderly fashion with the aid of a barrier system put in place.  And yet that afternoon, they must have known that Benedict was a big draw, the ticket sales must have told them that, but the security there was non-existent, no barriers or anything.

I did manage to record a wee bit of video of Ben whilst in the crowd and when he left.  As he walked right by me (I was squashed up against the wall as he passed), all I got was a blurry black image of his leather jacket and a quick thank you (not sure who to).  But what you do see is a little bit of Ben's retreating back as he was dashing off to his waiting car. Some people were almost pounding on the car as he got in. That part shamed me a little. 

Then at this point, literally just after the car pulled away, a known autograph dealer (who I'd seen earlier bragging about getting Ben's autograph but then Ben had refused to sign anything more for him) stormed passed me in a right strop. Yes, he'd been in the crowd yet again, trying to get more signatures to sell for extortionate amounts, and I can only gather that Ben or someone associated with him had told him where to go, cos as he passed me he was ranting.... "Now, I'm really f**ked off! I'm going to f**king hurt someone". Needless to say, I moved right out of his way.

I hope this gets sorted in the future, cos Ben will stop greeting his fans if this carries on. It really wasn't fun, for Benedict or for us really. 

Once Ben had gone obviously the crowd dispersed.  It was amazing how quickly it could be done!  So myself  & Mandy left too.  Yes, I was disappointed not to have either a good photo, an autograph or anything like that.  But actually I wasn't too despondent.  I hoped there'd be other chances to see Benedict again.

I just felt privileged to see the man at work.  It may have only been a rehearsed play-reading but it was fascinating to see all the emotions and feelings etc, to which he portrayed Jimmy Porter.  That character is not an easy one to play.  And that afternoon of Friday 6th July 2012, I just felt so honoured to have been sitting watching that performance of Look Back In Anger at the Duke of York theatre.

 (Thank you to whoever took this photo)

Les Miserables

I've adored the stage show for years. Listened to all the soundtracks available and loved the songs so much. You could say that I know the show about as well as is possible to know a show!
So when I learned that there was to be a film version of the musical, I was overjoyed!
I finally got to see the film the other week and I was blown away. Truly, I thought it was fantastic.
Yes, Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean is the main character and holds the film together, but I was most impressed with Russell Crowe. I know he's had his critics about playing Javert but I thought he put in a magnificent performance. Ok, his singing isn't as good as most of the others, but he lends a grittiness to his character which suited it well.
And as for Anne Hathaway.....well, if she doesn't win an Oscar for her portrayal of Fantine, then I'll be very much surprised. Some have said that she was over-acting, which to a degree I suppose she was. But I think she was trying to convey how wretched Fantine's lot in life had become, and as it was all sung live on set, I think that that wretchedness was wrought out of her and came through markedly when she sang 'I Dreamed A Dream'. One of the most heart-wrenching performances of a song I've seen sung on film.

Laurie R. King

If you like mysteries, and if, like me, you love reading Sherlock Holmes stuff, then you can't go far wrong with the series of books written by Laurie R. King.
Sherlock has retired (or so he says), and the stories are written through the eyes of Mary, as her memoirs of her adventures and life with the great consulting detective.
Some people may frown on the relationship that Sherlock has with the infinitely younger Mary, but she is more than Sherlock's equal in mind and tenacity.
They're a brilliant read, and I thoroughly recommended them.

'With Or Without You'

My first Sherlock video...

Frankel officially rated best since rankings began after review

Frankel has become officially the highest-ever rated racehorse on the Flat after a review of global rankings.
The retired champion, who won all 14 of his races, takes the top spot after the rating for previous number one Dancing Brave was downgraded.
Frankel's rating is confirmed as 140, but Dancing Brave is now 138 not 141, following a "historical recalibration" of the rankings, which started in 1977.

Revised rankings for top-rated horses since 1977

• 140: Frankel (140)
• 138: Dancing Brave (141)
• 137 : Peintre Celebre (137)
• 136: Generous (137) Sea The Stars (136) Shergar (140)
• 135: Cigar (135) Daylami (135) El Gran Senor (138) Harbinger (135) Montjeu (135) St Jovite (135) Suave Dancer (136)

Shergar and Alleged, who were on 140 with Frankel, are down to 136 and 134.
The ratings were revealed as the 2012 World Thoroughbred Rankings were announced on Tuesday.
They followed a review that said handicapping methods - which determine a horse's ranking - had ''evolved'' over the past 35 years.
Officials have acknowledged that many horses from the 1970s and 1980s have elevated figures compared with those they would achieve today, leading to several rankings which have stood for years being revised.
Frankel was referred to as "the new benchmark of equine excellence" by the rankings committee.
The colt, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, and owned by Prince Khalid Abdulla, crowned his unbeaten career with victory in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October 2012.

Frankel facts

• Trainer: Sir Henry Cecil Jockey: Tom Queally Owner: Prince Khalid Abdulla
• Career earnings: £2.99m
• Nickname: Usain Colt after comparisons with the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt
• Betting: Odds-on in all races, except his first - £1 on his 14 wins would have made a profit of just £5.96
• Feature: What next for £100m stallion?
• Profile: Story of wonder horse

He was retired at the age of four for a breeding career, which is due to start on Valentine's Day, 14 February - and commands a stud fee of £125,000 a time.
Dancing Brave, also owned by Abdulla and trained by Guy Harwood, won eight of his 10 races in 1985 and 1986 - including the 2000 Guineas, Eclipse, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe,
The ratings are expressed in the equivalent of pounds in weight. So according to the rankings, Frankel would be 2lb superior to Dancing Brave.
Frankel, who won the 2000 Guineas but did not run in the Epsom Derby or Arc, earned his highest rating twice during 2012 - in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and York's Juddmonte International.
He is considered by many to be the best of all time , although unlike other top-rated horses such as Dancing Brave, Peintre Celebre and Sea The Stars, he never ran over a distance further than a mile and a quarter.
Peintre Celebre, who won the 1997 Arc, is now officially the third best since rankings began after his rating was kept at 137.
Frankel - who is the only horse to have topped the world rankings as a two, three and four-year-old - was rated 9lb ahead of his nearest 2012 rival, Champion Stakes runner-up Cirrus des Aigles on 131, with unbeaten Australian sprinter Black Caviar and Excelebration next on 130.
The international rankings, which have only included American horses since 1995, were ratified during a conference of handicappers from around the world in Hong Kong last month.