Catch up: books, theatre, film and TV

Isn't it interesting that an awful lot of new children's books are reemphasising illustration (often by the author themselves)? I loved Quentin Blake's illustrations for Roald Dahl's stories - well, Quentin Blake's illustrations for anything, really. I know that there is a long-established tradition of illustrating children's stories in particular, but in recent years these pictures seem to have become an awful lot darker - perhaps to reflect the stories themselves (cf. Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, illustrated in the UK edition by Chris Riddell). Of course, children's stories are not all fairies and candy floss; think of the Tales of the Brothers Grimm, and Dickens' Christmas Stories. There does seem to have been, however, a hiatus between the late nineteenth century and the late twentieth century as far as 'plastic' children's stories goes (with the odd - often bizarre - exception, e.g. Russell Hoban's stories for children). I like the return to stories in which the dark and dangerous illustrations reflect the dramatic tension of the story!

Went to see Graham Norton in La Cage aux Folles last week. Let's be honest - he's not known for his singing and I have to admit, I was a little nervous about how he would manage a 2 1/2 hour production as one of the lead roles. However, he pulled it off spectacularly. The production as a whole was wonderful, eerily erotic dancing from the men-women and superb acting from all of the lead roles. I'm familiar with some of the songs from this show, so it was a great joy to see them performed live. More than anything, though, I loved the audience. This was a matinee performance and, as you might expect, leaned fairly heavily to the pensioner side of things. (There is something odd about 200 pensioners coming to watch a play about a transvestite caberet in France...). However, they responded marvellously and I ended up sitting next to an elderly gentleman who had the most spectacular baritone laugh I have ever heard!

'Good God...', I think to myself, as Christopher Biggins comes out dressed as Danny Zuko with the oddest quiff and the biggest middle-aged spread imaginable (stretched tightly across a clinging black T-shirt). What follows is the most unnatural (and campest) version of 'You're the One that I Want' that I've ever seen. Nothing will top that, I think to myself. And then out comes Robert Webb with an utterly unique interpretation of 'Flashdance' complete with what looks like a rubber leotard and a rather disturbing hairy chest (as well as ridiculously feminine legs)! Both performances defy description, so watch them here.

So, Kate Winslet finally won her Oscar. I have to admit, I haven't seen The Reader yet, but I feel that she deserved one, if only for waiting so long! I didn't get the opportunity to watch the show, but it looks as though it was better than it has been for the last few years. I have to admit, I'm going to miss the build up now for another 12 months...

I'm currently reading Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. This is book my brother lent me and I haven't got round to picking it up until now. I'm only half-way through, so I can't really comment on the plot/characters yet, but what I can say is that it made me laugh out loud on the tube, much to the disgust of the man sitting next to me...

Weekend at home

Mum's birthday this weekend, so off home we went. In the past month, we've all four moved out, so Mum and Dad are on their own. I'm not sure they've noticed yet, but I imagine it will hit soon enough. I saw Sister 1's new house: it's beautiful - well-situated, spacious and very, very cheap. I'm jealous! Talking to her partner, I found a connection with the stories of various slightly strange authors. I've recommended Russell Hoban to him, so we'll see how he manages with that.

I'm house-sitting next weekend, as my parents go off on a half-term trip. I'm really looking forward to the space. Hopefully it will focus the mind, so that I can *finally* finish the chapter I'm working on. I think if I don't submit something to my supervisor (who I haven't seen for about 12 months) soon, I may find it difficult to complete. I'm aware that I now have less than 12 months to go (especially in terms of funding), and I'm feeling the pressure. I've found it very difficult to commit to this project; there are periods of intense frustration and dispiritedness, barely balanced by the short bursts of motivation and excitement. Funnily enough, the hardest thing at the moment is just to write. I can stare at the computer screen for hours and barely write a few hundred words. Given that I'm working in the humanities, I really should be able to manage more than this!

Obviously one of the biggest distractions is the Internet!! Unfortunately, it's also becoming one of the most important tools I have. I'd much rather be writing for fun. I keep reading stories and wishing I were writing creatively. I do try to see the PhD as creative writing of a certain genre, but it feels so much more methodical (and so much less relevant...). I've just received a box set of Roald Dahl novels. I'd been reading the short stories and had a sudden hankering after some of the first stories I remember. I was especially pleased to read "Matilda" again after so many years. It's as good as I remember! I look forward to working my way through the rest.