Assassins

LAMDA’s new theatre is almost finished. The first production is a musical, Assassins by Sondheim.  The eponymous assassins are the men and women who have attempted, successfully or not, to assassinate Presidents of the United States and the music is a reflection of popular music in their times.

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Categorised as Theatre

Fettiplace

Many years ago, after a walk in the Cotswolds with Sandy Murray, we stopped at Swinbrook to look at the church where Nancy and Unity Mitford are buried and there are these magnificent reclining ancestors. There are two triple-deckers so it is worth the detour.

Boyne Bloomers

A letter in The Times suggests that the name of the president-elect of France could be derived from MacRonald, “one of the wild geese Irishmen who migrated to France after the battle of the Boyne”. What nonsense.

Flag Flying Days

Yesterday, 9th May, was a Flag Flying Day. These are listed on the College of Arms website with some guidance on how to fly flags correctly.

An Uncle in the Strand

My maternal grandmother is a Cator. If you’d like a thumbnail sketch the Cators are genetically rich and pathologically mean. There is probably no connection, although …  My paternal grandmother is a Jameson – less rich and wildly generous.

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Categorised as Family

Flying Bomb

This marked the beginning of a second Blitz. James Lees-Milne was living in 96 Cheyne Walk.

Lunchtime at RCM

Lunchtime concerts at the Royal College of Music are a top tip. They are usually free, only last an hour and though you may know the pieces the performers will be a surprise.

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Categorised as Music

Daylight Robbery

Walking to the Royal College of Music for a lunchtime concert the last stop for fuel is the Baglioni Hotel on Hyde Park Gate. I had a few minutes to spare and sat at the bar.

By-Elections

Following the death of Sir Gerald Kaufman a by-election was supposed to be held yesterday for his seat, Manchester Gorton. It has been deferred until the General Election next month.

Another Snake

Guess who is the longest running PG Wodehouse character? Tony Ring knows and I hear Norman Murphy shouting the answer from heaven.