Category Archives: Uncategorized

Today is Christmas Day. I’ve been singing, playing and listening to Christmas songs for nearly a month now. ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’ has been repeated many times. I’ve never experienced a white Christmas. I don’t think I ever shall. However much I dream of it, it won’t happen. Perhaps it’s impossible.   IContinue reading “Christmas Dreams”

It’s Christmas Eve. Over the last few days Christmas presents have been ‘appearing’ around our Christmas tree. There have been family phone calls to finalise arrangements. Rachel’s completed her food shopping. We expect our family Christmas to happen as it has for many years. About a month ago I decided that I would prune ourContinue reading “Christmas Presents, Apple Trees, and Big Octopuses”

Last night we learnt that Chris Rea, had died, aged 74. He’s the musician behind ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, which tells the story of a weary traveller making his way home in heavy traffic. He explained: ‘It was 1978, coming up to Christmas. It was all over for me: I was just about out ofContinue reading “Finding Security in Uncertainty”

On Saturday we watched ‘Annie’. The many expressions of praise and appreciation on social media include: ‘Fantastic nights at The Seagull Annie Jr… So much hard work gone in by all, loved it and very grateful for (daughter) to be given the opportunity to be part of this production.’ ‘Brilliant show. You could tell howContinue reading “Just Say Thank You”

Yesterday we went to see ‘Annie’. It really was an excellent production. We knew some of the children who all sung and acted really well. Flo was particularly wonderful as Annie… It’s a great story about the little orphan Annie in 1930s New York. When Annie is down on her luck she sings ‘Tomorrow’. TheContinue reading “Tomorrow”

My mother used to say ‘Christmas is a family time’. With fixed ideas about what that meant for us, she made those ideas clear. We used to play ‘Happy Families’, a card game that features fictional families. Each family had four members – father, mother, son, daughter and an occupational theme, so there was MrContinue reading “Seals, Squirrels and Bakers”

In the musical ‘Oliver’… Taken from the workhouse… sold to the undertaker Mr Sowerby… sent to sleep with the coffins Oliver sings: Where is love?Does it fall from the skies above?Is it underneath the willow tree?That I’ve been dreaming of?… Much of the rest of the story asks that question – with Nancy, the ArtfulContinue reading “Where is Love?”

About eighteen years ago my friend Ian asked if I would like to become a director of The Seagull Theatre. I agreed. It’s not as grand as it sounds. As directors we reflect on the building and the people that make up our theatre… how we can best serve our local community… provide opportunities toContinue reading “Seagulls, Directors, and Direction”

The row about pigeons at Norwich Market has continued for several weeks. Market traders and residents said that they’re pests, an unhygienic nuisance, complaining about people who feed and encourage them. Norwich City Council brought in a hawk to scare off the birds… Yesterday, on TV, local pigeon welfare campaigner Jenny Coupland, said the birdsContinue reading “Pigeons, Puritans and Poverty”

When I was a teenager the Beatles were singing about love: She says she loves youAnd you know that can’t be badYes, she loves youAnd you know you should be glad Bob Dylan was singing about peace and freedom: Yes, and how many ears must one man haveBefore he can hear people cry?Yes, and howContinue reading “From Walruses and Penguins to Sheep”