Image
Top
Navigation
January 13, 2020

The Child’s Christmas in Wales (and London)

12 secrets and surprises over the festive period, including the 4 day mid-November London adventure; half of these were photos taken with my new phone (hit refresh if slide doesn’t show)

Playing in the Dark - an evening of classical music and storytelling with Neil Gaiman, featuring Amanda Palmer and a surprise appearance by David Tennant. BBC Symphony Orchestra performed music by Dukas, Gershwin, Sullivan, Wagner, Sibelius, Herrmann to name a few. Plus I picked up a signed Good Omens script book.

Playing in the Dark - an evening of classical music and storytelling with Neil Gaiman, featuring Amanda Palmer and a surprise appearance by David Tennant. BBC Symphony Orchestra performed music by Dukas, Gershwin, Sullivan, Wagner, Sibelius, Herrmann to name a few. Plus I picked up a signed Good Omens script book.

Klaus - I was lucky to catch this during its limited theatrical run in the nearest Curzon cinema. 2D animation has a literal glow up in this feature that started as a pitch short made public in May 2015. The visuals look like they were lifted from a gorgeous children’s book. It’s a fairly grounded origin story where the real magic is in the transformation of many characters and the setting they inhabit - because, you know, kindness.

Secret Cinema: Stranger Things gave me a chance to live in Hawkins circa mid-80s, eat Scoops Ahoy ice cream and enjoy the July 4th celebrations. Part of it was like being at a rave when I wasn’t looking playing detective.

Continuing the best of both worlds - Wednesday was Netflix Day, Tuesday and Thursday were for radio and television. I scored a ticket to the Children in Need pre-recording at Elstree Studios. In between performances by Circus 1908, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, the Doctor and her companions materialised to surprise young girl Anastasia, someone who was going through a rough time personally. It filled everyone with joy. Then as Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole left stage, smiling and waving back, Jodie saw my rainbow tee and cwtched me; she liked my t-shirt!

I returned from Borehamwood to Regent Street’s Spirit of Christmas light switch on by The Script, and the super colourful Carnaby St decorations

 

I returned from Borehamwood to Regent Street’s Spirit of Christmas light switch on by The Script, and the super colourful Carnaby St decorations

Wrapped up my whimsical London adventure with Frozen II and the filmmaker Q&A. I had a cold and cough throughout the week, but it was on the way out and it never bothered me anyway...
Movie is super emotional, funny, has banging songs and great effects animation. Excited for the studios’ new direction under Jennifer Lee’s leadership.

December brought two more visits to BFI.
Uncomfortable and squeamish and genuinely creepy as hell, BBC/Netflix’s Dracula is a highly entertaining 3-part story with gothic atmosphere and suspense. Thanks for the nightmares Hartswood Films.

When the moon is full...

...there is no better time besides Christmas Eve to catch a preview of Martin's Close. Great cast, spooky imagery, delicious direction, and PCap commands and holds a room.

Christmas Eve down the Mumbles!

Christmas Day in Port Talbot while dinner’s cooking; footwear + books + chocolate + new iPhone

I hope there is still magic in the world. Every moment spent here just made me warm and happy. Like all the kids were hype and the sunshine popped up to say hi.

 

Finally, Baby Yoda and the memes he spawned. The Mandalorian and his charge were the best pairing since the Doctor and Sprout.
The little scamp would look right at home in Moon & Me.

Submit a Comment

five − two =