Category Archives: Theatre

Alan Bennett: Why spilling all is not the art of the monologue

Posted on March 8, 2013 by samiraahmed

I was lucky enough to be asked to chair an In Conversation with the playwright, diarist and screenwriter Alan Bennett at the British Film Institute last night. It was focussed on his skills with the monologue, as part of a season of TV monologues. … Continue reading →

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Poor Cows and Angry Young Men: 50 years of Kitchen Sink Drama

Posted on January 24, 2013 by samiraahmed

The director Ken Loach and the theatre critic Michael Billington remember the dawn of the 60s well. “The 50s weren’t bleak and depressing,” spluttered Loach, listening to art critic Rachel Campbell-Johnston explain the grim postwar era that spawned the new … Continue reading →

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The secret elite club of ex-Virgin Marys

Posted on December 23, 2012 by samiraahmed

“I was always the sort of child who got picked on to DO things, you know?” recalls Julie Christie’s Darling, in the 1965 film, as we see her as a 6 year old Mary in the school nativity play. (watch … Continue reading →

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In Hulme: a stately Hippodrome decree’d

Posted on July 1, 2012 by samiraahmed

There is a grand Victorian theatre house where Laurel and Hardy once performed, Nina Simone sang and the Beatles made their first radio recording. If it were in Stratford-Upon-Avon or central London, the rich paintwork and red plush seats and … Continue reading →

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A Smashing Time: Murray Melvin on busting taboos in the 60s

Posted on March 27, 2012 by samiraahmed

For the third of my One to Ones for Radio 4 I wanted a Missing Angle on the golden age of British theatre and cinema — from the late 50s to the early 70s. You can listen to it here. … Continue reading →

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A Taste Of Honey: 50 years on

Posted on November 3, 2011 by samiraahmed

I’m an extraordinary person! There’s only one of me, like there’s only one of you. We’re unique! Young! Unrivalled! Smashing! Bloody marvellous!” (Jo and Geoff in A Taste of Honey)  ”Now? We’d probably have to make it via reality TV.” … Continue reading →

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Thor: Tales from Shakespeare (and Johnny Utah)

Posted on May 11, 2011 by samiraahmed

While there’s been much surprise at the choice of Kenneth Branagh to direct Marvel Studios’ action film Thor, there’s plenty of evidence that he was an inspired choice. This is my post today for The Spectator Arts Blog. Thanks to … Continue reading →

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Whose Bible is it anyway? A discussion on the King James version

Posted on March 21, 2011 by samiraahmed

After all the celebrations for the poetry and power of the King James Version, I chaired a rather more revisionist public panel discussion for the Royal Shakespeare Company on March 9th. In the atmospheric setting of the Stationers’ Hall, off Ludgate … Continue reading →

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If Homer Simpson were Muslim…

Posted on February 13, 2011 by samiraahmed

Have been re-reading Jeremiah in the  Old Testament  and watching Peter Kosminsky’s bold The Promise drama, I thought it worth revisiting something a little more light hearted — my exclusive feature on the making of The Infidel. As writer David … Continue reading →

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The Girl From The Black Country: An interview with Julie Walters

Posted on February 5, 2011 by samiraahmed

It could be the plot of a film. The working class girl from the small town who became a big star, goes home. One of Britain’s most renowned actors, 7-time BAFTA winning, 2-time Oscar nominated  Julie Walters, has  just done … Continue reading →

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