Tag Archives: London
Two Gentlemen Sharing: Swinging London’s “race” picture
The films of Swinging London have been pored over and cherished ever since the 1960s. Which made Saturday’s rare BFI Southbank screening for Two Gentlemen Sharing with a Q&A with director and the two leading ladies all the more intriguing. … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Film, History
Tagged 60s, culture, elitism, film, judy geeson, kitchen sink drama, London, norman rossington, robin phillips, swinging London, ted kotcheff, two gentlemen sharing
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Filth, fury and the funny way Britain feels about Joe Orton
You never forget your first time. I was 19 years old. I descended into a dark, cramped basement where student actors brought to life a weird, twisted sexual triangle. Going to student drama productions in odd spaces around the University … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Crime and Justice, Culture, Film, Media, Radio, Theatre, TV, Uncategorized
Tagged 60s, crime, culture, dr emma parker, elitism, film, joe orton, john lahr, kenneth halliwell, Kenneth Williams, Leicester, leonie orton, literature, London, prick up your ears, satire, sheila hancock, soft touch arts, tv
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When Cathy met Ken: Revisiting Cathy Come Home in Brexit Britain
The other night I watched Ken Loach meet Cathy – or rather the young actress Elle Payne, playing Cathy in a Cardboard Citizens’ staging of his 1966 landmark TV play Cathy Come Home. The production featured many actors with experience of homelessness. … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, History, journalism, Media, Politics, TV, Uncategorized
Tagged 60s, BIG ISSUE, cardboard citizens, Cathy Come Home, culture, Ken Loach, kitchen sink drama, London, media, politics, tv
5 Comments
Up the Wellington Arch with Beatrice the Angel of Peace
English Heritage are doing a cleanup on the largest bronze sculpture in Europe – the quadriga of the Angel of Peace by Adrian Jones. Note the war booty in that chariot and the mixed message of the olive branch in … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Design, History, Radio, War
Tagged adrian john, front row, hyde park corner, London, quadriga, wellington arch
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I Dressed Ziggy Stardust – revisited
I Dressed Ziggy Stardust is getting a re-broadcast on Radio 4 on Saturday afternoon. Here’s a bit about why: When I pitched I Dressed Ziggy Stardust to Radio 4 back in 2012 there was nothing more to it than a … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, History, Music, Radio, Science Fiction/Fantasy, TV, Uncategorized
Tagged 1970s, 1980s, 70s, 80s, alice bloch, BBC, David Bowie, London, Rupa Huq, Shyama Perera, Ziggy Stardust
9 Comments
Leaving home: The 60s and getting out
The roots of this Sunday’s Something Understood for Radio 4 are in one song – The Beatles’ She’s Leaving Home and one time: the 1960s. Over the course of the decade young people found greater opportunity through a huge growth … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Culture, Film, Music, Radio
Tagged 60s, David Bowie, London, Lord Kitchener, Lynn Redgrave, Philip Larkin, Rita Tushingham, Smashing Time, Something Understood, The L Shaped Room
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The curious idea of museums
This article originally appeared in The Big Issue magazine. Journalism worth paying for. What are museums for these days? Are collections passé? Northampton City Council’s decision to sell off an ancient Egyptian statue to fund a museum extension, after striking … Continue reading
Arnold Bennett: Edwardian Superstar
All photos (except film still) copyright Samira Ahmed. No re-use without permission These are photos taken on location for Arnold of the Five Towns, my Radio 4 documentary about why this hugely popular and successful writer has fallen from fashion … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Culture, History, Radio
Tagged Arnold Bennett, Chiltern Court, London, Riceyman Steps, Stoke-on-Trent, The Old Wives' Tale
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God, & grubby hacks: The view from Fleet Street’s Church
All photographs copyright Samira Ahmed. No reuse without permission Step off Fleet Street, opposite the silver and chrome glory of the old Express building and the leaning wooden frame of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub and you’re back several hunderd … Continue reading
Posted in journalism, Media, Radio, Religion, Uncategorized
Tagged BBC, David Meara, Fleet Street, Hackgate, hostages, journalists' altar, London, Rebekah Brooks, Sir Christopher Wren, St Bride's church
4 Comments
Mr Selfridge & the book bound in human skin
Selfridge’s window display 1920s (www.shopdisplays.net) Writer Arnold Bennett was a well known celebrity in London by the 1920s and often recorded his encounters with the rich and powerful in his journals. This one has stuck in my mind. Not sure … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Business/Economics, History, TV, Uncategorized
Tagged Arnold Bennett, London, Mr Selfridge, Selfridges
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