DON PEDRO Your silence most offends me, and to be merry best becomes you; for, out of question, you were born in a merry hour. BEATRICE No, sure, my lord, my mother cried; but then there was a star danced, and under that was I born. Much Ado About Nothing, II.i
I was recently asked for my advice on songs to play for a Christmas party. I know, I know, it’s Not Even Thanksgiving Yet, but to help us prepare for the impending festive season I will now share with you the essential songs for any successful yuletime soiree. Feel free to add, amend, remonstrate with … Continue reading
I can’t sleep. I can’t sleep because I keep having nightmares about a spider attacking me. I keep having nightmares about a spider attacking me because there is a real goddamn spider really living right by my goddamn bed. I found it the other day lurking under the radiator, which is approximately eight inches from … Continue reading
It’s starting to get toward that time of year where I get up in the dark, ride to work through dark tunnels, work all day under florescent lighting, leave work after dark, and arrive home in the dark. This is not my favorite thing. But London in darkness can be a wonderful city to behold, … Continue reading
I report with great pride that my first book review for Global Moves is available on Quite Irregular, the blog curated by my friend and colleague Dr. Jem Bloomfield. Please do go have a read of his critique, add commentary where you feel it is warranted, and come away a wiser person for it. Review … Continue reading
Once again, the Bloomsbury Festival rolled around and brightened my life. The highlight this time was The Literary Cabaret last night at Senate House, hosted by Helen Smith (who, you may recall, I wrote about for The Writers’ Guild.) We were treated to an evening of song, wine, and superb reading, which I think you … Continue reading
Since my last two adventures were rather distressing, I wanted to remind you that all is not fraught with peril and angst here in London. Though frankly, many things are, and it’s easy for me to forget the wondrous things. I recently referred to my London life as ‘vinegary’ and I stand firmly by my … Continue reading
Last week appears to have been a week for testing my mettle. The day after Bus Day, I was running an errand in my neighborhood in the middle of the morning. I walked from Shadwell station towards my house; in front of me a couple walked along the road together, laughing. Suddenly he reached out, … Continue reading
It took no small effort to push myself up from the gutter in which I was lying. I had seen the bus, I had run for it, and indeed I had caught it. But not before catching my foot on a wayward slab of pavement and flying headlong into the street. I hit the ground … Continue reading
I went to see The Tempest at the RSC Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon while I was there. This was the first performance of that particular play I’d ever seen, though I was vaguely familiar with the plot. To start with the theatre itself: what an absolutely remarkable building. The play’s staging made full use of the … Continue reading
It being the last weekend of the London Wonderground festival, I thought I would stock myself up until next season by going to two shows one after the other. The delectable Fitzrovia Radio Hour, upon whom I have written many times before, were first with a new show fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe. I was … Continue reading
In a Merry Hour: Caitlin E McDonald 