8th May 2011

The legendary Des O’Connor unveils a British Comedy Society plaque to Carry On star and comedian Jack Douglas. Jack’s lady, Viv, Valerie Leon, Jacki Piper, Alan Curtis, Jess Conrad and Doreen Wise were amongst the guests. A beautiful day, marvellous food and a very friendly atmosphere combined to make a perfect tribute.

7th May 2011

To the Apollo to see Noel Coward’s ‘Blithe Spirt’. Alison Steadman takes on the medium Madame Arcati while Robert Bathurst and Hermione Norris make perfect leads. The cheeky sprite Ruthie Henshall steals the show though. A delight.

3rd May 2011

At the 2nd meeting of Mitch Benn’s Distraction Club. A great line-up including Rich Hall, but Distraction Kirsty Newton stole the show with a brilliantly original set. Here’s to the next time… 7th June. Put it in your diary.

2nd May 2011

Off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz… when he landed in St. Albans in his TARDIS. Honestly! Bobby Darvo and Sarah Jane Honeywell brought great fun and sauciness to the classic story. Great fun.

23rd April 2011

Matt Smith returns in ‘Doctor Who’. Wonderful, of course. It’s a new Golden Age… if you must call it that! 😉 for the superb ‘Psychoville’ also returns on 5th May. The best of times… The day was soured with the announcement of the death of comedy writer John Sullivan. With ‘Citizen Smith’, ‘Just Good Friends’, ‘Dear John’ and, particularly, ‘Only Fools and Horses’ John wrote some of the finest of British situation comedy.

20th April 2011

Fun and childish games at the National Film Theatre for an evening in their ‘Dramarama and Beyond: Children’s TV Drama of the 80s’ season. An episode of ‘Maggie’, ‘Dodger, Bonzo and the Rest’ and the ‘Dramarama’ episode ‘Big T for Trouble’ starring Nicola Ramsey reflected the small screen’s attitude to Family Affairs.

19th April 2011

Stunned to hear the news of the death of Elisabeth Sladen at the age of 65. Not only was Lis Robert’s first and favourite ‘Doctor Who Girl’ but also his first crush. Lis was a wonderful friend over the years and will remain a vibrant part of British television culture thanks to her appearances in ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’. From her first appearance in 1973’s ‘The Time Warrior’ to the, as yet unbroadcast, episodes from 2011, Lis’s performance as Sarah-Jane captured the imagination of generations. Our thoughts are with Lis’s beloved husband Brian Miller and their only child, Sadie.

15th April 2011

A delightful lunch with Vera Day is made even more memorable by the unexpected appearance of Tom Adams. Those hands are every bit as scary as they were in ‘The House That Dripped Blood’. Very sad news to hear of the death of Trevor Bannister at his finest in comedy: ‘The Dustbinmen’, ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ and, of course, ‘Are You Being Served?’

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