Rowan Atkinson back on stage?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15123783

This sounds interesting - Blackadder and Mr. Bean star, Rowan Atkinson, has rediscovered his interest in acting on stage, following his spell as Fagin in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2009. I dare say that he wants to appear in the West End - but could Nick Hytner get in first and reel him in for a production at the National Theatre?

When he says that he wants to appear in a "fairly straight, straight-forward play", I wonder what he's got in mind...

Guildhall School concert at Barbican Centre

I'm going to the Barbican Centre (pictured) this evening to listen to Guildhall Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform in the 1,949-seater Concert Hall. The musicians study at the neighbouring Guildhall School of Music and Drama - and they are, without exception, superbly talented. Tonight's programme is:

Wagner Prelude & Liebestod from ‘Tristan und Isolde’, Poulenc Gloria, and Stravinsky The Rite of Spring - and I've just checked the Barbican Centre's website for ticket availability. There are good seats left in the Concert Hall's Circle for just £10 and £15, if anyone is interested.

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=12577

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

What is going on with the weather? Talk about an Indian Summer! Here we are, eding towards October, and it's absolutely baking outside! There's a beautiful cloudless sky in the City and we've been forecast a high of 28 degrees today (that's 82 degrees in 'old money'....) - and I'm sweating like a pregnant nun by the time I get to my desk at just before 9am.

The right to die with dignity

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15082763

I can't help thinking that this is a very bad judgment. 'The preservation of life'? What kind of life - or indeed, existence - are they hoping to preserve? Is it a life that any of us - or those making this judgment - would relish?

The wonderful Simon Russell Beale

I'm off to the National Theatre after work to see a 'platform' talk with my favourite stage actor, Simon Russell Beale, and Sam Mendes about their work together over the last 20 years. Since I moved to London, I've seen Simon in many productions, including Jumpers, Humble Boy, Macbeth, Uncle Vanya and Twelfth Night (both at the Donmar Warehouse, directed by Mendes), Julius Caesar, The Life of Galileo and Major Barbara.

He is a superb actor and having met him several times, I can tell you that he is one of the loveliest men that you will ever meet.

Save the Squirrel (but just the red ones...?)

I saw this report on the BBC News website today, and it reminded me of a joke about the shortage of red squirrels. How do we know that the grey squirrels aren't old red squirrels. We've got lots of squirrels parading around our garden - and they are surprisingly noisy. Ultimately, aren't they just cute rodents with furry tails?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15066066

The long trek to Cornwall

I'm heading down to west Cornwall next Monday to see my folks. I've done the train journey so often that it has become quite boring, although my spirits perk up at two points in the five-hour journey - during the stretch around Teignmouth, where the line skirts the sea front, weaving in and out of tunnels cut into the reddish cliffs; and secondly, just as St. Michael's Mount looms into view at Marazion. I know I'm home when I see the Mount.

When I am feeling flush, I travel first class. I wouldn't bother if it were a short journey, but it's not and it's one way of adding a bit of comfort to the journey but, during one of the last travels, my First Class 'Quiet' carriage became invaded with Yummy Mummies and their little darlings. Babies with rattles, shrieking toddlers racing up and down the aisles, morons on mobiles. It was a kindergarten on wheels. No consideration - whatsoever - given to anyone around them. 

I complained to the guard (I might as well have talked to one of the babies' rattles...) and sent a stinking email to First Great Western Trains who, to their credit, sent me rail vouchers that have paid for next week's journey. It pays to complain but, to be honest, I would have rather done without the aggro in the first place.

Judi Dench and 'Send in the Clowns'

During my bus journey home last night, I listened to Dame Judi Dench singing 'Send in the Clowns', which was one of the 'acts' for Cameron Mackintosh's tribute event, "Hey, Mr Producer!" at the Lyceum Theatre a few years ago. She played Desiree in Sondheim's 'A Little Night Music' at the National Theatre some years ago, but I didn't see it, because I hadn't moved to London at that stage. It's a heart-breaking rendition - full of anger, regret and bitterness - and it knocks you for six. The Lyceum audience's applause is deafening.

Dame Judi has also sung the song at the Royal Albert Hall for 'The Proms' and a few years earlier, she went on Alan Titchmarsh's daytime show to promote her appearance at the NT.

I've included the links below to the Alan Titchmarsh show, Cameron Mackintosh tribute and 'Proms' show. They're all fantastic, but the Titchmarsh show rendition rips your heart out.  And a final caveat for the critics - it's not meant to be sung perfectly, because you lose the raw emotion. One of the reviewers on YouTube said that you need to live the song, rather than sing it - and that's spot-on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rEhOnd8S-8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE3dLzIYKs8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvZex3Qf7QQ

Jude Law, the Donmar Warehouse... and a Doctor in the house

I've just come back from watching Jude Law and Ruth Wilson (pictured) in Anna Christie at one of my favourite theatres, the Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden - and full credit to them - their performances are outstanding. I would be very surprised if, in due course, they weren't nominated for the Olivier, Evening Standard and whatsonstage.com awards. Ruth Wilson is, in particular, a name to watch. I've seen her in Philistines at the NT and A Streetcar Named Desire at the Donmar, and she is phenomenal.

One extra surprise during the evening. Just before the lights went down, one of my friends said, "Isn't that Matt Smith over there?" - and sure enough, the Doctor was in the house. I asked him for a couple of autographs during the interval, and he was absolutely charming.

The Passenger Who Talked Too Much

Are you ready for today's rant? It's a personal and, I'll admit, not very charitable view. I boarded a busy 38 this evening and was subjected to a fellow passenger's mind-numbingly boring conversation about her direction in life (downhill, I would imagine), her friends (I was surprised that she could call on so many) and a work project that she is struggling with (too boring to discuss here). At various levels of volume, she talked and talked and talked and talked and talked and talked and talked and talked. Occasionally, she listened. I savoured those brief moments.

I prayed that her bus stop would come, that the conversation would take an interesting turn, or that her friend on the other end would die of boredom. Unfortunately, I was disappointed on all three counts. Relief came when my own bus stop loomed into sight.

Its odd. We are told that public speaking terrifies most of us, but I don't see that. If you were asked to give a speech to a room full of 40 people about your partner's shortcomings in the bedroom, a recent visit to the hospital, why you hate your job, or the merits of a new shampoo, you would probably say "Are you mad?!" And yet, so many people are happy to do that - and a lot more - on the top deck of a London bus. Does it occur to them that many of us just want to read a book or 'zone out'? Does it occur to them that they are talking, in such lurid detail and often, so loudly, about their private lives?

Interesting news report, this is.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15009789

Frank Oz, the man behind the voices of Kermit, Miss Piggy, The Cookie Monster and Yoda, is directing Terrible Advice, starring Scott Bakula, at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London.

In this report, he tells Mark Lawson from BBC Radio 4's 'Front Row' why Yoda speaks like that. Listen to this, you should.

A bit of grief for Mike Leigh's 'Grief' at the NT

Hmmm... interesting. Some 'mixed' reviews for Mike Leigh's new play, Grief, at the National Theatre. I've booked to see it next month with one of my friends, Andrew, and am looking forward to it, despite some of the less enthusiastic notices. I am always bemused that Leigh's plays sell out at the NT, even when people don't know the title of the play, its theme or the cast which, in this case, includes the wonderful Lesley Manville (pictured). 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15017720

'The Craze' at the NT

                                            [photo by Johan Persson]
Having sung the praises of James Corden and the cast of One Man, Two Guvnors at the National Theatre, I should have mentioned the talented, pre-Beatles skiffle band who kept us entertained before 'curtain up', during scene changes and as we filed out of the auditorium.

The four guys from 'The Craze' were a firm favourite with the audience... and to be honest, what a brilliant gig for them! A captive audience of 900 at the NT every night for months in the sell-out show - and I do hope that they've committed to cover the play's regional tour and subsequent transfer to the West End.

Grant Olding, Phil James, Richard Coughlan (my favourite member of the band) and Ben Brooker - you were great!

http://thecrazeband.co.uk/

In praise of James Corden

James Corden was one of Alan Bennett's History Boys at the National Theatre. I loved that play and the cast, including Dominic Cooper, Samuel Barnett and Jamie Parker, were wonderful. But I never quite warmed to James Corden, the chubby lad who played the joker, Timms, and I didn't get into Gavin and Stacey or appreciate his appearances on game shows. The word 'annoying' springs to mind.

But I have come away from seeing him in the National Theatre's One Man, Two Guvnors, with unbridled admiration for his amazing - and amazingly physical - performance. He has perfect comic timing and bonds immediately with the audience. No wonder that the play sold out at the NT and after a national tour, it will transfer to the West End.

We gave him a standing ovation tonight and, after laughing myself hoarse, I must admit that it's one of the best shows that I've ever seen at the NT. And I seen lots of shows there.

Full credit to the rest of the cast, too, including Oliver Chris, Jemima Rooper, Daniel Rigby (who won a Best Actor BAFTA recently for his portrayal of Eric Morecambe) and an acquaintance of mine, David Benson, whose one man show, Think No Evil of Us: My Life with Kenneth Williams, is a masterpiece. I have seen it four times and it gets better every time.

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/64476/productions/one-man-two-guvnors.html

http://davidbenson.webs.com/

Bloody pavement cyclists!

During my walk to the bus stop and my subsequent bus ride into the City, I lost count of the number of cyclists riding on the pavements. It make my blood boil.

Through gritted teeth, I say this. In their defence, I guess the only excuse for cycling on the pavements is when it is particularly and suddenly dangerous for them to cycle on the road - i.e. when they have to ride on the pavement to avoid injury by a vehicle - but then it becomes dangerous for pedestrians. Why should you have to scan the pavement ahead of you or look behind you to check for cyclists? Why should you have to put up with idiots on the pavements - who should know better - whizzing around street corners on their bikes?

Most pavement cyclists do what they do without thinking - and it bloody well annoys me, because it turns pavements into extra-wide cycle lanes. That's another excuse, perhaps - the apparent lack of cycle lanes.

But let me go on. I would like to see more pavements cyclists stopped and fined on-the-spot by the police - when you see them. And I would love to see more pedestrians remonstrating with them, were it not the fact that you would probably get a mouthful of abuse... or a lot worse. Probably not a wise course of action. And so it goes on unchallenged.

And have you noticed that the latest craze is to cycle with your hands in your pockets or hanging down by your side? Sometimes, with headphones on; often, without a helmet. If they hit a pothole or a loose paving slab, can you imagine? They are playing a dangerous game.

'Crash' star treads the boards in the West End

Here's a nifty bit of casting. Thandie Newton, who has starred in Crash, Interview with the Vampire, Beloved, 2012, Jefferson in Paris and Mission Impossible II, will appear in 'Death and the Maiden' at The Harold Pinter Theatre (previously The Comedy Theatre) from 13th October. Her co-stars are Tom Goodman-Hill and Anthony Calf, both of them fine actors whom I've seen in productions at the National Theatre and Donmar Warehouse.

If you're interested in buying tickets for the show, the number is 0844 871 7622 and the website is http://www.deathandthemaidentheplay.com/

Chuggers

I am looking forward to an enjoyable lunch at the Almeida Restaurant in Islington (see below) today and afterwards, I'll head into central London to do some window-shopping and a bit of street photography. However, if there's one thing that spoils my forays into the city, it's chuggers - or 'charity muggers', if you're not familiar with the term.

I can't stand them. They seem endlessly upbeat (and is it me or are most of them from Australia...?) and they may be wonderful people with supportive partners and families, but I resent being accosted by them in the street, not least, because they have such a good way of making you feel guilty if you give them brush-off. "Do you have two minutes for disabled children?" Oh, thats's good.

Mind you, when I've been asked if I've got a minute for cancer research, I'm always tempted to reply that it's not long enough to make any headway into such a serious illness. 

And if there's one thing worse than being stopped in the street, it's when chuggers come to your home. At the end of a long day, I don't want to be dragged away from the dinner table or out of my study to be lectured about this or that charity. If I want to donate to a good cause (and I have done, as well as worked in the voluntary sector), I will do.

And if there's one thing worse than chuggers, it's street evangelists. Don't get me started on them. No really.

http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/venue/2%3A14708/almeida

Miranda Hart on BBC Radio 2

My young cousins, Maddie and Faye, are big fans of Miranda Hart. I'm not sure if they listen to Radio 2... but they might do when they hear that the award-winning comedienne, Miranda Hart, will be presenting the Chris Evans show next month for one week. I haven't seen much of her work - but I've loved what I've seen, in particular, the scene with Patricia Hodge (see below) in a cemetery. You can't beat a bit of slapstick, can you?!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14943649

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hClUsYo0ing

BP Portrait Award - very impressive!

I've just seen this image on the BBC News website and, at first, I thought it looked like a good - but hardly outstanding - photograph. And then... I realised that it is an oil painting. Isn't it incredible that some artists can capture this level of detail?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14947206

In a similar vein, I love Stuart Pearson Wright's work. His portraits are stunning.

http://www.stuartpearsonwright.com/

A Monument-al view of London.... if you've got a head for heights!

Have you visited the Monument in the City of London since it got a face lift a couple of years ago? It's a hefty climb of over 300 steps up to the new-look viewing platform 160ft above London, but you'll be rewarded with some great views of London, in particular, over towards Tower Bridge (see below). As well as a decent cardio-vascular workout, you'll get a certificate on your way out. It's just a couple of quid to visit the Monument - and well worth it, in my opinion.

http://www.themonument.info/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_to_the_Great_Fire_of_London

The return of Downton Abbey

I can't wait to see the first episode of the new series of Downton Abbey, which begins on ITV1 on Sunday at 9pm. The cast is superb, in particular, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter and the magnificent Dame Maggie Smith. And, if I'm honest, I've got a soft spot for Rob James Collier, who plays the nasty footman, Thomas, who went off to war towards the end of the first series. 

Apparently, a third series is in the pipeline... but I wonder if it will, or should, run and run and run. Isn't it better to end on a high?

Anyway, put a note in your diaries - Sunday. 9pm. ITV1. Downton Abbey.  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14634362
http://www.itv.com/downtonabbey/

Annie Lennox at the V&A

This looks amazing - Annie Lennox's costumes on show at the V&A! The exhibition, The House of Annie Lennox, opened yesterday. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14912246

'Open House London'

If you fancy exploring some of London's best-known buildings, check out 'Open House London' this weekend. Hundreds of buildings - including the Bank of England, Centrepoint, Mansion House (pictured below), Hoxton Hall, Kensington Palace, Almeida Theatre, Young Vic, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Brunel Museum and Lloyd's of London - are opening their doors to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

You can get more details from http://www.openhouselondon.org.uk/ - and if you want to see one of the world's most iconic documents, the City of London's copy of the 1293 Magna Carta (pictured) will be on rare public display at the Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre, EC2. It's the first time in decades that the document from Edward I's reign has been put on display, so it's a very rare opportunity to come face-to-face with a slice of history.

Shop around when you're buying train tickets!

I haven't seen my folks in Cornwall since April, so I called First Great Western today to get a quote for rail tickets from London Paddington to west Cornwall. Now, then, call me a snob or a show-off, but the journey is over five hours' long and having travelled in First Class a couple of times on long journeys, I don't really want to go back to Sardine Class.I was quoted £74 for the outward journey and £74 for the return journey - so a total of £148. Quite a lot, you might think - and yes, I think it is. But, just out of curiosity, I asked the guy at FGW for the cost of one 'flexible' combined ticket that I could use when I wanted (i.e. not sticking to fixed train times). 

Are you sitting down? It was £317. A difference of £169.

Check this out - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14902651 - rail travel is "a rich man's toy". You're not kidding!

Is he mad?

I had to look twice when I saw these photographs in today's Metro. A Russian teenager, who bought a Canon camera 18 months ago, has been encouraging his friends to dodge security guards and CCTV cameras to climb to the top of tall buildings and scaffolding to have their photographs taken. The images are very impressive... but for heaven's sake, just look at what this guy is doing!

Victorian art in the 'Square Mile'

There's a major new exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery, EC2 from next week until the New Year. John Atkinson Grimshaw’s paintings of moonlit suburban lanes, gas-lit streets and docksides will feature in John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-1893): Painter of Moonlight from Monday 19 September to Sunday 5 January. The exhibition – the first of its kind for over 30 years - will bring together more than 50 major works by the self-taught artist, including many which have not been seen in public for decades and which have been lent by private collectors. Tickets cost £5, which sounds like good value to me!

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

I am looking forward to seeing Gary Oldman in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - he is one of my favourite film actors - and I have a personal connection with John le Carre. For my money, Gary Oldman is one of the greatest actors of his generation - a real chameleon who disappears completely into his roles. Dracula, Drexl Spivey, James Gordon, Beethoven, Joe Orton, Sid Vicious, Lee Harvey Oswald, Mason Verger, Sirius Black, George Smiley and Elvis - what a roll-call of heroes and villains!

I interviewed John le Carre when I was writing for the magazine at my local sixth form college in the late 1980s. My English teacher set up the interview and my Dad drove me to his beautiful house, near the cliffs in west Cornwall, with an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean.

I spent over an hour in his company and, as I left, he signed my copy of A Perfect Spy - and he also presented me with a signed and dedicated copy of The Russia House. With the benefit of hindsight, my interview should have been much better researched and more focused - and we both knew that - but he was charming, put me at my ease and gave me a great interview for the magazine.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14904737

Hot bath for David Walliams

Whether or not you think he has been incredibly brave or very stupid to ignore the health warnings, the Little Britain actor David Walliams completed his 140-mile swim this evening - the entire length of the Thames. Over the last week, he has fought off swans and a particularly nasty dose of 'Thames tummy', as well as avoided colliding with boats and getting sucked into the tidal Thames's dangerous under-currents to raise over £1million for Sport Relief.

Many congratulations, David - now get yourself into a hot bath and book yourself a full body massage!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14878646

Back to work!

After more than two weeks' holiday (a couple of nights in the Peak District, a bit of shopping in central London and a week of annoying but necessary household chores), it was back to work today - and it did feel, well, a bit strange. The office felt smaller, almost alien - but fortunately, I'd kept a close eye on my Blackberry during the break and deleted over 120 emails which, otherwise, would have clogged up my inbox. As it was, though, I must have sent out over 30 emails by midday - some important, some trivial, all time-consuming to type - and it was a relief to get some chicken soup from EAT and cruise through the afternoon. 

A cultural commentator... or a beggar with some nifty patter?

I was waiting outside the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre last night to see Kneehigh's wonderful 'The Wild Bride', when I was approached by a Rastafarian guy in his late 40s. I was eating my sandwiches and my shopping bag was on the ground and, although I was only metres from the theatre's entrance, I felt trapped. He was built like a whippet, nearly six foot tall and with a piratical, five-tooth smile.

He probably heard my heart sink as he walked up to me with a cheery welcome, which was met by my "What do you want?", accompanied by a world-weary smile. As soon as they were out of my mouth, I regretted those words. Cue a five-minute lecture from him about everything that was wrong with the white man, the differences between British society and African culture, the peacefulness of the Rastafarian culture, and whether or not I thought that he looked like a robber. It was loud enough to heard by passers-by and impassioned enough to make me feel threatened. I tried to diffuse the tension by asking him how the difference in cultures had come about, but he wasn't buying it and accused me of trying to be "clever". Which was clever of him. Well, so what did he want?

Well, no, he wasn't a robber... but as it happened, he was on his way to South Kensington and he needed to top up his Oyster. Oh, right.

He told me that I could say 'yes' or I could say 'no'. Strangely enough, 'no' didn't feel like a wise option. As I gave him a pound for your homeward journey. he walked off with a smile and a parting shot to me about how I was born on the wrong side of the fence, or something like that. The moral of this story? You tell me.

The show was wonderful, by the way - energetic and very inventive - so, in that respect, not unlike my new friend en route to South Ken.

http://www.lyric.co.uk/whats-on/production/the-wild-bride/

Little Britain

As David Walliams from Little Britain battles valiantly with a nasty case of 'Thames Tummy' to swim the river to raise money for charity, it's interesting to note that Little Britain does actually exist. It's a small side road - alleyway, perhaps - a few minutes' walk from Smithfield Market, Museum of London and Bart's Hospital in the City. Whether or not some of his and Matt Lucas's awful characters also exist in real life, I can't be sure. Let's hope not.

Gold Can Turn to Sand

I know this won't be everyone's cup of tea... but I love this song and the singer, Peter Joback, who is one of Sweden's most popular vocalists. The song is called Guldet Blev Til Sand ('Gold Can Turn to Sand') from the musical, Kristina fran Duvemala, which was written by Benny and Bjorn from Abba. I saw it in concert at the Royal Albert Hall last year and it was very impressive - and the singer was Kevin Odekirk, who brought the house down with his (English) version. It's a long show and there are a lot of songs, some of which linger, others are forgotten quickly... but this is one of the highlights.

Guldet Blev Til Sand (Peter Joback) 

Get your bloody feet off the seats!

Lots of things annoy me. Oh yes, they do. But towards the top of my list are people who put their feet on the seats on buses and trains, and those who turn on the loudspeaker on their mobiles so that they - and indeed, everyone around them - can hear their friend, boy/girlfriend, parent, probation officer's replies... and very often, they use their phones like walkie-talkies (i.e. talking directly at the phone). Are they SO bloody lazy that they can't be bothered to put their phone to their ear like everyone else. Apparently, yes, they are.

One more thing about mobiles and loudspeakers. What's the deal with playing music through phones, so that everyone else can hear it? Someone explain that one to me. No self-respecting music lover enjoys listening to tinny music... or are they so hard-up that they can't afford a cheap pair of headphones? Or are they sending out 'a message' to their fellow passengers?

Rant over.

Duncan Meadows

Duncan Meadows is one of my favourite performers in Covent Garden. His roman centurion routine is very popular with tourists - and I was intrigued to hear that he was head-hunted a couple of years ago by the Royal Opera House to appear in a non-speaking part - the Executioner - in Salome. Apparently, he loved it... and, at one point in the performance, it meant stepping out of his character's greatcoat and performing naked.
   

Backflips and somersaults in the Square Mile

I watched some kids doing an impressive display of acrobatics on a green space in front of one of the banks in the City a couple of weeks ago. This shot is one of my favourites. I got it just before they were asked to move on. A shame, really, because they were just having a bit of fun and had attracted a small and enthusiastic crowd of City bankers on their lunch break.

Joke

One of my favourite jokes...

I used to know a dyslexic agnostic insomniac. He used to lie awake all night, wondering if there was a dog.

New plays at the National Theatre

There are some real treats coming up at the National Theatre, including a new play with Simon Russell Beale, my favourite stage actor, and Alex Jennings, called Collaborators (about an imagined meeting between Stalin and Mikhail Bulgakov); The Comedy of Errors, starring Lenny Henry, who recently played Othello and received impressive reviews; 13 by Mike Bartlett; and Arnold Wesker's The Kitchen. Added to that, a wide range of 45-minute long 'platform' talks (most of them starting at 6pm and costing a few quid) with writers, actors, directors and producers. The NT is my second home. I love the place.

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/

New camera

Slow buses aside, I've been busy with my new camera - a 'feel good' treat for my recent birthday. Whatever you might think about street photography, I've been enjoying myself out in the City, Covent Garden, the South Bank and the West End. To my surprise, I am also getting a kick out of portraits and using the old maxim "don't ask, don't get", I have got some great shots from various characters around the city. Here's one of the door men at Madame Jo-Jo's in Soho...

... and here are two media students who were doing a very weird photo shoot on the South Bank last month. The girl was in a wig and a flesh coloured body stocking so, from a distance, it was quite an arresting sight that turned a few heads.

And, for the record, this is me with my new toy...

When I am out and about, I like taking a few 'candids', but not to the extent of being disrespectful to people. If I want to take someone's portrait, I will ask them beforehand - but admittedly, I can see how my preference for posed shots might not always always get the best results. Here's the bouncer from The Village in Soho, just around the corner from Madame Jo-Jo's. Would you shove a camera in his face and take his photograph without asking...?!

Those arms are quite incredible.

Stuck in the slow lane?

I've been unlucky enough to get a couple of buses - most often, the relatively reliable 38 - where the driver has been unwilling to drive faster than 20mph. Last night, we crawled from Tottenham Court Road, through Holborn and Islington, to my patch in Hackney at a snail's pace. I could have run faster, to be honest... but what the hell are the drivers playing at? Twenty miles an hour? Give me a break? The roads weren't even busy.