Did he REALLY say that?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15937664

Paul McMullan, a former 'journalist' at the now-defunct News of the World tells the Leveson Inquiry in London that he felt "slightly proud" of a story that he wrote that led to a paediatrician being wrongly accused of being a paedophile - chiefly, I'm assuming, because the paper's readers couldn't tell the difference between the two words. I say readers: I mean the people who looked at the words on the page, rather than read or made sense of them. The look of disbelief on Lord Leveson's face is understandable. For myself, words fail me at the crass stupidity displayed here.

Anders Breivik 'insane'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15936276

I remember sitting at my desk in London in July watching, with mounting disbelief, as this appalling tragedy unfolded. Seventy-seven people (mostly, teenagers) killed and 151 people injured. All those lives cut short. 

It is too much to take in and, as experts have now suggested, the 32-year-old 'insane' Breivik is expected to be placed in psychiatric care, rather than prison, for the rest of his life. He would never be released and, if he ever showed remorse for his vile actions, whom would that help...?

Sebastian Faulks in the City

I'm looking forward to meeting the author of one of my favourite books, Birdsong, later today. Sebastian Faulks will sign books at the Red Cross Christmas Market at the Guildhall. I've got the copy that I bought and read in 1998, as well as some new copies that I will put into my 'presents box', which is full of signed books and pieces of jewellery that I stockpile for birthday and Christmas presents for family, friends and work colleagues.

UPDATE: He was charming and, despite misguided efforts by some people at the event to limit the number of copies that could be signed by him (even when you were charged £4 to get each copy signed, I might add...), he was happy to sign five copies of Birdsong. As he signed one of them, I told him that it was "a masterpiece" which, if you have read it, you might agree with.

Second term for Boris?

www.cityam.com/news-and-analysis/boris-extends-mayor-lead

According to a poll by ComRes, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson is on course to win a second term next year. Around 48% of Londoners are expected to give their first preference vote to Boris, compared to 40% to the former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and just 6% for Lib Dem candidate Brian Paddick.

Ben Whishaw stars in new Bond film

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15889689

Interesting casting - the young British actor, Ben Whishaw, will star as Q in the new Bond film, Skyfall. He follows in the footsteps of Desmond Llewelyn and more recently, John Cleese.

I've been a fan of Ben's film, TV and theatre work for some years, including The Hour, Criminal Justice, My Brother Tom - and His Dark Materials and The Seagull at the National Theatre, Cock at the Royal Court. (I've never bought tickets for [it] before...), and most notably, his Hamlet at the Old Vic, for which he received rave reviews. Good luck to him - he must be thrilled to be part of the Bond franchise, and rightly so.

Behind-the-scenes at the Gielgud Theatre

I love this photograph. It's the same theatre that appeared in a previous posting, but the photograph is more lively - it shows workmen breaking down the set for the Yes, Prime Minister! play. As with before, I was in the right place at the right time with my camera, and I managed to fire off some shots, because it's a view that you don't usually see. The Ladykillers, starring Peter Capaldi, James Fleet and Clive Rowe, opens there shortly.

Slob!

One of the dubious joys of using public transport is that, from time to time, you will see someone whose behaviour leaves you open-mouthed. A young, rather well-covered, lad got on the 38 bus this evening and sat behind me. Now, don't get me wrong - I enjoy the occasional trip to the golden arches for a burger - but I wouldn't eat my meal on a bus, because the smell of the burger and fries is quite strong and, on a bus, you're in a confined space..

Our Prince Charming had no such qualms, and I was suddenly enveloped in the smell of the cheese - or whichever - burger that he'd just opened. I moved away to a nearby seat and when he'd eaten the burger and fries, the food wrappings were dropped casually on the floor and he proceeded to belch and burp tunefully his way throughout the rest of the journey. Classy boy. I was going to ask if he did requests, but thought better of it. On leaving the bus, his tracksuit bottoms being somewhat slack around his waist, he treated us to the enticing sight of three inches of builders' bum cleavage. And off he lolloped. I guess that my parents' saying is true: "you're either brought up, or you're dragged up."


I suspect that he is single, and is likely to remain so, because I would be surprised if he would be able to find a mate that would put up his slovenly behaviour. He might consider striking up a meaningful relationship with a farmyard animal, assuming that the animal is prepared to lower its standards.

Duh!

I went into my local sandwich shop today and got a baguette, packet of crisps, chocolate bar and can of Diet Coke. "Would you like a bag?" asked the lad behind the counter. No, that's fine, I felt like replying, I'll balance them on my head.

Welcome, South Korea and Romania!

I'm very pleased to see that londonlife is being viewed in France, Germany, Jersey, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Russia, Australia and the US - and I'm delighted to see that it has been now been viewed by people in Romania and South Korea. Welcome to you - and I do hope that you'll be back soon!



"Scouted"

As I headed into work on the 242 bus this morning, I overheard two school children talking to each other about their friends. One of the boys said that a friend had just been "scouted", in other words, recruited into a gang. My ears pricked up immediately. It saddens me that some young men - by accident or design - become gang members and then, invariably, find themselves involved in a whole lot of trouble. Am I right in thinking that some are forced into it by peer pressure, while others just want to 'belong' to something and enjoy a sense of power, support and respect that, otherwise, they would never experience? It is not, and never has been, part of my own world, so I'm not best placed to comment. I was just unsettled by the comment...

'Chilling' video indeed...

"Chilling" is the one word for this, but you could add any number of similar adjectives to describe this scene. I watched this YouTube footage last night and I was appalled.

Whatever your views on the 'Occupy' protest in the US and the copycat protest camp at St.Paul's in London, the seemingly casual use of pepper spray on these students is indefensible.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/outcry-over-chilling-campus-pepper-spray-use-6265203.html

One award, two Frankensteins

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15797668

This is very good news - Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller have both been awarded the Best Actor in the Evening Standard's Theatre Awards. They shared the roles - Victor Frankenstein and the Creature - so I guess that it's only fair that they should share the credit and the award.

I saw the show twice at the National Theatre, both times with Jonny Lee Miller playing the Creature, and it was an amazingly committed and physical performance; and Benedict Cumberbatch impressed as Victor Frankenstein. Much was made in the press, of course, of the opening scene where the (naked) Creature is born and spends about 10 minutes learning how to walk and run. I was in the front Stalls for both performances (i.e. very close to the stage) and I must admit that it takes a particularly brave actor to bare his soul - and everything else - to such a large audience on an empty stage every night.

Bird salad, anyone?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-15742121

I guess this is what you might call a 'very mixed salad'.

Breakfast with Hugh Laurie

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15755829

House star Hugh Laurie talks to BBC Breakfast about his love of music and recording sessions with Sir Tom Jones and his hero, Dr. John. You can see that he's sporting Dr. Gregory House's familiar hair cut and stubble - and American followers of this blog may be pleasantly surprised to hear his real accent.

It is amazing how his career has taken off so spectacularly in the last few years, as he morphed into House. From appearing with Stephen Fry (whom I met recently at the Guildhall) in their popular comedy series and playing a range of upper class toffs opposite Rowan Atkinson in Blackadder, he is now the toast of the States. 

'One Man, Two Guvnors' on Broadway!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15752600

Another fantastic success for the National Theatre! James Corden will appear on Broadway next year in the NT's smash hit comedy, One Man, Two Guv'nors. It opens at the Music Box Theatre on 18th April. I saw the play a couple of months ago - and I can tell you that, having seen hundreds of plays in London, it was one of the most entertaining evenings that I've ever spent at the theatre.

The play is a real gem, the cast is superb and James Corden's comic timing is perfect.

San Francisco - here I come!

I've lived abroad and spent several holidays in France(Paris, Quimper, Loire Valley, Antibes), Spain (Santiago de Compostela, Barcelona, Sitges) Italy (Bologna, Rome and Naples) and Denmark (Copenhagen) - but I've never been outside of Europe. That's going to change in March and April next year, because my other half and I are planning to spend ten days in San Francisco.

I am really looking forward to it, but I am hoping for a smooth flight. I don't mind flying, but turbulence scares me. I refuse to drink alcohol to 'zonk me out' during a flight, so I'm scoping out ideas about what to take or do to take the edge off my anxiety during our ten hours in the air! I may leave my heart in San Franciso, but I don't want to leave my lunch on the floor of the 747.

Stephen Fry in the City

I met actor, writer, TV presenter and national treasure, Stephen Fry, in the City yesterday and during a break in filming, I took this portrait of him at the Guildhall.

He has joined several celebrities in growing a moustache for 'Movember'. A curious thing, but it's for a very good cause, because it raises awareness and funds for various men's health issues, including prostate cancer and depression. The Guardian is reporting that he is trying to recreate the huge and hairy upper lip-based 'tache that he sported as General Melchet in Blackadder.

http://uk.movember.com/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2011/nov/11/movember-moustache-growth?newsfeed=true

New Lord Mayor for the City of London

David Wootton is the new Lord Mayor of the City of London. Following the hand-over of power from the previous Lord Mayor, Michael Bear, during the ancient Silent Ceremony in the 16th-century Grand Hall at the Guildhall (pictured), he posed for photographs for the media and was interviewed by Stephen Fry, who is currently filming in the 'Square Mile', and was then driven to his official residence, Mansion House. He takes part in The Lord Mayor's Show tomorrow from 11am, which features a three-mile-long procession of colourful floats and military bands.

The City and the student march

My bus was diverted from its usual route this morning, because of the start of the students' demonstration and I ended up walking a fair distance to work - and I had an interesting walk home this evening. As I headed up Moorgate and took this dramatic shot of officers heading towards a nearby convoy of police vans, you can see that the police were still out in large numbers to keep a very close eye on the demonstration and the rogue elements within it.

There were a handful of arrests and invariably, some individuals try their luck against the police. A small group of protestors attempted to set up a campside in Trafalgar Square, which was dealt with quickly by the police, and things got quite tense at London Wall, where the march/protest/demonstration ended.

New at the National

There are some really good things coming up in the new season at the National Theatre, including The Comedy of Errors starring Lenny Henry, Travelling Light starring Sir Antony Sher and She Stoops to Conquer, starring Steve Pemberton from 'The League of Gentlemen' (loved it) and 'Benidorm' (hated it).

The 45-minute platforms are also worth checking out - they include Sir Antony Sher, Sue Johnston, Matthew Bourne, Michael Pennington,Simon Callow, Julian Clary, Alain de Botton and Ralph Fiennes. Booking for some of them is already open, I think, and the tickets are a steal at just £4 - or less, if you're a Priority Booker for the NT.

Downton Abbey returns for Series Three

Good news for Downton Abbey fans - it's coming back for a third series and will be set in the early 1920s.

I'm a big fan of the shenanigans at Downton, but I can't help wondering if it could - or indeed, should - go on for more than three series. What do you think?

Should we steel ourselves for the sixth series , featuring a 80-year-old Lord Grantham, grappling with the invention of the credit card and television, or the 10th series, starring a 160-year old Dowager Countess of Grantham, played magnificently by a 200-year old Dame Maggie Smith. The mind boggles...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15577305

Mackenzie Crook has written a book

It's a lovely book - I bought two copies on Amazon last week and I was pleasantly surprised

to see that he has illustrated it. Mackenzie Crook is best known, of course, for playing the hapless Gareth in The Office and Ragetti in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, opposite the amazing Johnny Depp - and it's great that he has added 'children's author' to his CV. Check it out on Amazon, where you can pick up a (hardback) copy for less than six quid.

Make way for Mr Important

I am convinced that listening to music when you're walking on the street can affect your spatial awareness - and I got conclusive proof of it this evening. I was on my way to MUJI on Tottenham Court Road and as I tried to negotiate a narrow passageway next to some roadworks with several other pedestrians, this guy in his late 20s - cocooned in music through his little white headones - pushed past us, nearly knocking some of us flying.

No apology, no look over his shoulder to acknowledge his actions, nothing. Nor, for that matter, did any of us do anything. More fool us... but he's the asshole. Sooner or later, whether he barges someone bigger than him or doesn't see an oncoming car, he'll come a'cropper.