tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276048352024-03-07T03:37:25.208-08:00Penny For Your Dreamspennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-56370045980449564412010-01-08T14:04:00.001-08:002010-01-12T13:46:53.418-08:00Cranford - Christmas Special Part One<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Uhha3fR452MOulttK37gThcI-yqX7s5vJFWTif5k9nlaghELWBbN3QHVPjFzwN02IMwvXyO2fce0MiELHt0aztI_fl2V9ngJmEjugyC3bWALgTbQUFkIbHVDAr162v1OW6ME/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00001.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Uhha3fR452MOulttK37gThcI-yqX7s5vJFWTif5k9nlaghELWBbN3QHVPjFzwN02IMwvXyO2fce0MiELHt0aztI_fl2V9ngJmEjugyC3bWALgTbQUFkIbHVDAr162v1OW6ME/s400/vlcsnap-00001.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424494105122954242" border="0" /></a>It's 1844 and it's been two years since Miss Deborah died, but Miss Matty (Judi <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Dench</span>) happily fills her time, with great obvious pleasure, tending to Martha and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jem's</span> baby Tilly. Miss Matty happily wheels Tilly along the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cranford</span> high street, nodding to the townsfolk; we spy Mrs. Forrester (Julia McKenzie), now so attached to Bessie the Cow that she takes it on a walk with her. Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jamieson</span> (Barbara Flynn) is still cradling a dog and being carried around in a sedan chair and much to my delight by the same hardy extras as last time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_wtoI-PhffVZdaEeu5RaZnBkatnOrSkiL3xdtmkzWgbkaENg55kWWPxCPE1OHKz62hN73ttNqoZhjg12C1oT1o9U8KfqfBK7YvtjpvmtEh3kMHYuPWCJ8sKsclvJlTT6XAbv/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00002.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_wtoI-PhffVZdaEeu5RaZnBkatnOrSkiL3xdtmkzWgbkaENg55kWWPxCPE1OHKz62hN73ttNqoZhjg12C1oT1o9U8KfqfBK7YvtjpvmtEh3kMHYuPWCJ8sKsclvJlTT6XAbv/s400/vlcsnap-00002.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424494116370975138" border="0" /></a>With a screech, Miss Pole, so indignant that even the feather in her bonnet is quivering with anger, accosts Miss Matty, who is urged not to near the 'George' for fear of the ghastly pool of 'effluvia' the Navvies have left behind. Miss Matty looks aghast. It seems that the 'Railway!' is still occupying the thoughts of the Amazons and they are still against it.<br /><br />Even Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ludlow</span> is behind them; her refusal to sell her land for the railway means that it has gotten no further than <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hanbury</span> Halt and looks to go no farther. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-zpP3-oINic4SzwXF46EcaDSspbvHTiw3wIKpntfpn20Hvla500qKwItRxgOmKUuWioZd_Jkc6JZhdSTvP6Ge__J35JqErcSqm4C8im3lsLW_5fbPGEg2t-GHMq1hXpyORy7/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00003.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-zpP3-oINic4SzwXF46EcaDSspbvHTiw3wIKpntfpn20Hvla500qKwItRxgOmKUuWioZd_Jkc6JZhdSTvP6Ge__J35JqErcSqm4C8im3lsLW_5fbPGEg2t-GHMq1hXpyORy7/s400/vlcsnap-00003.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424494129266827442" border="0" /></a><br />It's Sunday, which can mean only one thing in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Cranford</span>. The ladies hit the church and it says a lot for their standing that they are all squashed into the front pew. However all does not go smoothly, a strange dog gate-crashes the service and baptises the pulpit, much to the disgust of entire congregation, apart from Mrs Forrester, who giggles like a schoolgirl. The Rector (Alex Jennings) isn't allowed to throw his hymn book at the wretched creature, so instead simply grimaces and sings at a slightly higher volume to scare it away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yUta6ZcJi8xatcJ4OPgNdkAK13-85zcpGmagUK9jIuSS3C4lL0V3jrF0gAl8croepib0URGbRPdTY6aijvQHCJ0qonP1TTfBXTL7-KkVj-OCTxgY1mP6joThhP4HroWnut2U/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00005.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yUta6ZcJi8xatcJ4OPgNdkAK13-85zcpGmagUK9jIuSS3C4lL0V3jrF0gAl8croepib0URGbRPdTY6aijvQHCJ0qonP1TTfBXTL7-KkVj-OCTxgY1mP6joThhP4HroWnut2U/s400/vlcsnap-00005.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424494146650267506" border="0" /></a>After the service the ladies gang up on the Reverend, who can't get a word in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">edgewise</span> and is reduced to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">umming</span> and erring <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">in between</span> the ladies complaints. The ladies are all quite small in stature and, well, the Reverend isn't. This means that he's surrounded by a semi-circle of ladies craning up to complain and fears losing an eye from Miss Poles bonnet feather.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIL9L3xyDHNn0J71AS_mVtGSuPnsq8YCHcL5o5DLe97FICmZSDilu04vfdvBXua3hQMXcd3yYzmQG6cNzX_-pLjoVZ9gl3js1-LO8M6YtlnbHtQdJyg__mmAQlxh_4mnBgKf3/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00007.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIL9L3xyDHNn0J71AS_mVtGSuPnsq8YCHcL5o5DLe97FICmZSDilu04vfdvBXua3hQMXcd3yYzmQG6cNzX_-pLjoVZ9gl3js1-LO8M6YtlnbHtQdJyg__mmAQlxh_4mnBgKf3/s400/vlcsnap-00007.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424498198739286370" border="0" /></a><br />They are disturbed by Master William <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Buxton</span>, who is admiringly appraised by Mrs Forrester as having grown broad. She means buff, but she lived in the 'Olden Days' so we'll allow her that. William (Tom <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Hiddleston</span>) is looking for his dog. The Reverend upon hearing this, who at first seemed to relish speaking to someone that he could actually look in the eye without getting a back strain, excuses himself coldly (presumably to go and mop up the puddle inside).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp2pkW8AqXG1Fn8iaglgZ4TvIDlH3zGGNNYQPgPT_g8LuAMPCRoXUo-YHkuwMnlgQ0ylNhu8iGNqHCdKEBWf3KLiN7zzLqkHW0_3GFJ2cuJiqoVqr14_inLI3Xw9Renu3DPY5/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00009.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp2pkW8AqXG1Fn8iaglgZ4TvIDlH3zGGNNYQPgPT_g8LuAMPCRoXUo-YHkuwMnlgQ0ylNhu8iGNqHCdKEBWf3KLiN7zzLqkHW0_3GFJ2cuJiqoVqr14_inLI3Xw9Renu3DPY5/s400/vlcsnap-00009.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424498169577994610" border="0" /></a><br />William <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Buxton</span> spies his dog Napoleon (and as Mrs Forrester wearily says: 'How could he be expected to behave with a name like that?') and chases him around the churchyard, knocking over the vase of flowers placed on top of the late Mr Bell's grave to the abject consternation of Mrs Bell (Lesley Sharp), the indifference of Edward Bell (Matthew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">McNulty</span>) and the meek acceptance of Peggy Bell (Jodie Whittaker). William, does of course, apologise profusely, which gives him ample time to notice the grave Peggy, who despite scraped back hair and a scrubbed clean face, has cheekbones to die for and sweet smile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DooZWF_98S0Cx1Bg9jTVwsXjofAogobqLUMZc9Ni6TIoFU9UEZy7otfJdiDO8ORAMomo7HryVmxI-okyE35CiMYWt7VCQe-BdK0Jh8jYFCPKJieIFBrxd8x5aFqh91SXUVPR/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00008.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DooZWF_98S0Cx1Bg9jTVwsXjofAogobqLUMZc9Ni6TIoFU9UEZy7otfJdiDO8ORAMomo7HryVmxI-okyE35CiMYWt7VCQe-BdK0Jh8jYFCPKJieIFBrxd8x5aFqh91SXUVPR/s400/vlcsnap-00008.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424498188406344482" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Jem</span> (Andrew Buchan) arrives at the Railway works for his pay and mindful of his obligations and the new baby on the way, asks after more work. Captain Brown (Jim Carter), tactful yet honest, says that he has none. If the Railway can't get further than <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Hanbury</span> Halt then there is no more work.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Jem</span> is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">despondant</span>, he doesn't have enough money to pay Miss Matty her rent; though Miss Matty kindly tells <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Jem</span> that neither of them shall tell Martha, which while no doubt something of a comfort, is still a bitter blow to someone as proud as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Jem</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Hearne</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3-dfTNbnPgTtD6Zq78y9W9r3qekS_Q3XVzF0QRpUEQ204lWteEG9f5ibbTGXhcbfr_ulEKK0PqTBmx7EgqLi1q85_fvvztFter8GViZwLFEIYc9A0t2ThtrRfUs6vY49sWM2/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00004.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3-dfTNbnPgTtD6Zq78y9W9r3qekS_Q3XVzF0QRpUEQ204lWteEG9f5ibbTGXhcbfr_ulEKK0PqTBmx7EgqLi1q85_fvvztFter8GViZwLFEIYc9A0t2ThtrRfUs6vY49sWM2/s400/vlcsnap-00004.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424494138457251298" border="0" /></a>Miss Matty goes to call on the newly returned Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Buxton</span> (Jonathan Pryce), who is effusive in his welcome and wonders why she hadn't come to call sooner.<br /><br />William comes haring down the stairs after his dog and in some disarray, much to the disapproval of his father, who tells him to 'arrange his linen'.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifazHR_94M0KZJCDf9n-MZWOUh-dN-dMmOEGkLTpqm-Kx5l73nN8vRB0EriLz-0_UHC9n3wbqvEnQJ0dSoPI3dz05bt5zSrw7n_wH1Zn41KaMQ9_UG3zFCfFix36MQ36XodeGi/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00011.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifazHR_94M0KZJCDf9n-MZWOUh-dN-dMmOEGkLTpqm-Kx5l73nN8vRB0EriLz-0_UHC9n3wbqvEnQJ0dSoPI3dz05bt5zSrw7n_wH1Zn41KaMQ9_UG3zFCfFix36MQ36XodeGi/s400/vlcsnap-00011.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424497550939964306" border="0" /></a>Um, no, don't.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZtfq8x22_QpJ-gA3DU3kjcUbtZogdgHJXU28rTqaDkrJ-vjZCQA43hclj6r9TloO4AUPkmKoe0RVK76tuQ5mo7OWrLefLBof3XxLeK3gBG91KZrWqTpmVdbxQcARh3bcq8zT/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00012.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZtfq8x22_QpJ-gA3DU3kjcUbtZogdgHJXU28rTqaDkrJ-vjZCQA43hclj6r9TloO4AUPkmKoe0RVK76tuQ5mo7OWrLefLBof3XxLeK3gBG91KZrWqTpmVdbxQcARh3bcq8zT/s400/vlcsnap-00012.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424497543250294034" border="0" /></a>Ahem. Anyway, just after William goes to let the dog out, Erminia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Whyte</span> (Michele <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Dockery</span>), Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Buxton's</span> ward, wafts down the stairs, oblivious to the hour (it's noon) and wanders into the morning room to pound out a waltz on the piano, still in her night clothes.<br /><br />Miss Matty's brain starts to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">whirr</span>, she decides to bring the Bell's and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Buxton's</span> together.<br /><br />Harry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Gregson</span> (Alex <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Etel</span>) is about to start school and is being fitted for his uniform by Mr and Mrs Johnson (Adrian Scarborough and Debra <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Gillett</span>). They are being keenly observed by Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Galindo</span> (Emma Fielding), who tartly reproves the Johnson's for pushing their more expensive fabric on the impressionable Harry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQtnbXgEUj-uzxx0biPJ4uSPIZspyqdZPpFTkYB4AkC8h5AQVaUs5hd49F3HmPcnFYOpu22q_UtlFi2p4nHi_4s4BYWnd07TX1AZXvgfWShC4lUr83-Vr5p_0_bFa39mmjWXh/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00014.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQtnbXgEUj-uzxx0biPJ4uSPIZspyqdZPpFTkYB4AkC8h5AQVaUs5hd49F3HmPcnFYOpu22q_UtlFi2p4nHi_4s4BYWnd07TX1AZXvgfWShC4lUr83-Vr5p_0_bFa39mmjWXh/s400/vlcsnap-00014.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424497537924404482" border="0" /></a>Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Galindo</span> also accompanies Harry to visit the ailing Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Ludlow</span> (Francesca Annis). Harry has grown quite tall and Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Ludlow</span> enquires to ensure that tucks to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">accommodate</span> further growth had been incorporated into his uniform. Harry answers that Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Galindo</span> has seen to it and then tells her Ladyship that her clock is wrong. Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Ludlow</span> replies that it was a gift from her absent son <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Septimus</span> and that it pleases her to have it nearby, despite the fact that it misses beats. The cheap cad has sent her a defective clock.<br /><br />Harry notices how ill Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Ludlow</span> is and asks Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Galindo</span> if it is her heart, Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Galindo</span> says that the malignancy is in Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Ludlow's</span> bones and that she has written to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Septimus</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1pWhTdKa8AN7FkvFO8QQz7LWyP40G9lROC7MvxKC9LOrurQNelZErkwHnBkjl6EjxbuC_SudnkbhkRO0u4JjwuC_kQpdceqUN06fy1jk_6pO8iMDFo-hrSQnQnFLW9wn1gOK/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00015.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1pWhTdKa8AN7FkvFO8QQz7LWyP40G9lROC7MvxKC9LOrurQNelZErkwHnBkjl6EjxbuC_SudnkbhkRO0u4JjwuC_kQpdceqUN06fy1jk_6pO8iMDFo-hrSQnQnFLW9wn1gOK/s400/vlcsnap-00015.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424497535483602866" border="0" /></a>Harry is off to school, both Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Galindo</span> and his mother (Emma <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Lowndes</span>) come to wave him off. His mother gives him a pen wiper adorned with X's, that he says mean kisses and secretes it safe in his pocket, appreciating the gift with a gravity that belies his age and sets off for school apprehensively. Mrs <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Gregson</span> and Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Galindo</span> both watch him go with heavy hearts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoK7DpFbLUWg3bbeIaktdghjHEa4C_r2K75S74ynCEmRGLxU1wkbp-ivpxoht5MEFZT_p3wr3goM2k4k_MmqLXQuF7NbxY6WNNyQ0uiQjYsevCRzPrtgIZwSB5Wf52VsDH1Oo/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00018.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoK7DpFbLUWg3bbeIaktdghjHEa4C_r2K75S74ynCEmRGLxU1wkbp-ivpxoht5MEFZT_p3wr3goM2k4k_MmqLXQuF7NbxY6WNNyQ0uiQjYsevCRzPrtgIZwSB5Wf52VsDH1Oo/s400/vlcsnap-00018.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424497526085728514" border="0" /></a>Miss Matty has arranged for the Bell's to attend a tea party at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Buxton's</span>. Erminia is polite and friendly, William can barely tear his eyes away from Peggy and Mrs Bell coughs in warning at the slightest hint of a slouch from Peggy. Miss Matty deftly prevents a social disaster as Peggy suggests that she might like an orange. Miss Matty looks horrified and Peggy quickly develops a taste for grapes instead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XORHSBO1tomrd9Hkgib-WyyfPfHmC-wuwSvlo_bQnl-pUOu6Dbf0Z3zJch0SxMzLYTMQ2iF4dKumeeuMqRoccBBM9EMyPwnGhmklFO0OXMN2HlzckqfbQ9UwWAE5-gE-IMTn/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00019.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XORHSBO1tomrd9Hkgib-WyyfPfHmC-wuwSvlo_bQnl-pUOu6Dbf0Z3zJch0SxMzLYTMQ2iF4dKumeeuMqRoccBBM9EMyPwnGhmklFO0OXMN2HlzckqfbQ9UwWAE5-gE-IMTn/s400/vlcsnap-00019.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424496939564229746" border="0" /></a>Fun and games in the garden: Badminton doubles. Peggy and Ermina are exceptionally spry for women in crinolines and Edward's competitive nature is displayed by his vicious whacking of the shuttlecock. A particularly rough thwack right at Peggy causes her to fall and rip her clothes, whereupon she's spirited away by Miss Matty to repair her dress. As Miss Pole exclaims: ' Your stays are showing.' Scandalous indeed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pEA6puQWvOMHc5yIQCnuYp4EaFSISY82qMgc6KHAj_D5MCYf9PUDi-kuhsK5z6odkZ2aWHC80itl7dQQ5DAeKxv-T7-zwUIgrcoSJWweYeUT1xU6TIidGITbup-ZhwhyphenhyphenvWxf/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00020.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pEA6puQWvOMHc5yIQCnuYp4EaFSISY82qMgc6KHAj_D5MCYf9PUDi-kuhsK5z6odkZ2aWHC80itl7dQQ5DAeKxv-T7-zwUIgrcoSJWweYeUT1xU6TIidGITbup-ZhwhyphenhyphenvWxf/s400/vlcsnap-00020.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424496930344501458" border="0" /></a>Miss Matty is called away from her dress repairs by a scream from the kitchen: Martha has gone into labour. Miss Pole has arrived to tell Martha that Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Ludlow</span> is near death, that the Rector is already en-route and that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Jem</span> should dust off his undertakers jacket. Martha bustles around preparing for the birth, fetching Jem's jacket and clean linen herself.<br /><br />The birth is not painless and Martha has no one to help her except Miss Pole's maid, Bertha, who can do nothing except hold Martha's hand. Miss Matty is asked to fetch a doctor, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Cranford</span> doesn't have one: Dr Harrison has moved away with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Sophy</span> and Dr Morgan has just left with his wife. In desperation the barber surgeon from the Railway works is summoned, but his expertise is only with broken bones. Neither Martha nor her baby survive and Miss Matty carefully lays out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Martha's</span> body, gently brushing her hair and tying a ribbon at the end of her plait. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Jem</span> is bereft and heartbroken, as is Miss Matty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAddEtBQrJg5v9sTLDLGjNVI_cUR8MBa_umNiDUw4TvM-W2hNHwION7Bs8Hl0ppoGywbBFOhWJboWbChaz8Z6SnHk0jeGdpS3LffSO678CZSZcPSXBmuOjVQNDOdmYgR_zOg5D/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00021.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAddEtBQrJg5v9sTLDLGjNVI_cUR8MBa_umNiDUw4TvM-W2hNHwION7Bs8Hl0ppoGywbBFOhWJboWbChaz8Z6SnHk0jeGdpS3LffSO678CZSZcPSXBmuOjVQNDOdmYgR_zOg5D/s400/vlcsnap-00021.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424496918570291538" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Septimus</span> (Rory <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Kinnear</span>) is on his way home, but he has to keep stopping on the way as his companion Giacomo, is so disturbed by the jolting of the carriage that he has to vomit every half mile. <br /><br />Alas <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Septimus</span> is too late, his mother has already been laid out. He is just in time for the funeral and of course the reading of the will.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuVsuf0NRdUGzJHz1Rx1XzRSfUO8MrU-5427r6KYbSrtiBqlw18FzmuIT4dVfX9Wqi4Zu91puNy9gOUgvjZxu-ZYKPqIZsqLyMpRazxxm9fyqpFJaPOaXZ_UBXCqc9zrUC1FN/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00023.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuVsuf0NRdUGzJHz1Rx1XzRSfUO8MrU-5427r6KYbSrtiBqlw18FzmuIT4dVfX9Wqi4Zu91puNy9gOUgvjZxu-ZYKPqIZsqLyMpRazxxm9fyqpFJaPOaXZ_UBXCqc9zrUC1FN/s400/vlcsnap-00023.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424496903493890834" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">Septimus</span> is somewhat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">louchely</span> trying on his mother's jewelery when he's told that the estate has a mortgage on it by Lord <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">Maulver</span> (Greg Wise). <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Septimus</span> is shocked even further to hear that he'll have to pay Harry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Gregson</span> £20000. Giacomo sits around waiting for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">Septimus</span> to show him the ha-ha as promised.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QCGflM_iDcXcbqCsUOdIVhOT4RhV_Mh80_NKCrTIdr-L43_Uhr347-v1vhSwPC_gZk5dOw3yvmccJFHkusfddzQ1U5__An2ZC3QM5TDJo6OnpcjAde2pMKcG1yq63b47aXow/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00024.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QCGflM_iDcXcbqCsUOdIVhOT4RhV_Mh80_NKCrTIdr-L43_Uhr347-v1vhSwPC_gZk5dOw3yvmccJFHkusfddzQ1U5__An2ZC3QM5TDJo6OnpcjAde2pMKcG1yq63b47aXow/s400/vlcsnap-00024.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424496270906430610" border="0" /></a>Peter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">Jenkyns</span> (Nicholas <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">le</span> Provost) has returned from Liverpool with all his Indian possessions. The ladies fear that there might be snakes hiding in the folds of all the treasures and Miss Pole, averring that she has no fear of snakes, sets to beating a rug as if her life depended on it. Mrs Forrester's personal fear is of spiders and when Peter mentions that Indian spiders can grow as large as dinner plates, Miss Pole's arm gets very tired and she trots home, as quickly as she can.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWUmBoNPPcoLbVxzqEuBqIAhp1faJ3vXiCU5jIkeSS_E6vHso1ozyztfWQdfNkLR09hC6ehi9kWF2YY7D_JCKVdgmgUFEFJgIreEn4jO0Tk_ZpUh_tGEwEPz7kXP-EfOC0rQd/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00025.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWUmBoNPPcoLbVxzqEuBqIAhp1faJ3vXiCU5jIkeSS_E6vHso1ozyztfWQdfNkLR09hC6ehi9kWF2YY7D_JCKVdgmgUFEFJgIreEn4jO0Tk_ZpUh_tGEwEPz7kXP-EfOC0rQd/s400/vlcsnap-00025.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424496254234615298" border="0" /></a><br />Mary Smith (Lisa Dillon) has heard about Martha and has come to comfort Miss Matty. She also has good news: she's engaged to a soap flake manufacturer called Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">Turnbull</span>, which pleases Miss Matty greatly, especially after Mary's 'disappointment' last year. Caddish Dr Marshland I've no doubt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5Ti7Uv59i_WXRVPFIn51zQAEuW42FZl558ZI4GwN4nlmRCxa9gSkDAu-MJQe_yoNWZrl7oetqnq4oqoY0XQywgbIhYyJN2IVJMmQVyOk0SZk0UW6El9rCdLOYEXHopAGgG_H/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00028.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5Ti7Uv59i_WXRVPFIn51zQAEuW42FZl558ZI4GwN4nlmRCxa9gSkDAu-MJQe_yoNWZrl7oetqnq4oqoY0XQywgbIhYyJN2IVJMmQVyOk0SZk0UW6El9rCdLOYEXHopAGgG_H/s400/vlcsnap-00028.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424496239861606562" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">Septimus</span> can't give away £20000 to Harry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">Gregson</span>; he has a house in Italy that require repairs and Giacomo's hair doesn't back-comb itself. He summons Harry from school and instead proposes to give only £5000 to Harry immediately, as a bankers draft, if Harry will shake his hand as 'a Gentleman'. Harry is flattered and awed at such a lot of money and not knowing any better, agrees.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOWLOv97GFhwt_IlyNFF8QkUQUUm6iLpKEGuFcjKJ-m0acbCyuYs2_zMdbl5TnuspkhfdC0rfLLD9Lv5N9wXuIJNUq5q4CimSxULi32s_WKm-6eCp9f_iGnO264ebh84jsKg3/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00029.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOWLOv97GFhwt_IlyNFF8QkUQUUm6iLpKEGuFcjKJ-m0acbCyuYs2_zMdbl5TnuspkhfdC0rfLLD9Lv5N9wXuIJNUq5q4CimSxULi32s_WKm-6eCp9f_iGnO264ebh84jsKg3/s400/vlcsnap-00029.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424496234903463106" border="0" /></a>Miss Matty has had enough of tripping over the tiger's head rug and the parrot that Peter has brought back is 'dropping lime' all over Miss Deborah's chair. Peter therefore 'gifts' the rug to Mrs Forrester, who is taken aback, but avers that she loves all dumb creatures and the parrot to Miss Pole; who, even when suddenly confronted with a squawking parrot that attempts to eat her collar, her bonnet and will possibly start nipping chunks out of her ear, remains polite and afraid only for the state of her carpet.<br /><br />A cage for Polly Parrot has to be procured, and at the insistence of Erminia that the best cages are from France, an order is placed. When the package arrives, despite Bertha's darkly muttering that Miss Pole will regret it, the cage is assembled and hung outside the Pole residence, with Miss Pole posing alongside it.<br /><br />Peter Jenkyns passes by and admires the construction of Polly's new abode. Mrs Johnson joins in the admiration and then baldly informs Miss Pole that she has strung a parrot inside an under-skirt. Miss Pole is mortified and races inside screeching for Bertha.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqpicG0UngJSuoWeAxaQWCXizW6RoOPJs8x4hHWbTiFbz7EGcb6p75-svNodfd1TaSpTXW0EArV1lF2Y3bBnicZIDV6tsPc8KBNSy5jQ3RNhUKWt-o3XcwGHLxfgznSd4IMJa/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00030.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqpicG0UngJSuoWeAxaQWCXizW6RoOPJs8x4hHWbTiFbz7EGcb6p75-svNodfd1TaSpTXW0EArV1lF2Y3bBnicZIDV6tsPc8KBNSy5jQ3RNhUKWt-o3XcwGHLxfgznSd4IMJa/s400/vlcsnap-00030.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424495618518476306" border="0" /></a>There is grand announcement to be made at the Johnson's Store. Outside are two men playing fiddles and inside are displays of Nurse Huckaby's Traveller's Friend Elixir, handwarmers and veils to 'Protect your cheeks from smut'. <br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxNeBpK8SEDK8xva8vCIR3uHe84Y1EJ5doMnuq_5tJ5ff0xbYvsEwVMWdU9Hy1ODQ-KBfylUkQvvRl6Z8-mnoP4fCVOypmodHdm2o9mEHHIHRgp9WYCehPuYhsAWTU-4CrTUM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00032.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxNeBpK8SEDK8xva8vCIR3uHe84Y1EJ5doMnuq_5tJ5ff0xbYvsEwVMWdU9Hy1ODQ-KBfylUkQvvRl6Z8-mnoP4fCVOypmodHdm2o9mEHHIHRgp9WYCehPuYhsAWTU-4CrTUM/s400/vlcsnap-00032.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424495606336884242" border="0" /></a>The grand announcement is made by Captain Brown who states that now that Septimus has decided to sell the Hanbury Estate, that the Railway is coming into the heart of Cranford and he has the model to show the amassed crowd what it will look like.<br /><br />People are shocked. Mr Buxton seeing the route of the railway states that it actually passes over his land and that he isn't selling. This is much to the relief of Harry, whose Mother lives in the cottages that would have to be pulled down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVi3FS1CB9uq7ooy__UnwtU1EI1fFrdMSdS3QvbMUSkhfb7hHaHBy-GWsni8wJafN50ZddXXQBW2K2P-mDAbC0wSUZKsuq-ThQXn8dgpZdgao99U5LbfwQOvlAd_OURPzPZYz2/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00033.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVi3FS1CB9uq7ooy__UnwtU1EI1fFrdMSdS3QvbMUSkhfb7hHaHBy-GWsni8wJafN50ZddXXQBW2K2P-mDAbC0wSUZKsuq-ThQXn8dgpZdgao99U5LbfwQOvlAd_OURPzPZYz2/s400/vlcsnap-00033.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424495603208801490" border="0" /></a>Harry has confided in Miss Galindo in Septimus' proposition to him. Miss Galindo realising how slimy Septimus is, rushes to Hanbury Hall and tells him that he hasn't a leg to stand on legally, that his gentlemans handshake means nothing in a court of law and, as she tears the bankers draft to shreds, tell him it was a 'bastard thing'. Miss Galindo is superbly feisty and forceful. She basically tells Septimus to shove it up his Giacomo and shove off. Septimus takes her advice and he and Giacomo leave.<br /><br />Harry thankfully gets to keep Mr Carter's inheritance, but now he also has to leave and return to school, despite not particularly wanting to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVe8IVTPgS8_x5DypGzBLYNKZuIJuasQHNkWyAicHkLJ7Nc4cv8R297nbS2N54Lnma3QSspCyVr3BbTjQeUqxAKiS9QslIHKwJ5_EmsI2u12Uz3xa4jvkkS3EeHaP2KVEjAQC/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00037.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVe8IVTPgS8_x5DypGzBLYNKZuIJuasQHNkWyAicHkLJ7Nc4cv8R297nbS2N54Lnma3QSspCyVr3BbTjQeUqxAKiS9QslIHKwJ5_EmsI2u12Uz3xa4jvkkS3EeHaP2KVEjAQC/s400/vlcsnap-00037.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424495598633813778" border="0" /></a>It seems that people leave in threes. If the railway can go no further, then there is no work for Jem and he decides to leave Miss Matty and take Tilly to live in Bolton where he has family and there is work. Miss Matty's home now feels so empty without Jem and Tilly and she's grateful for Mary's company, even if Mary is writing so much that she wearing out candles at an awful rate.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzMmVvYu4BibzC5edsK1TlGjr81SpShK-gN2qddd8bkKaKuknOUe3io26GbyDN6b7b0AJIHKcGII4ikzXrLNAuqKH6btdO79feyg6w0i1xU-wMxPj3KqQkh9EcU5NycXtYugK/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00038.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzMmVvYu4BibzC5edsK1TlGjr81SpShK-gN2qddd8bkKaKuknOUe3io26GbyDN6b7b0AJIHKcGII4ikzXrLNAuqKH6btdO79feyg6w0i1xU-wMxPj3KqQkh9EcU5NycXtYugK/s400/vlcsnap-00038.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424494959713868498" border="0" /></a>Jem's leave taking causes Miss Matty to think very hard about the future of Cranford and whether such a small town can afford to lose so many young people. She begins to doubt Miss Deborah's stance against the railway and decides to try the railway out for herself. But she knows that she'll need the support of the Amazons and duly invites them to travel with her in First Class as well. <br /><br />Mary, Miss Matty and Captain Brown stand on the platform at Hanbury Halt waiting. The train arrives puffing and hooting, but no one else has joined them, until out of the steam, arm in arm, the remaining contingent of Cranford females arrive triumphantly clutching their first class invitations. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJep1qO2XfB4o3F18Mn6a1F2x3dYFmLa_tVe6fhIme9HkPN6fFNPyhyphenhyphenLckOwTeQabD_bRQ0idwYz813Rd-OOEyQateN1CbvFEytmTmai5ZcTmh4W7SgvJvECh-J49Fofn2UUv/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00039.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJep1qO2XfB4o3F18Mn6a1F2x3dYFmLa_tVe6fhIme9HkPN6fFNPyhyphenhyphenLckOwTeQabD_bRQ0idwYz813Rd-OOEyQateN1CbvFEytmTmai5ZcTmh4W7SgvJvECh-J49Fofn2UUv/s400/vlcsnap-00039.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424494950564429138" border="0" /></a><br />Mrs Jamieson has brought smelling salts, Miss Tomkinson states that she mustn't sit with her back to the horse, Mrs Forrester asks if the scenery will move and Miss Pole confidently says that the movement will fray her optic nerve. Captain Brown takes all this with bluff good humour and politeness and fills first class up with the just arrived Erminia and Mr Buxton. This leaves William and Peggy to sit in the third class carriage by themselves. There isn't much difference to first class apart from the cushions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwv2r2L9JwI2aK_KHCTvFuM_xcpaQJbGgihdgD053MOT2hCRd5mBfhkfuH_VOY4xG2bxxVvS3tmE6Ana00vwkkXGmCnm4i0_R31E6hKOpoMZSijDYAt4dHsZDxUczz0IEfFg-h/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00040.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwv2r2L9JwI2aK_KHCTvFuM_xcpaQJbGgihdgD053MOT2hCRd5mBfhkfuH_VOY4xG2bxxVvS3tmE6Ana00vwkkXGmCnm4i0_R31E6hKOpoMZSijDYAt4dHsZDxUczz0IEfFg-h/s400/vlcsnap-00040.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424494943239987346" border="0" /></a>The train starts jerkily and the people inside are thrown about a little, but the ladies trepidation soon fades, with Mrs Forrester enjoying herself immensely and Miss Pole shading her eyes from scenery to protect her optic nerve. <br /><br />Peggy and William are delighted with the ride, both of whom stand in the swaying third class carriage and when thrown together by the movement of the train, cling to each other which leads to William to state his love and asks Peggy to marry him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_GP9wG_ur75ZmE3jejYM4mun04mizS5O1cVlpvXJMnJ5ij80thH4D7mqsP3TKj6DW2YcEVz-6fneJJNKtvrohTLKIEYcNy0C3ocPEhuPAF4Us2FJZfM2vULO28QvnyJodXoh/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00041.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_GP9wG_ur75ZmE3jejYM4mun04mizS5O1cVlpvXJMnJ5ij80thH4D7mqsP3TKj6DW2YcEVz-6fneJJNKtvrohTLKIEYcNy0C3ocPEhuPAF4Us2FJZfM2vULO28QvnyJodXoh/s400/vlcsnap-00041.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424494930693565058" border="0" /></a>The only person very affected by the journey is Miss Matty herself, who feels a bit nauseated by the motion and is palpably relieved when the journey is finished. The train ends up back where it started, which seems to suggest that railway will only ever travel in a loop.<br /><br />Mr Buxton, impressed by Miss Matty's courage in arranging the jaunt, decides to sell his land and not stand in the way of the railway. After he and Captain Brown depart, the ladies decide that is their fortitude that has wrought such a change of affairs and we end on Miss Matty looking pensive, wondering if she has done the right thing and what will come of it all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqvDgNAIb-AMNgfEDE2HYM8MB_kdI3r6rKCdXw1CEapdKrNunJVNIQQ4DF_AViXFZgtoB6WshCws5sMyDq8bfLDoJFyaDhoKBS1BCRV1y-wlFPL2_K2l-XDHoYP0pQ2V4QJE4/s1600-h/vlcsnap-00042.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqvDgNAIb-AMNgfEDE2HYM8MB_kdI3r6rKCdXw1CEapdKrNunJVNIQQ4DF_AViXFZgtoB6WshCws5sMyDq8bfLDoJFyaDhoKBS1BCRV1y-wlFPL2_K2l-XDHoYP0pQ2V4QJE4/s400/vlcsnap-00042.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424494923184524210" border="0" /></a><br />The performances were uniformly faultless, the writing sublime and period detail as finely wrought as the last series. The only minor criticism I have is that some scenes were so short and flew by so fast that the episode had a slightly fragmented feel. It could have benefited from some longer and deeper scenes, but that was the only gripe I had. Judi Dench is the moral and emotional centre of Cranford, her acting is so good that emotion just radiates from her. I'm just glad that there was enough Gaskell material for one more episode.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-31299745943764418662008-09-07T09:52:00.000-07:002008-09-23T15:36:25.594-07:00Lost In Austen Episode 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0LxH8RdR-fKfOiOEms10CT7y_lDp-vetqpT02dfgxLFoxKDKlygoyji_uV5ycH6uUnuPY9oXTNxF43wOESB6unH2i3TwLBNBlWCQvsugU1pmRB402mn4Jk7bUK928HWwLWM9/s1600-h/Snapshot003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0LxH8RdR-fKfOiOEms10CT7y_lDp-vetqpT02dfgxLFoxKDKlygoyji_uV5ycH6uUnuPY9oXTNxF43wOESB6unH2i3TwLBNBlWCQvsugU1pmRB402mn4Jk7bUK928HWwLWM9/s400/Snapshot003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243343771306681538" border="0" /></a>Meet Amanda Price (Jemima Rooper), bored with her job, her boorish boyfriend and generally jaded with life. There's nothing she likes better than curling up with a good book (and half a pint of wine) and losing herself in the world of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Then one night after a drunken proposal from her boyfriend, Amanda while chewing on a piece of toast and possibly contemplating moving and not telling her boyfriend, hears a sound in her bathroom, arms herself with rolled up copy of Heat and discovers a night capped young woman pawing her underwear. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbgpKlHlaDK8i0W3-P3iRlLetcfOi-PmdVgIGXXuNqpTmUSz92llYmXmOCmFIXY2Gb_cmiUDjUoZJx9n6FU89rz2GejwbAuqA_R9aP8vdBxD4L61ywufO7tgr2ALtrxfROFV3/s1600-h/Snapshot005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbgpKlHlaDK8i0W3-P3iRlLetcfOi-PmdVgIGXXuNqpTmUSz92llYmXmOCmFIXY2Gb_cmiUDjUoZJx9n6FU89rz2GejwbAuqA_R9aP8vdBxD4L61ywufO7tgr2ALtrxfROFV3/s400/Snapshot005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243345035221473570" border="0" /></a>It transpires that the young lady is Elizabeth Bennet (Gemma Arterton), who has travelled through a door from her house to Amanda's bathroom. Before much more can be discovered Amanda's boyfriend calls out which distracts her momentarily so when she looks back, Elizabeth is gone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lsQ-hqvn8wyzBK10ArNnvyd-tpgfqY4NY6KiJLxBswg3KmjbcOkuuZcQqJ1IBcNlaiQ84kucjlJ0xBGeFgjCP_CzThyphenhyphenva5NbLEAxKroHAf4P3Z3jqOs2hrkRSQzDEXut9sO5/s1600-h/Snapshot004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lsQ-hqvn8wyzBK10ArNnvyd-tpgfqY4NY6KiJLxBswg3KmjbcOkuuZcQqJ1IBcNlaiQ84kucjlJ0xBGeFgjCP_CzThyphenhyphenva5NbLEAxKroHAf4P3Z3jqOs2hrkRSQzDEXut9sO5/s400/Snapshot004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243343776942998962" border="0" /></a>Amanda seems a little obsessed with Pride and Prejudice; in a visit to her Mum's (Pippa Hayward, who appears to have an problem with untidiness and paint pot samplers) she explains that it is the regency period that is so vividly described, the mores and manners, which beguile her. Her Mum sighs and gloomily states that Amanda's ideals probably won't be able to help her into her coat when she's seventy.<br /><br />When Amanda gets home she discovers a transfixed Elizabeth in the bathroom turning on and off the mirror light. Amanda tries to explain that she is real and Elizabeth is fictional, but Elizabeth proves her that her "fleshly envelope" is as valid as Amanda's by telling her an obscure historical fact and then showing her the door into her world.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4yWsaEUSrzO0Et1UjqGFO1LotvW8bgqQyJoH3810Ebt7L_4fkDBtCA8pUAM4d_geWGTBocNOTGu9E0cUmcUysVhcvlUodsndciT4lNzHdl46-jS0YxF_tt3dLyCAOSCcmiH8/s1600-h/Snapshot006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4yWsaEUSrzO0Et1UjqGFO1LotvW8bgqQyJoH3810Ebt7L_4fkDBtCA8pUAM4d_geWGTBocNOTGu9E0cUmcUysVhcvlUodsndciT4lNzHdl46-jS0YxF_tt3dLyCAOSCcmiH8/s400/Snapshot006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243345038306816162" border="0" /></a>Amanda quickly hops through the door into Elizabeth's house, all wooden floors and lit by flickering candles and gasps in wonder at it. A door at the end of the corridor opens and a servant bustles through, Elizabeth smiles at Amanda as the door closes of it's own volition and Amanda is trapped on the other side as the door is closed and seeming fastened shut.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejXNmZBz9DE7wxtAOpakcPxg8I_3k6rd6F5nM2Ddtp-yFbwPxw5RScpmJEdtwlKnTR67yVCzf6JPwJWRPV77x2I8F3BdVGoGjoIvfIcai2uNnHMlrfiW_x4ttLTX0Pq71MjbE/s1600-h/Snapshot007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejXNmZBz9DE7wxtAOpakcPxg8I_3k6rd6F5nM2Ddtp-yFbwPxw5RScpmJEdtwlKnTR67yVCzf6JPwJWRPV77x2I8F3BdVGoGjoIvfIcai2uNnHMlrfiW_x4ttLTX0Pq71MjbE/s400/Snapshot007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243345039152030178" border="0" /></a>After frightening Mr. Claude Bennet (Hugh Bonneville) into dropping his books by hoving into view on the servants stairs, Amanda is ushered into his study and the story, that Amanda is Lizzie's long standing friend and that she is gone to visit Amanda in Hammersmith, is quickly concocted. Mr. Bennet after a very brief interview then exhorts Amanda to take Lizzie's bed for the night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK8_TmQSo4GWru0yhEoYw1M1i4ohPj7UA3sjOXRbeYK_XPCvHxXgGSpXYbK1zPFkYC6nBaEBixDSCu6oBkYCkbJtrrV61ioxPGS7LwNPMIVjWS3XGTZ8I49jPI8yCDNGuitBX/s1600-h/Snapshot008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK8_TmQSo4GWru0yhEoYw1M1i4ohPj7UA3sjOXRbeYK_XPCvHxXgGSpXYbK1zPFkYC6nBaEBixDSCu6oBkYCkbJtrrV61ioxPGS7LwNPMIVjWS3XGTZ8I49jPI8yCDNGuitBX/s400/Snapshot008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243345040419046610" border="0" /></a>The following morning Amanda is woken by of Mrs. Bennet shrieking somewhere in the house and then is startled by the appearance of Lydia (Perdita Weeks) sharing her bed. Amanda gets somewhat overwrought about her situation and displays her "pubic topiary" to an astonished Lydia.<br /><br />At breakfast Amanda 21st century attire is explained away as an otter hunting outfit which seems to satisfy the rest of the house. Mr. Bennet himself seems to acknowledge that Hammersmith is an "otter strewn thoroughfare".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UcTWNXLgi4cOlBcgiTLLW2VSXD7mnFkru1y-bo5Uwc1uTWua1Z7m7PdcltoItAsQGpjPgBREWh2LGgE4mZcO_tx94EsLwQHD5fY5gsbv10aKY9oP5FexhSE2gne1j7cqoSYH/s1600-h/Snapshot009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UcTWNXLgi4cOlBcgiTLLW2VSXD7mnFkru1y-bo5Uwc1uTWua1Z7m7PdcltoItAsQGpjPgBREWh2LGgE4mZcO_tx94EsLwQHD5fY5gsbv10aKY9oP5FexhSE2gne1j7cqoSYH/s400/Snapshot009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243345043940976690" border="0" /></a>Breakfast is interrupted by the arrival of Mr Bingley (Elliot Misen) who is being simpered at by Mrs. Bennet (Alex Kingston). All the Bennet girls, plus Amanda are ushered into to meet him, with apologies for Elizabeth's absence. Amanda is alarmed to notice that Bingley seems more enamoured with her than Jane (Morven Christie). Amanda then improvises a story about Lizzie wanting to write a book and travelling to Hammersmith to get the requisite peace and quiet to do so, much to the horror of Mrs. Bennet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VnX467GJER5EoWoRHEaIPowW0Oko2TQKahuTmV1e4fvm1JH0nngBQ667WwzBwZ5eV2Hxrqfe8qqq5IlN6hoy98qwM9D_A_5L2WRuVyGYFhIQtB2KlsKQs1kOOEYR4Ih4x8O1/s1600-h/Snapshot010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VnX467GJER5EoWoRHEaIPowW0Oko2TQKahuTmV1e4fvm1JH0nngBQ667WwzBwZ5eV2Hxrqfe8qqq5IlN6hoy98qwM9D_A_5L2WRuVyGYFhIQtB2KlsKQs1kOOEYR4Ih4x8O1/s400/Snapshot010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243344585243264610" border="0" /></a>Amanda is loaned a few of Lizzie's dresses, for there are no otter to be hunted in the neighbourhood and Amanda encourages Jane by telling her that Bingley was very taken with her. Upon asking to brush her teeth, Jane points out the Birch twigs, chalk and salt to Amanda's consternation and leaves Amanda bemusedly holding the twigs and wishing she'd brought her toothbrush with her.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RCOToTfMZNE6zJZVvyNbL3V0QFOgLwjloT5dA9kxJvj_Xc0Xz5BDAn1xMDD8YsWpGgdW1Nk_8Y1L2C2v54p26S4VJJCcONNdF-aYzCN4uVkBop3WxcAwsKhkQMutBBjyMAKc/s1600-h/Snapshot011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RCOToTfMZNE6zJZVvyNbL3V0QFOgLwjloT5dA9kxJvj_Xc0Xz5BDAn1xMDD8YsWpGgdW1Nk_8Y1L2C2v54p26S4VJJCcONNdF-aYzCN4uVkBop3WxcAwsKhkQMutBBjyMAKc/s400/Snapshot011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243344590729276850" border="0" /></a>Bingley asks his sister Caroline (Christina Cole, who is the actress of choice when you want a bitch in a bustle) if she wants to go to church, Caroline declines and instead manages to get Bingley to stay at home to play cards with her, which he does reluctantly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmz9nQrCvCbGBr3GESRJ3MuwjGFT_teU3Qdp-2GD-5L3ay98-01vvMCneHq667cfGHHY5oWgBOuFHYUMghdgS8Ht7XQvnqXBQPfKLmiCskXU19bxV5iHF9qc_MjsUp9CjYiJP/s1600-h/Snapshot012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmz9nQrCvCbGBr3GESRJ3MuwjGFT_teU3Qdp-2GD-5L3ay98-01vvMCneHq667cfGHHY5oWgBOuFHYUMghdgS8Ht7XQvnqXBQPfKLmiCskXU19bxV5iHF9qc_MjsUp9CjYiJP/s400/Snapshot012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243344596037983394" border="0" /></a>Amanda meanwhile traipses to church with the Bennet's and meets Charlotte Lucas who introduces herself shyly and then drops a clanger by mentioning that she speaks to Lady Ambrose, who just so happens to be a pig.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WGlAjDzYZEpHP1Eg3vV8tf0BHa508zhtA2KiInapRhXyMjfaxEwxTk4Itf7RZrFjI8BvbkiaXEzNcOqK6CZoV_x5uu8PLA4XuOfmRQUty-xQpASdEOWO33fbemdtJnHw94iq/s1600-h/Snapshot013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WGlAjDzYZEpHP1Eg3vV8tf0BHa508zhtA2KiInapRhXyMjfaxEwxTk4Itf7RZrFjI8BvbkiaXEzNcOqK6CZoV_x5uu8PLA4XuOfmRQUty-xQpASdEOWO33fbemdtJnHw94iq/s400/Snapshot013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243344600820574834" border="0" /></a>A ball has been arranged and the Bennet sisters and Amanda (who applies her extra bit of lucky lippy in the carriage much to the disapproval of Mrs. Bennet) are overwhelmed by the jollity. Amanda then spends much of her time availing herself of the punch and getting sarked at by Caroline Bingley.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSL5FMHIbVSpn0GEfKCJZ6bRmoAMLoo-YQNPJBqcDzA7iujywYqGWsG3_07g03HonUSZ24KXBPJCmqyTVAuU86YLCHvNsGsm6buRpZ_-_OgVuHYXOxUE920sK4pF_3IIo0X3k/s1600-h/Snapshot014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSL5FMHIbVSpn0GEfKCJZ6bRmoAMLoo-YQNPJBqcDzA7iujywYqGWsG3_07g03HonUSZ24KXBPJCmqyTVAuU86YLCHvNsGsm6buRpZ_-_OgVuHYXOxUE920sK4pF_3IIo0X3k/s400/Snapshot014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243344605581383282" border="0" /></a>Amanda despite her best efforts, gets asked to dance by the smitten Mr. Bingley and Amanda in a desperate effort to get the story back to its original course declines and says she's already engaged to dance with Mr. Darcy. Bingley calls over to Darcy, and at first a stout little red faced man appears to be about to totter over, when a tall, well dressed man revolves and takes all the puff out out of Miss Price with a single smoulder.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3hTbzCR3KRqONtXRLBWGY42HPQqyh2-OA4nTOfZNCIWZalqYAVyJT-y_ZcyjdpPrHbIMUn83i-CutFYUffKsOcvE6amtbOc8JVgyz6vRjpdB7giPZESPzAVjBiI9K8cQDL_a/s1600-h/Snapshot015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3hTbzCR3KRqONtXRLBWGY42HPQqyh2-OA4nTOfZNCIWZalqYAVyJT-y_ZcyjdpPrHbIMUn83i-CutFYUffKsOcvE6amtbOc8JVgyz6vRjpdB7giPZESPzAVjBiI9K8cQDL_a/s400/Snapshot015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243344236837419618" border="0" /></a>And doesn't he just he just look regency! He might have wandered in off the cover of a Mills and Boon. I don't like the wig though. <br /><br />Darcy and Amanda begin to dance and Amanda quite reasonably doesn't know how to and doesn't so much dance as copy everyone else while remaining at least three beats out of time. She attempts vainly to engage Darcy in conversation, but he answers only peremptorily and doesn't disguise his dislike of her. At the end of dance he stalks off leaving an annoyed Amanda, who trudges outside for a crafty cigarette and then when Bingley turns up, plants a kiss on his surprised fizzog. <br /><br />She then attempts to put right her impertinence by professing that she is a lesbian, leaving the reeling Mr. Bingley in an attractive state of confusion.<br /><br />Mrs. Bennet corners Amanda at the ball and in no uncertain terms warns her not to scupper any of her daughters chances at matrimony. Alex Kingston who doesn't have much to do but shake her curls neurotically, obviously relished the chance to get her teeth into a scene and consequently Mrs. Bennet is one of the more interesting characters in the programme.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-a1bsKMKY3ojNEvmp9w3rKYD-ihvDgRp-PJvCN6n9KKaxEPghBbg5mxCceHbt2khWDXWaSMGo8cL9CyM-2lyHXGkIjtjXeiU3iDawfmZtYARtL0sqPN8wRKLtVFrJr6kZGbM8/s1600-h/Snapshot016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-a1bsKMKY3ojNEvmp9w3rKYD-ihvDgRp-PJvCN6n9KKaxEPghBbg5mxCceHbt2khWDXWaSMGo8cL9CyM-2lyHXGkIjtjXeiU3iDawfmZtYARtL0sqPN8wRKLtVFrJr6kZGbM8/s400/Snapshot016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243344238196031234" border="0" /></a>The following day Amanda encourages Jane to visit Bingley and dispatches her in the rain on a horse. Mary relates how Jane almost died of "the Grippe" last time she got a cold and panics Amanda into rushing headlong across country after her. This sets Mrs. Bennet into another flurry as she believes that Amanda is trying to usurp Jane in Bingley's affections and her finger-wagging remonstrations to Mr. Bennet are rebuffed in Mr. Bennet's inimitable way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_hGMmhclIoGmGfu3P512UT6zCRJi-yYaLC9vp-QUlZ_oO6cPYmP5MNuVHv9b8vjVGqb9dMuKdAv7N6XVka_X5wbc6czyvPkHri56y_PPuR23ZoYiY8MZAdtbJLA-w2Q_H_EK/s1600-h/Snapshot018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_hGMmhclIoGmGfu3P512UT6zCRJi-yYaLC9vp-QUlZ_oO6cPYmP5MNuVHv9b8vjVGqb9dMuKdAv7N6XVka_X5wbc6czyvPkHri56y_PPuR23ZoYiY8MZAdtbJLA-w2Q_H_EK/s400/Snapshot018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243344244544726242" border="0" /></a>We end with bedraggled Amanda dragging herself through some bushes and aiming for Netherfield.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wu9vDg9iWBje70TyXY2pTPN9KzZJSmQIMa8lUoqnucKnCQw770w5A0B9Rf5NPyUWSL3WGq-THmUDHYbkaLfrv9kHm6gFA2ORI6swAIeAexhM-NxY8zgvUmsoztRIkbjxaHr8/s1600-h/Snapshot019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wu9vDg9iWBje70TyXY2pTPN9KzZJSmQIMa8lUoqnucKnCQw770w5A0B9Rf5NPyUWSL3WGq-THmUDHYbkaLfrv9kHm6gFA2ORI6swAIeAexhM-NxY8zgvUmsoztRIkbjxaHr8/s400/Snapshot019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243344249474210530" border="0" /></a>All in all, a fun twist on the story. It's evident that Amanda is an Elizabeth substitute and her astonishment at Darcy's rudeness at the ball a direct comparison to Elizabeth's first encounter with Darcy. Jemima Rooper is a thoroughly modern Amanda and Darcy, so far, is elegantly rude. Mr. Bingley it seems, is genetically mainly spanial and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are utterly brilliant, as are Hugh Bonneville and Alex Kingston. <br /><br />Gemma Arterton as Elizabeth is wasted in a minuscule role and though it would be fun to see Lizzie's adventures in modern day otter strewn Hammersmith, the show wisely remains in the Regency period and besides she's probably still in the bathroom playing with the light.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-88062100907221490632008-07-16T11:09:00.000-07:002008-08-25T16:33:59.114-07:00Candide<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9FC-8Ik7Oi73m4-viNfNw55gw8d7lG9OVvP0bYVVgi0kEngib0mKACQGMk4cnVXznrn9HpZ1piSHpKJ37BUDq_0U8xAVh3VemwMESeyeaw9Er3GYWsJSQpaoQX9S-QpB4k3Y/s1600-h/candide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9FC-8Ik7Oi73m4-viNfNw55gw8d7lG9OVvP0bYVVgi0kEngib0mKACQGMk4cnVXznrn9HpZ1piSHpKJ37BUDq_0U8xAVh3VemwMESeyeaw9Er3GYWsJSQpaoQX9S-QpB4k3Y/s400/candide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238601091366123954" border="0" /></a>Always a girl who wants to try new things (within reason), I thought I wander off to the opera, but could I find anyone to go with me? Well no...most people looked at me as if I were daft in the head. It's not that outlandish an idea is it? Anyway, having enjoyed Alex <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jenning</span>s in Present Laughter, I thought I'd make the most of a rare singing role and see him in Candide, by Leonard Bernstein at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ENO</span> in London. And yes, I had to go by myself, oh well, it's cheaper I suppose.<br /><br />Up I get on Saturday morning and wonder why on earth everything seems in such sharp focus at this ungodly time, and then I remember, I forgot to take my contact lenses out the night before! I dimly remember the optician telling me that if I did this I shouldn't attempt to remove the lenses myself, I should either go to the opticians or the eye hospital to get them to do it otherwise my eyeballs would explode and dribble down my face. Not wanting to spend all day at eye casualty (which brings to mind a horrible vision of a waiting room of people with things <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">protruding</span> from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">eye sockets</span>) I squirted some saline into my eye and rubbed gently, which is all the optician would have done anyway, and out popped the lenses pretty easily, eye ball still in one piece and still in my socket thankfully. Oh well it's a glasses day today then.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ENO</span> is based at the Coliseum in London and it's lovely, it looks like a proper theatre with gilt and statues. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.enoinsideout.org.uk/assets/images/the_theatre_hpg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.enoinsideout.org.uk/assets/images/the_theatre_hpg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, I know I'm an idiot, but the surroundings were so lovely that I couldn't gloss over them with no comment. A 360 degree virtual tour of the auditorium can be found <a href="http://www.enoinsideout.org.uk/eno/?page_id=32">here</a>.<br /><br />The set is a huge proscenium filling 50's TV set, and the overture plays over a jaunty 50's style credit sequence which I loved! Why don't all plays have animated credits? Then the images of booming 1950's America take over, Elvis Presley, JFK, white picket fences, it's easy to imagine the post war optimism of that era and how infectious it was.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.operatoday.com/2217ashmore0354-copy.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.operatoday.com/2217ashmore0354-copy.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>Then a Voltaire (Alex Jennings) in 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> century period costume walks out onto the platform <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">in front</span> of the TV and begins the story of Candide (Toby Spence) who was cast out of his home in West Failure (the White House) and away from his true love <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Cunegonde</span> (Marnie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Breckinridge</span>) and forced to trudge the world, but doing so incredibly optimistically, for he slavishly remains true to his tutor Dr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Pangloss</span>' (Alex Jennings again) philosophy that "all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds". And er, that's about it. The plot is simply Candide being optimistic and searching for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Cunegonde</span>, and no one ever dies properly, they keep coming back to life improbably, but I don't suppose opera's are noted for their true to life <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">verite</span> outlook.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.classicalsource.com/images/upload/6005_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.classicalsource.com/images/upload/6005_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>On his travels, he meets <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Anabaptist's</span>, one buttocked Old Ladies and almost fatally the House Committee on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Un</span>-American Activities, with a jaunty chorus of KKK, no really. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Cunegonde's</span> family is killed and she is left for dead by the invading <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Eastphalians</span>, after being nursed back to health by a kindly farmer, she makes her way to the big city where she beguiles, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">OK</span>, seduces two opposing film producers and they set her up as a starlet in the Marilyn Monroe mould, to the extent that "Glitter And Be Gay" is an homage to Marilyn's "Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.classicalsource.com/images/upload/6005_5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 226px;" src="http://www.classicalsource.com/images/upload/6005_5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Candide "rescues" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Cunegonde</span> by shooting dead the two producers and they then along with an Old Lady with only one buttock, they escape to the New World.<br /><br />The music is glorious and the lyrics are extremely witty and funny and the singing I did find impressive, Toby Spence has a warm rich voice and Marnie Breckenridge brought the house down with "Glitter And Be Gay", but the thing about operatic singing is that it's sometimes hard to make out the what they're saying, especially as I'm not familiar with the story or the music. By the time you realise you didn't recognise what was said, you've missed the surtitle and then you miss the next sung line because you've only just stopped trying to make out the surtitle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://theoperacritic.com/reviews/ca/2008/photos/enocandid0608B.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 203px;" src="http://theoperacritic.com/reviews/ca/2008/photos/enocandid0608B.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Beverly Klein (The Old Lady) and Alex Jennings don't have that problem because they aren't opera singers (just plain old normal singers, but even when compared to opera singers, very good singers) so you can make out their lyrics easier.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/eno-candide-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/eno-candide-3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Toby Spence was lovely, he sang wonderfully, but seemed a little aloof, probably because none of the characters really came to the front of the stage, they mostly stayed quite well back at the middle or back of the stage, which meant that they didn't engage very well with the audience. No doubt why Alex Jennings got such praise for his engaging presence, you have to be if you're teetering on the edge of the orchestra pit. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/eno-candide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/eno-candide.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>While Alex was on stage most of the time as either Voltaire or Dr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Pangloss</span> it was mostly standing at either side of the TV frame as Voltaire waiting for his next piece of narration. He was a nerdy sounding <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Pangloss</span> and a snarly, rough comic Martin. His was the most assured performance along with Beverly Klein, who was the funniest character by far.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://theoperacritic.com/reviews/ca/2008/photos/enocandid0608B.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 203px;" src="http://theoperacritic.com/reviews/ca/2008/photos/enocandid0608B.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Her turn as a Vegas showgirl was no doubt funny, but I only saw a few feathers on top of her head, because the director in his wisdom decided to place spectators onstage, unfortunately right in front me. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.eno.org/candide/press/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 243px;" src="http://www.eno.org/candide/press/7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The front row is a lovely place to sit except because of the frame, you can't see the stage floor, so if any character is lying down, you can't see them. It seemed poor Candide was gloomily serenading his own feet at more than one point. Also I always feel slightly uncomfortable sitting at the front, because I get afraid that the actors can see me.<br /><br />When Voltaire changed into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Pangloss</span>, he would jump up onto the stage and then remove his Voltaire costume to reveal the blazer and tie of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Pangloss</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Every time</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Pangloss</span> made an appearance his costume got dirtier and more worn, till by the end he looked quite bedraggled.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/eno-candide-4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/eno-candide-4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The only dull note of the entire show was the five deposed Kings section, nobody interacts with them, they just sing and look faintly disturbing in their masks and swimwear, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Pangloss</span> and Candide just shrug at each other after their song as if to say, what was that all about? At this point I got a bit bored and started to stare at the back of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Pangloss</span> and Candide's heads, they were watching the Kings, then I moved onto watching the conductor, then the audience, and then if I leaned forward a little I could see into the orchestra pit and watch the musicians. Very interesting. I was relieved when that song was over.<br /><br />Mark Stone played each incarnation of Maximilian with great relish. He looked like he thoroughly enjoyed every part, from a Mormon, to man dressed up as a character from Some Like it Hot, through to a Vegas policeman.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.classicalsource.com/images/upload/6005_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.classicalsource.com/images/upload/6005_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Marnie Breckenridge sang "Glitter and be Gay" superbly, at least to my philistine ears, I wouldn't have noticed if she mangled every second note, but I came out and hummed it (badly) for days afterwords, so it definitely left an impression. This was the high point of the show for me, the music and choreography were perfect and sentiments of the song were perfectly illustrated by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Cunegonde</span> festooning herself in jewels.<br /><br />The dancers and the chorus also need kudos, the company sang fantastically and danced imaginatively and impressively. Also the Auto-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">da</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">fe</span> song is horribly catchy, I hummed that all the way home!<br /><br />I loved this show and enjoyed the performances and everyone who declined to come with me, missed a treat!<br /><br />My eye on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">other hand</span> is currently red and weeping has a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">tendency</span> to glue itself shut if I close it for too long, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">chloramphenicol</span> is being liberally applied.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-63080124882376438012008-04-18T15:48:00.000-07:002008-08-03T16:25:00.349-07:00Much Ado About Nothing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://media.nt-online.org/files/Much_ado_149Z6xdcp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px;" src="https://media.nt-online.org/files/Much_ado_149Z6xdcp.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I went to see <a href="http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/muchado">Much Ado About Nothing at the National Theatre</a> about a month and a half ago and I've only just gotten round to blogging about it! I blame having to work weekends for the last month.<br /><br />I'd been quite excited about going and seeing the play until about the week before, when the realisation that it was three hours (!) long and Shakespeare hit me. I'm not clever enough for that! I'll fall asleep, start snoring and get asked to leave, oh why did I book the tickets! My friend managed to catch the theatre-fear from me and both of us were less than enthusiastic about the play by the time we got there. As usual (due to circumstances beyond my control) I'm late and when we presented our tickets to the ushers, they said: "the plays just started" and hared off down the corridor, my friend and the usher sprinting away and leaving me to gallumph along in their wake. The only consolation I had was that another pair of theatre goers arrived at the same time and were directed at a hasty speed in the other direction. I'm at least not the only late comer.<br /><br />What I hadn't realised was that the cheap seats at the side don't have a Row A, or they were removed for the stage and the seats that I had bought were in fact the front row which just made being late all the more excruciating, at least we were at the end of a row and didn't have to climb over everyone. Didn't stop the looks of disapproval though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://image.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2007/12/19/muchadoaboutnothing372.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 372px;" src="http://image.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2007/12/19/muchadoaboutnothing372.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, the main roles of Beatrice and Benedick are taken by Zoe Wanamaker and Simon Russell Beale respectively and both were marvellous. Beatrice and Benedick love each other, but they don't want to admit it. They meet again after a long period of separation in which time Benedick has become an accomplished and respected soldier and Beatrice has comfortably settled into life living in her Uncle Leonato's house in Sicily and spends most of her time moderately tipsy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2007/12/11a_19_Much-Ad0_243x186.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px;" src="http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2007/12/11a_19_Much-Ad0_243x186.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Beatrice's cousin Hero (sweetly played by Susanna Fielding) falls in love with the dashing soldier Claudio (Daniel Hawkford). The soldiers are warmly welcomed and well fed by the generous Leonato (the wonderful Oliver Ford Davies), but the malevolent Don John (a villainous and brooding Andrew Woodall) is sullen and miserable because his brother Don Pedro (Julian Wadham) is an imperious and successful soldier. He envies his brother's power and is bitter at his own illegitimacy and so plots to ruin Don Pedro's most recent arrangement, the romance between Hero and Claudio, by casting aspersions on Hero's good character.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/graphics/2007/12/19/btado119.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px;" src="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/graphics/2007/12/19/btado119.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Meanwhile Bendick and Beatrice are sniping at one another at the masked ball and slowly realising that they still have feelings for each other. These are skillful and nuanced performances from both Zoe Wanamaker and Simon Russell Beale: warm, full and subtle. Benedick and Beatrice are both too obtuse to realise that the other still has feelings for them, but the other characters are quick to notice the resurgent emotions and decide to play at Cilla Black. In the morning in the garden by the pool, Benedick is having breakfast when he hears Don Pedro, Leonato and Claudio fast approaching, he hides, but the other men know he's there and besides the portly Simon Russell Beale is hard to miss, especially when trying to hide behind a 3 inch wide wooden pillar.<br /><br />The Much Ado set revolves and during the ball scenes and the merriment at the end, while the actors are dancing, the floor is moving, not only that, the front row afforded a perfect view of the fact that occasionally the actors would have one foot on the revolve and one on the fixed stage. How did they not fall over? I have trouble even walking in flat shoes, so their admirable ability to frolic in these conditions is to be commended.<br /><br />The men loudly exclaim that Beatrice is still madly in love with Benedick, all the while prowling about the stage forcing Benedick from one hiding place to another, when suddenly Benedick is stuck, he can't go anywhere without being caught eavesdropping, except one, the pool. So with a mighty splash, he actually cannonballs into the pool, to much incredulity and suppressed mirth from the others. Once the men leave, Benedick emerges from the pool looking like a seal and flops wetly about the stage wondering to himself if Beatrice does truly love him. Finally he wanders off happily to dry off before he dies of hypothermia and leaves the stage open for Beatrice to have the same trick pulled on her by the women of the house, even down to the dousing in the pool. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://london.broadway.com/photos/3009340.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px;" src="http://london.broadway.com/photos/3009340.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Poor Zoe Wanamaker has to heave around her sopping wet dress of many authentic layers which has, like a sheet of Bounty kitchen roll, soaked up the entire pool. Off she lurches to get wrung dry by an industrial mangle.<br /><br />The plot to ruin Hero is hatched by Borachio (robustly played by Daniel Poyser) and has Don John's approval. The plan is for Borachio to canoodle with his lover Margaret (Niki Wardley) and pretend that it's actually the faithless Hero with her lover and on the night before her wedding too.<br /><br />On the morning of the wedding, Hero twitters about happily and Beatrice sneezes and snuffles about, her cold appears to disappear very quickly as it's totally gone by the time the wedding begins.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://london.broadway.com/photos/3009341.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px;" src="http://london.broadway.com/photos/3009341.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />All the main players are assembled for the wedding, though you would have thought that a society wedding for Leonato's daughter would've attracted more than a few Italian dignatories, but oh well. Claudio rejects a tearful and screeching hero and storms off followed by the rest of the soldiers bar Benedick who solemnly starts talking to Beatrice after Hero is taken away. The scene culminates in the "Kill Claudio" line, and despite exhortations to murder not being particularly funny, it got a laugh. Benedick is torn between his love for Beatrice and wanting to please her and his own sense of honour and decency.<br /><br />Dogberry and Verges the Watchmen are played with comic brilliance by Mark Addy and Trevor Peacock. Peacock for example can grunt non commitally and get a round of applause and Mark Addy's circular speeches and constant contradictions bring a much needed obvious humour to the play. <br /><br />Hero feigns her own death much to the consternation of Claudio who prostrates himself at her fake grave clad in sackcloth, mmm, scratchy, while a concealed Hero watches his distress and is now certain of his love. Their story ends when it is contrived for Claudio to marry Hero's cousin, who looks a lot like her. <br /><br />Beatrice and Benedick after some more comic sniping kiss and settle down comfortably together on a bench, happy at last.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thecliffedge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/MuchAdo11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://thecliffedge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/MuchAdo11.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-47417751935209939142008-01-26T15:26:00.000-08:002008-02-11T16:37:18.220-08:00Cranford Episode Five<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOSFYjzd49sd7M5xVCPAYyazXEn9Xam8eec0no_Epyshbs9GcP7Mqdrpok6fC6yFMItT7PHroWtYyCTIuYhTJ7s3kKguL-f2bLsSIaQfE3GW-SzteuyooB8467J_A7ytIFvuf/s1600/vlcsnap-1590215.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOSFYjzd49sd7M5xVCPAYyazXEn9Xam8eec0no_Epyshbs9GcP7Mqdrpok6fC6yFMItT7PHroWtYyCTIuYhTJ7s3kKguL-f2bLsSIaQfE3GW-SzteuyooB8467J_A7ytIFvuf/s1600/vlcsnap-1590215.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ok, it is incredibly late, but here is the final Cranford recap. I doubt any breath has been bated over it, but sorry if you did wonder where it was.<br /><br />For once there a happy ending in sight for a Cranford female: Martha has overcome Jem's slightly less than enthusiastic desire for marriage and has snared her man, not that he minds too much about being snared at last.<br /><br />Mary and Matty welcome them home from the church with a hail of rice and huge grins! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvPYTnbty-yMV1j-gJIT-KsyUu6ab_IOrKOFcbfNzNpuD4aDPNdMYDeRYAFOE0KRJd29B2zMkw47GN_t-GVQOIORd0t__1furClvL_HXt4y3dGmDwRjbtix9zAz1TJg8fIZea/s1600-h/Snapshot001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvPYTnbty-yMV1j-gJIT-KsyUu6ab_IOrKOFcbfNzNpuD4aDPNdMYDeRYAFOE0KRJd29B2zMkw47GN_t-GVQOIORd0t__1furClvL_HXt4y3dGmDwRjbtix9zAz1TJg8fIZea/s400/Snapshot001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159937385307915714" border="0" /></a>Martha leads Jem into the kitchen and begins to bustle around to get Miss Matty's dinner on, not forgetting her pudding, lest Miss Matty fade away. Jem looks distinctly disheartened by this news having had something else far more traditional for newly weds in mind, instead Martha seats the sulky Jem by the corner of the fire to brood attractively.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDZXNMLhCBihGOxfkOMYbN8O19YcqRTlKx6Fb-BUyeGFRMFt-GB6YCkeLKX6Z_CeUXrr2ERsWiLl8O0c8dKQbUgUgveIhvGZaIC78_aD5zUrUvdUIAWYPIWLHcHtoRNVdzOAa/s1600-h/Snapshot002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDZXNMLhCBihGOxfkOMYbN8O19YcqRTlKx6Fb-BUyeGFRMFt-GB6YCkeLKX6Z_CeUXrr2ERsWiLl8O0c8dKQbUgUgveIhvGZaIC78_aD5zUrUvdUIAWYPIWLHcHtoRNVdzOAa/s400/Snapshot002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159937385307915730" border="0" /></a>Mr Carter visits Harry in the stables to gift him a book of poems, but Harry mindful of his new lower position in the household studiously ignores him and continues to shovel the dirty hay into a barrow. Mr Carter quietly withdraws, but slips the book into Harry's pocket for later.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggoCL6kQLx4lTXJk41wLKkS5im1hRsuBM1rqZdXtmA_G5StaM2LbLGN8g7D-cLKKyEaOFu19aW-dnxRl9dTLe_0yH6OKuvgJ-KiaIioPlQUYpT2w8mJfEOYl_LP8QvuGVzCwG/s1600-h/Snapshot003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggoCL6kQLx4lTXJk41wLKkS5im1hRsuBM1rqZdXtmA_G5StaM2LbLGN8g7D-cLKKyEaOFu19aW-dnxRl9dTLe_0yH6OKuvgJ-KiaIioPlQUYpT2w8mJfEOYl_LP8QvuGVzCwG/s400/Snapshot003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159937385307915746" border="0" /></a>Mary goes to visit Dr Harrison and finds him in dire straits, not only is he waxy faced and dishevelled, Mrs Rose has left him to fend for himself and she's taken all her furniture with her. All Dr Harrison has left is the sewing table (that caused all the trouble), a small chair and an attractive tea set. The cups are so hugh, they're like troughs! Or maybe the cups are a normal size and Lisa Dillon and Simon Woods are small!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdXHotItBspp3WHIhYRSelxj_UmpZeZPlYWvmxzeBVQfpTmefCj7tQ_ctS5d4Rw3zZGOZdCtVFZ2Hu7-fSck-bdKTsb0MeFMIfN6tGWeMbs0BsRTfbRUxSDIAblGXTssAlM3D/s1600-h/Snapshot004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdXHotItBspp3WHIhYRSelxj_UmpZeZPlYWvmxzeBVQfpTmefCj7tQ_ctS5d4Rw3zZGOZdCtVFZ2Hu7-fSck-bdKTsb0MeFMIfN6tGWeMbs0BsRTfbRUxSDIAblGXTssAlM3D/s400/Snapshot004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159937389602883058" border="0" /></a>Dr Harrison asks after Sophy, only to be ruefully told that she's gone to visit an Aunt, in Shropshire.<br /><br />Miss Galindo has arrived for work and cheerily bids Mr Carter a good afternoon! Good afternoon!? Either she's late or that's flexi time gone mad. Despite her tardiness, Mr Carter returns her felicitation and gets on with reading his mail, from which he surmises correctly that Miss Galindo has removed the deeds to the estate and allowed Lady Ludlow to mortgage it, against his better judgement and advice. He angrily storms off to hold Lady Ludlow to account and to suggest that there were better ways of economising: selling some land to the railway, or reducing the head count of her staff perhaps, does she really need one man to wind her clocks?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoBdu7KO6QgzjvVBlC_nSuGqZPg2M2A9lK6bG0KyYzCEXw2y56W4dfrfJa2q6GjHi4xjS74NxHmahawKUPS11cL94YfB0n-oCNiEU7pJibxtiVAeCSU1c-s1KOl-wAvgeYE99/s1600-h/Snapshot005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoBdu7KO6QgzjvVBlC_nSuGqZPg2M2A9lK6bG0KyYzCEXw2y56W4dfrfJa2q6GjHi4xjS74NxHmahawKUPS11cL94YfB0n-oCNiEU7pJibxtiVAeCSU1c-s1KOl-wAvgeYE99/s400/Snapshot005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159936337335895346" border="0" /></a>Lady Ludlow in her imperious and aristocratic manner refutes any such idea of economy, truthfully stating that she has a great many clocks, and besides Will Jones, clock winder extraordinaire is mute and would struggle to find another job and would probably end up in the Workhouse. Lady Ludlow, though cold and haughty, is bound by a sense of duty to her staff and tenants, already evinced by her intercession into Job Gregsons' wrongful imprisonment.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Yz3s1pEIkjQ2b8rX0wKNbLka4IBlT7WFzirsgLTAHCEQ7HwyIAMF71NwgxNciNxKx6qOxW42_DYxr7GsDKX9cdy3uEO7Zru8so6On2-aGidELdprbmKHqGEPQKbtp9y7nRrY/s1600-h/Snapshot006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Yz3s1pEIkjQ2b8rX0wKNbLka4IBlT7WFzirsgLTAHCEQ7HwyIAMF71NwgxNciNxKx6qOxW42_DYxr7GsDKX9cdy3uEO7Zru8so6On2-aGidELdprbmKHqGEPQKbtp9y7nRrY/s400/Snapshot006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159936341630862658" border="0" /></a>Mary and a select few others have been summoned to Miss Forrester's by a missive marked Confidential and posted by hand. The meeting, presided over by a comically formal Miss Pole, is called to order with a small bell and concerns Miss Matty's dire financial predicament. The ladies have come to the decision that they will secretly ease Miss Matty's grim circumstances by each donating a small amount of money that they each can spare. This money is to be presented in such a manner, with the aid of Captain Brown, that it should appear to be Miss Matty's "proper due", and that she should not know that the money came from her friends. Also the Miss Tomkinsons will settle the Mr Godard, the butcher's bill of 10 shillings as they are also customers of his.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5Kd1RBYF-Vpi4s26Zh1srkzSxj7a1n8rJGeXNxtM7WGzu83w-xplVsP6Qy1V1P4Qz7D0gpjdK_5i31RYgXY2E0Wp6T6EjYG1Q3aYaKAIkC9Ni65h_heyLr5X0sFlGNIUAd8O/s1600-h/Snapshot007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5Kd1RBYF-Vpi4s26Zh1srkzSxj7a1n8rJGeXNxtM7WGzu83w-xplVsP6Qy1V1P4Qz7D0gpjdK_5i31RYgXY2E0Wp6T6EjYG1Q3aYaKAIkC9Ni65h_heyLr5X0sFlGNIUAd8O/s400/Snapshot007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159936341630862674" border="0" /></a>Mrs Forrester rushes after Mary at the end of the meeting and tearfully begs Mary not to think badly of her for her small donation, as she has so little to live on and then goes on to recount why she holds Miss Matty in such high regard. When they were both younger and Mrs Forrester's mother was dying, Miss Matty though having just refused Mr Holbrook's offer of marriage, still had the time and compassion to ask after Mrs Forrester's mother and comforted the young Mrs Forrester when she cried. Julia Mackenzie has brought a finely judged comic edge to Mrs Forrester so far and in this scene her heartfelt sorrow, at not being able to contribute more to the Save Miss Matty fund, gushes out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmtnALcq_Y6-IYjF70Bh8voGqK9rhdq7WUo5NNct_ltnZIpI4RuqDytl1tnosfIQyDkkao5In54TbWoFpr303dXoyH4QuDk5_tKYp2pLUm83jfXjeqPJm_dmWfZ_yY-b5O7MB/s1600-h/Snapshot008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmtnALcq_Y6-IYjF70Bh8voGqK9rhdq7WUo5NNct_ltnZIpI4RuqDytl1tnosfIQyDkkao5In54TbWoFpr303dXoyH4QuDk5_tKYp2pLUm83jfXjeqPJm_dmWfZ_yY-b5O7MB/s400/Snapshot008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159936345925829986" border="0" /></a>Dr Morgan has suggested that Dr Harrison, or the Cranford Casanova as I like to think of him, ought to start his practice elsewhere as due to the scandal of, erm Casanovering, or alleged Casanovering, has had his reputation shot to pieces and in a town like Cranford, such scandal is the death knell for any budding medical professionals.<br /><br />Miss Matty is being lied to by her friends, for her own good, but lied to nevertheless. Miss Matty is presented with the idea that she might set up a school, but has no confidence in Mathematics, French, Accomplishments (?) or the Globes, at which point Captain Brown states that perhaps she ought to go into trade, and Miss Matty thankful that tea is not sticky (as she has a revulsion of residues) aquiesces. But not before asking Mr Johnson if he minds the competition.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrTya0JQmLQAZDHkyQF1rMwj9Yh510w_UDAqcMmAiD5Bpg05HVc1h-ylAb6PU2ruBQ7a52OLqIUBo3pyMD5qb1EZwmtJ60irIUEB1obxL-A2UeoBhzusBMjdIvb6cvc_tH4rB/s1600-h/Snapshot009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrTya0JQmLQAZDHkyQF1rMwj9Yh510w_UDAqcMmAiD5Bpg05HVc1h-ylAb6PU2ruBQ7a52OLqIUBo3pyMD5qb1EZwmtJ60irIUEB1obxL-A2UeoBhzusBMjdIvb6cvc_tH4rB/s400/Snapshot009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159936345925830002" border="0" /></a>Mr Godard is being exhorted to tell Miss Matty that due to an error in the butchery accounts her 10 shillings are no longer outstanding to which the hale fellow that is Mr Godard agrees, adding that Miss Matty was compassionate when his wife died. Caroline, then asks about Mr Godard's twins and upon the utterance of the word "pork", appears to fall madly in lust with the butcher.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR3o5osiDQZFZyxOiraxUc6hYSs9fr1dWpyII2XkR44dUZcxDfOtOcZmuA_msVUve856CTUUm8cgvepORfqtP6amqNRLaV9ORWDypQlR0gqQmQ0Ln0ke3x4e4mYTao2xe48dq/s1600-h/Snapshot010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR3o5osiDQZFZyxOiraxUc6hYSs9fr1dWpyII2XkR44dUZcxDfOtOcZmuA_msVUve856CTUUm8cgvepORfqtP6amqNRLaV9ORWDypQlR0gqQmQ0Ln0ke3x4e4mYTao2xe48dq/s400/Snapshot010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159935774695179490" border="0" /></a>Mary has received a letter from Dr Marshland and upon recognising his doctors scrawl comes to the conclusion that he was the mischievous Valentine sender and goes to the Miss Tompkinsons for corroboration.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F_Mcp_3C7MlAG5Xn7bw4PWoJxEu06s6IZJTU-OYTnA6-37z3p7GHSHx_P4TtwvKoTQ_X_RYXBrOUZubKgYgCtAAXkQPMGYjob_lvGf76L5Qq6bgNih0IqiG2eDs9hx2cESxb/s1600-h/Snapshot011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F_Mcp_3C7MlAG5Xn7bw4PWoJxEu06s6IZJTU-OYTnA6-37z3p7GHSHx_P4TtwvKoTQ_X_RYXBrOUZubKgYgCtAAXkQPMGYjob_lvGf76L5Qq6bgNih0IqiG2eDs9hx2cESxb/s400/Snapshot011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159935774695179506" border="0" /></a>Having absorbed some of Miss Deborah's resolve and tenacity, Mary now writes a stern letter to Dr Marshland admonishing him for his humourous wickedness and commanding him to resolve the mess that he has created.<br /><br />When rushing to catch the postman, Mary catches sight of Sophy returning from her Aunt's looking sickly and pale. Though Mary rushes to say hello, Reverend Hutton bundles his unwell daughter onto the carriage and zooms home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUhAbQzlNhoakfT0oO9oHp3WSBGRBVvJMxlUd754UmSpN_kOlOzYcJ_OTG7F2DxYsM1IjJIStPzhvX8qFuaFNQDj2-OEUOkrwhwrzgFHVRgRYb7x1g43AB9b7wYt9Zg-N68Iz/s1600-h/Snapshot012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUhAbQzlNhoakfT0oO9oHp3WSBGRBVvJMxlUd754UmSpN_kOlOzYcJ_OTG7F2DxYsM1IjJIStPzhvX8qFuaFNQDj2-OEUOkrwhwrzgFHVRgRYb7x1g43AB9b7wYt9Zg-N68Iz/s400/Snapshot012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159935778990146818" border="0" /></a>Dr Morgan and his wig have made the diagnosis of love sickness (not a diseased heart as plainly worried Reverend Hutton feared) and claims that it will soon pass as long as the Reverend lavishes not only affection on his daughter, but also plenty of eggs. Reverend Hutton doesn't look very confident of Dr Morgans prescription, but glumly accepts it and walks Dr Morgan out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCGHcjei-_5W48uId_9PUqoAREvi2TzeoKS7n0Zi6Y3w_21ZvbiPFKDY_0C6R6tquzXHidbexGnyjkIPJKP_Tx6j-2HHvcG06ChW24ZPY9QDWDS1ld3SrzCTcK1WfdaCcx3jN/s1600-h/Snapshot015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCGHcjei-_5W48uId_9PUqoAREvi2TzeoKS7n0Zi6Y3w_21ZvbiPFKDY_0C6R6tquzXHidbexGnyjkIPJKP_Tx6j-2HHvcG06ChW24ZPY9QDWDS1ld3SrzCTcK1WfdaCcx3jN/s400/Snapshot015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159935778990146834" border="0" /></a>Dr Harrison alas has been commanded not to be allowed to see Sophy and the door is shut in his face by the Huttons housekeeper.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK1xw4z857CUgsAzQdVgO12DNTwN8gjKVINspT68q2lXEcojdxZrjfaTDN4t6856iUjXVwop6v6aKvy9JRp9iIJX1jS5NPdMrmsddtqYYilDivJmpG0ybLBxDkNf-OaGVsvJN/s1600-h/Snapshot016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK1xw4z857CUgsAzQdVgO12DNTwN8gjKVINspT68q2lXEcojdxZrjfaTDN4t6856iUjXVwop6v6aKvy9JRp9iIJX1jS5NPdMrmsddtqYYilDivJmpG0ybLBxDkNf-OaGVsvJN/s400/Snapshot016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159935783285114146" border="0" /></a>Mr Carter comes to call on Miss Galindo, not so much proferring a bunch of flowers, more holding on to them for grim death. Miss Galindo only rescues them by inventing a fear that the flowers will stain Mr Carters spotless cuffs.<br /><br />This part of the show was when I started to get a bit tearful when rewatching the programme for the screencaps. Mr Carter and Miss Galindo make such a lovely couple, neither in the first flush of youth, but each with an independent mind and cautious heart.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOihb5lRhA_ndz-hh6OYRkarPYro3vX6DqUFQBwVnSqMp9Km2tPGxmCnqj_5mLqShFKKO0AXYswwAEn4W1hFMzwtzKQX0sCFMXhO1A71_2lU4Rtk65ZBdiCXAOEa-gwPSn-In/s1600-h/Snapshot017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOihb5lRhA_ndz-hh6OYRkarPYro3vX6DqUFQBwVnSqMp9Km2tPGxmCnqj_5mLqShFKKO0AXYswwAEn4W1hFMzwtzKQX0sCFMXhO1A71_2lU4Rtk65ZBdiCXAOEa-gwPSn-In/s400/Snapshot017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159935061730608274" border="0" /></a>They talk of Lady Ludlow and her obstinance and sense of duty. Mr Carter tells Miss Galindo that the mortgage could have been avoided as he has some money gathering dust and interest in the bank, a fortune amassed by his investment in a cotton mill. The disgust that the mill engendered in him, of young children working in the very dangerous mill, caused him to recoup his investment and now the money lies fallow and he is loath to touch it.<br /><br />Miss Galindo and Mr Carter understand and cleave to each other, a feeling of solidarity created by their shared concern for Lady Ludlow and the understated attraction of two lonely souls.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ss2AS-kzgHv1PM7jpe2y3CqTem27MfJzOcBVpnLeGdY2S-bKf4Xa90wSrhu9aKgEF0AxhR4I-lxkhVtl2pVNupK9ycixT-GcaPc8_QqiSiTFspyQw8bg1PXK2si-FuKdq0yT/s1600-h/Snapshot018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ss2AS-kzgHv1PM7jpe2y3CqTem27MfJzOcBVpnLeGdY2S-bKf4Xa90wSrhu9aKgEF0AxhR4I-lxkhVtl2pVNupK9ycixT-GcaPc8_QqiSiTFspyQw8bg1PXK2si-FuKdq0yT/s400/Snapshot018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159935061730608290" border="0" /></a>Miss Matty has opened her shop and is besieged with customers, though dissuades any customer from purchasing green tea and deftly manipulates a facillating Caroline Tomkinson into buying two pounds of black tea instead, ably assisted by the energetic Mary.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRg3S42kCvhl3ja0hapAbNjjYAbVNGP6_xH8hhPjO09e1pqOuClMLdCcIUfGS6NthVm0NOh8jOXzewLCjPwC5d1ePXvT6VdeyrCEDqiKSBmWSWNL3ICGvaPRcNVzVS-4zwF8xQ/s1600-h/Snapshot019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRg3S42kCvhl3ja0hapAbNjjYAbVNGP6_xH8hhPjO09e1pqOuClMLdCcIUfGS6NthVm0NOh8jOXzewLCjPwC5d1ePXvT6VdeyrCEDqiKSBmWSWNL3ICGvaPRcNVzVS-4zwF8xQ/s400/Snapshot019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159935066025575602" border="0" /></a>Mary comes to call on Sophy and starts to tell her of Dr Harrison's innocence, when Mary notices that Sophy is burning up with fever and covered in a livid red rash.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDosYKxbWPCiUQpZJI_ycXqp5qB9FkfgEqR_DskpqqH6flZD0yQ92XF25x_6s9Q5iSWIfuM8tR963kiHaQBl4auLAN8IOYTlmFyjqsLUewfm3NSxi-Vd7SGeFcU3GC1Rhlcwdo/s1600-h/Snapshot020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDosYKxbWPCiUQpZJI_ycXqp5qB9FkfgEqR_DskpqqH6flZD0yQ92XF25x_6s9Q5iSWIfuM8tR963kiHaQBl4auLAN8IOYTlmFyjqsLUewfm3NSxi-Vd7SGeFcU3GC1Rhlcwdo/s400/Snapshot020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159935066025575618" border="0" /></a>Dr Morgan states that Sophy has Typhoid fever and Reverend Hutton is visibly shocked at the news, going so far as to baldly state if Sophy will die, Dr Morgan evades the answer.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeb0Uddmse8FXYLxcocQk4xHwnCKJvBsEIjHCpxrsdcVF66foJbWYCy9MKXhEBM4p30RXh2u__bE84JGxvR4UHSHZikt2ZAD-626ns_ZJGbHI1DCtR0vbn5AmFABA69O_TgBa/s1600-h/Snapshot021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeb0Uddmse8FXYLxcocQk4xHwnCKJvBsEIjHCpxrsdcVF66foJbWYCy9MKXhEBM4p30RXh2u__bE84JGxvR4UHSHZikt2ZAD-626ns_ZJGbHI1DCtR0vbn5AmFABA69O_TgBa/s400/Snapshot021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159935070320542930" border="0" /></a>Dr Marshland has been stirred onto action by Mary's stern letter and has finally appeared to make amends and spends the morning apologising through Dr Harrison's letterbox, not getting a response until he mentions that Sophy is ill and then the door is flung open by a panicked Dr Harrison asking if he is being sent for.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtmRpNerh2vIguG91maYrezgAcQzeYipFPqyZbxy0pzOTs2sk6GL0U5B7ZYInd2ufDtK2Gd_lExrg4MXlOytDlyX05I7s38bUObvbHluGstADjoPvfWKVmdvz8qYAXXRXzd23/s1600-h/Snapshot024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtmRpNerh2vIguG91maYrezgAcQzeYipFPqyZbxy0pzOTs2sk6GL0U5B7ZYInd2ufDtK2Gd_lExrg4MXlOytDlyX05I7s38bUObvbHluGstADjoPvfWKVmdvz8qYAXXRXzd23/s400/Snapshot024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159934284341527618" border="0" /></a>Mr Carter is visiting Captain Brown at the site of the railway to ask if he could possibly supply any building materials for the railway in an effort to ease Lady Ludlow's financial burden, when there is an explosion and both men are injured.<br /><br />Dr Marshland is explaining that he has confessed all to the Reverend while Dr Harrison perched on a tiny chair is worried that Dr Morgan will mistreat Sophy's typhoid fever.<br /><br />Then Captain Brown and a badly injured Mr Carter arrive at Dr Harrison's and both he and Dr Marshland spring into action. Miss Galindo has heard about the accident and has run to the surgery, she is asked by Dr Harrison to fetch Mary to assist in the operation on Mr Carter's leg as much ice as she can from Hanbury. Before she rushes off, Mr Carter asks her to come back and to bring a pen a paper also.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHw9mrGG2PSVsNw86ImUEZ3kenP6jK7jIJWeyFhlCYNh0HJyAWrINrceJTo7wVcigJOFmTqiiiIKqhwxNSJwZJMN3X7uO329bD9EZb9SqeGRV1oaSitQw-v6vACOHYBKCEQaHx/s1600-h/Snapshot025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHw9mrGG2PSVsNw86ImUEZ3kenP6jK7jIJWeyFhlCYNh0HJyAWrINrceJTo7wVcigJOFmTqiiiIKqhwxNSJwZJMN3X7uO329bD9EZb9SqeGRV1oaSitQw-v6vACOHYBKCEQaHx/s400/Snapshot025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159934284341527634" border="0" /></a>Captain Brown has luckily escaped with only a minor eye injury and a bad case of shock, but Dr Marshland applies the stiff drink prescription and he makes a full recovery.<br /><br />Mr Carter dictates his Last Will and Testament to Miss Galindo who also acts as his witness. She admonishes him for thinking the worst as she steadies Mr Carter's hand while he shakily signs his Will, while fearing the worst herself.<br /><br />While in the midst of the operation to amputate his damaged leg, Mr Carter's heart gives out and he dies. Lady Ludlow and Miss Galindo are given the bad news by Mary and they both are incredibly affected but portray it wordlessly. Lady Ludlow takes Miss Galindo's hand as much as to give give comfort as to unite them in their grief.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyiRh_pAqtV1EK2Y4PMp7mYZaiLZ4BBcU_XaL_JZbZ0WRQmPZ3-mGYLtYsP1S4tr_5kkVntChlPmypeVjVCiiJdkLNXi5qW61sJTYXS9HYOY_FUjAwDbhjrsHix_gqqQYtp1P/s1600-h/Snapshot026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyiRh_pAqtV1EK2Y4PMp7mYZaiLZ4BBcU_XaL_JZbZ0WRQmPZ3-mGYLtYsP1S4tr_5kkVntChlPmypeVjVCiiJdkLNXi5qW61sJTYXS9HYOY_FUjAwDbhjrsHix_gqqQYtp1P/s400/Snapshot026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159934284341527650" border="0" /></a>Helen and Lizzie Hutton have run from the Rectory to ask for Dr Harrison's help who immediately agrees to come, pausing only get the leftover ice to treat Sophy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWGKItWEpSi27XxEfPwWCPy25srF85IVA9RfV6GPe6GGioZlZUKEvyTbXL1hWVpUiA4h6074EdtfhbQ8wpsFHDQ1bCWN4HE5GszDLFwEeDxAvG2aO_UDweLywGyXds6-mNIi3/s1600-h/Snapshot027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWGKItWEpSi27XxEfPwWCPy25srF85IVA9RfV6GPe6GGioZlZUKEvyTbXL1hWVpUiA4h6074EdtfhbQ8wpsFHDQ1bCWN4HE5GszDLFwEeDxAvG2aO_UDweLywGyXds6-mNIi3/s400/Snapshot027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159934288636494962" border="0" /></a>Dr's Harrison and Marshland arrive at the Rectory only to be refused entry by a furious Reverend. Mrs Rose however speaks up for Dr Harrison and his medical expertise and the Reverend lets the two men through.<br /><br />They immediately begin work by cooling the room and wrapping Sophy in (very, very fake looking) ice and then a few drops of a potent medicine, which doesn't have much of an effect on Sophy, who stays unconcious throughout, but appears to excite Dr Harrison, who is confident that his treatment has worked.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLao6B5sz1E5EMCwHYNITQ4JysmC5ZGdBVVoc5huMweGjJFWLtedrekZ3eDN3rEyrKw2n9EDpB3Pr_A7YbaotjnG55B3BhzctwaWI-93kw8duwT3b0WtrcqSojqbyURCq_5vd9/s1600-h/Snapshot029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLao6B5sz1E5EMCwHYNITQ4JysmC5ZGdBVVoc5huMweGjJFWLtedrekZ3eDN3rEyrKw2n9EDpB3Pr_A7YbaotjnG55B3BhzctwaWI-93kw8duwT3b0WtrcqSojqbyURCq_5vd9/s400/Snapshot029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159934292931462274" border="0" /></a>Harry Gregson reads a poem (Gray's "Elegy Written In a Country Churchyard") from the book of poetry that Mr Carter gave him, which he closes and softly places on Mr Carter's chest. He has come tonight to pay his respects as he fears that he won't be allowed to attend the funeral.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaE3l3ZkvkIk9bgsTltn7e6SYM5GdScdBpBnJb2Erq-0oJ5A2XUXK9adSqjLrKHdsKvGqIXWYmJXQsoyRwaW_kMz0vk1hfuXdrYZ2M9KMVqtgJOrL9emhuryGwiUqIztqK_DU/s1600-h/Snapshot030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaE3l3ZkvkIk9bgsTltn7e6SYM5GdScdBpBnJb2Erq-0oJ5A2XUXK9adSqjLrKHdsKvGqIXWYmJXQsoyRwaW_kMz0vk1hfuXdrYZ2M9KMVqtgJOrL9emhuryGwiUqIztqK_DU/s400/Snapshot030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159932819757679602" border="0" /></a>Sophy wakes up to find a pensive and unshaven Dr Harrison sitting beside her bed waiting for her to wake up and she smiles and takes his hand.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCSd2prdPBi-zTZ9zyBFIgWoFjTq0UdR5pzwSRrJxRGzjnWHWAN15oFm60OowsXTyFcdP7VuOjuHcK_aOiF98cdjwbQnwO5GE5nIZ07nFs4lb73XuTpTUfPpPE9l0BpcOzP5m/s1600-h/Snapshot031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCSd2prdPBi-zTZ9zyBFIgWoFjTq0UdR5pzwSRrJxRGzjnWHWAN15oFm60OowsXTyFcdP7VuOjuHcK_aOiF98cdjwbQnwO5GE5nIZ07nFs4lb73XuTpTUfPpPE9l0BpcOzP5m/s400/Snapshot031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159932819757679618" border="0" /></a>Harry is summoned to Lady Ludlows presence, he is mindful of his dirtiness and fears to sit down, but Lady Ludlow tells him to sit as her equal and recounts to him the details of Mr Carter's will.<br /><br />He is to have £1000 pounds immediately which is to be used for his education and Harry is amazed to learn that he is also to be given the bulk of Mr Carter's fortune, which is upwards of £20000, on the proviso that he lends the money to Lady Ludlow to pay off her mortgage. When the debt is repaid the money should be used to build a school.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOonv6f8eZkC-zAITO5aQFikJeFEsoWSd_qsLmmOynAYcL7xAuaiQSm5ZymGZx_F8D9OX49rmbQS6wKkbIIe1lXP79dxVZ9hgwff0oberuIBs5qYPASh0Pb8flQVTevBDjUgM9/s1600-h/Snapshot032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOonv6f8eZkC-zAITO5aQFikJeFEsoWSd_qsLmmOynAYcL7xAuaiQSm5ZymGZx_F8D9OX49rmbQS6wKkbIIe1lXP79dxVZ9hgwff0oberuIBs5qYPASh0Pb8flQVTevBDjUgM9/s400/Snapshot032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159932824052646930" border="0" /></a>The small gathering at Miss Matty's is interrupted by a knock at the door and then Jessie Brown's recital of "On the Banks of Loch Lomond" is joined by a deeper voice gently singing and an astonished Jessie breaks off to greet Major Gordon who has returned from India. He confesses that despite travelling for 3 months he still doesn't know what to say to Jessie. Captain Brown, complete with eyepatch, bluffly comments that he should at least propose again. Ah Captain Brown, even though he was the first to expire in the book, has made it to the end, with most of him intact!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpGiiXBGsxwUHGu1rz46JXZQGflbRjpkES-7KY2PEUah2Nrp_gMcjLB-xufYflNGn4SscvyWQXc8M7svVXhEkJeH8pA7TZOkdDKIpdgjBQwtI762_Yb2ENb7GD3kX2ZQmXDu8/s1600-h/Snapshot033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpGiiXBGsxwUHGu1rz46JXZQGflbRjpkES-7KY2PEUah2Nrp_gMcjLB-xufYflNGn4SscvyWQXc8M7svVXhEkJeH8pA7TZOkdDKIpdgjBQwtI762_Yb2ENb7GD3kX2ZQmXDu8/s400/Snapshot033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159932824052646946" border="0" /></a>Miss Matty sits serenely observing the happiness of Jessie and Major Gordon and is slightly taken aback to be told that Major Gordon has brought back something for her too.<br /><br />The door opens and standing there looking tanned (and remarkably like a heartier version of one of my Uncles) is Peter. He proffers the long ago promised Indian muslin for Matty's wedding gown and ruefully admits that he has arrived a little late.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnW0965J7AlwjkfTdtRcwICL9Ec_wQS-14si1XLqjJnCKoMG6Jpmk-ych5ALArQSXsg6VtFf3YgLtj9e7WNS4ZCBBuvxX108B1pidvlgKnFyGZahZtrQh_ilmCBLFZYjBxNNa/s1600-h/Snapshot034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnW0965J7AlwjkfTdtRcwICL9Ec_wQS-14si1XLqjJnCKoMG6Jpmk-ych5ALArQSXsg6VtFf3YgLtj9e7WNS4ZCBBuvxX108B1pidvlgKnFyGZahZtrQh_ilmCBLFZYjBxNNa/s400/Snapshot034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159932854117418034" border="0" /></a>An engagement party is under way for Caroline Tomkinson and Mr Godard the butcher! The table is laden with a lot of meat and the ladies are not slow in steadily filling their plates.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALlo4Xwq40gO01xHlPwzZLPxAmwlxmGOCq-4FBqoPzRnSXvkdrWv38zzeCkaQghiibSoHWqnmB8jzXP6c8dJ6Qt0GecBmrBXD8vZcno_PLAV2urXH6d2P0V7bcrzsEGHmnuaH/s1600-h/Snapshot035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALlo4Xwq40gO01xHlPwzZLPxAmwlxmGOCq-4FBqoPzRnSXvkdrWv38zzeCkaQghiibSoHWqnmB8jzXP6c8dJ6Qt0GecBmrBXD8vZcno_PLAV2urXH6d2P0V7bcrzsEGHmnuaH/s400/Snapshot035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159931840505136034" border="0" /></a>Mrs Rose and Dr Morgan arrive together arm in arm precipitating polite curtseys and gossip inbetween. Miss Pole assailed on all sides by couples, baldly states that she has spinster carved on her bones, but upon being introduced to the handsome Aga Jenkyns is reduced to a girlish flutter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkL6NVzXSIKaQdfTdSIZoIwaZfT6xmo6hZtWU0EExTVVO2iLdEYWnrMFQDz6B6LsvRfFQimn5jcFR-IlEVbjRnlwzfo1p26sict1SIYz8hS3G6CS1buzoPZy7e_EbP5gijtPm/s1600-h/Snapshot036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkL6NVzXSIKaQdfTdSIZoIwaZfT6xmo6hZtWU0EExTVVO2iLdEYWnrMFQDz6B6LsvRfFQimn5jcFR-IlEVbjRnlwzfo1p26sict1SIYz8hS3G6CS1buzoPZy7e_EbP5gijtPm/s400/Snapshot036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159931844800103346" border="0" /></a>Dr Harrison it seems has overcome the Reverend's qualms and has been allowed to marry Sophy. They emerge from the church to a shower of rice and congratulations from the entire village (well, the speaking cast anyhow). Sophy has been given the Indian muslin by Miss Matty as it was destined to be worn by a Rectory bride and very lovely she looks too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pHU434S5__ayCu8VmjH2UBMQZWRnGmNUlj1k8WhZVfgVOHSI5aebRLaRB__YneWeeeoartHJ3KLIJdtOLZCMkq6fUA1HQ8BYGGO5znvUYia8QsIrkE-xHryB1w272jOvWkqt/s1600-h/Snapshot037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pHU434S5__ayCu8VmjH2UBMQZWRnGmNUlj1k8WhZVfgVOHSI5aebRLaRB__YneWeeeoartHJ3KLIJdtOLZCMkq6fUA1HQ8BYGGO5znvUYia8QsIrkE-xHryB1w272jOvWkqt/s400/Snapshot037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159931849095070658" border="0" /></a>The bouquet is thrown and is caught by Harry, who quickly passes it to Dr Morgan who in turn presents it to Mrs Rose. Dr Marshland comments that it was a shame that Harry caught it, to Mary, who laughingly admonishes him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGXVSXoWI_NCG_cHyGKoAPEqFLCDbVQtHFVbaHoT0jZ7MqyEPXUQeisJOjEvGuRlhQcPVNkUZSKrq0k9d9iqhBSMn67TfA2_2GXrNg-qBCQzOy-ZmoRCzzLa8B864Pp8ioJRi/s1600-h/Snapshot038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGXVSXoWI_NCG_cHyGKoAPEqFLCDbVQtHFVbaHoT0jZ7MqyEPXUQeisJOjEvGuRlhQcPVNkUZSKrq0k9d9iqhBSMn67TfA2_2GXrNg-qBCQzOy-ZmoRCzzLa8B864Pp8ioJRi/s400/Snapshot038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159931853390037970" border="0" /></a>Miss Matty is complimented on how fine the wedding dress looks, to which she replies: "Such a fine, close weave." And then she contentedly holds Peter's arm a little tighter, finally getting her happy ending.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rI-xg8HgY_-cV5NgEYRwA3kjRyLo9MkZy9j5QgstWeXa-sOfswg5oXOuj9EopIq8MlCdfHU27rgmEEF463WasFQSazWUe7NFrkuC8l8q6GJHypGoEAErhnJ4Iaxo98FvHaOJ/s1600-h/Snapshot039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rI-xg8HgY_-cV5NgEYRwA3kjRyLo9MkZy9j5QgstWeXa-sOfswg5oXOuj9EopIq8MlCdfHU27rgmEEF463WasFQSazWUe7NFrkuC8l8q6GJHypGoEAErhnJ4Iaxo98FvHaOJ/s400/Snapshot039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159931857685005282" border="0" /></a>Sophy and Dr Harrison drive away, waving as they do so and the cast wave back, waving not only to the departing couple, but to us too! Goodbye!pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-73860523671011302872008-01-04T16:26:00.000-08:002008-01-04T16:36:30.136-08:00BBC Breakfast Interview with Lisa DillonI know this is late, but due to a really big wiring issue in my house which left us with no electric on one floor of the house over the holiday period and no electrician could be induced to leave his or her turkey to sort it out. Half past six on Christmas Eve, a fuse melted and nearly set the fusebox on fire! It's only just been sorted and I've still got to cap Episode five! <br /><br />Anyway, here is the interview with Lisa on Breakfast, which completes the Cranford interview set. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hsSn0G1Eu28&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hsSn0G1Eu28&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Enjoy.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-22998465900442548022007-12-26T16:16:00.000-08:002007-12-31T12:10:26.831-08:00Cranford Episode Four<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOSFYjzd49sd7M5xVCPAYyazXEn9Xam8eec0no_Epyshbs9GcP7Mqdrpok6fC6yFMItT7PHroWtYyCTIuYhTJ7s3kKguL-f2bLsSIaQfE3GW-SzteuyooB8467J_A7ytIFvuf/s1600/vlcsnap-1590215.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOSFYjzd49sd7M5xVCPAYyazXEn9Xam8eec0no_Epyshbs9GcP7Mqdrpok6fC6yFMItT7PHroWtYyCTIuYhTJ7s3kKguL-f2bLsSIaQfE3GW-SzteuyooB8467J_A7ytIFvuf/s1600/vlcsnap-1590215.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After Mr Holbrooks death his inheritor has no desire to live in such a provincial area and his house and possessions are being sold at auction, and while Miss Pole is extremely disgusted with the thought the her dear cousins belongings will be pawed through by all and sundry, this does not prevent her from having a good nose around for bargains, ably assisted by Mrs Forrester. While poking around she finds a silhouette of a young Mr Holbrook and instead of bartering down from 1 and 6p, she imperiously hands him a shilling and and stalks off with the silhouette, leaving the poor assistant auctioneer faced with the prospect of letting her get away with it, or wrestling her to the ground prising the silhouette out of her hand. Sensibly he allows her to walk away quietly, perhaps realising that an altercation with Miss Pole would no doubt leave him the worse off.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42Lni_Kyjt7yva_fT_2OyAySYr0dUlKeca5_onKYogx50dNaHb1O7Lh3cq6kwtz7fowz5cfZIMhr322aXPvlDf-pqJU4V18UxHzIeictaSVGfxdtWlGKFtKO_ec_Rd2mzEtes/s1600-h/Snapshot001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42Lni_Kyjt7yva_fT_2OyAySYr0dUlKeca5_onKYogx50dNaHb1O7Lh3cq6kwtz7fowz5cfZIMhr322aXPvlDf-pqJU4V18UxHzIeictaSVGfxdtWlGKFtKO_ec_Rd2mzEtes/s400/Snapshot001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148446488116917154" border="0" /></a>Meanwhile Reverend Hutton is bidding on a rather lovely mirror, pleading the fact that a house needs as many mirrors as it has daughters. He probably has to make do with a tiny shaving mirror just to prevent arguments. In my experience, boys spend far longer in front of mirrors arranging their hair, but then I have many brothers each with a serious hair gel fixation.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe95HfT9I75uXAKmdEXjGVgjGXF0LrUyvRbiz6Scl38iE52fnS891qHdKMofIU45lJllTQ5zLw6rZWnVDhG2thZjN2_7pZyKHpmhbUb-YU_1wMgN5FnMXRtLFPqD764rjTzhsO/s1600-h/Snapshot003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe95HfT9I75uXAKmdEXjGVgjGXF0LrUyvRbiz6Scl38iE52fnS891qHdKMofIU45lJllTQ5zLw6rZWnVDhG2thZjN2_7pZyKHpmhbUb-YU_1wMgN5FnMXRtLFPqD764rjTzhsO/s400/Snapshot003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148446492411884482" border="0" /></a>Dr Morgan and Dr Harrison are also at the sale as Dr Harrison still owns no furniture and is entirely dependent on Mrs. Rose for this commodity. Dr Harrison attempts to assert himself by bidding on a small decorated table against Mrs Johnson of the General Stores and her amazing triangular face. He wins much to the amusement of the auctioneer who inquires if Dr Harrison has a lady in mind of the table, to which he hurriedly answers yes, causing Miss Pole to raise her eyebrows.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85_OsR_3Gedugi95P8AIxbLwqClAbiCTt2XEJ-_1nFYkQvVOAsk1vWhhLgf1Rs1b7HPft6-bewJ8JjppufZSLDmPebDJrB2_-YxJLxs8O0oj7V_700PGlezAcklI_frjjiWtD/s1600-h/Snapshot004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85_OsR_3Gedugi95P8AIxbLwqClAbiCTt2XEJ-_1nFYkQvVOAsk1vWhhLgf1Rs1b7HPft6-bewJ8JjppufZSLDmPebDJrB2_-YxJLxs8O0oj7V_700PGlezAcklI_frjjiWtD/s400/Snapshot004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148446492411884498" border="0" /></a>Miss Pole has generously given the silhouette of Mr Holbrook to someone who will genuinely cherish it, Miss Matty is wearing her widows cap and says that the silhouette is very like Mr Holbrook. This little scene also portrays a hitherto unknown facet of Miss Pole's character, her deep regard for Miss Matty and her good heartedness in gifting the one thing that Miss Matty would find so comforting.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrm-teGWHMb9_yX3wtABd5L3BoyTS5fc2qfDH7ckBNroyLusamwpTxdFGksih-Ea7KvgGdS494JS2eYLn_I4q85OYvUmXShAkEZGzOf3iFfWQWKxplL92897E8jrjmzbz-dfc/s1600-h/Snapshot028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrm-teGWHMb9_yX3wtABd5L3BoyTS5fc2qfDH7ckBNroyLusamwpTxdFGksih-Ea7KvgGdS494JS2eYLn_I4q85OYvUmXShAkEZGzOf3iFfWQWKxplL92897E8jrjmzbz-dfc/s400/Snapshot028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148441806602564242" border="0" /></a>Dr Harrison brings home his table and is dismayed to find that it is a ladies sewing table from Mrs Rose. A slightly disconcerted Dr Harrison entreats Mrs Rose to use it if she likes to cover his embarrassment at his ignorance of ladies accoutrements. Mrs Rose is taken slightly aback but smiles nonetheless.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhta_nuwjygnba-J-8qdKeD3hHH8rQY8hPyDDilYziI0C5ATCVN6sDFnDsW2d5vu9rsBWVQV8VRghMMyekUWnCIyRTHKa1AfrSXQwVW_lfPsl71pk8c2NanlfZVpbJdPMLtHoXB/s1600-h/Snapshot005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhta_nuwjygnba-J-8qdKeD3hHH8rQY8hPyDDilYziI0C5ATCVN6sDFnDsW2d5vu9rsBWVQV8VRghMMyekUWnCIyRTHKa1AfrSXQwVW_lfPsl71pk8c2NanlfZVpbJdPMLtHoXB/s400/Snapshot005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148446101569860434" border="0" /></a>The railway is slowly encroaching further toward Cranford and Mr Carter along with his newly apprenticed clerk Harry Gregson have come to ask about the progress of the works and Mr Carter gives a letter for Lady Ludlow to Harry to take back to the house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF21_Zn3OEfmffRJUI2qbSq_7L_FkNt6lRmStDzmDhP4eJzDz92GxD_Rnj5ZPhQpT-F8wuY1R7vzUXAWlCz4qxtoeQBFrTHgFronbLPfsykhBTK256FYumCsj4od6uUpez820/s1600-h/Snapshot007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF21_Zn3OEfmffRJUI2qbSq_7L_FkNt6lRmStDzmDhP4eJzDz92GxD_Rnj5ZPhQpT-F8wuY1R7vzUXAWlCz4qxtoeQBFrTHgFronbLPfsykhBTK256FYumCsj4od6uUpez820/s400/Snapshot007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148446105864827746" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately while reading it, a stray gust of wind rips it from his hand and it is blown away. Harry is faced with the full force of Lady Ludlows icy displeasure when he bravely confesses the loss of the note. However he loses any points he may have gained by then confessing that he has read it and lets her know the contents.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IsXvyZd1yKNYOP_s_tuMnYR_t2-FCRyXFuWRS9e_8qKAuzlDJCCDtuRyqK7icNI9UmM2BR1ZoKyoTUdt9WM_kDoJV2HyI80dkgsjjUjJGVgmsbowtkVKH0WHvUvzR0RFoIxY/s1600-h/Snapshot008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IsXvyZd1yKNYOP_s_tuMnYR_t2-FCRyXFuWRS9e_8qKAuzlDJCCDtuRyqK7icNI9UmM2BR1ZoKyoTUdt9WM_kDoJV2HyI80dkgsjjUjJGVgmsbowtkVKH0WHvUvzR0RFoIxY/s400/Snapshot008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148446105864827762" border="0" /></a>Lady Ludlow takes Mr Carter to task for allowing Harry Gregson to become his clerk and avers that Harry ought to be working in the fields, to which Mr Carter retorts that Harry ought to be in school and that Lady Ludlow has to change with the times.<br /><br />In a softly candlelit room Miss Matty gently talks about first her father and his habit of getting his children to keep a journal, then Deborah's hopes of marrying an Archdeacon and then she asks Mary if she has ever felt a yearning to have a child of her own when seeing a mother with her child. Mary being only about twenty and having five younger siblings barely out of nappies has no desire yet for children. Matty without stating her own deep yearning, and disappointment, describes a dream she has of a her own child, a girl, who comes to her and her sense of sadness is palpable.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqbXaQWVh46_jEUgCUJQrdL4LC9RG-UPY3JulI3MySaANZt6siRMvaH-u4PFLd8FCI2EhyphenhyphenFo7KMtL2NDMxwIYXx39wO-HZdYneqkkmHzAuS-33YHe0JbV2CHhVJxDPqfNf6iF/s1600-h/Snapshot009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqbXaQWVh46_jEUgCUJQrdL4LC9RG-UPY3JulI3MySaANZt6siRMvaH-u4PFLd8FCI2EhyphenhyphenFo7KMtL2NDMxwIYXx39wO-HZdYneqkkmHzAuS-33YHe0JbV2CHhVJxDPqfNf6iF/s400/Snapshot009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148446105864827778" border="0" /></a>Lady Ludlow has brought a help meet for Mr Carter, Miss Galindo. Mr Carter is disconcerted at the introduction of a lady into his office, but Lady Ludlow merely purrs that Mr Carter ought to move with the times.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1Ove6sWlkUZ496LqLpSv3Id-NarWgNv7nnBccf73Jd0ig8CMBBifz6TqKLIZEpl7QLYmJcHaVg6cOVYo-6nwJjkFki7P4qktcXaN7O8A1NPOQuwUoML72PkMSS_8fVIVIA5u/s1600-h/Snapshot010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1Ove6sWlkUZ496LqLpSv3Id-NarWgNv7nnBccf73Jd0ig8CMBBifz6TqKLIZEpl7QLYmJcHaVg6cOVYo-6nwJjkFki7P4qktcXaN7O8A1NPOQuwUoML72PkMSS_8fVIVIA5u/s400/Snapshot010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148446110159795090" border="0" /></a>Dr Harrison has put on his best flouncy blue flowery cravat and has bravely gone to ask Reverend Hutton for his permission to court Sophy. It took me a short while to realise what was bugging me about this scene, until I realised it was the absence of bonnets and any Cranfordian females!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSTrb-jlyxKimaXHM7jqANcFIUaor4vzaOD5Ni_KRtF-OC2Gs3oXQCwffiDKyvkHzqJyhFa8kQMTWIyxzAqWpvJ1k6MVVwrUEIjQym3eqVz_yVYznrGd_-yaVNnwc4Il7Eg_S/s1600-h/Snapshot011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSTrb-jlyxKimaXHM7jqANcFIUaor4vzaOD5Ni_KRtF-OC2Gs3oXQCwffiDKyvkHzqJyhFa8kQMTWIyxzAqWpvJ1k6MVVwrUEIjQym3eqVz_yVYznrGd_-yaVNnwc4Il7Eg_S/s400/Snapshot011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148445478799602418" border="0" /></a>In an admirable effort and perhaps mindful of the fact that he gets three lines on average an episode, Alex Jennings takes the advantage he's been given and runs away with the scene by managing to run the gamut of emotions from forbidding, stern, conciliatory, wary, grief stricken (and tearful with it) and ending on a menacing note. Simon Woods isn't given much to do but react, wrinkle his brow and look slightly frightened at the end.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMsDA2pWkQrFHMMSa6LzdsFXYqLptTXq990CgJ2ZxGhqZ384AezvcSBkpvGgyTnoxTHMNtC4ZAHmiDgb584HP8sXMZrLS5kzFHEpxLDFczRqb5mCiWg8I3eVkTB5pai0fJqGh/s1600-h/Snapshot016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMsDA2pWkQrFHMMSa6LzdsFXYqLptTXq990CgJ2ZxGhqZ384AezvcSBkpvGgyTnoxTHMNtC4ZAHmiDgb584HP8sXMZrLS5kzFHEpxLDFczRqb5mCiWg8I3eVkTB5pai0fJqGh/s400/Snapshot016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148445723612738370" border="0" /></a> With Dr Harrison suitably terrified into behaving honourably, Reverend Hutton goes to find Sophy, who is arranging the worlds most droopy tulips in a vase and smirks at what a lovely couple they both make and shoos them out into the garden.<br /><br />Sophy and Dr Harrison do make a lovely couple, and in Simon Woods' defence, if he had been a saturnine and romantic hero, he wouldn't have been a suitable match for Kimberly Nixon's Sophy, whose delicate beauty would have been swamped. This pair match!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtzb59mB8odqvIWDjS5ODsPC_N2iNWYDtEeQe43jwaYmXcCvvpH8ecMeAyFuVbh__4_xAb3IFWv3XpxKFSjCum-QZPFpedoCJwPrL3qL_eX5XhyrLc_TJHPHa9dkqpADtT21a/s1600-h/Snapshot020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtzb59mB8odqvIWDjS5ODsPC_N2iNWYDtEeQe43jwaYmXcCvvpH8ecMeAyFuVbh__4_xAb3IFWv3XpxKFSjCum-QZPFpedoCJwPrL3qL_eX5XhyrLc_TJHPHa9dkqpADtT21a/s400/Snapshot020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148445483094569746" border="0" /></a>Despite Reverend Hutton's tentative blessing on Sophy and Dr Harrison's pairing, Sophy says that her father is no doubt watching and Dr Harrison has to settle for a chaste curtsy from his sweetheart instead of a kiss when he takes his leave.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeMMMkRBZAC9oxeQG5WTSxWGvSbcVyqHyMijIfS-XDlHW3pHoFJhCkJkSZP-b0kl4TaSEAxSRy81BBaV4VOLsZKvRrn52rMqhimKL6-uyDHZzJgtY6Rvq6mHApFtgn8hYrDKI/s1600-h/Snapshot021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeMMMkRBZAC9oxeQG5WTSxWGvSbcVyqHyMijIfS-XDlHW3pHoFJhCkJkSZP-b0kl4TaSEAxSRy81BBaV4VOLsZKvRrn52rMqhimKL6-uyDHZzJgtY6Rvq6mHApFtgn8hYrDKI/s400/Snapshot021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148445487389537058" border="0" /></a>On the way home, Dr Harrison is accosted by Miss Tompkinson and dragged into have a cup of tea and is talked at incessantly, and the prospect of a £4ooo dowry when he marries Caroline Tompkinson is dangled in front of him. Dr Harrison politely sits and listens, slightly bewildered as to why he is being confided in.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkL88i1U5QCVHOSpnZxBRPUFHW7mNJECricLGJwQTfHwDdVPVwauCF2D3i28xOuDd6hCDvi4U__I75w4weDOqNXxR4Xp11gxGagck_tRAZ9P5G3u8FfyPnEbPsM7zlpXhfSnC/s1600-h/Snapshot022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkL88i1U5QCVHOSpnZxBRPUFHW7mNJECricLGJwQTfHwDdVPVwauCF2D3i28xOuDd6hCDvi4U__I75w4weDOqNXxR4Xp11gxGagck_tRAZ9P5G3u8FfyPnEbPsM7zlpXhfSnC/s400/Snapshot022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148445487389537074" border="0" /></a><br />Mr Carter is now over endowed with clerks having both Harry and Miss Galindo scribbling away for him. Miss Galindo is so industrious that she has to send Harry out of the room to fetch some more ink, which gives Mr Carter and Miss Galindo to snark good humouredly at each other.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DhXu8WUvMAWwGVtbRtZwXYpUuCcqt58dL9DuVfP-kt9kE0a09QFFu1Th9oVhFzNvIv3aP516kyPaliQ3voh7MSvXX3Kx_6VWX9yt8SlZS6j8FsRKLbAzQ_nkyl3BYDMCW4mT/s1600-h/Snapshot023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DhXu8WUvMAWwGVtbRtZwXYpUuCcqt58dL9DuVfP-kt9kE0a09QFFu1Th9oVhFzNvIv3aP516kyPaliQ3voh7MSvXX3Kx_6VWX9yt8SlZS6j8FsRKLbAzQ_nkyl3BYDMCW4mT/s400/Snapshot023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148444868914246306" border="0" /></a>Miss Galindo finally gets to show the sparkiness and sly wit that she embodies in the book and Emma Fielding gets more than one line instead of standing blank faced behind Lady Ludlow. Miss Galindo is quite enjoying her work and discomfiting poor Mr Carter who is finding it difficult working with a woman. She does say she has tried to fit in by perhaps inserting the word "zounds" at frequent intervals and sticking her pen behind her ear, but hasn't had the opportunity.<br /><br />Mr Carter and Miss Galindo have a certain type of understated chemistry. Mr Carter's bluff facade is slightly softened by his proximity to her. Both are quiet and intelligent (and single) characters and is it easy to see that they are a good match.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRXre3bcVxzwL58uE2iguxcmhzjN5cwx9HF9aDXxEcFXekEmfl6lJXSShzx2tqq5Q7nUhxKIFYY9FzYQ2s9Np9XPHKiEiHYoss_fnucviXXD2hZwGe_mlawyUftpaJA_RRMaJ/s1600-h/Snapshot024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRXre3bcVxzwL58uE2iguxcmhzjN5cwx9HF9aDXxEcFXekEmfl6lJXSShzx2tqq5Q7nUhxKIFYY9FzYQ2s9Np9XPHKiEiHYoss_fnucviXXD2hZwGe_mlawyUftpaJA_RRMaJ/s400/Snapshot024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148444868914246322" border="0" /></a>Dr Marshland makes a visit to Cranford to inspect Mary's eyes and ascertains that she would benefit from glasses, little round wire rimmed ones!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq_sCVQXcAzC_9RxS85VEck5q44lyPPFA5jA6PvguQVSuJ0YjtZLu7j1v_nlvvheaN1YiTKz1cFtvO0yMCyoSsu2m4ZhXFLHIjf-gdgQzFdMLjRum-Rjg-IdDT839uwEMe-eZ/s1600-h/Snapshot025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq_sCVQXcAzC_9RxS85VEck5q44lyPPFA5jA6PvguQVSuJ0YjtZLu7j1v_nlvvheaN1YiTKz1cFtvO0yMCyoSsu2m4ZhXFLHIjf-gdgQzFdMLjRum-Rjg-IdDT839uwEMe-eZ/s400/Snapshot025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148444873209213634" border="0" /></a>Meanwhile Dr Harrison has turned up in his pony and trap to pick up Sophy from some May Day dance rehearsals and is disheartened that she is accompanied by her two younger giggling sisters, who have probably been told to stick to Sophy's side by their Dad and efficiently prevent Dr Harrison and Sophy's first kiss. They go for a walk in the most picturesque wood in the world liberally sprinkled with wild bluebells. Unwittingly they interrupt Martha and Jem's tryst at the base of a gnarly tree.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolm2odTAqiYe9fssdA-HaKteAAq6cP-ygx45rUu2_V35fZW6KnNf8TVri2TEsynC7Z1nJNc5BhonvsaIePtcr0g5eKk0GYs2nQEpnZsyYmM8RcPvij_ky5JJPOpWQ2eyQ1-_x/s1600-h/Snapshot026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolm2odTAqiYe9fssdA-HaKteAAq6cP-ygx45rUu2_V35fZW6KnNf8TVri2TEsynC7Z1nJNc5BhonvsaIePtcr0g5eKk0GYs2nQEpnZsyYmM8RcPvij_ky5JJPOpWQ2eyQ1-_x/s400/Snapshot026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148444873209213650" border="0" /></a>While Dr Harrison and Sophy are content to chastely stroll arm in arm through the wood, Martha has taken the permission to court Jem with both hands and they aren't doing much strolling! Jem bluffly states that this is an awful quiet part of the wood, perhaps a little falsely as the Hutton girls very nearly discovered them and are probably still in earshot, but Martha decides to make the most of it, besides there is still time before she has to get Miss Matty's tea on and Jem gladly makes the most of it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU_T7XP-MbLdT4RDGNnTmrRCF06aB7bvkC21jc1a2InZeo9T7OU0jnjHOFXUE5zVpjjhG5itJbR3wcDMX58R2xd11FCXV_HoM3DAAWQvsROLiOhmWzmVhR885uRVO2QUYhFfe/s1600-h/Snapshot027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU_T7XP-MbLdT4RDGNnTmrRCF06aB7bvkC21jc1a2InZeo9T7OU0jnjHOFXUE5zVpjjhG5itJbR3wcDMX58R2xd11FCXV_HoM3DAAWQvsROLiOhmWzmVhR885uRVO2QUYhFfe/s400/Snapshot027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148444873209213666" border="0" /></a>Lady Ludlow has finally managed to place Harry in a position that she feels is more fitting: cleaning out the stables. As Mr Carter now has Miss Galindo, there is no longer a vacancy for Harry in that role and Lady Ludlow impressed upon Harry the luxury (for him at least) of a regular wage and Harry will be guaranteed a job for as long as he wishes if he takes up the more menial job over the impermanentclerkship with Mr Carter. <br /><br />Harry mindful of his family's poverty and sense of duty to his Mother and younger siblings, glumly acquiesces and is deaf to Mr Carter's apologies.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrm-teGWHMb9_yX3wtABd5L3BoyTS5fc2qfDH7ckBNroyLusamwpTxdFGksih-Ea7KvgGdS494JS2eYLn_I4q85OYvUmXShAkEZGzOf3iFfWQWKxplL92897E8jrjmzbz-dfc/s1600-h/Snapshot028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrm-teGWHMb9_yX3wtABd5L3BoyTS5fc2qfDH7ckBNroyLusamwpTxdFGksih-Ea7KvgGdS494JS2eYLn_I4q85OYvUmXShAkEZGzOf3iFfWQWKxplL92897E8jrjmzbz-dfc/s400/Snapshot028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148441806602564242" border="0" /></a>The Town and Country bank has gone bankrupt and taken all of Miss Matty's investment with it, she is now penniless but for a small amount of savings. This means that she has to give Martha notice, which Martha resists tearfully. Miss Matty is deeply upset at her newly acquiredpoverty and when Martha states that she will work for free, Mary has to intercede and takes Martha to the kitchen to tell her that Miss Matty will not even be able to afford Martha's food, so bleak are her prospects.<br /><br />Mrs Rose has been convinced by an excitable Miss Pole and Mrs Forrester that the cumulative gift giving that Dr Harrison has been engaged in: a chimney brush, a pair of purple, ladies gloves and the sewing table, is because Dr Harrison has romantic feelings for her. They then entice Mrs Rose into dying her hair, which transpires to be a dark and unsuitable black.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTrGLQDZJWdEQu6hnIgBZgmWnTQ_lGrUf0sRgfFmcjyNkPAR2zwvmSLT9D98DnAM52wdX5E0GJhh6fZuMvgTpMi2Ns7Y48n5d6oLN4R0iq2OpevmShXoWwteb2ZilM3iofu7a/s1600-h/Snapshot029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTrGLQDZJWdEQu6hnIgBZgmWnTQ_lGrUf0sRgfFmcjyNkPAR2zwvmSLT9D98DnAM52wdX5E0GJhh6fZuMvgTpMi2Ns7Y48n5d6oLN4R0iq2OpevmShXoWwteb2ZilM3iofu7a/s400/Snapshot029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148441806602564226" border="0" /></a>May Day arrives and Cranford has had its steps sanded into patterns and Jem Herne is released into the community in a large, energetic, leaf covered pot shaped thing as the Green Man (quite apt in the circumstances) and the festivities are full swing, Helen Hutton has been crowned the May Queen by Lady Ludlow and there is dancing and general merriment all round. But not for long.<br /><br />Mrs Rose turns up in a purple frock to match her gloves and is flanked by a smirking pair of Miss Pole and Mrs Forrester, she is entreated to sit down next to Dr Morgan, displacing Dr Harrison, who takes this higher vantage point to stare at Sophy opposite.<br /><br />Miss Matty and Mary have their tea disturbed by a Martha and Jem, who is still artfully covered in a few leaves and sprigs from his Green Man costume. Martha has decided that when she and Jem get married, they'll lodge with Miss Matty. This means that Martha can stay and look after Miss Matty and that Miss Matty can stay in her house. All this is news to Jem, who hadn't envisaged getting married quite so soon and is less than happy about this proposal, much to Martha's disgust, who flounces away unhappily, leaving Miss Matty and Mary a little discombobulated to their tea.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlGh0ThugOM7afwNXdrqS6G8O_DJEC3CkTBy4ZJhjNQ8oNwIqVLRJ5LeAtrqauYYLVcTyvBMnPrQmZxlLCYqkgCIlFl-4LLJULIMhwfgWcZUjbttOX8bgJEk8z8lViCuLQa9P/s1600-h/Snapshot030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlGh0ThugOM7afwNXdrqS6G8O_DJEC3CkTBy4ZJhjNQ8oNwIqVLRJ5LeAtrqauYYLVcTyvBMnPrQmZxlLCYqkgCIlFl-4LLJULIMhwfgWcZUjbttOX8bgJEk8z8lViCuLQa9P/s400/Snapshot030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148441806602564210" border="0" /></a>Caroline Tompkinson has noticed Dr Harrison's interest in Sophy and is perceptibly disappointed, so much so that she is seated on a bench and her sister goes to fetch a spare parasol and meets Reverend Hutton, to whom she confesses that her generously dowried sister is soon to expect a proposal from Dr Harrison. Reverend Hutton stalks away (perhaps to find a large stick) and Miss Tomkinson flutters back to Caroline.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ4lELxrGdmoEVYdm2DR0cJqEyQcQskuJup_GoElb_AGS2snB-tJWbN63y7qteNcPSlhGPZ0ZBclaKFpn4LaJaea-q0LOakmSn3yxSnOn3IeLGGgur5FxVyibRUr_6D6o7Y8o/s1600-h/Snapshot040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJ4lELxrGdmoEVYdm2DR0cJqEyQcQskuJup_GoElb_AGS2snB-tJWbN63y7qteNcPSlhGPZ0ZBclaKFpn4LaJaea-q0LOakmSn3yxSnOn3IeLGGgur5FxVyibRUr_6D6o7Y8o/s400/Snapshot040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148440840234922546" border="0" /></a>Dr Harrison sees Sophy and just as they meet a furious Reverend Hutton intercedes and berates Dr Harrison for his mercenary behaviour.<br /><br />A passing Miss Matty and Mary mindful of a "scene" beginning stop to listen.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ0i03CELRH4WbuJS0kTqwR6qlRAiDDs_LadqRHbek4iUvUZJfiauttXuYrJmJSRHxqfH-pFuPUIsa9Rxq2htAHO2jKPeo-zwaKfk-QiJWybpkMw0wpvpN78sz0y_7f8Zj5ye/s1600-h/Snapshot033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ0i03CELRH4WbuJS0kTqwR6qlRAiDDs_LadqRHbek4iUvUZJfiauttXuYrJmJSRHxqfH-pFuPUIsa9Rxq2htAHO2jKPeo-zwaKfk-QiJWybpkMw0wpvpN78sz0y_7f8Zj5ye/s400/Snapshot033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148441802307596882" border="0" /></a>Both the Misses Tompkinson aver that Dr Harrison had made romantic overtures to Caroline, citing the Valentines Day card as evidence that could be produced in a court of law. Dr Harrison refutes these claims, stating that he has a understanding with another. At which point Mrs Rose enters the fray.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89e1XLTf2VNITNsmhZwMEHBYERtBKExnxnw0cLe0QrFmFPH3B40SCsxzvUeJ9yeGaWbSDYzgWVvh6bHoQ_yJzX39Nd91YrpBop5r38bwTpMMRv7dpKv2SpIUl9Pr0D9pnisMN/s1600-h/Snapshot037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89e1XLTf2VNITNsmhZwMEHBYERtBKExnxnw0cLe0QrFmFPH3B40SCsxzvUeJ9yeGaWbSDYzgWVvh6bHoQ_yJzX39Nd91YrpBop5r38bwTpMMRv7dpKv2SpIUl9Pr0D9pnisMN/s400/Snapshot037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148441802307596898" border="0" /></a>Mrs Rose is entreated to speak up for her fiance, a relationship to which Dr Harrison find himself unaware. The rejection causes instant upset and she is led away sobbing by Miss Pole and Mrs Forrester, while Dr Morgan tells Dr Harrison to come and see him first thing in the morning.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgUF6VPYsYyTlv1vcBe4OhO7miv087Hr8RrtwbuPgQAVAv1G23Q1znzhTL3_3jWqeipzNvnEpgMsutjp7KnZu4w20F85oipzojnKYMnacHvejkwhhRrEQh537CNLogKJuYkfq/s1600-h/Snapshot039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgUF6VPYsYyTlv1vcBe4OhO7miv087Hr8RrtwbuPgQAVAv1G23Q1znzhTL3_3jWqeipzNvnEpgMsutjp7KnZu4w20F85oipzojnKYMnacHvejkwhhRrEQh537CNLogKJuYkfq/s400/Snapshot039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148440844529889858" border="0" /></a>Reverend Hutton reproaches Dr Harrison for failing his trust and breaking Sophy's heart and firmly leads a reluctant Sophy away.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eQgLLYUYyd0B1PR-P_LNQFBiSEfxg7dry-BdZ-xh4BvCvAeVomv0lluLQI_eoBQI7OphsM-fMZI4pRz9eBPULqrrJOGRsm7RMBQgUKp6LUYpFqYAwGJvqujy_wbzeb-upqNm/s1600-h/Snapshot042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eQgLLYUYyd0B1PR-P_LNQFBiSEfxg7dry-BdZ-xh4BvCvAeVomv0lluLQI_eoBQI7OphsM-fMZI4pRz9eBPULqrrJOGRsm7RMBQgUKp6LUYpFqYAwGJvqujy_wbzeb-upqNm/s400/Snapshot042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148440840234922514" border="0" /></a>The Tomkinson sisters float away and Miss Matty and Mary leave quietly leaving Dr Harrison alone. He sits humiliated, shocked, lovelorn, devastated and not a little confused in a marquee while he comes to terms with his now disgraced reputation and his by now Sophy-less future.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH9mndl2GwgRfXlLA4O2refkacIDEGfFptvxbXFEUkvqSiUC7eXiVUJq43byNkjeY_nrz6uQQyWjHLiYyz3hqF5XngiWgOcHllYuh6x2BO8rXcTcKOmQTeRwuRKo69EdbX8UL/s1600-h/Snapshot043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH9mndl2GwgRfXlLA4O2refkacIDEGfFptvxbXFEUkvqSiUC7eXiVUJq43byNkjeY_nrz6uQQyWjHLiYyz3hqF5XngiWgOcHllYuh6x2BO8rXcTcKOmQTeRwuRKo69EdbX8UL/s400/Snapshot043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148440835939955202" border="0" /></a>pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-23110202020933918672007-12-15T17:29:00.000-08:002007-12-16T16:11:24.576-08:00Cranford Episode Three<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOSFYjzd49sd7M5xVCPAYyazXEn9Xam8eec0no_Epyshbs9GcP7Mqdrpok6fC6yFMItT7PHroWtYyCTIuYhTJ7s3kKguL-f2bLsSIaQfE3GW-SzteuyooB8467J_A7ytIFvuf/s1600/vlcsnap-1590215.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOSFYjzd49sd7M5xVCPAYyazXEn9Xam8eec0no_Epyshbs9GcP7Mqdrpok6fC6yFMItT7PHroWtYyCTIuYhTJ7s3kKguL-f2bLsSIaQfE3GW-SzteuyooB8467J_A7ytIFvuf/s1600/vlcsnap-1590215.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>There is mischief afoot in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cranford</span>: Dr Harrison and Mrs Rose hear a noise and leave their (separate) beds to investigate. Dr Harrison is clad only in a nightshirt, (which gives Miss Caroline <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tomkinson</span> a heady burst of delight when imagining it later on in the episode) and has nothing to fend burglars off with except quite a miserly stub of a candle. A window is open and Mrs Rose <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">breathily</span> exclaims that someone has stolen the mutton! Yes, they're the worst type of thief, those that go around at night stealing meat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIR5f8ZiKbIPaqxOPMmfPrBMu4ivsdnC8EYzahe2KJLjb_5ThkSLwnDCd_tJlStoj_yHQelP51PfnYJJ324PWv905T0rxCp9f5W6g1DiM_5zOd5xcf63e-_LfdejLXO7R-5ih/s1600-h/Snapshot001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIR5f8ZiKbIPaqxOPMmfPrBMu4ivsdnC8EYzahe2KJLjb_5ThkSLwnDCd_tJlStoj_yHQelP51PfnYJJ324PWv905T0rxCp9f5W6g1DiM_5zOd5xcf63e-_LfdejLXO7R-5ih/s400/Snapshot001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378814785188322" border="0" /></a>It seems that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cranford</span> is in the midst of a crime wave, while extinguishing the gas lights outside his shop, Mr Johnson is attacked by a stranger. Meanwhile, to make ends meet and feed his large, quite grubby, although extremely photogenic brood of children, Job <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gregson</span> (a heavily bearded Dean <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Lennox</span> Kelly) takes his son Harry out to poach pheasants from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Hanbury</span> Estate. Harry is reticent, but does as his father asks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAnUPSLrTGk7lblJtdQHRys6I84dScRJSHoWHssgcSsaihl7LLKIRR2qOfihfOcA9teLYMdlNGhZpW9nbfFu0VUQWPaPKrOOhrC9w10-2k8PuALgeD1k9TuciAhiWT2l-R4sE/s1600-h/Snapshot002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAnUPSLrTGk7lblJtdQHRys6I84dScRJSHoWHssgcSsaihl7LLKIRR2qOfihfOcA9teLYMdlNGhZpW9nbfFu0VUQWPaPKrOOhrC9w10-2k8PuALgeD1k9TuciAhiWT2l-R4sE/s400/Snapshot002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378810490221010" border="0" /></a>Miss Pole is entreated to buy clothes pegs from her door by a decrepit gypsy lady, who offends her by assuming she's the servant and asking to see the lady of the house. This unsettles Miss Pole who, convinced she'll be murdered in her bed, gathers all her silver plate and other valuables and bundles them up and seeks refuge first with Mrs <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Jamieson</span>, whose butler takes pot shots out of his window at them and then with Miss Matty, whom she chastises for opening the door to her, claiming that she might have been anybody, adding for good measure, "with a cutlass!" Miss Poles lone gypsy has now become a band of evil men, one of whom "has a hump!". As ever Imelda <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Staunton</span> is fabulous, her exclamations could be histrionic and over the top, but she judges them exactly right and gives Miss Pole the correct amount of hysterical exuberance without tipping over into pantomime.<br /><br />Miss Matty generously allows Miss Pole to stay the night in Mary's bed, while Mary will share hers that night. This gives Mary the opportunity to observe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Miss Matty's</span> night time routine, which consists of rolling a small ball under her bed to ensure that there are no rogue men hiding under there. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48rLCoNOaRAh9LrUK8Du9ShfcOjXTKEM7Hz5hiL03hw5sGI9Xr_XSus_mmqf2wozQW8LadSJrh_NrMTLx0uOM8JYY456zr9NG0gi2Wc7stHgnHZXp9SdB2OZ6_sYqd18jT6II/s1600-h/Snapshot003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48rLCoNOaRAh9LrUK8Du9ShfcOjXTKEM7Hz5hiL03hw5sGI9Xr_XSus_mmqf2wozQW8LadSJrh_NrMTLx0uOM8JYY456zr9NG0gi2Wc7stHgnHZXp9SdB2OZ6_sYqd18jT6II/s400/Snapshot003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378810490220994" border="0" /></a>Mr Johnson mistakenly fingers Job <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Gregson</span> for the attack on him and Job is arrested and placed in the town prison, which is a single cell marooned in the middle of the town green with the warder sitting outside balancing his cudgel on his knee. Harry visits his Dad to give him his meal and beseeches his father to tell the truth. If convicted of the attack on Mr. Johnson, Job is facing the prison ship and exile to Australia. But Job, in an admirable effort to keep his son from jail refuses to tell the truth for fear of Harry being convicted of poaching.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCx8cfHJ4SnQNSJdyihF2SGkES777WT4SC6almvac6vEvEw0xyuZ2mcBR-xU0iN_N78rc6dLNavbqFdWcwC8bPNUU7e6Vi7jmZXXHCkFBjRWwXJ6RqVRkAVy9fOf0-izHEmMm/s1600-h/Snapshot004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCx8cfHJ4SnQNSJdyihF2SGkES777WT4SC6almvac6vEvEw0xyuZ2mcBR-xU0iN_N78rc6dLNavbqFdWcwC8bPNUU7e6Vi7jmZXXHCkFBjRWwXJ6RqVRkAVy9fOf0-izHEmMm/s400/Snapshot004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378810490220978" border="0" /></a>Harry in desperation confesses all to Mr. Carter, who is icily angry and sends Harry home. Nevertheless, Mr Carter asks for Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ludlow's</span> influence in getting Job released as he is not guilty for anything other than poaching. Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ludlow</span> refuses and seems determined not to get involved when learning that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Gregson</span> family are not her tenants and therefore not her responsibility.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSDIkdMnLQcd-kyhH3NtOyBzfoanoML8MHrLzPC1UiGOVetBD0E3tdcA7WGRO5BZ4RmKF9A1I5fl2h9NJJy4rz_HIsHXprv8IuCNcZSp_vOQSd9eAcpIyfNpcKDZ2EQ50084Q/s1600-h/Snapshot005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSDIkdMnLQcd-kyhH3NtOyBzfoanoML8MHrLzPC1UiGOVetBD0E3tdcA7WGRO5BZ4RmKF9A1I5fl2h9NJJy4rz_HIsHXprv8IuCNcZSp_vOQSd9eAcpIyfNpcKDZ2EQ50084Q/s400/Snapshot005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378806195253666" border="0" /></a>Dr Jack Marshland (Joseph McFadden) comes to visit his friend Dr Harrison for Christmas. Jack is a charismatic and mischievous fellow and is delighted that he'll get a chance to spend Christmas Eve in the company of ladies. What he doesn't know is that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Cranford</span> ladies are a breed apart and would eat him for breakfast given half a chance.<br /><br />Once at the party and sandwiched between the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Tomkinson</span> sisters he realised that his earlier exuberance was unwarranted and realises why Dr Harrison was less than over enthusiastic about attending.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XKrMEtSNDldfPNFC9OJzKft_URGZFqnbvEQuoWHYQV8D4h-Cwmmt5J0llNB-PGJwj2hkKYMK5pdxQVUhCRt2Q_LjLFBTfpVJpCZcqP1UtwnpMKTii8vvyXaPXzJeeEOsWtUW/s1600-h/Snapshot006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XKrMEtSNDldfPNFC9OJzKft_URGZFqnbvEQuoWHYQV8D4h-Cwmmt5J0llNB-PGJwj2hkKYMK5pdxQVUhCRt2Q_LjLFBTfpVJpCZcqP1UtwnpMKTii8vvyXaPXzJeeEOsWtUW/s400/Snapshot006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378372403556754" border="0" /></a>Despite the dismal prospect of spending a long winters evening playing Whist, Jack perks up when he catches sight of Mary and entertains her with scurrilous stories about his and Frank Harrison's student days, somebody put a dog in the others bed. Mary thankfully thinks it is hilarious and there is a genuine spark between her and Jack, something that was missing between her and Dr Harrison.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXabhrKy5H_E351bjbcl6j2qZlmZn_tsC5Va5tUgv5o3jHH-99rO80zA8OYS-jzzdT_BM8YnyakaH5GiDpySPjUhCE3HqMkCQ2KafZamRm6W-IYdHBQwzD2Rh88HbXJjUr1dp4/s1600-h/Snapshot007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXabhrKy5H_E351bjbcl6j2qZlmZn_tsC5Va5tUgv5o3jHH-99rO80zA8OYS-jzzdT_BM8YnyakaH5GiDpySPjUhCE3HqMkCQ2KafZamRm6W-IYdHBQwzD2Rh88HbXJjUr1dp4/s400/Snapshot007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378372403556738" border="0" /></a>Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Ludlow</span> has been to see the abject poverty that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Gregsons</span> lived in and has had a change of heart. She summons Lord <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Maulver</span> (a criminally underused Greg Wise) to inform him that the charge of attacking Mr Johnson be dropped and that herself will pay the fine for the lesser charge of poaching. Lord <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Maulver</span> isn't happy, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">acquiesces</span> and Job returns home free.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKftkvDM4uEOxaxrJxxJmhahLrcIc3d4CirV7CMu8mqOCrs5CnV4S-7wW68an5XibDCgxU21LuW5DDcCRxldobZTo8CT5v9gsHPAhoN0G7Xm3gLXAfveEuaV79bKMFfalfkSn/s1600-h/Snapshot008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKftkvDM4uEOxaxrJxxJmhahLrcIc3d4CirV7CMu8mqOCrs5CnV4S-7wW68an5XibDCgxU21LuW5DDcCRxldobZTo8CT5v9gsHPAhoN0G7Xm3gLXAfveEuaV79bKMFfalfkSn/s400/Snapshot008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378368108589426" border="0" /></a>It is now February, and Jack Marshland is with Dr Harrison when they meet the Hutton sisters leaving the store. He sees that Frank is taken with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Sophy</span> and is enchanted by the younger sister too, so Jack decides to send a Valentine to each of the younger girls. Also in a fit of mischief and devilry, he also sends one to Caroline <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Tomkinson</span>, almost definitely expecting her to believe it's from Dr Harrison. And it seems that doctor's handwriting has always been awful, at least <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">nowadays</span> we don't have to put up with blotches and spatters of ink as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MUrix7XeDRLS9iTq1FvpK1ezP5pmSUknfnylxeCANhnehvMGrfIiuYnskOs1cazW3Ck5vZ2we1RFU2HTPoBfOUZEaTHOJxfo4K7xhBPa-ua2kGCzok4G0OADb04DrHRGP4vc/s1600-h/Snapshot009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MUrix7XeDRLS9iTq1FvpK1ezP5pmSUknfnylxeCANhnehvMGrfIiuYnskOs1cazW3Ck5vZ2we1RFU2HTPoBfOUZEaTHOJxfo4K7xhBPa-ua2kGCzok4G0OADb04DrHRGP4vc/s400/Snapshot009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378368108589410" border="0" /></a>Martha has received a Valentines Day card too, from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Jem</span> and she props it up next to the bowl of dirt she got at Christmas, which has bloomed into a fine crop of crocuses. Miss Matty sees it and is shocked that Martha has gotten a "follower". Such a thing horrifies Miss Matty and a tearful Martha resolves to tell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Jem</span> that she can't go against her mistresses orders and that she can't see him again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh71PXXKVo2bw_-ZokieNb7SWy_-JPn42B7_5C9V4FprNaqsttmUpDM7Bg82i0bgd4kQm9PsM8SCJwFikkTBqtjcxtYkdkWSarD5u0paUt37uzTK74FOa-PRqljAugcj9ADXj/s1600-h/Snapshot013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh71PXXKVo2bw_-ZokieNb7SWy_-JPn42B7_5C9V4FprNaqsttmUpDM7Bg82i0bgd4kQm9PsM8SCJwFikkTBqtjcxtYkdkWSarD5u0paUt37uzTK74FOa-PRqljAugcj9ADXj/s400/Snapshot013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378003036369186" border="0" /></a>The postman has been to the Hutton household and Lizzie and Helen are delighted to have received a card each from a mystery admirer, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Sophy</span> is handed a box inside which is a posy of snowdrops from Dr Harrison. She looks very pleased and her father asks if she'd like to invite him around to which she happily agrees.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPu7nPOt8q-NY9RdOfJ4Qlq2_Y8Ak92U5bjux9vK4xMt1kQ5Xb3RjkgYrEGTs5UBFcwSXMwCiRkbI_GpGKbsoibXskMKhKC-KggDK00RgrgPge0wECYFxZmpQ0hJKBoHyHMi_a/s1600-h/Snapshot012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPu7nPOt8q-NY9RdOfJ4Qlq2_Y8Ak92U5bjux9vK4xMt1kQ5Xb3RjkgYrEGTs5UBFcwSXMwCiRkbI_GpGKbsoibXskMKhKC-KggDK00RgrgPge0wECYFxZmpQ0hJKBoHyHMi_a/s400/Snapshot012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378003036369202" border="0" /></a>Dr Harrison arrives to eat pancakes and to the admiration of younger Hutton girls manages eight. Pancakes obviously taste better when the object of your affection is cooking them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkKMW31VehVXU20LqP4yYa9Ib21qKsA0smorrHQRp70fOWh7AlJqdbTkAZY-HCxcrjUBfgSp5_4D_ss7BCKQEzFE0F3eMgJpiWYERrsKVNGGkKBYfbu6956D-Hxom3srdqnMH/s1600-h/Snapshot016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkKMW31VehVXU20LqP4yYa9Ib21qKsA0smorrHQRp70fOWh7AlJqdbTkAZY-HCxcrjUBfgSp5_4D_ss7BCKQEzFE0F3eMgJpiWYERrsKVNGGkKBYfbu6956D-Hxom3srdqnMH/s400/Snapshot016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144377590719508722" border="0" /></a>Alas when he gets home Dr Harrison, so stuffed already with pancakes, is presented with another pile made by the fair hands of Mrs Rose. He looks slightly sick, but the well bred boy that he is, politely thanks Mrs Rose and sits down to his ordeal.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_dP7WHN6Kh_B6rG9nxpGuGuzR2ubvOSWM_s3NTFTRum2oXhhvR_2gUURQtmZSnaGcaFqet1RhWtDeSraXV62roLikor-345vK3B88HCILmT_AgNs-fLvs8McVaTNT7uNHbMp/s1600-h/Snapshot017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_dP7WHN6Kh_B6rG9nxpGuGuzR2ubvOSWM_s3NTFTRum2oXhhvR_2gUURQtmZSnaGcaFqet1RhWtDeSraXV62roLikor-345vK3B88HCILmT_AgNs-fLvs8McVaTNT7uNHbMp/s400/Snapshot017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144377590719508706" border="0" /></a>Matty, Mary and Miss Pole are invited to Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Holbrooks</span> house for dinner for their own culinary ordeal. They are given a two pronged fork each and a pile of peas. Miss Matty spikes them on a prong and eats them one by one, Miss Pole ignores them with disdain and Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Holbrook</span> balances a teetering pile on his knife and gulps them down. To prevent any embarrassment Mary does the same. Then Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Holbrook</span> spends the rest of the evening spouting poetry at full volume at the ladies, despite this Miss Matty is delighted to be there, while Miss Pole complains of sitting in a draught.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvu14Y0jqDUrVs8li_QM2DTuRcclLwTICo36bdeVcHdhWoBvlBnyEIapLYBbPkRcClwM06LvMq5Yf3hZOvJYH8ObHd0AOQHVhkpx6V9_ukR0QzidRZP6PBtnzkteJoN9QC9jw/s1600-h/Snapshot014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvu14Y0jqDUrVs8li_QM2DTuRcclLwTICo36bdeVcHdhWoBvlBnyEIapLYBbPkRcClwM06LvMq5Yf3hZOvJYH8ObHd0AOQHVhkpx6V9_ukR0QzidRZP6PBtnzkteJoN9QC9jw/s400/Snapshot014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144378003036369170" border="0" /></a>Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Holbrook</span> comes to call on Miss Matty and brings, as was his wont when they were both younger, a small bunch of primroses. Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Holbrook</span> says that he is going to Paris and that by the time he returns that he hopes that Miss Matty will have made her mind up about their relationship. He mentions that they are not in the habit of making speedy decisions and at their time of life why should they break the habit of a lifetime.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaBIGp44nGK6PnHfFC0djWZQuXbJ34Dh6XXrG3c64VFlUwzRXDHBmUnjjCMpLA2TuGhLZ10ECDyqUa6MkPdXzXOuT9LyHruRIwTFZMG2wMMxuIVJK2X91l3meVJ7Qi1Khst59/s1600-h/Snapshot018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaBIGp44nGK6PnHfFC0djWZQuXbJ34Dh6XXrG3c64VFlUwzRXDHBmUnjjCMpLA2TuGhLZ10ECDyqUa6MkPdXzXOuT9LyHruRIwTFZMG2wMMxuIVJK2X91l3meVJ7Qi1Khst59/s400/Snapshot018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144377586424541394" border="0" /></a>Miss Matty is pressing the primroses (and we catch sight of her first bunch from Mr Holbrook kept all these years) and using the heavy family bible to do so, when Mary catches sight of another name in the family bible beneath Deborah and Matty's and asks: who is Peter.<br /><br />Miss Matty tells Mary that Peter was a young rogue and after a practical joke in which he had dressed as Deborah and pretended to have had a baby out of wedlock, he had run away. The last that they had heard from him was from India when he had promised to send some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Indian</span> muslin for a dress for Matty. The muslin never arrived and Peter is presumed long since dead.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oKPlfa3H3w9apFvLDBR2uWKnCo1BGrbvSke8Vc37gl2-CU0flKVv5QxxMc79n4CKO7M371mihgX8w0b64rM0aI3gjuiu1AvPvQehWkUNO5CiPPlXzJYYgwgVnp9mzOk8Lauf/s1600-h/Snapshot019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oKPlfa3H3w9apFvLDBR2uWKnCo1BGrbvSke8Vc37gl2-CU0flKVv5QxxMc79n4CKO7M371mihgX8w0b64rM0aI3gjuiu1AvPvQehWkUNO5CiPPlXzJYYgwgVnp9mzOk8Lauf/s400/Snapshot019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144377586424541378" border="0" /></a>Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Holbrook</span> returns from France, but he is mortally ill. Miss Pole fetches Miss Matty and they both go to visit Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Holbrook</span>. Miss Pole shows her sensitive side and allows Miss Matty to sit with Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Holbrook</span> and say goodbye. The programme doesn't flinch from the deaths of its characters and does so particularly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">un-melodramatically</span>, Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Holbrook</span> is allowed to expire in a dignified and compassionate way and his death is all the more affecting for it.<br /><br />Miss Matty has been deeply affected by Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Holbrook's</span> death, coming as it does so soon on the heels of Deborah's. She comes to a decision, calling Martha, she kindly and carefully states that she "does not want to grieve any young hearts" and allows Martha to take a follower. Martha jubilantly runs to find <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Jem</span> to tell him the good news. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Jem</span> is quite pleased, but doesn't feel that their celebration is quite appropriate right now seeing as he's currently ferrying around Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Holbrooks</span> coffin.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq8F5j8eMsJvetVS4jurVef5LXCWuWfr6WuZGdWSHHuX83bg3NenXlE83qFeB2aUXh7pPSL3DMKsrcEZaG2ZsDuH4az2V8pyuUwflrQNRwcj0vjiw9XflIYU62vc-55lhnSFf/s1600-h/Snapshot020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq8F5j8eMsJvetVS4jurVef5LXCWuWfr6WuZGdWSHHuX83bg3NenXlE83qFeB2aUXh7pPSL3DMKsrcEZaG2ZsDuH4az2V8pyuUwflrQNRwcj0vjiw9XflIYU62vc-55lhnSFf/s400/Snapshot020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144377582129574066" border="0" /></a>Miss Matty goes to Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Galindo's</span> to get a new cap made, she asks for one like Mrs <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Forresters</span>, Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Galindo</span> states that Mrs Forrester wears a widows cap and Miss Matty gently says yes.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnqR_4jbIIbPFiz9g0oK3dacMvYIyMK1OJNTMZJuoImw0KBGr3YshUubdYnasBhrcBghHS43TFw-_Mk6gXO_LyaRWsCMkTufc3pCSmEZt-4SL55lxeQPFi4V3ddSMPEpKeurV/s1600-h/Snapshot021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnqR_4jbIIbPFiz9g0oK3dacMvYIyMK1OJNTMZJuoImw0KBGr3YshUubdYnasBhrcBghHS43TFw-_Mk6gXO_LyaRWsCMkTufc3pCSmEZt-4SL55lxeQPFi4V3ddSMPEpKeurV/s400/Snapshot021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144381666643472882" border="0" /></a>Another fantastic episode, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Cranford</span> is turning out to be a jewel in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">BBC's</span> crown. I don't think anyone can deny the fantastic performances all round, from Judi <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Dench</span>, from whom a solid turn is expected, to the wonderful Lisa Dillon, who gives Mary Smith a quietly sparky personality, imbuing Mary with generosity, good humour and vivacity without being too showy. I'll look out for her in future.<br /><br />I expected more from Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Gambon</span>, but was disappointed in the brevity of his part, although it did bring into sharp relief the depth of emotion that Matty felt for him.<br /><br />One criticism is that the show has no overarching storyline, so without all the sterling performances, it would be in danger of falling a bit flat. Nevertheless it is incredibly enjoyable and one of the best shows I've seen all year, I'm going to miss it when it over!pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-14112490972923828072007-12-08T16:47:00.000-08:002007-12-12T16:12:02.760-08:00Cranford Episode Two<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOSFYjzd49sd7M5xVCPAYyazXEn9Xam8eec0no_Epyshbs9GcP7Mqdrpok6fC6yFMItT7PHroWtYyCTIuYhTJ7s3kKguL-f2bLsSIaQfE3GW-SzteuyooB8467J_A7ytIFvuf/s1600/vlcsnap-1590215.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOSFYjzd49sd7M5xVCPAYyazXEn9Xam8eec0no_Epyshbs9GcP7Mqdrpok6fC6yFMItT7PHroWtYyCTIuYhTJ7s3kKguL-f2bLsSIaQfE3GW-SzteuyooB8467J_A7ytIFvuf/s1600/vlcsnap-1590215.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Dr Harrison wakes late for Church and hurries there, only to find the service in full swing and a rousing hymn being sung. Dr. Harrison is trying to make a good impression, especially on Sophy and her father and is extremely put out when he finds that he's late.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY4Usxs0Knj_ZKZMD5j_t1-5SKNxmGNT7LoZxJrKF_aEPuW1vZEvweTIwAz2Wxz5n42loMg-uBqqFyboiUdxf4VAj4IsjJEzc8U_1E6KjFbGPJUWuuuGnRvk497JufWiUR6AZ/s1600-h/Snapshot004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY4Usxs0Knj_ZKZMD5j_t1-5SKNxmGNT7LoZxJrKF_aEPuW1vZEvweTIwAz2Wxz5n42loMg-uBqqFyboiUdxf4VAj4IsjJEzc8U_1E6KjFbGPJUWuuuGnRvk497JufWiUR6AZ/s400/Snapshot004.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div>Neither the congregation nor the rector himself are best pleased with the late arrival. For his tardiness, Dr. Harrison gets the collection plate shoved in his face and a disapproving look from Miss Pole. But every cloud has a silver lining and Sophy smiles at him and little Walter gives a friendly wave.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDBFPz2SoiSKDgtgDzehdMjMkV6_WpxsGaln3Bnx65PXFlm0n2mpuoykutbeOLa5inp4COJ5r2SNLJ0i6AcbbDnfAP5QHL2ajRz4yRrEddWQSVjrkoLE_2VsVex6L5CrmMk_P/s1600-h/Snapshot005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDBFPz2SoiSKDgtgDzehdMjMkV6_WpxsGaln3Bnx65PXFlm0n2mpuoykutbeOLa5inp4COJ5r2SNLJ0i6AcbbDnfAP5QHL2ajRz4yRrEddWQSVjrkoLE_2VsVex6L5CrmMk_P/s400/Snapshot005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On the way home from church the Jenkyns and Mary are invited to dinner at Captain Brown's house as they have a guest, a softly spoken Scot, Major Gordon (Alistair Petrie). It transpires that he had asked Jessie to marry him when they were both younger, but she had declined due to her sisters poor health. Nevertheless, Major Gordon and Jessie sing, a little tunelessly, but at least they both finish at the same time. It is apparent to all the ladies that Major Gordon still has huge affection and love for Jessie, unfortunately Captain Brown bumbles along not noticing any attraction at all between his daughter and guest.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjCsYCFahwBTx6vgpIErtNgiLuLiK571aHVNwvP3XnRO-bZBlFu8xpToOZWeddKTdto2Xkd-DVc7NcJoUo7DVh377WtzIoIHX_h4cwc1jgaJeOYte4oGtkJB9JTwk2ouwJBv0/s1600-h/Snapshot006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjCsYCFahwBTx6vgpIErtNgiLuLiK571aHVNwvP3XnRO-bZBlFu8xpToOZWeddKTdto2Xkd-DVc7NcJoUo7DVh377WtzIoIHX_h4cwc1jgaJeOYte4oGtkJB9JTwk2ouwJBv0/s400/Snapshot006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Miss Caroline Tompkinson was overcome in the store, suffering giddiness and palpitations, which necessitates a visit from Dr Harrison who listens to Caroline's fast beating heart (but only when he's near) and doesn't notice that she fancies him rotten.<br /></div><br />He doesn't diagnose anything that a short rest wouldn't solve and she and her sister are now under the delusion that he'd be a good match for her.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiputcxfk1q4WYKHbHHATTWI8MBpb7_zD_xNl4fuEs-D4dajm_Gdl630eaUb9f37It39EmfIt_7VDIE2GoHw5v7nW2diWquVFdru_liIPheGMoj9wJnDzvJaTIxr9GPH89wC4Vf/s1600-h/Snapshot007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiputcxfk1q4WYKHbHHATTWI8MBpb7_zD_xNl4fuEs-D4dajm_Gdl630eaUb9f37It39EmfIt_7VDIE2GoHw5v7nW2diWquVFdru_liIPheGMoj9wJnDzvJaTIxr9GPH89wC4Vf/s400/Snapshot007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Miss Matty has bought a new carpet, but to prevent the colours bleaching away in the sun, she and Mary spend time sewing sheets of newspaper together to lay over the patches of carpet that are directly exposed. Jessie arrives clutching a posy of Anemones. Mary consults that book of secret love flower codes (or something like it) and it appears that Anemones signify "love ever steadfast". This delights Jessie and the ladies, because the normally slightly ragged around the edges looking Jessie has suddenly blossomed with happiness and looks transformed.<br /><br />Harry's Father Job is nowhere to be found and his Mother is sick after having had her baby, and the rest of the children need to be fed. Harry bribes his younger brother (who "doesn't like touching udders") with the promise of a bun of his very own on Friday if he'll milk Mrs. Forrester's beloved cow and take the milk back to his Mother and the baby while he goes to find food on the Hanbury estate.<br /><br />Harry's nameless brother completes his task, but in his haste to get the milk back home, while taking a few surreptitious gulps himself, he forgets to fasten the gate behind him.<br /><br />The following morning, Mrs Forrester arrives to milk the cow and to her shock and horror, finds it missing. She jogs into town at quite a fair lick for a lady of her age and rallies help.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92hyqYFq0zpqHDfm9M8PoE6kJ4HHlK9WWytRARtSqUXhDcYGsKr_tXB9AE1VdAt5gjH0d2M8CB2X2zLnBp58iVIzqVCj2NzK6a70EafWr87siFcce10pN88yW-5VytbzEQXqs/s1600-h/Snapshot010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92hyqYFq0zpqHDfm9M8PoE6kJ4HHlK9WWytRARtSqUXhDcYGsKr_tXB9AE1VdAt5gjH0d2M8CB2X2zLnBp58iVIzqVCj2NzK6a70EafWr87siFcce10pN88yW-5VytbzEQXqs/s400/Snapshot010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143193400632234306" border="0" /></a>Major Gordon and Captain Brown search the fields looking for Bessie the cow and are informed that shouting "Bessie Dearest" is more likely to find the cow than simply Bessie. Swallowing their pride and their dignity, both men screech the offending phrase lustily.<br /><br />Eventually the poor bovine creature is found, to Mrs. Forrester's dismay, wallowing in a pit of lime and mooing plaintively.<br /><br />Major Gordon and Jessie return to the village for help in pulling Bessie from her limey pit of doom. Miss Matty remarks that Major Gordon has his arm around Jessie, to which Miss Deborah replies, "that is exactly where it ought to be"!<br /><br />En route Jessie and Major Gordon stop in a leafy glade and Major Gordon proposes to the delighted Jessie, but due to the fact that he is shortly to leave to go to India, he wants to be married sooner rather than later. As Jessie is still in mourning for her sister and is dismayed that she would have to leave her father, she mournfully declines and both she and Major Gordon are quietly devastated.<br /><br />As Mrs. Forrester's cow sustained a large amount of hair loss and no doubt chemical burns from the lime, Captain Brown suggests that the best course of action would be to put the cow down. This causes great consternation to Mrs. Forrester, so the second best solution is to dress the cow in flannel pyjamas, to much comedic effect and to the delight of Cranford's children, who wonder how the cow is milked. Answer: it has a flap at the bottom!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTiLFkddT5uGOesasMRU2_-5gYvAHYgC69FUeJLyc1mwONJWchJdq-7LRVLs4eUI-SkWO_int9zfSbVPU6ixq4UO7O1aOTpoJiecUynNqPEOijH60vwC094iDUzi7MoTg8z_k/s1600-h/Snapshot001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTiLFkddT5uGOesasMRU2_-5gYvAHYgC69FUeJLyc1mwONJWchJdq-7LRVLs4eUI-SkWO_int9zfSbVPU6ixq4UO7O1aOTpoJiecUynNqPEOijH60vwC094iDUzi7MoTg8z_k/s400/Snapshot001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142873356849205506" border="0" /></a><br />The day of Lady Ludlow's garden party arrives and all the ladies assemble in their finery, on the common, to attend. Mary is forced to travel with her quite young, very tiresome and permanently pregnant step-mother (Finty Williams) and is entreated to hold the baby, as she will look so much better with a baby's face next to hers. Mary looks royally pissed off and that being jammed in next to Miss Pole would be far more preferable.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR1SvkTnqbuzdfvwp-wtccaWGFtCn5rhc0rWj6FQ5BSbLiQJ2AMslWem57_7YxeRtZHmOlF1O97VadUJettDZaUzOxJOQUZc2d5Mjife2b-t38JeyHsdwh7yhKmIsBBLdd6XW/s1600-h/Snapshot014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR1SvkTnqbuzdfvwp-wtccaWGFtCn5rhc0rWj6FQ5BSbLiQJ2AMslWem57_7YxeRtZHmOlF1O97VadUJettDZaUzOxJOQUZc2d5Mjife2b-t38JeyHsdwh7yhKmIsBBLdd6XW/s400/Snapshot014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143198962614882658" border="0" /></a>The Hutton sisters are also waiting to on the common to attend, but Sophy is fretting that Walter is a bit hoarse and is on the brink of staying at home to look after him, when she catches sight of Dr Harrison and decides that Walter isn't quite so ill after all.<br /><br />When Dr Harrison rides up to say hello, he also offers Walter a ride on his horse to the Garden Party, which Sophy allows and Walter clambers up next to Dr Harrison eagerly.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_tqudo0YCEy8WtXyYrtvwKxC2hc9_hGTanYHxhNJZlt0TmzOF0hUGbSJ8RHe4AK9UvTqPV0F4YtYhHsH5ra5StkaaRrRelst1RKK_6p0LebgqtAI5Que79KqDNSXMNTCouVb/s1600-h/Snapshot018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_tqudo0YCEy8WtXyYrtvwKxC2hc9_hGTanYHxhNJZlt0TmzOF0hUGbSJ8RHe4AK9UvTqPV0F4YtYhHsH5ra5StkaaRrRelst1RKK_6p0LebgqtAI5Que79KqDNSXMNTCouVb/s400/Snapshot018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143198116506325330" border="0" /></a>The Garden party is in full swing, with Ladies eating Ice Cream, children racing around and Egg and Spoon races to be organised. Miss Matty, after having dispensed some eggs and set the children off on the Egg and Spoon race (which Walter wins!), she is distracted by a distinguished gentleman (a subdued Michael Gambon), who gently shakes her by the hand and then departs, leaving Miss Matty shaken and in a strangely quiet mood that Miss Deborah comments on. Miss Matty doesn't mention the interlude between her and Mr. Holbrook and instead blames her quietness on the "superfluity of dainties" to which she is not accustomed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE6P2ttubfVDo0cqIh9rblyIyWmL_BdDthcA5Ap5agCMaZKz0e3vTZ9lySq8uFKdmbBDmQULXrfFWDSMtZl5eWpvwgNOSRIusGk3C91MQlRvAj52g4ZnHWTyUz1qKm3JUqFNC/s1600-h/Snapshot020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE6P2ttubfVDo0cqIh9rblyIyWmL_BdDthcA5Ap5agCMaZKz0e3vTZ9lySq8uFKdmbBDmQULXrfFWDSMtZl5eWpvwgNOSRIusGk3C91MQlRvAj52g4ZnHWTyUz1qKm3JUqFNC/s400/Snapshot020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142890781531525426" border="0" /></a><br />Mrs Forrester and Miss Pole have news, they fly across the grass, causing people to look up in fright at the scary sight of two middle aged ladies sprinting across the lawn. Unfortunately while Miss Pole is getting her breath, the slower Mrs Forrester arrives and blurts out the juicy gossip they have just overheard: the railway is coming to Cranford! Miss Pole is annoyed, she'd been building up to that!<br />A delegation of Amazons search out Captain Brown trying to have a quiet cup of tea and demand to know the truth of the matter. Captain Brown proudly affirms that the railway is to come and that he is to be the manager for the project. The ladies are aghast at the news and his betrayal. It's a wonder that the man doesn't instantly expire with the looks of horror, scorn and disgust being scowled his way.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh4.google.co.uk/pennyforyoudreams/R1syS-fRT7I/AAAAAAAAAWE/uplzBD0uE2E/s400/Snapshot023.jpg" /><br /></div><br />Gently, Jessie berates Captain Brown about not telling her and when he states that his new job will take him away from town and she will be alone. Jessie realises that this means that her rejection of Major Gordon was a mistake and when she hesitantly claims that she could have been married, the self absorbed Captain Brown dismisses the idea and settles back down to his tea.<br /><br />Miss Matty and Miss Deborah reach home and Deborah is fuming at the news, claiming that it will bring all manner of undesirables, rather nastily singling out "the Irish" for her particular ire. The anger that she feels has brought on a headache and she goes upstairs, getting a little giddy towards the top and goes into her room.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54ohAOo3OEeQSbyjQxVcGLXKzYPBMex5-b3dHaoQS3B-Vgfrw3GKTZc2h38RtqdBra8h6dWgUvvnZU00HD2nnMYrAEk8PF_qcF5Zmv7Jx4zdddlkfPb4GNA5urIcJwpSOGBbV/s1600-h/Snapshot026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54ohAOo3OEeQSbyjQxVcGLXKzYPBMex5-b3dHaoQS3B-Vgfrw3GKTZc2h38RtqdBra8h6dWgUvvnZU00HD2nnMYrAEk8PF_qcF5Zmv7Jx4zdddlkfPb4GNA5urIcJwpSOGBbV/s400/Snapshot026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143225127555649906" border="0" /></a>Mary, Martha and Miss Matty hear a loud thud from Deborah's room and Mary and Martha race up the stairs and find that Miss Deborah has collapsed. Mary keeps calm and tells Miss Matty to fetch the doctor.<br /><br />Dr Harrison has been called to Reverend Huttons house as Walter is ill. His earlier hoarseness has developed into very nasty bout of Croup. Reverend Hutton is silently devastated and Sophy is distraught at the thought that she could have prevented Walter's illness by staying home instead of going to the Garden Party.<br /><br />Meanwhile at the Jenkyns household, Dr. Morgan gently tells Miss Matty that Miss Deborah is dead. Miss Matty is utterly shocked and saddened. Judi Dench communicates the utter devastation she feels in a simple silent scene and the audience is also completely saddened by the loss of Miss Deborah. The series will be poorer for Eileen Atkins departure.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy4h4vCW8PXDw9GU_1M5qmbfNtosbx2tfB_yf_dEzQBZY1tI0PKy1pUQNPtRxidbH6pW4nV1dqoVMzmmTqkd2VnH11uDYNYEFTUTCB_Roz0ntSG5RfHq8oZYqG9YwOQs-mpV_/s1600-h/Snapshot031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy4h4vCW8PXDw9GU_1M5qmbfNtosbx2tfB_yf_dEzQBZY1tI0PKy1pUQNPtRxidbH6pW4nV1dqoVMzmmTqkd2VnH11uDYNYEFTUTCB_Roz0ntSG5RfHq8oZYqG9YwOQs-mpV_/s400/Snapshot031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142874039749005602" border="0" /></a>There is no better news at Reverend Huttons, despite Sophy's, Dr. Harrison's and Dr Morgan's ministrations, as well as Reverend Huttons most fervent prayers, little adorable Walter dies. The doctors leave as the family say good bye to him. Kimberly Nixon was coming across as a bit of a shallow actress, with nothing to do but fuss over Walter and simper at Dr Harrison until now, but her desolation and sorrow at Walters death convinces otherwise.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.google.com/pennyforyoudreams/R1syXOfRUFI/AAAAAAAAAXU/iWk0wxwD2fU/s400/Snapshot033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/pennyforyoudreams/R1syXOfRUFI/AAAAAAAAAXU/iWk0wxwD2fU/s400/Snapshot033.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Miss Matty sits in the parlour gazing at the seat her sister used to rule the Cranford court from as if, were she to gaze long enough, that Miss Deborah would resume her throne and continue to reign once more.<br /><br />Miss Matty tells Mary that Deborah disapproved of people called her Matty and much rather preferred Matilda and she laments that no one will call her Matilda again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ghe2bnITsV1VBhR4Pvtb_0oSj-I692V1PWpU8cOcxCkAbm9dMJZUzZKwYboviDDroX2fzEDwVEdAb46YZHvQk8ZHFZitlWpcAD1B8zWr3ilEGTfa13M_rsTCMU45HFnUYw98/s1600-h/Snapshot035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ghe2bnITsV1VBhR4Pvtb_0oSj-I692V1PWpU8cOcxCkAbm9dMJZUzZKwYboviDDroX2fzEDwVEdAb46YZHvQk8ZHFZitlWpcAD1B8zWr3ilEGTfa13M_rsTCMU45HFnUYw98/s400/Snapshot035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142873837885542674" border="0" /></a>Mary leaves Miss Matilda to her thoughts and Miss Matty, remains in her chair overwhelmed by grief.<br /><br />Another fine episode, with the early comedy being leavened by tragedy. Miss Deborah was a formidable character given real depth and affection by Eileen Atkins and will be sorely missed.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-15422164327764401122007-12-04T15:38:00.000-08:002007-12-07T12:24:25.681-08:00Cranford Episode One<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOSFYjzd49sd7M5xVCPAYyazXEn9Xam8eec0no_Epyshbs9GcP7Mqdrpok6fC6yFMItT7PHroWtYyCTIuYhTJ7s3kKguL-f2bLsSIaQfE3GW-SzteuyooB8467J_A7ytIFvuf/s1600-h/vlcsnap-1590215.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOSFYjzd49sd7M5xVCPAYyazXEn9Xam8eec0no_Epyshbs9GcP7Mqdrpok6fC6yFMItT7PHroWtYyCTIuYhTJ7s3kKguL-f2bLsSIaQfE3GW-SzteuyooB8467J_A7ytIFvuf/s400/vlcsnap-1590215.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140268317450259714" border="0" /></a>I thoroughly enjoyed Cranford and meant to get this cap up sooner rather than later, but circumstances proved otherwise, but better late than never.<br /><br />The story starts with the arrival of Mary Smith (Lisa Dillon) to Cranford to stay with the two Miss Jenkyns'.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3FV7B07gwxZHBJODWPnKHB_4RiG-L-qVpKkojlobepkf_UmBSyDUZLBTCGx7lcfIi7A3-OBKp6kb45Kn-ZlYTDxBB4YZ0eW_buIkcrbzLkLboaNUqrqf9Opwm6iE1tPaT1rL/s1600-h/vlcsnap-1592023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3FV7B07gwxZHBJODWPnKHB_4RiG-L-qVpKkojlobepkf_UmBSyDUZLBTCGx7lcfIi7A3-OBKp6kb45Kn-ZlYTDxBB4YZ0eW_buIkcrbzLkLboaNUqrqf9Opwm6iE1tPaT1rL/s400/vlcsnap-1592023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140268978875223330" border="0" /></a>The eldest sister, Deborah (Dame Eileen Atkins) is imperious, aloof, bossy and snobbish. Her sister Matty (Dame Judi Dench) is the opposite: warm, generous and open, if a little scatty. Both actresses are utterly marvellous, Eileen Atkins can summon up a contemptuous demeanour with a slight purse of the lips and raise of her eyebrow and Judi Dench just glows with generosity, good humour and gentleness.<br /><br />Mary is inducted into the etiquette of Cranford, no visiting until noon which runs until three o'clock and then the visit must be no longer than fifteen minutes. And upon the consumption of oranges, one must repair to her bedroom to partake of the "sucking" of this fruit in solitude. Miss Deborah sensibly cuts hers into segments, while Mary and Matty both prefer to suck theirs dry through a single hole in the rind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvh9jmG-vwBOweoZEF2OpWaoE3t1lqJLbUyl3TWIA4WEqahWCzw-ysDD6nSVw5OFrtCPvJi7uykKeVg01hLZPqA1R2ADmzVH4IhIODaJWRivR1A3rzM4NztTXoKCGEGhgzVD5/s1600-h/Snapshot003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvh9jmG-vwBOweoZEF2OpWaoE3t1lqJLbUyl3TWIA4WEqahWCzw-ysDD6nSVw5OFrtCPvJi7uykKeVg01hLZPqA1R2ADmzVH4IhIODaJWRivR1A3rzM4NztTXoKCGEGhgzVD5/s400/Snapshot003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140268304565357762" border="0" /></a>The ladies first visitor of the day is Dr Morgan (John Bowe) who informs them of the new doctor, Dr Harrison, that has been employed to deal with the sick of Cranford, 'cos he's getting on a bit. Dr. Morgan not only has the requisite period drama sideburns, he also has wig that he wears on the occasion of (medical) house visits. Dr Morgan in deference to Miss Deborah's status as queen of the Cranfordian Amazons has come to tell the Misses Jenkyns' in person about this development, however the rest of the village must make do with Miss Pole, whom Dr Morgan has already appraised.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfC-7KalMAZk6opUIaqTv8i_Pb6L6rmobamXqmbA4gf1K6ToE3odoC8-tbpwDfDeh4QijrnzG1Ckw0hkQUNI8i18yFDBUPYuWytTR8i_2XnwmBaSNEXAfc4pMfDjYAtE_IZQV/s1600-h/Snapshot004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfC-7KalMAZk6opUIaqTv8i_Pb6L6rmobamXqmbA4gf1K6ToE3odoC8-tbpwDfDeh4QijrnzG1Ckw0hkQUNI8i18yFDBUPYuWytTR8i_2XnwmBaSNEXAfc4pMfDjYAtE_IZQV/s400/Snapshot004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140268313155292370" border="0" /></a>Miss Pole (Imelda Staunton) is more than just the village gossip, she takes it upon herself to impart her knowledge and all other pertinent village developments with such determination and diligence that she, with scant regard for her own safety, even flings herself in front of travelling sedan chairs to spread the news.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.google.com/pennyforyoudreams/R1XmzOfRTOI/AAAAAAAAAPU/rNzhdaKOTNE/Snapshot005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 226px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/pennyforyoudreams/R1XmzOfRTOI/AAAAAAAAAPU/rNzhdaKOTNE/Snapshot005.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Imelda Staunton is a wonderful actress and Miss Pole is a genuine comic revelation. She bustles about Cranford imparting and spreading news and finds herself often in the midst of things, occasionally mischief of her own making. She lives to purvey a lively story and exaggerates enormously, rarely letting her companions get a word in edge ways. In some ways she is the most pantomimic of the characters, being larger than life and always in the thick of it!<br /><br />She is aided and abetted by the rest of the Amazons: the Tomkinson sisters Caroline (Selina Griffiths, the one that has a hairstyle like someone put a mop on her head) and her elder sister Augusta (Deborah Findlay). Caroline hasn't yet given up hope that she might find a husband and Augusta encourages her, but they are both devoted to each other and are played by two fine actresses. Selina Griffiths is suitably fussy and a tad neurotic, while Deborah Findlay is more reflective and stoic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy9c7bLa8GPbridl1L_NnE85w0uSqe0VO0IDvzS5cY-q5e6lyxBzDlm4vyz7l95Dy9cmeYRtCFrt4uYeA4kGxxoVWh74bluCwCsYhzxZ-p0wO4TJLu-KQebhUWjikWPFo3Ha_/s1600-h/Snapshot006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy9c7bLa8GPbridl1L_NnE85w0uSqe0VO0IDvzS5cY-q5e6lyxBzDlm4vyz7l95Dy9cmeYRtCFrt4uYeA4kGxxoVWh74bluCwCsYhzxZ-p0wO4TJLu-KQebhUWjikWPFo3Ha_/s400/Snapshot006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140268317450259698" border="0" /></a>Julia McKenzie as Mrs Forrester, a lady who doesn't have the best luck with animals completes the group and works very well as Miss Pole's foil.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.radiotimes.com/shows/cranford/cast/julia-mckenzie/img.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 99px;" src="http://www.radiotimes.com/shows/cranford/cast/julia-mckenzie/img.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Dr. Frank Harrison finally arrives, with his top hat well rammed down and looking all of about twelve. He attributes his lateness to his horse requiring to be shod and is shown in by Dr Morgan to his spare, to the point of emptiness, lodgings. It seems that he is to see patients perched on a tiny stool in the middle of the room, as it's the only furniture in the place. Despite this he seems happy enough.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqpUb-tlIfVOange_Yg_5MsePnfUGKwsVaDXDQEI-LRLdO4K3FQYraXab0oFwJPMeD5lQrmT60yehveN9pRetQCMjzH5rfOcu35DLxR7i2EG2YKCkpRBgHjFWNaZykVBC63Gp/s1600-h/Snapshot007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqpUb-tlIfVOange_Yg_5MsePnfUGKwsVaDXDQEI-LRLdO4K3FQYraXab0oFwJPMeD5lQrmT60yehveN9pRetQCMjzH5rfOcu35DLxR7i2EG2YKCkpRBgHjFWNaZykVBC63Gp/s400/Snapshot007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140268974580256018" border="0" /></a>St. John Rivers turns up and asks Jane to go to India, oops sorry wrong period drama. Andrew Buchan, (who was St. John in last years Jane Eyre) arrives. He is Jem Hearne, carpenter, joiner and general odd job man. He is here to measure the surgery for all it needs, but he warns Dr Harrison, very matter of factly, that if there's a funeral, he'll have to wait as he's to make the coffin.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96IJeDtbqkUVkI0d1VrNVc8hZ6oekm1RKHD2ZutrJZlspAagYrU-QGdjomo6TPI1lXNjxxBKi0Atzk9PymQGEeq8Oy47p6M-s4sJZWpgscqP_uiTcG4ouFgIbGjMopestJXHS/s1600-h/Snapshot001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96IJeDtbqkUVkI0d1VrNVc8hZ6oekm1RKHD2ZutrJZlspAagYrU-QGdjomo6TPI1lXNjxxBKi0Atzk9PymQGEeq8Oy47p6M-s4sJZWpgscqP_uiTcG4ouFgIbGjMopestJXHS/s400/Snapshot001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140271607395208498" border="0" /></a>The following morning, Dr's Harrison and Morgan visit the rectory to call on the housemaid and her sore knee, while there, Dr Harrison meets Sophy Hutton (who's played by Carey Mulligan, no wait, she's actually played by Kimberly Nixon, who bears a striking resemblance to Carey, but without the dimples). Sophy is playing with her beloved brother Walter, who she has raised since her mother died six years ago. Dr Harrison is immediately smitten, understandably as Sophy is undeniably pretty.<br /><br />Sophy and Walter lead Dr. Harrison to the garden where they begin to beat cherries off a tree with a rake, well it gets the job done I suppose. In the original short story, Sophy picks pears, but just to ram home the fact that Sophy and Frank fancy each other, they have to pick cherries together. Yes, actually we noticed that, thanks, but isn't June a bit early for cherries?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNbCmZuOUmKBYtFRELWvIAmyEL-peGrIdVHF-mwKH1II2D1L_c6GhAGUeZKwJKYuKRodUHAbOrp7aZa9WrlmHSrDiiXFeIUWzWeZZVxJ7I8jFRCVOcGngcBGtI5Bijl9W_XhX/s1600-h/Snapshot002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNbCmZuOUmKBYtFRELWvIAmyEL-peGrIdVHF-mwKH1II2D1L_c6GhAGUeZKwJKYuKRodUHAbOrp7aZa9WrlmHSrDiiXFeIUWzWeZZVxJ7I8jFRCVOcGngcBGtI5Bijl9W_XhX/s400/Snapshot002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140271620280110402" border="0" /></a>While illicitly knocking down cherries, Sophy and Frank are observed by Sophy's father, a stern looking Reverend Hutton (Alex Jennings, a hundred years and a couple of dressing gowns away from Garry Essendine. Coincidentally both Alex and Lisa Dillon are still in Present Laughter, which is on at the National Theatre, in which Alex,<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/pennyforyoudreams/PennyForYourDreams/photo?authkey=A9SzuCcx-Co#5129859263651547682"> as Garry, is irresistible to women and Lisa is nearly unrecognisable in a virulent red wig,</a> playing vampish Joanna, a very funny play, as I've <a href="http://pennyforyourdreams.blogspot.com/2007/11/more-present-laughter.html">blogged about below</a>, get tickets while you can).<br /><br />Anyway, Reverend Hutton doesn't like the look of his daughter cherry picking with a complete stranger and interrupts on the pretext of young Walter's education. Sophy spotting her father rushes off too, leaving Dr. Harrison under a tree clutching some cherries. Reverend Hutton is described by Elizabeth Gaskell as being dignified and commanding respect and Alex Jennings manages to convey all that, despite having only two lines.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEdC0rHwQmDOFS_PiIwjdZ7lya4HCBQVIyb3XxWIyqnkx1lDy47g_k5clIIlG37QtHMp2hBthlTuJCjT5q0MRFkIPavhvRdXL6rTd6LpDwy03D3OZopwEQNRXPROQ0UDgLhr5/s1600-h/Snapshot003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEdC0rHwQmDOFS_PiIwjdZ7lya4HCBQVIyb3XxWIyqnkx1lDy47g_k5clIIlG37QtHMp2hBthlTuJCjT5q0MRFkIPavhvRdXL6rTd6LpDwy03D3OZopwEQNRXPROQ0UDgLhr5/s400/Snapshot003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140271633165012306" border="0" /></a>Meanwhile Jem Hearne is up a tree in the Tompkinson sisters back garden, he's been employed by the women to lop off some branches. When Jem states that he'll need help, Augusta vehemently disagrees, no doubt because it'll cost more and they aren't rich. Jem acquiesces and then in a moment that starts out comically, Jem falls out of the tree, turns quite gory as it appears Jem has broken his arm very badly and lurches out of the garden for help, dripping blood like a nineteenth century zombie, but with less of an appetite for human flesh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut8Ex9ZR_IDM4z9P9F7i8LA5XNYSEBVfz0vYej_oPOAuZU1Ab5CqHpZfnKmFhcpuHactqTyoQw7q6vXvnPHF2AQEc7w6YtHIeZ-8cwyH5Wd74MxmsL2eK68e-tqpU1KldEBKT/s1600-h/Snapshot004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut8Ex9ZR_IDM4z9P9F7i8LA5XNYSEBVfz0vYej_oPOAuZU1Ab5CqHpZfnKmFhcpuHactqTyoQw7q6vXvnPHF2AQEc7w6YtHIeZ-8cwyH5Wd74MxmsL2eK68e-tqpU1KldEBKT/s400/Snapshot004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140271637459979618" border="0" /></a><br />Jem manages to make quite an entrance in the middle of Cranford's main street and faints clean away. He's taken to Dr. Harrison's by the authoritative Mr. Carter (the wonderful Philip Glenister) and a young poacher Harry Gregson (Alex Etel) is press ganged by Mr. Carter, into obtaining some ice to pack around Jem's arm to give Frank Harrison enough time to ride to find some curved needles so he can save Jem's arm. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSN4xntcoCgVLcun3UdpYqL0Mx_WdPvl2-gHK2aXNjVYJK_ClSCtwUqS0TV-db7dv03957RhHbo8jiVhS2jjXs9l0r2QtYK4-9txOkcEdS71ir8_5242HQGDi4sYlNWnOgOMeQ/s1600-h/Snapshot005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSN4xntcoCgVLcun3UdpYqL0Mx_WdPvl2-gHK2aXNjVYJK_ClSCtwUqS0TV-db7dv03957RhHbo8jiVhS2jjXs9l0r2QtYK4-9txOkcEdS71ir8_5242HQGDi4sYlNWnOgOMeQ/s400/Snapshot005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140271650344881522" border="0" /></a>The village is agog with the news of Jem's accident and ghoulish Miss Pole is a little disappointed that it wasn't instantly amputated and the stump covered with tar. It transpires that when Dr. Harrison returns with his needles, he discovers that he has no candles and that when he asks Mr. Johnson (Mayor and storekeeper) for candles ("Four candles, y' know, 'andles for forks" - copyright the Two Ronnies) that he doesn't have the right sort.<br /><br />Frank sits despondently clad in a black coat on the store steps and originates the rumour that Jem has died and that he is distraught. Eventually the reason for his despondency is revealed and the ladies of Cranford rally around and arrive en masse to donate all their candles (subject to a substantial candle tax) to the doctor for Jem's operation. Well if Jem expired, that would be the end of the hot handyman and they'd only have Dr Morgan's sideburns to lust after. On a more serious note, if Jem's compound fracture can't be fixed, he would lose it or at least the use of it and would not be able to work anymore, no doubt leading to the poorhouse.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EUhqVnLoMB9tmIFvMp9j7cXpfamp0AHlv0NNRlgcq0UACfF9LQD8cFu5PbS83CpYV6On2XRCBUBPtuqijCkejQ9x_ATugWBvsN8m16uEq59fRJdvvYu71W97egAc8u4JCMYh/s1600-h/Snapshot006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EUhqVnLoMB9tmIFvMp9j7cXpfamp0AHlv0NNRlgcq0UACfF9LQD8cFu5PbS83CpYV6On2XRCBUBPtuqijCkejQ9x_ATugWBvsN8m16uEq59fRJdvvYu71W97egAc8u4JCMYh/s400/Snapshot006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140277457140665730" border="0" /></a><br />In any event the operation, on a still conscious Jem (!), goes ahead with Mary as Frank's assistant. The ladies of Cranford then send Jem jelly and other food for invalids with Martha (Claudie Blakley) who just so happens to have secret relationship with Jem, even though she's been forbidden "followers" by Miss Jenkyns. It's touching to see their close and tender relationship and it's nice to see that writer Heidi Thomas hasn't ignored the working classes in her adaptation as Jem and Martha's experience is just as valid as that of the far more middle class Cranfordians.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5DbkIMECA__YwTZufLu2Ag5S19LCNlyJ6TTwOzxQ3rK2h6FhknVfk9LqbJe4UrYqUFAsLb7uIFX1VvLpS68zbh1V2XUDoy-2zGiePzWm5iRIuY7LEjUE1__8rN9_tj_ytJdD/s1600-h/Snapshot017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5DbkIMECA__YwTZufLu2Ag5S19LCNlyJ6TTwOzxQ3rK2h6FhknVfk9LqbJe4UrYqUFAsLb7uIFX1VvLpS68zbh1V2XUDoy-2zGiePzWm5iRIuY7LEjUE1__8rN9_tj_ytJdD/s400/Snapshot017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140279720588430898" border="0" /></a>A new family arrives in Cranford, Captain Brown (Jim Carter) and daughters Jessie Brown (Julia Sawalha) along with a sick sister Mary, who doesn't say a word and expires quite silently a little later on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhko10tGWuKsYpR1iLJHBqFIpxp5cdnySKMj-xEOsnWp8KeCc7KlmhTdIMV4HQXTKXI6OEcpA8GphCLkt9sqc9jpJ5MCszGJs2rCVvFUV5bQ9jfqtlvvlO6KgRn3KLdnmq1p_O/s1600-h/Snapshot008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhko10tGWuKsYpR1iLJHBqFIpxp5cdnySKMj-xEOsnWp8KeCc7KlmhTdIMV4HQXTKXI6OEcpA8GphCLkt9sqc9jpJ5MCszGJs2rCVvFUV5bQ9jfqtlvvlO6KgRn3KLdnmq1p_O/s400/Snapshot008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140277461435633058" border="0" /></a>Captain Brown has a magnificent set of sideburns. Many of the Cranford side burns have me itching to lean through the tv and give them a tug, to see how real they are. Dr. Morgan's and Captain Brown's are of special note.<br /><br />Julia Sawalha , looking much older than her Pride and Prejudice days is filmed in unflattering and unfair close up shots, in which the poor thing looks quite haggard and washed out. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLARWi6RwVRIr9EOmT28RD1dH9qlGjKQQtlvcof072J1KjqGmo7sYuufKhNji7gOaPduwduX58PfISJE5WSFlGLQmUEYgUQSuKzMQnFNOIpUSCKfAAigjg8-rNaNecZALp5m_/s1600-h/Snapshot016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLARWi6RwVRIr9EOmT28RD1dH9qlGjKQQtlvcof072J1KjqGmo7sYuufKhNji7gOaPduwduX58PfISJE5WSFlGLQmUEYgUQSuKzMQnFNOIpUSCKfAAigjg8-rNaNecZALp5m_/s400/Snapshot016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140278152925367842" border="0" /></a>Lord Charles Maulver (Greg Wise) arrives as a friend and the landlord of Captain Brown and stays for awhile. His lack of facial hair is noted and I have come to the conclusion that he is a cad, although this may be due to his previous acting roles. He can do smug and self satisfied with his eyes shut.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM3UzDfTv2zHegndFIMS0_a0o_GUb6xn5ZrMswFJNsDD1YST6UyNhAtOneU7y0SXvZcd7dcIeRUwMx2eUm8ZAlxvklmMj2OQzT6EfWx0LhwfNALlsrp5EuDa2lIF4CHHOIlY4/s1600-h/Snapshot009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM3UzDfTv2zHegndFIMS0_a0o_GUb6xn5ZrMswFJNsDD1YST6UyNhAtOneU7y0SXvZcd7dcIeRUwMx2eUm8ZAlxvklmMj2OQzT6EfWx0LhwfNALlsrp5EuDa2lIF4CHHOIlY4/s400/Snapshot009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140277461435633074" border="0" /></a><br />Lady Ludlow (Francesca Annis) is holed up in her mausoleum of a house,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictkM10frkNO_haSzEz5-a1_UO9YPy1293eyWmDHufTmX3A6v1RlZ-LmyqWckSeOhKK2Qih_Jz8QPi0vyEPv0wgIFiF5ulv2FHolW8i-lZGpPiO267SVzvppVLaCFmmYjdsVFc/s1600-h/Snapshot007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictkM10frkNO_haSzEz5-a1_UO9YPy1293eyWmDHufTmX3A6v1RlZ-LmyqWckSeOhKK2Qih_Jz8QPi0vyEPv0wgIFiF5ulv2FHolW8i-lZGpPiO267SVzvppVLaCFmmYjdsVFc/s400/Snapshot007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140277457140665746" border="0" /></a>waited upon by Mr. Carter in the capacity of an estate manager and Miss Galindo <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.radiotimes.com/shows/cranford/cast/emma-fielding/img.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 98px;" src="http://www.radiotimes.com/shows/cranford/cast/emma-fielding/img.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> (Emma Fielding) as her ladyships milliner. Lady Ludlow is opposed to the lower orders educating themselves as evidenced by her interrogation of a new maid. When told that the maid can read, write and cast accounts, Lady Ludlow spits that she is no good for anything but trade. Her servants are taught to obey her, do their jobs and learn their prayers and nothing else. This rankles with Mr. Carter and he is quite clearly annoyed by Lady Ludlows stance. Miss Galindo doesn't appear to care and may as well be made of stone for all the emotion Emma Fielding gives her.<br /><br />Meanwhile back in Cranford, after setting a valuable lace collar in bowl of buttermilk to bleach, Miss Pole and Mrs. Forrester turn away to pass comments on Mrs Forrester's well fed maid. Taking its opportunity for some fresh delicious buttermilk, Mrs. Forrester's cat scoffs the buttermilk, lace collar and all. The ladies spring into action and begin a wild dash to the store to purchase a "compound". The procession gathers participants in the manner of Mrs. Jamieson, (Barbara Flynn plus sedan chair and carriers) who is attracted by the no doubt unusual sight of "some ladies running". The procession runs, somewhat out of breath, through the centre of Cranford, scattering inhabitants in their wake with Miss Pole's cry, "this is a matter of lace!" The lace in question residing in the cats stomach, but as it was woven by silent French nuns, is extremely valuable and must be retrieved.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcOOAKR4ERqigoXpcGiih7noyGAJjEv89wqeb0JSek2NnJBlhrW9HsFlH_T02YpBvkTGdaF2bJDmgCur2KqXLx8XpRi5k7UNTPmCrLoIyj6Z2KhxPi1BbnWLq1uRhwajC3F17/s1600-h/Snapshot010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcOOAKR4ERqigoXpcGiih7noyGAJjEv89wqeb0JSek2NnJBlhrW9HsFlH_T02YpBvkTGdaF2bJDmgCur2KqXLx8XpRi5k7UNTPmCrLoIyj6Z2KhxPi1BbnWLq1uRhwajC3F17/s400/Snapshot010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140277461435633090" border="0" /></a>When in the possession of the emetic compound, it is administered to the cat, which is placed in a boot that fought at Waterloo. The looks on the faces of the actresses as the cat evacuates it's bowels are wonderful and just goes to show fart jokes work!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFUpDeNtPwkDC0RFncdqsWSCzxf4H9OqQA0png7QrZpisQ5OSA24B4nmQQMgD1SISolYZFiq4AFGd63LhPzDPn2iI11rp3iW47Wqh1hLSP-pBBRo7NqYn81Z-FQeE98Ay-tm7/s1600-h/Snapshot011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFUpDeNtPwkDC0RFncdqsWSCzxf4H9OqQA0png7QrZpisQ5OSA24B4nmQQMgD1SISolYZFiq4AFGd63LhPzDPn2iI11rp3iW47Wqh1hLSP-pBBRo7NqYn81Z-FQeE98Ay-tm7/s400/Snapshot011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140277916702166482" border="0" /></a>The lace is washed out of the boot by a disgusted looking maid and held up now brown and worse for wear, though intact much to the delight of Mrs. Forrester.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDH1J4N9zY8zMEreQDQTmjOsBK-UNEE5E2ITPZMDtxmfAMSpdXqhY_z2lrkgniYEbnrSosHmdywIcHzg9egRpYd8YY6W-jhAGbr-VtHMCFRPk0l3UWqAKxX0mgiQQS7hHtbI9/s1600-h/Snapshot012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDH1J4N9zY8zMEreQDQTmjOsBK-UNEE5E2ITPZMDtxmfAMSpdXqhY_z2lrkgniYEbnrSosHmdywIcHzg9egRpYd8YY6W-jhAGbr-VtHMCFRPk0l3UWqAKxX0mgiQQS7hHtbI9/s400/Snapshot012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140277920997133794" border="0" /></a><br />Mary Brown dies while Captain Brown is away on business and the funeral has to be arranged by a distraught Jessie, who states that if her father does not return then she will walk behind the coffin, so that her sister will not be alone. This horrifies Miss Deborah, as women are not permitted to attend funerals. She retires to her room to meditate on the matter and in the morning appears at Jessie's side to walk alongside her behind the coffin. The consensus now being that if Miss Jenkyns is allowed to attend a funeral, then it must be ok, as she is the arbiter of all Cranford etiquette and thus Miss Deborah ensures that the scandal of a woman at a funeral is averted.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBfky3dy2Mdx4lvc5khsDqtHgLamK-Tr4g3wuXsqPem81lFZuxBPfDOHCSbXj4Ul7hOPySHLSkglPiIK-Rk3vFKArPOgLLk_kTzy1wuCFLpRcAOp2Brnyczrd3ejEE0AlgKwZ/s1600-h/Snapshot014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBfky3dy2Mdx4lvc5khsDqtHgLamK-Tr4g3wuXsqPem81lFZuxBPfDOHCSbXj4Ul7hOPySHLSkglPiIK-Rk3vFKArPOgLLk_kTzy1wuCFLpRcAOp2Brnyczrd3ejEE0AlgKwZ/s400/Snapshot014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140277925292101122" border="0" /></a>Dr Harrison gains a full house of furniture, and a housekeeper, the recently widowed Mrs. Rose (Lesley Manville) who in one short scene and a few lines develops Mrs. Rose into a vulnerable and fragile woman, though kindhearted and gentle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jzZIAgd0o3XJQNDTCsivfzPhKWAHAhokG_KOzbvU-c4E39UjKGIj8ys7V2Nj0TK_6pzXMR3wAAOZrAgKakoNK-urJFRCN4fXnJVMqsmLTXOoQBsFbJEM36yB9X0W35t7FckJ/s1600-h/Snapshot013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jzZIAgd0o3XJQNDTCsivfzPhKWAHAhokG_KOzbvU-c4E39UjKGIj8ys7V2Nj0TK_6pzXMR3wAAOZrAgKakoNK-urJFRCN4fXnJVMqsmLTXOoQBsFbJEM36yB9X0W35t7FckJ/s400/Snapshot013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140277920997133810" border="0" /></a>Jem's arm is healing well and he is able to use it well enough to fix Frank Harrison's plaque to the door, meanwhile Sophy and the rest of her family pull up outside to deliver some cherries, which is just an excuse to reiterate that Sophy and Frank are attracted to one another.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7o8ZN09iYuE90kLaIK-cRe6b__Y9yEdShGSy0z_pyENnVXtkJOP0p2ELI_qAJtd5oyZrDVrksiLLqobUVZep6lAhZzoEYQUhsxUbvUfFDj0pkKwM7Xoq_8W8Dad8o2Qf0Alx/s1600-h/Snapshot015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7o8ZN09iYuE90kLaIK-cRe6b__Y9yEdShGSy0z_pyENnVXtkJOP0p2ELI_qAJtd5oyZrDVrksiLLqobUVZep6lAhZzoEYQUhsxUbvUfFDj0pkKwM7Xoq_8W8Dad8o2Qf0Alx/s400/Snapshot015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140277933882035730" border="0" /></a>Cranford is stuffed with fantastic characters and even better performances, Eileen Atkins and Imelda Staunton nearly steal the show, but with great restraint don't steam roller every other performance in deference of their, they generously allow the other actors to shine and do their best also. From Captain Brown who emanates generosity and good humour, to Jem Hearne's stolid and everyday charm, to Mary Smith's patience and shrewdness, to Harry Gregson's youthful resilience. One especial mention must go to Heidi Thomas's script which retains almost all of Gaskell's original humour and is successful in melding all three sources into one very satisfying whole.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-47025599807446777442007-12-01T12:20:00.000-08:002007-12-01T12:57:12.383-08:00BBC Breakfast Interviews With Imelda Staunton and Simon WoodsImelda Staunton (Miss Pole) and Simon Woods (Dr. Harrison) were interviewed about Cranford on BBC Breakfast, not together, I hasten to add, but on two separate occasions and both were lively interviewees, especially Imelda, whose spotty jacket I somewhat covet.<br /><br />Imelda'a Interview:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pv_WZhA7GMw&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pv_WZhA7GMw&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />and Simon Woods (who looks so much better with stubble than clean shaven, but still quite young) :<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y0KM-yoq2q8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y0KM-yoq2q8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />And does anyone know what "wink murder" is, please?pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-21742326602834819002007-11-27T11:08:00.000-08:002007-11-27T15:58:10.714-08:00Cranford RadioTimes ScansCourtesy of the wonderful VerityNorth of the C19 messageboard, who supplied these scans of the RadioTimes, please find below a veritable treasure trove of Cranford related loveliness.<br /><br />Yes, I am a bit late, sorry. Hopefully now I've managed to get my screencapping software to stop making people look either like pygmies or giants, I should also be capping (and snarking) each episode.<br /><br />Any way, the first three scans are the fold out front cover.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVuDN3WP-HXf6u27xb_pohjzIrrggfsmKHw2YTgPZNKop8FS7-tNlOJov-bkCOjDudNQlnIP205UeucGRhezaxAS8Zl5mQ91Q0DIAL6bLnsi-xacZa7b5T-25-WqIjDVig6VU/s1600-h/RTCranford0010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVuDN3WP-HXf6u27xb_pohjzIrrggfsmKHw2YTgPZNKop8FS7-tNlOJov-bkCOjDudNQlnIP205UeucGRhezaxAS8Zl5mQ91Q0DIAL6bLnsi-xacZa7b5T-25-WqIjDVig6VU/s400/RTCranford0010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137627226938985010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_By0MiAbQscjmE3uzpEzND6ITr8MM7mshY16kYBlroqUPbjAPHFsXfdFuE7ZNl2xyJZPoWfntaaJUPJW08DbZooEym1vGvRIM0SRSODUbvqu5zwokmJ6TwwMDDN2lPcVZR58/s1600-h/RTCranford0008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_By0MiAbQscjmE3uzpEzND6ITr8MM7mshY16kYBlroqUPbjAPHFsXfdFuE7ZNl2xyJZPoWfntaaJUPJW08DbZooEym1vGvRIM0SRSODUbvqu5zwokmJ6TwwMDDN2lPcVZR58/s400/RTCranford0008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137626681478138386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ5aseFgfKmkQFnoIqsvQlekNeNEvKU-KkmOpjKni1EgO8-DeWzviCMtYP4LS6tJxTyDTXhZsfJhNJWcOwofEFz8ObqDK7Jd43kIlFpIjKapODD8PblGU-1kO3yO4uNehUQsd/s1600-h/RTCranford0009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ5aseFgfKmkQFnoIqsvQlekNeNEvKU-KkmOpjKni1EgO8-DeWzviCMtYP4LS6tJxTyDTXhZsfJhNJWcOwofEFz8ObqDK7Jd43kIlFpIjKapODD8PblGU-1kO3yO4uNehUQsd/s400/RTCranford0009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137627222644017698" border="0" /></a>Look it's St.John Rivers nonchalently leaning on a light, I knew he hadn't gone to India!<br /><br />The following is the main article and the behind the scenes special. Enjoy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_fsQ80oXvub8VNpJF_HK8qVlDzV06raxGvfUnHLtoTuUxNR5N4kzm6L3UpHfFuoevcOeZtwq5-s8Bi5nwLc5PuFn1irSVb3lt_lpGLsTxVLrxyBrYmGsZc8ODH2wkMcUjpOp/s1600-h/RTCranford0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_fsQ80oXvub8VNpJF_HK8qVlDzV06raxGvfUnHLtoTuUxNR5N4kzm6L3UpHfFuoevcOeZtwq5-s8Bi5nwLc5PuFn1irSVb3lt_lpGLsTxVLrxyBrYmGsZc8ODH2wkMcUjpOp/s400/RTCranford0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137626608463694290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/veritynorth/odds/RTCranford0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 446px;" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/veritynorth/odds/RTCranford0002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JXyBD2I0vkzI2yzXEMesvMi90s6MvWFF2piJfsSbUWwPSujyCCO3eD1qt90_rs3qiq_c1KhTJN1CO43Btin5VeePdsL8pBOcwDIO8CmeNn48aWozaBQQYwOoa5-bzCnw9X7N/s1600-h/RTCranford0005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JXyBD2I0vkzI2yzXEMesvMi90s6MvWFF2piJfsSbUWwPSujyCCO3eD1qt90_rs3qiq_c1KhTJN1CO43Btin5VeePdsL8pBOcwDIO8CmeNn48aWozaBQQYwOoa5-bzCnw9X7N/s400/RTCranford0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137626660003301890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK4HVCF8ppe7eeLQ8IlWRmK2y7dv1IAqk6IwDV64EMIbGNFsrMIKhI1WEyJVzD2z0dGDuapAsf5o4vngCVZbNh_jYZY4fNQi4ljgmWIIEcx9SQgi_6S8DnhV2mRyO7739bHX_/s1600-h/RTCranford0006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK4HVCF8ppe7eeLQ8IlWRmK2y7dv1IAqk6IwDV64EMIbGNFsrMIKhI1WEyJVzD2z0dGDuapAsf5o4vngCVZbNh_jYZY4fNQi4ljgmWIIEcx9SQgi_6S8DnhV2mRyO7739bHX_/s400/RTCranford0006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137671254648736322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXAw7aDSupTRUJxy8o_eUQS3skb0SN6jqDngICEZ1L8EO_LNaigBZvXyTtmuTHVvlEugd2K2lIKM9NCUCDXc7IztJBcsQWeJTjAUa31S8JpVs6i0s7XhJ48PEEjd9VfVbS6RD/s1600-h/RTCranford0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXAw7aDSupTRUJxy8o_eUQS3skb0SN6jqDngICEZ1L8EO_LNaigBZvXyTtmuTHVvlEugd2K2lIKM9NCUCDXc7IztJBcsQWeJTjAUa31S8JpVs6i0s7XhJ48PEEjd9VfVbS6RD/s400/RTCranford0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137626621348596194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRFUBMJalY8IQQkXgohSPridLYiBC1S-LbggwHea4SnpBK1YUIEouo9mMoyQKBNfikpODEhfkGZNoeF470gpJoFx02GRTTmnm4ODa91EIyqY2d27AxeynfpWvZ0heCyHoj4F9/s1600-h/RTCranford0004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRFUBMJalY8IQQkXgohSPridLYiBC1S-LbggwHea4SnpBK1YUIEouo9mMoyQKBNfikpODEhfkGZNoeF470gpJoFx02GRTTmnm4ODa91EIyqY2d27AxeynfpWvZ0heCyHoj4F9/s400/RTCranford0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137626642823432690" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://www.radiotimes.com/shows/cranford/video-picture/">RadioTimes minisite</a> has lots of cast video interviews and the behind the scenes video for the photoshoot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_By0MiAbQscjmE3uzpEzND6ITr8MM7mshY16kYBlroqUPbjAPHFsXfdFuE7ZNl2xyJZPoWfntaaJUPJW08DbZooEym1vGvRIM0SRSODUbvqu5zwokmJ6TwwMDDN2lPcVZR58/s1600-h/RTCranford0008.jpg"><br /></a>pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-33439392082194795572007-11-14T14:51:00.000-08:002007-11-14T15:03:30.636-08:00Ruth Wilson BBC and Guardian InterviewsRuth was on BBC Breakfast last week talking about "Capturing Mary" and "A Real Summer", both written by Stephen Poliakoff and neither of which I've had time to watch yet! I will do, hopefully this weekend. I found the following video on YouTube, I unfortunately missed it as I had to go to work.<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UgJnbGzJTJ4&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UgJnbGzJTJ4&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Ruth was interviewed in the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2205865,00.html">Guardian</a> and talked about the Poliakoff dramas and about how she makes her own luck and if it all goes wrong, opening The Jane Eyre Tea Shop!pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-3071732681822168472007-11-06T15:07:00.001-08:002007-11-06T15:07:46.554-08:00More Present Laughter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojE6nRToBfD90IZQlfkIFrqbPLWA3GGGtQ0bhetpVzLLqB1HieSBteSP0t86F7SW96TpeHuim33UKK3kUMhcVjLMr4weyk1AJ_xNUBj49TMKX8GDkG2P8YkbQzNc5VFfutad6/s1600-h/Present_laughter_149TJeqOd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojE6nRToBfD90IZQlfkIFrqbPLWA3GGGtQ0bhetpVzLLqB1HieSBteSP0t86F7SW96TpeHuim33UKK3kUMhcVjLMr4weyk1AJ_xNUBj49TMKX8GDkG2P8YkbQzNc5VFfutad6/s400/Present_laughter_149TJeqOd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129862214294080066" border="0" /></a>I went to see "Present Laughter" on Saturday, starring Alex Jennings as Garry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Essendine</span>, the vain, womanising ageing actor and I loved it!<br /><br />Anyway, having gotten to London early (for once), I decided to go and have a look at the crack in the floor of the Turbine Hall at the Tate. It's quite impressive, for a crack in the floor. Not sure I'd want to dig up the floor to put it in, but it's a talking point and people were flocking around it. I think it's a pretty audacious piece of art: either it would have been a hit (as it is) or a total flop ("why go to see a crack in the floor, when my bathroom ceiling has plenty of it's own").<br /><br />Then off I trot to the National Theatre to see the play, which is about twenty minutes walk from the Tate. Of course as usual, I leave it a bit late and end up half jogging to make it in time, meaning that I end up a bit flustered, sweaty and have to climb over knees to get to my seat. To be very honest, when I looked around the matinee audience and was faced with room full of grey hair and little old ladies with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">zimmer</span> frames, and realising I was one of the youngest people there, I was slightly scared that perhaps I'd picked the wrong play, maybe I should have booked to see "Hairspray" instead (Michael Ball in drag, what's not to like?).<br /><br />Just before the play started a late comer walked past two rows away, I wouldn't normally mention such an common <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">occurrence</span>, but when I recognised him I gasped involuntarily: it was only David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Walliams</span>! I think he was with his Mum. A little flutter went round the audience, along the lines of: "ooh, look it's David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Walliams</span>." I kept quiet, for one, he knows who he is, and secondly, he's on a day off, it must be a bit galling to go everywhere with people going: "ooh, look who it is"! At the end of the play while waiting patiently to leave the auditorium behind an old lady with two walking sticks and a man to hold her upright, I realised I was actually right behind him! Within arse pinching distance. This observation came unbidden into my mind, but don't fear, I kept my hands to myself, I have no desire to be arrested.<br /><br />The play starts with Daphne <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Stillington</span> wondering out into Garry's flat wearing his dressing gown and pyjamas and in a wordless scene Daphne ambles around the flat looking at photo's, kissing Garry's and turning <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">face down</span> the one with Garry and his wife Liz, this isn't in the text and is wonderfully in keeping and comic. The entrances of the stolid and matter of fact Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Erikson</span>, Fred and finally Monica all compound the evident fact that they've been here before and this is anything but an uncommon <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">occurrence</span>. Monica is fantastically played by Sarah Woodward, she brings the dry and caustic wit that Monica needs to be Garry's foil. She's a counterpoint to all the fawning and adoring debutantes that otherwise fill Garry's world and Sarah Woodward can wring a line dry to extract every single drop of comic potential. If only she didn't sound a bit like Ann <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Widdecombe</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSNYZqz7lL8QV3G_Wg8K7XNlCAKXY9M34CAMf-v8yTybQ3-VAT6swfClVdwGurh0aGKECT2nPa7bn5RcwSIdh5J9K7sDI3jANpPwgZ64sLv612bUS4PfYXfG6Oq7ndcRRtSif/s1600-h/gallpresent-5444.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSNYZqz7lL8QV3G_Wg8K7XNlCAKXY9M34CAMf-v8yTybQ3-VAT6swfClVdwGurh0aGKECT2nPa7bn5RcwSIdh5J9K7sDI3jANpPwgZ64sLv612bUS4PfYXfG6Oq7ndcRRtSif/s400/gallpresent-5444.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129861862106761778" border="0" /></a><br />Once Daphne's been promised a bath and some orange juice she retreats into the spare room, whereupon Garry makes his first appearance having been woken by the commotion. The energy level increased quite dramatically once Alex Jennings made his entrance as Garry. His huge stage filling presence really lifts the production and from that moment, you miss Garry when he's not on stage, because he is making the play tick and providing the intensity and dynamism that's required to make the play work.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3JuZO9yhRF9o6T_wYhXnkZ99GYaWtr53nivEmJIuQcio9ozXTjQxuUKcl23nRgprmJkmiP2Vm_y_ENzkk4s9eGReo6jFUKZyvVfjaq0DebaKDT2_Nviuuc00vRVLWVkVUU8D/s1600-h/cow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3JuZO9yhRF9o6T_wYhXnkZ99GYaWtr53nivEmJIuQcio9ozXTjQxuUKcl23nRgprmJkmiP2Vm_y_ENzkk4s9eGReo6jFUKZyvVfjaq0DebaKDT2_Nviuuc00vRVLWVkVUU8D/s400/cow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129856751095679474" border="0" /></a><br />Garry makes short work of getting rid of Daphne, with help from a well practised poem by Shelley and after going over a few letters with Monica, he wafts away to have his bath. Liz, his not quite ex-wife drops in to leave a dressing gown for Garry, who is something of a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">connoisseur</span> of dressing gowns and to make Monica party to her plan to get Garry to behave himself after being confronted by Daphne.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlJ7qQT8cFoPTZ_FyLzv6VfT47wi3P5l1klCMHcVManWcBULwEYdY_pi63IJwZxrLJ1f4kI9u7p6jCgJuFRQgzYe0OFGQiChyphenhyphenG64L8vDp_n0VuS_2BvpLpi-ff_wPYcnsaPZq/s1600-h/Snapshot005.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlJ7qQT8cFoPTZ_FyLzv6VfT47wi3P5l1klCMHcVManWcBULwEYdY_pi63IJwZxrLJ1f4kI9u7p6jCgJuFRQgzYe0OFGQiChyphenhyphenG64L8vDp_n0VuS_2BvpLpi-ff_wPYcnsaPZq/s400/Snapshot005.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117606083336946226" border="0" /></a><br />Upon the presentation of his gift from Liz, Garry scampers, rather elegantly, onto the grand piano in the centre of the room and preens in the mirror. Liz then proceeds to remind him of his advancing age and his responsibilities and drops in a little gossip about Joanna and Morris being lovers, which is news to Garry. Then Roland <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Maule</span> makes his entrance. Roland is besotted with Garry and is blessed with the firmest handshake this side of Superman, causing all to either squeal in pain or contort their faces at the agony of his herculean grip. Once Roland is convinced of his deficiencies as a playwright, he leaves to sit weeping (off stage) on the stairs, whereupon Henry (Joanna's husband) and Morris, Garry's business associates, make an appearance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sdLyoCBSn7ZZziWhTu3vEfT2kWYj9BhNXviGXHU6ZvaciqXcsri3hN_rgNWII3ELqV8Kc8LrOSsp9Jz3mh0NuVHTpxgq4vLo716S55V8KaSTfx-mudrVvgHOvcCfVAoqvNTD/s1600-h/Snapshot009.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sdLyoCBSn7ZZziWhTu3vEfT2kWYj9BhNXviGXHU6ZvaciqXcsri3hN_rgNWII3ELqV8Kc8LrOSsp9Jz3mh0NuVHTpxgq4vLo716S55V8KaSTfx-mudrVvgHOvcCfVAoqvNTD/s400/Snapshot009.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117606091926880882" border="0" /></a><br />Henry is ignorant of his wife, Joanna's, dalliance with Morris and once Henry leaves for Brussels, Garry rounds on Morris asking him what he's up to. Morris is played by Tim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">McMullan</span> with a nervous and slightly neurotic comic lightness. He's good and brings the right amount of fluster to a minor character, and makes Morris memorable by the level of talent he brings to the character.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwXzGy0UhrGHH1PJlib_UHfkIv6MzpsSxuSNLqAzp3N1GIAM-IVgmblhkoOxO-46IGGeglZIu1sKXC20h8kt3g5UMe2X-qgL4rOUiOH0niox0dyr26N-nFd49xIB311wNEGV3/s1600-h/Snapshot007.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwXzGy0UhrGHH1PJlib_UHfkIv6MzpsSxuSNLqAzp3N1GIAM-IVgmblhkoOxO-46IGGeglZIu1sKXC20h8kt3g5UMe2X-qgL4rOUiOH0niox0dyr26N-nFd49xIB311wNEGV3/s400/Snapshot007.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117606087631913554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After the scene setting of the first act, the play moves on and Joanna's seduction of Garry is accompanied by both actors prowling around the stage after one another. While I thought Lisa Dillon, as Joanna, was pretty good, her voice sounded strange, until I realised that it only sounded odd because she appeared to be channelling Queenie circa <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Blackadder</span> II. It was as if she was playing at being coquettish, and that took a little of the danger out of the scene. Joanna shouldn't be flirty and coquettish, for real energy it needed a far more predatory Joanna. It seemed as if Garry was directing the seduction and it should have been the other way round.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxgZ0lKQ7M9Xg6mxMhIbQUPz9R81rexYrmTpfAGPI7mIXQjVVhyphenhyphen8Z4FKdc6AuONQe6QGXQL3v0H2UR7nRfPlzxKzZVwLrQm7SvkKOE1iJdl_VvChp7UZk7m2MOFXioT0OEBdM/s1600-h/Coward+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxgZ0lKQ7M9Xg6mxMhIbQUPz9R81rexYrmTpfAGPI7mIXQjVVhyphenhyphen8Z4FKdc6AuONQe6QGXQL3v0H2UR7nRfPlzxKzZVwLrQm7SvkKOE1iJdl_VvChp7UZk7m2MOFXioT0OEBdM/s400/Coward+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129859263651547682" border="0" /></a><br />The following morning, Joanna flounces around Garry's flat in one of his dressing gowns, frightening the staff and lording over them while demanding breakfast and acting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">superiorly</span>. Liz turns up and appraises the situation carefully and blackmails Joanna into keeping quiet about Garry and ending the affair after one night by threatening to spill the beans to Henry and Morris. Joanna agrees hurriedly after believing that Morris is at the door and retreats to the spare room to hide while Liz gets rid of Morris. It transpires to be Roland <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Maule</span> at the door who insinuates himself into the flat by lying that he has an appointment with Garry. Monica <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">dispatches</span> Roland to the office, while Morris bumps into Garry who's trying to sneak out.<br /><br />Morris is distraught, he can't find Joanna and is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">desperate</span> to find her. Garry knows exactly where she is but is horrified that Morris might find out. Morris realises that someone has been staying in the spare room, but both he and Garry are amazed when Liz walks out saying that she's just been powdering her nose. Liz phones the spare room in a ruse to get Morris to believe that Joanna spent the night with her. Roland <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Maule</span> exits the office and Henry turns up early demanding to know where Joanna is. Garry in his exasperation smashes himself over the head with a plate showering the stage with porcelain.<br /><br />Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Saltburn</span> arrives with her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">niece</span> Daphne only to cause more consternation. Alex shows how good he is by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">imbuing</span> the word "yellow" with more comic emphasis than it's ever had before. I loved the anguished double take Garry does when Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Saltburn</span> divulges that Garry knew Daphne's mother years ago. A sick little joke for a rather frothy little comedy. After Henry and Morris leave, Daphne begins her audition for Garry by reading the same poem that Garry recited for her at the beginning of the play. When Daphne stumbles over a word, the rest of the cast in unison correct her, Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Erikson</span> even deigning to leave the kitchen to do it. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Succinctly</span> and hilariously highlighting how common it was for Garry to recite that poem to his one night stands. When Joanna finally exits the spare room in her frock, the shock makes poor Daphne faint clean away.<br /><br />The final act opens with Garry pensively going through his post with Monica and then trying to find reasons for her to stay once she decides it's time to leave for the night. She leaves and then Fred goes off to spend one more night with Doris and then before Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Erikson</span> leaves to go to a spiritualist meeting in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Hammersmith</span> she steals all of Garry's cigarettes quite <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">blatantly</span>. Once alone in the flat, Garry <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">puts</span> on the gramophone and sits quietly, he looks bereft and lonely and quite sad. When the door bell rings, he wipes away a tear before he goes to open it.<br /><br />Daphne is at the door and informs Garry she's coming with him to Africa, then Roland appears and also claims he wants to come to Africa and demands a biscuit. Both of these irritations are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">dispatched</span> to the office or the spare room when the door bell rings again, this time Joanna flaunts in, also announcing that she is going to accompany Garry to Africa.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaQNErgWIVlMLHSirxxIiIDsCrd3yRKn-jOxjgOJY6MHj-Jhsd9ahuVMQtBFR0O-Erpt1LTxOl4k_sgzQ5dT9YSO0B_zRG6P7FWJ8lWCidL7N4Z0sCdBDLgoJEhtXqs_6s-xD/s1600-h/Snapshot006.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaQNErgWIVlMLHSirxxIiIDsCrd3yRKn-jOxjgOJY6MHj-Jhsd9ahuVMQtBFR0O-Erpt1LTxOl4k_sgzQ5dT9YSO0B_zRG6P7FWJ8lWCidL7N4Z0sCdBDLgoJEhtXqs_6s-xD/s400/Snapshot006.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117606083336946242" border="0" /></a>This time, Garry realising he not going to be able to cope alone, phones Liz and using their ingenious code of "I'm terribly sorry," Liz knows to rush straight round.<br /><br />Eventually Morris and Henry turn up, both angry at Garry as they've read Joanna's note confessing the affair with Garry. Garry gives them all a piece of his mind and it transpires that neither Morris or Henry really want to fall out with Garry as they've just bought a theatre and want to Garry to act in it. Garry had previously been quite damning about it and when he finds out is just as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">coruscating</span>. Joanna finally realises that Garry isn't interested and slaps him across the face in lieu of goodbye. Garry takes the blow and instead of commenting on it, turns round and begins to berate Morris and Henry about the Forum Theatre. After blustering on for a while, Liz tells the pair to leave and that she'll take care of Garry. After a few medicinal brandies, Liz informs Garry she's here to stay, but Garry remembering the twin horrors of Roland and Daphne still in the flat, puts on his coat and says he's coming back to her.<br /><br />Overall the play was incredibly funny, with great performances. Liz was played by Sara Stewart and you can understand her irritation with Garry at times, but the character is played with warmth and the underlying intimacy between Garry and Liz is apparent. Her solicitude in returning with presents and her labours to prevent Morris and Henry finding out the truth about Joanna, all prove her obvious and deep feeling for Garry. And Garry likewise depends on Liz, she's the first one he calls when he needs help and, in my mind the most telling gesture of his love for Liz comes in the first scene. Daphne had turned face down the picture of Liz and Garry, but almost the first thing Garry does in the scene is to turn it face up again.<br /><br />The minor parts of Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Erikson</span> and Fred were well played, with Miss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Erikson</span> ambling around in house coat with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth one of the abiding images of the play. Henry was anaemically acted and didn't have much impact unfortunately, Morris was better and far more comic character, though you did want to pat him and give him a cup of tea for his nerves.<br /><br />Sarah Woodward was great and of course Alex Jennings was utterly marvellous as Garry. He brought out the inherent comedy in lines that are barely comic in the text and is so charismatic that you forgive Garry his womanising, vanity and self importance. He shows you the human under the handsome veneer, the lonely man in his ivory tower (though it leaks a bit in the rain).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMUlJxvgOpdXAVKvs1dWBsTZoGGL-xpQZCWVTlRgQhDZGEie0yNd1LE8sOLp7xJgPp3UuBC_cKA4sYqx6Df7a2s56mMZ7Dskj6soBDs-U0wjjsN9bOD9e2STynhncUiyHE5Ns/s1600-h/Cow.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMUlJxvgOpdXAVKvs1dWBsTZoGGL-xpQZCWVTlRgQhDZGEie0yNd1LE8sOLp7xJgPp3UuBC_cKA4sYqx6Df7a2s56mMZ7Dskj6soBDs-U0wjjsN9bOD9e2STynhncUiyHE5Ns/s400/Cow.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129857296556526082" border="0" /></a><br />The play appears quite frothy and light on the surface, with plenty of one liners and laughs, but ultimately it's about friendship, love, trust and responsibility. It's a stylish play hiding quite a sensitive heart, rather like Garry himself.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-81511947895516409002007-11-04T13:32:00.000-08:002007-11-04T13:39:47.302-08:00Ruth Wilson In "The Times"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00227/StephenPioliakoff38_227633a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00227/StephenPioliakoff38_227633a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />There is a lovely interview with Ruth and her brother Matt in <a href="http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article2772920.ece">The Times' Relative Values</a> column. Most likely because of Ruth's upcoming role in Stephen Poliakoffs "Capturing Mary" to be shown on November 12th.<br /><br />Also there is an article about the Poliakoff trilogy in The Times <a href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article2773416.ece">here.</a>pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-75290802415444934802007-10-30T12:04:00.000-07:002007-11-04T13:32:00.112-08:00The Country Wife Review Roundup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/graphics/2007/10/10/country350.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 351px;" src="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/graphics/2007/10/10/country350.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Well, unfortunately this has been a long time in coming, but I've finally managed to get time to post some links to the reviews of "The Country Wife".<br /><br />Toby plays Horner a "notorious womaniser" who feigns impotence as a way of getting close to the married ladies of his aquaintance and succeeds. The Country Wife of the title is one of the young ladies he seduces. The play looks wonderful, I like the mix of jeans and regency frock coats, and above all I rather like the devilish smile Toby is wearing in practically every still of the play!<br /><br />The Telegraph liked it, praising the actors, Patricia Hodge and David Haig in particular and states that: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/10/10/btwife106.xml">"Shows don’t come much more disgracefully pleasurable than this".</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/site/media/images/36610_CountryWifeHodgeStevens180.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 125px;" src="http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/site/media/images/36610_CountryWifeHodgeStevens180.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Times' reviewer seemed to get confused by the <a href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article2626898.ece">cow he had to pass to get into the auditorium</a> and is a little tepid about the play, but again he praises the performances!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00219/wife-385_219123a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 185px;" src="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00219/wife-385_219123a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The Sunday Times reviewer enjoyed it more and describes Toby as <a href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/whats_on/listings/theatre/article2640719.ece">appearing "with a snarling smile, a wolfish flash of teeth and an exaggeratedly thrusting gait that makes his crotch appear on stage several moments before the rest of him."</a> Eh?! Wow, that must be one hell of a codpiece.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00219/wife-385_219123a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 185px;" src="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00219/wife-385_219123a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Hopefully, I'll add some more to this post later!pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-60244254334859703312007-10-10T15:19:00.000-07:002007-10-10T15:26:09.902-07:00The Country Wife<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2007/10/10/countrywife372.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 192px;" src="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2007/10/10/countrywife372.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ooh , I'm running short of time, so I'll tide you over with this picture of Toby surrounded by gorgeous women, until I get a summary of the reviews up (which are gratifyingly positive). <br /><br />It's not wrong for my eyes to get drawn inexorably to that bunch of grapes, is it?pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-49596644778126211282007-10-04T15:09:00.000-07:002007-10-04T15:43:46.118-07:00A Little More Present Laughter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821191405467&title=WOS+TV%3A+Jennings+Generates+NT+Present+Laughter"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlJ7qQT8cFoPTZ_FyLzv6VfT47wi3P5l1klCMHcVManWcBULwEYdY_pi63IJwZxrLJ1f4kI9u7p6jCgJuFRQgzYe0OFGQiChyphenhyphenG64L8vDp_n0VuS_2BvpLpi-ff_wPYcnsaPZq/s400/Snapshot005.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117606083336946226" border="0" /></a>A few more Present Laughter links and then I promise I'll stop. Whatsonstage.com has a lovely little video (click on the picture) of the first night with interviews with all of the main performers. The set looks impressive, but as it is a rather peculiar green colour, it does look like Garry's flat is covered in mould. Weird.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHZs9XezVQNC4WvQsSsFd_0d-u49lJT-Mr9AW49QPOc7oHWrP96A238uI8tzyni9kXzToOY8Yu_Bl-w_C0FhkhrGx32j51wzZ5P0VsVfYVV4MBlOlnWZv8DbosDOyDM602waa/s1600-h/Snapshot012.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHZs9XezVQNC4WvQsSsFd_0d-u49lJT-Mr9AW49QPOc7oHWrP96A238uI8tzyni9kXzToOY8Yu_Bl-w_C0FhkhrGx32j51wzZ5P0VsVfYVV4MBlOlnWZv8DbosDOyDM602waa/s400/Snapshot012.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117606886495830690" border="0" /></a>This is Pip Carter, who plays Raymond Maule, looking distinctly ungeeky.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqb_mX9PbRt-dxVp6vbBnl8qRpoerTJ4hWLGGhddScX7MnU3HIDiYQzxCMwW3EdH98iWhxhjLDVgUQWWXjqnV9ksOInxFLXZcEX5iLURJHSwF77RpEFUrwInhqJd43o7O_ipp/s1600-h/Snapshot013.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqb_mX9PbRt-dxVp6vbBnl8qRpoerTJ4hWLGGhddScX7MnU3HIDiYQzxCMwW3EdH98iWhxhjLDVgUQWWXjqnV9ksOInxFLXZcEX5iLURJHSwF77RpEFUrwInhqJd43o7O_ipp/s400/Snapshot013.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117606890790798002" border="0" /></a><br />Sarah Woodward looking glamourous, as all actors tend to, praising Noel Coward and Alex Jennings' performance as Garry. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd5dWiiwcrgwlOEXyXhzd6aE6ou6Upnypxx_NgjSyPQqKl8feCmiu2Dsl1EzSGo6sMQ55MNmLt6DZRdmjmk6m3jOLOpyOjq0pyX28YN33fDY1hIX1coBeeyMVGrOTKLabcseP/s1600-h/Snapshot010.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd5dWiiwcrgwlOEXyXhzd6aE6ou6Upnypxx_NgjSyPQqKl8feCmiu2Dsl1EzSGo6sMQ55MNmLt6DZRdmjmk6m3jOLOpyOjq0pyX28YN33fDY1hIX1coBeeyMVGrOTKLabcseP/s400/Snapshot010.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117606882200863362" border="0" /></a>Sara Stewart looks very sparkly in her sequined frock, in contrast with Alex Jennings, whom I greatly admire, but whose outfit can be generously described as "lively". The shirt by itself, I can just about take, but where did that waistcoat come from? I hope he kept the receipt.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sEKG7WXygMcKdwxx1QMEqYHjXWPjvWkcYBUBlUElc3SsS7VL3lJxcR3W0R50RYPaw8SwC8-ixKiPSgODbCebKxVk2sazD-2OBb4PbWuvlearCg7qzxnRPMkRr7XzVFDR4Eag/s1600-h/Snapshot001.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sEKG7WXygMcKdwxx1QMEqYHjXWPjvWkcYBUBlUElc3SsS7VL3lJxcR3W0R50RYPaw8SwC8-ixKiPSgODbCebKxVk2sazD-2OBb4PbWuvlearCg7qzxnRPMkRr7XzVFDR4Eag/s400/Snapshot001.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117604850681332210" border="0" /></a><br />And finally here's a review of the play in <a href="http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117934971.html?categoryid=33&cs=1">Variety</a>: "In a role he was born to play, Jennings makes ease look, well, easy. Despite peacocking about in a series of dressing gowns, Jennings never confuses charm and smarm; he sweeps about the stage like a cross between Rex Harrison and a well-bred wolf" and "Jennings' timing is so flawless he even finds space to stretch punctuation to delicious comic effect. Attempting to extricate himself from last night's love-struck ingenue, he trots out the line, "Don't love me too much, Daphne." But he halts momentarily on the comma to search for her name, indicating just how common an occurrence this is."pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-26212050060511551812007-10-03T16:41:00.000-07:002007-10-03T17:25:10.667-07:00Present Laughter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00215/Play_215690a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 185px;" src="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00215/Play_215690a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Lots of reviews of "Present Laughter" for you, which I'm going to see, so I'm enthusing beforehand. Unfortunately the reviews are uniformly tepid about the play, but uniformly complimentary about the performers, Sarah Woodward and Alex Jennings in particular.<br /><br />I don't quite know how you can enjoy a performance and then not like the play, but what do I know, I'm not a theatre critic!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10/042_03_Present_243x210.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 210px;" src="http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10/042_03_Present_243x210.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The Times, said it was <a href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article2582500.ece">funny, but not funny enough</a>, the Evening Standard is similarly cool towards the play, but does include my favourite line about it so far: <a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/show-23373969-details/Present+Laughter/showReview.do?reviewId=23414847">"Alex Jennings, who clearly adores flouncing around in one dressing gown and several piques".</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2007/10/03/presentlaughter372.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 191px;" src="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2007/10/03/presentlaughter372.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Guardian states that: "<a href="http://arts.guardian.co.uk/theatre/drama/reviews/story/0,,2182174,00.html">Alex Jennings offers a superbly executed re-interpretation</a>." and is a "richly funny performance".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://london.broadway.com/photos/3008848.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 197px;" src="http://london.broadway.com/photos/3008848.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/10/03/btpresentnew103.xml">The Telegraph</a> hated it apparently, calling it "Impossible to like or laugh at " and a "botched attempt at an overated play". Ouch! But heaps praise on Alex Jennings. It appears that the problems may be with Coward's play rather than the performers.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://whatsonstage.co.uk/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821191401315&title=Present+Laughter">Whatsonstage.com</a> call the play "oddly brusque and charmlessly monumental", which seems incredibly harsh! And includes my second favourite quote: "Gary should not resemble a tramp with a bad haircut and an ugly dressing gown worn over day clothes that might have come from an Oxfam shop".<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://london.broadway.com/photos/3008849.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 211px;" src="http://london.broadway.com/photos/3008849.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />On the other hand <a href="http://arts.independent.co.uk/theatre/reviews/article3022255.ece">The Independent</a> gives the most positive review: "a marvel of comic brio and farcical panache" and praises Alex Jennings, who "draws on similar talents and surpasses them. There's the electric wit and stage-filling charisma, as well as the boyishness that makes people want to mother and strangle him".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/graphics/2007/10/03/present350.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 272px;" src="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/graphics/2007/10/03/present350.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Better stop now, but I'll stick the weekend reviews on as well later.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-73070284422791960482007-10-03T14:10:00.000-07:002007-10-03T14:17:34.706-07:00Restoring His Humour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10/023_02_Toby-Steph_243x186.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 185px;" src="http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10/023_02_Toby-Steph_243x186.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I found an interview with Toby in the Metro, but couldn't find it online, because for reasons known only to the lucky few, it was on the <a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/article-23414737-details/Restoring+his+humour/article.do">Evening Standard</a> website instead?! Enjoy.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-37023607245252464942007-09-27T15:01:00.000-07:002007-09-27T15:09:53.806-07:00New Plays In the West End<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.timeout.com/img/forced/32954/w200/h160/image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 160px;" src="http://www.timeout.com/img/forced/32954/w200/h160/image.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I had to link <a href="http://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/features/3529/New_plays_in_the_West_End.html">this</a>, as I was immediately grabbed by the picture of Toby, though small and bit grainy, being gazed at longingly by Patricia Hodge. The woman's mesmerised I tell you!<br /><br />There's nothing much in the story about Toby, rather it's a story about the ongoing struggle between plays and musicals in London's West End, but it's a good list of what's coming up if you fancy a trip to the theatre.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-50624178918719553242007-09-07T14:44:00.000-07:002007-09-07T14:52:01.713-07:00Ruth in Suburban Shootout<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.suburbanshootout.com/images/cast/ruth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.suburbanshootout.com/images/cast/ruth.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Ruth is reprising her role as Jewel Diamond in Suburban Shootout and there's a cast bio for Ruth<a href="http://www.suburbanshootout.com/cast.htm#ruth"> here</a>. The photo is taken at a bit of an odd angle though!<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.suburbanshootout.com">website</a> for the show on Five is quite fun and the show is actually quite a little bit bonkers.pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-18960051052806020782007-09-07T14:09:00.000-07:002007-09-07T14:44:05.148-07:00Toby in The Times<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00204/toby-385_204218a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00204/toby-385_204218a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>"Great things have always been expected of Toby Stephens. He is the son of two great actors: Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens. He has already notched up a mesmerising Coriolanus and a formidable Hamlet, not to mention a brooding Rochester in the BBC’s Jane Eyre. So which great cultural figure is he playing next? “I suppose I’m Sid James,” he laughs."<br /><br />That is the first paragraph of an interview with Toby, which was in <a href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article2372374.ece">The Times</a> recently, along with a rather nicer picture than last time!<br /><br />According to the interviewer, Toby is "annoyingly handsome"! Not a sentiment I would disagree with!pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-41140518763466867162007-08-08T16:15:00.000-07:002007-08-08T16:36:56.789-07:00Philistines - Cast Interviews<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDKTz6Rfh5-J0JYnsZ7tU6_XoND0k-prC445e3UU6wrilOuDj9FDnUXL2gy9eXiRggLWXKxjy5YC-yIf75rNl_SS_xAqbJY8CxaLpGDwbIe4jB41m_zRZF_FTObk3nMNyAeET/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2886257.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDKTz6Rfh5-J0JYnsZ7tU6_XoND0k-prC445e3UU6wrilOuDj9FDnUXL2gy9eXiRggLWXKxjy5YC-yIf75rNl_SS_xAqbJY8CxaLpGDwbIe4jB41m_zRZF_FTObk3nMNyAeET/s400/vlcsnap-2886257.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096476094314381410" border="0" /></a>It does exactly what it says on the tin!<br /><br />You can find a short film of four cast members talking about Philistines on <a href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OpJCJUZICAE">YouTube</a>, or on the <a href="http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/Philistines%20%28Buy%20tickets%29+23039.twl">Philistines page</a> at the National Theatre site.<br /><br />Why they filmed Ruth and Rory in Black and White, I have no idea!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzv80cJtZeBPS6rOsTUk8dhcDtlue6XEeEeUsGLTKnyWIVi92SDDxcN-GdevFEDXlew6-eNEFsg8V15yzkBlda3ic-bvjRFrUDuwCqT6V1SAmBLMpeAAtYfjRWrXk8wnxcYcQ5/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2888792.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzv80cJtZeBPS6rOsTUk8dhcDtlue6XEeEeUsGLTKnyWIVi92SDDxcN-GdevFEDXlew6-eNEFsg8V15yzkBlda3ic-bvjRFrUDuwCqT6V1SAmBLMpeAAtYfjRWrXk8wnxcYcQ5/s400/vlcsnap-2888792.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096476094314381426" border="0" /></a>Enjoy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OpJCJUZICAE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OpJCJUZICAE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">p.s. I did finish that script writing assignment in the end, and I got 86%, very chuffed!<br /></div></div>pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27604835.post-30357131855885661302007-07-29T16:23:00.000-07:002007-07-29T16:33:17.698-07:00Philistines Workpack<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh4cGO3OFfvSOTbRHXVtYEy51JWd-RoX0sfdwebOAb0KQymSIS5xy-fc6nui2z1Sq1TIZRyEKo4uKYiiuVKty3ddx3LK5WzdqbIe8NwdmFZaqLVMI6ykTYQ59t2S0ZVCI5e4g/s1600-h/RW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh4cGO3OFfvSOTbRHXVtYEy51JWd-RoX0sfdwebOAb0KQymSIS5xy-fc6nui2z1Sq1TIZRyEKo4uKYiiuVKty3ddx3LK5WzdqbIe8NwdmFZaqLVMI6ykTYQ59t2S0ZVCI5e4g/s400/RW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092764645570183250" border="0" /></a>There is a lovely interview with Ruth, among a lot of lovely, detailed and interesting information about Philistines, in the National Theatre Workpack for the play. That is where the above lovely photo comes from.<br /><br />Click here to open or download (it's a pdf document): <a href="http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/download.php?id=3344">Philistines Workpack.</a>pennyforyourdreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12310152660685645670noreply@blogger.com0