Actors
The day James Blunt stripped off in front of me
The beautiful British actress Samantha Eggar has died in LA. I hope that will be the last in a spate…
Why disaffected actors often make excellent playwrights
Actors are easily bored on long runs. Phoebe Waller-Bridge once revealed that she staged distractions in the wings to amuse…
Playwright’s notebook
I’ve been keeping a journal for nearly 60 years. There are piles of the damn things in archives and covered…
It’s who you know
All the world’s on stage again so where to go to for insight into what to see and why? Podcasts,…
So damned French
For the past few weeks I have been binge-watching the Netflix series Call My Agent! (or Dix pour cent, as…
The Oscars have a disgracefully racist record
In 2017 it will be exactly 50 years since a dapper Sidney Poitier announced to Rod Steiger, in the excellent…
Sex acts
Should actors be speaking for trans people?
Why should we listen to Benedict Cumberbatch on Syrian refugees?
Because I just don’t know what to think about the Syrian refugee crisis — not even after Simon Schama’s powerfully…
Press night
Sam Mendes once said there is no such thing as the history of British theatre, only the history of British…
Shakespeare’s duds
I love Shakespeare. But when he pulls on his wellies and hikes into the forest I yearn for the exit.…
The actor-commentariat
I’ve never been terribly keen on actors. I prefer hairdressers and accountants. And teachers and builders and lawyers. I may…
A fair hearing
A beautiful speaking voice draws attention to the words spoken
The summer of love
I spent it skipping about in tights, imagining women wanted me
