april 2026
Crikey, everything is all a bit foggy and wafty and I blame aI. Everywhere you got bizarre images of Trump as the Pope, soldiers being reunited with pets, animals being hysterical, roman Gladiators and so forth, and they are all pretty convincing and linger making a mess of your head. But there’s also the sound of animation as a craft disappearing into the distance. I did have a few lovely days at an animation festival in Dingle, and it seems people are still trying to make films, but things certainly are not what they were. I did a talk and I had not intended to show No Ordinary Joe, but the very sudden death of the voice of toddie, my very good friend ben Keaton prompted a screening of that film – and the moment of Tod’s death hit me hard and my first instinct was to phone Ben and tell him that the audience loved the film. I always phoned him from Ireland. I’m feeling his loss enormously, and sadly there have been many other tragedies this month – and the world seems very unbalanced with trump and the moon flight. yep, all a bit foggy.
blast from the past-interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW2QxOEHjGI
2025-2026
well, that was something of a lean year and hopefully this new year will be stuffed full of goodies for us all, but at the moment it’s a terrifyingly blank page.
Financially, last year hardly existed and I certainly contributed nothing towards making any new animation, even though there was some animation on my doorstep almost. However I did do a lot of talking about animation in the past tense. I went to festivals in Barcelona, Prague/Brno, and Messina, as well as social trips to Ireland, and Nice. College trips were definitely thin on the ground. I think I have a film or tow still in me, but where does even begin to go these days. Oh to have the chance to do another film on the scale of Rigoletto which seems to have had a bit of late, very late, flowering. I certainly have the ideas.
At the garrick I did a rather heart warming studion production of A Man of No Importance, and a main stage production of It’s a Wonderful life. Not sure what next there. Not sure what next at all. The radio show will keep going but I definitely need a new project.
Financially, last year hardly existed and I certainly contributed nothing towards making any new animation, even though there was some animation on my doorstep almost. However I did do a lot of talking about animation in the past tense. I went to festivals in Barcelona, Prague/Brno, and Messina, as well as social trips to Ireland, and Nice. College trips were definitely thin on the ground. I think I have a film or tow still in me, but where does even begin to go these days. Oh to have the chance to do another film on the scale of Rigoletto which seems to have had a bit of late, very late, flowering. I certainly have the ideas.
At the garrick I did a rather heart warming studion production of A Man of No Importance, and a main stage production of It’s a Wonderful life. Not sure what next there. Not sure what next at all. The radio show will keep going but I definitely need a new project.
december catch up
Well it’s certainly been an interesting few weeks. A lot of mails and thank yous after the epic event in Brno – trying to get a certificate of residency here is proving pretty awkward. but straight from brno and into rehearsal and performance of It’s a wonderful Life – a production certainly shadowed by big blockbusters either side. However we had a huge heart, and in spite of the usual difficulties caused by traffic and illness and double dating, we put on a truly moving and unusual and imaginative production, that was a sell out and well reviewed. I’d done the set and as alyways it became a combination of central raised area for coming and goings and reveals, with an entrance either side. it worked for the greeks and Shakespeare.
Just before the last performance I was at the gym and sat dwn on a bench that was not there – totally bruising my hips and spine, making movement pretty impossible, and sleep hard to come by. I’m still aching and hobbling.
And then to the Messina Opera on Film Festival – just. I was lying in bed thinking that I couldn’t make it to sicily and was ready to turn over and cancel, but I didn’t, and I’m so glad I went, but how ironic that I was shaking and hobbling and turning into Rigoletto himself. And these few days were all about our Rigoletto – and what a reception the film and myself recieved. I was not in my usual company but oh what lovely people, a luxurious hotel, and meal after meal – and then the joy of seeing Mount Etna with such clarity that it took my breath away. And yes I cam away with an award for contribution to opera on film – thrilling. Back home with a bump of course. the colourful panto down the road has opened, not without a few dramas there too.
But it’s a wonderful life if a little fragile at the moment.
Just before the last performance I was at the gym and sat dwn on a bench that was not there – totally bruising my hips and spine, making movement pretty impossible, and sleep hard to come by. I’m still aching and hobbling.
And then to the Messina Opera on Film Festival – just. I was lying in bed thinking that I couldn’t make it to sicily and was ready to turn over and cancel, but I didn’t, and I’m so glad I went, but how ironic that I was shaking and hobbling and turning into Rigoletto himself. And these few days were all about our Rigoletto – and what a reception the film and myself recieved. I was not in my usual company but oh what lovely people, a luxurious hotel, and meal after meal – and then the joy of seeing Mount Etna with such clarity that it took my breath away. And yes I cam away with an award for contribution to opera on film – thrilling. Back home with a bump of course. the colourful panto down the road has opened, not without a few dramas there too.
But it’s a wonderful life if a little fragile at the moment.
Czech republic here we come.
Just head off to Prague and Brno for an epic talk at the beautifully named festiv – Festival of Joy. I suspect the audience will be rath sparse, but even if there’s just one, they will get a splendid, if rather random talk, crammed with ideas.
11 October 2025
more Garrick stuff – overwhelmed with sets being designed, oordinated and planned way in advance. I’m there every morning, then definitely need an afternoon nap, and now I’m there mosst evenings rehearsing It’s a wonderful life. I’m looking forward to this, though as usual people will be missing for various reasons.
A few friends have been having operations and chemo this week, so much looking after of them. I was very sad to hear of the passing of the magnificent Patricia Routledge. A dazzling career that encompassed so, so much more than Mrs bucket. I still remember her furious dishevilled queen Maragaret in richard III, and in various operas and musicals, and the sometime tragic Alan bennet Talking Heads – and then there’s Kitty of course, sadly just three clips, but every line a joke. But above all, she was enormously kind and friendly to me when I was an aSM at the very first season at the Royal Exchange where she was in many plays including the rivals and her legendary Mrs Malaprop – surely a distant realtion of Mrs Bucket, slong with Lady bracknell.
A few friends have been having operations and chemo this week, so much looking after of them. I was very sad to hear of the passing of the magnificent Patricia Routledge. A dazzling career that encompassed so, so much more than Mrs bucket. I still remember her furious dishevilled queen Maragaret in richard III, and in various operas and musicals, and the sometime tragic Alan bennet Talking Heads – and then there’s Kitty of course, sadly just three clips, but every line a joke. But above all, she was enormously kind and friendly to me when I was an aSM at the very first season at the Royal Exchange where she was in many plays including the rivals and her legendary Mrs Malaprop – surely a distant realtion of Mrs Bucket, slong with Lady bracknell.
A chorus Line
For any company to mount this extraordinary show is an achievement but for an essentially amateur company to do this with limited time and with most people working during the day is amazing. That it shoudl be so good and better than some professional versions I have seen is truly staggering. And it was. Our stage was just wide enough to have the line, and as designer I managed to keep the stage looking apparently empty until the finale, which needed to deliver, and we did, complete with orchestra going full tilt and a tsunami of gold costumes and wonderful lighting. Not detracting for anything but we were on to a winner with the piece itself, which is simply a beautifully constructed masterpiece and with a structure not dissimiliar to many great pieces – introduce a group of characters, then spend time with the individuals before a growing drama is then spectacularly resolved – thinking Cats here, Still Life at the Penguin Cafe, sergeant Early, ghost dances, Starlight express – a formula that works. And ours worked. Organised chaos backstage, and thrilling moment after thrilling moment on stage, and yes I can’t believe it is fifty years since this show strutted into my life. I can’t pick out individuals, and one shouldnt, but oh that final number, One, is brilliant and I’d always wanted to dance it. this is as near as I’ll ever get.
audible
the eyes being of a certain age, it’s far easier to listen to a book being read for half an hour each night. I’ve just finished the joyously eccentric my Family and Other animals, and thought I might start Hamnet, which got mistaken for Hamlet – why not I thought I but as soon as the american voices started I was wide awake fretting. sometimes american accents are lovely, but somehow, reading Shakespeare, they are not. Sorry chums. Other books I’ve heard recently were Pride and Prejudice, A christmas Carol, The Invisible Man, War of the worlds, and several others that I have forgotten. what next?
catching up september 2025
Well where to begin? I’ve always struggled with the pressure to be interesting, and I think a few years ago keeping this diary, facebook, instagram, the radio show going and so forth all got a bit much. With covid, they were hard times, and without a days paid work, things were a struggle. Not much has really changed – the lack of a wage has led to a much reduced lifestyle, but I’m just getting on with things. The animation industry is certainly changing, and there have been projects, but I’ve not been considered for them, which is somewhat upsetting – but in the same breath I’ve been to a good few festivals these last few years, especially Annecy where I was presented with the Honorary crystal, which is as good as it gets. there’s about ten lifetime awards lurking which is lovely – I do wish that perhaps that might provide brownie points of a sort, adding towards a new project.
Covid pushed up the price of theatre ridiculously, so professional theatre is totally off the list. I am however ridiculously busy at the garrick, directing (oh frankenstein, Christmas carol, Love Vaolour Compassion, Man of no Importance were wonderful experiences), and having a hand in most productions, and even making a few cameos, from playing a medical officer throwing out medical terms, to a naked inmate in the Shawshank Redemption. No shame!
Added to all this is the onset of gentle Parkinson’s – there Ive said it, but at the moment it’s just making me tired and requiring afternoon naps. My dart playing days are done, and I don’t suggest putting me near a ladder. However there are various people keeping an eye on me and I’m never far from a bottle of tablets. I was refused a Blue Badge as I wasn’t shakey enough, which i supposed is one thing. I’ve been very impressed with the NHS, after a rather dramatic visit to A&E after choking on something, and another visit to have my eyelids thinned out which is glorious. And my drawing skills, never brilliant, are certainly interesting. I did actually do some volunteer animation this week and I was apprehensive as to whether I could do it after not touching a puppet for four years, but hey, I’ve still got it! Even with a very ropey puppet. I’m ready for another film. I wish.
I’ve been to glorious Ireland this year, Prague and the south of France, with Prague again and Messina to look forward to. On stage, apart from seemingly having an input in every show, I’m directing It’s a wonderful life, in November.
I’m still here and I will try to have regular updates, just in case there are any pearls of wisdom.