DrJuliannePigott

Always guaranteed tears, #CalltheMidwife Christmas special. Such good telly!

And ps. the Luigi Board creased me, #Longford's finest chipper! Don't recall them in Carrick.

I was laughing solo in the front row but heard the cackles behind! Thrilled to have been Gleeson on stage, master of his art.

The Weir, with astonishing cast, as impressive as the first time I saw it in The Gate 20+ years ago. Don't think the London audience got 'nurses and guards' but then this Leitrim pub served 'crisps' not #Taytos. Sacrilege.

Not my favourite of the shortlist but not an unworthy winner. #BookerPrize2025

What service to the state, from both man and dog/s over the last decades. May retirement treat him, doggo and family, with all the kindness he's embodied as a leader.

Extraordinary author. 2nd of 3 from him on my list this week.

Programme for Small Hotel, held up in front of stage at Theatre Royal Bath.

Ralph Fiennes on stage @theatreroyalbath.bsky.social, incredible performances from all.

Beckett today. Challenging but interesting.

Useful. At such a distance now, after 13 years abroad, increasingly feeling LD/WH, where I keep an ear to the ground, really has been quite left behind by changes in party system & new campaign/canvassing norms. What constituency do you think is closest to bellwether now?

How many seats held in that left & sundry bloc, outside of big urban geographies?

The gravitas of the elder statesperson. Quite.

Reading the commentariat's reviews of the debate, I'm almost tempted to say that having him in the race himself might have enlivened the campaign!

Playbill of Born with Teeth

Cocktails on table, in front of smiling man

Joyful London day and night.

3 of the 4 I haven't read are on the shortlist! It'll be a good week for @bertsbooks.bsky.social's bottom line!

Up there with Christmas Day for me! Will my losing streak finally end? I've 9 of 13 read.... which means the other 4 will be on the shortlist!

Cyclamen hate me for some reason, one of the basics that just never take off for me. Window box of 3 already looking to be in trouble. 🫤

I made it to 9... but not terribly enthused by the balance except Kiran Desai. A favourite to win in your selection?

All candidates should have to get a passing grade on a theory test before they get a learner's permit for the campaign!

A different king?

I'll defer to my elder on this.

Do you not have to present an Opus Dei or Knights of Columbanus card to get in? 😉

Relieved to see Longford on this list. Not the most inspiring of fields but at least the most extreme, shameful and embarrassing voices won't be part of the campaign.

Hardback cover of The South by Tash Aw.

My favourite so far on the @thebookerprizes.com long list, alongside One Boat. I'm at 9 of 13, but the new Kiran Desai is not out until after the shortlist date... so I think I'll be finished at 10 of 13, unless of course the 3 I've skipped end up shortlisted! 😄

A copy of the playbill for The Talented Mr Ripley

An internal shot of The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, with ornate ceiling, balcony edge and boxes

This part of the world really does theatres very well! 'Tis the season for it, for me. Strong start to the run of 5 plays booked over the next 2 months.

Can rarely go wrong if we follow Aquinas on this!

I admire the fortitude of holding out that long. It's a time for beholding beauty, if nothing else.

I understand many toddlers have the same complaint.

Catching up on the day's news, and it's just what I dreaded. How can a country shaped by the civil discourse of the Federalist Papers have ended up where it is now? This is no city on a hill. 😟

I really didn't enjoy Audition, except for some interesting passages on the relationship between actor & text, performance & audience. The South up next, and then Flesh.