Phil's eblog

I have been really frustrated of late at not being able to view the text on some (often the most important) websites because it is ridiculously tiny and this morning I discovered a way to enlarge the text to whatever size I want!

If anyone out there uses Internet exploroer and has the same problem here's what to do. Press down the ctrl key and if you have a wheel mouse twiddle the wheel and watch that text grow!

If you use any other method or operating system see this website below.

http://www.blackwidows.co.uk/clients/imp-guide/accessify/small-text.php

Thankyou Blackwidows. I am so happy!

Perhaps I should have my own cinema or vet the other members of the audience as they go in because sometimes other people can be so irritating around you. This is all meant in a light hearted way, but do you recognise these traits?

The sweetie paper rattler - always in the quiet moments of the film and usually accompanied by loud whispers and scuffling in the sweet bag.

The kid who likes to swing its legs tapping the seat behind you and its parents ignore it.

The person behind you constantly getting up and down and grabs the top of your seat or even your hair as they lever themselves up.

The ladies who like to lunch and go to the pictures afterwards - pissed - and then proceed to giggle all through the film until one staggers across the row in search of a loo.

The very tall or big person who you don't want to sit in front of you and obscure your view and then does.

The shuffler who sits in front of you and constantly moves from side to side, usually to explain the next bit of the plot to their friend 'cause they have seen it before.

Lastly, the person who sits in the cinema making notes about annoying people in the cinema!

I went to see this film 'A bunch of amateurs' starring Burt Reynolds yesterday and would recommend it to anyone. It is very sweet and very funny and I was particularly impressed that the 'amateur actors - played by professionals'weren't written as or acted as, a bunch of over-the-top eccentrics or luvvies.

As an amateur actor myself I found it great fun to watch and loved some subtle touches like the big boy on the front row of their production of King Lear who is following the Shakespeare script as they perform live. I've seen that happen in real life and as a performer, best ignored.

Go and see it!

Today I have a dilema. Do I stay in and continue to write up my Bordeaux holiday journal (on page 50 of 56 so far)which could take all morning - bacon sarnie permitting - or do I get dressed and go for a walk in the local park and come back perhaps not in the mood for writing? I think another cup of decision making tea is in order.Or then maybe I could go into town and see a film or maybe ...

Leave room for trial and error and always some time for play.

Artists are rarely satisfied people. They like it this way. Their creativity is fueled by unrest and dissatisfaction, which makes them stand out from everybody else, and which is why they appear to be more alive than the rest.

Do not be guided by your fears, instead consult your dreams and your hopes.

From the book, a thousand paths to Creativity

No, Santa hasn't robbed a bank. The hold up was caused by some fool who decided to run across the gap in Broadmarsh bus station where all the buses stream out on the green light to join the constant flow of traffic out of the city. Sadly it was dark, sadly he was drunk, sadly he timed his mad dash to literally collide with a very forward moving,large coach full of folk bound for London and he fractured his hip and lay in the road, bleeding and pleading for help. Not nice for him, of course, but this random choice of hell - for- leather mad dash meant that for 90 minutes no bus could exit this busy bus station and a 20 minute journey home for me took nearly two hours.

I hope that you get better Mr 'Merry'Christmas.I thank my lucky stars that I am now at home and the next time I decide to take the 'quick' route across that particular danger spot I shall think twice.

I might be out of work presently and the wallet is looking a bit dusty amongst the moths but I have never had a happier Christmas because:

My Christmas Carol play was a big success and brought a lot of joy to lots of people, audience and actors alike.

Lots of old friends have rallied round and wished me a Merry Christmas through visits, card and emails.

Being skint I have learnt to do without things I wasted money on when I was employed.

I have learnt the skill of smiling nicely at the helpful folk (no irony implied) at the dole office - sorry- jobseekers leisure centre.

I have been able to dedicate more time to my creative talents and look forward to utilising them to bring in an income in the future.

Merry Christmas all and a Happy New Year in 2009

She promised to be in my home by 8.30pm and she is a woman of her word. By 8.32pm she was 'slipping into' the fridge and 'whipping up' something 'hot and spicy' for supper. She then brushed it until it was 'firm'. She lifted the tasty 'creamy' morsel to her sensual mouth and licked her lips. She flicked back her lustrous hair.... STOP!Naughty Nigella!

Yes, Nigella Lawson was back on the telly last night for her Christmas Special - 'Christmas Special'oh God now even those words have innuendo written all through them. Thanks Nigella, you've made my Christmas. Same time tonight?

We had a fantastic week and The Lace Market theatre were delighted with the comercial and artistic success of my adaptation. on top of the that the cast all had fun and the audiences loved it. I am one happy (but tired) bunny. Now, if only I could get rid of this chest cold....

Review of A Christmas Carol in Nottingham Evening Post

TOP SHOW IN A GOOD YEAR

IF you don't much relish the prospect of Christmas this production will change your mind. Phil Lowe's adaptation of the Dickens masterpiece is superb: it captures emphatically the enduring potency of the original.

What with Tiny Tim and his crutch, it's maudlin, of course; but as a tale of love, redemption and lost opportunity it can move strong men to tears.

Martin Berry's direction is inventive and imaginative. The way he realises the potential of a totally minimal set is admirable. And, wisely, he allows old Lace Market sweats like Linda Croston and John Parker, at for instance the Fezziwigs' party, scope to do their stuff. Ensemble scenes are handled well.

Roger Newman's central character is beautifully played: Newman looks and sounds absolutely right as the unbending skin-flint. But there are also some well-judged comic touches, most obviously after Scrooge's moral awakening when he breaks into a jig. And supporting characters are well observed: Christmas Present (Mark Breach), Bob Cratchit (Paul Johnson) and Mrs Cratchit (Katherine Morrant), for example.

From the initial funeral scene, when we hear some Bruckner, music and background sound are extraordinarily well done.

This must be the Lace Market's best production in a very good year.

ALAN GEARY

My production of A Christmas Carol (directed by Martin Berry) has sold out. I am thrilled and delighted. We have a fantastic cast and technical team and we opened last night to critical acclaim at Nottingham's Lace Market Theatre. The review should be in tomorrow's Nottingham Evening Post. I will copy and paste it here tomorrow.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Phil xxx