British children’s books have a long tradition of subjecting their young characters to varying degrees of neglect, abuse, or outright peril. From Harry Potter crammed under the stairs to the nightmarish lessons handed out in Willy Wonka’s factory, no child is safe when a British author picks up a pen.
Category: Culture
Only Fools and Horses: The Musical
Watching Vinnie Jones dance and hearing him sing wasn’t on my 2024 bingo card, yet here we are. It’s a surreal sight, but it somehow works in Only Fools and Horses: The Musical. I’ve never watched a single episode of the original series, but I still enjoyed it. The writing does all the heavy lifting, full of jokes that even outsiders like me can laugh at.
It rings for thee
The first warning bell rang during the opening act.
The audience responded with a polite murmur. A hefty man sitting in the back let out a loud grunt, several ladies rummaged through their handbags, fumbling to find the elusive silent mode button on their phones.
Peter the Great gets a Ukrainian paint job
In Deptford, there’s a monument to Peter the Great crafted by Mihail Chemiakin. Viewing it, much like encountering the artist’s other works, is a challenge that often leaves observers tearful—not from the depth of emotion it might inspire, but rather from its sheer lack of appeal.
Beyond the stones: Discovering Hadrian’s Wall
I can’t quite pinpoint when Hadrian’s Wall first entered my life. Was it a line in a book, a fleeting image on a TV show, or perhaps a fragment of a history lesson that lodged itself in the corners of my mind? The origin of this fascination remains shrouded in mystery, but the obsession it sparked is apparent.
Ranger’s House: A walk through time at Greenwich Park
In my latest adventure through English Heritage sites, I found myself at Ranger’s House, an elegant Georgian villa in Greenwich Park. This red-brick beauty, though simple in appearance, has housed a remarkable array of famous tenants over the years, from naval officers to members of the royal family.
Dear England
A play about football sounds as good an idea as staging Macbeth in a penalty box. Yet, Dear England turned out to be good—unlike, one might say, the actual England team. Just kidding—Gareth Southgate and his boys are great both on the pitch and as characters in this show.
Unlocking London: My journey through the Open House Festival
In September 2023, I explored London’s hidden corners at the Open House Festival, an annual event that unveils the city’s usually closed spaces. From architectural wonders to historical nooks, London laid bare its secrets, and I was there to see it.
Osborne House: A royal retreat amidst time and tranquility
Childhood summers spent in my grandparents’ village home cultivated an appreciation for the sense of belonging that only certain places can evoke. In a way, I was not so different from the British royal family who cherished their retreat at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
Eltham Palace: Where art deco splendor marries the past and future
My passion for Art Deco, a style that epitomises the glamour and innovation of the early 20th century, has always been intertwined with a deep respect for historic architecture—the older, the better. I was intrigued by how Art Deco evoked echoes of past historical styles, pushing design into a futuristic realm. This blend of eras drew me to Eltham Palace, where the medieval grandeur meets the sleek lines of Art Deco.