Noises Off

My next theatrical outing at the Sewell Barn. One of the most insane theatrical productions I've ever taken part in, and certainly one of the funniest. (If you're wondering, I'm playing Belinda, who is playing Flavia - do keep up!)

Here are the details:

The Sewell Barn Company presents ‘Noises Off’ by Michael Frayn at the Sewell Barn Theatre, Constitution Hill, Norwich, NR3 4BX on 10th - 12th and 16th - 19th June at 7.30 pm. with a 2.30pm matinée on 19th June.

"Spectacularly funny" New York Times

Google "the funniest play ever written" and references to Noises Off abound.

We join a production of a classic modern farce, Nothing On, in its final stages of rehearsal. Opening night is the next day and things are still going wrong.

Noises Off follows the cast, director and crew as they struggle with difficult props, doors that refuse to open, and relationships that threaten to spill onto the stage, as the tour moves from town to town.

Tickets (including programme) £7 (£5 concessions) available from

Customer Services, 2nd Floor,

Jarrold Department Store,

London Street,

Norwich NR2 1JF

Tel: 01603 697248

A beautiful week in the Peak District

Just a few random images from a wonderful week in Derbyshire.

2010-04 Peak District

Blame the season

“Sir, Sunday morning, although recurring at regular and well foreseen intervals, always seems to take this railway by surprise.” W S Gilbert

A different look at the Lord's Prayer

My husband is looking today at resources for use during Lent. This year, the Diocese of Norwich is focusing its Lenten thoughts on Papua New Guinea. Among the items in the resources pack on the website, he's found the following.

I find it delightful to see the most familiar prayer in the English language expressed in this way. I especially enjoy the idea of untying wrongdoings.

THE LORD’S PRAYER in Tok Pisin

English translation interlined

Papa bilong mipela,

Our Father

Yu i stap long heven,

You are in heaven,

Nem bilong yu i mas stap holi.

Your name must be holy.

Kingdom bilong yu i mas i kam.

Your Kingdom must come.

Mipela i mas bihainim laik bilong yu long graun

We must follow your wish on earth

Olsem ol i mas bihainim long heven.

Just as all must follow (your wish) in heaven.

Nau yu ken givim mipela kaikai inap long dispela de:

Now you can give us enough food for today:

Na yu lusim ol rong bilong mipela

And you untie our wrongdoings

Olsem mipela i lusim ol rong ol man i mekim long mipela.

Jus as we untie the wrongdoings people make towards us.

Na yu no bringim mipela long traim,

And do not bring us to trial,

Tasol tekewe mipela long samting nogut;

But take us away from bad things;

Kingdom, na strong, na biknem

Kingdom, and strength, and honour

I bilong yu tasol

Belong to you only

Oltaim, oltaim. Amen.

All time, all time. Amen.

Pork pies, and other good things

We said farewell to the Retreat on Friday morning, but still had the rest of the day to ourselves. Our first port of call was the little village shop and art gallery in Itteringham: the former well-stocked, including a tiny book corner with sunny table by window, the latter (St Jude's Gallery) containing beautiful woodcuts, prints and cards.

We then made a long-anticipated trip to see the lovely girls of Bray's Cottage Pork Pies in the beautiful location of Bayfield Becks (having found them on Twitter). We simply followed our noses across the yard to find them... The pies weren't quite ready, so we dropped in to their neighbours at the fascinating Berber Interiors to browse around. If we'd had a spare £500, we'd have had that beautiful leather long footstool like a shot. As it was, we restrained ourselves, and then exercised further self-control by not diving into the bag containing six pork pies - four for us, two for mum and dad - which smell permeated the car temptingly for the rest of the day!

We'd mentioned to Sarah and Fee that we would be making for Wells-next-the-sea, and they mentioned a seafood cafe that might be worth a look. We found it, at the bottom of the high street, next to the Golden Fleece pub: serving very simply seafood sandwiches or chowder, it was a real find. Our chowder was completely delicious.

Finally, it was on to Aylsham to spend the evening with mum & dad - and get in the fish and chips!

We'd had a lovely break, seeing more of the county than we usually have the opportunity for, and chilled out - ready for the next mad flurry of activity. We'd also seen several beautiful small businesses, serving their small communities and beyond, dedicated to the products they make and the services they provide, and that was truly inspirational.

We like living in Norfolk.

The Retreat and nearby

Here are a few views around 'our' cottage. We woke on Thursday to the beautiful sight of winter sun through the blind, casting the shadow of the just-opening hyacinth on the windowsill.

Gill the tabby loved to have visitors, and I would sit in the garden, in the sun, with the laptop, and have my left elbow gently head-butted by a bunch of grey fluff!

Jane (the owner) invited us to pop over and let her know how we'd found the place during our stay, so we went and chatted after our Thursday wanders. As we walked down the lane, the light on the fields beyond The Loke was beautiful.

Holt

Heading north today to this very pleasant little town. Like much of the North Norfolk area, it has a reputation for a certain exclusivity, arising from the number of wealthy Londoners who either have holiday homes in the area, or have retired here; nearby Burnham Market is often referred to as Chelsea-on-Sea. Still, it means there are plenty of lovely things to look at, if not to buy!

However, there's plenty that is affordable too. We much enjoyed our visits to Great to be Green, with its lovely homewares and soft furnishings; to the lovely Bird Ventures, with every supply for garden birds and other wildlife; and finishing with excellent tea and cake and the "higgledy-piggledy" (their phrase) Byfords of Holt.