In case you were wondering what an arts addict doing solo lockdown is doing with her time…..
Prince and the New Revolution’s 1985 concert is available for streaming on youtube (just search for Prince) and watching it was probably the happiest two hours I’ve had in lockdown. Sorry to friends and family who may have thought that my video chats with them should have brought me more joy than Prince. I love you but… well, it’s Prince.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Barber Shop Chronicles, the latest production shown from National Theatre at Home, and I’m really looking forward to A Streetcar Named Desire which will be streamed from Thursday and stars Gillian Anderson.
Taika Waititi is reading Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach for charity, with an all star cast including Meryl Streep and Chris Hemsworth. It is bliss. Find it here.
The sixth and final season of Schitt’s Creek is heavenly but then you knew I’d say that (on Netflix).
Normal People is beyond wonderful but then you knew I’d say that too (on BBC iPlayer).
I’ve unintentionally been reading books solely by female authors recently, the best of which have been Where The Crawdad Sings by Delia Owen, The Confession by Jessie Burton and The Glass Hotel by Emily St John Mandel. I am setting aside one day this week to read Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld which has just popped up on my kindle. I am a mad fan of Sittenfeld’s writing and her latest is a fictionalised story of the life of Hillary Clinton if she hadn’t married Bill. So far up my street it’s basically living next door.
Curzon Home Cinema is providing joy and new releases of smaller films that may have been missed in blockbuster season. I loved The Assistant and Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy and I’m looking forward to watching The Whistlers this week. BBC iPlayer has just released a tranche of classic films including Citizen Kane, Bringing Up Baby and Top Hat so half of me is praying for a rainy afternoon to get stuck in.
I am following Laetitia Maklouf’s instructions from her book The Five-Minute Garden to the letter, and my garden is looking all the better for it. My real life garden boss (hi mum!) had better be impressed when she is next allowed to visit.
And finally, my lovely friend Natasha put me onto Hobbs House Bakery where I finally managed to order some flour so I’m going to get back to the sourdough baking today. Such a lockdown cliche.