Fair takes your breath away...

The man who broke into Auschwitz!!??

He's not the Bard, he's a very naughty boy.

Yet another claim that Shakespeare didn't write Shakespeare but this time with a little more meat on it. The Claim to Fame lands this time on the shoulders of one Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, whose writing style by all accounts fits 'Shakespeare's' to a tee. Some saying that his background and birthrightwould have given him the needed knowledge to write 'Shakespeare', more so, muchmoreso than the lowly William.
BUT, the best bit of 'evidence' (at least I think so) is the discovery that Edward de Vere had a nickname at Court...and guess what it was?It was...wait for it...it was...*'Spear-shaker'.
For more on this interesting turn of events and the thought that the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust might have to return all the dosh they have made go HERE.

*Which fits in with my own personal theory that the name Shakespeare was an in-joke that depicted someone who was perhaps known to all the major players as a rather nervous extra (or spear carrier) in various theatrical production. Perhaps someone of importance who insisted in appearing in all the plays even though they were useless and became the laughing stock?

Offical Disclosure of extraterrestial life - this year?

Could it be true that the Obama Administration is preparing an official disclosure that life on other planets exists?

READ THIS

A Walking Tour of Stratford upon Avon

Down the Street of a Thousand Restaurants, past the Fish & Chip Shop, around the corner to gaze upon the near completed Viewing Platform, to be nearly run over by an oncoming car.

It's THE (hypocritical) SUN what did it.

Bennis Bulletin-Update.

Looks like The Bennis' campaign to get the Armadillo, Armillary removed from the top of Banbury Road here in beautiful Stratford upon Avon is losing pace. Not only has The Bennis' offer of removing the Armillary (below) at no cost to the Public (me)...

Sorry...

...fallen on deaf ears, but The Bennis' rather pathetic petition of just over one thousand signatures has also impressed no-one, leading to, some might say, actually giving the impression that more are for the sculpture than against. Ted suspects however, that Cyril will not let matters lie. Rest assured the fight will go on methinks we haven't heard the last from our battling Irishman concerning the rapidly rusting Armadillo, Armillary.

Major Tom to ground control, Major Tom to ground control...

Cyril as budding astronaut.

I stand pleasantly Gobsmacked...

...indeed I do, for today I found out that good old Stratford upon Avon has...wait for it...A FILM FESTIVAL.
How brilliant is that. I just wish I could afford to buy into it but at 45 smackeroonies a ticket and me being unemployed...ah well maybe next time...

GO HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS

A Streetcar named Desire - 2nd Thoughts Theatre Company.

I was lucky enough thanks to a friend of mine, to get hold of a ticket for this production by Stratford's Second Thoughts Theatre group and I have to say, 'who was a lucky boy then?' I also have to say that (head hung in shame), I originally thought it would be fun to go just to listen to the Company mangle the American accents required. I stand corrected and I apologise for my arrogance.
Not only were Second Thoughts extremely brave to take on this production that has in my view a quite complex story-line, they must have also known full well that this piece carries forever the mark of Marlon Brando (for it is he) and Vivien Leigh. Needless to say, 2nd Thoughts did wonderful job, with the whole company coming together to present a fantastic evening's entertainment.
The lead roles (Blanche & Stan) were just superb and if I hadn't lost my programme I would most definitely give the actors a name check. Blanche acted her balls off and Stan, who probably had the most difficult task of all thanks to a certain Mr Brando, gave good account of himself. And as for the rest of the cast - wow.
Not only that, I won a prize in the raffle.
More Please.