This is a proper piece of theatre. Set, lights, acting. All the stuff. I felt like a thirsty plant watching it - soaking up just the very notion of other people all squashed into the same place together. All breathing the same air. How I took it for granted when I had it. 

Anyway, rhapsody aside, you have until 7pm tomorrow to watch the Old Vic's A Monster Calls. It made me a cry a lot. Though that possibly means less in these times than it did when we weren't in the middle of a pandemic. 

Loved this initiative from NTS. 

Some beautiful words and excellent acting. 

The Kate Dickie film is particularly impressive. 

Great to see them supporting writers and performers in Scotland. 

I'm just off a zoom workshop with Oliver Emanuel who was talking about how he writes radio drama. My efforts were hideous. (Think of a sound effect: a washing machine. Think of a line of dialogue: "is something about to blow up?") Indeed, they made me think that maybe my feeble imagination was better confined to the stage than a million radio listeners. But some fascinating food for thought. 

Other hideous things. I wrote up this review and misnamed the film (actual title: Circling A Fox) all the way through the review. 'Twas only when Matthew Zajac messaged me that I realised. For shame. I love Dogstar and their work so I'm particularly embarrassed that it happened. Anyway, don't let that put you off. The film is fascinating.