Mugged!

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Elaine Spires

I’ve had a very traumatic morning!

I am, as regular readers will know, unable to drive at the moment due to my knuckle replacement surgery, which leaves me at the mercy of the 193 bus. I board at the start of the line, so was really pleased to turn the corner of Gloucester Avenue and see two buses at the stop. However, they BOTH pulled off in the thirty seconds it took me to get to the bus stop. The next one came along twenty minutes later. On the return journey, the bus stop was covered in a yellow cloth … Read the rest »

On the Shoulders of the Choreographer…..

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Elaine Spires

I watched a bit of BBC breakfast this morning. The wonderful Victoria Wood was on, talking about a TV film she’s made which is going out over Christmas, called The Day We Sang. She was being asked whether she was afraid or daunted by writing and directing it – as if she’s never written or directed anything before! I mean, can these interviewers be any more patronising? – and she said that as director you’re at the top of a pyramid of very talented people; “…standing on the shoulders of the choreographer and musical director who are doing a sterling … Read the rest »

Holiday in Brum and a Christmas Present for YOU!

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Elaine Spires

I had a really lovely day on Tuesday – an away-day to Birmingham. Using the excuse of a business meeting I had lunch with the lovely Kim Nash who had booked us a table in Turtle Bay, just behind New Street Station. It’s a fabulous Caribbean restaurant, serving delicious food, wow cocktails and offering great service in great surroundings. When I left Euston it was drizzling; that awful damp almost-rain that has ruined the life of people like me with wavy hair, turning it frizzy.

But! In Birmingham the sun was shining. It was a beautiful day – and if … Read the rest »

Bumming It!

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Elaine Spires

For much of my life I felt that I’d been born in the wrong era. Cursed with curly hair, my teen years were spent in floods of tears because I looked like Charles II when everyone else had their hair like Sandie Shaw and Cathy McGowan, only to see it self-straighten to wavy when curly hair became fashionable. I have learned to live with it and tame it and at the moment, as I only have one hand, I’m wearing my ‘wash and go’ look. It’s now long enough to wear in a fashionable bun, too, should I be in … Read the rest »

Memories

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Elaine Spires

Remembrance Day. And observing the silence, as Big Ben struck eleven o’clock, whilst looking at the poppy display on TV, I shed my usual tears. My iPad has been awash with poppies and the words written a hundred years ago – although no less potent or poignant for that – by the Trench Poets……..

They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them.

For your tomorrow, we gave our today.

If I should die, think only this of me. There is a … Read the rest »

Rejoice…..Or Not?

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Elaine Spires

The news seeps out from Saudi Arabia that as a result of recent disobedience and protest, the King has been advised by ministers to allow women to drive. However, it would still be illegal for women under 30 to drive, and for women to drive after 8pm, and for them to drive whilst wearing make-up. They’re covered up, for God’s sake! How could anyone possibly tell if they were wearing make-up or not? Unless, for the sake of road safety, they are going to drive with their heads and faces uncovered. I can’t see that happening to be honest.

When … Read the rest »

Halloween – Bah! Humbug!

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Elaine Spires

I heartily dislike Halloween. I always knew it had its roots in Paganism and then early Christianity, but certainly when I was growing up it wasn’t celebrated – if celebrated is the right word for scaring the wits out of people and demanding sweets with menaces. And all the years I lived in Spain, we marked the following day, 1st November, El Dia de los Muertos – The Day of the Dead, by going to the cemetery and enjoying a bank holiday. I grew up with Guy Fawkes – although I accept that burning an effigy in remembrance and celebration … Read the rest »

Hot Holidays – Hibernation

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Elaine Spires

Now the clocks have gone back and we are slipping through Autumn into Winter, Hot Holidays! is going to have a little rest; a hibernation, if you like.

The feature will be back in the Spring :).

… Read the rest »

My Left Hand

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Elaine Spires

So, it’s tomorrow. My hand operation. The one that was cancelled in March and then again in June. I will admit to being somewhat apprehensive, especially as I’ve been warned ‘it will be a little bit sore’. I mean, if a doctor or nurse actually admits that much it probably means that someone like me, with the lowest pain threshold in the world, will find it excruciating. So I’m already telling myself that I will be comfortable and at ease after the op. Naughty Elaine, who sits on my shoulder and tries to get into my head, keeps on shouting … Read the rest »

Feedback

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Elaine Spires

Wow! Audience reaction and feedback to Singles’ Holiday has been so positive. Especially as much of it has come from industry professionals like Anna Scher MBE and Charles Verrell, who were in the audience last night. I could not be happier – well, unless we were opening in the West End, of course! 🙂 (Universe, are you listening?)

Here are some of the comments:

“It was bloody brilliant Elaine. I really enjoyed watching. Had me gripped in parts, belly laughing in others and one of your scenes with Melv even brought a tear to my eye. It was a joy … Read the rest »

The Journal of Elaine Spires

Novelist, playwright and actress