Talking of Brighton, I'm fascinated in a literary way by Rottingdean. Does anyone know a marvellous children's book called Alice and Thomas and Jane, by Enid Bagnold? She lived in the house formerly owned by Burne-Jones.The book brings the place as it was in 1930 or so wonderfully to life. Kipling also lived in Rottingdean for a time.

I've heard of The Chalk Garden, but I don't know it at all. Enid Bagnold's most famous book is probably (because of the film) National Velvet, which I believe is also set in the Rottingdean area, though I've never read it.

Alice and Thomas and Jane is no longer in print, though I can't think why not. I loved it, and so did my children. It has eccentric illustrations by the author herself, and also by a child called Laurian Jones, a large part of its appeal. It's the area that is brought to life rather than the house, although that's described too. One of the children stows away in a ship from Newhaven to Dieppe, and the Dieppe of that time is vividly described as well, its smells, food and foreignness.

(I'm a bit of a Penelope Wilton fan myself, George.)

It's better than another occasional member of this forum who commented they only like plays when Simon Russell Beale is starring!

He always seems to be on when we get into the National Theatre.  It is odd to realise why a short, fat, balding, middle aged bloke gets these star parts (he was Benedick in Much Ado earlier this year) but a friend in the Profession tells me he has a Very Lovely Voice.

Somehow when he acts, the fact he is short, etc, becomes irrelavant.

As Undershaft in Major Barbara he was playing a heavy convincingly.  What an odd play, seeming to be in favour of the arms trade.

Mary and George.    I do recommend Enid Bagnold's AUTOBIOGRAPHY (1969, reprinted with minor corrections in 1970!) and published by Heinemann/Cox & Wyman Ltd.

Enid Bagnold was born in 1889.

On being asked to write her autobiography...
'Why?'
'Things must have been different in your day.'
'The door handles were different.  We used the words "scullery", "pantry", and "fingerbowl".
The water closet was enclosed in mahogany.   The fears were the same."

The book cover has a striking portrait of E B by Walter Sickert.    I really MUST learn how to download these things.

I saw the orginal production of "The Chalk Garden" (1956 ish) at The Haymarket with Edith Evans as Mrs St Maugham and Peggy Ashcroft as Miss Madrigal - and lovely Felix Aylmer, perfect as the Judge.   I can still hear Dame Edith's entrance line  "Maitland - m'teeth" and now realise why her retort "I'm never at my best through mahogany" got such a big laugh at the time.  The 1964 film version, directed by Ronald Neame, fell flat.   Evans was complemented by Deborah Kerr.

  John Gielgud's blurb for the autobiograpy reads:   'Tempestuous, vivid and shrewdly characteristic.   Not only does her own character emerge triumphantly on every page, but she delights one with a whole gallery of remarkable characters who have been lovers, friends and enemies.'

George.    May I add Penelope Wilton as Hester Colyer in Rattigan's "Deep Blue Sea"; Almeida (late 80s) before transferring to The Apollo, Shaftesbury Avenue?   I bet there was a criss-cross between us, again.     It was also recorded by the BBC so I must find my off-air.   

I do like that. I'll try and get hold of that autobiography. I went along to the library yesterday with my R3OK shopping list: that one, Mary's Alice and Thomas and Jane and the two Michael Powell's you mentioned. None of them there which was not altogether surprising. National Velvet was but I didn't quite have the courage to face Miss  Guerrault on the desk with that one.


Regrettably not in that case, Stanley. I missed that one. Rather envious now. And even more of Edith Evans and Peggy Ashcroft in The Chalk Garden!

Thank you for pointing out Inside the Whale. I had failed to spot that but will join in from Monday and, since tomorrow looks as if it is going to be gloomy and soggy, will see if I can do a bit of catching up on this week's episodes.

I've been trying to think of children's books involving a journey, to link to our whole school topic in the Autumn term and it occurred to me that some of you wonderful people may have some good ideas. I really want to focus on one book (and perhaps do a display mapping the journey on the long board in the corridor too) but could read several if they were shorter. The children are 6-8 year olds. Most do not have books at home, nor someone to read to them so they really appreciate stories at school but tend to respond better to "easier" stories, ie not too complicated or I've lost them and their attention wanders.

I was considering The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe but it may be too long to read aloud. And too much fighting and nastiness - they have enough of that in real life! But I liked the idea of a long display starting on the LHS with the children in the wardrobe (with touchy-feely fur-fabric coats!), then a wintry forest, then other events in the story up to the last scene on the RHS with as them as kings and queens.

Wonder if I could cut or even "bowdlerise" the story? Do I hear the tut-tutting of disapproval? I rather fear I do!

MabelJane, that is appalling, 6 to 8 year olds with no books and no one to read to them?  Not sure about Lion and Witch, maybe a bit heavy?

Anyway, goodness!  (Goodness has nothing to do with it!)  Here I am, the only living girl in New York it seems.  Been out with friend,  now what to play to send me to sleep?