Mads about the boy . . .

Have I got to the age where some music leaves me cold? maybe. I really, honestly, truthfully don't understand and don't actually want to understand Cher Lloyd's "Swagger Jagger". Is it supposed to be a nursery rhyme? Anyway, if you fancy something a little more chilled on these balmy (?) summer evenings, why not give Mads Langer a try? He's a 27 year old singer-songwriter from Denmark who cites his influences as including Prince, Neil Young & Ray Lamontagne! Don't worry - he's not trying to cram all of these styles into the excellent album "Behold".

Best taken with a glass of white at the end of a long week at work. Enjoy.

More theatre darlings!

"We must have got our Wires crossed . . ."

To the tiny Duchess Theatre near Drury Lane to see Simon Gray's wonderfully dark comedy "Butley". I previously saw this on Broadway back in 2006 where Nathan Lane took the lead role. The West End revival has "The Wire" star Dominic West as the decaying, whisky-soaked university don. For every dark moment there is something to chuckle at, whether it be Butley's exaggerated Yorkshire accident or his camp outrageous humiliation of colleague Joseph. Paul 'Doctor Who' McGann gives a brooding performance as Joseph's lover.

I was surprised that the play is showing at such a tiny theatre as the Duchess. Maybe a transfer is in the offing. A great night out though, plus a lovely if expensive meal in Covent Garden.

Something for the weekend . . .

Well, it's been a bit of a terrible one hasn't it? The shocking atrocities in Norway and the untimely but, sad to say, often-predicted death of Amy Winehouse have given much cause for reflection. Therefore I was happy of a bit of a distraction tonight and it came in the unexpected shape of Paul O'Grady. His Sunday afternoon Radio 2 show is a little gem and I recommend it for anyone feeling those Sunday evening blues. There are usually a cuple of featured artists and a generous helping of Northern Soul. The e-mails and letters from listeners are usually barking mad but for a couple of hours, indulge yourself.

Theatre darlings!

OK so I took myself off to Theatreland last night and in particular, deepest, darkest Soho. The Soho Theatre always feels as though it forces the audience to suffer for art. The theatre areas are sometimes small and filled with the kind of chairs that usually get strewn around village halls. However, the productions are usually worth the hardship. "Hundreds and Thousands" was a a darkly comedic piece with a cast of four including Nadine Lewington. Fans of medicated soap may remember her as irritating doctor Maddie in "Holby City". Her performance last night was excellent. Mention should also be made of Stuart Laing (ex-"EastEnders") for his chilling portayal of Alan. Also of note were the bizarre elderly Italian couple who appeared to have wnadered into the wrong play, quite possibly in the wrong city.

Nasty Street furniture . . .

It's been a while since I last blogged. Blame the summer holidays . . .

"Is there anything else we can cram in?"

I often find myself becoming mildly annoyed by some of the tatty old furniture that seems to appear in Weatherfield. There's plenty to chose from. Deirdre's horrid chaise longue, squahed in between that debating table and the never-seen telly box. Or that grotty sofa in the Stape household. However, my current bugbear is that ridiculous table owned by Leanne & Peter. It's about the same size as a dustbin lid and yet we are expected to believe that the Barlows were going to entertain Stella and Karl to a delicious banquet whilst crouching around this offending article. There again, they probably needed some form of reward after entering the flat like demented crabs through that slit of a door.

That's it then. Leanne & Peter quite possibly live in the worst dwelling on't cobbles. Weep for them.

Go away Graham . . .



I think you'd better leave right now . . .

One of my fave characters is being dragged through his final, tedious storyline at the moment. Let us gather in silence for the passing of Graham Proctor for he is, to all intent and purpose, an ex-character. How I loathe the day he ever agreed to do a favour for that permanently smiling "Blue Peter" auditionee with her nodding figurines aqnd understanding nature.

Feel a pang of sadness as Graham plays happy families with the cuckoo in the nest while poor Tina gathers dust in a corner. Weep for him.

In all seriousness, I will be glad when Graham is put out of his - and indeed my misery. As a leaving present, could he take wifey with him? Please? Pretty please??

Dennis returns!

"Remember me? No? OK . . ."

OK, so he's only featured in a couple of episodes to date but I'm liking Dennis Tanner already. Phillip Lowrie seems to have stepped comfortably into the shoes he vacated an incredible forty three years ago. Plus Dennis brought us up ton date with the Elsie Tanner story, a wonderful gesture by the storyliners which helps to clear up the non-ending to her character.

Time will tell how Dennis interacts with the Corrie characters of 2011. He's already renewed his friendship with Rita but how will Ken reacft to his return? Dennis has also locked horns with Sylvia Goodwin which could be interesting and seems to have a genuine connection with Sophie Webster.

Of course, I want to know whether or not Dennis had any family himself. I'm betting that he has. He left with wife Jenny in 1968 and certainly seems to have been with her up to around 1973.

Welcom back our kid!