SHAKESPEARE & LOVE: TWELFTH NIGHT(1996) AND MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (2011)

Watching adaptations of classics is one of my favourite pastimes and I'm glad  I could recently add  two titles to my "watched" list: the film Twelfth Night (1996) and a recent London stage version of Much Ado About Nothing (2011). Two of Shakespeare's greatest achievements in comedy, these are two of the plays I've seen  performed on a stage more often (HERE and HERE), with The Taming of the Shrew and The Merry Wives of Windsor, and which I most appreciate for different reasons with As you like it. In both comedies we can recognize different takes on love by Shakespeare.

THE VIRGIN WIDOW BY ANNE O'BRIEN - GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Heartfelt thanks to  Anne O'Brien heartedly  for being my guest once again and for the success of her fascinating

blogpost about the Ricardian jewels in York Museum probably belonging to Queen Anne, Richard III's  wife.

As usual, many thanks also to all of you who contributed to the discussion with interesting comments or simply 

entered the giveaway of  The Virgin Queen , Anne O'Brien novel dedicated to Anne Neville and narrating the 
famous events linked to the War of the Roses from her point of view.

FRIDAY NIGHT MISCELLANEOUS POSTING - ON LOVE LETTERS, ANGELS, POETRY AND MORE

It's been a while since my last miscellaneous post. But, today has been such a full day, so intense and tiring that ...I can't simply stop now, nor close my eyes and sleep yet,  though it's nearly midnight. So, maybe to share some of my thoughts and emotions of the last 24 hours can help me to relax. 

Let's start from ... last night, more or less this time last night.

I'd been quite unwell yesterday, a virus's conspiracy against my poor digestive system has knocked me down for a while and being in bed all day but not fit enough to read or write, I re-watched some old stuff (ehm... not saying what, try to guess) and watched the latest episode of a new ITV1 series. I turned off my husband's iPad just at midnight, after the episode finished in fact. 

I started watching this new series because it was set  in York and I was curious to see the beautiful city I visited in July filmed on TV. Then,  I went on watching it trying to understand whether I liked it or not. 

Eternal Law is the title of the series, have you seen it? Sam West, Orla Brady, Tobias Menzies, Hattie Morahan are the other reasons why I got to see last night's episode too. However, I'm still undecisive on my response after 4 episodes. York is stunning, the cast is of first quality but ... the storyline hasn't convinced me, hasn't won me. Written by the same writers as Ashes to Ashes, though it features extraordinary winged beings like angels ... it doesn't fly. I'll watch the next two episodes and then ... the verdict, your Honour.  

ME + RA + RICHARD III - AN INTERVIEW

I'm a visiting guest today at King Richard Armitage .   This is a site supporting Richard Armitage‘s dream project of producing a Richard III TV series by signing a Petition.

A group of very active supporters want to use the collective voice of the Richard Armitage fanbase to demonstrate to potential investors that there is already a global audience for this project. There is an active online community of bloggers and webmasters who will promote its launch and an ever-expanding loyal fanbase who will watch the series.

To revise this king’s negative and ill-deserved image in popular culture and pay tribute to his legacy, Richard Armitage has more than once expressed interest in developing a major film/television project that is envisioned as a prequel to The Tudors, a television series that aired on Showtime and BBC. 

This project is a deeply personal one for Richard, who was born on the day that Richard III died (August 22) and named after the king by his father.

I was glad to answer some questions about my interest in both Richard and, of course, I signed the petition. I would love to see this project come true. What about you? Have you signed the petition? Would you like a TV series proposing and popularizing a totally new image of Richard III?

I'll wait for you at KRA site to sign the petition and to read my interview

Thank you!

FORBIDDEN BY SYRIE JAMES AND RYAN M. JAMES - GIVEAWAY WINNER

Today is release day for FORBIDDEN! I wish Syrie James and her son Ryan great success. I can't wait to get my review copy and read it. I'm sure I'll like it at least as much as Nocturne, which I loved, and not less than The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, which was lovely.

Just on the day of its release, a lucky reader of FLY HIGH! is going to get her brand new copy of Forbidden after leaving a comment to Syrie and Ryan's guestpost. Congratulations to ...

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS BY PHILLIPA ASHLEY, NELL DIXON AND ELIZABETH HANBURY - GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Brief post to reveal the names of the winners of Brief Encounters!

An e-book goes to  rainakochan  and another e-book to Dee

Congratulations!!! 

ANNE O'BRIEN: RICARDIAN JEWELS ... TOUCHING THE PAST - AUTHOR GUESTPOST & GIVEAWAY

Middleham Castle - Yorkshire

Anne O'Brien, the author of The Virgin Widow and  Devil's Consort (Queen Defiant in the US edition),  is my guest today with a new post for my Richard III series. "Ricardian Jewels ... Touching the past" is an intriguing post about medieval jewellery found out at Middleham Castle and  exhibited in York Museum. Who did the fine jewel belong to? What is the story behind it? 

Read and enjoy Anne's article. There's an extraordinary giveaway for you at the end of this blogpost. Discover which of her books you can win and how... 

Ricardian Jewels ... Touching the Past 

I find the whole subject of medieval jewellery fascinating.  How remarkable when we discover a ring or a brooch that has existed for hundreds of years, and we can actually trace who once owned it.  A jewel that was touched or worn or treasured by someone who lived so long ago allows us to reach out and actually touch the past.  When I researched the lives of Anne Neville and Richard of Gloucester for my novel Virgin Widow, I hoped to find some personal possessions to make these two special people come alive for me.   

FROM ROMANCE TO YA FICTION: SYRIE JAMES ABOUT HER UPCOMING NEW NOVEL, FORBIDDEN . INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY

Syrie James, known for her critically acclaimed historical and romance fiction, has ventured into new territory with her latest novel, which she co-wrote with her adult son, Ryan. The book’s about a 16-year-old girl whose life begins to implode when she comes into unusual powers—only to discover that her entire existence is prohibited—as is her relationship with the new boy at school, who is far more than he seems.

A page-turning tale of wit, fantasy, music, suspense, and paranormal romance, the upcoming Forbidden has been getting critical raves. Described by Beneath the Cover as "amazing... an addictive read," and by Sophie Jordan, author of Firelight, as "beautifully written! Romantic and filled with delicious tension. Forbidden enchants!", the novel will appeal to readers of any age or gender–or any genre!

MY LESSONS ON NORTH AND SOUTH - IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN

It's that time of the year again, when in my lessons to my older students in their  final year at school, I introduce the Victorian Age and read pages from novels I deeply love. This year I've decided to work on short module dedicated to the Industrial Novel (or social-issue novel) including Elizabeth Gaskell's Mary Barton and North and South, Charlotte Bronte's Shirley and Charles Dickens's Hard Times.

I've posted two lessons with notes, videos and analysis about North and South in the latest days and we have worked in the lab with two of my classes.

They seemed quite interested, the reactions were warmly positive. They particularly appreciated my visual aids: clips from BBC series with Mr Armitage and Ms Denby-Ashe. Now these materials (links below) should help them to study and revise at home. If you want to have a look, promise, no tests for you!

1. Elizabeth Gaskell and the Industrial Novel: Mary Barton (1848) 
2. Studying and Watching North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (1855)
3. Masters & Workers. Mr Thornton and Nicholas Higgins, the ideal relationship according to Mrs Gaskell

INTERVIEW WITH ELIZABETH HANBURY, HISTORICAL ROMANCE NOVELIST + BOOK GIVEAWAY

Elizabeth Hanbury is the author of two historical romance novels, one short story romance anthology and a contributor to another short story collection along with authors Nell Dixon and Phillipa Ashley: Brief Encounters    She has been a finalist for Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon award, with her novel being described by the RNA as ‘a thoroughly lovely read. The quality of the writing lifts it into a different class.’  
Elizabeth writes Regency-set novels that appeal to a wide-range of readers. She lives in a village in the heart of the English countryside and writes romance whenever she can find time to sneak away to her desk.  She is a member of the RNA and the Historical Novel Society. Here's my interview with her. Enjoy and leave your comments to enter the giveaway of 2 e-books for readers out of the UK and a paperback for UK readers of  BRIEF ENCOUNTERS. Don't forget to add your e-mail address and to specify what country you write from. The giveaway ends  on January 23rd.

SHAKESPEARE & MEDIEVAL HISTORY ON BBC . GREAT DRAMA ONLINE.

Ben Winshaw as Richard II

Stellar cast for four Shakespearean  Histories 

BBC's  2012 schedule sounds quite interesting, even intriguing  for someone who loves costume drama and ancient history. BBC2  commissioned 4 films for their Shakespeare season  as part of the BBC’s contribution to the London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad. The four Shakespeare films will encompass  Richard II, Henry IV (part I and II), Henry V.

SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON'S BIOGRAPHY BY CHARLOTTE FROST - GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Brief posting to thank Charlotte Frost for being my guest on FLY HIGH and for animating an interesting debate with her piece about Sir William Knighton, Regency doctor and cortier (HERE)

It's also time to reveal the names of the winners of 1 paperback  and 2 e-books,  which Charlotte generously provided for a giveaway contest.

The paperback  copy has been won by Rachel Knowles

The two e-books go to Maribea and C.J. Archer

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE THREE WINNERS! 

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD - DICKENS'S LAST GIFT

It's a good period for period drama. BBC schedules several costume series and also promising original modern drama in 2012.
For instance, the last two nights on BBC2 were dedicated to The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1870), an unfinished work which was Charles Dickens's last gift to his devoted readers, left incomplete when a stroke suddenly brought him away from the wordly stage he had always successfully and willingly trodden upon. When he died,   he was only halfway through this dark tale, "leaving all the balls in the air and numerous hints, blind alleys, unrevealed connections and intriguing possibilities on display" - says Diarmouid Lawrence, the director of BBC2 adaptation , which ended last night.

RICHARD III BACK ON STAGE - ROBERT FRIPP, DARK SOVEREIGN: A CHALLENGE TO WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

For the first time in four centuries a modern writer challenges William Shakespeare head-on, writing in English as it was available to the Bard. Shakespeare wrote 'The Tragedy of Richard the Third' as Tudor propaganda for the Court of Queen Elizabeth I, portraying King Richard as a misshapen sociopath and killer.

Robert Fripp, the former Series Producer at CBC-TV's investigative 'The Fifth Estate' program, wrote Dark Sovereign over a period of four years. 'Dark Sovereign' counter-attacks Shakespeare's polemic, offering a researched, balanced tale of Richard's troubled reign.

British author Robert Fripp has also written several internationally published books. His fictive 'Power of a Woman' finds Eleanor of Aquitaine writing her memoirs. 

GOOD TV DRAMA & BRITISH LITERARY TRADITION: SHERLOCK 2 AND TREASURE ISLAND

Collage from Enchanted Serenity of Period Films

It's not a secret I greatly appreciate British TV drama. Their productions are mostly very good, especially those revisiting the literary classics. Well, also modern drama is sometimes brilliant . I loved Spooks very much , for instance,  but I also liked the Moving On series,  The Hour, A Single Father. I started watching British TV or buying DVDs  for my interest in period drama, a genre in which they are masters,   especially when it comes to adaptations of  classics. And this is what they are amazing at : adapting their classics  respecting their literary tradition. Something we totally lack on our TV here in Italy. I've seen so many beautiful series in the last three years: Austen's novels adaptations were brilliant, but also Gaskell and Eliot, Dickens and Thomas Hardy among others. My best favourite quite recent classic series are The Buccaneers, Our Mutual Friend, Daniel Deronda, North and South, Wives and Daughter,  Middlemarch, Jane Eyre 2006, Bleak House,

AUTHOR GUESTPOST & GIVEAWAY - CHARLOTTE FROST ON SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, A PHYSICIAN AND COURTIER IN THE REGENCY ERA

Ready for a journey back to the years of Jane Austen's  and Lord Byron's England? Today's guest is Charlotte Frost.  

Charlotte is a post-grad who,  after years of anonymous, behind-the-scenes work for history projects, decided to put her name on a book cover. The result is Sir William Knighton. The Strange Career of a Regency Physician, a biography of George IV's influential, enigmatic courtier. She accepted to present this fascinating character and her research here on FLY HIGH! Enjoy her piece and try to win her book. The details of the giveaway contest are at the end of the post. Read them carefully, there are three copies of the book for you!

ROME - TWO DAYS, ONE EXHIBITION, A MUSEUM, A WALK AROUND THE CITY CENTRE, SOME SHOPPING, ... AND FRIENDS!

Have I ever told you how much I love being in Rome with my friends? Ehm... perhaps  once or twice. But may I say it again?  Yes? OK, thanks a lot for your patience! 

Being on holiday,  I had the opportunity to spend once again a couple of days with my friends in Rome: walking around the city centre nose up to the beauty all over, doing some shopping,  visiting a stunning photographic exhibition in a new centre and a museum in one of Rome ancient noble palaces, pleasantly chatting and having dinner all together, rewatching an episode from one of our favourite TV series. 

I'm not writing about everything we did,  but only about the exhibition and the museum we visited. I hope you don't mind and I'm sure you won't have any difficuty in figuring out the fun we had together.

FIRST GOOD READ OF THE NEW YEAR - LYNN SHEPHERD, TOM-ALL-ALONE'S

UK cover

This book is going to be released in less than a month, February 2nd,  as a homage to Charles Dickens in the year of his  birthday bicentenary (February  1812 – February  2012) (Official Site -Dickens 2012)

Tom-All-Alone’s was one of the poorest, dirtiest, most squalid slums in 19th century London. Tom- All- Alone’s  (The Solitary House in the US and Canada edition, May 1st 2012) is the title Lynn Shepherd has chosen for her second novel.

 It is  a gripping noir murder mystery set in foggy Victorian London, in which the characters of Dickens’s Bleak House and Lynn Shepherd’s own creatures come to interact . This is Lynn Shepherd’s second tribute to a great British  writer. Her succesful  debut book was set , in fact, in one of Jane Austen’s Regency novels and   titled, Murder at Mansfield Park (published in the UK, the US and in Spain). (My review on My Jane Austen Book Club)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

May 2012 be full of good books, exciting meetings, great films, shows, series, art exhibitions, trips and journeys ... but could we enjoy all that without health, peace, love and friendship? That's what I wish for us all. MG