I don't know how you are all feeling after the fallout of last week, but I just watched the brilliant Huffington Post's parody of Boris and his team. Please check it out. Very Funny. Let a bit of steam off.
Well, that was a complete cock-up from the Remain camp. From the UK as a whole. I had a very good time campaigning on the the Labour Remain Bus, twice. First time with my old chum from the days of the National Youth Theatre, Chris Bryant, and second time with Alan Johnson, who could well be leading the Labour Party before long. My analysis is quite simple.
The presentation of the question has to be delivered in a balanced way by our media. That means 50-50 coverage for both sides, however, the country didn't, I believe, split 50-50 at the beginning of the debate. The Remain side probably had over 70%, but that 20% difference gets completely neutralised by the media who have to make it seem even.
This House is an Olivier Award-nominated political drama which premiered at the National Theatre in 2012 will make its long awaited West End premiere at the Garrick Theatre this November. The current political warfare between rival parties is no news to playwright James Graham who has seen it all before:
1974. The UK faces economic crisis and a hung parliament. In a culture hostile to cooperation, it’s a period when votes are won or lost by one, when there are fist fights in the bars and when sick MPs are carried through the lobby to register their vote. It’s a time when a staggering number of politicians die, and the building creaks under idiosyncrasies and arcane traditions.
Set in the engine rooms of Westminster, James Graham’s This House strips politics down to the practical realities of those behind the scenes: the whips who roll up their sleeves and on occasion bend the rules to shepherd and coerce a diverse chorus of MPs within the Mother of all Parliaments.
For anyone out there who listens to my audio book work, please be warned.....
There is an audio book for sale on Amazon, Seeking Sorrow : Guardians of Terath Book1, which purports to be read by me. It most certainly is not. Thank you, as ever, Jessy, our webmistress, for bringing this to the attention of my voice-over agent. Typically helpful. Unlike Amazon, who seem to be unable to believe either my agent or me and take it down off their site. I don't know whose mistake it is, but I hope nobody is buying it because it is apparently read by me. I feel I may be inflating my own importance here, but hey, you never know. Their argument has been that there are a lot of Nathaniel Parkers in the world. Ummmmm, not in either British, or US Equity, or SAG. And anyway, if there are so many, why does their link lead to all my other work. It's quite simple Amazon, take it down, oh yes, and maybe pay your taxes while you're at it!!!!
What a great fun weekend of Easter treats AND Lynley & Havers. I will admit to dropping in on more than one occasion to UK TV's Drama channel to have a quick reminder of times past. Fascinating to see how the show and it's erstwhile core members progressed over the years. Still a day to go too. Wasn't I lucky to be involved with such a good team! And thank goodness Sharon, I mean Barbara took the reins as often as she did. I would work with any of those amazing actors and crew again at the drop of a hat. Thank you Drama channel. (And I am not speaking from my wallet, the actors union equity sold us out years ago on cable & satellite repeat fees!)