Sunday Culture
As someone who spends a reasonable amount of time online, I was really heartened by the outpouring of love on the socials following the death of Anthony Stewart Head. An English actor you may or may not recognise from fantastic supporting roles in Ted Lasso, Merlin, Bridgerton, coffee ads…Or for his best know character, the father figure to the protagonist, Giles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer (an iconic and much treasured show from my teenage years). That show started when I was in my first year in high school and finished in my final year before I went off to uni. I grew up with Buffy the show and Buffy the character. My friendship group’s very chat was dominated with lingo from the show. And Anthony Stewart Head’s portrayal of Giles gave us a warm complex mentor at a very formative time in our lives. I didn’t know the man personally but there is something about the death of an important face from your youth that makes one feel something about getting older. RIP Ripper (credit: Pablo).
What I’ve been watching
I had to revisit one of my favourite episodes of Buffy, ‘Band Candy’, where the above gif is from. Stands up even almost 30 years later.
I’ve also finished the BBC adaptation of the play ‘Dear England’ in which Joseph Fiennes revisits his incredibly convincing performance as Gareth Southgate. The four parter charts the rise of the England football team under the guidance of Southgate. Worth a watch if you want an uplifting story of team building.
What I’ve been listening to
Mozart’s Requiem has dominated my listening this week as I prepared for a ‘Come and Sing’ event with a local choir. The ‘lacrymosa’ movement from the Sequentia section is probably the most recognisable part, although delving in to the history I was actually unaware that Mozart himself didn’t compose past bar 8 of this piece. He died during the composition and the Requiem was completed in full by others (most notably one of his pupils, Süssmayr). A glorious piece of music from Introitus to Communio (and a thrilling thing to perform with a choir).
What I’ve been reading
Hannah Murray, the actor best known for playing Gilly in ‘Game of Thrones’ and Cassie in ‘Skins’ has released a curious memoir entitled ‘The Make Believe’. In it, she beautifully and authentically describes getting sucked in to a healing cult during a low point in her life and subsequently being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. A fascinating read. Listen to the audiobook if you can as she has a captivating voice that is both childlike and whimsical.
Pals watch on A and E After Dark
After a hiatus, they’re back…….but still background cameos. I have it on good authority this week’s episode will feature one of them in more of a starring role.
GRMA for reading,
Deirdre x
