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Same but indifferent: Laughing Boy @JStheatre

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Stephen Unwin's Laughing Boy, adapted for the stage from Sara Ryan's Justice for Laughing Boy, is a powerful and moving story about a mother and a family that keeps asking questions despite the victimisation and harassment from the institution - the NHS - that was supposed to protect her son. It's a moving, celebratory account of a life cut short due to indifference held together by a remarkable performance by Janie Dee as Sara. It's currently playing at the Jermyn Street Theatre .  Sara's son, Connor, is a little different to others. He is fascinated by buses and doesn't like things like loud noises. But as he becomes an adult, his seizures and unexpected outbursts mean the family turn to their local NHS for support. Little did they realise they would receive such little care from a service that was institutionally incompetent and covered up thousands of unexplained deaths of people with disabilities, including Connor's. The search for answers about why he

Film: Transamerica

This weekend I caught the film Transamerica and it was great. Felicity Huffman puts in an incredible performance as a pre-op transsexual about to have the operation (spoiler - you see penis and vagina) and while it is a bit cheesy at times, there is a great sense of humanity and warmth about the story. Dolly Parton even comes in at the end with her Oscar-nominated song "Travellin' Through" which was a nice touch. Interestingly while watching Huffman in this movie you would not immediately recognise that she has been starring in Desperate Housewives for the past couple of years. Huffman's character of the "working mom" seems to have evolved as the main (and most interesting) character of the show. If a film career takes off her departure will leave a bit of a hole in the storytelling...

Clapham Chatter

Old Woman: My family have lived in Clapham for over 250 years, but I have had enough of this place with the horrible people and their horrible children… Paul: But you have lived here all your life, where would you go? Old Woman: New Zealand. I have a nephew in New Zealand. He might have me…

Conversation in Clapham

Consultant : Did you know that this is the front of the supermarket? Man #2 : It is? Consultant : Yes the front of the supermarket is at the back where the carpark is because that is where the fresh fruit and vegetables are... Man #2 : So the high street enterance is the back of the store? Consultant : Yes... Man #2 : All this time I have been entering from the back entrance and didn't even realise it.    

Scenes from a Soho Restaurant Saturday 21:33

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Scenes from a Soho Restaurant Saturday 21:33 Originally uploaded by Pauly_ . This restaurant served rather large sweet potatoes...
Well I have finally got rid of Wanadoo as an internet service provider. I got the feeling that they did not really mind getting me off their books as I just kept sending them complaints in writing and nobody wants to have to keep dealing with that sort of troublesome customer. Anyway will still mean I will have to rely on updating the blog outside of home. Which is a bit of a bother...

Scenes from Soho Saturday 10.51pm

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Scenes from Soho Saturday 10.51pm Originally uploaded by Pauly_ . Soho on a Saturday evening is a delightful part of town where alcohol, hash, charlie, crack and skunk is available on every corner. Oh and there is the odd bit of vom too...

Scenes from the V&A Friday 17.25

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Scenes from the V&A Friday 17.25 Originally uploaded by Pauly_ . It is possible to do the V&A's Anna Piaggi Fashion-ology in 30 minutes as there is not much there to see. A wondered why one wanted to see a collection of old (some still soiled) dresses. But they are so eccentric and so eighties so why not??