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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

Scenes from the Hayward

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At the Andy Warhol exhibition... It looked good at least even if the content was a bit suspect... Posted via email from paulinlondon's posterous

Trends in London: The hot water bottle

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So far this year has been all about hot water bottles. As temperatures plummet , if you don't have a furry friend in your bed, then the next best and hottest thing to have is a faux fur hot water bottle. John Lewis has them. Or you could skip the faux and get the real thing (hot water bottle-wise)... Oh grrr...

Theatre: August: Osage County

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On the afternoon of new years eve I found myself at the National Theatre watching this production alone. It is a good idea not to invite people who have to cook dinner for six to a matinee that lasts for three hours. This play has been a sell out however so I didn't have trouble getting rid of the spare ticket. However I was worried about how much of an effort it would be to sit through this production. It turned out that this breathless production is so fast-paced, so gripping and thrilling that the time whizzed by. This production, from the Steppenwolf Company in Chicago won the Tony this year for best play (among others) and it is easy to see why. The premise in this dark, dark comedy is that the Weston family is reunited in the family home in Oklahoma after their father disappears. This sets the scene for a series of disturbing revelations. The play has been marketed here as a view into a dysfunctional American family. The humour in Tracy Letts script however, is less derive

Scenes from London: the view from new year...

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This is what happens when New Year's Eve celebrations get popular. Who would have thought the punters would brave the freezing weather for ten minutes of spectacular fireworks (they did look rather good). This new years I also learned Italians wear red underwear for New Years Eve The Spanish like to start a new year with a mouthful of grapes Combine the above with the Australian tradition for a foine woine or beer and you're set for a great night out I think... Posted via email from paulinlondon's posterous

Scenes from shopping on Shaftsbury Avenue

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Dead bird on a wire... Posted via email from paulinlondon's posterous

Scenes from Waterloo station

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Under the clock... Posted via email from paulinlondon's posterous

Scenes from the Midnight Eucharist Christmas Eve

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At St Pauls Cathedral... Contrary to what the camera captures the view was not that bad... Posted via email from paulinlondon's posterous

Scenes from the backstage...

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Waiting for the act two call... Posted via email from paulinlondon's posterous

Hot News this week in London...

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Fears Grow For Doctor Who , originally uploaded by LinkMachineGo . Not only has David Tennant missed his star turn in Hamlet due to a back injury, he may not be able to finish that silly TV show ... Oh the humanity...

Scenes from a final tech rehearsal...

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Almost time... Posted via email from paulinlondon's posterous