David Benedict
@eggsbened.bsky.social
Cultural talk and typing. And singing.
Biographer of Stephen Sondheim.
Variety, London theatre critic.
The Stage, Associate writer.
Tristram Hawkshaw in The Archers.
Somewhat gay.
Biographer of Stephen Sondheim.
Variety, London theatre critic.
The Stage, Associate writer.
Tristram Hawkshaw in The Archers.
Somewhat gay.
When you wake up remembering it should have been your friend’s birthday.
Anthony Minghella 1954-2008 RIP
Anthony Minghella 1954-2008 RIP
January 6, 2026 at 10:43 AM
When you wake up remembering it should have been your friend’s birthday.
Anthony Minghella 1954-2008 RIP
Anthony Minghella 1954-2008 RIP
On Stage Fright (1950), Hitchcock ceded control of her major sequences to his star, Dietrich, "Marlene was a professional star. She was also a professional cameraman, art director, editor, costume designer, hairdresser, makeup woman, composer, producer and director."
youtu.be/Sr0xRNo6Xaw?...
youtu.be/Sr0xRNo6Xaw?...
Marlene Dietrich is The Laziest Girl In Town
YouTube video by Fan90042
youtu.be
January 6, 2026 at 7:55 AM
On Stage Fright (1950), Hitchcock ceded control of her major sequences to his star, Dietrich, "Marlene was a professional star. She was also a professional cameraman, art director, editor, costume designer, hairdresser, makeup woman, composer, producer and director."
youtu.be/Sr0xRNo6Xaw?...
youtu.be/Sr0xRNo6Xaw?...
How marvellous that both Robert Duvall (Boo Radley) and Mary Badham (Scout) are still with us… and that Duvall is 95 today. How much do I love this film? Let us count the ways.
January 5, 2026 at 10:16 PM
How marvellous that both Robert Duvall (Boo Radley) and Mary Badham (Scout) are still with us… and that Duvall is 95 today. How much do I love this film? Let us count the ways.
Reposted by David Benedict
I think the second part is the bigger news.
January 4, 2026 at 8:39 PM
I think the second part is the bigger news.
In the words (almost) of The Mamas and the Papas:
“Cauliflower dreamin’/
On such a winter’s day.”
Actually not dreaming: made for lunch. And supper.
nb Found a recipe suggesting the addition of a teaspoon of Marmite as well as mustard powder to the cheese sauce. Can highly recommend.
“Cauliflower dreamin’/
On such a winter’s day.”
Actually not dreaming: made for lunch. And supper.
nb Found a recipe suggesting the addition of a teaspoon of Marmite as well as mustard powder to the cheese sauce. Can highly recommend.
January 4, 2026 at 7:43 PM
In the words (almost) of The Mamas and the Papas:
“Cauliflower dreamin’/
On such a winter’s day.”
Actually not dreaming: made for lunch. And supper.
nb Found a recipe suggesting the addition of a teaspoon of Marmite as well as mustard powder to the cheese sauce. Can highly recommend.
“Cauliflower dreamin’/
On such a winter’s day.”
Actually not dreaming: made for lunch. And supper.
nb Found a recipe suggesting the addition of a teaspoon of Marmite as well as mustard powder to the cheese sauce. Can highly recommend.
Reposted by David Benedict
This BBC kids tv advert from 1998 is still very impressive and very lovely
November 13, 2025 at 9:56 AM
This BBC kids tv advert from 1998 is still very impressive and very lovely
In 2004 @elysiansingers.bsky.social sang the premiere recording of James MacMillan’s ravishing So Deep. On March 14 - our 40th anniversary - we’ll sing it again + Leon from Joby Talbot’s stunning Path of Miracles in 17-part harmony + Tallis’s Spem in Alium in 40 parts!
Ink into diary.
Details soon.
Ink into diary.
Details soon.
January 2, 2026 at 10:11 AM
In 2004 @elysiansingers.bsky.social sang the premiere recording of James MacMillan’s ravishing So Deep. On March 14 - our 40th anniversary - we’ll sing it again + Leon from Joby Talbot’s stunning Path of Miracles in 17-part harmony + Tallis’s Spem in Alium in 40 parts!
Ink into diary.
Details soon.
Ink into diary.
Details soon.
Reposted by David Benedict
Laughing her head off, the late, imperishably great Una Stubbs as a glorious Maria in Twelfth Night at Sheffield Crucible, directed by Michael Grandage. Maybe only for the odd moment, but may all of us find that kind of joy in 2026.
December 31, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Laughing her head off, the late, imperishably great Una Stubbs as a glorious Maria in Twelfth Night at Sheffield Crucible, directed by Michael Grandage. Maybe only for the odd moment, but may all of us find that kind of joy in 2026.
Laughing her head off, the late, imperishably great Una Stubbs as a glorious Maria in Twelfth Night at Sheffield Crucible, directed by Michael Grandage. Maybe only for the odd moment, but may all of us find that kind of joy in 2026.
December 31, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Laughing her head off, the late, imperishably great Una Stubbs as a glorious Maria in Twelfth Night at Sheffield Crucible, directed by Michael Grandage. Maybe only for the odd moment, but may all of us find that kind of joy in 2026.
Share your holy trinity of cast albums.
In the words of Mandy Rice-Davies, “Well he would, wouldn’t he?)
In the words of Mandy Rice-Davies, “Well he would, wouldn’t he?)
December 31, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Share your holy trinity of cast albums.
In the words of Mandy Rice-Davies, “Well he would, wouldn’t he?)
In the words of Mandy Rice-Davies, “Well he would, wouldn’t he?)
On this, the birthday of the great Broadway composer (and hit-maker for Frank Sinatra) Jule Styne, fans of his knockout Gypsy that he wrote with #Sondheim should listen to “I’m In Pursuit Of Happiness” from his TV musical which he wrote two years earlier.
Starts 16.12
youtu.be/JlDdmGw4CG0?...
Starts 16.12
youtu.be/JlDdmGw4CG0?...
Ruggles Of Red Gap-Original Television Cast Album (1957) Part 1
YouTube video by Ken McMunn
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 9:57 AM
On this, the birthday of the great Broadway composer (and hit-maker for Frank Sinatra) Jule Styne, fans of his knockout Gypsy that he wrote with #Sondheim should listen to “I’m In Pursuit Of Happiness” from his TV musical which he wrote two years earlier.
Starts 16.12
youtu.be/JlDdmGw4CG0?...
Starts 16.12
youtu.be/JlDdmGw4CG0?...
Dog Day Elevenses
#MakeAFilmCheaper
#MakeAFilmCheaper
La Bicyclette de Belsize
#MakeAFilmCheaper
#MakeAFilmCheaper
The Mouse Whisperer
#MakeAFilmCheaper
#MakeAFilmCheaper
December 30, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Dog Day Elevenses
#MakeAFilmCheaper
#MakeAFilmCheaper
Reposted by David Benedict
'You shouldn't be getting a medal for being robbed by your own government'
92 year old Betty Brown, the oldest surviving victim of the Post Office IT scandal, told #BBCBreakfast she was 'very honoured, but angry' about being made an OBE in the New Year Honours
92 year old Betty Brown, the oldest surviving victim of the Post Office IT scandal, told #BBCBreakfast she was 'very honoured, but angry' about being made an OBE in the New Year Honours
December 30, 2025 at 8:02 AM
'You shouldn't be getting a medal for being robbed by your own government'
92 year old Betty Brown, the oldest surviving victim of the Post Office IT scandal, told #BBCBreakfast she was 'very honoured, but angry' about being made an OBE in the New Year Honours
92 year old Betty Brown, the oldest surviving victim of the Post Office IT scandal, told #BBCBreakfast she was 'very honoured, but angry' about being made an OBE in the New Year Honours
Reposted by David Benedict
Birthday boy Carol Reed’s taut, magnificently atmospheric, noir-tinged mystery The Third Man - rewatch for the camera work, music, indelible performances, the lightness of touch of Graham Greene’s moral weighty screenplay - is imperishable. Even the truly grisly musical version couldn’t tarnish it.
a man in a suit and hat is standing in front of a fountain at night .
ALT: a man in a suit and hat is standing in front of a fountain at night .
media.tenor.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Birthday boy Carol Reed’s taut, magnificently atmospheric, noir-tinged mystery The Third Man - rewatch for the camera work, music, indelible performances, the lightness of touch of Graham Greene’s moral weighty screenplay - is imperishable. Even the truly grisly musical version couldn’t tarnish it.
Reposted by David Benedict
So Boris Johnson, Prince Phillip, Andrew Bonar Law, Freddie Mercury, George I, George II, Richard E Grant, Douglas Carswell, Rudyard Kipling, Cliff Richard, Joanna Lumley and Spike Milligan weren't British?
Interesting
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Interesting
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Number of people who say Britons must be born in UK is rising, study shows
Exclusive: Research finds ‘worrying’ surge in support for hard-right narratives on national identity
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:21 PM
So Boris Johnson, Prince Phillip, Andrew Bonar Law, Freddie Mercury, George I, George II, Richard E Grant, Douglas Carswell, Rudyard Kipling, Cliff Richard, Joanna Lumley and Spike Milligan weren't British?
Interesting
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Interesting
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Minor celebrity collisions.
Picture the scene: in the 90s I pop into Harvey Nicks during the sale and whom should I espy in home furnishings decades after Side by Side by Sondheim but Julia McKenzie and Millicent Martin. I busy myself amid the cushion covers and listen in as Millie says, 1/2
Picture the scene: in the 90s I pop into Harvey Nicks during the sale and whom should I espy in home furnishings decades after Side by Side by Sondheim but Julia McKenzie and Millicent Martin. I busy myself amid the cushion covers and listen in as Millie says, 1/2
Saw Roger Allam in John Lewis. Also saw Wayne Sleep in John Lewis. Also saw Tony Adams on John Lewis. Also saw Alec Stewart in John Lewis. Not all at the same time, obviously. That would be weird.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 29, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Minor celebrity collisions.
Picture the scene: in the 90s I pop into Harvey Nicks during the sale and whom should I espy in home furnishings decades after Side by Side by Sondheim but Julia McKenzie and Millicent Martin. I busy myself amid the cushion covers and listen in as Millie says, 1/2
Picture the scene: in the 90s I pop into Harvey Nicks during the sale and whom should I espy in home furnishings decades after Side by Side by Sondheim but Julia McKenzie and Millicent Martin. I busy myself amid the cushion covers and listen in as Millie says, 1/2
Share a great female villain.
December 29, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Share a great female villain.
Being half-German I must tell you that German is the best of all possible languages due to their compound nouns. Please welcome the Eierschalensollbruchstellenverursacher which translates as “eggshell predetermined breaking point causer"
or, in far more dull fashion, an egg-topper.
I want one.
or, in far more dull fashion, an egg-topper.
I want one.
December 29, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Being half-German I must tell you that German is the best of all possible languages due to their compound nouns. Please welcome the Eierschalensollbruchstellenverursacher which translates as “eggshell predetermined breaking point causer"
or, in far more dull fashion, an egg-topper.
I want one.
or, in far more dull fashion, an egg-topper.
I want one.
Reposted by David Benedict
I could not love this transport poster more.
December 28, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I could not love this transport poster more.
Reposted by David Benedict
The BBC tells the story of Britain in a way Netflix simply cannot. In the year to come, please remember that | Tony Hall
The BBC tells the story of Britain in a way Netflix simply cannot. In the year to come, please remember that | Tony Hall
I love many shows on the streaming channels, but the BBC is our storyteller. It defines a nation and its culture – and we must defend it, says former BBC director general Tony Hall
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:38 AM
The BBC tells the story of Britain in a way Netflix simply cannot. In the year to come, please remember that | Tony Hall
I could not love this transport poster more.
December 28, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I could not love this transport poster more.
Reposted by David Benedict
‘Of course he abused pupils’: ex-Dulwich teacher speaks out about Farage racism claims
‘Of course he abused pupils’: ex-Dulwich teacher speaks out about Farage racism claims
Exclusive: Chloë Deakin tells how she wrote to Dulwich college master to argue against Farage’s nomination as prefect
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:55 AM
‘Of course he abused pupils’: ex-Dulwich teacher speaks out about Farage racism claims