Muriel Zagha
@murielzagha.bsky.social
Writer & broadcaster; film specialist – BBC, TLS, ENGELSBERG IDEAS, APOLLO, SPECTATOR and others; Critics’ Circle; French Londoner
Garlic&Pearls podcast
@garlicandpearls.bsky.social
Instagram @murielzaghawriter
http://muckrack.com/muriel-zagha-3
Garlic&Pearls podcast
@garlicandpearls.bsky.social
Instagram @murielzaghawriter
http://muckrack.com/muriel-zagha-3
In the second part of our nail-biting theatrical diptych on THE GREATEST PLAY EVER, I fly the flag for THE BALD PRIMADONNA, the longest running play in France. Tune in and find out how this Absurdist prank bedded into the repertoire, and what it says about 🇫🇷!
@theatre-huchette.bsky.social
@theatre-huchette.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
In the second part of our nail-biting theatrical diptych on THE GREATEST PLAY EVER, I fly the flag for THE BALD PRIMADONNA, the longest running play in France. Tune in and find out how this Absurdist prank bedded into the repertoire, and what it says about 🇫🇷!
@theatre-huchette.bsky.social
@theatre-huchette.bsky.social
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
This is a rather lovely episode, and halfway explains to me why in the post-covid era I was so pleased to go back to the real theatre for the first time by going to see the Mousetrap. It felt ceremonial, as much as anything.
This week on the @garlicandpearls.bsky.social podcast @suzanneraine.bsky.social and I go to the theatre, in the first part of a diptych about the longest-running plays in Britain and in France. First - yes, it’s THE MOUSETRAP!
#themousetrap✨
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gar…
#themousetrap✨
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gar…
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
This is a rather lovely episode, and halfway explains to me why in the post-covid era I was so pleased to go back to the real theatre for the first time by going to see the Mousetrap. It felt ceremonial, as much as anything.
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
Studies of his six servants in the 1750s: masterful oil sketch by William Hogarth, who was born on this day in 1697.
November 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Studies of his six servants in the 1750s: masterful oil sketch by William Hogarth, who was born on this day in 1697.
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
"Before I worked on the show, I thought I knew exactly what kind of evening it was."
She discovered, instead, that Christie was a deft and perhaps overlooked commentator on postwar class structure.
She discovered, instead, that Christie was a deft and perhaps overlooked commentator on postwar class structure.
Love The Traitors and Only Murders in the Building? Visit The Mousetrap, says bold new director of West End perennial
Ola Ince, who has refreshed Agatha Christie’s record-breaking mystery, suggests ‘we all fancy ourselves as detectives’
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:41 AM
"Before I worked on the show, I thought I knew exactly what kind of evening it was."
She discovered, instead, that Christie was a deft and perhaps overlooked commentator on postwar class structure.
She discovered, instead, that Christie was a deft and perhaps overlooked commentator on postwar class structure.
In the first part of our nail-biting theatrical diptych on THR GREATEST PLAY EVER, @suzanneraine.bsky.social makes a fine case for THE MOUSETRAP, the longest running play in Britain. Tune in and find out about the play, its historical hinterland and meaning about 🇬🇧!
November 10, 2025 at 10:26 AM
In the first part of our nail-biting theatrical diptych on THR GREATEST PLAY EVER, @suzanneraine.bsky.social makes a fine case for THE MOUSETRAP, the longest running play in Britain. Tune in and find out about the play, its historical hinterland and meaning about 🇬🇧!
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
These intimate objects reveal a life more collective, communal and precarious than ours.
✍️ Tiffany Jenkins
✍️ Tiffany Jenkins
Lice combs, vaginal syringes and cesspits: at home in 17th century Holland
The room is dark, the lighting deliberately low. At its centre stands a solitary object: a yellow and green earthenware vessel decorated with biblical symbolism. It’s a fireguard – or ‘curfew’...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
These intimate objects reveal a life more collective, communal and precarious than ours.
✍️ Tiffany Jenkins
✍️ Tiffany Jenkins
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
It's thoroughly researched and emphasises how far from cosy Christie's works can be. The Mousetrap is set in a dislocated postwar world in which the class structure has been shaken and there is an air of paranoid watchfulness.
Not so cosy: A podcast on Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap
I came across a new podcast today – Garlic & Pearls – via a really good episode on Agatha Christie's play The Mousetrap . It's thoroughly r...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:53 PM
It's thoroughly researched and emphasises how far from cosy Christie's works can be. The Mousetrap is set in a dislocated postwar world in which the class structure has been shaken and there is an air of paranoid watchfulness.
Watched Susan Seidelman’s Desperately Seeking Susan again last night. Wonderful capsule of 1985 New York. The playful script is watertight. In the Magic Club’s dressing room a mannequin with Claudette Colbert’s face indicates the film’s screwball parentage…
November 8, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Watched Susan Seidelman’s Desperately Seeking Susan again last night. Wonderful capsule of 1985 New York. The playful script is watertight. In the Magic Club’s dressing room a mannequin with Claudette Colbert’s face indicates the film’s screwball parentage…
Many thanks, Jonathan, for flagging up @garlicandpearls.bsky.social and the work of myself and my indefatigable co-host @suzanneraine.bsky.social
It's thoroughly researched and emphasises how far from cosy Christie's works can be. The Mousetrap is set in a dislocated postwar world in which the class structure has been shaken and there is an air of paranoid watchfulness.
Not so cosy: A podcast on Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap
I came across a new podcast today – Garlic & Pearls – via a really good episode on Agatha Christie's play The Mousetrap . It's thoroughly r...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Many thanks, Jonathan, for flagging up @garlicandpearls.bsky.social and the work of myself and my indefatigable co-host @suzanneraine.bsky.social
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
2/2 Annunciation. Painted in the 1470s at the Pantheon in Rome by Melozzo da Forlì, whose day is today.
November 8, 2025 at 1:33 PM
2/2 Annunciation. Painted in the 1470s at the Pantheon in Rome by Melozzo da Forlì, whose day is today.
Many thanks for this - and for this fascinating background to our Garlic & Pearls episode on THE MOUSETRAP…
You're welcome! I really enjoyed the podcast - it's good to come across one that is so well researched. I'll give you a plug on my blog later.
It happens that I have just written this for Central Bylines.
It happens that I have just written this for Central Bylines.
The forgotten Shropshire tragedy that inspired The Mousetrap
The death of 12-year-old Dennis O’Neill in 1945 shocked Britain and led Agatha Christie to write her famous play The Mousetrap
centralbylines.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Many thanks for this - and for this fascinating background to our Garlic & Pearls episode on THE MOUSETRAP…
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
Defense of Cadiz Against the English by Francisco de Zurbarán. Why don't commanders wear slashed breeches & hanging sleeves any more?
November 7, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Defense of Cadiz Against the English by Francisco de Zurbarán. Why don't commanders wear slashed breeches & hanging sleeves any more?
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
Still life of exquisite quietude by Francisco de Zurbarán, born this day in 1598. Meditation on vessels.
November 7, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Still life of exquisite quietude by Francisco de Zurbarán, born this day in 1598. Meditation on vessels.
This week on the @garlicandpearls.bsky.social podcast @suzanneraine.bsky.social and I go to the theatre, in the first part of a diptych about the longest-running plays in Britain and in France. First - yes, it’s THE MOUSETRAP!
#themousetrap✨
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gar…
#themousetrap✨
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gar…
November 7, 2025 at 10:30 AM
This week on the @garlicandpearls.bsky.social podcast @suzanneraine.bsky.social and I go to the theatre, in the first part of a diptych about the longest-running plays in Britain and in France. First - yes, it’s THE MOUSETRAP!
#themousetrap✨
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gar…
#themousetrap✨
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gar…
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
2/2 The fun of really public tooth extraction, performed by man with a monkey instead of a diploma. By Pietro Longhi of Venice.
November 5, 2025 at 10:44 PM
2/2 The fun of really public tooth extraction, performed by man with a monkey instead of a diploma. By Pietro Longhi of Venice.
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
2/2 Engraved by her with a diamond, the poem on this glass says ”Although I seem dark, the name gives light - Anna Maria van Schurman.“ Wonderfully self-assured woman, born on this day in 1607.
November 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
2/2 Engraved by her with a diamond, the poem on this glass says ”Although I seem dark, the name gives light - Anna Maria van Schurman.“ Wonderfully self-assured woman, born on this day in 1607.
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
Most of what's out isn't worth seeing. And having to write about this stuff, you feel degraded. It's occupying your head and it has no right to be there. (1988)
November 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Most of what's out isn't worth seeing. And having to write about this stuff, you feel degraded. It's occupying your head and it has no right to be there. (1988)
A very nice thing: I find that an article I wrote for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social about what makes the French songbook so beguiling and so bonding is now also available as an audio piece.
open.spotify.com/episode/4acC...
open.spotify.com/episode/4acC...
two women wearing hats and dresses are standing next to each other in a room
ALT: two women wearing hats and dresses are standing next to each other in a room
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A very nice thing: I find that an article I wrote for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social about what makes the French songbook so beguiling and so bonding is now also available as an audio piece.
open.spotify.com/episode/4acC...
open.spotify.com/episode/4acC...
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
Happy birthday to the foolishly overlooked Joel McCrea who put “dishy” in the dictionary and starred in two of the very finest romantic comedies: The Palm Beach Story in which he loves Claudette Colbert while fending off Mary Astor, and The More The Merrier where he (rightly) adores Jean Arthur.
November 5, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Happy birthday to the foolishly overlooked Joel McCrea who put “dishy” in the dictionary and starred in two of the very finest romantic comedies: The Palm Beach Story in which he loves Claudette Colbert while fending off Mary Astor, and The More The Merrier where he (rightly) adores Jean Arthur.
How did the French come to build the largest ossuary in the world in the PARIS CATACOMBS? And who decided to turn an accumulation of bones into an underground promenade museum dotted with pyramids and other neo-classical monuments? Tune in to a spooky Gallic episode of @garlicandpearls.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 12:02 PM
How did the French come to build the largest ossuary in the world in the PARIS CATACOMBS? And who decided to turn an accumulation of bones into an underground promenade museum dotted with pyramids and other neo-classical monuments? Tune in to a spooky Gallic episode of @garlicandpearls.bsky.social
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
I want these musicians to be performing forever on MY ceiling! And their parrot. And dog! Great painting by Gerrit van Honthorst, born OTD 1592.
November 4, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I want these musicians to be performing forever on MY ceiling! And their parrot. And dog! Great painting by Gerrit van Honthorst, born OTD 1592.
Double film recommendation - My Man Godfrey (1936) and Madame Bovary (1991)
and a moment of realisation: in those roles Carole Lombard and Isabelle Huppert remind me of one another - it’s the helpless yearning embodied by both characters but also a sort of air de famille between the two.
and a moment of realisation: in those roles Carole Lombard and Isabelle Huppert remind me of one another - it’s the helpless yearning embodied by both characters but also a sort of air de famille between the two.
November 4, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Double film recommendation - My Man Godfrey (1936) and Madame Bovary (1991)
and a moment of realisation: in those roles Carole Lombard and Isabelle Huppert remind me of one another - it’s the helpless yearning embodied by both characters but also a sort of air de famille between the two.
and a moment of realisation: in those roles Carole Lombard and Isabelle Huppert remind me of one another - it’s the helpless yearning embodied by both characters but also a sort of air de famille between the two.
It’s that time of year again, so here’s a reminder that before podcasting on @garlicandpearls.bsky.social about Frenchness and Britishness @suzanneraine.bsky.social and I were once vampire slayers.
Which provides another kind of hinterland for the garlic in our name.
Happy Halloween!
Which provides another kind of hinterland for the garlic in our name.
Happy Halloween!
November 1, 2025 at 5:50 PM
It’s that time of year again, so here’s a reminder that before podcasting on @garlicandpearls.bsky.social about Frenchness and Britishness @suzanneraine.bsky.social and I were once vampire slayers.
Which provides another kind of hinterland for the garlic in our name.
Happy Halloween!
Which provides another kind of hinterland for the garlic in our name.
Happy Halloween!
Reposted by Muriel Zagha
I wrote about One Battle After Another by film buff extraordinaire Paul Thomas Anderson for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social. Is it arthouse? Is it an action movie to be enjoyed with popcorn? Is it a state-of-the-nation film - or a bit of a jape?
October 31, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I wrote about One Battle After Another by film buff extraordinaire Paul Thomas Anderson for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social. Is it arthouse? Is it an action movie to be enjoyed with popcorn? Is it a state-of-the-nation film - or a bit of a jape?