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.
My grandmother, (Maria) Alice Westell (1901-2001) the first female Jewish barrister called to the bar, by Middle Temple, exactly 102 years ago on the 19th of November 1923.
November 19, 2025 at 9:23 PM
My grandmother, (Maria) Alice Westell (1901-2001) the first female Jewish barrister called to the bar, by Middle Temple, exactly 102 years ago on the 19th of November 1923.
I was mesmerised by him as Ilya Kuryakin and also as the fire-starting juvenile delinquent in Violent Playground which we were shown at school, presumably as a warning, over a decade after it was made.
November 19, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I was mesmerised by him as Ilya Kuryakin and also as the fire-starting juvenile delinquent in Violent Playground which we were shown at school, presumably as a warning, over a decade after it was made.
#envy
Although sadly the Scotsman became right-wing in his old age. The great Paule Constable lit Amadeus with him and was very disappointed as he was her first crush - as he was with me.
Although sadly the Scotsman became right-wing in his old age. The great Paule Constable lit Amadeus with him and was very disappointed as he was her first crush - as he was with me.
November 19, 2025 at 1:33 PM
#envy
Although sadly the Scotsman became right-wing in his old age. The great Paule Constable lit Amadeus with him and was very disappointed as he was her first crush - as he was with me.
Although sadly the Scotsman became right-wing in his old age. The great Paule Constable lit Amadeus with him and was very disappointed as he was her first crush - as he was with me.
Don’t know that recording but I love Mompou, especially in the hands of Stephen Hough. This is a wonderful disc.
November 18, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Don’t know that recording but I love Mompou, especially in the hands of Stephen Hough. This is a wonderful disc.
Oxford Street 4/4
November 18, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Oxford Street 4/4
BBC Broadcasting House
3/4
3/4
November 18, 2025 at 8:44 AM
BBC Broadcasting House
3/4
3/4
All Souls, Langham Place
2/4
2/4
November 18, 2025 at 8:44 AM
All Souls, Langham Place
2/4
2/4
November 18, 2025 at 8:44 AM
I believe this is still available.
November 18, 2025 at 12:44 AM
I believe this is still available.
I hate to disappoint, but…
November 17, 2025 at 7:38 AM
I hate to disappoint, but…
On a chilly night, a (former) Hampshire boy’s attempt at Lancashire hotpot. To be served with red cabbage and apple, and Brussels sprouts.
November 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
On a chilly night, a (former) Hampshire boy’s attempt at Lancashire hotpot. To be served with red cabbage and apple, and Brussels sprouts.
I lived in Oakley just outside Basingstoke but went to school there. Am struggling to remember Potter’s Walk. But I frequented Smiths which moved from a street down from Market Square into the shopping precinct. I bought my first film books there including this. And lots of LPs. I am that old.
November 15, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I lived in Oakley just outside Basingstoke but went to school there. Am struggling to remember Potter’s Walk. But I frequented Smiths which moved from a street down from Market Square into the shopping precinct. I bought my first film books there including this. And lots of LPs. I am that old.
And I still have this bag - or what remains of it.
November 15, 2025 at 1:22 PM
And I still have this bag - or what remains of it.
Good heavens: were/are you a Winchester girl? We moved there (from Basingstoke) when I was 16 going on 17. Am trying to remember where the branch was. I, meanwhile, could be found working here.
November 15, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Good heavens: were/are you a Winchester girl? We moved there (from Basingstoke) when I was 16 going on 17. Am trying to remember where the branch was. I, meanwhile, could be found working here.
Aged 7, Helga boarded a train and fled Nuremberg with her father Max and her 6-year-old brother Hans. They came to London where she grew to love cats. About fifteen years after marrying my father, she fell in love with cookery too. To this day I use her wooden spoons.
On Nov 15 2011, she died.
RIP
On Nov 15 2011, she died.
RIP
November 15, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Aged 7, Helga boarded a train and fled Nuremberg with her father Max and her 6-year-old brother Hans. They came to London where she grew to love cats. About fifteen years after marrying my father, she fell in love with cookery too. To this day I use her wooden spoons.
On Nov 15 2011, she died.
RIP
On Nov 15 2011, she died.
RIP
For reasons inexplicable, I’d never seen a frame or read a word about this. Fascinating.
November 15, 2025 at 12:24 AM
For reasons inexplicable, I’d never seen a frame or read a word about this. Fascinating.
From Hermione Gingold’s glorious My Own Unaided Work.
November 13, 2025 at 12:39 AM
From Hermione Gingold’s glorious My Own Unaided Work.
I’ve seen it! Review coming on Front Row, BBC Radio 4 - Thursday 7.15pm - with Viv Groskop and ringmaster @tds153.bsky.social.
November 12, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I’ve seen it! Review coming on Front Row, BBC Radio 4 - Thursday 7.15pm - with Viv Groskop and ringmaster @tds153.bsky.social.
This is driving me nuts. I feel sure that there’s a musical theatre lyric that references Rumpelmayer’s. How else would this Brit know the name, only much later finding out about the soda parlo(u)r?
What is it? I’m hoping @bcdreyer.social may know.
This request is brought to you by Ray Cherchez.
What is it? I’m hoping @bcdreyer.social may know.
This request is brought to you by Ray Cherchez.
November 12, 2025 at 12:42 AM
This is driving me nuts. I feel sure that there’s a musical theatre lyric that references Rumpelmayer’s. How else would this Brit know the name, only much later finding out about the soda parlo(u)r?
What is it? I’m hoping @bcdreyer.social may know.
This request is brought to you by Ray Cherchez.
What is it? I’m hoping @bcdreyer.social may know.
This request is brought to you by Ray Cherchez.
In which case, goodbye David Benedict, hello (art director) Van Nest Polglase.
November 11, 2025 at 9:39 PM
In which case, goodbye David Benedict, hello (art director) Van Nest Polglase.
Fascinated to see Nuremberg – history of the trials told as psychological thriller – which I’m reviewing on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row with the excellent Viv Groskop and @tds153.bsky.social.
Also under our beady eyes, The Hunger Games on stage and new BBC drama Wild Cherry.
Thurs 7.15pm. Tune in!
Also under our beady eyes, The Hunger Games on stage and new BBC drama Wild Cherry.
Thurs 7.15pm. Tune in!
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Fascinated to see Nuremberg – history of the trials told as psychological thriller – which I’m reviewing on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row with the excellent Viv Groskop and @tds153.bsky.social.
Also under our beady eyes, The Hunger Games on stage and new BBC drama Wild Cherry.
Thurs 7.15pm. Tune in!
Also under our beady eyes, The Hunger Games on stage and new BBC drama Wild Cherry.
Thurs 7.15pm. Tune in!
Many carols, no lessons!
With luscious music by Sweelinck and Sally Beamish thru to Santa Baby, I’m instructing you to start having yourself A Merry Little Christmas with The Elysian Singers.
We sell out so BOOK NOW.
18 Dec 7.30pm
St Giles-in-the-Fields London W1 www.tickettailor.com/events/theel...
With luscious music by Sweelinck and Sally Beamish thru to Santa Baby, I’m instructing you to start having yourself A Merry Little Christmas with The Elysian Singers.
We sell out so BOOK NOW.
18 Dec 7.30pm
St Giles-in-the-Fields London W1 www.tickettailor.com/events/theel...
November 11, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Many carols, no lessons!
With luscious music by Sweelinck and Sally Beamish thru to Santa Baby, I’m instructing you to start having yourself A Merry Little Christmas with The Elysian Singers.
We sell out so BOOK NOW.
18 Dec 7.30pm
St Giles-in-the-Fields London W1 www.tickettailor.com/events/theel...
With luscious music by Sweelinck and Sally Beamish thru to Santa Baby, I’m instructing you to start having yourself A Merry Little Christmas with The Elysian Singers.
We sell out so BOOK NOW.
18 Dec 7.30pm
St Giles-in-the-Fields London W1 www.tickettailor.com/events/theel...