Peter Graystone
@petergraystone.bsky.social
Writer, theatre-lover, follower of Jesus
Does anyone still have “Penny for the Guy” in their area? I suddenly recall it from my childhood and miss it. It was how I first learned sewing.
November 5, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Does anyone still have “Penny for the Guy” in their area? I suddenly recall it from my childhood and miss it. It was how I first learned sewing.
I can’t decide what to make of the RSC Measure For Measure. It’s not the play Shakespeare intended. But bookended by video of powerful men who have abused women it is not only timely but gripping and shocking. Disconcertingly the Duke disguised as a priest looks the spit of the Bishop of Leicester.
October 16, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I can’t decide what to make of the RSC Measure For Measure. It’s not the play Shakespeare intended. But bookended by video of powerful men who have abused women it is not only timely but gripping and shocking. Disconcertingly the Duke disguised as a priest looks the spit of the Bishop of Leicester.
The RSC Cyrano de Bergerac is terrific. Every joke is sparkling, every sword fight is thrilling, every tragedy is heartbreaking. Bravo Adrian Lester! It doesn’t eclipse the unforgettable triumph of the 1983 Derek Jacobi production (‘Who ARE these men?’) but it reminds me why it is my favourite play.
October 16, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The RSC Cyrano de Bergerac is terrific. Every joke is sparkling, every sword fight is thrilling, every tragedy is heartbreaking. Bravo Adrian Lester! It doesn’t eclipse the unforgettable triumph of the 1983 Derek Jacobi production (‘Who ARE these men?’) but it reminds me why it is my favourite play.
I enjoyed The Land of the Living more than the reviews led me to believe I would. A really timely play about the ethics relating to displaced children after a war. The staging is inventive and interesting. But it’s a two hour play that takes three hours. Juliet Stevenson is predictably magnificent.
October 13, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I enjoyed The Land of the Living more than the reviews led me to believe I would. A really timely play about the ethics relating to displaced children after a war. The staging is inventive and interesting. But it’s a two hour play that takes three hours. Juliet Stevenson is predictably magnificent.
Entertaining Mr Sloane is showing its age. You can’t fault the performances, the direction or the wonderful design of chintz and filth. But things that were originally transgressive and shocking now feel really uncomfortable. An awkwardly enjoyable evening at the Young Vic.
October 6, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Entertaining Mr Sloane is showing its age. You can’t fault the performances, the direction or the wonderful design of chintz and filth. But things that were originally transgressive and shocking now feel really uncomfortable. An awkwardly enjoyable evening at the Young Vic.
The Battle of Cable Street took place on this day in 1936. The people of East London decided the fascists would progress no further. We salute you and we need you.
October 4, 2025 at 7:45 PM
The Battle of Cable Street took place on this day in 1936. The people of East London decided the fascists would progress no further. We salute you and we need you.
There is an earth-shaking display of acting in Creditors at @orangetreetheatre.bsky.social. I was focussed on every single word, but still the twist blindsided me. What a horrible, horrible person. (I won’t say who!)
October 2, 2025 at 7:15 PM
There is an earth-shaking display of acting in Creditors at @orangetreetheatre.bsky.social. I was focussed on every single word, but still the twist blindsided me. What a horrible, horrible person. (I won’t say who!)
And to all my Jewish friends and followers also: You are not alone.
October 2, 2025 at 7:05 PM
And to all my Jewish friends and followers also: You are not alone.
Julie Andrews is 90 today. I can’t quite believe that. To me she is eternally this age.
October 1, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Julie Andrews is 90 today. I can’t quite believe that. To me she is eternally this age.
Very happy memories of Tony Harrison, who gave me probably my four best evenings in the theatre. Three parts of the joyously uplifting promenade plays The Mysteries. The fourth was when I went back to see it all in one day. Vivid picture of Jesus coming down from the cross and dancing with a nun.
September 27, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Very happy memories of Tony Harrison, who gave me probably my four best evenings in the theatre. Three parts of the joyously uplifting promenade plays The Mysteries. The fourth was when I went back to see it all in one day. Vivid picture of Jesus coming down from the cross and dancing with a nun.
Born With Teeth is extremely entertaining, and two superb performances. But it’s rather slight. Just two men and a table. I think I’d have been more gripped in a smaller theatre. The best thing was spotting all the Shakespeare quotes smuggled into the script.
September 25, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Born With Teeth is extremely entertaining, and two superb performances. But it’s rather slight. Just two men and a table. I think I’d have been more gripped in a smaller theatre. The best thing was spotting all the Shakespeare quotes smuggled into the script.
My word! Fawlty Towers is fifty years old today. I suddenly feel ancient.
September 19, 2025 at 9:07 PM
My word! Fawlty Towers is fifty years old today. I suddenly feel ancient.
I crossed the breadth of London to see the great Teatr Bioro Podrozy, but their bleak subversion of The Tempest is not their best. Spectacular open-air fire, water and smoke. But so hard to follow even if you know your Shakespeare, and depressing as hell.
September 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
I crossed the breadth of London to see the great Teatr Bioro Podrozy, but their bleak subversion of The Tempest is not their best. Spectacular open-air fire, water and smoke. But so hard to follow even if you know your Shakespeare, and depressing as hell.
Twelfth Night at the Globe has got masses of rambunctious laughs, and is as colourful as a carnival. But everything is sacrificed to that - no tenderness, no dark shadows, no subtlety, and a gay subplot that just makes no sense. Sigh! But my companion loved it, so what do I know!
September 16, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Twelfth Night at the Globe has got masses of rambunctious laughs, and is as colourful as a carnival. But everything is sacrificed to that - no tenderness, no dark shadows, no subtlety, and a gay subplot that just makes no sense. Sigh! But my companion loved it, so what do I know!
Doctors I trust more than RFK Jr.
September 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Doctors I trust more than RFK Jr.
I thought Goodnight Oscar at @barbicancentre.bsky.social was wonderfully entertaining. Possibly not the greatest play ever (I’m never convinced by the use of ghosts), but Sean Hayes as Oscar Levant and Rosalie Craig as his wife both put in spectacular performances. Funny, shocking, sad and wow!
September 6, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I thought Goodnight Oscar at @barbicancentre.bsky.social was wonderfully entertaining. Possibly not the greatest play ever (I’m never convinced by the use of ghosts), but Sean Hayes as Oscar Levant and Rosalie Craig as his wife both put in spectacular performances. Funny, shocking, sad and wow!
Until I saw this I didn’t realise quite how ill he is.
September 5, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Until I saw this I didn’t realise quite how ill he is.
I am not a tennis expert, but three in a day seems to me a monumental achievement for the British number one.
August 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I am not a tennis expert, but three in a day seems to me a monumental achievement for the British number one.
They put this monster up for a writer. A writer! Keep typing, guys! #Edinburgh #WalterScott
August 26, 2025 at 8:53 PM
They put this monster up for a writer. A writer! Keep typing, guys! #Edinburgh #WalterScott
#edfringe I wasn’t wild about Fatal Flower, although I warmed more as it went on. Valentina Toth impersonates women who have been hurt by men and performs songs as an act of revenge. A big hit in Holland which doesn’t really translate. She’s phenomenally talented though.
August 17, 2025 at 10:09 PM
#edfringe I wasn’t wild about Fatal Flower, although I warmed more as it went on. Valentina Toth impersonates women who have been hurt by men and performs songs as an act of revenge. A big hit in Holland which doesn’t really translate. She’s phenomenally talented though.
#edfringe Red Like Fruit is as raw and problematic a play as you will find on the Fringe. It’s a story investigating consent. But made disturbing because a woman’s words are put in a man’s mouth, with her listening and reacting, mostly in silence. A brilliant idea acted out superbly.
August 17, 2025 at 5:31 PM
#edfringe Red Like Fruit is as raw and problematic a play as you will find on the Fringe. It’s a story investigating consent. But made disturbing because a woman’s words are put in a man’s mouth, with her listening and reacting, mostly in silence. A brilliant idea acted out superbly.
#edfringe Funny, uplifting and finally moving. I loved God is Dead … And I Killed Him. A story of finding faith, then losing it to alcohol and the reality of suffering, but never finding a substitute. The last, yearning words are, ‘Bring me your ghosts, bring me your witches, bring me your God.’
August 17, 2025 at 5:25 PM
#edfringe Funny, uplifting and finally moving. I loved God is Dead … And I Killed Him. A story of finding faith, then losing it to alcohol and the reality of suffering, but never finding a substitute. The last, yearning words are, ‘Bring me your ghosts, bring me your witches, bring me your God.’
#edfringe The Unlikely Friendship Between Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl. What a cumbersome title; what a magnificent show. About friendship crossing divides. Playful, affectionate, gravity-defying, really gorgeous to look at. My favourite circus show of recent years.
August 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM
#edfringe The Unlikely Friendship Between Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl. What a cumbersome title; what a magnificent show. About friendship crossing divides. Playful, affectionate, gravity-defying, really gorgeous to look at. My favourite circus show of recent years.
#edfringe Shantify. Weird one this! Six guys sing pop and show tunes in shanty arrangements. Superb voices. Powerful songs. Lamentable script. Clearly auditioning for when the ‘Choir of Man’ slot becomes vacant. The audience went crazy so what do I know!
August 16, 2025 at 5:29 PM
#edfringe Shantify. Weird one this! Six guys sing pop and show tunes in shanty arrangements. Superb voices. Powerful songs. Lamentable script. Clearly auditioning for when the ‘Choir of Man’ slot becomes vacant. The audience went crazy so what do I know!
#edfringe Altar features the most unlikely conversation of the festival. Sutton slips away unnoticed from her own wedding to talk for an hour (an hour!) with her girlfriend of many years ago Dana who to her surprise is now Dan. Fundamentalist Christianity and lesbian nuns are in the mix. Oh dear!
August 16, 2025 at 5:18 PM
#edfringe Altar features the most unlikely conversation of the festival. Sutton slips away unnoticed from her own wedding to talk for an hour (an hour!) with her girlfriend of many years ago Dana who to her surprise is now Dan. Fundamentalist Christianity and lesbian nuns are in the mix. Oh dear!