Category Archives: Reviews

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Thoughts on Shakespeare and Zimbabwe

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Yesterday, while Zimbabwe struggled into the murky, crocodile infested waters of vote counting, we were invited to an outdoor production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

I studied Shakespeare while at school in Zimbabwe, but his works made as much sense to me then as the European history the teachers coaxed us through. I managed to memorise enough of both subjects to pass exams, but as far as I was concerned, they may as well have come from Illyria itself. By the way, in case you’re as under-informed as I was until a few minutes ago, Illyria did exist in classical times, somewhere around Albania I think.

Anyway, back to the romantic comedy, Twelfth Night, which is set in a fictional Illyria. The production we saw was by an outdoor theatre group, also called Illyria, and the cast of five were brilliant. Their set was tiny, and their costume and character changes as swift and smooth as butter melting. It was such a funny, engrossing production, despite the night turning from hot summer, to bone cold by the end.

As we carried our picnic back to the car I wondered about the news from Zimbabwe. How were things going? This evening, as I do a little light research into Shakespeare, I am still wondering. I’ve moved on to his quotations now, and I think I’ll end with these:

“It’s not enough to speak, but to speak true” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Act 5 Scene 1)

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none” (All’s Well That Ends Well – Act 1 Scene 2)

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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A meal out in a town I barely know

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Recently, after a day helping with a house move, I spent a night in a bed and breakfast in Cheltenham. The meal out that evening felt essential – something to restore us, somewhere relaxed, with good food, not too expensive, and not too far away. A quick hunt online found me La Petite Brasserie, and a table for that Saturday night.

It was an easy walk to the restaurant, energised by the music and chat pumping out of the pubs, all bursting with customers. Everywhere felt busy and the mood upbeat.

La Petite Brasserie was tucked in amongst a neighbourhood of small businesses. I stepped inside having no idea what to expect. My first impression was correct – it was very full and there were no tables free. After a little discussion, and cheerful rearrangement, a table was found, and the house movers arrived.

We settled in for what proved to be a wonderful night of friendly service, delicious extras, and beautifully presented, tasty dishes of freshly-cooked food. My starter was a small cheese soufflé served on thin slices of juicy pear, followed by a main of four miniature portions of different vegetarian curries, each served with tiny poppadums and the best chapati I have had. The wine, an American pinot noir, fitted in perfectly.

Two and a half hours later, after an evening of real texture and character, we wandered fatly back towards our beds.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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A few more thoughts on Barbie, the movie

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I hope to watch Barbie for a second time, but have not managed to yet, however I have picked up a few thoughts from others since I saw it last.

Nobody I’ve spoken to described the film as depressing (and it is full of a barmy joy and courage) but some found it very emotional, and, if I’ve understood our discussions correctly, I think that was because of the honesty in the way the film showed the ‘perfection’ expected of women – and that some women expect of themselves – up against the ordinariness and struggle of their everyday realities.

Here are some comments from the females in my opinions sample (not large). The first comment is from a longer one posted on an earlier blog, the minimalist two that follow are the summaries of some great discussions.

“It was the first movie I’d seen since February 2020! While it’s pitched as a comedy and there are certainly some very funny moments, I thought it was a far more serious movie than what I had been led to believe. So many issues raised that are still issues for women.”

“Very emotional.”

“So good.”

The following comments are from two men who watched. I haven’t yet managed much conversation with them about it beyond: “Yeah, good.” “Powerful Kenergy.”

And finally here are a few things I’ve found out about the director.

Her full name is Greta Celeste Gerwig. She was born in 1983 in Sacramento, California where she went to an all-girls Catholic, secondary school. She has been an actress herself, before moving into writing and directing. In 2017 she wrote and directed the film Ladybird, and in 2019 Little Women. She co-wrote Barbie with her husband Noah Baumbach who is an American film director. She had her second child (her first child is now four) earlier this year, shortly before the release of Barbie.

Barbie herself is 65.

Included in this paragraph are links to two interviews with Greta Gerwig that I found interesting. The first is an Associated Press article, and the second a Huff Post article, which includes a short video.

If you have the time, and would like to add any more thoughts on the film, please do put them in the comments. I usually find them within 24 hours.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023