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The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander #Review

  The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander was published by Avon Books on September 25th.  A charming literary-themed novel about a young woman determined to save her great-aunt’s beloved bookshop from extinction by the shiny new competition—which also happens to be run by the handsome son of her family’s rivals. The cute, seaside town of Portneath has been the home of Capelthorne’s Books for nearly a hundred years… The shop, in the heart of a high street that stretches crookedly down the hill from the castle to the sea, may be a tad run-down these days, but to Jules Capelthorne, the wonky, dusty world of literary treasures is full of precious childhood memories. When her great-aunt Florence gets too frail to run it alone, Jules ditches her junior publishing job in London and comes home to make the bookshop’s hundredth birthday a celebration to remember. Jules quickly discovers things are worse than she ever imagined: The bookshop is close to bankruptcy, ...
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Play: The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare

 

c, Books, Life and Everything


Performed at the Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Garden Theatre by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford Upon Avon and directed by Phillip Breen. 

It was wonderful to be able to go to the new, temporary Garden Theatre which has been built near the Swan Theatre, Stratford upon Avon and to experience a Royal Shakespeare Company production once more. We were lucky. The weather was kind to us and the whole evening was a delight! The Comedy of Errors was first performed in 1594. I have never seen it performed before but was struck by how lively and natural the dialogue seemed.

 

 

 

c. Books, Life and Everything
Despite the ever-present COVID restrictions with mask wearing and one way systems, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the theatres again- The Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre. The following day, we walked past the Other Place and it all looked to be safe and sound, waiting to re-open. Watching a play outside is an experience in itself. We started in bright sunshine, by a miracle, and gradually saw the evening dusk come on and the lights go up. The stage looked totally different under the lights in the dark but each had their own atmosphere and the final reunion at sunset was doubly apt. You were always aware of the audience and it emphasised the connection between the actors and the people sitting so close.
c. Books, Life and Everything

    Of course, you have to suspend belief and take at face value all the good luck, chance meetings and mistaken identity situations which fill the play, with its pair of separated twins.Separation and reunion was at its heart, with the emphasis not just on separated siblings, but also on searching within yourself for all elements of your true self. When the Antipholus pair find each other, you are struck by how unsure they seem about this, unlike the Dromios who embrace and reunite in joy. It was a true ensemble piece with everyone playing their part. The live music enhanced the action and at times, punctuated the story for you. It lived up to its title, with standout comic timing from the Dromios. 

All I can add is that we will be back!

c. Books, Life and Everything

 



 
 

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