Well, I've been in a bit of a lockdown low for the past few days. Think I've almost climbed out of it. 

Today has helped. More heart-warming message exchanges with dear friends, then a couple of lovely video calls... one for my acting career, one with the choir I'm in - all, good for my soul.

It's been a gorgeous summer's day (in May, ha!) and this poem popped into my head.

Peace, love and positivity to one and all. x

It's the 1st of May 2020, and it's just occurred to me that I haven't published my voicereel here. 

Well, that wasn't an oversight originally, as I post here purely for pleasure. Now though, as we make our way through these strange times, I think it would be silly not to.

So here it is... my montage.

I've been planning to return to my podcast; now seems the perfect time.

As we find ourselves in a strange new (temporary) world, one thing is constant - the beauty of art, literature and music.

Shakespeare's sonnets encompass all of that beauty.

It's been ages since my last post... almost 6 months! How quickly time flies.

I do have a good excuse though. I've been in a bubble of creativity. In fact, I'm still in that bubble... and aim to remain in it for quite some time.

I've been busy rehearsing and opening a couple of plays now that I'm back at the Royal Shakespeare Company. However, I now have room to venture back into other areas.

I'm appearing in Doctor Faustus and Don Quixote at the Swan theatre. In the meantime, I've provided a voiceover for the Shakespeare in Art exhibition at Compton Verney. I'm thrilled. Here's the recording...

The last day of November... already.

It's been a difficult month all told...on a human level.

Events have taken place which bring closer to home the sadness, destruction and mindless atrocity that goes on - on a daily basis - all over the world. In the name of some cause or another. In the name of some belief or another. To satisfy some cruel whim or another.

As the end of the year approaches, I hope it brings with it an end to suffering for at least some of those who need relief and aid.

We've reached September already... a long Bank Holiday weekend eased us into a new month.

I spent Sunday in Brighton ... I hadn't been there for years. Within moments of arriving in town, I was greeted with warmth and kindness. I enjoyed the benefits of a seaside trip, fresh air and as luck would have it - sunshine.

Yesterday courtesy of news reports, I saw yet more images of grief and desperation. Refugees arriving in coastal areas of Europe not for a moment of relaxation or for a change of scenery, but out of basic need. Human beings who for the most part have probably led decent lives, but who - thanks to the ravages of war - have been forced to seek shelter elsewhere.

Today, I am seeing further reports, this time of donations, aid and voluntary work. Rallying calls to help those in need. Here's a link that may be of interest to anyone who wants to help: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/5-practical-ways-you-can-help-refugees-trying-to-find-safety-in-europe-10482902.html

We live in tricky times, but it's good to be reminded that there are good people and (for those of us lucky enough to enjoy them) lovely places in the world.

I had almost forgotten the wisdom and magic of Dr Seuss.

This little gem is a reminder that if there's something in life that isn't right for you - you can change it.

Time has whizzed by, and there's been another hiatus between recordings.

Cheating a little tonight by adding a voiceclip from Zombies, Run! ... I play Zoe.

Normal service will resume soon!

The clocks have gone forward.

Spring has allegedly sprung.

We had storms last night, but today the sun shone, and the birds sang... we'll see what tomorrow brings.

My oh my... it's that time again.

I love Christmas, but find myself startled by how quickly it seems to come around.

Here's another recording  - a little rough and ready as usual as life's too short to grapple with editing software, ha!

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night"