And to be fair to the SohoHouse Shoreditch

I must, now that I have dug up the reading list from Sunday of the Word Theatre production organized to raise money for Fairbridge, I want to share the titles and authors as well as the readers...really fine work on all sides...but Hornsby's "Nipple, Jesus" was incredible due to Molina's fabulous reading, but the short story "Joyas Voladoras" a father's pained musings about the heart the night before his young child is to have open heart surgery was incredibly powerful -- the handsome Alastair Mackenzie performed -- he of "Monarch of the Glen" fame -- be still my heart. Ian Hart made us laugh and cry with "Man in the Water" by Rose Tremain while John Schwab had everyone weeping with "Stories" by John Edgar Wideman..."A Man Walking in the Rain,eating a Banana." The title belies the punch of the story. The newcomer, Alexis Zegerman, from "Happy, Go Lucky" was astonishing as the grieving mother in "The Wave." And Lucky Brown did a joyous and poignant reading of Helen Simpson's "Up at the Villa." Cedering Fox, as always, directed cleanly, no muss, no fuss, just great words from fantastic performers.

Brownings Prospice and PIppa read by Jeremy Irons and Rupert Evans - British Library

I am having a literary week. Sunday, the splendid Alfred Molina gave an inspired and gorgeous reading of "Nipple Jesus" by Nick Hornsby (You can read the story in his newest book of short stories). What an actor. We even had a nice chat at the intermission. And,he's a lovely person to boot! The reading was at the Shoreditch Soho House to raise money for a fantastic group that helps at risk youth in England's most violent neighborhoods. Tuesday at the British Museum, Jeremy Irons, Charles Dance and the lovely Rupert Evans read the poems of Robert Browning to raise money for the literacy group Poetry Hour. Jeremy Irons is in the words of Dickens in "Pickwick Papers" "Charming, Charming, charming." Included in Irons readings the stunning poem about death, "Prospice." Rupert read my favorite, the song from "Pippa Passes."

Prospice- browning
Fear death?--to feel the fog in my throat,
The mist in my face,
When the snows begin, and the blasts denote
I am nearing the place,
The power of the night, the press of the storm,
The post of the foe;
Where he stands, the Arch Fear in a visible form;
Yet the strong man must go:
For the journey is done and the summit attained,
And the barriers fall,
Though a battle's to fight ere the guerdon be gained,
The reward of it all.
I was ever a fighter, so--one fight more,
The best and the last!
I would hate that Death bandaged my eyes, and forbore,
And made me creep past.
No! let me taste the whole of it, fare like my peers,
The heroes of old,
Bear the brunt, in a minute pay glad life's arrears
Of pain, darkness and cold.
For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave.
The black minute's at end,
And the elements' rage, the fiend voices that rave,
Shall dwindle, shall blend,
Shall change, shall become first a peace out of pain.
Then a light, then thy breat,
O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again,
And with God be the rest!

Song from PIPPA PASSES (set by Ned Rorem)
Robert Browning

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;

The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his heaven--
All's right with the world!

Christ Church Concert

Some of the great poems, songs and essays on the holidays read at Christ Church Oxford last night. A lovely kick off to the holiday season in England. The lovely Diana Quick too me along to ride shotgun on the drive from London. It has been 20 years since I've been at Oxford to visit. This time we had tea with the Head of Trinity College, Diana's old school friend. How magical it was to enter Trinity behind the gate and see the young, hip crazy mid-twenties scholars dash about on Friday night -- lots of elves costumes, santa hats and other Yuletide finery.

We walked through the University town to the church, a glorious gothic structure that leapt from the stills of "Inspetor Morse," my favorite Sunday night guilty pleasure.

Below some of the highlights we heard:

This Secret Garden - Justin Cartwright

The Fayrfax Carol Early tudor - thomas aides music

Moosburg Gradual 1355

AJ Wentworth BA father christmas

Music - Tomorrow shal be my dancing day - English traditional carol, John Gardner arrangement 1917

Music - O and A , and A and O..Piae Cantiones 1582 - arrangement David Willcocks

Poem w music - shalespeare and George Wither 1600 music Einojuhani reutavaara 20th cent.

Talking Turkeys Benjamin Sephaniah - london 20th cent.

Nesciens mater virgo virum peperit - John Jouton 15th Century

Shriley valentine - Brians plays Joseph in the nativity

A quick nibble at the home of Emma Bridgewater, the fanciful potter who is changing the world with her beautiful polka dots and dove teapots, biscuit tins and mugs.

Will post photos etc from France soon.

In the Bleak Mid-Winter - Christina Rossetti 19th century