Gormenghast or Westminster

In last Saturday's Guardian Review there was a reference to an All-Party Parliamentary group of women chaired by Jo Swinton, (Liberal-Democrat), all involved in the charity, Changing Faces. The reporter, Tanya Gold, noted that 'it must have been the largest female group ever seen in Gormenghast', referring to the meeting that took place in the Palace of Westminster.

The Long Wait Vindicated

Some years ago the specialist publisher Queen Anne Press approached the Mervyn Peake estate with an idea that has now been brought to glorious life. Ten volumes of work have been published and these are available either linen-bound or in goatskin.

The look of the volumes is quite magnificent, with the quality of paper and reproduction of both character illustration and margin drawings taken from the original manuscripts owned by the British Library, of the highest standard. The set which includes not only the Titus books, but Mr Pye, Titus Awakes, Captain Slaughterboard and other titles not previously known in this format, sets a precedent for Peake work unlikely ever to be surpassed. This outstanding tour de force of both visual and tactile reproduction is a must for those exhilarated by the idiosyncratic and original voice of the author and illustrator.

Under a Canvas Sky, in paperback

After the good reviews Clare had when Under a Canvas Sky first appeared last year, a paperback edition has just appeared. With a lovely drawing of her as a young girl by her father, let's hope that the beautifully-written autobiography meets with the same success as the hardback edition. Tender, incisive, poignant, and sad in parts, an initially idyllic childhood in Sark, Chelsea and later Kensington, is set against a later tragedy which touches the heart.

Gormenghast in Kilkenny

In the first Irish adaptation of Constable's stage version of Gormenghast, it seems the Kilkenny Youth Theatre have given the piece everything they've got, and really captured the audience.

Gormenghast - Titus Groan at the Actors Church, Covent Garden. From 11th - 14th April

A very enthusiastic reception greeted the final moment of the Blackshaw Theatre's interpretation of this stage adaptation of Titus Groan. Highly recommended, this very colourful and energetic production had some outstanding and very moving performances, particularly those of Fuschia and Lord Groan.
To be seen by all Mervyn Peake fans.

Reviews in London Festival Fringe and Remote Goat.