TV: Do Not Miss! Banished and Poldark will Start this Week!
And so it begins!
BANISHED
BBC Two
Thursday, 5 March, 9pm
In his latest TV drama Banished, writer Jimmy McGovern tells a brutal story about the first British convicts to be transported to Australia.
Russell Tovey (right) alongside Myanna Buring and Julian Rhind-Tutt
Anne Meredith (Orla Brady), Elizabeth Quinn (Buring) and Katherine McVitie (Joanna Vanderham)
Russell Tovey (James Freeman)
But what I’m personally waiting for is the result of the rumoured spray-tan
POLDARK
BBC One
Sunday, 8 March, 9pm
The very lovely vampire dwarf Aidan Turner plays a stubborn but heroic Cornishman who returns from the American War of Independence to discover that his father has died and his fiancee is betrothed to another man.
I’ll be watching this mostly for historic research.
Mostly.
2015 goes 18th and 19th Century, telly-wise – what can we look forward to?
I’m still waiting for something to even remotely provide me with the entertainment and delight of Garrow’s Law and the handsomeness that’s Andrew Buchan (and no, neither “Call the Midwife”, “Downton Abbey” nor “Mrs Brown’s Boys” will do, thank you very much), but at least there is a faint light on the TV horizon for 2015 for us aficionados of the 18th and 19th century.
Let’s start with
POLDARK
with Aidan Turner (Ross Poldark) and Eleanor Tomlinson (Demelza).
BBC1, 8 episodes, scheduled for March 2015
Kíli finally had a shave, of sorts. Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) Image Credit: BBC/Mammoth. Photographer: Robert Viglasky
Yes, yes, I know – Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees left mighty big shoes to fill, and there’s a good number of Poldarkites who feel there is no need for a re-interpretation. But after 40 years – why not? I’m confident that both Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson have the talent to tackle this task. Let’s wait and see (or rather, watch); I’ll definitely do the latter. And come on – Aidan Turner in uniform, what’s not to love!
He’ll always be Mitchell to me.
BANISHED
with David Wenham (Captain Arthur Phillip, 1st Governor of New South Wales), Joseph Millson (Major Robert Ross), MyAnna Buring (Elizabeth Quinn), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Tommy Barrett), Russell Tovey (James Freeman) a.o.
BBC2, 7 episodes, scheduled for Spring (?) 2015
Ah, now that sounds interesting! “Banish” will follow the lives and dares of a group of convicts (and their guards, I suppose) who try to survive in Australia in 1788. Very fascinating material (remember Jack Davenport in Mary Bryant? Yes? Ah…), and I’d watch just about anything with George Russell Tovey, but David Wenham as well? We’re spoiled!
MyAnna Buring, Julian Rhind-Tutt & Russell Tovey in BBC Two’s “Banished”
MyAnna Buring, Julian Rhind-Tutt & Russell Tovey in BBC Two’s “Banished”
And, just in case I haven’t emphasised this enough: David Wenham in uniform! Quick, quick, pass the smelling salts!
Faramir never looked better.
Last but definitely not least:
JONATHAN STRANGE & MR NORRELL
with Eddie Marsan (Mr Norrell), Bertie Carvel (Jonathan Strange) a.o.
BBC1, 7 episodes, tba, 2015
Eddie Marsan (Mr Norrell), Bertie Carvel (Jonathan Strange)
Anybody here surprised that this is the one I’m the most excited about? No? I thought so. I CAN’T WAIT! BRING IT ON, BEEP! HUZZAH!
Set at the beginning of the 19th-century, England no longer believes in practical magic. The reclusive Mr Norrell (Marsan) of Hurtfew Abbey stuns the city of York when he causes the statues of York Cathedral to speak and move. With a little persuasion and help from his man of business Childermass (Cilenti), he goes to London to help the government in the war against Napoleon. It is there Norrell summons a fairy to bring Lady Pole (Englert) back from the dead, opening a whole can of worms…
If you know of anything else of interest coming up on television this year, please let me know.
And if none of this should be to your liking, you can still tune in on Monday, ITV1, 9pm, and watch “Broadchurch”, where Mr. Garrow and Mr. Pullings will deliver excellent drama.
For Sale: “The Cockpit / Pit Ticket” – William Hogarth, original print, hand colouring, 1759
Mrs Molly Joyful is flogging off the crown jewels…
THE COCKPIT / PIT TICKET
by William Hogarth
Engraving with hand colouring in watercolour on cream wove paper, 1759. 320×385 mm; 12×15 1/4 inches, wide margins.
Very good condition, minor wear and tear around the border (please click on the picture for hi-resolution version). I do not know if this is the 1822 Cradock & Joy reprint or an earlier 18th century one. The paper is 18th century, though.
Interested? Please contact joyful_molly at yahoo.co.uk for questions and price offers; offers start at £ 280.00/EUR 350.00 (plus p+p, custom fees and possible banking/paypal fees). This is your chance to invite one of Britain’s greatest artist into your house. I hate to see him go, but alas…
Did Napoleon get up your nose? No surprise!
Pardon the pun, but I couldn’t resist when coming across this snuff box on the Antiques Roadshow.
A snuff box in the shape of Napoleon’s hat – now I’ve seen it all! Though not quite up there with Napoleon’s head in a jerry, it’s still a very quirky item. Made of horn in ca. 1812, this commemorative snuff box was made with Napoleon’s doomed Russisa campaign in mind. Prophetic that he looks so sulky, despite his grande armée in the background). The inscription says “Napoléon à Moscou” (Napoleon in Moscow – oh, the dangers of overhasty marketing!) And at a value of £ 300 – £ 400 pounds, it’s not to be sneezed at.
The Georgian Children Thrones
Antiques Roadshow goes Games of Thrones…
This is where the well-heeled Georgian family would have placed their little prince or princess for supper – it’s a miniature late Regency/Georgian dining chair! Made of Mahogany in ca. 1830, this children chair allowed for catapulting porridge and cooked liver all over the dining room from a prominent position. It will therefore not come as a big surprise for you if you learn that it is still used within the family.
Special detail: the seat (still the original upholstery) is made of woven horsehair!
With a value of £800 – £1’000, this migh be just the perfect gift for the next baby shower…
Now, some parents are known for putting their children on pedestals. Some Georgian parents, however, put them on thrones!
This useful piece was made of oak and elm and dates back to the late 18th/early 19th century. If you’d want to go potty with it, you’d have to fork out between £800 and £1200.
Indeed, worthy of a prince! (No, not for you, George. You already got a bilby.)
Ladies and Gentlemen – Nelson’s Teapot!
Seeing how Easter is just around the corner, a Fabergé egg might have been more suitable to turn up on the Antiques Roadshow, but I thought that you’ll be just as happy with Nelson’s teapot. And it’s the real thing!
How did Nelson’s teapot find its way into the Antiques Roadshow? Well, this lady brought it along.
Her grandmother’s maiden name was Barlow, and she was a descentant of Admiral Sir Robert Barlow, who “commanded one of Nelson’s ships”. Looking at the order of the battle which survived through the centuries, you can see that it was HMS Triumph.
Barlow’s third daughter married Horatio Nelson’s elder brother William, and he inherited title and teapot after Nelson’s death.
The teapot was part of the so-called “Baltic Service”, which was presented to Nelson by the people of London on occasion of a banquet. And it was made in – France. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this a recycled piece of French china. Oh those thrifty Londoners!
Isn’t it amazing that this teapot survived through the centuries? Final proof neither Nelson nor Emma had cats.
Having a cuppa from this teapot will set you back at least £ 20’000, for that’s what it would probably bring at an auction. And as with all things Nelson, sky would be the limit.
It wouldn’t be complete without the knitted commemorative Collingwood tea cosy, though (which is slightly more affordable).
The Great Fire of London – now with additional Andrew Buchan!
Rejoyce, fellow history lovers and afiçionados of the ever lovely Andrew Buchan – I come bearing good news for you!
ANDREW BUCHAN TO STAR IN ITV’S FOUR PART MINI SERIES “THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON”
Inspired by the real events of 1666 when nearly half of London was destroyed in less than a week, the drama is written by Tom Bradby, political editor of ITN and author of Shadow Dancer. The story unfolds over four consecutive days as the fire takes hold of the city and the people desperately attempt to overcome the flames amid a threat to the monarchy. Buchan will play humble baker Thomas Farriner in whose shop the fire began on September 2, 1666.
Don’t mess with Mrs. O’Leary’s cow and Thomas Farriner’s artisan bread!
Any excuse for a picture of Andrew Buchan at his prettiest!
And it’s delicious news for us Royal Navy buffs: Daniel Mays will play Samuel Pepys – yes, that Samuel Pepys, Mr. Il faut que je leave it least it bring me to alcun major inconvenience, that one! I love the casting for that role!
Trafalgar: Nelson, Navy, Nation. New Exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
Of course a new exhibition with that title had to open on Trafalgar Day.
Hours: Open daily, 10.00-17.00 (last entry 16.30)
Location: National Maritime Museum, floor two
Admission: FREE
I’m curious to see if/what new aspects of “Nelson’s Navy” will be presented. And I’m looking forward to the “weird and wonderful” Nelson memorabilia; it will be difficult to top some of my past finds…
There are various activities and events hosted in connection with this exhibition, so have a look around the NMM.
And later on I’ll do the usually Collingcount (it’s a drinking game – have one every time Collingwood should be mentioned and isn’t.)
Happy birthday to that noble fellow Collingwood!
I admit, the Great British Bake-Off it ain’t, but I can assure you that the cake tastes much better than the icing looks.
Here’s to the noble fellow Collingwood, our dear Old Cuddy. May there be many more cakes we can eat and glasses we can empty in his honour.
Pilfered from Old Cuddy. Because Admiral Collingwood deserves two blog entries in his honour!
You have the Breeches, you have the Cravat – but do you have the Condom?
Probably not, but you could have bought this outstanding – stop chuckling! – piece twelve years ago from Christie’s.
Thanks to The Chirurgeon’s Apprentice for finding this one.
You couldn’t get more authentic than this, come next Austen Ball! The little English riding coat is made from sheep guts, sold for £764 and measures 21 cm – oh, and you can tie it with a ribbon!
(And just in case none of you are in the mood, you could look at the picture for inspiration!)
I’m not fully convinced this is 18th century, though… judging from the fashion sported by the coupling couple, I’d dated this to the 19th century. But then again, you can never be 100% sure with condoms.
This here is a 17th century condom, made from red silk and also fitted with a ribbon:
Condoms were first used in brothels, and often soaked in contraceptive herbal decoctions, washed after use and then reused. Aren’t we all happy we made some progress there!
Joyful Molly 