Missing Cat

How I Learned to Love Opera

federay — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:41:35 +0000

I was taken to the opera in 1987 by a friend. We were in Berlin. We had tickets to see La Boheme at the Komische Oper. I had never seen La Boheme, I didn’t even know the story (though I … Continue reading →

Unused to Film

federay — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:58:06 +0000

I am on a film set today. My dressing room contains two enormous bean bags and a desk with a kettle and tea-making facilities, wifi and three bottles of water. I stayed in a four-star hotel last night and enjoyed … Continue reading →

Word Hurts

federay — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:25:44 +0000

I finish a paragraph by hitting ENTER in a parabolic gesture that begins at shoulder level. ... What is the tree, the sun, the heat, the birdsong, the noise you make with a saucepan in a full sink when you are doing the washing-up after a row?

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French Letterbox: Rue du Bac, Rouen

federay — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 09:28:44 +0000

I am walking on a street in Rouen not speaking French. On glass I hear tapping. I am walking. There is yet tapping on glass. I am not walking yet now. There is the voice of a woman to me … Continue reading →

Why I Love the Royal Court (or Women in Theatre)

federay — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:11:48 +0000

In passing, I can tell you it is only ever a MALE costume designer who thinks it would be a good idea to put your (female) character in a tight, white, linen pant on stage every night for nine months. ... I visited the Court a while back, I go often, and as usual I sprinted from the tube to the theatre only minutes before the show went up and I realised that not only was I due on.

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Headache: Birling Gap

federay — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:04:42 +0000

Birling Gap yesterday. I left my camera in the car so I will tell you. I carried a washbasket (containing wetsuits, towels and dry clothes: a selection), a picnic bag, an additional picnic bag, two net-on-sticks and a large bag … Continue reading →

Packing Tape and Cardyboard

federay — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 17:44:13 +0000

And for family and those interested: here are pictures of Pascal’s latest creations. Until the other day, for a month, his room had been unnegotiable because there was a very complex airport and shipping arrangement everywhere. We had to kiss … Continue reading →

Before we go on

federay — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:44:17 +0000

I have been reading a lot at the moment because the book I am writing is enjoying a rest and I am finishing another thing and it is Christmas which is a busy time, too busy for writing much but I can read. ... By a very strange coincidence these two books turn out to be very like each other, which is not unusual, if you read any two books side by side and they will seem to be talking to each other.

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A Pregnant Australian Pre-Raphaelite Lesbian Fitness Guru Speaks

federay — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:25:32 +0000

I used to be in a soap on the BBC World Service called Westway. I played a lesbian, Australian gym-instructor called Billie. Me and my girlfriend had a baby. In fact (after I walked out on her, fled to Oz … Continue reading →

Ice Blocks (Manila 2)

federay — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:13:54 +0000

(…cont…) Part Two of a little taste of the Philippines. In Manila we take cold showers which would normally be unbearable but are a relief here. After one of these Rob lies on Jo’s sofa in his pyjama bottoms. … Continue reading →