The Scriptorium

 dreamersdare has issued a challenge for February, to take part in Stuff I Love, which can be as vague as anyone wishes.  Their particular challenge is a Top Ten version with a different theme each week.  Further details here 

The first week is for Standalones in whatever media appeals.

So, my list, in no particular order:

1. Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake  I've seen it twice and both times have been sucked in, both by the drama, the humour, and the tragedy.  And I've written fanfic with the Prince, who has such great possibilities for his story.

2. Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker  Which is such a brilliant take on the story.  I've seen it once on stage and also watched the televised version.

3. Matthew Bourne's The Midnight Bell  A much smaller production, with only ten characters.  Based on the books by Patrick Hamilton, each character has so much potential, and I'm currently using them for drabbles for small_fandoms drabblethon.  I've seen it twice, both times at Cheltenham, the first time was the premiere in 2021, and then again last summer, when the new production opened.  And when I got to speak to Sir Matthew Bourne - just to say how much I enjoyed it.

4. Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty  Another new take on a classic story, but again really imaginatively retold.  I love the characters and use them in various fanfics, introducing them into other fandoms (just because I can)

5. Matthew Bourne's Romeo & Juliet  Moved to the Verona Institute, the staging and the music (Prokofiev) really add to the dance.  I've seen it twice - both times it's been a real gut punch.

6. Matthew Bourne's The Car Man  Reworking of Bizet's Carmen, based in Harmony, a small town in central USA, which doesn't live up to its name.  Still very hot and sultry.  Seen it twice, the second time in a limited run in the Royal Albert Hall in London.  It's touring this summer, but I'm not currently planning on seeing it again this time.  (On the other hand, Cinderella will be next winter/spring's production...)

And yes, these are all standalones, in the same way that a director can direct different films, or an author write different books.

7. Casablanca because it's the best film of all time.  Certain scenes always give me shivers.

8. Winnie-the-Pooh/The House at Pooh Corner  Okay, two books, but two doesn't make a series.  The original books by A A Milne, with the characters he created.  The different toys and their own characteristics and yet, somehow or other, they all live together in the Hundred Acre Woods.

9. 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff  Such a great book, which I've only recently read and wondered why I hadn't read it sooner.  It's a short book, being correspondence between a young American woman and an older English bookseller, it's also a great picture of England and the States in the 1950s.

10. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson.  Another book I had had recommended and finally got around to reading, and only then because there was a copy available in the library.  Published in 1938 is a wonderful look at one day in the life of a down at heel governess who has the chance to life differently for a day, and not in the Cinderella sense.  If you've ever thought 'I must read this one day', then do so!

I've done plenty of cross stitch this month, some started last month for early January birthdays, others only stitched this month.

TALK ABOUT A COMMUNITY SPACE YOU LIKE. It doesn’t need to be your favourite, or the one where you spend the most time (although it certainly can be). Maybe it’s even one that you’ve barely visited. But talk about that space and how it helps support fannish community.

These are the communities I regularly participate in and completely enjoy:

fan_flashworks which provides a new challenge prompt three times a month, multi-fandom and multimedia.  I've taken part for the last 11.5 years - some prompts really are a challenge, but great for being creative outside the standard boxes.

ushobwri is a great community, encouraging the reluctant writer and cheering the productive one.  Run by brumeier I would recommend checking over on their response for further details.

allbingo is a monthly bingo community, but very easy going and so ideal for me, as I generally go with a 2x2 card and write a chaptered fic.  ysabetwordsmith has written about it in their response

My other major enjoyment (I also take part in various drabble communities) is no_true_pair which runs twice a year, once in March when there are 4 characters and once in September with 8 characters.  To take part, you sign up with either 4 or 8 numbered characters, can be from the same fandom or different ones, and it includes original characters, and then prompts are issued for each date, so that every character meets every other one.

This week I went to see Paddington - the Musical with The Daughter.  It was great fun.  The first half was good, but the second half really took off.  Particular highlights for me were Bonnie Langford as Mrs Bird, Timi Akinyosade as Tony and Brenda Edwards as Tanya.  Plus, of course, Arti Shah, who was inside the Paddington costume.