Things move pretty fast in Potterland, 'Am I right or am I right?' It took long-time pottermatters friend Professor John Cook to remind us that it's the 30th anniversary of the iconic The Singing Detective (1986) serial. Now one of the world's most significant Potter experts John interviewed Dennis Potter whilst still a research student. His rare, one-to-one, interview formed the basis of John's PhD thesis, leading to his publication Dennis Potter: A Life On Screen (1995). John was an instrumental member of the team that secured Potter's papers for the nation, and in setting up of the Dennis Potter Archive and permanent exhibition in the Forest of Dean. On The Conversation website this week John reminds us that 30 yrs on, The Singing Detective continues to be considered one of the best ever pieces of television. With much of our viewing dominated today by US-originated 'box sets' John makes the case that the innovative interweaving of narrative strands has rarely since been matched. Read John's piece online here.
Meanwhile in the Forest of Dean plans have been announced for a new 'Potter Trail' around the Forest villages where Dennis was born and grew up. The local West Dean Parish Council, backing the idea, also intends to take over the Five Acres Theatre renaming it the Potter Theatre with the trail starting there. News of the plans were announced in The Forester newspaper this week here.
Before that there will be yet another opportunity for locals and visitors to the area to indulge their passion for Potter with a new temporary exhibition at the Dean Heritage Centre's Gallery 41. For those who missed last year's A Beast with Two Backs...is back! event in Lydbrook, much of that exhibition will be restaged at the home of the permanent Dennis Potter Exhibition and Archive in Soudley. Added to the display will be new information about the production gathered by researchers on the day. The exhibition opens on the 16th of December and runs until 12th of March.
Meanwhile in the Forest of Dean plans have been announced for a new 'Potter Trail' around the Forest villages where Dennis was born and grew up. The local West Dean Parish Council, backing the idea, also intends to take over the Five Acres Theatre renaming it the Potter Theatre with the trail starting there. News of the plans were announced in The Forester newspaper this week here.
Before that there will be yet another opportunity for locals and visitors to the area to indulge their passion for Potter with a new temporary exhibition at the Dean Heritage Centre's Gallery 41. For those who missed last year's A Beast with Two Backs...is back! event in Lydbrook, much of that exhibition will be restaged at the home of the permanent Dennis Potter Exhibition and Archive in Soudley. Added to the display will be new information about the production gathered by researchers on the day. The exhibition opens on the 16th of December and runs until 12th of March.
