janehanmer

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What I've been reading

What I’ve been reading

Its 1st September and I’m not entirely sure where August went. I have spectacularly failed to review the books I’ve been reading so instead  I’m going to  summarise what I’ve read instead.

So I have been reading a variety of things and really want to recommend them all.

Firstly I read Lucy Hounsom’s Heartland which is the middle book in the world maker trilogy.

This is the second part of Kyndra’s…

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Me and Lems running the quiz by @SgtAngua_CW

This year was my fifth Nineworlds and I think it was one of the best I’ve attended. For me it started on the Thursday evening with the Quiz that I co-write with my partner @pmsumner and some friends @lemlems and @euclidianboxes.  We were ably assisted on the evening by @boneist and @SgtAngua_CW.  I love running the quiz, its one of only two items going on so we get to see lots of people.

If you are interested in our quiz you can find our questions here and our answers here.

The final scores from the teams were tight.  Prizes were provided by Nineworlds Ents and ourselves.

Final scores

  It went well as far as I can tell and the feedback we got was overwhelmingly positive.

Amethysts unite

Friday started with a very early breakfast and then I costumed up into my Amethyst costume.  Before heading to the Steven Universe Singalong.  10 am is a bit early for a singalong, I know my voice wasn’t ready but a good time was had.  

    The Hamilton Phenomenon is The Room Where It Happens, which is on your maps as Mancy. pic.twitter.com/Pe1EmftCUp

— Nine Worlds 2018 (@London_Geekfest) August 10, 2018

Hamilton Panel by @boneist

I then took part in my first panel as a panellist.  The Hamilton Phenomenon with Genevieve Cogman, Russell Smith, Rebecca Bellovin and Emily January.  The panel went mostly okay, there were so many things I wanted to say but didn’t get a chance to which was partly down to me not being assertive enough and partly there was never going to be enough time for everyone to say everything they wanted.  The feedback was that I came across as knowledgeable and I think next year I will put myself forward for more panels. One thing I was not comfortable with was having a panel about Hamilton with only one BAME person. I know that a call was put out for BAME participants but the demographic at NW is overwhelmingly white it was not possible.

Next up was Fit is a Feminist Issue which was a round table discussion about being fit at every size which was a very positive message, but some of the stories that came out were very close to home for me and I found it really tough going and I have been left with the knowledge I need to do some work on being kinder to myself.

Everybody Hates Moral Philosophy was a Good Place talk and it was interesting but I think I would have preferred a  discussion. 

The Disney Sing along was tremendous and if to want to know what catharsis looks like its a stage full of people singing Let it Go.  There is video footage floating around on facebook.

Policy and Administration celebrating the back room in genre was excellent and very well attended.  Because really how can anyone teach at Hogwarts without a PGCE or equivalent? This was very tongue in cheek and lots of fun.

Friday evening was Knightmare live time which was excellent  and lots of fun.  After that there was much talking some plotting and putting the world to rights.  Also we have sorted all the Avengers into their Hogwarts houses with lots of debate.

Saturday 

Takarzuka Genevieve Cogman gave a talk with clips about the Takarzuka company in Japan and it was fascinating talk – because who knew there was a Pheonix Wright Ace Attorney as well as some lovely clips from Elizabeth and Dracula.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child an appreciation panel.  I really enjoyed this as I’ve only recently seen Cursed Child myself and I loved it.  The discussion ranged from very insightful to naive and back again especially when suggesting that the play should be made more available for fans to watch and should be recorded.

Top of the SFF Cops. 3 panelists with a background in law enforcement. They each got to pick two of their favourite fictional cops and build a case for them being effective police officers.  Long story short the best cop won Sam Vimes from Ankh Morpork’s City’s watch 

swords!

Swordpunk this was a workshop where I was let loose with a real sword that came up to my chest.  I learnt that I would actually be rubbish at this in a live situation, however, I got to feel like a complete badass for an hour and it was excellent.

Whedon Sing along. Yes Joss Whedon is increasingly problematic.  But the songs from Once More with Feeling and Doctor Horrible’s Sing Along Blog are excellent and there is something joyous about singing with a large group of people.  I did say that the singalongs did feel like geek church and that was nice.

I think that we should re-evaluate whether we should still be venerating Joss Whedon as he has become increasingly problematic to say the least and sing as songs in other sessions were policed it would be good to know that we were treating all sessions the same.

Black Sails Panel

Black sails: an intersectional look at sexuality and queer representation. This was a highlight panel for me.  I met some wonderful people last year at the informal Black Sails meet up and to see there was a panel this year was fantastic.  Moderated really well with some fantastic panelists who were really knew their stuff.  Also this panel included Luke Arnold who plays Silver in the show who was absolutely lovely and though he could have taken over the panel, he didn’t he listened and he offered some real insights without giving away too much.

Luke Arnold

Oh and this happened.

Luke Arnold and me

After that was the Disco and I may have thrown some serious shapes.

Sunday I was broken.  I only made it to two panels.  The first being Fat representation in geek culture 2 which was chaotic but fantastic. We came away with the recommendation of Dietland which I’ve since started watching and OMG YASS I didn’t know I needed that show in my life.  I suggest you watch it too.

The Future of Nineworlds was important,  Nineworlds will be reconstituting and Dan will be relinquishing control.  They are opening up to new people to take over and the post on their website explains everything. https://nineworlds.co.uk/future

Important thing that happened. I am not really in a position to comment on this but I was in the room and this is accurate.   https://blackfemgeekery.wordpress.com/2018/08/12/white-worlds/

Nineworlds tries really hard, but it is not perfect.  The organisation wants to do better and they have said they will take this on board and work on it for next year.

I had a very good nine worlds.  I met some wonderful people as I do every year.  I stepped outside of my comfort zone as I took on leading the organising of the quiz, I appeared on my first panel and I played with real swords.  I charged the stage to sing let it go and I got very enthusiastic on the dance floor particularly when Public Service Broadcasting was being played.

My takeaway from nineworlds is to get anything out of nine worlds you have to engage you have to participate and be willing to take some risks.  It is my favourite convention and I hope that it comes back next year and I will be there when it does.

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Nineworlds 2018 This year was my fifth Nineworlds and I think it was one of the best I’ve attended.

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The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest

I went to the press night for the new production of The Importance of Being Earnest at the Vaudeville.  Now this play is one of my favourites and one I know reasonably well I’ve seen it a number of times, not least getting to play Gwendolen as part of my A-Level in theatre studies performance element. Its a text I’m familiar with and I love the wit in the text.

Most productions I have seen have…

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Record of a Spaceborn Few - Review

Record of a Spaceborn Few – Review

I am exceedingly fortunate, I got to attend a Q&A with Becky Chambers at Waterstones Gower Street. Becky talked about her process and her wayfarers universe. Oh my word he is just as engaging in person as her novels are.   

Record of a Spaceborn Few is the third standalone novel in the Wayfarer universe by Becky Chambers and it might be my favourite installment yet.  The hardback first edition is…

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The Expert System's Brother - Review

The Expert System’s Brother – Review

Adrian Tchaikovsky writes books that make you think and The Expert System’s Brother is no exception.

Handry is our protagonist and along with his sister are a pair of orphans in their village.  Their village appears to be idealised that everyone works for the good of the village those that don’t well… they are severed from the collective.

This novella does what Adrian Tchaikovsky does very well…

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I am writing this as a long time fan of the Harry Potter books and films the Harrry Potter series was something that I read as a student and took with me into life.  I loved the rich and detailed world that was created and I became attached to many of the characters I sobbed several times whilst reading the Deathly Hallows and I knew that when the play was announced I would have to see it.  I bought the script the moment it was published and then it has sat on a shelf ever since because I wanted my first experience of the play to be at the Palace Theatre.

This post isn’t going to spoil any of the plot because that would be mean to other people and I am a firm believer in #keepthesecrets.  What this post will do is talk about the magic and wonderment I experienced as an audience member.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is utterly magical.  The tech crew are the real wizards they literally make magic happen and that makes you believe. There were moments of utter joy, of surprise and real moments of fear.

Today after seeing both parts one and two I am a little bit heartsore.  This play really got under my skin I mean I cried during part two there is a sequence that just really got to me.  Bearing in mind that I am these days moved easily but there was a real depth of feeling that I shared too.

I loved Scorpius his character is so adorkable and pure I basically spent the entire play wanting to hug him.  I also loved Hermione because I always loved Hermione.

Harry’s journey in this play is very emotional and the play took us on a much more emotional journey than the novels did, but it felt right and I felt that kinship with Harry as a grown up and as someone who experienced such trauma at a young age and how we all carry things with us that affect us.

There were plenty of surprises there were many laughs.  I loved every second and was utterly transported.  The music the way they changed the sets.  The familiar faces and the new ones made for some brilliant theatre.

I feel privileged that I got to see it.  I feel lucky I managed to find a single seat in the £40.  If you get the chance to see it, take the opportunity I think only the hardest of hearts would be immune to the spell they cast.

Also I had some head cannon confirmed so go me.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child I am writing this as a long time fan of the Harry Potter books and films the Harrry Potter series was something that I read as a student and took with me into life. 

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What I am Reading and why...

What I am Reading and why…

I’ve just checked my goodreads account and I’ve just realised I’ve got like 6 books currently on the go. I’ve gone a bit scattered at the moment. My main joy is reading fiction but I’ve also got an audio book on the go along with several books that could be described as self-help books.

The fiction I am reading Peter Newman’s The Seven which is the concluding part to the Vagrant trilogy, its a…

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The Burning Page - Review

The Burning Page – Review

Oh Irene, this is the book where I really fell for you.  I want to be you and I adore you.  Also can I have a Dragon assistant…

Ahem.

In more serious less random squeeing can I talk to you about Genevieve Cogman’s wonderful Invisible Library series.  I was recommended the first one (The Invisible Library) as I really needed to read something escapist and joyous and boy does Cogman deliver in…

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

I’ve wanted to see this since it premiered and thanks to some serendipity I am finally going to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child this evening.

I will be going in completely unspoiled.  I’ve avoided reading anything about the plot and I will be going in cold.

I’m not quite sure what to expect but I will be seeing parts one and two on consecutive nights.

I will be reporting back.  I am fully…

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Bat Out of Hell - the Musical

Bat Out of Hell – the Musical

I am dying from how ridiculous this musical is. Currently playing at the Dominion (spiritual home of  the rock jukebox musical) Bat out of Hell is an attempt to make a narrative out of the three Bat out of Hell albums.  It’s post apocalyptic dystopian totalitarian and its ridiculous fun.

We saw alternate Strat Jordan Luke Gage who was just about the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. Lithe with…

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Prince of Lies - A review

Prince of Lies – A review

Over the last couple of years every now and again I read a book by Anne Lyle and I always feel that I should be reading more of her.

I’ve just finished her marvellous Night Masque trilogy with the Prince of Lies and it has been such an enjoyable one to read.

In Prince of Lies Mal, is thrust once again into intrigue and magic as the Guisers attempt to take over England.

The third part of the novel…

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Knights of the Rose

Knights of the Rose

Knights of the Rose should have been terrible. On paper it sounds as cheesy as anything. It ticks several of my pet hate boxes. Its a jukebox musical rock songs wanged into a quasi mediaeval story and yet this show won me over quite completely.

It opens with the Knights returning back to their kingdom after battles and they are there in their bedazzled armour and post apocalyptic haircuts and…

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Dreamgirls

I went to see this at the Savoy and it was a a slick and entertaining production. The musical is really a vehicle for the female characters and by and large it is Effie who get’s the ‘big’ songs.

I saw Moya Angela as Effie and she killed it.  Her version of And I am telling you I’m not going was beyond incredible. A spinetingling heart wrenching literal showstopper. Ovations happen a lot these…

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Han4Ham

I can’t stop thinking about Hamilton.  I cannot stop thinking about Hamilton.  I mean the show is some next level musical theatre right there. I already knew it was incredible I’ve been listening to the soundtrack for a few years now… but having seen it… there are words and hopefully I will be able to be coherent in my thoughts.

First off I saw Ash Hunter as Alexander Hamilton and Sifiso…

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A Substitute for Life and Lucid

A Substitute for Life and Lucid

The RADA Festival takes place each year in the summer term there are many productions to see and workshops to attend as well as art installations it has been fantastic to see so much going on.

I only had time to catch a couple of productions.

The first was Simon Brett’s play A Substitute for Life performed in the Gielgud studio theatre at RADA was quite an intense hour.  The Second was Lucid by…

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Ham4Han

I am beyond excited. This evening I am headed to Victoria to see Hamilton at the Victoria Palace.

I completely fell in love with the sound track when it came out and I’ve listened to it on repeat for months. In fact listening to Hamilton got me through some very tough projects when I worked in a school. Ugly crying at my desk as I listened to act two. It sounds depressing but it worked.

Tonight I…

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I'm back...

I’m back…

I’ve been missing in action somewhat.  There has been rather a lot of life since I last committed blog. In my last post I was packing up the old house in Wrexham psyching myself up for the move and all that would bring.

After that post I went and lived with my parents for a fortnight before joining my partner in south east London.  I’m  well settled into the new job having survived something that…