Innholdsfortegnelse for 1917 i New Zealand Woman's Weekly

+“If you’re going to someone’s place, do take a present. Don’t take them something from the petrol station or an Easter egg – put a bit of thought in. If they love Frank Sinatra, go to the op shop and get some old CDs. There’s nothing wrong with saying, ‘I was at the op shop and thought of you.’ People love that kind of thing.” +”Don’t stay too long and do offer to help. A friend of a friend had George Clooney and his wife for dinner. He not only cleared the plates, but he stacked the dishwasher! George could do whatever he likes – in the kitchen, I mean. I think he’d be an amazing man!” +”Don’t call it a dinner party – keep it simple. Tell people you’re…

Original EastEnders cast member Sandy Ratcliff, who played beloved character Sue Osman, has passed away aged 70. The actress was found dead at a care home in London that she’d moved to after suffering three strokes over the last five years. She had also been diagnosed with cancer. Sandy’s character was at the centre of some of the soap’s most powerful storylines in the late ’80s. Sue lost a baby to cot death, split with her husband Ali, and spiralled into depression and madness. Off-screen, Sandy faced her own demons. She struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, and was written out of the show after her battle with heroin was revealed. She retrained as a counsellor. In 1991, she was drawn back into the spotlight when she testified for her…

Glamour, intrigue, drama, style – the life of Sophia Loren reads like one of the classic Hollywood dramas she once starred in. But though she’s still a beauty – “I look fantastic, everyone says so!” she insists with a laugh – these days the simple things in life bring her the most joy. The legendary Italian screen siren insists that although life’s a little slower now, she definitely hasn’t retired, thank you very much. But it’s family first, with the star prioritising time with her sons, Carlo (50) and Edoardo (46), and her four grandchildren. “The best place for me is when I am with my children and their families,” the actress says, giving a rare interview. “It is something that I really cherish. Anytime I can, I pick up…

“I started using a wheelchair when I was five years old. I use it because when I was a year old I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which is basically a brain injury. Usually, when someone walks, their brain communicates with their legs to tell them to move. In most people, that messaging happens without any thought or issue. But my brain is damaged, which means the messages that my brain sends my legs doesn’t reach them, so it’s mixed communication. The idea for my website All Is For All started when I would buy things online and realise after purchasing them that there were details I didn’t know about. For example, I might buy a pair of pants and then realise they have a random button at the back…

If you’re looking for something tasty to feed the troops this weekend, why not whip up a batch of sliders using some gorgeous Castello cheeses – they go great with an Easter tipple! Castello’s white cheese range comes in three flavours, Double Cream Truffle, Double Cream Chilli and, as used in this recipe, Double Cream Brie. Available from good food stores nationwide, RRP $11.49. MEATBALL SLIDERS Makes 12 500g beef mince Salt and pepper 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped 1 tin chopped tomatoes 3 tbsp oil 3 sprigs thyme 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar Castello Double Cream Brie 12 slider buns Mayonnaise Lettuce 1 Shape the beef mince into 12 balls. Season with salt and pepper. 2 In a pan, fry the meatballs in a little oil…

Craving something sweet? We’ve got just the chocolate tones for you that will work for Easter and beyond. Swiss milk • Opting to wear multiple tones of one colour from head to toe is one way to guarantee a cohesive overall look. • This belted wrap from Witchery, in an oatmeal shade and trimmed in mocha, blends perfectly with the long knit dress from Glassons underneath. • Pair with accessories such as these western-inspired boots and mini snake-print bag from Zara. Tip... Dark chocolate accessories set the tone nicely for this soft-hued outfit. Cacao solids • Have your own Pretty Woman moment in this polka dot dress from Farmers, which buttons up at the back with statement wood-style buttons. • A dark chocolate-coloured coat, also from Farmers, works beautifully with…

Look out for Revlon’s brand-new Cosmetic Brush Collection. Priced from $15.99, there’s a brush for absolutely every make-up technique – from buffing foundation to blending eyeshadow or highlighting cheekbones. LIPSTICK LOVE While the popularity of matte lipsticks hasn’t faded, we are crazy about the fresh, new wave of semi-sheer lipsticks that give lips a hint of colour and a moisturising, weightless shine... SPLASH: Maybelline New York Shine Compulsion Lipstick in Undressed Pink, $19.99. SPLURGE: Shiseido Colorgel Lipbalm in Sakura, $55. FIND IT ANTIPODES HEALTH STORES, PHARMACIES AND DEPARTMENT STORES COVERGIRL THE WAREHOUSE AND KMART DAVINES 0800 239 687 DB COSMETICS PHARMACIES JANE IREDALE JANEIREDALE.COM/NZ/EN.HTM LIVING NATURE LIVINGNATURE.COM L’ORÉAL, O.P.I, REVLON, SHISEIDO, YSL PHARMACIES AND DEPARTMENT STORES MAYBELLINE, NIVEA SUPERMARKETS, PHARMACIES AND DEPARTMENT STORES WET N WILD SELECTED FARMERS STORES OR AT…

Reality has set in – and so have the blisters! The work is hard and the criticisms even harder. So, what have I discovered so far about myself and this crazy situation I’ve put myself in? And so it begins... This dancing carry-on is now real. And I’ll tell you what – it’s hard work. Hard work for the body but, rather surprisingly, Dancing with the Stars is harder work for my brain. So, what have I learnt so far? Well, here’s how I see it, at this point in time – “this” being the very start of letting the public judge my dancing ability, or lack thereof. Again, what on earth was I thinking?! GET BLISTER PACKS When you first try on dancing shoes, they feel comfortable as you…

ARIES Mar 21 – Apr 20 A whirlwind of excitement is around you. It seems everyone has good news to deliver. You do too and the celebrations will be joyful and cheerful. There is a situation where a family member isn’t sure how to proceed in a legal matter and your guidance is appreciated. A lover wants to take you away so you can be alone. Be spontaneous, pack a bag and get going! TAURUS Apr 21 – May 21 Someone at work is a bit more interested in you than you’re comfortable with. It’s not quite flirting, but it’s still more intense than how they usually treat you. Take a big step back. Make it very clear you are not interested. Set a boundary for this person and that…

WE ARE: EDITOR: Alice O’Connell ASSISTANT EDITOR: Kelly Bertrand NEWS EDITOR: Lynley Ward SENIOR WRITER: Amy Prebble STAFF WRITERS: Ellen Mackenzie, Fleur Mealing CHIEF SUB-EDITOR: Sheryn Church DEPUTY CHIEF SUB-EDITOR: Denise Bowden SENIOR SUB-EDITORS: Emma Sartori, Bronwyn Sell CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Mirella Monteiro ART DIRECTOR: Béla Trussell-Cullen DESIGNER: Lydia Bristow INTERNATIONAL PICTURE EDITOR: Kate Dwek PICTURE EDITOR: Kellie Blizard STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Robert Trathen LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR: Penny Lewis STYLE DIRECTOR: Leigh Matheson FOOD: Nici Wickes BEAUTY: Tracy Davis BOOKS: Nicky Pellegrino EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Jessica Ault PRODUCTION EDITOR: Sophie McEwen DIGITAL ARTIST: Andrew Kirkup BAUER MEDIA EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Sido Kitchin CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Paul Dykzeul MANAGING DIRECTOR: Brendon Hill PUBLISHER: Tanya Walshe GROUP SALES DIRECTOR – WOMEN’S WEEKLIES: Anna Magasiva DIRECT ACCOUNT MANAGER: Kate Cameron PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR: Raewynn Cowie PUBLISHER ANALYST: Johanne Kendall…

The six-part dramatisation of Victor Hugo’s epic novel Les Misérables lands on New Zealand screens this week and star Lily Collins says it’s not to be missed. The iconic story follows the inauspicious Fantine and Jean Valjean as they struggle to survive in war-torn France. The 30-year-old daughter of musician Phil Collins is taking on the beloved role of Fantine, last made famous by Anne Hathaway in the 2012 Hollywood movie version. “It was tough,” Lily confesses. “It was a labour of love for all of us, I think, and I tried to lean into the environment as much as possible.” She even asked Oscar-winner Anne for some advice when they ran into each other at an event while she was in the middle of filming the series. “She said…

This novel takes its readers to Italy. But it’s not the Italy of sunshine, gelato and history – it’s a darker place full of danger. It opens in Queenstown, where there has been a car accident. To Julia’s shock, the victim is her long-estranged son Matteo. As she waits beside his hospital bed, her mind turns to the past. She recalls how, as an aspiring actress, she put her ambitions aside to marry a handsome Italian called Benito... Living in London, in love and happy, the couple start a family. Things go wrong when they move to Naples to help care for Ben’s dying mother. Julia finds herself in the upmarket area of Vomero, where life is much more difficult than she imagined it could be. Her mother-in-law is frosty,…

Well, it’s happened. Mother Nature has flicked that winter switch on and I’m now spending my time craving hot coffee and cocoa, and browsing the shops for new winter woollies. Luckily, this week our fashion director Leigh has done the legwork and found the perfect chocolate-colour ed coat and accessories (although I’m not sure my bank account would call it lucky!). Plus, Nici Wickes and our former food editor Annabelle White have whipped up all the chocolatey Easter treats you could ever dream of. Now that we have you well prepared for it, I hope you all have a warm, cosy and delicious Easter! Here at the Weekly, we’re looking forward to a little break too – although none of us are imagining that we’ll be able to relax entirely…

“Talk less, smile more.” So goes a line from the hit musical Hamilton and it’s also a mantra Annabelle White is trying her best to adopt. It’s not going very well. In the hour the Weekly has been chatting with the beloved “cuddly cook”, we’ve yarned about everything and anything, including holograms (she’s been made into one), Carly Simon (and her night of passion with Warren Beatty), op shops (the best place to buy Easter gifts) and McDonald’s fish burgers. (“They’re so underrated!”) A conversation with Annabelle roars along; it takes delightful twists and turns along unusual tangents before finally ending up back where you started. “To cook is to love, and to love is to cook,” she says as she pulls on an apron to pose for our photos…

1 When baking, it’s important to follow the recipe. But, you can make adjustments. For example, if it’s an apple and cinnamon cake, you can make a pear and ginger cake, if you want to. But stick to the original recipe on your first go. 2 Unless the recipe calls for melted or ice-cold butter, always have your butter at room temperature. It creams so much better. 3 When you’re creaming butter and sugar, go further than you would think. It changes colour, yes, but it must not be granular. If you find butter at the bottom of your cake tins, it’s probably because you haven’t creamed it properly. Chefs have told me that this is the number-one baking mistake. 4 Separate eggs straight out of the fridge, because cold…

It was a challenge Tim Carr couldn’t refuse. He and his partner Fay Cobbett were out walking when they began talking about the fact that Fay, a breast cancer survivor, found her prosthetic breast so uncomfortable that she’d stopped wearing it. “I was mostly okay about going around lopsided because it was better than the alternative and Tim understood why,” recalls Fay. “But on that day, he said he didn’t like people looking at me and making judgements without knowing why I looked like I did. “So I said to him, ‘If you can get me something better, then I will wear it.’ And he said, ‘Okay.’” Tim’s decision to take up Fay’s challenge has not only made a huge difference to her, but looks set to make life post-surgery…

All I want at Easter time is for the house to smell of slow-cooked lamb, for there to be rich chocolate treats hanging about on every surface and to share it all with friends and family. Send your foodie thoughts and questions to Nici: nwickes@bauermedia.co.nz Easter lamb roast SERVES 6-8 Invite the family or friends over for lunch or dinner for this one-tray roast lamb feast. 1 1.5-1.8kg leg of lamb, bone in or out (I used a Champagne cut, see note) 2-4 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp sea salt 1 red pepper, sliced 1 eggplant, sliced into 5cm-thick chunks 1 fennel bulb, sliced 3 sprigs rosemary 1 bunch carrots 1 lemon, quartered 1 cup white wine Handful fresh herbs, torn, (I used mint and thyme) 1 Preheat oven to…

It’s that time of year where we must indulge in obscene amounts of chocolate! But what if your Easter treat was charitable at the same time? Would that make you feel even better? Whittaker’s cute and tasty chocolate kiwis contribute 20 cents from each sold to Kiwis for Kiwi Operation Nest Egg programme, which has had huge success in increasing the numbers of our endangered, feathered friends. Available in dark or milk chocolate from supermarkets and retail outlets nationwide, RRP from $6.99.…

This week’s model Cindy shares her beauty secrets with us… What has surprised you the most about getting older? That it’s not that scary! I’m embracing it. Have you made any new beauty discoveries? Professional lash extensions. I’ve had natural-looking ones put on twice and they’re such a great pick-me-up. Plus, I love waking up looking like I don’t need to put make-up on. Beauty-wise, what would you never do? I’d never get a perm or dye my hair dark. What’s the one thing you wish women of your age would do more of? I wish women would criticise themselves less and just know they are enough. I’d love to see them take more time out for themselves too.…

Any advice on settling rescue pets in their forever home? Keep things simple and calm until they understand their new world. Gently introduce them to routines and be patient while they learn. It’s a lot of new information to process and they might not get everything right first time! Apart from vet visits, how do I keep my pet healthy? Fleas are one of the most common health issues for pets. Along with the irritation of bites, flea-related diseases account for over 50% of skin disease cases reported to vets. It’s best to prevent problems by protecting all your pets, all year round, with an effective flea treatment. When it comes to worms, infected pets may not show symptoms, but intestinal worms can cause serious health issues.…

There’s something about the beauty of empty glass jars that makes it hard to just put them in the recycling bin. If you’ve been holding on to a few hoping for an inspiring project, you’ll love this super-easy idea. You will need: • Empty and cleaned-out glass jars • Resene testpots in your choice of colours. We used Wax Flower and Trade Wind 1 Pour a small amount of your paint colour of choice into the bottom of each jar. 2 Tilt the jars in different directions to get the paint to swirl up on the inside. 3 Leave to dry overnight. 4 Use your upcycled jars as a storage space for stationery or as a decorative feature on their own. TOP TIP You could also…

A dream to read I have just finished reading Nicky Pellegrino’s A Dream of Italy and it was another wonderful book of hers. I have all of Nicky’s books and everytime I read one, I do try hard to take my time but they are so difficult to put down! Nicky makes you feel as if you are in Italy and the plot is always so good, it’s like being in the sun even on a rainy day. Keep up the writing Nicky, and thank you! Joyce, Wainuiomata $100 WINNING LETTER Best of both worlds! What a great read about Tracey Goodall (Small Town, Big Wonders, 08.04.19). You are one gutsy woman Tracey for taking on the job at Forgotten World Highways, Taumarunui. There is no doubt in my mind…

Attending this year’s Horse of the Year (HoTY) show in Hastings was a Sliding Doors moment, like stepping into my alternative universe. This would have been my world, my people, had my parents been even remotely horsey and I’d been able to fulfil my childhood dream of owning my own pony. We would have hitched a horse float to an industrial-sized Holden and made the trek from Tokoroa or Turangi, or wherever we’d washed up for a couple of years, and spent a week among the horsey set from all over New Zealand. I would have been able to immerse myself in all things equine – camping in the showground and falling asleep to the sound of whickering ponies; breathing in the smell of leather, hay and horse; polishing boots,…

Beloved Scottish musical duo The Proclaimers are making their way to New Zealand for a tour of their greatest hits, with eight shows across the country kicking off in Christchurch on May 3. The twins behind the famous ’80s band, Charlie and Craig Reid, are known for their chart-topping songs I’m on My Way and I’m Gonna Be. Their success is still something that comes as a surprise to the pair. “We never anticipated that we would have commercial success,” tells Charlie. “We feel very lucky.” The brothers are excited to tour here, saying they “loved the country and the people” since their first visit in 1989.…

My favourite book ever is… Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, which changed how I approached journalism. Capote’s forensic attention to detail and his taut, structured prose made his account of the Clutter family killing in Kansas in 1959 compelling reading. His writing was of a standard I could never achieve but it inspired me to try. My book of the moment is… Ian Rankin’s In a House of Lies. The main character, John Rebus, is an old long-haul plane friend of mine who is scarily familiar. Flawed but humane, Rebus likes old-school ways, flouts authority and is cynical. He may be a cop, but in personality and passion for truth, there’s a lot of journalist in Rebus.…

She may be best known for her role as Fran Fine’s mother Sylvia on hit TV series The Nanny, but now it’s Renée Taylor (86) who is the star of the show - her own stage show, that is! The actress co-wrote her critically acclaimed and now award-winning play My Life on a Diet with late husband Joseph Bologna. In it, Renée looks back at real, memorable moments (and diet tips) in life, Hollywood and on Broadway. “ Joe said he loved me at any weight... He loved to dance and he’d say, ‘Just don’t get so heavy I can’t dip you!’“ she quips. The funny woman’s former Nanny co-stars - Fran Drescher (61), Charles Shaughnessy (64), Benjamin Salisbury (38) and Lauren Lane (58) - have all attended various shows…

As one of the most popular royals, Prince William is used to operating in the glare of the public spotlight. But for the past three weeks, he has been quietly working on a top-secret assignment with the UK intelligence services MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. William, who trained in the British Army and worked in the Royal Air Force, described the experience as humbling. “These agencies are full of people from everyday backgrounds doing the most extraordinary work to keep us safe,” he said. “They work in secret, often not even able to tell their family and friends about the work they do or the stresses they face. “They are driven by an unrivalled patriotism and dedication to upholding the values of this country. We owe them deep gratitude for the…

BE THE SUN “I do mix the silly with the serious, but I’m being serious now... I really do believe that the secret to life is to do things with warmth. Be warm and be yourself – that’s something my friend Paul Henry has always said, and it’s easy for me because I’m not clever enough to do anything else! What you see is what you get. But you should be warm and you should be generous. I have to say, that’s so important. When I’m doing a cooking class about the wonders of baking, people love it if I’m handing out cookbooks or a tea towel. They absolutely love it and it’s interactive.” IT’S THE YARNS, NOT THE YAMS “The spirit, the camaraderie, the conversation around the table is…

Broadcaster Geoff Bryan has been a genial fixture on our screens and airwaves for 42 years. But it may surprise Kiwis to know that he’s only been a New Zealand citizen since March 25. “It’s not before time,” he admits. “We arrived here in 1967. I was talking to my dear old Dad, who’s 90 now. His memory is that he and Mum became citizens straight away. So I said to him, ‘Why didn’t you do me at the same time?’ He said, ‘Oh, we didn’t really think about it.’” Geoff (62) says becoming a citizen was always something he intended to do but never quite got around to. “I’ve always felt as though I’m a New Zealander born in England. I never really felt I needed a piece of…

At the moment, scanning for Tim and Fay’s business myReflection is only available in Auckland, but will eventually be nationwide. Breast cancer patients will be scanned in privacy either at home or at the venue of a myReflection agent, including selected Bendon stores. The scans are then used to map out a customised prosthesis and women can have two versions printed straight away. They can get two more under the government subsidy if those are damaged or if they change shape – if, for example, their weight changes. Scanning involves taking a series of photos of the torso and it’s painless. Tim and Fay hope to eventually establish a breast library for women who’ve had double mastectomies – they’re hoping volunteers of different shapes and sizes will offer to get…

Easter bread SERVES 16 6 tsp dry yeast ½ cup warm water 1 cup warm milk 1 tsp salt 1 tsp caster sugar, plus 1 cup extra 155g butter, softened 2 tsp lemon rind, finely grated 4 eggs, plus 1 yolk extra 6 cups plain flour 2 tsp ground cinnamon ¼ cup flaked almonds 1 Combine the yeast, water, half of the milk, salt and caster sugar in a small bowl. Cover and stand in a warm place for about 10 minutes or until frothy. 2 Beat the butter, lemon rind and extra caster sugar in a small bowl, using an electric mixer, until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the remaining cooled milk (the mixture will curdle at this stage, but come…

As autumnal hues signal the change in season, make this last long weekend for a while count with your friends and family. The new vegan pies from I Love Pies are the perfect addition to your spread to ensure that guests with dietary requirements don’t have to miss out on delicious savouries. There are two flavours in the range, Spiced Chickpea and Spinach, and Lentil and Cheese, with the latter also available in mini pie party packs. Available in the freezer section of select supermarkets and gourmet food stores nationwide, from RRP $4.99.…

Make the most of autumn quince for desserts, whip up your own natural face cleanser, and give those tired feet a soak. ROASTED QUINCE One of the delights of autumn is the dozens of quinces I get on my tree. Most people like to make quince paste to serve with cheese, but I’ve been getting a bit adventurous and have been making this lovely dessert. It is perfect with vanilla ice cream, yoghurt or cream. And if you like things a bit rosy, add a bit of rosewater! 4 quinces 2 cups water Juice of 1 lemon 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup honey 2 sticks cinnamon 1 orange skin, peeled into strips 1 Peel and core your quinces, then chop them into quarters. As you do this, put them…

1 FOCUS ON THE PRESENT Letting go of past issues allows a kinder , more positive relationship to gr ow. 2 DON’T JUDGE You have the wisdom of experience and know how awful it is to be criticised. 3 DON’T INVOLVE YOUR SON Try to work out differences directly, without asking your son to take sides. 4 REMEMBER YOUR OWN MIL Whether positive or negative, consider your own experience of having a MIL. 5 MAINTAIN PERSPECTIVE Try to see the situation objectively – consider what you’d say to a friend if it was happening to her .…

You’ve noticed a few Australian states have odd infringements you can be fined for. What are some in New Zealand to look out for? Also, what is a Building Consent and a Code of Compliance? You read that in some states of Australia, you can get a spot fine for leaving your vehicle unsecured – for example with its windows down or key in the ignition. Is that true and does that apply in New Zealand? You are correct. There are some surprising infringements you can be pinged for in New South Wales and Victoria. I too have read that someone was recently fined for leaving their windows down. You can lower them slightly if you have pets in the car (but don’t leave your pets in the car on…

A bog garden. It doesn’t sound that attractive. However, with global warming underway, some of us may have no choice but to embrace a change in our personal climate, in which case a bog garden may be just the thing. Strictly speaking, a bog garden is an area near a body of water that contains moist soil, thus creating a habitat for plants that thrive in moist conditions. Less strictly speaking, it might be that sludgy bit of land where your spouting has been discharging since the downpipe fell off. Whichever it is, a bog garden can be an attractive addition to the landscape. If you’ve never had one before, you should have some fun – and some challenges – designing and planting it. While it may be unlike any…

IN THE DARK! Being a beauty therapist, I often do my mum’s treatments. After one tinting session with her, I found I had excess tint left over so I put in on my eyebrows while I cleaned up. Later that evening, as I was driving home, I touched my face only to discover I had forgotten to wash the tint off. Needless to say, my brows were rather dark that week! Kristy, Te Aroha GROWING UP Many years ago, while I was eating a plum, I accidentally swallowed the stone in the middle. When my mother found out, she sent me outside to the flower garden and told me to turn it into a tree. Leone, New Plymouth, March 26, 2012 GIRL TALK While biking through a reserve in Nelson…

“I’m so glad,” said my darling the other day. “That’s nice,” I told her, taking full responsibility for her happy state. But it turned out that I hadn’t let her finish. “I’m so glad,” she started again, “that neither of us smokes cigarettes.” Me too. There was a time, long ago, when I was a happy slave to the fag, the Harry rag, the coffin nail. There used to be lots of names for them back when almost everyone over the age of 16 smoked ciggies. Even people who didn’t really want to smoke often felt obliged to have a go back then. My mum used to simultaneously suck a mint to help her with the horrible taste. But she still did it. Smoking was a social thing, she said.…

RED JOAN RATING M This gripping tale is so interesting, you wouldn’t believe it’s based on a real-life story! Joan Stanley is living a content retired life in a quiet English village when she’s suddenly arrested for being a Russian spy during World War II. Her story is told through a series of flashbacks while she’s interviewed by MI5. Dame Judi Dench is brilliant as always, but newcomer Sophie Cookson shines the brightest playing the younger version of Joan, expertly mimicking Judi’s mannerisms. There’s been mixed reviews for this film, but I personally loved the balance of romance, drama and mystery. If you’re looking for an action-packed spy movie, though, this isn’t it! Red Joan, in cinemas Thursday.…

She is an academic, teacher and writer who lives in Dunedin. She has written short stories and non-fiction, and this is her third novel. This novel was inspired by… ”Black and white 1950s photos I found in a house where I stayed, alone, in a remote bay in the Marlborough Sounds. Before bed one night, I watched several episodes of The Sopranos. Then, during a power cut, a storm blew open a locked door downstairs. Once I had fallen asleep, my subconscious may have merged these events with a connection I have to Southern Italy. I woke the next morning with a cast of characters, Naples as a setting, a late 1950s to early 1960s time frame and a sinister storyline.” My writing habits are… “Variable, but when I’m immersed…

Diamonds really are a girl’s best friend as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall proved last week at the 2019 Laurence Olivier Awards. British stage performers turned out in their finest for the event honouring excellence in professional theatre, held at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Camilla (71) glittered in a statement necklace and drop earrings as she accompanied ballerina Darcey Bussell (49) and actor Richard E. Grant (61) to present choreographer, Sir Matthew Bourne (59) with a special award for “extraordinary achievements in dance”.…