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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · 11d

I thought I recognised it as Plas Newydd! We visited nearly 40 years ago but I was very taken by the idea of a special chamber to apply your wig powder.

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · 11d

Is it a small chamber where you apply the powder to your wig circa 1800?

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · 16d

Anyone else notice the fabulous foyer of Soho Theatre Walthamstow, site of a recent @frankmatchamsoc.bsky.social guided tour, featured on the first episode of this year's Strictly Come Dancing where contestants met their professional dancing partners and sashayed down those glamorous stairs?

Foyer of Soho Theatre Walthamstow with two staircases leading to Ziggurat Bar. A glitter ball and neon sign hang from the ceiling.

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Sep 7

The Diaries of Mr Lucas: Life in 1960s Gay London by Hugo Greenhalgh. I'm only 30 pages in but it's fascinating. Real life diaries with explanatory commentary.

Reposted by Standawhile

Monomania @intothelimelight.bsky.social · Aug 8

Thanks to @musichallsociety.bsky.social for a fab morning yesterday @lambetharchives.bsky.social. We saw wonderful items from the music hall archive. Thanks so much. #MusicHall

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Aug 8

I spent a decorous, though fascinating, couple of hours looking at items from the #BritishMusicHallSociety open day @lambetharchives.bsky.social on Brixton Hill. The sheet music is sooo fragile and requires careful handling. Thanks to #BMHS for sharing with us.

Old, fragile sheet music cover for music hall song "I've been out with the wild, wild women" writen and composed by A. J. Mills and Harry Castling, sung by Chas. R. Whittle.

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Aug 4

Mosaic greeting in the foyer of the #LondonColiseum designed by #FrankMatcham on a Roman theme, opened in 1904 as an upmarket Theatre of Varieties. #MosaicMonday

Black and white mosaic in the foyer of the London Coliseum. It says Salve which is Latin for Hail or Greetings.

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Jun 4

Weird questionnaire from my local health authority. I didn’t open it for ages, reluctant to answer questions about my weight or my level of exercise. There was just one question- did I smoke? No, I don’t, and that was the end of the questionnaire.

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Jun 4

This is the year I finally remembered to put a support around my peony bush before it grew too big and the blooms flopped over face down into the mud. #peony #gardens #flowers

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Reposted by Standawhile

Bert’s Books @bertsbooks.bsky.social · Jun 4

Good morning. We are open. 📖☕️

Take a good book to bed with you - books do not snore. - Thea Dorn

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · May 31

Enjoyed visiting the London Coliseum with @frankmatchamsoc.bsky.social. yesterday. It has a Roman theme from ‘Hail’ in the foyer, lavish use of gold & marble, a fabulous winged beast newel post (with Edwardian moustache) through to a victory figure and leaping lions in the auditorium. #Matcham #ENO

Roman greeting in foyer of Frank Matcham-designed Coliseum, London

Roman-influenced mosaic ceiling in foyer of Frank Matcham-designed Coliseum, London

Carved fabulous winged creature with Edwardian moustache acting as newel post in Frank Matcham-designed Coliseum, London

Roman design elements in auditorium of Coliseum, London

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · May 27

Sourcing plants for my garden, I look for thrift - the interweb offers me charity shops. I try my local garden centre and search for sea pink - they offer me sea salt scented candles, pink flamingo dog toys, and nibbly cat treats. I'll have to go full Armeria maritima, won't I?

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · May 19

I’m reading Whale by Cheon Myeong-Kwan for my book group. Three quarters of the way through. Some larger than life characters leading an adventurous life through mid-century Korea. Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2023.

Book cover of Whale by Cheon Myeong-Kwan. Illustration shows a small figure of a woman gazing up at a cinema shaped like a whale.

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · May 16

"More tea, vicar?" Vesta Tilley is dressed as a curate, offering tea on a tray following the theme of food and drink for #MusicHallVarietyDay #MHVD2025

Music hall star and male impersonator, Vesta Tilley, dressed as a curate, offering a tray of tea.

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · May 14

"The lips of time leech to the fountain head" on International Dylan Thomas Day. His poetry has been with me all my long life. #InternationalDylanThomasDay

Two book covers: Dylan Thomas Collected Poems 1934-1952 and Dylan Thomas, Out of Chaos Comes Bliss, essential poems selected by Cerys Matthews.

Reposted by Standawhile

British Music Hall Society @musichallsociety.bsky.social · May 9

Just one week to go until #MusicHallVarietyDay #MHVD2025 (NOTE - there is no 'AND' or '&' in the hashtag)...theme #FoodandDrink. You can find us this year on BlueSky, Instagram, Facebook and Friends of the British Music Hall Society Facebook Group. Join in!

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · May 5

I’ve just raced through Judi Dench’s Shakespeare the Man Who Pays the Rent. Fascinating.

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Apr 24

Of course it’s a woman’s woolly- it’s got pockets.

Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Apr 15

I had a cork notice board in my kitchen in the early 80s that I was rather proud of - so up-to-date and modern. No notice board in the current kitchen - it’s all fliers stuck on the fridge with fancy magnets these days. Fashion!

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Apr 15

I saw the chiropractor today for ongoing treatment. She noticed a small bruise on my back. “I think that is one of mine” she said and I swear there was a note of satisfaction in her voice.

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Apr 15

Ooh, I remember when cork tiles were fashionable. (I’m old.) Was it the 1970s? 1980s?

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Apr 15

But is it a major or a minor emergency? (That should strike a chord with all musicians 🎶😄.)

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Reposted by Standawhile

Monomania @intothelimelight.bsky.social · Mar 30

Fab 3 days with @frankmatchamsoc.bsky.social visiting theatres - Royal Hall Harrogate, Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House. Finale was old time music hall Leeds City Varieties with @realbasilbrush.bsky.social. Boom boom. Thanks for great theatre tours. @musichallsoc.bsky.social

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Feb 17

Oops!

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Standawhile @standawhile.bsky.social · Feb 17

70. No.