Valerian Forrest
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valerianforrest.bsky.social
Valerian Forrest
@valerianforrest.bsky.social
63 followers 140 following 270 posts
Loves theatre, Eurovision, World Expos, Studio Ghibli, travel, and biathlon. Left-wing, asexual, Northamptonian, European. He/him
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valerianforrest.bsky.social
Disappointed but not surprised at Northamptonshire's ranking.
December 24, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Reposted by Valerian Forrest
joannawyld.bsky.social
Spooner's career as a continuity announcer was short-lived
Radio Kent on BBC Sounds: Walking from Tankerton to Whitstable
December 22, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Reposted by Valerian Forrest
ebu.ch
🎼📺 Eurovision Classical Concerts is coming to screens across Europe!

Full story 👉 https://www.ebu.ch/news/2025/12/eurovision-classical-concerts-to-be-broadcast-by-22-public-service-media-organizations
December 22, 2025 at 10:01 AM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
Time for my annual Year In Theatre Programmes post, over on Instagram...

www.instagram.com/p/DSiT3SqDQw...

#Theatre
Mark Smith on Instagram: "With the curtain coming down on 2025, it's time to look back on the theatre I saw this year. Shakespeare and Marlowe feature prominently in my programme collection this year ...
0 likes, 0 comments - valerianforrest on December 21, 2025: "With the curtain coming down on 2025, it's time to look back on the theatre I saw this year. Shakespeare and Marlowe feature prominently in...
www.instagram.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:53 PM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
As if anyone needs an excuse to visit a theatre but I do need to point out that the mince pies currently on sale at the Bridge Theatre are fucking delicious.
December 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
One last theatre day before the end of 2025? Don't mind if I do! En route to London to see out the year in style with a matinee performance of Into The Woods at the Bridge, followed by Oh, Mary! at the Trafalgar. Exciting!

#Theatre
December 20, 2025 at 9:41 AM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
Just missed out on a trip back to B league by a point. I managed 4th in C Oasis with only the 8th best TCA but the 2nd best DE. I'll take that.

#LearnedLeague #LL107
December 19, 2025 at 7:51 AM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
Just booked my ticket for the Sunday of #MightyHoopla in May. Cannot wait to see Scissor Sisters but I'm also weirdly thrilled that Jane McDonald will be there! 😅
December 17, 2025 at 9:09 PM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
Very kind of Thorsten to give me another chance to bring up my trip to the National Bunraku Theatre in Osaka earlier this year.

#LearnedLeague #LL107
December 16, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Reposted by Valerian Forrest
transdiffusion.org
There is no part of this that isn't both amazing and shocking. Full decision here: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/r... (PDF, contains strong language)
December 15, 2025 at 1:43 PM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
We had a very traditional nativity when I was at school. I played Rapper No. 1.
dymvue.bsky.social Dymvue @dymvue.bsky.social · 12d
So - did you take part in a nativity play at school and if so, what part did you play?

I got the part of the frankincense guy - I was the only child in the class who could pronounce the word ...!
handhyorkshire.bsky.social History and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 12d
Nativity plays have been a much-loved part of the school year in infant and junior schools across the UK for many years. These performances brought the Christmas story to life with a mix of earnestness and unintentional comedy. Classrooms buzzed with excitement as tea towels and
December 14, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Reposted by Valerian Forrest
robinince.bsky.social
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters. Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B
December 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
I'm the Music League* admin for my office and, this week, I ran a Best of 2025 round. Cue performative bragging about not knowing any songs released this year.
December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Valerian Forrest
themerl.bsky.social
'AI is coming' I tell the museum stakeholders as I proudly cut the ribbon of our new Artificial Insemination exhibition
December 12, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Reposted by Valerian Forrest
reviewwales.bsky.social
A master of disguise, the Mari Lwyd subtly blends in with her surroundings to stalk the festive streets of Wales. Hiding in plain sight, she waits until the ideal moment presents itself to pounce and steal your cake and ale...
December 10, 2025 at 7:53 AM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
It's sad but I can't resist a yearly recap. I've largely replaced "normal" television with YouTube now so at least this reflects my habits and interests...
December 7, 2025 at 12:40 PM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
As much as I love going to London for theatre, I always dread how busy the train back to Northampton will be. I can usually find some breathing space (and, sometimes, even a seat) by powerwalking to the front of the train but it depends on whether the platform has been called before I reach Euston.
robinince.bsky.social Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 18d
Well, don’t think I will be getting on the 2309 from Euston
Rammed train
December 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
An image of Konstrakta looking at the camera during her Eurovision performance. The caption reads "So what now?".
December 4, 2025 at 6:22 PM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
Splitting my time fairly evenly between thinking about theatre, thinking about Japan, and thinking about Eurovision this year and listening to a lot of "adult album alternative".

#SpotifyWrapped
December 3, 2025 at 6:47 PM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
When I was a kid, we used to go to MK to see films at The Point, before Northampton got its own multiplex. There's a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in that ziggurat.
theguardian.com The Guardian @theguardian.com · 24d
Our beautiful multiplex: Milton Keynes council fights to save landmark cinema The Point
Our beautiful multiplex: Milton Keynes council fights to save landmark cinema The Point
The building was once home to the UK’s first US-style multiplex. Now developers are seeking to demolish it for a new housing scheme Forty years ago this month, British cinema-going changed for ever with the opening of The Point in Milton Keynes, the UK’s first US-style multiplex. Looming over Midsummer Boulevard, the Point’s mirrored glass ziggurat and red pyramidal frame audaciously synthesised Maya and Egyptian motifs in a futuristic, hi-tech temple of pleasure. As well as 10 screens (Back to the Future, The Goonies, and My Beautiful Laundrette opened proceedings), there were bars, restaurants, nightclub and even cup holders on seats, an unimaginable novelty for the time. Today, with its cinemas long closed, this now-languishing 1980s superstar is under threat of demolition, caught in a row between local campaigners, politicians and heritage groups trying to preserve it, and developers seeking to demolish it for a much-criticised new housing scheme. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:27 PM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
Well worth waiting for...
valerianforrest.bsky.social Valerian Forrest @valerianforrest.bsky.social · Oct 25
I'm not a Christmassy person and, yet, here I am, having picked up an advent calendar and it's not even November yet. These do sell out, though, so I have to move fast.
A box on which is printed Pact Coffee Advent Calendar Wholebean. The box is forest green in colour and is decorated with gold diagrams of coffee paraphernalia.
December 1, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Valerian Forrest
gregjenner.bsky.social
Universities are in crisis, and I don’t think it’s helpful to phrase that as “exiting the market”. They’re not mid-range shoe shops, these are educational pillars in society
eicathomefinn.bsky.social Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 28d
Chief exec of OfS 'said the OfS believes there are 24 institutions at risk of exiting the market in the next 12 months, seven of which are large providers with more than 3,000 students. There are another 25 or so institutions of various sizes at risk over a two- to three-year period, she added.'
Seven ‘large providers’ at risk of going under in the next year
Skills minister says no higher education institutions are at imminent risk of collapse this year but OfS confirms more than 20 providers are being closely monitored
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:13 AM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
I just ordered some shopping from Uber Eats and I was wondering why the delivery fee was so high. I thought it might have been because I placed the order at a peak time but, nope, I'm inadvertently ordered from a Morrisons in a neighbouring town, a 23 minute drive away.
November 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Valerian Forrest
theatre-reviews.bsky.social
Celebrity Traitors go see The Importance of Being Earnest and meet up with Stephen Fry who plays Lady Bracknell. Photo: Piers Allardyce
November 19, 2025 at 11:39 AM
valerianforrest.bsky.social
Sometimes I think about how cool it would be to be able to take Shakespeare to a modern production of one of his plays but then I think about how I'd spend the whole time trying to persuade him not to yell at the actors or piss on the floor and, on balance, I'm not sure it'd be worth it.
November 15, 2025 at 11:45 PM