I'm rereading my copy Judith, close call actually as I had promised the loan of it to a friend a month back. Fortunately she is still bogged down in the rather good 2 vol Freud biography so Bloomsbury B hadn't reached her
Judith Mackrell
@judithmackrell.bsky.social
Former dance writer, author of biographies, currently writing double profile of Gwen and Augustus John. Travel, food ,gardening, arts, jaunts and jokes
Thank you to Susannah Clapp for a mention of this on BBC FrontRow. It's a real thrill to see Lydia Lopokova back in the spot light courtesy of JamesGraham's tremendously witty, clever and moving play, Standard of Living
Wit. elegance, risk and beauty - a world of glorious dance in Pam Tanowitz's Pastoral at the Barbican. And the spirit of Merce lives on!
How wonderful to see the big, beautiful brain of Maynard Keynes made the hero of J Graham's new play. Stellar acting by Rory Kinnear & delicious performance by Natalia Osipova as Maynard's great love, Lydia Lopokova I loved writing about them in my biog. Bloomsbury Ballerina.
En route to beautiful Budleigh Salterton for the fine sea bathing and walks and also to talk about Gwen and Augustus John tomorrow. 12.30. do come if you're in the area. @budlitfest.bsky.social
www.nationalgalleries.org/event/panel-... Really looking forward to being part of this panel on Tuesday. Its being live streamed, for anyone who cant make Edinburgh.
Panel discussion: Looking for Gwen John (in person) | National Galleries of Scotland
Book live stream tickets As part of the programme for our Gwen John: Strange Beauties exhibition, this panel discussion will consider key moments and relationships in John's life and how they impacted...
nationalgalleries.org
There has been such an outpouring of love for the brilliant and generous-spirited Richard Alston, who has died too young. I learned so much from him, watching his beautiful dances and enjoying so many conversations with him. I hope that at least some of his work finds a permanent home.
As Britain swelters through another heatwave, few people will have heard that ministers have quietly dropped plans for solar carports. Cars cooler in summer. Shelter from the rain in winter. Clean electricity all year round. A missed opportunity?
As Britain bakes, ministers quietly park plans for solar carports
Ministers have quietly shelved plans that could have transformed Britain's biggest car parks into shaded power stations
eastangliabylines.co.uk
Lamentation (flipped, detail), by Gerard David, 1515-23, 📸 by Roberto Schmidt
You may also enjoy @judithmackrell.bsky.social 's biography of Gwen and Augustus: "Artists, Siblings, Visionaries' published last year
It tells you everything you need to know about Kemi Badneoch and Nigel Farage that as London schools, hospitals and transport networks all buckle under extreme record-breaking temperatures, they gather with fossil fuel lobbyists, climate deniers and the far-right to demand an end to Net Zero
As Extreme Heat Hits London, Fossil Fuel Interests and Global Far-Right Politicians Gather for a 'Glastonbury of Climate Science Deniers'
Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch are both scheduled to address the event, reports Max Colbert
bylinetimes.com
"So ... so I said ... why not sign your treaty here, at Versailles?"
Gwen John exhib in Cardiff yesterday (greatly enhanced by reading @judithmackrell.bsky.social ‘s Artists Siblings Visionaries. Plus bonus Bleak Fabulous repping the youth of Merthyr in great photos.
Standing ovation for Rep. Beatty, who sued Trump over the renaming of the Kennedy Center, took him to court, and won!
Having such a blast meeting these amazing writers during this treat of a week @womensprize.bsky.social
It's time to introduce the Non-Fiction book clubs! Each have been selected as part of our Readers’ Room programme to read and review one of the titles shortlisted for the 2026 #WomensPrize for Non-Fiction and share their thoughts with Chair of Judges, @Thangam Debbonaire: bit.ly/4uuRDyr
Meet the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction Book Clubs - Women's Prize
These groups may be spread far and wide, with members from across the UK, but they are united by their shared love of reading. For these book lovers, their clubs are not only places to discuss their latest reads, but also vital support networks during difficult times, and spaces for genuine friendship, fun and solidarity.
bit.ly
What an event! So much looking forward to partying with judges and fellow authors
Women's Prize@womensprize.bsky.social · 4mo agoIt’s nearly time... Join us live from 6.30pm (BST) next Thursday 11 June as we announce the winners of the 2026 Women’s Prizes for Fiction and Non-Fiction. Watch live on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/watch
Top tip for surviving heatwave, which I only just learned. When the worst of the heat is over, put a fan by an open window. It accelerates the flow of cooler air into the room.
Beautiful St Swithin's church in Bath where I talked about Gwen and Augustus John today
At Bath Literary Fesitval tomorrow - do come if you're in the neighboughood. Its going to be the hottest day of the year, but nothing so hot as the combined stories of Gwen and Augustus John www.bathboxoffice.org.uk/whats-on/gwe...
Gwen And Augustus John - Judith Mackrell
Shortlisted for the 2026 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction
bathboxoffice.org.uk
Chapeau to The Ballet Boyz for celebrating their 25th anniversary in such high style. Wonderful to see old classics from the rep, by Russell Maliphant, Javier De Frutos and Chris. Wheeldon, also to discover the choreography of Xie Xin - a marvel of fluency, suspension and gorgeous mystery
Sharing a @hayfestival.bsky.social session with shortlisted Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction author @judithmackrell.bsky.social & our knowledgeable Gwen John curator Lucy Wood. Come join us! And read Judith’s amazing joint bio of Gwen and Augustus, & come see the show in Cardiff (it leaves in June…)
Fiona McLees, Judith Mackrell and Lucy Wood - Hay Festival
A conversation on the 150th anniversary of Gwen John’s birth, examining the enduring resonance of her quietly radical work.
hayfestival.com
May 8 VE Day. All those hopes and beliefs that men and women went to war for - and 81 years on we have a crew of idiots newly voted in to run our local councils. Thinking of the women journalists in my war book and feeling the shame. #TheCorrespondents #GoingWithTheBoys
12 brilliant authors, one magical evening✨ Join us to celebrate the 2026 shortlists at Women’s Prize LIVE! Tickets are selling fast – book yours now: womensprize.com/readers/even...
Seems like the Strait of Hormuz is only open when the stock market is.
