Rachel Robbins
Bio
Writer-Performer based in the North of England. A joyous, flawed mess.
Please read my stories and enjoy. And if you can, please leave a tip. Money raised will be used towards funding a one-woman story-telling, comedy show.
Achievements (1)
Stories (86/0)
- Top Story - March 2024
Palestinian Embroidery
For anyone struggling right now, please remember, human beings are not equipped to deal with the bombardment of violent imagery on our news-screens. I cannot take in another broken child, a devastated family, a fragment of a lost life. I know I should be bearing witness. I know my pain is not equal to theirs.
By Rachel Robbins3 months ago in Art
- Top Story - February 2024
Teacher’s Pet (1958)
I am a big Doris Day fan. When I went away to university I had a poster of her in my student halls room (alongside one of Billie Holiday, because I’m nothing if not quirky and eclectic). I wrote my undergraduate dissertation on Day, despite her making her last movie before I was born. I had seen Calamity Jane as a young girl and it left a lasting impression on me. I was entranced by the feisty young woman who had to mould herself into the ideal of womanhood. I loved her energy, her physical comedy and her sweet singing.
By Rachel Robbins4 months ago in Geeks
Three Classic British Films to Watch for the Fever-Dream Experience
I have been blessed/cursed with being a vivid dreamer. Last night, I dreamt about touring with Midge Ure from Ultravox, as his comedy support. (There was also a sub-plot scandal involving footballer, Wayne Rooney). Midge and I were stuck on a motorway in a camper van full of leaflets and I could feel the gentle humming of the engine as we panicked about making our next gig. I woke up with my hefty cat, sitting purring on my chest.
By Rachel Robbins4 months ago in Geeks
- Top Story - January 2024
Butterfly McQueen (8 January 1911 – 22 December 1995)Top Story - January 2024
During the filming of Affectionately Yours (1941), Merle Oberon told friends that the film was a “dud”. And she wasn’t wrong. It is a mis-step of a comedy, based on the idea that two intelligent and exceptionally beautiful women would care about and compete over a philandering liar. Big names and talents wasted on a silly, pointless script. It is not just my 21st century sensibilities that baulk at the chaotic, broad comedy. It did poorly at the time, finishing 166th at the box office for 1941, despite the three-way draw of Rita Hayworth, Merle Oberon and Dennis Morgan. It also had the talents of Academy award winner Hattie McDaniel in yet another maid role. And the unique voice and spirit of Butterfly McQueen is used merely to punctuate the comedy with shrieks and laughs. (Notice neither of them make it onto the poster…)
By Rachel Robbins5 months ago in Geeks