Ted Ryan
Screenwriter/Director/Playwright/Reviewer
Sour Hall - Audio Drama Review
Doctor Who's Pearl Mackie and Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon star in Sour Hall, based on the short story by Naomi Booth. The six-part drama follows Ash and George, an interracial lesbian couple who move to an isolated farm high up on the Yorkshire moors. As they settle into their new life as dairy farmers, a boggart sets about tormenting both of them, exacerbating the sources of their pain and gorging on their energy, ruining George’s dairy products, and distancing the couple from one another.
Musical Tastes of an Introverted Teenager
When I think back on my teenage years, you'd probably spot me with a set of obnoxiously big headphones on, music blaring through my MP3 and totally consumed in the whatever book I was reading - which on reflection, would have either been a high concept supernatural romance or a gloomy and serious contemporary drama.
If You Like V.C. ANDREWS - Book Recommendations
If like me, you are a fan of Gothic Horror and twisted family sagas, V.C. Andrews was the first proper dive into that genre. But what about authors who tackle similar themes while being thrilling reads. Fear Not reader, I have made a quick list based on the original VCA heroines - Cathy (Flowers in the Attic), Heaven (Heaven) and Audrina (My Sweet Audrina).
Writing: I'm Not Like Other Girls Toxicity
"You're not like other girls." This is a line many of us have heard in a film or TV show, usually said by the love interest to the heroine to praise her for her uniqueness. However, this is a bit of a backhanded compliment, especially when the praise is acknowledging traits many women have or insinuating its better not to demonstrate typically feminine character traits. That might be why this line is almost only found in young adult and teen media. Writers may not expect teenage audiences to analyse the subtext or larger social implications that dialogue can hold. By saying that your intelligence, sense of humour, chastity, lack of interest in makeup, independence, or whatever make you "different from other guys/girls," it's implied that anyone who identifies as other to those traits is somehow lesser than.
The Golden Compass - The Failed Adaptation
As an avid reader, you learn to compromise when it comes to book adaptations. Obviously changes have to be made when taking a novel and rewriting it as a screenplay and mostly as long as the production stays faithful to the core of the story's DNA, fans are usually happy - there are even some changes where the screenwriter makes a scene or character dynamic flow better than it did on page.
Flame and Ash by Morgan Brice - Audiobook Review
Morgan Brice cleverly weaves a Romeo and Juliet romance mixed with magic and a road trip. The witch mythology was really well crafted and fitted in well in this universe Brice has created. Seth and Evan's romance was so perfectly written so naturally and I enjoyed how Brice found a balance between the small intimate character moments and the danger being in a relationship for them is.
Viewpoint: Episodes 2-5 (Series Review)
After a shaky opening episode that felt relatively safe, I was pleasantly surprised by this follow-up episodes. Initially I planned to review the noir thriller per episode, but my viewing experience was more rushed due to ITV pulling the series finale for a limited time on ITV Hub with an investigation into one of its leads currently underway. I wanted to conclude my review of the first UK COVID-filmed productions, looking at the work alone - therefore I will be reviewing the entire show after the first episode the same as my past TV reviews. The remaining four episodes delved more into the investigative aspects of the missing person's case.
Beauty and the Beast UK & Ireland Tour - Cast Reveal
Disney’s Olivier Award-winning stage musical Beauty and the Beast yesterday announced the cast to star in the re-imagined and re-designed new production. Staged by members of the original award-winning creative team, Beauty and the Beast will open a UK & Ireland Tour at The Bristol Hippodrome on Wednesday 25 August 2021 (National Press Night: Wednesday 29 September) with more tour dates are to be confirmed. Now we finally know who will be playing these iconic characters in its West End Revival Tour.
