Latest news with #HarryRichardson
Washington Post
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Book Review: A town struggles with environmental change in Kate Woodworth's ‘Little Great Island'
Mari McGavin is on the run from a powerful religious cult and her controlling husband, fleeing with her young son back to the tiny island in Maine where she grew up. On Little Great Island, she crosses paths with an old friend from her childhood, Harry Richardson, who is fleeing his own demons, in his case grief and painful memories after his wife's death. Harry is so bereft he can barely function as he returns to sell the home where his family spent summers when he was kid.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Book Review: A town struggles with environmental change in Kate Woodworth's ‘Little Great Island'
Mari McGavin is on the run from a powerful religious cult and her controlling husband, fleeing with her young son back to the tiny island in Maine where she grew up. On Little Great Island, she crosses paths with an old friend from her childhood, Harry Richardson, who is fleeing his own demons, in his case grief and painful memories after his wife's death. Harry is so bereft he can barely function as he returns to sell the home where his family spent summers when he was kid. In her novel 'Little Great Island,' author Kate Woodworth explores the relationship between the two as they navigate pain and loss, as well as their connections to an island being reshaped by global warming. Harry reluctantly allows Mari, who lived for years in a religious farming community in South Carolina, to plant a vegetable garden on his family's property while he clears out its contents and readies it for sale. They grow closer as Harry helps Mari and her 6-year-old son, Levi, with gardening chores and he slowly starts absorbing his loss. Distinguished retired diplomat Tom Estabrook, who knew Mari and Harry as children, is also a key character in the book released this month by Sybilline Press. Estabook, who spent many summers on Little Great Island, worries over its future as the ocean around it heats up, lobsters and clams die from shell disease and monarch butterflies on land largely disappear. Mari's father bemoans that his daily lobster catch is now just around 60, down from an average of 400 or 500. In Woodworth's skillful hands, Little Great Island itself emerges as a leading character, with vibrant mentions of the natural world that range from an osprey's hunting sound to lobster mating habits. As Little Great Island and its way of life are increasingly threatened, year-round and summer residents are struggling over the future. Some permanent residents are considering whether to move to the mainland and get a regular job in an office or shop. Others can't decide if a developer should be allowed to build an executive retreat center that could harm the environment and forever change the island's character. Mari believes organic farming could provide a sustainable way to save the island and its character. But in the end, as tension builds over a decisive vote, it's up to the permanent islanders to decide their path forward. ___ AP book reviews:
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
VE Day concert review: The Darkness and John Newman aside, it was a beautiful and befitting event
The BBC's VE Day concert was billed as a showbiz spectacular, but never mind the performers. It was members of the greatest generation who made the evening special. The remarkable Harry Richardson, seated next to the King, a former Bomber Command pilot still going strong at 107 years old. Jeff Borsack, whose tale of unimaginable sadness - orphaned at three when his parents were killed in a London bombing raid while he spent the night in hospital with measles - brought tears to the eyes of the Duchess of Cambridge. There were moving recollections from men and women who appeared on film throughout the concert recalling the events of 80 years ago, from the wrench of evacuation to the joy of the war's end. The BBC, whatever you think of it, is good at producing events like this. The concert was well-rehearsed and well-staged, albeit hosted by Zoe Ball with a children's TV show energy ('Part of remembering our history means trying to understand what it was like'). Camerawork was on point, framing Horse Guards Parade beneath a faded pink sky. And everyone treated proceedings with respect, including the actor Brian Cox. He was here to deliver Winston Churchill's victory speech and delivered it well, gracing the royal occasion with his presence despite his feelings about the monarchy (he is on record as wanting it to be abolished). Most of the acts befitted the occasion, including a tribute to the Andrews Sisters, and a recreation of a Dad's Army sketch featuring comic actor Jim Howick doing a decent impression of Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring. Strictly's professional dancers brought sparkle. This wouldn't be a BBC broadcast if it didn't give us something to complain about, though, and at times you had to wonder what the celebrity booker had been smoking. Toploader, a band last relevant in the year 2000? The Darkness rocking out in front of a bemused Prince William? And the royals needed all their reserves of politeness to keep a straight face during the song by John Newman, a drum and bass star who sounded like a duck trying to pass a kidney stone. But the classics were quite beautiful, from the magnificent Sir Willard White singing You'll Never Walk Alone to cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason accompanying Keala Settle on When You Wish Upon A Star. West End star Samantha Barks, nine months pregnant, closed the show on a perfect note with We'll Meet Again. And one of the most stirring moments was the opening Lancaster Bomber flypast. Throughout the evening, the new was outshone by the old.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Darkness' bizarre performance in VE Day concert leaves fans baffled as they question BBC's 'odd' choice to sign the rock band (and even Queen Camilla covers her ears!)
The BBC 's VE Day 80th Anniversary celebration saw an unlikely addition to its lineup on Thursday, as iconic rock band The Darkness took to the stage. In a show that featured renditions of 1940s classics such as We'll Meet Again and I Got Rhythm, the famous group took to the stage to perform for the many war veterans, and members of the Royal Family, in attendance. The concert, which took place at London's iconic Horseguards Parade, is the last of many events this week to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, which was the day the Second World War finally came to an end in Europe in 1945. While many fans were quick to praise the band and lead Justin Hawkins for their energetic performance, others shared their confusion by the decision to sign them. Taking to X, fans noted that many veterans may prefer some of the older songs in the show, quipping they 'didn't know' The Darkness had such a large following in older war heroes. This was a sentiment that appeared to be echoed by Queen Camilla, as the camera caught her covering her ears, while she chatted to 107-year-old World War Two bomber pilot Harry Richardson. Sharing their thoughts on the performance, posts on X included: 'Harry Richardson, 107 years old World War 2 bomber pilot; 'We owe him and his heroic colleagues so much; 'So we wheel out The Darkness singing ''I believe in a thing called love'' Don't know whether to laugh or cry 'Wasn't aware of the 100-year-old veterans at this VE Day concert being big fans of The Darkness but there we are!' 'Nope. The Darkness does not fit here. At all; Not sure how The Darkness fit into this; 'Watching the VE Day concert, and I didn't expect to see The Darkness performing; 'The Darkness at the VE Day concert is so random and not really a war time theme.' However, others praised the band's show, with comments including: 'The Darkness reminding us that I Believe In A Thing Called Love is an absolute banger; 'The Darkness playing I Believe In Thing Called Love was not on my VE Day bingo list; 'These 107-year-old veterans of VE Day are loving The Darkness banging out I Believe In A Thing Called Love.' Elsewhere, Their Majesties, Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, smiled as they made an appearance for an evening of music, along with Prince Edward, 61, and his wife Sophie, 60. The mother-of-three stunned in an all-white ensemble, rewearing an effortlessly elegant Cream Tailored Bouclé and Chiffon Midi Dress by Self-Portrait. The artists featured include include the cast of World War II musical Operation Mincemeat, West End legend Samantha Barks - offering her powerful rendition of We'll Meet Again - Fleur East, Calum Scott, John Newman, Toploader and Tom Walker. Elsewhere, Brian Cox - celebrated for his role in Succession - delivered a moving re-enactment of Winston Churchill's iconic wartime speech. On May 8, 1945 the nation celebrated Victory in Europe (VE) Day with church bells ringing out across the country and people gathering to revel in the end of hostilities, with crowds gathering outside Buckingham Palace calling for King George VI.
Edinburgh Live
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
BBC VE Day 80 viewers 'in tears' over 'remarkable' King Charles moment with veteran
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info BBC viewers shared a collective sentiment as they tuned in to the eagerly awaited VE Day 80 celebrations. The capital's Horse Guards Parade was transformed for the live concert commemorating Victory in Europe Day's 80th anniversary on Thursday (May 8) evening. Before Zoe Ball stepped up to present the event, King Charles and Queen Camilla joined the audience in the Royal Box, sitting alongside venerable war veterans. His Royal Highness found himself seated beside centenarian and WWII bomber pilot Harry Richardson, aged 107, who promptly engaged the King in conversation prior to the concert's commencement. This poignant interaction did not escape the notice of those watching at home, with one viewer commenting on X, known previously as Twitter: "I'm the furthest from a royalist/monarchist, but if fills my heart with such joy seeing a 107 year old veteran centre stage at these VE Day celebrations next to the King. I know how much it would mean to these war heroes! #VEDay.", reports the Mirror. Another penned: "Harry Richardson a Veteran of the War, is 107 years old! Quite remarkable. Chatting away to the King. As the sun sets on this VE Day, a wonderful Concert gets underway." A third viewer remarked: "Watching some of the WW2 veterans 105, 107. Honestly, they are as sharp as pins. I've cried countless times, they really are something special #VEDay80." A fourth person tweeted: ""#VEDay80 watching the show on BBC. I can never love my country more. We are the greatest on planet Earth. Everyone who died for my country - I love you more than words can say." (Image: BBC) The Strictly Come Dancing professionals, including Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, and Kai Widdrington, dazzled the audience with their stunning choreography, perfectly in sync with Fleur East's show-stopping opening performance. The impressive lineup boasted an array of talented artists, including Samantha Barks, John Newman, Victor Ray, Freya Ridings, Keala Settle, who was accompanied by the exceptional cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Calum Scott, The Darkness, Toploader, Tom Walker, and the renowned classical vocalist Sir Willard White. (Image: BBC) Beyond the musical talents, the concert also featured appearances by a host of acclaimed performers. Dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry, and Sheila Hancock lent their voices to the commemorative event, while actor Brian Cox delivered a poignant reenactment of Winston Churchill's legendary wartime address. VE Day 80 is available to watch on BBC iPlayer
