Comments on: The Night I Kissed Joan Littlewood

By: Saba

Saba — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:54:17 +0000

“I knew you’d be here.” I cannot know exactly what she meant but can guess that she might have referenced your reaching out to her, your show of affection for her, or your willingness to push beyond the shyness that others apparently experienced. I also think that she might have wanted to show her gratitude for your display of empathy towards her.

For me, the comment goes to the heart of a personal quest to find my tribe, even when others did not understand. I’m going to put her comment up on a sign in my apartment.

By: Jennifer Newbold

Jennifer Newbold — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:06:02 +0000

What a lovely story!
Not a sparrow, but this morning I saw a house wren trying to fit a long twig into the hole in the birdhouse, and it reminded me of your ladder photo. (He managed it, eventually!)

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:03:11 +0000

You had me at “kissed”. Memories connected to kisses are eternally wonderful.
Kisses bring us into tight proximity with others, and we can inhale their uniqueness.
More tender than a stare, more memorable than a hug.

“To think that Spring had depended on merely this………a look …….. a kiss.”
One of my favorite lyrics.

Thank you, GA.

By: Marie Nicholson

Marie Nicholson — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 11:15:30 +0000

I, too, love Sparrows Can’t Sing and your recollection of Joan Littlewood makes me want to see it again, but without the DVD – or a player – where can I see this? I shall trying searching. I remember those days well, and the Littlewood Days at Stratford (I’ve blogged about The Quare Fellow and Brendan Behan before) as I was living in Highbury in the early fifties and haunted the place. Highbury which hasn’t seen too many changes, but the East End has changed beyond all recognition.

By: Steve Shinners

Steve Shinners — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 11:07:42 +0000

Beautiful Story , taking the reader back in time. I will have to watch out for the film on Talking pictures hopefully it will be on there sometime this year.
Final thought- let’s get the Arch reopened they are timepieces in themselves.
Steve

By: Milo

Milo — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 09:51:36 +0000

Lovely piece. You brought both the place and the film alive. One niggle though: shouldn’t it be “sparrers”?

By: Jo Mazelis

Jo Mazelis — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 09:14:01 +0000

Great piece. Is the film available anywhere?

By: Mathilde Grange

Mathilde Grange — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 07:57:40 +0000

What a marvelous article! Admirable Joan Littlewood. Thank you.

By: Bethea Jenner

Bethea Jenner — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 07:32:04 +0000

That is such a poignant post. Thanks for your beautiful writing and insights.

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 07:09:57 +0000

I love ‘Sparrows Can’t Sing’ as it takes me back to my late 50s/early 60s childhood, having been born in Stepney and lived just off Cannon Street Road. My aunty lived in the tower block used for many of the outside scenes – Wickham House. But more than that, it is a vision of a life we had that is no more and I miss it (well, some of it; the rest being seen now through misty blurred aged rose-tinted spectacles).