Speaking about the Book

On Monday, 15 March, I'm driving down to Ripon, where I will be giving a talk about Ian and We Could Possibly Comment - Ian Richardson Remembered at The Little Ripon Bookshop, at 7pm.

The following evening, I will be speaking at the Ripon Writers' Group, who meet from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, in the lounge of the YMCA, Water Skellgate.

I'm very much looking forward to the visit and the two talks and hope I won't be too much of a burden on my hosts, Maggie and Bruce Cobbett. I've been to Ripon once before, but it was only for a couple of hours and it will be nice to get the chance to see more of the city whilst I'm there.

To reserve a seat for the Bookshop talk, phone 01765 606 689.

To contact the Ripon Writers' Group, phone 01423 326 427

Becoming Jane

The last film Ian was in, Becoming Jane , is being shown on BBC 2 tonight, Wednesday 3 March, at 8pm.

Becoming Jane tells the story of the romantic involvement between penniless Irish lawyer, Tom Lefroy, played by James McAvoy, and Jane Austen, played by Anne Hathaway. In the film, Ian played Judge Langlois, Lefroy's uncle. It's one of the many roles in which Ian portrayed a fiercesome character. It wasn't a large part, but as was the norm with him, a telling one.

Amongst other members of a strong cast, were Maggie Smith, Julie Walters, James Cromwell, Laurence Fox and Anna Maxwell Martin.

It was filmed in Ireland and that particularly pleased Ian, as he and Maroussia filmed there a few times and always enjoyed visits to the country.