Open Writing

…It might also be relevant to keep in mind that in Shakespeare's time all female roles were played by boys. Given the amount of bawdy and sexually suggestive conversation in the play, it might be classified by some folk as akin to child porn. That would not be anything new. The infamous editor Thomas Bowdler (1754–1825) censored all indications of "profaneness or obscenity" in his family version of the plays…

Brian Barratt brings fresh insights into one of the greatest plays ever written, Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet’’. This is the first of a five-part series.

To read more of Brian’s joyful words please click on
http://www.openwriting.com/archives/the_scrivener/

And do visit his invigorating Web site The Brain Rummager
www.alphalink.com.au/~umbidas/

Continue reading "Personal reflections on "Romeo and Juliet" - 1 Credibility" »

Written by Brian Barratt - Published at 12:26 PM

Beginning his history of one of Britain's most famous engineering firms, A Reyrolle & Co Ltd, Robert Owen introduces us to the man who founded the business, Frenchman Alphonse Reyrolle.

The Reyrolle Story will appear in weekly episodes in Open Writing on forthcoming Fridays.

Robert Owen served his engineering apprenticeship with Reyrolles.

Continue reading "One - Introducing Alphonse Constant Reyrolle" »

Written by Robert Owen - Published at 12:02 PM

...I once asked my spouse what scintillating factor drew him to my side, but he deliberated so long we both fell asleep. When I ask ‘Why did you marry me?’ which I am inclined to do if I think he owes me a favour, it’s always the same response: ‘Felt sorry for your father.’...

Enid Blackburn considers the nature of physical attraction.

Continue reading "And What A Sight!" »

Written by Enid Blackburn - Published at 10:02 AM

That sheep has a ready answer to the obvious question, as Ron Pataky reveals.

Do visit Ron’s fun-filled Web site http://worlds-premiere-ransom-note-factory.us/

Continue reading "Baa Baa Black Sheep" »

Written by Ron Pataky - Published at 09:02 AM

Writing in his native Broad Yorkshire, Arnold Kellett tells of the trial of Jesus before Pontious Pilate.

To purchase a copy of Arnold's book Ee By Gum, Lord! please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Ee+By+Gum%2C+Lord%21&x=10&y=23

Continue reading "Jesus Is Tried Afooare Pilate" »

Written by Arnold Kellett - Published at 08:02 AM

David Marsh's cartoon character hears voices on a summer's day walk.

To savour more of David's delicious cartoons please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/david_marsh_cartoons/

Continue reading "Who Said That?" »

Written by David Marsh - Published at 12:12 PM

Andrew Hicks tells of a most unfortunate medical error.

Do please visit Andrew's Web sites
http://www.thaigirl2004.com/
http://www.thaigirl2004.blogspot.com/

Continue reading "The Missing Foreskin" »

Written by Andrew Hicks - Published at 11:02 AM

...We camped out and it was a magnificent and clear, although cold, night. We had come well prepared with sleeping bags and warm clothes. We built a small fire and braaid some boerewors and chops. There was a pale half moon angling across the sky. The timelessness of the desert was incredible...

Malcolm Bertoni tells of a trip to the Aurus mountains.

To read earlier chapters of Malcolm's vivid account of diamond mining in Namibia please visit http://www.openwriting.com/archives/diamonds_and_dust/

To obtain a copy of his book click on http://www.equilibriumbooks.com/diamonds.htm

Continue reading "55 -The Aurus Mountains" »

Written by Malcolm Bertoni - Published at 10:02 AM

...Rosemary Braithwaite's wedding took Keighworth by surprise. There was no announcement and few invitations. Most surprised of all was Harry Clemence when she said she was pregnant...

In one giant stride Harry Clemence makes it into Keighworth's upper-crust bracket.

To read earlier chapters of John Waddington-Feather's novel please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/illingworth_house/

Continue reading "Chance Child - Part One: 44 - Rosemary Braithwaite's Wedding" »

Written by John Waddington-Feather - Published at 09:02 AM

Peter Wintersgill outlines the career of Polish singer Rosa Raisa who made her operatic debut in Verdi's Oberto.

Continue reading "Rosa Raisa" »

Written by Peter Wintersgill - Published at 08:02 AM

…What, for example, was God’s thinking when He/She came up with dinosaurs, those outlandish beasts that could only have been designed by someone in the throes of a bad LSD trip? Were they an experiment that went wrong, or simply a playful gambit? The same question could be asked about the giraffe, the duck-billed platypus, the octopus, the whale the kangaroo and the mastodon, etc. It seems to me that intelligent design should produce creations of either beauty or utility, and preferably combine the two…

With powerfully persuasive words John Merchant takes the side of evolution in the seemingly endless debate between the Creationists and the Evolutionists in the USA.

Continue reading "If God Created Dinosaurs – Why?" »

Written by John Merchant - Published at 12:32 PM

Chief K Masimba Biriwasha issues a passionate and optimistic prediction that the waters of freedom will soon flow in his native land, Zimbabwe.

Do please visit Masimba's Web site http://ohmyzimbabwe.wordpress.com/

To read more of his words in Open Writing click on http://www.openwriting.com/cgi-bin/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=masimba+biriwasha

Continue reading "A Freedom Thought" »

Written by Chief K Masimba Biriwasha - Published at 12:12 PM

...We were driving to meet them for the lunch when I was sure I saw their car stopped at the traffic lights just in front of us.

The car was the correct colour and when I saw their profiles I waved at them and frantically flicked my lights and to be honest, behaved in a manner which certainly lacked the dignity and lady-like demeanour a woman my age is expected to display. I just wanted to let them know we were behind them. Much to Teddy’s irritation, I kept this up until I was at last acknowledged by a wave...

In a week of blunders, poor Cynthia experiences acute embarrassment.

The Cynthia letters written by Elizabeth Thompson, brimful of chuckles, are being broacast by an Australian radio station.

To read more of Liz's words please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/letter_from_the_other_side/

Continue reading "A Week Of Mistakes" »

Written by Elizabeth Thompson - Published at 12:12 PM

“It cannot be denied that huskies are the Ferraris or supermodels of the dog world and Zac certainly attracts a great deal of attention wherever he goes,’’ says Sandy James, introducing us to a most lovable dog.

Continue reading "A Husky On Loan" »

Written by Sandy James - Published at 12:02 PM

John Ayling tells of a simple communion celebration.

Continue reading "Sunday Morning" »

Written by John Ayling - Published at 08:02 AM

...I’m a pushover for history. Oh yes, that estate must truly have its ha’s-ha’s put to rights, even though the livestock and fences are a distant memory. And certainly, that tower must have its stones clinked. After all, didn’t it survive William the Conqueror? The bones of the chateau’s garden are intact, but the pleached lindens are no more. What a pity. There’s so much to be done...

Dona Gibb's enthusiasm for the preservation of "history'' has prompted her to consider setting up a society tasked with raising funds for a very particular renovation and restoration project.

Do read more of Dona's appealing columns. Click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/after_work/

Continue reading "A Unique Opportunity To Join" »

Written by Dona Gibbs - Published at 12:28 PM

...people can “imagine everything from books … connections to other cultures, to other people … and to the universe...

Greg Hill tells of people who collected, read and valued books, informing us along the way of the name of Adolf Hitler's favourite author.

Continue reading "Gebregeorgis" »

Written by Greg Hill - Published at 12:02 PM

...'Don't be scared, cutie, you won't feel a thing.'

He pulled the big Colt out and snapped back the slide, and it slipped contentedly into his pink palm...

Journalist spy Sam Craven looks death in the eye.

The excitement increases in Colin Dunne's brilliant Cold War novel.

To read earlier chapters please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/black_ice/

Continue reading "Chapter 40" »

Written by Colin Dunne - Published at 11:02 AM

Ronnie Bray recalls the first time he trod the boards.

To read earlier chapters of Ronnie's vividly-told life story please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/a_shout_from_the_attic/

Continue reading "Brunswick Street Methodist Church" »

Written by Ronnie Bray - Published at 10:02 AM

...At about ten thousand feet over the Mediterranean, I was happily reading a book when an engine started faltering, then recovered...

John Powell tells of a flight into fear.

Continue reading "86 - A Bumpy Landing" »

Written by John Powell - Published at 09:02 AM

Colleen McMillan tells of a creepy incident experienced by her granddaughter.

Colleen writes for Bonzer! magazine. Please visit www.bonzer.org.au

Continue reading "An Australian Mystery" »

Written by Cokkeen McMillan - Published at 08:02 AM

Richard Harris tells a love story which is idyllic and sad in equal parts.

Continue reading "The Australian Affair" »

Written by Richard Harris - Published at 12:28 PM

...I'm reminded at these matches about Norman Tebbit's infamous "cricket test" of national sympathies. Most of the Indian crowd, I would guess, would be British nationals. So shouldn't they have been supporting England? I don't see why this should be an issue. It's natural to stay close to your roots in sport. I live in Surrey today but as a Yorkshireman I know which team I want to win the county championship, and it isn't Surrey...

Richard Donkin says it takes more than a passport and an oath of loyalty to turn your back on the country of your birth.

Do please visit Richard's well-stocked Web site http://www.richarddonkin.com/

Details of his book Blood, Sweat and Tears which is acclaimed world-wide can be found here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Sweat-Tears-Evolution-Work/dp/1587990768/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214554429&sr=1-2

Continue reading "Cricket Test" »

Written by Richard Donkin - Published at 12:02 PM

Steph Spiers longs for a simple method of wiping one's transgressions and trespasses from conscious thought,

To read more of Steph's poems please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/got_the_tshirt/

Continue reading "Control : Alt : Delete" »

Written by Steph Spiers - Published at 11:02 AM

...We had already celebrated the end of the European war in May, with large bonfires. Everyone burned Hitler, a straw stuffed image of him on every bonfire....

Gladys Schofield tells of austere times as the war in Europe comes to an end.

Continue reading "78 - Burning Hitler" »

Written by Gladys Schofield - Published at 10:02 AM

Steve Harrison pays tribute to his perfect doctor.

To read earlier chapters of Steve's life story please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/around_the_sun/

Continue reading "Dr Gloria" »

Written by Steve Harrison - Published at 09:02 AM

Arnold Kellett's poem focuses on the key responsibility of being a Christian.

Continue reading "Magnificat" »

Written by Arnold Kellett - Published at 08:02 AM

...The fair-ground folk were a mysterious breed, dark skinned, gypsy, rough-and-ready folk who traversed the country from one fair and fete to another throughout the summer, bringing laughter and joy wherever they went, excitement into the dullest lives. When they entered Keighworth, the town let itself go!...

John Waddington-Feather paints a vivid word portrait of a Yorkshire mill town letting its hair down during gala week.

Continue reading "Keighworth Gala" »

Written by John Waddington-Feather - Published at 11:02 AM

Paul Serotsky introduces us to the overture to Wagner’s opera The Mastersingers, and in doing so provides fascinating information about the composer.

To read more of Paul’s enlightening essays on the greatest music ever written please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/views_and_reviews/

Continue reading "The Mastersingers Overture" »

Written by Paul Serotsky - Published at 10:02 AM

Some women hear what they want to hear, as Richard Malinson's story reveals.

To read more of Richard's fast fiction please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/fast_fiction/

Continue reading "On The Bus" »

Written by Richard Mallinson - Published at 09:02 AM

Eric Biddulph and his wife Mary, revisiting the land in whiuch they lived and worked some thirty years ago, stay on the shores of Lake Malawi.

Eric’s book The First Seventy Years can be obtained for £10 by contacting http://mary@bike2.wanadoo.co.uk or telephoning 01484-658175.

All the cash raised by the book goes to a water aid project in Malawi.

Continue reading "Chapter 76 - Lake Malawi" »

Written by Eric Biddulph - Published at 08:02 AM

...The cicadas of Yokohama were unlike any I had heard in Australia. They seemed to produce definite tunes and sounds ranging from 'keck-keck-keck' to a 'clicka-clicka' sounds.

Peggy Mitchell caused giggles while recording the sounds of cicadas in Japan.

Peggy writes for Bonzer! magazine. Please visit www.bonzer.org.au

Continue reading "Cicadas In Japan" »

Written by Peggy Mitchell - Published at 11:02 AM

George Redmonds explains the meaning of the word 'gist', widely understood 500 years ago as referring to the rights of pasturage for cattle.

For more of George's articles on the historical development of words please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/words_in_history/

To purchase George's books on a wife variety of historical subjects visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=george+redmonds

Continue reading "Gist" »

Written by George Redmonds - Published at 10:02 AM

Vera Sanderson's poem brings welcome assurance of comfort.

To read more of Vera's poems please click on http://www.openwriting.com/cgi-bin/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=vera+sanderson

Continue reading "Sorrowing Heart" »

Written by Vera Sanderson - Published at 09:02 AM

William Burkholder's poem emphasises that, like it or not, we are all affected by the world's troubles.

To read more of Bill's poems in Open Writing click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/north_american_dreaming/

And do please visit his Web site http://www.freewebs.com/nirvanasgate/index.htm

Continue reading "My Vestments" »

Written by W B Burkholder - Published at 08:02 AM