Your guide is David P., a former London mayor – secret histories down these little alleyways – how did the Brits get so rich –  two trillion dollars – London intricately based on water – why? – lots of locals don’t know it’s there – coffee shops a crucial part of the history of London – drew a line and put their name under it, they underwrote – dynamic, bottom-up – Britain has always looked outward – tasted like cat’s urine – Britons should be ashamed of it – penny universities – London’s first barista – a system for putting money together – international money – Easy Winds – a twist of coffee-related fate – the singing Mayor…

Green London – Royal Parks – why people love London Walks – the infinite variety – she has listened to the voice on city breezes borne – loves the town–  the Embankment – Blue Badge guide – others droop and pine for country air – an old friend – newly acquainted –  the London  fog – “the world’s greatest guide” – Travel & Leisure –  the country take for choice

Green London – Royal Parks – why people love London Walks – the infinite variety – she has listened to the voice on city breezes borne – loves the town–  the Embankment – Blue Badge guide – others droop and pine for country air – an old friend – newly acquainted –  the London  fog – “the world’s greatest guide” – Travel & Leisure –  the country take for choice

Richard III’s play was about to open – the technical rehearsal – March 16, 2020 – the choir – “we didn’t really believe that that would happen” – the virus – three scenes into the play – the general manager of the theatre was listening to the news – “I think we have to stop and listen to the news” – cinemas and theatres and pubs being closed – “we have to continue, we have to keep going” – “I don’t think we can go on” – “you’ll do it, we’ll do it and I’ll come back and sing in your play after this is all over”

Richard III’s play was about to open – the technical rehearsal – March 16, 2020 – the choir – “we didn’t really believe that that would happen” – the virus – three scenes into the play – the general manager of the theatre was listening to the news – “I think we have to stop and listen to the news” – cinemas and theatres and pubs being closed – “we have to continue, we have to keep going” – “I don’t think we can go on” – “you’ll do it, we’ll do it and I’ll come back and sing in your play after this is all over”

Feast for the ears.  It’s Joy in the Morning to know that P.G. Wodehouse’s London – the London of Jeeves and Bertie and Aunt Dahlia and Psmith and Tuppy Glossop and Lord Emsworth and the Drones Club – is still there. And that we can see it – be taken round it – by a consummate professional. The very houses. Aunt Dahlia’s, for example. Let alone the house of The Master himself. Joy not just in the morning but the livelong day (and evening) that we can be shown round it by someone who knows the books, loves them and has the vocal brilliance to do justice to the most exquisitely crafted prose – cut, polished, gemlike, every single phrase, every single sentence – any of us will ever experience. Richard reminds us that “genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains” and that Wodehouse met that requirement. I, David, am here to tell you now that this actor, this guide, this scholar, this reader – Richard – meets that same requirement. Now sit back – you’re on the threshold of a very good listen. No exaggeration to say it makes you want to shimmer over to audible.co.uk, order up one of Richard’s many performances, and, well, have him read it to you.

Feast for the ears.  It’s Joy in the Morning to know that P.G. Wodehouse’s London – the London of Jeeves and Bertie and Aunt Dahlia and Psmith and Tuppy Glossop and Lord Emsworth and the Drones Club – is still there. And that we can see it – be taken round it – by a consummate professional. The very houses. Aunt Dahlia’s, for example. Let alone the house of The Master himself. Joy not just in the morning but the livelong day (and evening) that we can be shown round it by someone who knows the books, loves them and has the vocal brilliance to do justice to the most exquisitely crafted prose – cut, polished, gemlike, every single phrase, every single sentence – any of us will ever experience. Richard reminds us that “genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains” and that Wodehouse met that requirement. I, David, am here to tell you now that this actor, this guide, this scholar, this reader – Richard – meets that same requirement. Now sit back – you’re on the threshold of a very good listen. No exaggeration to say it makes you want to shimmer over to audible.co.uk, order up one of Richard’s many performances, and, well, have him read it to you.

“another world first for Liverpool – all-American happy days – Kookie Kookie lend me your comb – the world changed – four lads from Liverpool would be the next big thing – that unerring instinct for how success is won or lost has never left me – John Lennon’s generation had one big advantage over their American contemporaries – one of the first – that went part way toward explaining the enormous change in rock music – a mass attack of British bands on the American Billboard Hot 100 – me and Tom Evans – Tom co-wrote ‘I can’t live’ – decided he couldn’t go on living – when it came to making my way in the real world – history and English literature – the lights begin to twinkle from the rocks – it is not too late to seek a newer world – to sail beyond the sunset – [Richard did that, sailing that 25-foot sloop-rigged Nordic Folkboat across the Pacific ocean] – Rome – hitchhiking…”

“another world first for Liverpool – all-American happy days – Kookie Kookie lend me your comb – the world changed – four lads from Liverpool would be the next big thing – that unerring instinct for how success is won or lost has never left me – John Lennon’s generation had one big advantage over their American contemporaries – one of the first – that went part way toward explaining the enormous change in rock music – a mass attack of British bands on the American Billboard Hot 100 – me and Tom Evans – Tom co-wrote ‘I can’t live’ – decided he couldn’t go on living – when it came to making my way in the real world – history and English literature – the lights begin to twinkle from the rocks – it is not too late to seek a newer world – to sail beyond the sunset – [Richard did that, sailing that 25-foot sloop-rigged Nordic Folkboat across the Pacific ocean] – Rome – hitchhiking…”

Steeped in the splendour of Lance’s voice these beautiful words are made even more beautiful – into the bargain a thrilling piece of literary detective work – walking with Wordsworth and “the Voice” (Lance) – a recently discovered painting – the view identical to what Wordsworth saw – Wordsworth got the date wrong – why the title is mistaken – Wordsworth’s French mistress and their daughter – modern editors get it wrong – London Walks’ Lance sets the record straight – Dorothy’s diary – the anniversary – 200 poets – the BBC – “no no no, they’re five weeks late” – perfect, just perfect…