White City Authors

Apologies for the long dormant period on the blog. However, it is high time we acknowledged recent literary achievements of four tourists, starting with Tim Shipman and William Sitwell, a.k.a. Sippers and Sh...no, wait...Shippers and Sitters.

Shippers has emerged as the most important commentator about the Brexit vote with his extraordinary opus, All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class. Produced at lightning speed, and with unrivalled access to all the key players, the book was an immediate success.

The commentator and former Tory MP Iain Dale said: "You know that feeling you get when you finish a book you never really wanted to end? It’s almost a feeling of grief. That’s what I’ve got as I type this, minutes after finishing Tim Shipman’s majestic ALL OUT WAR. It’s impossible to fully comprehend what happened on June 23 and the ensuing two weeks without reading this book."

Andrew Marr, who described it as "the best political book of the year", wrote in The Times: "I can’t imagine a more evenhanded or better-sourced, all-points-of-view account of the biggest story in British politics since the Second World War."

Sitters, on the other hand, has delved into the long-forgotten records of the Ministry of Food and produced a fascinating account of how Lord Woolton managed to feed the country during its darkest hour. Eggs or Anarchy? The Remarkable Story of the Man Tasked with the Impossible: To Feed a Nation at War tells how a grammar school-educated retail genius battled with civil service sclerosis and Churchill's indifference to put food on the tables at home (and the rest of the Empire) amidst rationing, shipping blockades, black marketeers and the huge, competing demands of the military. Sitters has turned much dry material into a gripping and witty narrative. 

Rose Prince in The Spectator praised the book: "Eggs or Anarchy meticulously completes the backstory of the war. In this absorbing book Sitwell proves Woolton’s genuine intentions, absolves him for his tough line and also presents a portrait of a man whose style and approach to problems is still highly instructive." The Times' review was no less flattering, saying: "There’s much more to this rich stew of a book than eggs and war."

Meanwhile, Peter Oborne and Richard Heller have followed the success of the highly-regarded Wounded Tiger: A History of Cricket in Pakistan with White on Green: A Portrait of Pakistan Cricket. The Times of India describes it thus: "In a delightful book . . . Heller and Oborne share with us the joy of glorious uncertainties.

"The strength of White On Green is that it looks elsewhere, beyond the Akrams and the Imran Khans, for its heroes. The book is a collection of portraits of largely unsung heroes such as the generous Prince Mohammad Aslam Khan, the left-arm spinner who failed to make the Test cut; Abdul Aziz Durani, the coach and father of Indian cricketer Salim Durani; Raees Mohammad, the Mohammad brother who could not get a Pakistan Test cap; Malik Miran Bux, the oldest player to debut for Pakistan in Tests; Israr Ali, the oldest living Test cricketer in Pakistan, Aftab Gul, the activist as cricketer; and Mohsin Khan, the cricketer who applied the greasepaint.

"Heller and Oborne also discuss subjects such as the role of faith in Pakistan cricket, tape ball cricket, a mutation which reflects Pakistan cricket’s celebrated survival instincts and the march of the game under the Generals in the country.

"White On Green is a remarkable book on Pakistan cricket mainly because the authors are not obsessed with what its big brother India does or does not."

Congratulations to all four of them. 

Richard Heller and Jeremy Corbyn

It can have escaped the notice of few that Richard Heller has emerged as a key author of Jeremy Corbyn's first speech as leader at the Labour Party conference. It is in all the national papers that he actually wrote the speech four years earlier for Ed Miliband, who didn't bother with it. Richard then posted it on his website, with an invitation to other lefties to use of it what they wanted, and Corbyn took him at his word - albeit without any attribution. It should be noted that Richard posted on his Facebook page: "Sad that this led to wrongful accusation of plagiarism."
This was revealed by fellow All Star Alex Massie in his Spectator blog, which rapidly went viral.
Here is a link to Alex's piece: http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2015/09/much-of-jeremy-corbyns-speech-today-was-written-for-ed-miliband-in-2011/

Tom Beard's Memorial

There were luvvies galore at Tom's magnificent memorial service on 25th September. Even the vicar, Revd Richard Syms, was an actor (Nowhere Boy, Gangs of New York, The Iron Lady) and there were plenty of star-spotting opportunities in the congregation of 500+ at a packed St Paul's in Covent Garden - well known as the Actors' Church.
Brave readings from Tom's wife Polly, daughter Ella and mother Trish were particularly moving, as was the brilliant piano playing of his son Joe. Alex also gave a profound and funny tribute to his brother, as did Tom's devoted agent Rebecca Blond.
Further readings from Ben Miles, Robert Bathurst, Rupert Penry Jones and singing by Rhashan Stone also captivated the "audience",  which applauded enthusiastically after each contribution, as befitted the memorial of a much-loved thesp.
It was an extremely poignant event, full of humour, nostalgia and sadness. Tom would have been delighted by it.

The Times' obituary of Tom

Versatile actor whose repertoire ranged from Shakespeare to Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

As Tom Beard morphed into the Duke of Albany for the Donmar Warehouse production of King Lear, it became clear to Michael Grandage that he was a rare thespian breed. “There are some actors that make acting a perfectly normal profession. There’s no need for fame, no seeking status, no craving celebrity . . . it’s just a job that when done well offers an opportunity for people to examine the human condition in a deep and meaningful way. That was how Tom viewed it.”

He was the quintessential “actors’ actor” who became the backbone of a cast and took his work seriously, but not himself. His other recent stage credits included Polly Stenham’s Hotel at the National Theatre,Tusk Tusk at the Royal Court, and a central role as Cyril Radcliffe inDrawing the Line at the Hampstead Theatre.

Born in London in 1965, Tom Beard was the second son of Charles, a plastic surgeon, and Trish, a flautist. His talent for acting and sport was evident from an early age: he took the romantic lead as the milkmaid in The King’s Breakfast by AA Milne when he was eight, and at 11 he reached the finals of the Lancashire rugby sevens. While a student at Westminster School he was in the first XI for both football and cricket.

When his father died of lung cancer aged 42, he and his brother Alex forged an even closer bond. His academic work suffered but, after retaking his A levels, he secured a place at the University of Sussex to read politics with German, and became a leading player in the student drama society. Alex would also enter the arts world, becoming the chief executive of the Royal Opera House.

After graduating from Sussex, Beard enrolled at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. In a performance of Not Quite Jerusalem he was spotted by the agent Rebecca Blond, and his stage breakthrough came in 1994 when he played Laertes in Peter Hall’s West End production of Hamlet, alongside Stephen Dillane in the title role and Sir Donald Sinden as Polonius.

He subsequently appeared in several productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Henry VI, Parts I-III and The Tempest.

On the small screen he had roles in Whitechapel, Wallander, Foyle’s War Spooks and Holby City. Among his big screen credits was the 2011 film adaptation of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, in which he starred with Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor.

Beyond acting he roamed a rich hinterland: he continued to play sport throughout his life, whether cricket, tennis in gruelling grudge matches, friendly rounds of golf or on-set impromptu football knockabouts. His support for Chelsea was fierce and unwavering. He was also a keen angler and an enthusiastic gardener, with his dahlias and leeks becoming the envy of Hampshire. He read widely, had a catholic interest in music, and set off every year on an extended walk through dales and vales, taking a different route each time. Yet the theatre in all its forms remained his great passion.

After struggling with an increasingly painful back, he was diagnosed with stage four cancer in January. Even when exhausted and in pain as he filmed The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses television series under the direction of Dominic Cooke, due to be broadcast next year, he still insisted on mounting a horse to charge into his scenes.

His principal concern as his condition deteriorated was that his family were looked after, supported, and left with happy memories. He is survived by his wife Polly, a childhood friend whom he married in 1992, and their two children, Ella and Joe, who are both still students.

Sir Derek Jacobi recalled that during their run in King Lear at the Donmar he would go off stage after his first scene every night and ask Beard how he thought it went. “He wouldn’t pull any punches, but about 90 per cent of the time he would say to me, ‘you’ve got it, you’ve got it’.”

His support of his fellow actors was always genuine and, with his dry sense of humour, he could be relied on to dispel any backstage tension. “Every dressing room,” Jacobi said, “needs a Tom Beard.”

Tom Beard, actor, was born on April 25, 1965. He died of cancer on July 20, 2015, aged 50

Farewell to "wonderful" Tom Beard

Unusually for such an accomplished actor and entertainer, Tom Beard, who has died aged just 50, did not hog the limelight. He brought a gentleness, humanity and humour to everything he did and it must surprise no one that heartbroken luvvies were lining up to honour him after news of his death emerged.

In Kavanagh's Imbibing Emporium, Thomastown, 1988

His agent Rebecca Blond led the field, saying: “He was a truly glorious man and a wonderful actor and we shall miss him beyond words.”

“Whilst he took his work incredibly seriously, he never took himself too seriously. There isn’t a company, a director or an actor I know that didn’t think he was the best thing.”

Michael Grandage, who directed him in King Lear at the Donmar Warehouse, tweeted: “Farewell to the great Tom Beard. A wonderful man and a wonderful actor. We will miss you.”

The actor Samuel West, who appeared alongside Tom in the BBC’s Hollow Crown series, said he was “one of the kindest of men, and the most truthful and generous of actors.”

The National Theatre, too, tweeted: “Very sad to hear of the death of Tom Beard – a wonderful actor, gone too soon; last here in Hotel. RIP Tom.”

And Hampstead Theatre tweeted: “”Very sad to hear Tom Beard has passed away. A hugely talented actor who will be sorely missed.”

Actor Tom Rhys Harries wrote: “Tom Beard my dear friend. What a gift I had in knowing you. A wonderful man with a beautiful family. I am at a loss.”

The actors’ union Equity tweeted: “We’re very sad to hear that actor Tom Beard has passed away. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”

And the New Wolsey Theatre tweeted: “Such sad news about the passing of Tom Beard. Remembering him well from Private Lives 2006.”

Tom appeared in the RSC productions of The Tempest, Pericles, Henry VI parts 1,2 & 3 and Richard III. His West end credits included The Holy Terror, Three Sisters, Hamlet, She Stoops to Conquer, Becket and Hotel at the National Theatre, as well as appearances in Drawing the Line, King Lear, Apologia, Tusk Tusk, For Services Rendered, Private Lives, Nelson, Macbeth and A Madhouse in Goa.

In addition to his stage work, Tom’s numerous film roles included Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Hereafter, Vanity Fair and Bridget Jones’ Diary.

TV credits included New Worlds, The Great Train Robbery, The Guilty, Whitechapel, Case Histories, Foyle’s War, Hunted, Pete Versus Life, Hustle, Silk, Kingdom, Wallander, Midsomer Murders, Inspector George Gently, The Fixer, Whistleblowers, Clapham Junction, Silent Witness, Party Animals, Spooks, Robin Hood, Disasters That Changed the World, Six Degrees of Francis Bacon, The Government Inspector, Rosemary & Thyme, Holby City, Murder City, EastEnders, In Defence, Doctors, Poirot, Wing and a Prayer, Aristocrats, Staying Alive, The Investigator, McCallum, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Soldier Soldier, Peak Practice, Harnessing Peacocks, Unnatural Pursuits, Boon, Jewels and Bad Girl.

The theatrical magazines say that his stage breakthrough came in 1994 when he played Laertes in Peter Hall’s West End production of Hamlet, although closer followers of his career will recall his impressive performance as a murderous baron in Becket at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in 1991.

At Mount Juliet, 1988

On the cricket field, too, he excelled with a decisive batting ability which frequently extricated us from disaster, making runs in tight spots when everyone else had failed. When he eventually gave up the All Stars’ Irish tour it was a tremendous loss to the team. He was also an extremely energetic and effective fielder and was happy to stand in as wicket keeper when required, although exhibited somewhat less of a sure touch in that role. Keeping against Mullingar he was assaulted by a leg side wide that hit him on the chin, requiring stitches at the local hospital. The bowler was Alex, and Tom thus learned a valuable but painful lesson about not being his brother’s keeper.
He also remained stoical, as far as possible, after another famous injury: batting at no. 5 against the Leprechauns at Trinity College Green in 1988, a Gloucester ringer bowled a fast off-cutter which Tom gamely stopped with his box. He was retired hurt and had to be carried off in the foetal position but returned to the wicket at no. 10 and was struck in the same place by the same bowler - same ball, so to speak. But, as Alex recalls, "it says it all that he stayed on and batted out the most most miraculous of draws in All Stars history."
That event was arguably overshadowed, in terms of his extraordinary stoicism, by the fixture in Birr, when Tom ate a dodgy burger and developed sensational and relentless food poisoning, involving soiled bedding and painful wounds. Despite this undoubted handicap, Tom went out to bat the next day and scored a remarkable 50. "A diamond," as Alex rightly says.

On a great many occasions, Tom treated us to his extensive repertoire of songs – most of them ideal for the bar in the hours after a match, but none of them repeatable in a family blog such as this one. And he particularly liked to rouse the team’s spirits the night before an important match with his brilliant rendition of Henry V’s Eve of Agincourt speech (courtesy of Shakespeare).

He will be badly missed by his old team mates; broken though our hearts may be, they go out to Alex, to Tom’s wife Polly, to his children Ella and Joe, his mother Trish and to all his loved ones.
Sir Derek Jacobi said: "Every dressing room needs a Tom Beard". And, as Polly movingly responded, "Every home needs a Tom Beard too".

2013 Irish Tour pictures

The two Peters

Alex Beard: ‘We create something out of thin air each night. It’s magic’

The Times

Alice Thomson and Rachel Sylvester

 June 21 2014

We are backstage at the Royal Opera House, where a 4x4 is parked outside a plywood council estate — the set of Jonathan Kent’s new production of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut. Scenery, costumes and props are stacked back-to-back on a colour-coded floor (red means moveable platform, green means fixed) in this cultural treasure trove. A singer is wandering the corridors practising an aria while, deep in the Covent Garden labyrinth, ballet dancers are limbering up. “We have three acres of central London real estate,” says Alex Beard, the chief executive, leading us past a portrait of Rudolf Nureyev to his office, where a screen shows the rehearsal taking place on stage. “I go to four productions a week. It’s a private passion rather than a professional obligation.”

Match Report

White City All Stars vs Halverstown

July 29, 2013

White City went out to bat first on a day that had some very odd weather changes. Skilful bowling from Halverstown dismissed our opening batsmen for seven runs between them. However, our next two batmen, Tom Davenport and Tim Shipman, scored 30 and 23 respectively. This partnership was crucial to the close game it was to become.

Match Report

White City All Stars vs Leprechauns

July 28, 2013

The Leprechauns went into bat first, George Oborne and William Sitwell opened the bowling for the All Stars. Fortunately the opening batsmen fell for as little as 11 runs. However, with skill from numbers three and five batsmen, M. Kerr (57) and J. White (32), the Leps had some control over the match. Bill Coales finally

Match Report

White City All Stars vs Mt Juliet

July 27, 2013

White City won the toss and elected to field. It was a great game of cricket, although unfortunately for White City, Tim Kavanagh had a brilliant performance hitting our bowlers for73 runs. He was also partnered with another batsman, Cal, who hit us for 112 runs and together they batted for 35 overs for a partnership of 197 runs. Even George Oborne’s great bowling

Match Report

White City All Stars vs Oak Hill (Peter Savill)

July 26, 2013

White City All Stars won the toss and elected to bowl. George Oborne and Kit McCrystal opened the bowling on what was to be not so close a game as we had hoped, with McCrystal giving away five wides on the first over of his spell (with some very athletic diving from Tubby Shenfield

Alex Beard becomes fully-fledged member of the Establishment

From The Times: The Tate’s Alex Beard is new Royal Opera House chief executive Richard Morrison Chief Music Critic March 19 2013 Five stars for unpredictability anyway. After a global search for a successor
to Lord Hall of Birkenhead, the Royal Opera House’s new chief executive will be a backroom boy who featured on nobody’s list of runners and riders. He is Alex Beard, the deputy director of the Tate Gallery for the past 11 years.

Match Report

White City vs Horningsham

Sept 11 2011

Peter [Oborne] managed to arrange a team of 13 to turn up in Horningsham for this game. Horningsham suffered late drop outs and were 10 (we thought) so Tubby, captaining the White City in Peter’s absence in Moscow, lent them George Oborne.

Swaab's new book

Bringing Up Baby, directed by Howard Hawks in 1938, is one of the greatest screwball comedies and a treasure from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Cary Grant plays a naive and repressed palaeosaurologist who becomes entangled with (and ensnared by) a wilful heiress (Katharine Hepburn). Chaos ensues

The new Richard Heller book

“My family’s a battleground and I’m just a small hill which each side occupies to fire on the other.”

Steve Helson,16, is the young hero of Richard Heller’s new novel The Network. He’s not David Copperfield but he is up against it. He is the only child of a disintegrating marriage. He’s just left a sink school. He has no social life, no girlfriend and no career prospects. The only thing holding him together is his dream of becoming a fast bowler. But his lonely pursuit of his dream brings him a network of new relationships and a new life.

Irish Tour 2010 - exclusive pictures!

Irish Tour 2010 - more pix

Irish Tour 2010 - Rathmore

New Yule documentary

Paul Yule has produced and directed a new documentary about Bruce Chatwin

All Stars' batting averages - Ireland 2010

Here are the tour batting averages, courtesy of Alex Massie, who describes them as "pretty grim, in general."

Oakshett's triumph

Tony Oakshett's masterful paintings recreate the 17th century Armada Tapestries, lost when Parliament was destroyed by fire in 1834.
With £300,000-odd of sponsorship and the enthusiastic blessing of peers, he has spent two years recreating the tapestries on giant canvasses, which have been extremely well received.

Legend of Zero

J E P McMaster: The Legend Of Zero by Richard Heller first published in Country Life 7 Jan 2006

Forget Flintoff and company. My favourite England cricketer of all time is Joseph Emile Patrick McMaster. Indeed, I am haunted by him.

Match Report

White City All Stars vs Horningsham

May 2010

A multi-national White City XI featuring a mixture of kenspeckled faces and intriguing foreign talent made the trip to deepest Wiltshire on May 30th for the annual challenge match against James Oborne's Horningsham XI.

ABC of Cricket - by Yusuf Garda

White City All Stars friend Yusuf Garda played for Transvaal in 1956 and captained Transvaal Schools. His highest score was 174!
He has kindly allowed us to republish his essay,

THE ABC OF CRICKET by Yusuf Garda.

A personal appreciation of Alan Ruddock

In the flurry of high and heartening tributes to Alan Ruddock since his death, much has deservedly been said about what my father calls “Alan’s grace and talent,” but what I remember most