April 30, 2009
Pullman cameo in HDM stage play
The Times reports that Philip Pullman made a surprise cameo appearance at the Oxford Playhouse last night in a stage production of His Dark Materials. Pullman came on stage for ten minutes in the non-speaking role of an Oxford scholar. “It was enormous fun. I really enjoyed the whole experience. Even though I didn’t have a huge part, I was rehearsed within an inch of my life. When they asked me to take part, I realised I had a burning ambition to be on the stage.” The audience was not told that Mr Pullman would take part and the only clue they had to his real identity was when his character was congratulated on his books.
April 26, 2009
Pullman interviewed in Scotland on Sunday
In an interview in Scotland on Sunday today, Pullman discusses writing fantasy and escapism, comparisons with Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, his creative instincts and adaptations. “I’ve always thought it was utterly stupid to sell the rights to an adaptation and then moan about the way they do it. If you wrote a strong enough story it will stand up to adaptation. The only thing I’m zealously protective about is the integrity of the story. There was a moment early in the film discussions when somebody high up at the studio said, ‘Let’s make Lyra into a boy.’” Thanks to blacksatindancer for the tip.
April 23, 2009
Pullman on adapting Oxford
In an interview with Philip Pullman in the Oxford Times to coincide with the new run of the His Dark Materials stage play, Pullman discusses the representation of Oxford in the books and the play. “Oxford does feature in many works of literature, starting, I suppose, with Alice in Wonderland. I’m happy to be putting my little contribution into the myth of Oxford. … It’s just a habit of thought, I suppose, a way of looking at things I’ve always had. Sunderland Avenue, between the Banbury Road and Woodstock Road roundabouts, has always fascinated me because the hornbeam trees there are so peculiar.”
Pullman also talks about the Birmingham Repertory Theatre production, and makes a new suggestion on the reason for the apparent decision not to produce sequels to the film version of the books, saying “It’s a great shame that it looks as if the films of the two later books won’t now be made, as a result of the credit crunch.”
April 22, 2009
Bill Donahue claims Catholic boycott of TGC was a success
Bill Donahue, President of the Catholic League, yesterday cited the Catholic League’s boycott of the film The Golden Compass as evidence that he is not just giving the movie “Angels and Demons” free publicity by objecting to it, saying TGC’s sequels have not been made because of its box office failure.
April 20, 2009
Humanists to be included in discussions of common concern to the BBC and religious groups
Humanists are to be represented alongside religions in a new body, the Standing Conference on Religion and Belief, which will liaise with the BBC on matters of common concern to the BBC and religious groups and, now, humanists. Philip Pullman, a prominent humanist, said he was “delighted” to see this, because “the wider the range of voices and opinions represented in the conference, the better it will be. At a time when ‘faith’ seems to have become an all-purpose adjective of vague commendation (faith communities, faith schools, faith groups, and so on) it’s important to help people understand that morality, ethics, concern for the poor and so on are not the sole property of those who believe in a God.” Read more courtesy of politics.co.uk.
April 19, 2009
His Dark Materials second most challenged book in 2008
The Guardian reports that the His Dark Materials trilogy was the second ‘most challenged’ book in 2008 (up from fourth the previous year) according to the American Library Association. Deborah Caldwell-Stone, deputy director of the ALA’s office for intellectual freedom, said the film of The Golden Compass had renewed attacks on the sequence from Catholic pressure groups. “In many cases school boards reacted precipitously and removed it – then a few weeks later they returned it to the shelves.” Thanks to BlackSatinDancer for the tip.
April 18, 2009
Butterfly Tattoo hits American theatres
In the Los Angeles area this weekend? The film adaptation of Pullman’s The Butterfly Tattoo was released to non-festival audiences yesterday. Catch the seven remaining screenings at Laemmle’s Grande 4-plex on 345 South Figueroa Street in downtown L.A. The film shows Saturday and Sunday at 1pm, 510pm, and 930pm, once more on Monday at 510pm, and throughout the week of the 19th. “The rollout of the film to other cities depends on the box office that weekend so please, please go and support the film!”
Visit the official site or click here to buy tickets online.
April 13, 2009
David Fickling hopes to relaunch DFC
This is Oxfordshire reports that David Fickling is hoping to relaunch children’s comic The DFC, which launched in March 2008 and reached issue 43 before it was forced to close earlier this year. Fickling said, “I have been contacted by lots of teachers who loved the comic and classes of children have also written letters to say how much they miss it. I would like to tap into that support from primary schools to attract backing from organisations like the National Literacy Trust. … We need to learn from our mistakes and make something even better next time round. … I would love to see it reopen in the spring of next year, but it is not a foregone conclusion.”
April 4, 2009
Pullman celebrates plans for UK’s largest ever lending library
Responding to news of plans to build the UK’s largest ever lending library in Birmingham, Philip Pullman was quoted, “At a time when more and more libraries are under threat, it is very heartening to hear of one that is planning to expand… And of course I am glad to hear that it will feature up-to-date information technology, but I trust that books and all that they represent will always be at the heart of the Library of Birmingham.” Constructed with a budget of £193m, the Library of Birmingham will be able to accommodate more than three million users per year. Designed by Dutch architects Mecanoo, the library will open at Centenary Square in 2013.
Read the response of other writers here. Thanks to Birmingham-native BlackSatinDancer for the tip.
For more information, read Robert Booth’s article on the renaissance of civic buildings in the wake of the recession. Following years of decline, library have recently reported a 10-15% increase in visitors eager to save money, learn new skills, and discover job opportunities since last summer.