Jane Gardam obituary: novelist who won the Whitbread award twice
It was a sound she much elicited as an award-winning author whose deliciously arch stories were compared to Jane Austen and Katherine Mansfield, was never out of print, and bestrode a hinterland between children's fiction and the adults who never grew out of her.
Indeed, many of her present-day grown-up readers began with her books for children like The Hollow Land (1981) for which she won the Whitbread Literary Award, or her Kit stories (1983, 1986 and 1998). The first paragraph of the latter might just as easily have been the start of one of her short stories for adults: 'The Kit was not a kitten.
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BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Jane Austen exhibition in Winchester focuses on working women
An exhibition is marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen by focusing on the Georgian working women of the county in which she was Cultural Trust's Beyond the Bonnets exhibition includes voiced extracts from the author's novels, correspondence with her sister Cassandra and contemporary newspaper say the objects on display "celebrate the ordinary and hold an importance that goes beyond their unassuming appearance", such as a calico apron, a wooden sandal and a tortoiseshell hair opens in The Gallery at The Arc, Winchester, on Saturday, and runs until 2 November. Jane Austen was born in Steventon, novels, which include Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Persuasion, are renowned for their wit, social observation and insights into the lives of early 19th Century the exhibition aims to highlight the stories of the women who enabled the comfortable lives of some of the characters in the novels, exploring domestic service, education, childcare and trade. Curator Kathleen Palmer said the exhibition brought together a "multitude of Hampshire voices – Austen's distinctive and wry voice, the voices of individual working women around her and the echoes of their lives found in collections and archives"."Visitors will discover unexpected and rich real-life histories of Georgian Hampshire in parallel with enjoying the acute observation of Austen's own words," she said. Paul Sapwell, chief executive at the trust, described the exhibition as "compelling, heartwarming and emotive".He said it would reveal the "unexpected and often overlooked lives of working women at the time of Jane Austen and gives them a voice".He added: "At times provocative, the exhibition purposefully looks past the glamour and opulence of her lead characters in the novels and, indeed, our general consciousness of the period, to explore and expose the stories of real working women." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
As Coronation Street's Kit divides viewers, is he soap's next huge villain?
It's fair to say that Kit Green has been a complex addition to Coronation Street. Previously known for his role as kindly everyman Damon Kinsella in Hollyoaks, actor Jacob Roberts has made his mark with his compelling performances as the much more reserved, calculating Kit. But just over a year after his first appearance, we're no closer to understanding exactly which direction Kit is going in as a long-term character. As the long-lost son of Bernie Winters (Jane Hazlegrove), Kit's past with killer Mick Michaelis (Joe Layton) and the latter's wife Lou (Farrel Hegarty) was explored in a flashback episode, revealing Kit's role in a horrific firework attack which left a woman severely injured. However, although we saw a young Kit threaten Mick so as to protect himself from any consequences, I'm still reluctant to label Kit as an out and out villain. A remorseful Kit trained as a police officer and, somewhere along the way, he became a corrupt cop. We've seen Kit cover up his own act of criminal damage and menace Beth Sutherland (Lisa George) into leaving Weatherfield after taking over her dodgy side hustle. Yet, another incident saw Kit plant evidence in the vehicle of sexual predator Nathan Curtis (Christopher Harper), sending the evil man back to prison where he belonged. Kit also used his position to make life easier for late brother Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) and sister Gemma Winter-Brown (Dolly-Rose Campbell). There seems to be a constant tug of war between the devil on Kit's shoulder and his conscience, meaning that he's not quite a villain, but also not a salt-of-the-earth good guy. So, where does that leave him? Well, many before Kit have transitioned from miscreant to popular anti-hero. If Corrie chooses not to double down on his dark side and instead delves further into Kit's psyche, perhaps he'll follow in the footsteps of the multi-layered Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) and Gary Windass (Mikey North). They have all dabbled in manipulation, murder or both, but ultimately won over the audience. Confirmation that new cobbles regular Brody (Ryan Mulvey), the boy that Mick raised as his own, was actually fathered by Kit, hints that Coronation Street is committed to cementing Kit as a key fixture. After surviving being stabbed by Mick, Kit rejected Brody but made amends with interfering but well-meaning Bernie in a moment of genuine warmth. When we see Kit around Bernie and Gemma, his vulnerable side comes out. Kit's blossoming romance with Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien) has softened him, too, and with imprisoned Mick having cut Brody off for good, this change in demeanour paves the way for Kit to get to know his son. Kit has abandonment issues thanks to Bernie giving him up as a child, and this could be why he can't face parenthood. But, with the show making excessive use of its police station set, will Kit get the chance to face these demons as thoroughly as he deserves? After all, it's whenever he's in work mode that Kit's ruthless side resurfaces. While his ambiguity provides constant intrigue, we're increasingly curious as to whether he'll lean further into his nasty streak or listen to his moral compass, and how that could impact his future. It might seem easier for Kit to be billed as a full-time 'bad boy'. All it would take is one outrageous act that crosses the line from scheming to sinister, and an ensuing pattern that prevents him from ever turning back, as with Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce) and Richard Hillman (Brian Capron). To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Still, Kit surely has a longer shelf life than that, and Jacob has the talent and staying power to turn things around for his alter ego and show that there are reasons for his underhand behaviour. More Trending A strong path to redemption has created some of soap land's best-loved anti-heroes, from Emmerdale's Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) to Hollyoaks' Sienna Blake (Anna Passey). That journey doesn't ensure an entirely reformed character; merely one who has earned empathy, likeability and, at times, adoration in the eyes of the viewer – something Kit could produce if given the capacity. Slowly but surely, Kit's armour is cracking. Only time will tell whether this is enough to keep his fiendish side at bay, or if he will become Coronation Street's next big villain. View More » MORE: The scales fall from Lisa's eyes in Coronation Street as she makes unexpected discovery about Kit MORE: All 31 Coronation Street pictures for next week as major characters search for answers MORE: Wedding news for major Coronation Street couple as the big day grows near
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Corrie's Ryan Mulvey has famous football coach dad who trained Marcus Rashford
Ex-Hollyoaks star Ryan Mulvey now plays Corrie's teenage tearaway Brody Michaelis. On screen he may be having dad troubles - but in real life he has a very supportive and successful father Rejected by not one but two dads - Mick and Kit - Coronation Street fans felt every moment of teenage tearaway Brody Michaelis' pain. Played brilliantly by Corrie newcomer Ryan Mulvey, 19, since joining the cobbles in February, he's convincingly developed the character from being a bullying young offender to a hurt, confused and rejected teen. Brody was torn apart when Mick Michaelis called from the jail cell where he is languishing after killing PC Craig Tinker, escaping and stabbing Detective Kit Green, to tell him he's actually Kit's kid, conceived after an affair with his mum Lou and he wants nothing to do with him. Devastated, Brody hero-worships Mick who brought him up - even planning to flee from Weatherfield with him and his two little sisters - who are living with neighbours Tim and Sally, after Lou was looked up, too. 'Brody is absolutely heartbroken,' says Ryan, who lives with his family in Altrincham, Cheshire. 'He has loved this man – Mick – all his life, even though he was a bully himself and for him to say he doesn't want anything to do with him, is shattering. "He looks for love and a security blanket from Kit, but he has told Brody he doesn't want anything to do with him either.' Luckily, Ryan's family life is the polar opposite to Brody's and his real dad is not just a role model, but a star-maker. His father is Eamon Mulvey, who helped train Marcus Rashford, as senior academy coach and player development mentor for Manchester United. He and his mum Heidi, who works for the National Grid, could not be prouder or more supportive of their son. Speaking to The Mirror in his first ever newspaper interview, he says: 'My life is so different to that of Brody. I am really close to both my parents and my sister, Freya. They are super proud of me. 'Dad coaches at the academy at Manchester United and he has an amazing job. My grandad used to play for Blackburn and my grandma, Carol (his wife) enjoys football more than all of us! There's a running joke in the family that I have never played football but I always get cast in a game!' And it is a football match that Kit - who has a change of heart towards Brody - dangles as a carrot to get the son he barely knows on side. Viewers will see him take the lad to a game in the coming weeks - but it will take a lot more than that to win over the wayward teen. There will be twists and turns and plenty of rebellion in their relationship - something Ryan understands. For, rather than jumping at the chance of following his family into the beautiful game, he, too rebelled against a career in football. He says of his dad and granddad: 'They were both very good players, but I was stubborn as a kid. 'Every person – because of dad and grandad – was like 'you are going to be a footballer'. But, as a kid, I pushed it away and said I wanted to do the opposite. 'It's a shame, as I could have the best mentor ever, but everything happens for a reason and I love the job I do now. Playing Brody in Coronation Street is a dream come true.' And his dad was never a pushy parent. He continues: 'Mum and Dad have always been so incredibly supportive of me being an actor. I remember around the age of six being at a swimming lesson and everyone was asked what they wanted to do when they grew up. Some said join the army or be a footballer, but I said 'an actor'. It's lovely now to be waking up every day doing something you dreamt of when you were six years old!' After studying Performing Arts at Manchester College, Ryan landed the role of JJ Osbourne in Hollyoaks in January 2024 - quitting a year later. Then came his big break as the tearaway child of neighbours from hell, Mick and Lou Michaelis, in Coronation Street. And, as the tense dynamic between him and Kit plays out, he says: 'There are going to be some great scenes coming up. 'Kit decides to take him to this football game, but Brody doesn't want to be there and Kit doesn't know how to look after this teenage lad. 'Yet, even though Brody doesn't want anything to do with him, he is definitely interested. To have a role model he is proud of would mean a lot.' Ryan is looking forward to all the contradictions at play between Kit, a cop, and his son, a young criminal, who's been brought-up by a violent, wife-beating thug. 'They are chalk and cheese,' says Ryan. 'But, at the same time, they can both be sly and cheeky to get what they want!' And he's having a blast filming the scenes. 'Corrie is like an amazing mad house' says Ryan. 'It's been so surreal and a total whirlwind, but it's lots of fun and I am loving it. It's like a treadmill that you just need to keep running on, but you thrive on the treadmill at the same time. I've learnt so much on the job and I've also learnt to be kind. Yes, you work long hours, but I couldn't do this job without the support of everyone who works on the programme.' Meanwhile, his biggest fan is his gran Doreen, who could not be prouder. He says: 'She has been watching Corrie for 65 years and she loves it so much. She is over the moon that I am in the soap!' Ryan admits he is starstruck, too, after getting to work with some of soap's legendary stars, like Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow. 'My first scene recently with Bill was amazing,' he says. 'I asked him about all his earlier days and whether he went out partying! He was amazing and a total gentleman. He told me I was very good, so I am going to take that compliment with me until the day I die.' Sue Devaney, who plays Debbie Webster, has also been on hand to give Ryan great advice. He says: 'I was really stressed out quite early on when I had back-to-back scenes. 'Sue came in and told me to 'wear it loosely'. She told me to have fun and enjoy it all – she was right!' Currently single, Ryan says he finds it flattering when female fans try to buy him and his friends a drink, thanks to his soap fame. 'I am single,' he says. 'When I am out with the boys, the girls offer us drinks. It's always very flattering!' But he doesn't connect with fans on social media, not because he's shy, but because he's a 'grandad' with technology. 'I am awful on my phone,' he confesses. 'You can get both positive and negative comments – which I take as a compliment as it means you are doing your job right – but I don't actually go looking for them, as I am not very good on the phone. My friends call me grandad because of it!' As for the future? Ryan is very happy to keep things in the here and now. 'I am having such a great time and Brody is a brilliant character to play,' he says. 'He is complex, but the best characters to play are complex ones. People have good and bad days and Brody definitely does! He is still going through puberty and his emotions are temperamental. 'Nobody should have a person who looked after them say they don't love them. Nobody deserves that and I feel sorry for Brody.' For Ryan, working on Corrie has made him grateful both for the opportunity and for having such a lovely family in real life. He says: 'I am taking every new day as it comes. You never know what is going to happen next but I am so grateful to have been given this chance by Corrie. I also know I am very lucky to have such a close family. It's very special.'
