This summer I went to see The Beaux’ Stratagem at the National Theatre, one of my favourite London haunts. The play, which was first performed in 1707, less than two months before the death of its author, the Irish playwright, George Farquhar, is a late Restoration play. Continue reading “Venison Pasties”
The Fig in Literature
Driven as I was to cook with figs when they arrived in my organic box a few weeks ago, I knew I was on safe ground with them as far as literature was concerned since I had just finished teaching Antony and Cleopatra in which Cleopatra has the poisonous snake that will kill her brought to her concealed in a basket of figs. Continue reading “The Fig in Literature”
Agincourt
With everyone blogging or tweeting today about the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to ‘revive’ my Henry V recipe. The Battle of Agincourt is the dramatic high-point of Shakespeare’s history play, a battle in which, against all the odds, the vastly outnumbered English win a definitive victory against the French. Continue reading “Agincourt”
Fig and Walnut Tarte Tatin
GUARDSMAN: Here is a rural fellow
That will not be denied your highness’ presence.
He brings you figs.
CLEOPATRA: Let him come in. (Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra) Continue reading “Fig and Walnut Tarte Tatin”