A must for royal fans

William and Kate Tour... Princess Diana Tour... Royal Tours

I'm pleased as punch and very proud to announce that P and P Tours are now offering a new and exciting service, that of exclusive royal tours.

After a fairly long period of nothing but controversy, the royal family, that jewel in the UK's crown (no pun intended), is currently enjoying a real purple patch in the nation's affections. Avid royal family followers had already taken the princes, William and Harry, to their heart, even before Princess Diana's death. Now, with William married to the beautiful Kate, a fashion icon in her own right, and with the birth of their first child, Prince George, and Harry possibly looking to settle down himself, royal family fans have never had it so good.

The recent christening of Prince George and the subsequent massive public response shows that the young royals are set to remain in the nation's hearts, popular like the elder generation who still perform their public duties so diligently.

The Queen, a traditional monarch to her bones, is still regarded with extreme fondness by the vast majority of her subjects and, whilst Charles may be seen as something of an odd-ball, the Duke of Edinburgh is always good for some humour, even if sometimes it's not appropriate. Andrew and Edward may not generate headlines like they did a decade or two ago, but the next generation have stepped forward.

All this means that the royals are rarely out of the newspapers and off our screens. They're always news and their lives are endlessly fascinating. To some, the royal family is an anachronism, an outdated, privileged relic of our nation's past. To others they represent the best of this country and are nothing but beneficial..

Whilst we've always been able to visit certain royal palaces and other building notable for their royal connections, P and P Tours is now offering, for the first time, exclusive Royal Tours, private escorted tours that will bring together the grand homes of the beloved royals on single tours, and also take you to the other, lesser known haunts of our favourite royal family members.

P and P Tours can now offer you private escorted tours relating to Will and Kate's life, both in London and on the beautiful island of Anglesey in North Wales, where the couple lived and Will worked as an RAF helicopter pilot. You'll be able to visit where they lived, worked, shopped and enjoyed a meal, all in one enjoyable tour.

Whilst Will and Kate, and of course little Prince George, understandably dominate the royal headlines, their remains a deep and enduring love of, and fascination with Diana, the so-called Queen of Hearts. Sixteen years after her sad death she still holds a special place in the consciousness of the nation, as seen in the recent film that portrayed the last two years of her life.

Diana touched the lives of many people and PandP now provides an elite private tour that will take in some of the places in which she lived, such as Clarence House, some of her favourite shops, cafes and restaurants as well as key locations from her, including the church where she was baptised, St. Paul's Cathedral where she and Charles were married and, of course the Diana memorial on The Serpentine.

And, with another exclusive, PandP Tours are hopeful of being able to present a special guest speaker who knew Diana well and who will be able to offer precious insights into her life and personality.

There are of course many royal palaces and PandP Tours also offers a private escorted tour that visits the principle locations relating to the royal family including Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle and many other sites - it's a must do tour for fans of the Queen and the rest of the Windsor's.

As always, here at PandP we will ensure that your private chauffeured tour is tailored to your precise needs.

So, check out details of our three exclusive royal tours and book your place soon:

New film role for Downton's Dan Stevens

 



Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey fame will be starring with Dominic Cooper in a new film entitled Summer in February. A couple of days ago The Telegraph ran an article which tells us more. The film is based on the bohemian early life of Sir Alfred Munnings and a love triangle that ended in tragedy.

"As the leading equestrian artist of his day, collected by the Royal family and high society, Munnings was the epitome of respectability in the 20th-century establishment.

But a little-known bohemian period during his early career, where he became embroiled in a tragic love triangle, has, until now, been largely airbrushed from history.

A new film about Munnings will depict the artist’s turbulent love affair with his first wife, Florence - played by the Australian actress Emily Browning - whose relationship with Captain Gilbert Evans, a friend of the couple, led to her suicide.

Entitled Summer in February, the film will see Dominic Cooper star as Munnings opposite Dan Stevens, who plays Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey, as Evans.

Set between 1912 and 1914, when Munnings was in his early 30s, it depicts his time as a member of the Newlyn School, an artists’ colony in Cornwall, where he lived alongside fellow painters Dame Laura Knight and her husband, Harold.

There, Munnings met Florence Carter-Wood, known as “Flossie”, a troubled young artist 14 years his junior who joined the colony attempting to escape her upper-class background. She became Munnings’s muse and lover, and is depicted in his painting, Two Lady Riders Under An Evening Sky, the only portrait of her that Munnings kept.
The film portrays the love triangle between Florence, Munnings and Evans, a veteran of the Boer War and the manager of the Boskenna Estate in Lamorna, west Cornwall, where the Newlyn colony was located.
Based on Evans’s personal diaries, it depicts both men falling in love with Florence.
Florence and Munnings married in 1912, but the film shows her attempted suicide during their honeymoon, after she realises she has married the wrong man.
Munnings, a miller’s son from Suffolk, is portrayed as a wild and passionate artist who slashes his canvases in artistic rages while Evans is a steady, respectable gentleman who attempts to help Florence overcome her battles with depression.
When Munnings and Florence returned to Cornwall after their wedding, she and Evans embarked on an affair, which she later confessed to her husband. Summer in February depicts his furious reaction and her subsequent suicide in July 1914 by poisoning herself with cyanide.
The film, which is expected to be released this summer, also suggests that Florence was pregnant with Evans’s child when she killed herself and that her marriage to Munnings was never consummated.
Browning, who starred in the recent Hollywood thriller Sucker Punch, said of Florence: “She is genuinely in love with Gilbert but he represents what she is running from. Alfred appears to be everything she thinks she wants. He is free and a little crazy.”
The film has been adapted from a book of the same name, by Jonathan Smith. It also depicts Laura Knight’s unrequited love for Munnings and the jealousy of her husband Harold, who also harboured feelings for Florence.
Munnings never spoke of his first wife after her death and his three volumes of memoirs written in the early 1950s make no mention of their relationship.
In 1920, he married Violet McBride, a renowned equestrienne, with whom he lived until his death in 1959 aged 80, at Castle House in Dedham, Essex, home to the Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum.
Cecil Hadingham, 74, Munnings’s great-nephew, said: “It was extraordinary that he never mentioned this period and it was never discussed amongst the family. I think he found it so painful that he wanted to cut it out of his life completely.”
James Johnston, the chairman of the Castle House Trust, said: “It will be a fascinating take on a part of his life that has been entirely unexplored. Although he produced some of his finest work during this turbulent time, he never spoke of it or of Florence, and she has been airbrushed from history.”
Jeremy Cowdrey, one of the film’s producers, said: “Munnings became very establishment later in his life, but the film shows his wilder days when he lived rather like a rock-star.”

Downton Abbey crockery on the way

At last - a range of Downton inspired crockery is coming out. There has never been anything Downton related in the Highclere gift shop - is this set to change?

T"he Telegraph writes

The makers of the ITV series Downton Abbey are planning to cash in on its success by launching a range of kitchen utensils and crockery bearing its branding.

The moves will mean that the fans of the Golden Globe, Emmy and Bafta award winning series cannot only watch their favourite characters but cook and dine like them too.

There could also be other more substantial furniture items including candlesticks and lamps.

Gareth Neame, producer of the series, revealed details of the plan for stores in an American interview.

He said:"We’re looking into merchandising. Homeware, crockery, pots and pans.

 

"Kitchen items. Merchandising takes time. It’s a slower burn but we’re not proud. We’re on message.
"We’ll even do household decorations like candlesticks.”

The merchandising, which will not include action figures based on Lord Grantham or even Bates, will be launched next year.

The move to produce official merchandise comes as the third series is about to be shown in the US where it has enjoyed critical success having been nominated for a record 16 Emmy TV awards.
Merchandising spin offs from successful films have proved very lucrative in the past.
Toys, clothing, books, video games, and anything associated with the Star Wars films has brought in more than £2bn since the film’s release in 1973.

Disney also make millions each year from merchandise linked to their animated films while toys based on the characters from the “Transformers” films have earned hundreds of millions.

Manufacturers have not been slow to try an capitalise on the success of Downton by producing goods that can be linked to the show.
But as they are not officially endorsed by the makers of the series they can only label them as “inspired by Downton Abbey".
The high street chain Past Times sells a range of goods inspired that includes mugs and cushions with the shows famously pithy one-liners written across them.
They include phrases such as “You’ll find there’s never a dull moment in this house” and “What is a weekend?” among them."

Colin Firth in Sequel to Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

We just loved this hit film, starring some of the best actors in the world today. After the huge success at the Box Office I guess it was inevitable that a sequel would be quick in coming.
The quote of the movie for me was 'Everything will be alright in the end... and if it isn't alright then it isnt the end.'

Showbiz 411 writes "The chief target audience of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was easy to spot from the blue rinse in their hair. Of course, the same is going to apply with the sequel, so I’m not the slightest bit surprised that Helen Mirren and Colin Firth are “likely” to join up. They make those blue hairs light right up.
Apparently there’s also an American actress required to round out the roles in Ol Parker’s screenplay – an original, based upon his first film which was, to be frank, also an original, despite ostensibly being based upon the novel by Deborah Moggach.
Roger Friedman at Showbiz 411 nominates Jane Fonda for the American role. I’d prefer Diane Keaton, maybe Swoosie Kurtz.
John Madden will be directing once again, with many of the original cast returning to India. I have a feeling this franchise could run and run. I at least expect a trilogy."

Downton Abbey Christmas Special 2012

The good old Radion Times has spilled the beans on the eagerly awaited Christmas Special. We loved the 2011 one and are holding our breath.
The RT writes "The Crawleys go off on their holidays! The servants are left to fend for themselves! And there's scandal, intrigue and romance in store!
Forget the upstairs/downstairs divide, this year’s Downton Abbey Christmas special will see the Crawleys and their servants living in different countries.
Lord Grantham and his family are heading north to the Scottish Highlands to join the Dowager Countess’s great niece Lady Rose and her parents at Duneagle Castle.
Initally, a warm welcome awaits, but the tensions between the family and their hosts soon become clear.
We’re promised “salacious scandals, clandestine courtships and heartbreaks of seasons past” will all come to a head during the feature-length episode.
And while it may well snow (it is Scotland, after all) don’t expect Christmas decorations or another stilted present-giving as the seasonal special is, in fact, set in September.
But what of those left back at Downton? What do servants do when there's no-one to serve? Will Lord Grantham return to find they’ve had a massive party and smashed up the Abbey? Carson is of course determined to prevent this, but with the excitement of the approaching country fair, it's possible some of the staff could be tempted to push their luck.
Speaking of luck, we hear a rumour that romance could be in the air for chirpy cook Mrs Patmore. And as far as we're concerned, that's better than any Christmas present."

DOWNTON ABBEY Christmas Special

At P AND P TOURS we're all on tenterhooks waiting for the Xmas special... will Lady Mary find herself pregnant... will Lady Edith be successful in love... will Branson stay on?
Here's a snippet from cartermatt.com who writes
"You have to give some serious credit to the producers of “Downton Abbey” season 3 at this very moment. Their Christmas special is now only a month and a half away from airing, but we still know so little about it that almost the entire ordeal is shrouded in mystery. This will likely stay that way until we get a week or two away from the show finally airing, and at that point producers may finally submit to giving us some more information just about what is happening via a promo or a press release.For now, what we can tell you is this: the special was taping in August using some of the same sort of locations that you would expect to see on the show, and that it will be a two-hour episode just as it was this past year. When you think about it, this more or less extends the past two years of “Downton Abbey” to ten episodes, which puts it at the same length as some HBO series such as “Game of Thrones” or “The Newsroom.” (That bit of trivia is for those of you constantly complaining that the show is too short.)

There are rumors floating around that suggest this special may not be set during the holidays, but these for the time being are not confirmed. Even if this is the case, the special is still expected to celebrate the spirit of the holiday; given that this special actually airs on Christmas Day, it’s hard to see it being overly depressing on the same level as Sybil dying during childbirth.
What we are a bit more curious about is whether or not we will be handed any answers pertaining to the show’s greatest mysteries in this special, including whether or not Dan Stevens and Maggie Smith are going to return to the show. If Julian Fellowes knew in advance that they were each not going to be back (though this is unlikely), he may have created something in the script to send Matthew or Violet away from the Abbey."

Firth and Fassbender double bill thrill

 
  According to www.examiner.com a new film is send our hearts into double-flutter when it hits our screens in 2014.
examiner writes; "Two phenomenal actors are set to star in what is likely to be an Oscar contender.
According to a press release today (via Collider), Academy Award winner Colin Firth (“The King’s Speech”) and Michael Fassbender (“X-Men: First Class”) have joined director Michael Grandage’s “Genius.”
Based on A. Scott Berg’s biography “Max Perkins: Editor of Genius,” and it tells the story of the relationship between Thomas Wolfe (Fassbender) and editor Max Perkins (Firth).
Perkins served as an editor for a number of literary greats, including Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, and his role as a devoted friend and surrogate psychoanalyst made him privy to the intricate details of these men’s lives.
The script was written by John Logan (“Hugo”) so you know it will have some excellent character development, but unfortunately we will not be able to see this epic team-up for more than 2 years as it doesn’t begin production until early 2014."

Early booking discount for all our tours

We are offering a 5% discount for all of our P&P Tours, and other full tours including Sense & Sensibility, for any booking made between now and 31st January 2013. This includes the special LADY CATHERINE places where you get to stay in film locations and have all the luxury of being a VIP client.
All our prices are on the website under the Itinerary page, contained within the relevant itinerary.
P&P runs first in May, and again in June, August and September, when you can combine the tour with a weekend with us at the world famous JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL in Bath.
To take advantage of the offer just fill in the online booking form and we'll be in touch and sort the rest.
Note; the early booking discount doesn't apply to one day tours.

Is Dan Stevens leaving Downton?

The Daily Mail and many other media outlets have announced that Dan may be leaving as he has announced that he wants to stay in the US after his Broadway run in THE HEIRESS comes to an end. He was mobbed by fans of the period drama outside the theatre and seems to be loving all the attention...
The Mail says;
'He's a god,' said Meg Fox, a 51-year-old museum assistant, while writer Janice Wald said: 'He's Prince Charming.
I'm old enough to know better but he's a wonderful fantasy.' Asked how he felt about such adulation – which has earned him the nickname the 'Downton dreamboat' – the Cambridge-educated actor politely murmured: 'Lovin' it.'

Would the show be the same without him? What do we think?

Colin Firth in trailer for GAMBIT

The IMDB summary syas "An art curator decides to seek revenge on his abusive boss by conning him into buying a fake Monet, but his plan requires the help of an eccentric and unpredictable Texas rodeo queen." Watch the trailer on the link below and judge for yourself - but my initial questions are why cast Cameron Diaz in the role? And what has happened to her lips? When I see trailers like this I always wonder whether these are tne only gags in the movie, or just a few of the best..... hmmm is Colin selling out? What do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIBBZLxnQDE

Why we're all buying Downton clothes!

Why am I not surprised that Downton-inspired fashion is flying off the shelves? From Flapper style dresses to vintage underwear, we all want a piece of it! Southampton and Luton are the top two towns in the UK for sales of 1920s inspired garments, and
The Daily Mail writes that most women want to emulate the dresses worn by Lady Mary Crawley.
Who do you want to look like? I'm torn between the elegance of her mother and the smooth lines of the 1920's, but in truth I'd settle for ANY of the sister's frocks...!
The Daily Mail writes;
"Figures from Littlewoods show that since the third series started sales of flapper style dresses have increased by 40%, traditional ruffle blouses shot up by 109% and even men are buying in to the trend with tweed and cord blazer sales rising a massive 146%.

And over half of those polled by the fashion brand said they would love to go back to the 1920s to sample life during this fashionable period."

You can view a selection of the best flapper dresses on the High Street here...http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/photos/the-best-flapper-dresses-on-the-high-street-slideshow/flap-photo-1331896965.html#crsl=%252Fphotos%252Fthe-best-flapper-dresses-on-the-high-street-slideshow%252Fdress-photo-1331813463.html

 

COLIN FIRTH in new film

Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman are starring in a new film THE RAILWAY MAN based on the true story of ex POW Eric Lomax. Lomax wrote the book of the same name, telling of his suffering as a young Scottish POW on the Burma railway and how, with the help of his wife, he travelled back to Asia to meet one of his torturers in an attempt let go of a lifetime of bitterness and hate.

Colin Firth met with an elderly couple from Berwick on Tweed as he tried to get to grips with the character - and he admits that he struggled to get inside Lomax's head. Speaking about the plot he said, "Just about any era you could name could be held to be famous for its brutality and devilish tortures. Sadly, I can't envisage a time when it won't be relevant. I think what is not often addressed is the effect over time. We do sometimes see stories about what it's like coming home from war, we very rarely see stories about what it's like decades later. This is not just a portrait of suffering. It's about relationships… how that damage interacts with intimate relationships, with love."
Kidman co-stars as Lomax's wife Patti.
The film is now in post-production and we're looking forward to the release later this year.

New film location exhibition REAL to REEL

Visitors to Osterley Park in West London can now take a journey through the television and film productions shot at Osterley over the years. The exhibition explores over 50 years of filming at Osterley Park and House. Television and film productions shot at Osterley include Miss Potter (2009) An Alligator Named Daisy, starring Diana Dors, the Grass is Greener starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, and the latest Batman.

The National Trust says on its website "It’s not just actors and directors who deserve a standing ovation for their film performances. A number of our majestic houses and glorious gardens have provided the backdrop for some great film and TV performances.
Osterley Park and House, in West London, are celebrating their involvement in over 50 years on the silver screen with their exhibition, Real to Reel."

Is Highclere Castle falling out with ITV?

There are rumours of a fall out between the owners of Highclere Castle and ITV who make the series Downton Abbey. Personally I dont think there's half a chance that the series will relocate as the Castle is now dependent on the revenue and there is no willingness to extend the public opening season or event availability. Also Julian Feloowes is a personal frined of the Carnarvons and wrote the series with Highclere in mind after his earlier script for Gosford Park was filmed elsewhere. All a storm in a teacup?

The Hertfirdshire Mercury (sourcing the Daily Mirror) writes...
'Downton Abbey' producers and the owners of Highclere Castle have fallen out in a row over visitors.
The TV series - starring Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery - has made the venue in Hampshire increasingly popular with tourists, but the numbers of people coming through has caused a problem for film crews.
A source said: "The public days got firmly in the way of filming and caused much upset. The irony is that the place has grown enormously popular because of 'Downton' and yet it's this very popularity that is causing the problem."
The show's creator Julian Fellowes is now keen to press to the owners that it is important they can shoot in privacy when they need to.
She added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Julian could press home the idea that they could shift the show to a new home at any time. I imagine they'll be rather more accommodating next year."
Part of the latest series has seen an economic problem hit the estate, meaning there is potential for them to move locations.

David Tennant in Much Ado for USA viewers

If you weren't lucky enough to see the amazing David Tennant production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING live on stage then you can download the entire play online. Click here for the link. I can't tell you how great Tennant is in HAMLET too, the RSC production that you can watch on DVD. This man is one of our greatest actors - in our humble opinion!

http://www.david-tennant.com/index.html
The BBC review of Tennant's Hamlet reads;
"He seized the role of the young man haunted by his father's ghost with both hands and ran with it. Literally.At first he is reserved. His hair is swept back and as stiff as his demeanour as his uncle Claudius marries his mother, Gertrude. Standing under the crystal chandeliers he is seemingly oblivious to the celebrations around him.But when he crouches to the floor, alone, and gripped by unbearable despair, his grief and rage overwhelm.And it's not long before Tennant's more familiar, frenetic acting comes to the fore.In an early scene where he encounters his father's ghost, some of his expressions - the bulging-eyed fear, the bared teeth and furrowed brow - are reminiscent of the Doctor.He races about the stage with ease - all lanky limbs and boyish energy - switching seamlessly between sanity, feigned madness and humour.In many of the scenes Tennant is barefoot, which adds to the intimacy of the play. The costumes too are pared-down and modern.It is, perhaps, the first time Hamlet has worn a Parka jacket and beanie hat. Tennant carries it off with quirky aplomb.

Tennant also uses his hair to great theatrical effect. From the sleek combed-back style of his first scene, he ruffles it to display despair, rage and madness. It deserves a credit of its very own.

Overall, his performance is undoubtedly mesmerising. What he lacks in emotional intensity, he makes up for with wit, humour and stirring energy.Tennant is at his best, though, when he allows his full dramatic force to take over. The scene in Gertrude's bedroom when he challenges her on her "incestuous" bed is menacingly powerful.And he delivers the play's most famous lines without fanfare. They are there, subtle and seamless."

 

Downton Abbey PREQUEL is coming.

Now this is good news for me - I'm getting less interested in Downton as history moves forward (is that sacrilege?) so I'm thrilled Julian Fellowes is talking about writing a prequel. Speaking to the BBC he says, "I do actually have an idea of doing a prequel of the courtship of Robert and Cora, when all those American heiresses were arriving in London.

"They had a slightly troubled courtship, because she was in love with him before they married, as we know, and he married her entirely for her money," said Fellowes, speaking at the Bafta Screenwriters' Lecture series.

"I sort of feel there's something quite nice in there because he's a decent cove, and so he feels rather guilty about this which has affected their marriage beyond that."
Think of the wonderful costumes mmmmm

Colin Firth in King's Speech sequel

Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter are reuniting to make a sequel to The Oscar winning film, The King's Speech.

We're thrilled especially as many of the original team will be involved. And we're going on a research tour of the locations - well why not!?

The Sun newspaper has said "A movie source said the sequel will be set during the carnage of World War Two’s Blitz.
Amazingly it will not focus on how George struggled to control his stammer as bombs rained down on London. The insider said: “The sequel is going to be about the experience of families during the Blitz. It will focus on how the privileged Royal Family was hit by the crisis, compared to the more ordinary family of George VI’s speech therapist.
“The focus will be on George but it will also show how the whole royal household was affected. There’s still amazing interest in the Blitz. The movie is still in the very early stages but everyone’s keen to get going soon.”"