This has been a funny old year in no mistake and this shows up in this review.
I've seen lots of events but I've not chosen wisely and many have been instantly forgettable; social events have been few on the ground and the year has been disrupted by events at work.
Nevertheless, there's more than enough to be able to celebrate.
Well, as is usual in our modern age, I probably saw more film than any other genre during the year. Most of it was immediately forgettable. Bend It Like Beckham was a pleasant enough comedy. Catch Me If You Can was enjoyable too. The Ring was genuinely frightening. Gangs of New York was impressive but not quite impressive enough. So it comes down to
And the award goes to
because the whole trilogy has simply been a marvellous achievement.
Once again, I attended very little theatre this year and what I did was not from the top drawer - the National Theatre's production of John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi was a case of disappointment. So, it's a thin final list
And the award goes to
not so much because the production or acting were superb but because the whole event held in the open air at a National Trust property was a splendid event.
It was another disappointing year for television and radio. Hardly anything caught the ear or eye in the latter part of the year. Worth a mention were
And the award goes to
because it's the one programme this year which I have taken seriously. I even went out and bought the book.
There is only one contender in the non-fiction category this year. So, the award goes to
for being simply absorbing.
In fiction, the nominations are
And the award goes to
for its sheer humanity.
Well it's been a mixed year for Verdi. The Royal Opera would have run away with the turkey of the year award for their production of Luisa Miller if it hadn't been for Ukranian National Opera's execrable performance of Rigoletto. The man fared much better with a well sung but visually appalling Falstaff at the Royal Opera, Welsh National Opera's hugely enjoyable Il trovatore and Opera North's wonderful La Traviata.
There were rarities too. Buxton Festival came up with two more treats - Handel's Semele and Donizetti's Maria Padilla; Chester Festival came up with Purcell's Dido and Æneas; the Liceu in Barcelona offered Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet; Welsh National Opera gave Handel's Jephtha and Opera North trumped everyone with Martinu's Julietta and Cimarosa's The Secret Marriage.
I should make a special mention of Welsh National Opera who got me to sit through Wagner's Parsifal without falling asleep.
However, the nominations are for
And the award goes to the
by a hair's breadth because of a sensational, star studded performance from Natalie Dessay.
There's been quite a few dance events this year. Hors de concors, however, was Robert's graduation dance piece which left this middle-aged father feeling very proud. However, there were some let-downs. English National Ballet's Coppélia was naff. Richard Alston Dance Company were simply poor. Kirov Ballet's La Bayadère may have been spectacular but the dancers were the second division. Luckily, there was one glorious event this year that would have taken the palm whatever the rest of the competition.
And the award goes to
for one of the best, most thought-provoking, most engaging, most well designed, most attractive, most challenging evenings of the whole year.
This year has seen fewer music events than of late. Try this journal entry for example. The pattern was repeated over the year. Partly this was down to circumstance. Partly this was down to the Phil's Box Office policy. Their loss as much as ours. The only nomination in this category that is worthy of mention took place at the begining of the year with
which I hold dear for its dramatic and spiritual content.
This year was something of a disappointment for exhibitions locally. The vast majority of those which have stayed in the memory were London based. Locally, Isaac Julien's Baltimore at FACT was well crafted and the Imperial War Museum North was an astonishing venue. So, it comes down to
And the award goes without question to both the
for putting me in touch with other and alternative world views.
Although the arts provided a lot of events, few truly edged their way into the memorable category. Sadly, the pickings are even slimmer in the social arena.
This year, the peak experiences were scant. Nominations go to
Even with so few contenders, the award goes to
because it was truly uplifting and it was good to share the day with Ross and Gill.
There have been a few improvements around the house. We aquired
And the award goes to
for bringing warmth and cheer to Ross and I at the end of the year.
I've really ducked the issue of intimacy this year. It's high on the agenda for 2004.
I've not done an awful lot of eating out this year. Looking back probably the most enjoyable meal was one at
with my mum and dad, Linda and Mary and Ross. It was a pleasantly family occasion.
Last year I demurred from offering the award to this person because I had only just met her. Twelve months on she is still around and offering wise counsel and healing. So the award goes to
because she has made such a contribution to my life.
However, a very special mention must also go to
without whom Ross and I would not have been able to cope.
This year I am going to assign the award to
who arrived with us at Easter and, despite his operation, settled in, made his first kill and has now celebrated his first birthday with us.