In preparation for Tuesday’s already sold-out FLINDERELLA, yesterday evening at Petrie Museum was lovely, discussing the history of performance at UCL, and within the museum, itself, with Lisa Randisi and Georgina Brewis before an engaged audience containing a few friendly faces!

What was FLINDERELLA? Find out tomorrow evening at Petrie Museum where we’ll discuss the ephemeral nature of performance at UCL, and I’ll be speaking about theatrical performance - in all its forms - at the Petrie Museum. Tickets are available at the link below. #Egyptomania

On the anniversary of the date traditionally ascribed to the fall of Troy, 24 April 1184 BC, a selection of images from 1956 to 2018 of the legendary wooden horse, devised by Odysseus and fashioned by Epeius of Phocis in only three days. #Classics #Reception #Film #TV #DoctorWho

Looking forward to this on Thursday evening! #Egyptology #Reception

I’m writing a few entries for the useful and wide-ranging Egypopcult Database. The first couple are already up online, perhaps unsurprisingly, for two Terence Fisher films for Hammer database.egypopcult.com/the-mummy/ and database.egypopcult.com/the-devil-ride… #Egyptomania #Egyptology #Reception

On #ShakespeareDay thinking of some of the Bard’s ancient world plays I’ve seen over the years: from the plains of Troy with Joseph Fiennes, the woods of Athens with Clare Higgins, the Roman Forum with Julian Glover, to the palace of Alexandria with Helen Mirren. #Reception

Delighted that the mammoth, 1,818 page, print edition of THE PALGRAVE HANDBOOK OF THE VAMPIRE, containing my article on the vampire in the ancient world, has now been published. Congratulations to Editor Simon Bacon and my many, many, fellow contributors.

On the 2,777th anniversary of the date traditionally identified as the founding of Rome, I wish we were back in that extraordinary city to celebrate, as we did in 2022.

Felix dies natalis, Roma!

#NataleDiRoma #Forum #Antinous #Portunus #Pantheon

Celebrating sixty years of BBC Two on the anniversary of its first - somewhat inauspicious - broadcast, delayed by a fire at Battersea Power Station. Conceived as a channel broadcasting programmes of ‘depth and substance,’ here’s just a smattering of personal highlights! 🥂

Delighted to be appearing at Petrie Museum next Thursday on the ‘Animated Ephemera’ panel, alongside Prof Georgina Brewer and Lisa Randisi, when I’ll be discussing ‘theatrical performances’ at the Petrie. #Flinderella Event tickets are available here eventbrite.co.uk/e/animated-eph…

I’m delighted that the International Society for the Study of Egyptomania is recruiting an events team; it’s a sign of how rapidly and effectively ISSE is growing! If you’re interested in assisting in delivering our future events, please follow the thread below…!

Prepping for this Saturday afternoon’s Zoom lecture for Southampton Ancient Egypt Society. The link below should contain full details, if you’re interested in joining us for the event. southamptonancientegyptsociety.co.uk/April.php

Friends and colleagues in Liverpool, my wonderfully talented friend HarfousH is making a rare appearance in L8 next Friday, 26 April. He’s an extraordinary performer and well worth seeing! skiddle.com/whats-on/Liver…

On the centenary of his birth, remembering the flamboyant Australian-born actor Kevin Lindsay (1924-1975), who, in six episodes, perfectly established the Sontarans as a major - and continuing - force in the vast panoply of #DoctorWho aliens. #Linx #Styre #Marshal #ChoJe

Augustus is disappointed that his Friday evening is over…even though he’ll get to do it all again tomorrow…!

The International Society for the Study of #Egyptomania is actively seeking Committee Members to join our happy band in promoting this vital branch of #Egyptological study. If you think you’d like to join us, please follow the thread below… #Cinema #TV #Games #Literature #Comics

On #NationalUnicornDay a favourite representation of Scotland’s heraldic beast. Designed by Margaret Cross Primrose Findlay and carved in blonde sandstone by Dawson & Young, it was unveiled on 24 April 1930, atop Glasgow’s new Mercat Cross, created by Edith Burnett Hughes. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

In addition to meeting dear friends over the weekend, we binged Season 2 of Ryan J Brown’s wickedly gripping LGBT+ friendly horror comedy WRECK, available on BBC iPlayer, before being charmed and moved by Greta Gerwig’s BARBIE. Very different beasts but both engagingly knowing.

According to Plutarch, on 7 April c.331 BC, Alexander the Great founded the Egyptian city of Alexandria, which ultimately became home to his own tomb, the Ptolemaic dynasty, the famed Library, and the Pharos lighthouse; a bustling metropolis of high culture and higher drama.

Watching Joseph L Mankiewicz’s 1953 screen adaptation of Shakespeare’s JULIUS CÆSAR on TV and amused to note a recognisable bust of Hadrian behind the ever delightful Deborah Kerr as Portia…only about a century and a half before his imperial reign. #Classics #Reception