Rosemary Sutcliff’s historical fiction Blood and Sand was made into musical theatre by 宝塚歌劇団 (The Takarazuka Revue). It was called ‘Love and Death in Arabia‘ and combined with a ‘fantasy’ Red Hot Sea (see here). Stars were Matobu Sei & Sakurano Ayane and it was advertised as a ‘musical romance’ about ‘love and death’ and ‘ a noble British arab warrior’. I never saw the show – a strange departure for the author of the classic The Eagle of the Ninth – but I have now found again some video material I once tracked down.
International Children’s Book Day | Another Sutcliff Discovery of the Day
International Children’s Book Day today, is suitable to celebrate Rosemary Sutcliff as well as Hans Christian Andersen whose birthday it is. This year the international sponsor, Spain, chose the theme ‘Un libro te espera, búscalo!’ which means ‘A book is waiting for you, find it!’. It seems like most people in the UK did not find the day, let alone the waiting book, if the lack of public mention here is an indicator. (Also, for all who share my taste in music, it is the birthday of Emmylou Harris.)
Google Doodle for Hans Christian Andersen
A writer of children’s books and historical fiction, Rosemary Sutcliff was the UK nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1968 and in 1974, when she was ‘highly commended’ internationally. Hans Christian Andersen is celebrated today by a ‘Google doodle’ on the 205th anniversary of the Danish author ‘s birth. I wonder, could I get Google to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Rosemary Sutcliff’s birth on December 14th this year?
The Eagle of the Ninth BBC Radio in 1957 | Rosemary Sutcliff Discovery of the Day
The classic BBC radio version of the classic children’s book and historical novel by Rosemary Sutcliff was broadcast in 1957 on Children’s Hour on the Home Service (now Radio 4). Adapted by Felix Felton, it was advertised as ‘for older children’. Marius Goring played Marcus and Esca was played by Martin Starkie. ‘Pines of the Appian Way’ was part of the soundtrack. David Davis was the producer and the transmissions were:Read More »
Daily Mail spelled Sutcliff wrongly
In 2009 , The Daily Mail newspaper spelt Rosemary Sutcliff wrong – Sutcliffe (sic) with an E – even as they praised a book trail for children in the North East of England, which the said “teems with literary inspiration”. They join The Times, The Morning Star and OUP in mis-spelling Rosemary Sutcliff (sic)!
ROSEMARY SUTCLIFF (1920-92) 