I don't watch a lot of television; my job and my regular theatre trips mean that I often miss the most talked-about TV series and I never seem to find the time to catch up. I figure I will be able to watch boxset after boxset when I eventually retire...!
'Call the Midwife' is a notable exception. One of the main reasons I started watching was to see how Miranda Hart would fare in a dramatic role, but I continued to watch because the programme had already totally captivated me by the time she made her first appearance. It opened my eyes to an era not that far removed from my own childhood (yet one which seems a million light years from my adulthood). It presents deeply affecting stories in a simple, understated fashion and it celebrates the ordinary lives of extraordinary women: nuns and midwives and the mothers they ministered to.
Above all, it has quality running through it from top to bottom; in its scripts, its costumes, its superb cast, its use of
music (both of the era and specially composed), its gorgeous cinematography, its detailed sets, its wonderful guest actors, its atmospheric locations, etc etc. In every way it feels like it has been crafted with the utmost love and
care.
Last Christmas...
In its first year I managed to get my Mum equally hooked on the show when she visited me, so last Christmas I suggested my Dad might enjoy it as well. He was a bit sceptical about watching anything with 'midwife' in the title but gamely sat down in front of the Christmas Special anyway. By the time it ended he was visibly moved by the simple humanity of the storytelling and the rich slice of social history served up. We spent that evening reminiscing about our own family history; he and Mum talked about the circumstances around the births of my sister, my brother and I. We had a laugh remembering how my grandparents (his parents) had insisted on holding onto old-fashioned domestic equipment well into the late 1970's - I remember using a mangle and a washboard as a child when staying with them!
They told me about some of the hardships they had endured post-war, about National Service and the National Health, rationing and rare foodstuffs. It was a wonderful evening, one which we repeated when my brother visited for New Year. I even bought Dad the 'Call the Midwife' boxset for a New Year present.
Sadly we lost Dad in January after a fall at home. Looking back now I'm grateful we got to spend those two evenings
reminiscing about life and family, about his experiences as a single man and as a father. Those particular memories are part of what makes 'Call the Midwife' very special to me. Mum and I will sit down to watch this year's Christmas
Special together and no doubt we'll reminisce some more. We may even persuade my brother to join us...
In the months since Dad died I have thrown myself into further fundraising for The Forget-Me-Not Project (which I set up two years ago in memory of my sister). I have gained particular pleasure in putting together a collection of 'Call the Midwife' photos, autographs, artwork and signed memorabilia which will be a mainstay of my Christmas
Auction. It's entailed several trips to various shows/events (including taking the CTM companion book with me to New York in an attempt - sadly unsuccessful - to secure Vanessa Redgrave's autograph). Above all it's been a real labour of love to compile and I've had some great times meeting some lovely people who are either involved with my
favourite show or who are as attached to it as I am.
I have two main hopes for the auction: (1) That it will provide some unique Christmas gift opportunities for fellow 'Call the Midwife' fans & (2) That it will raise a good sum of money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. If both of these wishes were to come true it truly would make my Christmas. x
'Call the Midwife' is a notable exception. One of the main reasons I started watching was to see how Miranda Hart would fare in a dramatic role, but I continued to watch because the programme had already totally captivated me by the time she made her first appearance. It opened my eyes to an era not that far removed from my own childhood (yet one which seems a million light years from my adulthood). It presents deeply affecting stories in a simple, understated fashion and it celebrates the ordinary lives of extraordinary women: nuns and midwives and the mothers they ministered to.
Above all, it has quality running through it from top to bottom; in its scripts, its costumes, its superb cast, its use of
music (both of the era and specially composed), its gorgeous cinematography, its detailed sets, its wonderful guest actors, its atmospheric locations, etc etc. In every way it feels like it has been crafted with the utmost love and
care.
Last Christmas...
In its first year I managed to get my Mum equally hooked on the show when she visited me, so last Christmas I suggested my Dad might enjoy it as well. He was a bit sceptical about watching anything with 'midwife' in the title but gamely sat down in front of the Christmas Special anyway. By the time it ended he was visibly moved by the simple humanity of the storytelling and the rich slice of social history served up. We spent that evening reminiscing about our own family history; he and Mum talked about the circumstances around the births of my sister, my brother and I. We had a laugh remembering how my grandparents (his parents) had insisted on holding onto old-fashioned domestic equipment well into the late 1970's - I remember using a mangle and a washboard as a child when staying with them!
They told me about some of the hardships they had endured post-war, about National Service and the National Health, rationing and rare foodstuffs. It was a wonderful evening, one which we repeated when my brother visited for New Year. I even bought Dad the 'Call the Midwife' boxset for a New Year present.
Sadly we lost Dad in January after a fall at home. Looking back now I'm grateful we got to spend those two evenings
reminiscing about life and family, about his experiences as a single man and as a father. Those particular memories are part of what makes 'Call the Midwife' very special to me. Mum and I will sit down to watch this year's Christmas
Special together and no doubt we'll reminisce some more. We may even persuade my brother to join us...
In the months since Dad died I have thrown myself into further fundraising for The Forget-Me-Not Project (which I set up two years ago in memory of my sister). I have gained particular pleasure in putting together a collection of 'Call the Midwife' photos, autographs, artwork and signed memorabilia which will be a mainstay of my Christmas
Auction. It's entailed several trips to various shows/events (including taking the CTM companion book with me to New York in an attempt - sadly unsuccessful - to secure Vanessa Redgrave's autograph). Above all it's been a real labour of love to compile and I've had some great times meeting some lovely people who are either involved with my
favourite show or who are as attached to it as I am.
I have two main hopes for the auction: (1) That it will provide some unique Christmas gift opportunities for fellow 'Call the Midwife' fans & (2) That it will raise a good sum of money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. If both of these wishes were to come true it truly would make my Christmas. x
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