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Original poster

Some Fretwork and the Interminable Christmas Play at the Chalet School

914 replies

EmilyAlice · 11/10/2016 15:08

Now girls, line up and listen because this term is a busy one. Firstly we are combining our hobbies club and the Christmas play, so we will need our fretworkers to get busy on the scenery, some beautiful découpage for decorations, our nimble-fingered needlewomen on costume duty and some scrapbooks for - er...
Now one other thing girls. As you know the Chalet School has moved from the Tyrol, to Guernsey, to Armishire, to some island or other and thence to Switzerland.
This term we have moved again and the first thing I want you to do is to find out where the bloody hell we are....

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ImpYCelyn · 21/10/2016 21:55

Ooh Nell I love a bit of Dorothy Sayers!! Both are strong contenders. I would start with Whose Body just to give you an idea of classic LPW (very Bertie Wooster as a character, but better written IMO), knowing that Harriet Vane is waiting for you Grin I haven't read one for ages! Must dust one off when I'm back from hols (or just get a kindle one tomorrow..)

ImpYCelyn · 21/10/2016 22:02

Not to worry Primrose I think you'll find that bright and early tomorrow a handsome young doctor will come striding and yodelling along the path, will express his surprise at finding you, and his admiration for you plucky girls having spent the night in such appalling conditions, and before you know it you'll all be laughing about what perfect frights you must all have looked with straw in your hair! Like scarecrows no doubt.

Have either you or Northernlurker remembered to sprain your ankle so that you can bravely attempt to walk on it, before fainting clean away, so that the doctor can carry you in his strong arms? This is a 2 for 1, either he'll fall in love with the fainter, or he'll go for the junior mistress who so effectively manages the tired and weary girls on their long climb down after their trying ordeal. Either way ladies, one night in the hay and the jobs a good'un Wink

RueDeWakening · 21/10/2016 22:46

Nell Murder Must Advertise is my favourite, and not a bad start. But I would start with Whose Body and have Harriet to look forward to.

hels71 · 22/10/2016 08:17

Definitely start with Whose Body. I always read mine in order. My favourite is The Nine Tailors which was the first one I read thanks to Nicola Marlow!!!!

PrimroseDay · 22/10/2016 09:05

Whose Body is only 99p on kindle...it's now next on my list to read (if I ever finish Ruey which is about three times as long in the non Armada version).

By the way - the expedition has now been rescued. Apparently I was carried down the mountain, undressed, bathed, dressed and given special milk all without waking up nothing sinister at all about that then.

NotCitrus · 22/10/2016 09:59

[goes to download Whose Body?] Who was it who dressed up as that book for one of the Staff/Sixths' parties?

I'm working my way through DLS having started with the later ones so will need to re-read at some point. Figuring out what must have happened previously is half the fun of a series - I have fond memories of trawling all local fetes in my childhood hoping to find a Chalet book I didn't already have, often having to sellotape pages in. And later stalking WHSmith and finding later ones in Armada (and finally being a teenager too embarrassed to buy them, so just furtively reading the last half-dozen in the shop).

NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 22/10/2016 10:05

Who was it who dressed up as that book for one of the Staff/Sixths' parties?

Peggy Burnett. (I really shouldn't know that without having to check, but apparently I do...)
Thank you all for answers - definitely Whose Body first, then!

In the meantime I am re-reading Regiment in preparation for discussing it in earnest. Grin

Has somebody already PM'd Rosalie the onedrive details?

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EmilyAlice · 22/10/2016 10:13

My favourite is The Nine Tailors too. Smile
We have all of the DVDs as well; Ian Carmichael and then Edward Petherbridge.
Glad the expedition went well with only a few minor casualties. Has anyone been rescued by friendly natives and kept overnight in a smokey yurt? (Or is that Swallows and Amazons?)

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hels71 · 22/10/2016 13:36

Do you prefer Ian Carmichael or Edward Petherbridge? DH and I are divided on that one!

EmpressKnowsWhereHerTowelIs · 22/10/2016 13:56

Definitely Edward Petherbridge! He's much more as I imagine Wimsey, Ian Carmichael just comes across as a comedian with nothing more to him IMO.

hels71 · 22/10/2016 14:03

At last! Someone who agrees with me!!! Petherbridge is sooo much better!!

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EmilyAlice · 22/10/2016 14:25

I prefer Edward Petherbridge, though I think Ian Carmichael was OK at the time. Petherbridge has that highly-strung, nervy quality which is right for Lord P. But I don't like Harriet Walter as Harriet, though I have been in awful trouble on Mumsnet for saying that before. I prefer the first Bunter.

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EmpressKnowsWhereHerTowelIs · 22/10/2016 14:39

I like Harriet Walter but I'm not sure about either of the Bunters. I think the first one is too daft & the second one is too young & dashing.

HeyBells · 22/10/2016 15:03

New girl signing in here. Sorry I'm late, the smalls all had scarlet pox and we've been in isolation for weeks. Then the Doctor said I looked peaky so they packed me off here with Dr's young colleague as an escort. We had a bit of trouble finding you and were having such adventures we may have delayed for a couple of days.

Before I retire quietly into the corner as befits a new girl could someone pm me the shared drive details please.

Just wanted to add, loving the thread hanes, made me laugh and cheered me up.

morningtoncrescent62 · 22/10/2016 15:13

My favourite is The Nine Tailors which was the first one I read thanks to Nicola Marlow!!!!

I bought that ages ago, I think on the recommendation of one of you MN chalet girls, but I haven't got round to reading it yet - somehow there always seems to be something else at the top of the reading priority list. I'm reading Biddy and Quilla at the moment which is a bit odd story-wise, but it's packed with lots of lovely period detail so I'm enjoying it. After that I think it's got to be Regiment again for the hundredth time to get myself back up to speed.

Has NorthernLurker's party arrived back yet? Did anyone sleep through being bathed and put to bed, and still out for the count some 17 hours later? And more importantly, why did it take three handsome doctors to escort them home, and have any of them got engaged yet?

ImpYCelyn · 22/10/2016 15:23

Clouds of Witness is 99p also

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EmilyAlice · 22/10/2016 15:57

I think we should all give a huge vote of thanks to Mrs. Maynard for letting us gather round her wireless to listen to the new Dorothy L. Sayers and then have this fascinating discussion. Anna's Yak Milk Buns were just perfect too.
Hip! Hip! Hooray!

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NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 22/10/2016 19:06

Why did it take three doctors to escort them home? Well, I suppose they're all at a loose end these days, TB not being what it used to be...

PMing Rosalie and Bells now.

HarrietVane99 · 22/10/2016 19:21

Another yes to Petherbridge but no to Harriet Walter here. And they got Miss Climpson completely wrong.

I'd have been interested in seeing what a younger Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson could have done with the roles. I know Branagh doesn't quite look the part, but that's what acting is for.

My all time ideal casting for Lord Peter, however, would have been Leslie Howard. Not sure who his Harriet might have been, though.

morningtoncrescent62 · 22/10/2016 19:32

I think we should all give a huge vote of thanks to Mrs. Maynard for letting us gather round her wireless to listen to the new Dorothy L. Sayers and then have this fascinating discussion.

Oh, is that what you were all doing? I was in the saal playing slidey mats. Actually, it wasn't that much fun with Siberian Ibex skins.

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EmilyAlice · 22/10/2016 19:46

My OH who is a film buff as well as a Garden Director says Flora Robson as Harriet to Leslie Howard's Lord Peter.

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HarrietVane99 · 22/10/2016 20:01

Flora Robson - I don't know if I've seen any of her films from when she was a young woman. Must see if there's anything on YouTube. The role doesn't call for an actress with stunning good looks. I wouldn't cast Vivien Leigh, for example.

hels71 · 22/10/2016 20:19

Aunt Joey is very kind letting us listen to her wireless. I also enjoyed Anna's lemon biscuits with my yaks milk buns...

How is the play going by the way? Is it cast yet?

NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 22/10/2016 21:02

Wish I could've played slidey mats. I got stuck bathing the quads instead. Envy

Ah, the play! ISTR once claiming Bettany DNA when we played "which CS character would you be?" one previous termthread, so I'm sure I'm in line for a speaking part.

Northernlurker · 22/10/2016 22:56

Jolly good day had by all up on the hill. One of the girls will have to stay in a nearby inn for six months whilst their compound fracture of both legs mends so we've left another girl behind to be company for them. I don't think their parents will mind spending thousands on fees only for them to receive no education at all.

Anyway I've got my eye on a doctor now but my tragic past will get in the way. To solve this I've succeeded in getting toothache so will be in an awful mood for my class tomorrow. I think I'll faint about 11.30 and matey will send for help from the San......