Category Archives: Theater

there are precedents for mystical encounters of various kinds

Posted on December 12, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“A man breaking his journey between one place and another at a third place of no name, character, population or significance, sees a unicorn cross his path and disappear. That in itself is startling, but there are precedents for mystical … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Theater, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“They’ve been going in and out of style”

Posted on January 5, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Continuing a tradition started in 2016, Chris the Barker has made another collage frequently updated and up to the last minute to eulogize Olivia Hussey and Jimmy Carter, in tribute to those passed away this year. The field more crowded than … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Film, History, movies, Music, Restaurants, Theater, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Forget Dystopia

Posted on November 7, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Thinking about all of the dystopian speculative fiction that I’ve been binging on in recent years, I am reminded of the great Ray Bradbury’s imagining of a more positive future for humanity. The 1984 short story The Toynbee Convector tells the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Theater, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Magic Lantern

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

These days Prague is another victim of European over-tourism, but 30 years ago it still was a place of history and mystery. I recently saw the marvelous 1993 documentary below that has had me waxing nostalgic for the Prague that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, Film, History, Libraries, Museums, Theater, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Literary London

Posted on August 12, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

As a great international capital, once at the hub of an enormous colonial Empire, London has long attracted visits by writers, artists and intellectuals from around the world. University College London is curating how London has been seen through the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, History, Maps, Theater, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bookstore Tourism

Posted on May 24, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Bookstar in San Diego, California is no ordinary bookshop. The 1945 Point Loma Theater was rescued from the wrecking ball by the Barnes & Noble chain. The theaters adaptive reuse capitalized on the existing theaters circulation path including the recreation … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Film, movies, Theater, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Kafka Centennial

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Kafka: Making of an Icon is an upcoming exhibition that will mark the centennial  of the great writer’s death and celebrate not only his books and creativity, but also his continuing inspiration for new literary, theatrical and artistic creations around … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Libraries, Museums, Theater, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Dracula for laughs

Posted on March 3, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I don’t care what some critics had to say about Francis Ford Coppala’s 1992 version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I thoroughly enjoyed the Grand Guigol meets Expressionist take on the iconic vampire tale. Sadly, I missed the 2022 theatrical re-release for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film, movies, Theater | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What do Mickey Mouse and D.H. Lawrence have in common

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

On January 1, 2024, thousands of copyrighted works from 1928 will enter the US public domain, along with sound recordings from 1923. They will be free for all to copy, share, and build upon. This year’s highlights include Lady Chatterley’s Lover by … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Film, History, movies, Music, Theater, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

An Alternative Christmas Carol

Posted on December 25, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Carol For Another Christmas was directed by Joseph L. Manckiewics for the United Nations and was written by the inimitable Rod Serling. The unusual 1964 television special was presented without commercial interruptions. It was the first of a series of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film, Theater, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment