also I was wondering if,as this is a longer run, there would be more scenery, it was very minimal last time, but fine.Also whether there are any changes to last time.Thanks Lizza.

Uh-oh. My sporadic social life seems to have struck and there is talk of a 30th birthday party to attend on Saturday evening, so I may let everybody down on the SLOW review (and it does feel like letting people down, having seen the recent posts). Thank goodness so many others are going. Apologies in advance, although I still have the tickets and if the party's not a must-go, I might still try to point us in a Brixton direction (unless anyone out there can use the tickets with more certainty?) Incidentally my wife watched and adored the P&P serial without noting CF as a man to pursue to the ends of the earth! So I don't feel it's my place to advocate his charms and constantly remind her how enthralling Mr Darcy was - there's such a thing as digging your own grave. Cymbeline, if you still want to get hold of McCarthy/Morrell's Some Other Rainbow, I can borrow my sister's copy for a few months and wing it out to you. To make up for being such a useless failure, I might potter down to the SouthBank for the beginning of the "SLOW" premiere on Friday in my lunch break, just in case there's a dramatic personal appearance by the man himself.

Definitely the teeth! And yes definitely Livia (started to type Lydia there!) We are above being (female)dogs in the manger, are we not, Firthettes? I always think of her as Firthette in chief. I mean she must have the same discerning eye we have. She was just in the right place at the right time. It could have been any one of us! Mark, you are very kind to offer the loan of SOR. I have Amazon searching for it, so before I put you to the trouble, let me see what they come up with--they will let me know before long I believe either way. If they strike out, I will get in touch. Thanks! Oh, and you are not a useless failure, and I always think a trip to the cinema makes the best kind of birthday party. And as for YDW, watching and adoring P&P without noting CF as a man to pursue to the ends of the earth is what she told you, right?

I would like to know aboout the nuances of his performance. Has he done something different? Is his accent improved? As Cymbeline said, we want to know everything, no detail is too small. And, if you get to talk to him, do invite him to check out cf.com. :-D

(Moon)Is his accent improved? I liked his accent in March! ~~~~~~~~ Mark, pl. don't feel you are letting us down on Saturday night...my companion has all the confidence in the world!! If ODB shows on Friday, I'll hold him there for you :-) Warning: Too much CF exposure (no pun intended) might encourage wife to become a Firthette!!

(Evelyn)Warning: Too much CF exposure (no pun intended) might encourage wife to become a Firthette!! LOL! Evelyn, I do think you have a pun intended: Too much CF exposure to wife might dig out your own grave (as Mark said).

I will oblige with all details, none too small to be noted!! The major question is has he found some trousers with a decent zip?? Those of you there last March know what I mean!

Have a great trip over everyone. Just to say it is the lord Mayor's procession in London on Saturday. Fireworks from Vauxhall bridge etc pre LFF, if any of you fancy a spectacle. But then ODB provides combustion enough!!

A nice mention in The Evening Standard tonight for 3 Days of Rain - an excerpt:- "Taking a fresh view across the Pond. - If one were to judge America solely on the plays from across the Atlantic that are well received in Britain, one could be forgiven for thinking it consisted of little more than trailer-park trash who speak mostly in monosyllables. Or so such erstwhile London successes as Tracy Lett's Killer Joe and Rebecca Gilman's The Glory of Living, among many others, have suggested. It's against that perception - a view of the States guaranteed to leave British audiences feeling superior - that one expecially welcomes the return to the Donmar Warehouse this week of R.G's Three Days of Rain. Greenberg's play was first seen in London last March as the runaway hit of the Dopnmar's three-play American imports season, with the same performers (CF,EMcG & DM) who are reteaming for this extended run. " The rest is mostly about Richard Gereenberg and there is a picture of Colin & DM, with the spectacles!

Good sleuthing Ann! Thank you. Perhaps we can continue to hope for more from other publications this week too.

Here is the review on This is London: http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/hottx/theatre/bottom_direct.html Colin gets a rave review!

Ann - is it the same pic as in Time Out?

Click on Opening this week, then find 3DOR.

Ann - is it the same pic as in Time Out?

A little teasing for those of us left behind. ;-)

Moon, the review at This is London ("Decades after J.B. Priestly...") is by Nicholas De Jongh from March. Or is there another one? Ann, your quote from the Evening Standard appears new...but that "trailer park trash" line was used before by Charles Spencer in his Telegraph review. (certain words stick in your mind) Interesting coincidence they mention Tracy Letts' Killer Joe. Tracy Letts played Ned/Walker here in Chicago.

That may be an old review, but one can't read The force of Colin Firth's remarkable acting transcends the mere erotic appeal that on television made him the fantasy play-thing of so many women enough times, can one?

My thoughts exactly, Eileen! Especially after seeing little brother as a Baron fairy with the very red hair and blue eyes.

The major question is has he found some trousers with a decent zip?? Those of you there last March know what I mean! Well, don't keep the rest of us in the dark!

(Ann)as this is a longer run, there would be more scenery I expect that nothing in that department will be changed. Why should they change a thing in a sell-out performance? The minimal scenery is an essential part of the play IMO, that emptiness I mean. The only changes will probably be the ones in the individual performances of actors and that�s a very interesting thing to see. The first run was seven months ago and many things have happened in the minds of the actors and how they perceive their roles in the play.

(Cymbeline)Well, don't keep the rest of us in the dark! Cymbeline, I was there and I don�t know what Lizza is talking about, bwaaa! I guess my eyes were somewhere else than everybody else�s ;-D

Arami this is not the same photo as Time Out but I have to say it isn't a very good photo, Colin's mouth is blurred, in this one DM is on the left of Colin as you look at the photo and DM is pointing his finger. I love the ES, it also has Valmont as "Film of the Night". BTW Karen, the article is written by Matt Wolf.

Now come Elena, methinks you protest too much!! At the matinee performance his trousers were only half done up. I remarked to the lady next to me (I did not know her, but ODB has this effect on his audiences) who said that they had been the same the previous night too. Cue loads of jokes about wardrobe mistresses etc and some witty and wonderful remarks from Heide, Karen et al.

Elena , I would have believed you but it is not as if there was a lot of scenery for your eyes to be diverted by and DM is not your type!!! Modesty becomes you! Anyway by now I am sure he will have new trousers/ new zip or a more efficient dresser(!), either way I feel it is my duty to take note on Saturday and report this small but important detail.

Lizza was not alone in noticing the partially zipped trousers... it was very distracting (particularly if you were sitting in the front row) ;-D Do pay close attention to every detail. Somehow I doubt the wardrobe will change much, but would be nice if he had another sweater!

Especially after seeing little brother as a Baron fairy with the very red hair and blue eyes. Wasn't that embarassing? He better stick to period pieces..esp. the uniform in Far From the Madding Crowd. Also noticed that Lady Sarah in The Aristocrats will be the governess in TOTS. Jodhi May? She's a good actress...not v. pretty. ~~~~~~ .. would be nice if he had another sweater! Or wash it :-D

.. would be nice if he had another sweater! (Evelyn) Or wash it :-D You expect a flaneur to know the whereabouts of a dry cleaners or a washing machine (let alone know how to operate one)!! The man couldn't order a cheeseburger in a restaurant. ;-D

The Mail on Sunday listed 3DOR as one of the Arts events of the next seven days. The problem, in terms of coverage, is that there won't be any reviews as it's a re-run and the Donmar don't advertise. But there have been quite a few honourable mentions overall (oh, and a photo of CF and EM in Saturday's Times Metro section, but an old one). BTW I love the Sainsbury's mention....he must be one of their favourite customers! Karen, (our wonderful source of all knowledge!), do you think that the new promotional photos will appear anywhere? I'm really looking forward to reading all your reports, zippers, accents, spouse support, whatever. Detachable taps. Basic question, although I'll find out for myself eventually, why are CF and EM lying on the bed together? And am also rather anxiously awaiting a report on SLOW! Nigerian writing is often rather lyrical/magical, and optimistic, almost innocent, in tone, and our current crop of critics only seem to favour gritty social realism. I noticed to my horror that Timeout's film critic gave "Nil by Mouth" and "Orphans" (haven't seen this, but it apparently features continuous obscene language, and explicit scenes of self abuse) as his two bestever British Films. Hey, but they're real! SLOW with its 12 rating (no sex, iolence or bad language) won't hold much appeal! But I hope it has a very discerning audience on Friday/Saturday, and thanks to Ann, Evelyn, Mark, and everyone else who is going. BTW Colin's junior bro was in some Shakespeare for the Millennium dramatisations on the radio recently....Mark Antony in "Julius Caesar", can't remember the other.

why are CF and EM lying on the bed together? That would be Ned and Lina at the culmination of their "three days of rain." :-D Is there a picture of that in one of the papers? Do we all remember how EM kept snuggling up against him? Grrrrrrr!! And, yes, the pictures taken tomorrow will be released to the press by the end of the week.

Here's the entire article by Matt Wolf in the Evening Standard: EVENING STANDARD: TAKING A FRESH VIEW ACROSS THE POND IF one were to judge America solely on the plays from across the Atlantic that are well received in Britain, one could be forgiven for thinking it consisted of little more than trailer-park trash who speak mostly in monosyllables. Or so such erstwhile London successes as Tracy Letts's Killer Joe and Rebecca Gilman's The Glory of Living, among many others, have suggested. It's against that perception - a view of the States guaranteed to leave British audiences feeling superior - that one especially welcomes the return to the Donmar Warehouse this week of Richard Greenberg's Three Days of Rain. Greenberg's play was first seen in London last March as the runaway hit of the Donmar's three-play American imports season, with the same performers (Colin Firth, Elizabeth McGovern and David Morrissey) who are reteaming for this extended run. In context, it's almost as if Greenberg's play contains specific rebuttals to the criticisms levelled against American plays abroad. You want irony? Three Days of Rain is fuelled by a central irony that won't be revealed here, along with a prevailing loquaciousness t odds with the heightened inarticulacy of, say, Sam Shepard and David Mamet. Nor does he trade in the TV movie-of-the-week teariness that raises British hackles. 'That's sentimental,' snaps budding architect Firth to McGovern, his bride-to-be, at one point as if to squash any such tendencies in the play itself. It is little surprise, then, that Greenberg tends to be compared to droll American satirists of a bygone era such as Philip Barry (The Philadelphia Story) more than he does to his own generation. He's a dramatist out of time whose play deals teasingly with time. (Firth and McGovern play an estranged brother and sister in Act One, and their own parents 35 years earlier in Act Two.) The result looks set to be the first international success for Greenberg, 41, who has so far written 12 plays. In 1988 he became the overnight darling of then-New York Times critic Frank Rich with a play, Eastern Standard, that was regarded as a defining expos of Yuppie values. This summer saw the New York premiere of arguably his most personal play - a black comedy, Hurrah at Last, about a writer seemingly struck down with an Aids-like disease. Much the same happened to Greenberg several years ago; he turned out to have what the play describes as 'a curable cancer'. The next one, due to open off Broadway next year, may make the boldest statement yet about his burgeoning reputation: its title, quite simply, is The Dazzle.

Where is the picture with the spectacles?

Do we all remember how EM kept snuggling up against him? Grrrrrrr!! How can I forget? She was sliding her hands all over him while they're on that bed. I doubt the scenery will change much but I hope they don't move that mattress! BTW, as one who refused to sit in the front row, I can say that the zipper at half-mast was clearly viewed throughout the theater. 'Course training Evelyn's opera glasses on him from the fourth row didn't hurt. And Lizza, be sure to report if Walker/Ned smokes this time. Mark, of course you are forgiven if you can't make it to SLOW. You should know though that CF-sighting has often led to bestowing titles here. If you do some CF-sleuthing on your lunch hour, don't be surprised if you become Sir Mark.

LOL About.com is running a poll...here are the results: Was Leprechauns the worst thing you've ever seen or what? Yep, it sure was. (55) 47% It wasn't so bad. (24) 21% Shut up, it ruled. (9) 8% What are you talking about? (28) 24%

Do we all remember how EM kept snuggling up against him? And which of us would not in those circs (or any others), fantasy plaything that he is!

Lucie, haven't you seen this yet? http://www.firth.com/donmar/3dor-nedtheo.htm

No, I hadn't seen this one. Thanks Arami. BTW our boy is down 300 votes

I can't get anything to come up when I click on the 3 Deers Archives except a message that it is still under construction.

Do we all remember how EM kept snuggling up against him? Grrrrrrr!! Can you blame her? That is COLIN FIRTH! How could anybody resist? LOL about CF's zipper. So definitely want to know about it this time! I wish I were his dress person (valet?), I would personally make sure that zipper works well ;-)

Hate to see Colin steadily falling behind What's-his-face after forging ahead so well earlier. Keep your hands (and votes) in. (Incidentally, I think you can get more than 5 a day in but has nothing to do with logging in, but rather who voted last. If you did, you can't again ... another good reason to keep the site active ... lets someone else in again) http://www.freevote.com/booth/ladyviola

(Heide)I can say that the zipper at half-mast was clearly viewed throughout the theater. This is terrible, I did not notice it! I have missed a very important theatrical effect! And I did actually glance at that direction once or twice.

(KJArt) Hate to see Colin steadily falling behind What's-his-face after forging ahead so well earlier. Remember that What's-his-face just opened in a major movie in the States that was discussed on Jim Lehrer last night. Which is to say that it takes a big media deal to outdo our boy. This is just a flash in the pan surge following opening weekend which will quickly die out whereas the army of the faithful will put ODB back in first place and keep him there. The other night Bob Mondello, DC movie critic, said on the radio that What's-his-face came across as a "doughy middle-management type" in The Insider. No one will ever say that about ODB!

Note to 3 Deers: I think you can relabel the Time Out picture for the current run. That forelock of hair bothered me and I've compared it against the publicity stills from March and the candids taken in the lobby. Colin's hair was much more closely cropped then. In addition, I've now found out that "some" shots were taken before, but more were taken today. So the Time Out is a new one!!

Mornin' all. Been away for a while worrying about a decision - not directly related to The Firth, I know (I will attempt to make a connection later on, so bear with me...), but I am quitting Columbia and have accepted a job with Goldman Sachs, a financial firm, in London. I will be their European economist. Anyway, the question is this - where should I live? At the moment I have a teeny house in Barnes, which is in south-west London and far too far for me to walk to work, which is a new requirement. (I do it here and it is BLISS not having to commute.) So I have narrowed it down to a flat on the south bank of the Thames, near Bankside and the Globe, or one in Clerkenwell, which is basically Islington. Winter persuaded me to ask the Firthettes for advice, but I know this is just because SHE reckoned you would all say Islington. (The better for Firthettes to come and stay and to stalk Colin.....) Despite that, asking I am.....MarkG, where are you, if you work at Canary Wharf? The GS office is at the eastern end of Fleet St. Finally, I'm not qualified to pass comment about sexiness but I do think Russel Crowe is an excellent actor. He was good in L.A. Confidential and v. good in The Insider, which I saw over the week-end. Though I guess acting is not what the poll is about, so.... (And a related question for Winter: is Colin sexy, or have you just been socially conditioned to think he is? ;-))

(Ben)I am quitting Columbia and have accepted a job with Goldman Sachs, a financial firm, in London. I will be their European economist. Congratulations! A friend of mine works for Goldman Sachs here, in USA. It is a very good company to work with according to her (she is a Financial Analysis).

(Elena) The only changes will probably be the ones in the individual performances of actors and that�s a very interesting thing to see. The first run was seven months ago and many things have happened in the minds of the actors and how they perceive their roles in the play. Good point, Elena, not to mention that it's been a busy seven months for ODB. David Morrissey was recently quoted as saying the cast only had two weeks to rehearse for that first run. If Colin was that good after such limited rehearsing, I can't wait to hear how he does this time around (assuming they put in more than two weeks). Let's hope Elizabeth does a little better with her southern accent. As for Leprechauns--ugh. Nice scenery. Was waiting with bated breath to see if the expression on Roger Daltrey's face ever changed. Seeing winged Jon was a hoot. He reminded me of Wessex. At the fairy dance I was waiting for him to say "is she fertile?" I don't think you can get Yankee games in either Bankside or Islington, Ben. But you have until April to figure out a work-around.

Thanks, Xian. I'm bloody nervous about it, but I think I've made the right decision. Eileen, you're right. No Yankees is one of the more catastrophic implications of the move. I'll be reduced to Arsenal, for God's sake. With any luck, I'll visit NYC a fair bit for work, and have clients take me to the Stadium. I'll probably end up with better seats than before. And a cable channel shows one MLB game each week, at least. Besides, I was told by an thoroughly dubious fortune teller on 6th Ave. last week that if I was particularly good in this life, I would come back in the next as Derek Jeter. Which ain't 'alf bad. Anyway, I'll be there (good old Blighty) in the new year and would love to meet up with those coming over for The Pilgrimage. What's the schedule? (On the subject, my acting career has been reborn! I've a friend who is a film student here in NYC and she called last night to ask me to play Liberace's hands in one of her student movies. From the tiniest acorns....They already have someone to play the Great Man, thank God, but he can't even pretend to play the piano, so I must encrust my fingers with precious stones and bang away aimlessly at a keyboard for three hours next Tuesday. Darling, I'll do anything for the exposure.)

Ben, I would strongly recommend Clerkenwell. It would be so convenient for work and it is such a lively up and coming area now. It would be a great investment. (and that advice has nothing to do with ODB!) Talkinof whom: From todays ES, half page spread with picture of CF and EMcG. "Raining pleasure and pain" "In its brief run duting the Donmar's American import season, RG's startling 3DOR established itself as one of the plays of the year. RL's impeccable production boasts exquisite performances from CF and EMcG...joining DM as siblings and childhood friends striving to understand their parents." I like that play of the year quote. I am really beginning to think that CF might at least be nominated for an Olivier!!!! I think his rejection of the heartthrob label after P&P might have annoyed feature writers but I think it has increased his reputation amongst the critics.

BTW, Ben.... meant to say wow about the job. Working for Goldman Sachs in such a senior position, surely Mayfair might be more in your line:-)))

(Heide) don't be surprised if you become Sir Mark. Heide, given the astonishing exploits of Dame Winter and Lady (?) Susan (which I have now bothered to go back and read), I don't think strolling down by the river on my lunch hour qualifies for a knighthood, especially given my impending failure to attend an important screening in my own hometown. But thank you anyway. Ben, I'm not on the Wharf, but in the City proper. I'm sure you know London as well as I do (where walking to work is a very unusual luxury), but your choice of location depends, of course, on your taste and budget. Clerkenwell's trendier than I could handle myself. Your other choices are the South Bank and Islington, although there are surprising residential bits all over, e.g. Bloomsbury, Soho, the Barbican, Waterloo(!). If buying, Allison's investment advice is probably spot on.

Congrats on the job, Ben. My vote is for Clerkenwell too (like I know what I'm talking about...) We can all meet up at Moro's. BTW, an economist I knew went to work (I think) at Goldman in NY. Would've been fairly senior there as he was already a VP here and left in a huff because he didn't get the top job. About that voting poll...The Russell Crowe supporters have sunk to new lows. I'm convinced that they've brought on some programming support to circumvent voting restrictions. If you go there and keep hitting reload, you will see what I mean. The votes are piling up by the second. Can't be done manually. No way. So as one good turn deserves another, I've emailed the woman who is sponsoring the voting booth to let her know and hope that she yanks Crowe off the list because of unfair tactics! Just doin my thing.

There is definitely something wrong with the voting booth, I inadvertently, of course, notched up 9 votes in one go. I was rather annoyed as the RC votes were going up in hundreds to my 9.

Thanks, Allison, Mark and Karen (what's the guy's name?). I'm sceptical about titles - I will be a "Vice President" and "European economist" but I'll probably just be doing the photcopying and making the tea. Or perhaps that's the "Chief Administrative Machinist" and the "Refreshment Beverage Executive". Whatever. I know walking is a luxury in London, Mark, but it's one I'm determined to indulge in, if I can possibly manage it. I've been so spoiled here - I just roll out of bed and saunter into work a fe minutes later. The mere thought of being crammed into a boiling Underground carriage two hours a day, my nose crammed up some oaf's armpit, is enough to make me queasy. Anyway, I'm comin' 'ome, I'm comin' 'ome......football's comin' home....(football reference) for Thanksgiving to check out some places. Who wants a drink? And where, again, can a find out the timetable for Jan., or is the silence a diplomatic way of telling me you'd rather swim across the Atlantic with one hand tied behind your backs than give the game away? Ave Firthius! Coltores Crovium in hades computrescerent et ab suis felli pestilentis obsaterent.

I gave up on ladyviola. The whole thing seems pretty arbitrary to me. Liberace's hands, Ben? LOL! Walker's settled on that Donmar bed...break a leg*, Colin! *'good luck' in American theater-ese

Congrats to Ben....sounds like a very prestigious job. And a movie debut to boot! BTW, drawing on my amazing powers of trivial recall (important things, I forget) I seem to remember that Peter Schwabach, the director of "Secret Laughter of Women", which we are anxiously awaiting, directed at the Oxford Playhouse, but also worked in Corporate Finance at Goldman Sachs. You don't, by any incredible cyber-coincidence, happen to know him? :-) My vote is for Clerkenwell too (like I know what I'm talking about(Karen) LOL! I think his rejection of the heartthrob label after P&P might have annoyed feature writers but I think it has increased his reputation amongst the critics. (Allison) I agree. Certainly hope so anyway!

(Ann) There is definitely something wrong with the voting booth I agree. Therefore, my rules of thumb is "if you can't win, get the other guy disqualified." Sound and logical approach (from the city that delivered the White House to JFK) (Ben) what's the guy's name? Amazing that I left off such a detail... His name is Steve Strongin. And at my place "titles" were not easy to come by and were equal to one notch above in the private sector. I believe he handed out the donuts at FOMC meetings.

And our rendezvouz with destiny (I mean with Firth) is January 14 & 15 (evening performances) e pluribus unum

Ave Firthius! Coltores Crovium in hades computrescerent et ab suis felli pestilentis obsaterent. Ben, what are you talking about?....William of Wykeham has a lot to answer for:-)

Nunc est bibendum! Congratulations, Ben! Clerkenwell gets my vote as well. It will be an easy distance. Since you will be their European economist, I will ask the first question: Will the UK drop the pound in favor of the ecu (or whatever it is called)?

I agree there is something going on yeasterday at this time ODB was ahead by by about 350 votes, now he's behind by 1800

I have just visited the Australian Cinefile website and there are 3 reviews for MLSF., 1 definitely for, 2 mixed with one of the mixed very good for Colin. Cathey & Anne have you seen any other reviews? I think it is interesting that the most positive review was by a woman who said Colin was "wonderful". Oh I really can't wait to see this film. (From reading all the reviews I do wish they could have done something differently with the editing, all the reviews praise the acting, and I don't just mean the e 3).

Hey, Ben, Congrats, what markets will you be watching? I was watching Cable/Media (um, yeah, hot market, until the analyst went to CIBC World Markets and took the good co's with him!) now, I'm stuck with watching Microsoft not get beat up and Business/Staffing industry. (I work for investment bank in Boston, small, very small)(can we say boring). Oh and how does this tie in with Colin Firth? I don't know but if someone can tell me, I'll be real happy! Oh and news on the Laura front? Well I've been not myself lately (to say the least! didn't even watch baby bro on the Telly Sun and Mon.) was in bed sleeping because I've been diagnosed with and get this--MONONUCLEOSIS (probably spelt wrong). Anyway, I'm off to bed.

Oh dear, Laura has the kissing disease ;-). Sorry, I shouldn't kid as I know this is a debilitating illness and you must be totally exhausted. So fatigued in fact that you couldn't watch the junior Firth's debut as a fairy prince (my fingers are actually shuddering as I type Firth and fairy in the same sentence). Belive me, you are better off having missed it :-). Ben, congratulations on the new job! Welcome back to the private sector. Although I'm sure you will miss the lofty halls of academia there is a lot to like about mixing it up in the for-profit sector too. I hope you enjoy the change of pace. And a budding film career as well? Good God, the mind fairly reels at the possibilities. What could be next? Hand model for Palmolive dish soap? Product pointer for The Price is Right? And to think it all started with Liberace's hands. Are you going to try and imitate his flamboyant style? Better practice those glissandos :-)? Since you mentioned Dame Winter, hellloooooooo DW. Are you out there, dear? We miss you!

Ann no not yet. But I will say what I think of the film on Friday or Saturday when I have come down to earth. Our West Australian reviews come out on Thursday so I must buy one. Our movie show is on tonight but unfortunately I shall be out so I have no idea if it is mentioned. Perhaps Cathey will watch it. By the way I have a nephew who lives in Islington and is an author, I intend to visit and perhaps stay next time I am in U.K.

(Anne) By the way I have a nephew who lives in Islington and is an author *fingers crossed* Please tell us, Anne, that your nephew's first name is Nick!! :-D

He has written a best seller though - about how to win at the Casino - now he has six books being published this Christmas and are on Amazon.

He has written a best seller though - about how to win at the Casino - now he has six books being published this Christmas and are on Amazon.

Anne, What is your nephews name and do you know the names of the books? Go to 3 Deers, click on Roles Project, look at the picture above filmography. Tell me is Colin firth sexy or not. Believe me I do not have to be programed to appreciate this man, not only for his looks but his unbelievable talent.

Arami,when I click on http://www.firth.com/donmar/3dor-nedtheo.htm I get file not found.

The Afirthionado is down. What's up?

I was setting up some new web sites last nights and must have messed things up. I just rebooted the machine remotely, so let's see what happens when it comes back up. Check it and see and keep me posted.

(Ben)(And a related question for Winter: is Colin sexy, or have you just been socially conditioned to think he is? ;-)) Oh-- this is absolutely, positively a result of social conditioning. Hours of videotape, pages of magazine spreads, hours on the Internet. But I didn't say it was a bad thing, did I? Being a product of the fandom-machine isn't so bad. ;-) Hi all... just finished grading 250 midterm exams. Will catch up on the msgs. and write back. As for Russell Crowe-- he's got my vote. Best job of an Australian doing an American accent, IMO. Well, him and Portia de Rossi.

Anyway, the question is this - where should I live? At the moment I have a teeny house in Barnes, which is in south-west London and far too far for me to walk to work, which is a new requirement. (I do it here and it is BLISS not having to commute.) So I have narrowed it down to a flat on the south bank of the Thames, near Bankside and the Globe, or one in Clerkenwell, which is basically Islington. Congrats! I like both choices, Ben. If I were buying it would be Clerkenwell, but they are both very hot real estate. Islington proper (Upper Street) is too far to walk to the City, don't you think? There was an article in the ES site (thisislondon) last week about the richest and poorest post codes in London. You might want to look at it, just for the data points about quality of life and prospects.

Thanks for the advice. I will check it all out in a couple of weeks. (STILL no takers for a drink OR meeting up in January. A pox on you all.) I think I will start by renting. If I buy after only a couple of weeks of looking I will surely screw up. Welcome back to the private sector. Although I'm sure you will miss the lofty halls of academia there is a lot to like about mixing it up in the for-profit sector too. I hope you enjoy the change of pace. (Jana) Bloody nerve-wracking...but I hope I will like it. By the way, the little scrap of Latin I quoted was recently uncovered at a Hollywood dig. The prescient Roman Firthettia - we can only presume she was a member of this exclusive and erudite group - had written Hail The Firth! May Crowe's supporters rot in hell and choke on their own noxious bile! Strong stuff, but the Firthettiae were not known for their moderation. Then or now.

LOL! I got as far as "..in hades..." and was about to start deciphering the rest with the help of my pocket verborum thesaurus - it's been such a loooooong time since I last studied the lingua Latina! Ben, the January symposium of Firthology is scheduled for about mid-month and I think you may get some positive response once this month's session is out of the way... :-)

Terry, I'm sure you realize that cf.com is still out of action...

Steve Strongin....absolutely. I think I may even have met him. I hang out quite a bit at the NYFed, and I think I may have come across him either there or at a meeting of the NBER, which is a sort of economists' talking shop. So....Jan 14th and 15th - the Thursday and the Friday? Are you Firthing all of both evenings? I seem to remember some unseemly deal that the Donmar had offered, a million dollars to touch Colin's bottom or something; are you so occupied, or are there Firth-free plans for the Friday?

Cathey & Anne have you seen any other reviews? I have just read one in todays "Sydney Morning Herald". Its a good review with a good sized photograph of Malcolm McDowell, Irene Jacob and Colin. No write up in the Brisbane Courier Mail, but there is a reasonable size advertisement for the movie - unfortunately only showing at one theatre. I have found the address in my street directory and will be heading that way on Saturday and hopefully again on Monday. Perhaps Cathey will watch it. I did, but there was no mention of MLSF. Why am I not surprised!

So....Jan 14th and 15th - the Thursday and the Friday? No, Jan 14th and 15th - the Friday and the Saturday. And Firthing is the main scheduled activity for both evenings. Hanging out on Maiden Lane, huh? Somehow that seems appropriate. ;-D Personally, I used to prefer ducking out and going to the Forman's around the corner to shop.

the Firthettiae LOL, Ben! I did not realise we were such an ancient group. ;-)You should join that merry group in Jan. Now go and purchase your ticket! Renting first is always a good idea. Is your dear family happy to have you back? Or will Islington traveling for them be too far to visit (and I mean from Chelsea, some of my acquaintences seem to think so!). And, beware you artistic telos. You may end up in a completely different field. :-D

Since you can't get to firth.com and you've no interest in playing Economist Geography, I've put up the other pages on Colin's works in progress. They just consist of materials I've collected. No attempt at making them comprehensive. ;-D So The Bucket (or whateve it will be called) is an archive of news items. I'll work on a better main page shortly. Karen's Bucket

Congrats on your new job, Ben! I hope you will be very happy in London

I complained to Lady Viola about voting for C.F and nothing showed up while 9 were registered for R.C. she said to check again becausesometimes it was so busy that the votes didn't register right away. I am excessivley displeased.

The last time I looked at Lady Viola, Russell Crowe had gone ahead by about 10,000 votes. I hate to admit it, but I'm giving up ~ not on ODB of course, only on voting on that site. I'll check it out again in December. Have you had a response to your message Karen? Two more sleeps before I see MLSF - well that's if I can sleep of course :-)

Yes, Lady V and I exchanged a couple of emails last night, in which I told her it was not humanly possible to rack up the votes the way they are for RC without programming assistance. She was very nice about it (not arrogant), but didn't think she could do anything. If she yanked Crowe off without evidence of abuse, she'd probably have a slew of his supporters sending nasty emails. IMO this is not worth it. How very exciting Cathey...two more nights and then you get to see Edward in all his cream-colored glory. You must report back after they kick you out of the theater. ;-D

OK, I had nothing to do with this and for weeks I've been meaning to unregister from the Hollywood Stock Exchange. This came in a newsletter tonight: StarBonds for addition next week: Usher Raymond (URAYM) Eliza Dushku (EDUSH) Tony Goldwyn (TGOLD) Graham Greene (GGREE) Jamie Foxx (JFOXX) Colin Firth (CFIRT) Phillip Noyce - dir (PNOYC) Wolfgang Petersen - dir (WGPET) Michael Rooker (MROOK) Allison, our fears that Colin may become penny shares or junk bonds are upon us!! Oh no!! ;-o

Last item: I have been told that Colin will not be at either of the scheduled screenings for SLOW, just the director and screenwriter, and that both showings are sold out.

Karen, I am experimenting with AOL and find that I cannot cut and paste....? So re COlin and Junk bonds. We must do our best to avoid that. I hope I still have the address of that site. I shall go over and buy a piece of him... Yum.

Ben, sorry for not congratulating you on the job. Put it down to envy. Always happy to meet up for a drink, even outside the Firth season. Nobody's been brave enough to admit paying x hundred dollars for the privilege of eating dinner in the same room as CF yet ... So even the Ritzy is sold out? I'd better give my tickets to Evelyn so she has the chance to tout (scalp?) them outside the cinema on Saturday! Well, on second thoughts, maybe she'd be best advised to just get in off the Brixton streets.

Don't forget to vote for Murph's CF site at http://britishtheatre.about.com/arts/perfarts/britishtheatre/library/weekly/blabtwa2.htm Alan Bates is in the lead by a short nose!?

Proxy Reporting for Evelyn from London Got to see 3DOR last night on a return. Not bad Row A, but side view. Don't want to elaborate on changes in the production. Don't want to steal Lizza's thunder. I just will tell you that The Green Sweater is still with us and he is rail-thin. ODB does come down after the show...no crowd in the lobby. One middle aged lady and two young girls...no photos. I was standing outside with a Chicago couple who had sat next to me at the theatre. The guy had nodded off during the second act and I kept nudging him.(What as wrong with his wife!!) Poor man was completely lost on the plot. But I was NOT going to have Colin see this guy sleeping during his performance! Anyway ODB recognized me and came over and shook my hand. He had come down with a couple of people who had by now left. I told him how much I enjoyed seeing him on stage...was here for LFF and Summerfolk, and we looked forward to his future projects. He smiled and thanked me for coming.

And Allison, no Colin shares on offer yet...next week! Don't know anything about AOL (*wipes brow in relief*), but Heide or Moon might be able to tell you how it's done if not by the usual and customary methods. ;-D

Great to hear from Evelyn, thank you very much Karen. Ooooooh!! He recognized me and came over and shook my hand!!! Wow, Evelyn�s really becoming a pal of his! And I like it very much that he came to her, it shows that he very much appreciates his faithful fans. What I would�ve loved to know is if the house was full but I guess Evelyn would�ve mentioned it if it wasn�t.

Cathy, vote for him at Http://www.celebrity1000/actors.html. You get to vote 3 times a day and this one is fair

Please don't give up on voting for ODB even though we think it is unfair. Keep his vote count up she might find a way to set things right. she sounded very apologetic in her e-mail. And for heavens sake vote for Murfs site. we cannot let him lose out to Alan Bates.

What is wrong with 3 Deers, i can't get it to come up.

No moss on Evelyn... ;-D Click for more

ODB does come down after the show...no crowd in the lobby. No crowd waiting to greet him? Men falling asleep? What was wrong with that audience?-) Anyway ODB recognized me and came over and shook my hand. Did he ask where the rest of the gang was? "Hey, where's the one from Chicago?" He had come down with a couple of people who had by now left. I take it Livia was not with him? I told him how much I enjoyed seeing him on stage...was here for LFF and Summerfolk, and we looked forward to his future projects. Did she ask him about Flashy, one wonders? He smiled and thanked me for coming. *Sigh.* How does Evelyn keep from melting into a puddle during these encounters?-)