Musings of a Musician: Boyz 'n the Hood

Went to London a couple of weeks ago thanks to Dan Taylor and the coffers of the Canada Council. I was part of his 'Theatre of Early Music' group and sang some of the most difficult Bach and Handel (Lutheran Mass in g- and 'Choice of Hercules')that's ever been thrust into my hands.

The occasion was the 57th Tilford Bach Festival; a small but stunning rural English village with several restored 16th century farm houses. I lived in one which previously must have belonged to a Hobbit because I kept bonking my head on ancient timbers which were no higher than the Baggins family.

The concerts were terrific and the conducting duties were shared by three first-rate musicians: Adrian Butterfield, who in real life is a baroque violinist but was suffering a broken shoulder; Laurence Cummings, harsichordist extraordinaire; and Daniel Taylor, stratospheric counter-tenor.

But what I remember most about Tilford, aside from The Barley Mow and adjacent cricket pitch (2nd oldest in the world - a fact Tilfordites are extremely proud) is the fact that it's the 'secret' location of the latest Robin Hood film, presently in production.

This 180 million dollar feature reunites the principals of 'Gladiator' - Director Ridley Scott and Aussie actor, Russell Crowe. But apparently, the two are not getting along as well as expected; Mr. Crowe does not want to be near the film sets but in his mansion in Windsor, and has demanded that he is flown daily by helicopter. It's enough to make one Blanchett. (She's playing Maid Marion)

I've added photos of the Tilford set. The castle is supposed to be French, even though the set decorators have added a King George flag. Sir Ridley shot the opening battle sequence of Gladiator on this very location.