Back in the summer of 2008, a chap called Kurt Gänzl joined the VB discussion forum. He wasn’t from Ventnor, or even the Island, but in fact, a visitor from New Zealand. This year he’s back and has agreed to write for VB during his stay. Please join us in welcoming Kurt to the VB gang of contributors. Ed
There’s a song running through my head. A chorus from that good old show The Boy Friend. ‘Here we are in Nice again”¦’. Well swap the ‘we’ for an ‘I’ and ‘Nice’ for ‘Wight’ and that fits nicely.
Here I am, for the fourth year in succession, back in your Island. And if I say that the first year I came across for one day, the second and third years for one month, and this year I am here for two months, you will get the very clear message: I like it here!
Next thing: who am I, and why am I writing on VentnorBlog?
This is me
My name is Kurt, I am sixty-four years ridiculously young, and now more or less single.
I am originally from New Zealand (although, as my name will let on, only just), and I spent my first decades working in music and the theatre in England (etc) before writing a first and excitingly successful book, which has led to a dozen more of the kind and, now, in semi-retirement, to a life as a peripatetic writer, commentator, critic, broadcaster, whatever, on every branch of music and theatre, on food, on travel and on -wait for it! – horse-racing.
In other words, all the things I’ve been involved with during my very colourful life “¦ as well as (for I’m not shy) anything else that anyone asks my opinion on.
Why am I on VB?
The other day, VentnorBlog asked me my opinions of The Isle of Wight. How could I resist?
So, putting aside my five-volume work-in-progress, The Encyclopaedia of Victorian Vocalists (yes, that’s why I’m here, to find a lovely, peaceful writer’s bolt-hole with no distractions!) I’m going to tell you, during some of the five Wightish weeks of 2010 that are left to me, all the things I like about your Island. And, since one must be truthful, the handful of things that I don’t.
Two things to say before I unleash my Macbook.
Even before I unleashed the Very First Ever (rave) review of The Phantom of the Opéra on the world in 1986, I’ve been known as a positive critic. If there’s something nice to say, say it. But, on the other hand, if the prima donna sings flat or the fish is overcooked, you can’t pretend otherwise. You have to be truthful. And I am.
Secondly, whatever I write here on VentnorBlog, it is my opinion and my opinion only. As you’ll discover, I (like all of us) have my tastes and preferences. They may very well not be yours .. but, hey, I’ll try to convert you anyway!
So, until soon “¦.
Cheers, Kurt
