The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Contest Winners Announced!

CONGRATULATIONS to The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Contest Winners!

And winners are...

And winners are…

The first set of winners have been announced on The Hobbit Fan Contest page, with a several more to be announced throughout the month! These lucky winners are going to get to travel to New Zealand to view a private screening of The Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies, with the Tolkien master himself: Peter Jackson!  A Hobbit fan’s dream come true!

The winners will, no doubt, get to travel to Hobbiton via Air New Zealand…hopefully one bearing Thorin Oakenshield‘s rugged face on it!

Air New Zealand graced by the faces of The Hobbit stars!

Air New Zealand graced by the faces of The Hobbit stars!

Hmm, can we tag along?

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS visit: http://www.thehobbitfancontest.com/

New International Poster

New International Poster

Lady Anglophile…dreaming of a trip to Hobbiton!

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Benedict Cumberbatch’s Wax Figure Unveiled at Madame Tussauds

The Cumberbabe strikes again!  Whether LIVE and in person on the red carpet, arriving at airports, walking down the street…or simply as a wax figure…it seems Benedict Cumberbatch creates quite the frenetic frenzy wherever he goes…and it doesn’t look like the fury is going to die down anytime soon! Take a look….

Red Carpet ready is the CumberBabe at Tussauds!

Presenting: Benedict Cumberbatch in WAX  at Madame Tussauds London!

Cumberbatch’s dashing, life-like wax figure debuted at Madame Tussauds London on Tuesday to a bevvy of enthusiastic female fans who clamored for their opportunity for a selfie with the Sherlock star. And what a perfect opportunity it was…as this version of the Cumberbabe had nowhere to run!

Perfect Selfie opportunity!

Perfect Selfie opportunity…the subject is a captive audience!

Cumberbatch was closely involved in the creation process and visited Tussaud’s for several seatings so that sculptors and artists could get his likeness just right! Here’s a peek at the making of Benedict’s statue:

And how does Benedict feel about the ado created around his statue’s unveiling? He called it a, “weird and wonderful compliment… ” adding in a statement, “my agents will be thrilled, they’ve wanted a clone of me for some time!”  

And understandably so, as Benedict has been one of the busiest actors in Hollywood for the last two years with upcoming releases including, “Penguins of Madagascar”, the early Oscar favorite, “The Imitation Game”, and the highly anticipated “The Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies”…not to mention another season of the hit BBC series, “Sherlock” on the horizon! That is one busy schedule.  A clone would indeed come in quite handy!

Benedict has yet to visit his wax likeness however but says, “I’m excited to see the finished, perfect, waxy me, although slightly terrified. The work is so detailed it’s going to feel a little uncomfortable and surreal seeing what I really look like.”  And what he looks like, according to those that were privy to the debut, is nothing less than gorgeous. Fans could not keep their hands off the finished…perfect…waxy…he! And, do you blame them?

CumberWaxPremiere2

It is the waxy, perfect he!

Of course all of this hands on activity must have the officials at Tussauds slightly worried due to the fact that a recent wax statue of teen-idol Justin Beiber had to be pulled from the floor due to the heated hands of over-enthusiastic fans! Heat and wax…probably not a good combination.

All that heat could melt one away...

All that heat could melt one away…

But Ben is not bothered by any of that in fact wishes his wax figure had other features: “I just wish it could take selfies and sign autographs.” No kidding Sherlock!  We’ve already seen the mobs of fans that await him at every public event, hoping for their photo-op…which he often assists with by taking the selfie himself! Who else does that?

The Selfie-King!

The Selfie-King! That’s why we love him!

I personally feel that they should have made wax figures of the CumberCollective as well…because where there is Benedict there is the CumberB**ches! They are quite the impressive group of worldwide supporters!

I hope Madame Tussauds is ready for the ‘around the block’ queuing that is destined to happen with the Cumberbabe in the house! And for those that are unlikely to happen upon him in person anytime soon, this incredibly dead-on likeness is truly the next best thing! Now if only they could make these statues talk…fans might never leave!

I'll take two please!

I’ll take two please!

Book your tickets NOW to avoid disappointment! For more information on how to visit Benedict Cumberbatch’s statue visit: http://www.madametussauds.com/london/

Lady Anglophile….hoping they sell souvenir ‘take home’ versions in the gift shop!

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Expecting Baby in April 2015!

Kensington Palace confirmed today that Prince William and Catherine are expecting a baby in April 2015.  Only six months till Prince George will have a little sibling to run around and play with!

Another royal baby due in April!

Another royal baby due in April!

The Duchess continues to be affected by Hyperemisis Gravidarum, but her condition is steadily improving. Catherine suffered from the same severe morning sickness when she was carrying Prince George.

Catherine is due to make her first public appearance on Tuesday since announcing her pregnancy in September.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will greet The President of the Republic of Singapore and Mrs Tony Tan Keng Yam on behalf of The Queen at the Royal Garden Hotel, London as part of the State Visit. Their Royal Highnesses will then travel with The President and Mrs Tan to Horse Guards Parade, where The President will receive a Ceremonial Welcome.

The Duchess of Cambridge will also attend the Wildlife Photographer of The Year 2014 Awards Ceremony at the Natural History Museum on Tuesday 21st October.

We do wish Catherine all the best! Congratulations to William and Catherine from The Anglophile Channel!
Lady Anglophile…knitting baby boots!

 

 

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The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Enters The Oscar Race!

WARNER BROS. – FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION 2014

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES

Oscar Worthy!

Oscar Worthy!

Warner Bros has thrown their hat into the ring for award season consideration with The Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies.  And deservedly so as this picture is going to represent nearly two decades of artistic dedication from its director Peter Jackson  beginning with his award-winning Lord of The Rings trilogy and culminating with the highly anticipated final Hobbit film.

Bringing the J.R.R. Tolkien novels to life has become Jackson’s life’s work.  And he has done so with great success. His Lord of the Rings series had somewhat of a love affair with the Academy having garnered 30 Academy Award nominations overall and took home 17 Oscars altogether, a record for any trilogy.  The Return of the King won in every category in which it was nominated, setting an Oscar record for the highest clean- sweep, and its 11 Oscars wins tied the record held by Ben-Hur and Titanic. The Return of the King also became only the second sequel to win the Oscar for Best Picture (after The Godfather Part II) and the first and only fantasy film to receive this honor.

Lord of The Rings Trilogy: 30 Oscar Nods, 17 Wins!

Lord of The Rings Trilogy: 30 Oscar Nods, 17 Wins!

Great accolades indeed…so perhaps lightening shall strike again with the final Hobbit movie. So far the Oscar tally for the first two Hobbit films: The Unexpected Journey and The Desolation of Smaug is three each with no wins. So, I think it’s about time the Academy sat up and took notice of this equally award worthy film series.

Brilliant as Thorin Oakenshield is Oscar worthy Richard Armitage.

Brilliant as Thorin Oakenshield is Oscar worthy Richard Armitage.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and The Dwarves of Erebor who have reclaimed the vast wealth of their homeland, but now must face the consequences of having unleashed the terrifying dragon, Smaug, upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. As he succumbs to dragon-sickness, the King Under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield sacrifices friendship and honor in his search for the legendary arkenstone. Unable to help Thorin see reason, Bilbo is driven to make a desperate and dangerous choice, not knowing that even greater perils lie ahead. An ancient enemy has returned to Middle-earth. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends as five great armies go to war.

Hobbit3End

I can’t even imagine this film not receiving a slew of nominations and honors come award season. And to help guild members make their decision, Warner Bros has already announced screenings beginning in November with a slate of suggested nominees to consider. And they are:

BEST PICTURE
CAROLYNNE CUNNINGHAM
ZANE WEINER
FRAN WALSH
PETER JACKSON

BEST DIRECTOR
PETER JACKSON

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
FRAN WALSH &
PHILIPPA BOYENS &
PETER JACKSON &
GUILLERMO DEL TORO

BEST ACTOR
MARTIN FREEMAN

For Your Consideration for Best Actor: Martin Freeman

For Your Consideration for Best Actor: Martin Freeman

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
IAN McKELLEN
RICHARD ARMITAGE
ORLANDO BLOOM
LEE PACE
LUKE EVANS

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
EVANGELINE LILLY

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
ANDREW LESNIE, ACS, ASC

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
JOE LETTERI
ERIC SAINDON
DAVID CLAYTON
R. CHRISTOPHER WHITE

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Production Designer
DAN HENNAH
Set Decorators
RA VINCENT
SIMON BRIGHT

BEST FILM EDITING
JABEZ OLSSEN

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
RICHARD TAYLOR
BOB BUCK
ANN MASKREY

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
HOWARD SHORE

BEST SOUND EDITING
BRENT BURGE
JASON CANOVAS

BEST SOUND MIXING
Production Sound Mixer
TONY JOHNSON
Re-Recording Mixers
CHRISTOPHER BOYES
MICHAEL HEDGES
MICHAEL SEMANICK

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
DESIGNER
PETER SWORDS KING
MAKEUP AND HAIR SUPERVISOR
RICK FINDLATER
PROSTHETIC SUPERVISOR
GINO ACEVEDO

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
THE LAST GOODBYE
Written by
BILLY BOYD, PHILIPPA BOYENS, and FRAN WALSH
Performed by
BILLY BOYD

Whew! The members of the various guilds certainly have a monumental job on their hands when you consider the immense, and deserving talent in each of this categories.

I wish them ALL the best of luck and here’s to another epic Peter Jackson sweep at the Oscars!

Lady Anglophile…ballot in hand and ready to vote for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies!

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Britannia Awards: Do You Have Your Tickets and Frock Picked Out?

The 2014 Britannia Awards are just around the corner! Have you picked out your frock yet? Well you better get shopping!  You can join BAFTA/LA for an evening with the stars on October 30th and the lovely Beverly Hilton Hotel Ballroom (incidentally…my High School Senior Prom was held in that room)

Benedict Cumberbatch last year's Favorite British Artist of the Year

Benedict Cumberbatch last year’s Favorite British Artist of the Year

Join Dame Judi Dench, Robert Downey Jr, Emma Watson,  Mike Leigh, Mark Ruffalo, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as they’re honored by a host of surprise appearances and guests! Hmm, I wonder who they’ll be?  Fingers crossed they book the Cumberbabe again as he created quite the frenzy on last year’s red carpet!

Don’t miss out, book your ticket, and celebrate at this year’s Britannias!

Well…you don’t have to ask Lady Anglophile twice!

Visit BAFTA/LA for more info: http://www.bafta.org/losangeles/awards/britannia-awards-ticketing-information,4342,BA.html

Lady Anglophile…prepping my acceptance speech!

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Dame Maggie Smith Becomes A Companion of Honour!

She’s already a Dame but Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey’s incomparable Dowager Countess of Grantham,  has received an even bigger honor from The Queen. At an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle earlier today, Dame Maggie was honored with the Insignia of a Companion of Honour in recognition of her impressive six-decade career! Dame Maggie was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1990.

DameMaggieA

Dame Maggie Smith becomes a Companion of Honour

Companion of Honour is one of Britain’s highest awards and one of its most elite groups. According to The British Monarchy website, The Order consists of the Sovereign and 65 ordinary members.

Dame Maggie joins fellow Thespians, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen and other Companions including Professor Stephen Hawking.

It carries no title but recipients may add a “CH” after their name.

DameMaggieB

The Order of the Companions of Honour was instituted in 1917 by George V at the same time as the Order of the British Empire was founded, and it is sometimes regarded as a junior class of the Order of Merit. It is conferred on men and women for recognised services of national importance.

Foreigners are admitted only as honorary members and certain additional members are appointed by statute in commemoration of special occasions.

Other recipients include painter Lucian Freud, naturalist Sir David Attenborough, painter David Hockney, historian Dr Eric Hobsbawm, politicians Sir John Major and Lord Patten of Barnes, General John de Chastelain, dramatist Harold Pinter, conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, the Reverend Chad Varah, and scientist Professor Anthony Pawson.

The Order’s badge is a gold oval-shaped medallion with a representation of an oak tree.

Companion of Honour medallion.

Companion of Honour medallion.

Hanging from a branch is a shield of the Royal Arms, and on the right of it is a representation of a knight in armour mounted on a horse.

The badge, surmounted by an imperial crown, has a blue-enamelled border bearing the motto of the Order, ‘In action faithful and in honour clear’.

Watch Dame Maggie’s Companion of Honour presentation here.

It brings tears to my eyes! Congratulations Dame Maggie Smith (CH).

 

Lady Anglophile…fantasizing about one’s own Damehood.

 

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Hugh Bonneville Muses About Shakespeare and Ralph Fiennes for Radio Times

Downton Abbey’s Lord Grantham himself, Hugh Bonneville writes for Radio Times and muses about Shakespare and Ralph Fiennes (who he understudied for!)

Hugh Bonneville for Radio Times

Hugh Bonneville for Radio Times

By Hugh Bonneville for Radio Times

Monday 13 October 2014 at 05:01PM

My first acting job was at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park, London, in the summer of 1986. The backdrop of rustling trees and the chorus of nature all around make it the perfect setting for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of the plays I was in that season. Well, I was sort of in it. For the most part I sat at the back of the stage occasionally bashing a cymbal, while the rest of the cast had all the fun of telling Shakespeare’s magical tale of confused love and supernatural shenanigans.

I was an acting assistant stage manager, which meant I helped lay out the props before the show and understudied one of the principals. The part I covered was Lysander, played by Ralph Fiennes. That autumn we took the play on tour round Europe, Ralph now promoted to Oberon, with me as Lysander.

On some nights, downpours would add a splash of authenticity to Titania’s speech about the seasons having gone askew because of the rift between her and the King of the Fairies. At these performances the text became particularly vivid for the audience, many of whom had left home without a brolly. 

If such moments can make Shakespeare’s plays seem more alive, then the classroom can all too often be the death of him. I know I’m not the only one who had to read aloud, line by line round the class, until Sir threw his chalk at someone for nodding off. Treating these plays like holy scripture, to be revered, can deter the newcomer for ever. 

Shakespeare was a jobbing actor and a commercial playwright, used to shaping plays in rehearsal, cutting and rewriting, in a collective effort to give the audience what they wanted. 

And back in the early 17th century what the audience wanted was comedy and romance, thrills and spills, blood and guts. Sound familiar?

Shakespeare gives us just as much politicking, intrigue, lust and violence as you’ll find in any episode of Game of Thrones. From the aching young love of Romeo and Juliet, to the vomit-inducing barbarity, complete with severed hands and human pies, of Titus Andronicus. And in between, giddy farces, epic histories and comedies full of warmth and melancholy. His writing reminds us of the richness of humanity, of the potential for evil and for compassion that resides within us all. And his plays are as shocking, in yer face, touching and funny now as when the gasps and sobs and laughs were first generated 400 years ago. 

As an actor it’s intoxicating to sense Shakespeare the director reaching down the centuries to offer a guiding hand, through the text: how the pulse of the iambic pentameter illuminates the meaning; when he switches from blank verse to prose and back again; the effect of rhymes on tempo and tone — all pointers to the nature of a character and the intention of a scene. 

And before you write in and say it’s all nonsense because the texts are corrupt and went through many hands before they were printed and anyway someone else was the author and… and… and so there. Sit in your ivory tower and purse your lemon lips. I’m just thrilled that we have any version of these plays, so that each successive generation can put them on their feet and reinterpret them for today. Because the stories they tell are universal and timeless.

And on the question of authorship, I subscribe to the view the plays were not in fact written by Shakespeare but by someone of the same name. 

As universal and timeless as you, Mr Bonneville! Hugh keeps himself busy in between seasons of Downton with his next outting being Mr. Brown in Paddington which is due in cinemas this Christmas.

I do hope we’ll be reading more articles from Lord Grantham in the future!

Follow Radio Times at: http://www.radiotimes.com

Lady Anglophile…practicing her iambic pentameter now!

 

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Angelina Jolie: There Is Nothing Like A Dame!

Well, nothing like this Dame anyway. After an eyebrow-raising past that included wearing a vial of her spouse’s blood around her neck and a fairly uncomfortable public make-out session with her brother not to mention some unpleasant publicity surrounding the events leading up to her, now fairy tale, romance with husband, Brad Pitt…I can safely say that I never thought I’d see the day where Angelina Jolie would be received by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, let alone be honored by her with a Damehood. But in a PR re-invention coup of the century Jolie has gone from controversial Hollywood bad girl to worldwide respected humanitarian. (I want her publicist!)

Dame Angelina!

Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George

Today,  the Academy Award winning actress was made an Honorary Dame when she was presented with the insignia of an Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George by The Queen, for services to UK foreign policy and the campaign to end war zone sexual violence. The investiture took place during a private audience at Buckingham Palace.

Looking very Duchess of Cambridge-esque, Jolie wore a tailored light grey pencil skirt and wool crepe peplum jacket by Ralph & Russo couture, paired with Salvatore Ferragamo heels and looked demonstrably moved by the presentation.

Looking very Kate Middleton-esque

Looking very Kate Middleton-esque

It is fair to say that these days the Maleficent star’s impressively successful career runs about even to her humanitarian work. Jolie is a special envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and is a co-founder for the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI).

UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie

UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie

The award was first announced in June when The Queen’s Birthday Honours list was revealed. At the time Jolie was co-chairing the End Sexual Violence in Conflict (ESVC) global summit in London with then foreign secretary William Hague. Jolie said at the time: “To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to.

“Working on the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative and with survivors of rape is an honour in itself. I know that succeeding in our goals will take a lifetime, and I am dedicated to it for all of mine.”

“To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to."

“To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me, as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to.”

After the presentation took place in the palace’s 1844 room it is said that Pitt and the couple’s six children had the opportunity to meet the Queen.

Because Angelina  is a foreign citizen she may not be addressed as Dame, though she can use the initials DCMG after her name. Still a most amazing honour.

The Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George

The Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George

Congratulations Angelina!

Lady Anglophile…wondering what one will wear to one’s own investiture!

 

 

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Benedict Cumberbatch Kicks Off BFI London Film Festival RED CARPET VIDEO

Hundred’s of dedicated CumberFans braved the rain in London to watch Benedict Cumberbatch walk the red carpet at Leicester Square as The Imitation Game opened the 58th BFI London Film Festival.

Opening Night Gala at the BIF London Film Festival

Opening Night Gala at the BFI London Film Festival

Cumberbatch and his beautiful Co-star, Keira Knightley made quite the glamorous pair posing for photos and, despite the rain, stopped along the way to sign autographs for fans who were lining the red carpet some of them since 4am that morning!

The dazzling duo looked spectacular on the carpet creating a media frenzy! Knightley wore a multi-teared, re-embroidered gold lace gown with sheer sleeves….looking all ready for award season, if you ask me!

TIG4

The fans and the fashion were all exciting but the true reason for last night’s celebration was the film, The Imitation Game which is already creating Oscar buzz. This film is a nail-biting race against time following Alan Turing (pioneer of modern-day computing and credited with cracking the German Enigma code) and his brilliant team at Britain’s top-secret code-breaking centre, Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.

Cumberbatch on his way to Oscar!

Cumberbatch on his way to Oscar!

Benedict spoke to BBC about his portrayal of British mathematician, Alan Turing the man who cracked the Enigma code, and what it meant to play him: “To be asked to play such a phenomenal human being – a true English hero – is a great honour and comes with a great responsibility,” Cumberbatch said,  adding that he knew ”embarrassing little” about Turning prior to signing on to the film. He continued, “That’s the tragedy of this man’s extraordinary life – his achievements and his heroism and his criminal prosecution are not well known. He should be on the front cover of text books.”

Cumberbatch’s brilliantly nuanced performance already has bet makers saying he could be on his way to his first Academy Award nomination! I hope joining the leagues of Hollywood’s elite will not prevent him, however, from doing his now-famous ‘selfies’ like the one he took last night:

Another CumberSelfie!

Another CumberSelfie!

Also at last night’s Fest-Opener, Fellow castmembers Allen Leech (Downton Abbey), Charles Dance (Game Of Thrones), Mark Strong and Matthew Beard and director Morten Tyldum and Studio God, Harvey Weinstein who seems to procure the rights to any film headed to Oscar Gold!  After the premiere, the cast and guests headed to Roundhouse in North London for the afterparty.

Alternative View At The 58th London Film Festival

Cumberbatch and Super-PR Agent Extraordinare: Karon Maskill

For those of you that missed BFI’s LIVE Stream coverage of the red carpet, here it is in its entirety! Enjoy!

 

Lady Anglophile…Calling up Valentino!

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The Britannia British Accent Challenge!

The Britannia British Accent Challenge!

BAFTALOGO

Everything is better with a British accent…don’t you agree?  Well, imagine your favorite iconic “NON-British” movie line said with a British accent! What would that sound like?

How would Tom Cruise sound shouting “Give me the money!” in a classic English accent? What would Al Pacino’s memorable line from Scarface,  “Say Hello to my little friends…” sound like as a Brit?

Once again...but with a British accent, please.

Once again…but with a British accent, please!

Now, here’s your chance to find out!

The BAFTA/LA Britannia Awards are putting out a challenge. Recite your favorite piece of movie dialogue…but in a British accent!! Video tape yourself reciting your line and tag the video #Britannias and upload to YouTube and share you video on Twitter @BAFTALA! YOU could be featured on the upcoming BAFTA/LA Britannia Awards telecast on November 2nd on BBCAmerica. For inspiration, take a look at Robert DeNiro transforming his iconic character, Travis Bickle, from “Taxi Driver”, into a Brit:

Hmm, now…what to do if all your favorite movie lines are ALREADY in a British accent??

Follow ALL our Britannia Awards cover on our special BAFTA/LA Page: http://wp.me/P3Ge8x-yZ

Good Luck Everyone! I can’t wait to see your videos!

Lady Anglophile…Practicing her BEST Scarlett O’Har as a Brit! #FiddleDeeDeeTomorrowIsAnotherDay

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