The Lady Magazine

20 March 2015

Dear Readers, Poldark and I have much in common. No, I’m not suggesting that I’m as smoulderingly swashbuckling as his latest incarnation (played by Aidan Turner), but the original series and I were both products of the mid-1970s, and much of my childhood was spent in and around the Cornish coves and moors that provide the story’s glorious backdrops. The BBC certainly has taken a chance remaking one of the 20th century’s most popular costume dramas, but apart from a few gripes about Ross Poldark’s scar – viewer Irene Fraser tweeted, ‘It looks like his hair dye has run’ – it appears to have pulled it off. Could it be even better than the original? Original Poldark challenges New Poldark to a duel on page 16. We also have Muslim mother Zarqa Nawaz’s humorous and intriguing insight into what Islam says about modern housewives; a dazzling look at the exquisite work of artist Ann Carrington; and a celebration of the agony aunt what would Britain do without them?). And if you’ve ever wondered about the wisdom of lending to or borrowing from friends, Thomas Blaikie has the answers – just never pass around your copy of The Lady. Until next time, Matt Warren, Editor