If you were a child in the Eighties, it’s very likely that one of your principal treats was an airing of The Box of Delights. The 1984 adaptation of John Masefield’s Thirties children’s novel was a landmark in children’s television drama, which used (what for the time were) high-concept special effects and moulded them into a magical, numinous festive story.
But The Box of Delights is also deeply odd. Part fantasy in the E Nesbit mould, part Thirties gangster film, part quasi-religious battle between good and evil, it’s a rather glorious muddle and needed three hours of television to buttress its scrappy narrative.
Piers Torday’s new theatrical version is very charming (aided considerably by its staging at the gorgeously whimsical Wilton’s Music Hall) but fails to contain the madness.
The story of orphaned schoolboy Kay Harker (Alistair Toovey) trying to keep safe a magic box entrusted to him by Cole Hawlings, a Punch and Judy Man who dates from Pagan England,
cheap authentic jordans, and thus save Christmas makes no sense at the best of times, and the decision by director Justin Audibert to give his cast of eight multiple parts merely adds to the confusion.
This is a particular problem in the casting of the usually excellent Matthew Kelly in the dual role of Hawlings and his arch-enemy Abner Brown,
jordan shoes, who wants the Box in order to ensure world domination.
An insider's guide to the best shops in Belfast, including the best for designer jewellery, ceramics,
cheap jordans free shipping, Irish Linen and art, from Geoff Hill, Telegraph Travel's Belfast expert.
Shillelaghs? Crystal? Linen antimacassars? Titanic mugs? Well, if you insist, but you could just as easily come away from Belfast with an exquisite linen shirt, handmade contemporary jewellery,
cheap jordans online, some pulp fiction and a paper bag of brandy balls. Brandy what? Read on and learn.
The city is home to many small independent shops
Credit: ALAMY
The Steensons Ltd
Working in silver, gold and platinum, with precious gems and diamonds, The Steensons are more bling than the Alexanders.
Address: Bedford House, 2 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FD
Contact: 028 9024 8269;
thesteensons.com
Smyth & Gibson
Luxurious linen and cotton shirts and accessories paying homage to the fact that Belfast once boasted the world’s largest linen mills. Their original shop in Belfast has closed, but their shirts are stocked in the Victoria Square complex.
The Steensons is a good place to pick up jewelry
Credit: ALAMY
Address: Clockwork Orange, Victoria Square, Belfast BT1 4QG
Contact: 028 9032 0298;
clockwork-orange.net
Equinox
Slightly more mainline but lots of exquisitely tasteful glass, ceramics and gifts with a strong Scandinavian bias. Bought by interiors company Bedeck in 2013, it moved from the city centre to the trendy Lisburn Road.
Address: Bedeck Building, 463-465 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7EZ
Contact: ,
cheap jordans for sale;028 9066 9828;
equinoxshop.com
St George's Market
There's been a Friday market on this site since 1604, but St George’s, built 1890-1896,
cheap wholesale jordans, is the only surviving covered Victorian market in Belfast. It was named the UK's best large indoor market of 2014 by the National Association of British Market Authorities, and I’m not surprised. The Friday fish and variety market has 248 fascinating stalls, with 23 fish counters alone, while the Saturday and Sunday food and craft markets have a huge, infinitely tempting range of local, continental and specialty foods and local art and crafts, to a backdrop of live music. There are very few reasons I get up at dawn, but St George’s is one of them, for a glorious sense of the world being reborn.
Address: 12-20 East Bridge Street,
cheap real jordans, Belfast BT1 3NQ
Contact: 00 44 28 9043 5704
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China Craft
For Belleek and Donegal china, and Waterford, Galway and Tyrone crystal.
Address: Queen’s Arcade, 50 Upper Queen St, Belfast BT1 5FE
Contact: 028 9023 0766;
chinacraftireland.com
Irish Linen and Gift Centre
Damask linen tablecloths,http://www.culturesclothing.com/forum/activitycheapjordanshoesfreeshipping.com/bolg,
cheap retro jordans,http://users.atw.hu/hsy/index.php?site=forum_topic&topic=13833cheapjordanshoesfreeshipping.com/bolg, napkins and handkerchiefs made in the shop's own factory. Guinness clothing and souvenirs, Belleek china, Irish scarves and throws and claddagh jewellery. Many exclusive Belfast items,http://users.atw.hu/conflux-mg/index.php?site=forum_topic&topic=17755cheapjordanshoesfreeshipping.com/bolg, including a wide selection of Titanic memorabilia.
Address: 65 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1FE
Contact: 028 9031 4272;
theirishlinenandgiftcentre.com
No Alibis
Northern Ireland’s only specialist crime bookshop, run by the endlessly enthusiastic David Torrans, immortalised in Colin Bateman's novel Mystery Man. Signed editions and special events, including author readings and signings.
Address: 83 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JL
Contact: 028 9031 9601;
noalibis.com
Miss Moran’s
Established in 1870, this tiny shop has Ireland’s finest collection of hand-rolled Cuban cigars, snuffs, pipes and lighters.
Address: 4-6 Church Lane, Belfast BT1 4QN
Contact: 028 9024 6826
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