![Laughing Boy cast on stage](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Janie-Dee-Molly-Osborne-Forbes-Masson-Alfie-Friedman-Charlie-Ives-Daniel-Rainford-and-Lee-Braithwaite-in-Laughing-Boy_Jermyn-Street-Theatre_-photography-by-Alex-Brenner-640x400.jpg)
Simon Jarrett
Simon Jarrett is a historian and writer, a regular contributor to Community Living on arts issues and former editor of the magazine.
![Laughing Boy cast on stage](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Janie-Dee-Molly-Osborne-Forbes-Masson-Alfie-Friedman-Charlie-Ives-Daniel-Rainford-and-Lee-Braithwaite-in-Laughing-Boy_Jermyn-Street-Theatre_-photography-by-Alex-Brenner-640x400.jpg)
![Denecia Allen and English National Ballet’s Alice Bellini](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC4083-Edit-2-640x400.jpg)
Astonishing ballet
![Singer: The Bar at the Edge of Time](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/0212.frozen-light-the-bar-at-the-edge-of-time-jma-photography-640x400.jpg)
Louche and luxurious
![Boys at Camphill planting](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Early-Camphill-planting-640x400.jpg)
Medieval to modern
![Danny Smith on stage](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_9028-640x400.jpg)
Personal, provocative and fundamentally free
![Housni Hassan in Imposter 22](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Imposter-22-Production-Ali-Wright-110-640x400.jpg)
Slow start to complex plot
![Never Have I Ever poster](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AAAABbS3s1s_x2A_j1hPzaAx0oeNULi-twudXxas-11bS55bTir0MUuapo0rW9SHY_n-MHgV2Dl20DYs2s4GFswVGPI_riiFBL3R4VsEqiyVa_zd4SiszzUIO335QkBmmp0aS3eTqQ-450x400.jpg)
Insipid character undermines bright teen comedy
![Casting call in action, scene from Into the Spotlight](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Into-the-Spotlight-640x400.jpg)
Highs and lows in making a show
![Tommy Jessop in Hollywood on a shoot](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/438709-640x400.jpg)
Superhero aims for the silver screen
![Elvis died of burgers](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/p28-ELVIS-DIED-OF-BURGERS.-Delson-Weekes.-Photo-Credit-Roswitha-Chesher-640x400.jpg)
Junk food: a surprise of a love story
![Wooden desk with drawers and chair](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/p28-desk-separating-tester-from-tested-CREDIT-Lucy-Dawkins-e1688745478568-640x400.jpg)
IQ tests: fascinating and pernicious
![Champions poster](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/p29-Champions-poster-CREDIT-Focus-Features-640x400.jpg)
Misfit team shine in feelgood film
![Woman seated at table, man in white coat and mask behind](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Opera-Featur-640x400.jpg)
Opera tells a brutal tale
![George Webster on Strictly Come Dancing](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Influence-through-dance-640x400.jpg)
Influence through dance
![Making their lives - characters on sofa](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Making-their-lives-Main-640x400.jpg)
Making their lives
![Floating Dancers in Blues by Nancy Clayton](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Wonderful-creations-640x400.jpg)
Wonderful creations
![](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Chrsitmas-Lights-640x400.jpg)
Simon Jarrett: No hard rules on taking sides
![Woman explaining to man at desk](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_5825h-640x400.jpg)
Simon Jarrett: Our aim: a good life achieved for all
![](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/women-centre-640x400.jpg)
Strength in peer power
![](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/caring-for-people-640x400.jpg)
Polite words will shock in future
![Barack Obama smiling](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Barack-Obama-in-the-Oval-Office-Dec.-6-2012-1-640x400.jpg)
The problem with meritocracy
![Couple with Down](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/couple-with-down-1-640x400.jpg)
Simon Jarrett: Debate over Down syndrome law: giving one group priority or positive consequences for all?
![](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/incendiary-suggestion-640x400.jpg)
Simon Jarrett: An incendiary suggestion
![](https://communitylivingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FEzKKdDXsA8GZaK.jpg)