The Week in Entertainment

Live: If/Then with the amazing Idina Menzel, and the equally amazing LaChanze. The staging is wonderful, particularly when there's a seamless transition between the two lives (thank goodness for the banner at the birthday party scene, though). The story is slight, to be honest, but the anchoring performances make it soar.

TV: Oh, the summer doldrums... I did watch the Kenneth Branagh film of As You Like It, which is certainly ... different. The play's not one of the strongest, but the casting is remarkably good. Also watched The Watch, which was better than I thought it would be.

Read: Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer, which is amazingly good. Continued with Parting the Waters, still excellent but long and dense - not a quick read by any means.