Loretta Ables Sayre‘s European theatrical debut, as Bloody Mary in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "South Pacific," is previewing at the Barbican Theatre in London and will bow Tuesday. But the recent flareup of fires and unrest have been a blemish on the Brits — and anything but happy talk.

"I can tell you that I have never worked with a lovelier group of people," said Ables Sayre of her castmates, including Paulo Szot,her New York buddy, bringing his Tony Award-winning Emile de Becque performance under the tutelage of director BartlettSher and Lincoln Center’s creative team. "Almost every single one of them is a graduate of acting school, trained in Shakespeare/dance/singing. Can you spell intimidation? I am so honored to be a part of this show."

The turmoil was a disruptive sideshow that became centerstage with the world watching on TV. "As I write this, London is on fire," Ables Sayre said in an email. "Families homeless, businesses lost, looted and burned. It’s very sad to see … . This is a sociology class unfolding before our very eyes. Fascinating and pathetic. We live in a pretty safe place but my doors are locked and I’m keeping my eyes open." …

NAME-DROPPING: Remember T.J. Tario, the former Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Star member and stage trouper? He’s in his second year at Julliard pre-college, busy with a hip-hop group and actively taking dance classes. Mom Karli and sister T’L ("Teal") have been visiting T.J. in New York, according to dad Ronald Paul Tario, and the gang wound up performing at one of T.J.’s fellow dancer’s birthday party. Turns out the birthday kid’s name is Rocco and mom is Madonna, who gave T’L a huge hug after her solo turn. The family got a ride back to New York in Madonna’s touring bus — a day they’ll likely not easily forget. …

Honolulan Joy Abbott will receive Temple University’s Alumni Distinguished Service Award Oct. 14, the highest laurel given a grad. She’ll conduct a theater seminar with yet-to-be-named Broadway stars and creative minds as part of TU’s Joy and George Abbott School of Musical Theatre drama program. …

TURNING 70: I turned 70 on Aug. 13, and three of nicest personal "gifts" were distinct variations of the "Happy Birthday" ditty. The most poignant was a telephonic sing-out from Jimmy Borges, whose pipes sound pretty good, if I may say so. He’s ready to take some vocal tuneups to prep for his concert re-entry, making progress one day at a time. I asked about his liver and he said his doctor anticipated that it "would regenerate to full capacity within a month" of surgery. It has been more than a month since that tumor was removed in July. Prayers work! …

Comedian Frank DeLima did a quickie cellphone sing-out from Las Vegas, en route to Seattle, since we generally hoist one together, in person, but he’s been on a comedy tour with Augie T as the "The Babooze Braddahs." …

Then there was that emailed original composition from Las Vegas resident Jack de Mello,whose sweetly symphonic creation included a mid-way interlude with the "Happy Birthday" melody, capped by a crescendo suggesting a celebratory wave. Sweet, and greatly appreciated. …

CHATTER: Actress Julia Roberts ("Larry Crowne") and hubby Danny Moder have been here with kids Hazel and Henry enjoying the beach and the sun. …

The reviews have been mixed, but mostly tepid, for "Conan the Barbarian," the reboot starring Hawaii-born Jason Momoa (HBO’s "Game of Thrones"), so the jury is out on his crossover to the big screen. "Rippled muscles and absurd good looks," said the Hollywood Reporter, which addedthe film was "aimed entirely at video gamers" with no mission except to randomly splatter blood."The film is numbing and dumb with its hero indistinguishable from its villains." Ouch! …