I know this may not be for everyone but hey I am not into football.
Admittedly I will be recommending stuff Iāve seen in London but know that the Mayflower has some cracking stuff (slightly biased as I used to work there). I used to see a lot of musicals and great shows but havenāt for a while. So this is something I hope to keep up.
Recently went to see āThe Dresserā with Reece Shearsmith and Ken Stott as main players. It also has Harriet Thorpe from the Brittas Empire. Itās on at Chichester Festival Theatre currently. Itās a story of back stage of a play and the dresser getting the star on the stage who has anxiety. Itās set in the second world war and during an airraid. Doesnāt sound all that from my description but it was pretty moving.
Also saw āThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightā. I read the book a few years ago. The play is something else. Really pared back on the stage, a bit of a blank canvas with lots of lighting and clever props popping out from places. How they portray the confusing world for someone with Autism is pretty stunning. As I came out of the threate into Central Londonās busy streets and noise I could see how people find it difficult.
On reflection I think the eye one was more scary than the one where the bloke shoved a little camera up a guyās todger.
The surgeon tried to show me the DVD close-ups of the eye op with him hacking away at the retina - so I just looked over the top of the screen at the blank wall and nodded politely.
I came back to post about a play and found this comment. Bit late to this. Anyway I had 3 eye operations as a kid. I woke up in the middle of one of them. Always fun.
We went to see Glengarry Glen Ross the other week.
hereās a bit of the blurb as I cannot be bothered to think about it. āLies. Greed. Corruption. Itās all business as usual. Glengarry Glen Ross takes place in the office of a group of cut-throat Chicago salesmen, willing to go to any lengths to get sales, legal or not. Pitting against each other, itās a high-stakes competition to get one up on each other, and soon the increasingly desperate four employees are fighting to win. But as time and luck begin to run out, one thing becomes clear: close the deal and you win; blow the deal and youāre out.ā
Stars Christian Slater, Kris Marshall, Robert Glenister, Stanley Townsend and Don Warrington.
We quite enjoyed it. Itās not massively long which is a bonus.
Itās also a 1992 film with a actor who is now fallen from grace.
Itās a really good film. Mamet wrote it in the 80ās and itās as relevant now as it was then. Kevin Spacey had a minor role tbh. One of Jack Lemmonās last roles, āLevine the Machineā is one of his best. No one can write dialogue like Mamet.
I was thinking of going see the Book Of Mermen cos I love those South Park Guys. Will I genuine enjoy it? Itās important cos theatre tickets are are a v.serious investment to me. So expensive! Iām worried that I will be v.bored after about 32 minutes, because every time Iāve been to theatre before, I have been v.bored after i.e. 32 minutes.
These are the theatre musicals I have seen before in my whole life for reference. I thought they was all v.boring. If the Mermen one is no better than these let me know pls and I Wonāt Bother:
I was treated to a trip to Phantom of the Opera for my birthday last month. Iād seen most of it approx 25 times when it was at the Mayflower when I worked there. So it was nice to sit down for the whole show and watch it. The tunes are quite catchy and the scenery is so well done. Itās started a musical thing in the house. So last night we headed to Les Miserables. Really excellent cast and how they change the sets was impressive.
Went to the Lyttleton Theatre at the National Theatre tonight for the first time to see Tartuffe by MoliĆØre. Its a version by an old mate John Donnelly. Loved the set and the modern twist to it. Its on until end of April.
It was tilted up at the back and at one point moved further up. It is a nice theatre with big seats.
Recommend the play after all its rewrite is by a fellow sotonian.
There seems to be a good year planned at the Pinter Theatre. We went up town for an overnighter last year and saw The Birthday Party there, which featured some fine actors, Toby Jones, Zoe Wanamaker, Stephen Mangan all turned in good performances. Appreciate Pinter isnāt to everyoneās taste, but Betrayal is on for 12 weeks from March and the list of actors appearing this year on their website promises some fine performances.
More locally, the Duchess has booked tickets for The Shadow Factory at the Nuffield City sometime in the next couple of weeks. I havenāt been there yet but am looking forward to seeing the venue and the play. Also going to see Alan Johnson there in March, hopefully that will be amusing.
Visited the Barbican Centre last night. What a great theatre. I had an excellent seat, centre, 5 rows back. Comfy seats and plenty of leg room.
I went to see Maxine Peake in āAvalache: a love storyā which is a one woman dialogue about IVF. Sounds maybe a little dull or sad but there was a lot of humour in it. It was about a hour and 20 mins with no interval. In awe of people who can remember all those lines and just go and act. Only one until Sunday but if it comes around worth a visit.
My new offices sit in front of the Barbican centre. Absolutely love the stuff they put on there. The whole complex is so Brutalist, but it works. Miserable in the winter. A joy on a warm day.
