Overhead at the Gym tonight:
Muscle Mary (on mobile phone): Well I said to him, "Glen, I am a 'uman beeeeeeing and I am still living here and until I move out my room isn't a sssshow room"
Monday, July 18, 2005
Music: The Fairy Queen (Purcell)
After Glyndebourne on Saturday I went to Royal Albert Hall on Sunday to see a BBC Proms concert of Purcell's The Fairy Queen. As it was a concert it was just the music (so it was only two hours) and it was a very enjoyable way to spend an early Sunday evening.
A had two tickets, one in the stalls and one in the circle. Rather than take up my suggestion of paper-scissors-rock for determining who sat where, he suggested that we swap seats at interval. That far more sensible suggestion turned out to be best as the seat in the circle provided a great vantage point to see everything, while the seat in the stalls was better for proximity.
Purcell in the cavernous space of the RAH may not be the best setting for this music, but it was nice to see it, and it reminded me that between now and mid-September I should be getting to more Proms concerts.
After the concert and as we left the hall to find somewhere to have supper, A spotted a few celebrities in the neighborhood, but I was too busy with those little Purcell ditties running about in my head to notice. Those things can seriously cause you to be distracted. Well that was my excuse for the evening...
After Glyndebourne on Saturday I went to Royal Albert Hall on Sunday to see a BBC Proms concert of Purcell's The Fairy Queen. As it was a concert it was just the music (so it was only two hours) and it was a very enjoyable way to spend an early Sunday evening.
A had two tickets, one in the stalls and one in the circle. Rather than take up my suggestion of paper-scissors-rock for determining who sat where, he suggested that we swap seats at interval. That far more sensible suggestion turned out to be best as the seat in the circle provided a great vantage point to see everything, while the seat in the stalls was better for proximity.
Purcell in the cavernous space of the RAH may not be the best setting for this music, but it was nice to see it, and it reminded me that between now and mid-September I should be getting to more Proms concerts.
After the concert and as we left the hall to find somewhere to have supper, A spotted a few celebrities in the neighborhood, but I was too busy with those little Purcell ditties running about in my head to notice. Those things can seriously cause you to be distracted. Well that was my excuse for the evening...
Opera: La Cenerentola (Rossini)
A invited me to Glydebourne on Saturday (which just so happens to be a country house near Lewes in East Sussex, that just so also happens to have a large state of the art opera house on its grounds). Naturally the chance to see opera done very well in a smashing location was something I eagerly accepted, so on a warm Saturday afternoon I was on a train to Lewes with A... Wearing a dinner jacket (as this is the expected standard of dress), and helping A with the picnic hamper.
There are a few interesting things that is all part of the opera experience at Glydebourne. First of all, dinner jackets are required attire for men. What women wore seemed to veer from flowing ball gowns in an array of summer colours to something still formal yet more sensible. And secondly there is the dining experience. While there are restaurants there, many people opt to have a picnic on the grounds. So on lush green lawns are people in black tie having salads and cold meats. It is all very civilised, especially as English picnics entail silverware, glassware, fine tablecloths, fresh flowers and candles. Not everyone had tables and chairs however, those slightly younger (and who still had their original knees and hips - such as we) took the picnic rug option.
Oh and as for the opera, well it was fantastic. I had seen Rossini's Cinderella before but found it hard going. Perhaps with the right staging, singers, orchestra and sets anything is possible. The singers were all great actors as well. There was comic timing amongst all the scandal and intrigue that make up the story.
The programme notes point out that Rossini's opera is less a fairy tale and more a social commentary on class. There is no glass slipper, fairy godmother or pumpkin carriage. The story is all about the father who dreams to be in a higher class and sees two of his daughters as the means for this, and the prince who disguises himself to see who the genuine woman is. Understanding the focus of the story helps understand the opera and the detail of this production has gone into the intricacies of all these things. A didn't care for Cinderella's ball gown or wedding dress (which were silver and gold respectively) but I figured a little bit of sparkle didn't hurt anybody… Especially since there was no fairy godmother amongst all the social satire to brighten things up. Actually Cinderella by the end of the story does become a bit of a saint. She doesn't seek revenge on her two sisters and her father but forgives them. There were no scenes of huffiness in a golden gown at all! Well it is opera I suppose. And Rossini wasn't writing about a bitch.
A invited me to Glydebourne on Saturday (which just so happens to be a country house near Lewes in East Sussex, that just so also happens to have a large state of the art opera house on its grounds). Naturally the chance to see opera done very well in a smashing location was something I eagerly accepted, so on a warm Saturday afternoon I was on a train to Lewes with A... Wearing a dinner jacket (as this is the expected standard of dress), and helping A with the picnic hamper.
There are a few interesting things that is all part of the opera experience at Glydebourne. First of all, dinner jackets are required attire for men. What women wore seemed to veer from flowing ball gowns in an array of summer colours to something still formal yet more sensible. And secondly there is the dining experience. While there are restaurants there, many people opt to have a picnic on the grounds. So on lush green lawns are people in black tie having salads and cold meats. It is all very civilised, especially as English picnics entail silverware, glassware, fine tablecloths, fresh flowers and candles. Not everyone had tables and chairs however, those slightly younger (and who still had their original knees and hips - such as we) took the picnic rug option.
Oh and as for the opera, well it was fantastic. I had seen Rossini's Cinderella before but found it hard going. Perhaps with the right staging, singers, orchestra and sets anything is possible. The singers were all great actors as well. There was comic timing amongst all the scandal and intrigue that make up the story.
The programme notes point out that Rossini's opera is less a fairy tale and more a social commentary on class. There is no glass slipper, fairy godmother or pumpkin carriage. The story is all about the father who dreams to be in a higher class and sees two of his daughters as the means for this, and the prince who disguises himself to see who the genuine woman is. Understanding the focus of the story helps understand the opera and the detail of this production has gone into the intricacies of all these things. A didn't care for Cinderella's ball gown or wedding dress (which were silver and gold respectively) but I figured a little bit of sparkle didn't hurt anybody… Especially since there was no fairy godmother amongst all the social satire to brighten things up. Actually Cinderella by the end of the story does become a bit of a saint. She doesn't seek revenge on her two sisters and her father but forgives them. There were no scenes of huffiness in a golden gown at all! Well it is opera I suppose. And Rossini wasn't writing about a bitch.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Overheard in my building this afternoon
Old lady #1: ...And it only costs a few pounds and they drop you off right at your door.
Old lady #2: Do they?
Old lady #1: Yes...
Old lady #2: Really?
Old lady #1: Yes...
Old lady #2: Do they?
Old lady #1: Yes they do!
Old lady #2: Oh well I'll have to get me one of those...
Old lady #1: ...And it only costs a few pounds and they drop you off right at your door.
Old lady #2: Do they?
Old lady #1: Yes...
Old lady #2: Really?
Old lady #1: Yes...
Old lady #2: Do they?
Old lady #1: Yes they do!
Old lady #2: Oh well I'll have to get me one of those...
14-07-05_1155.jpg
14-07-05_1155.jpg
Originally uploaded by Pauly_.
Scenes from London Thursday 11.55 - waiting outside to remember
The sound of a city united and unmoved
Just before noon today we gathered outside our building to observe two minutes silence for the victims of last Thursday's atrocities. As the clock tower tolled 12pm, a wave of silence crashed in as buses cabs and cars switched off their engines, people stopped what they were doing, and there was nothing at all but people on the street saying nothing, yet making an incredible statement.
Some people bowed their heads, but most didn't. It was a time to remember...
Just before noon today we gathered outside our building to observe two minutes silence for the victims of last Thursday's atrocities. As the clock tower tolled 12pm, a wave of silence crashed in as buses cabs and cars switched off their engines, people stopped what they were doing, and there was nothing at all but people on the street saying nothing, yet making an incredible statement.
Some people bowed their heads, but most didn't. It was a time to remember...
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Blogs: We're Not Afraid
As part of the response to the events of last Thursday the site We're not Afraid! is taking pictures sent in by people around the world in support of London. The city is bouncing back in many ways. Yesterday's raids and arrests were particularly important in raising the confidence of the population, but it also raises new questions...
As part of the response to the events of last Thursday the site We're not Afraid! is taking pictures sent in by people around the world in support of London. The city is bouncing back in many ways. Yesterday's raids and arrests were particularly important in raising the confidence of the population, but it also raises new questions...
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Theatre: Billy Elliot
A chance lunchtime meeting near the Victoria Palace Theatre meant that I snapped up one of the few remaining tickets to Billy Elliot tonight. Now the critics have been raving (well some at least) that this is the greatest British Musical ever. Well, I don't know about that (I may have found it more enjoyable than Mary Poppins but that was pretty good too) but whatever ranking you give it, it certainly was an entertaining time. I was suspecting that they surely must have broken child labour laws given how heavily the show relies on its young male star. And of course no musical is complete nowadays without its star flying through the air (no matter how preposterous this may appear). But all that aside, tonight's Billy (there are three that rotate through the role) was quite good and you get the impression the adult cast are quite protective and supportive of their young stars which gave a great dynamic to the show as well.
As for the music, there actually are some very good songs in this show, along with some great dance sequences. The songs the individual cast members sang I thought were the best, but there were some rousing anthem-like union songs, and an interesting song that marked the class divide between the police officers and striking miners (now that's something you don't always get in the West End).
It's not all ballet but I guess it is a musical so these things shouldn't be argued about too much. Unlike the film there is even stronger focus on the miner's strike and matters of class warfare. I sat next to an American who loved the show but wasn't so sure about how the union struggle would translate to the US. But I wondered more about how the Geordie accents would translate outside of London. Actually I could have done with surtitles at times as who knows what they were saying, but that's probably just me.
Given the full house (interesting for a Monday night) this show looks like it will be destined to run for some time. The punters tonight loved it. And for three hours it was a great story that transported you back to the heady days of 1984...
A chance lunchtime meeting near the Victoria Palace Theatre meant that I snapped up one of the few remaining tickets to Billy Elliot tonight. Now the critics have been raving (well some at least) that this is the greatest British Musical ever. Well, I don't know about that (I may have found it more enjoyable than Mary Poppins but that was pretty good too) but whatever ranking you give it, it certainly was an entertaining time. I was suspecting that they surely must have broken child labour laws given how heavily the show relies on its young male star. And of course no musical is complete nowadays without its star flying through the air (no matter how preposterous this may appear). But all that aside, tonight's Billy (there are three that rotate through the role) was quite good and you get the impression the adult cast are quite protective and supportive of their young stars which gave a great dynamic to the show as well.
As for the music, there actually are some very good songs in this show, along with some great dance sequences. The songs the individual cast members sang I thought were the best, but there were some rousing anthem-like union songs, and an interesting song that marked the class divide between the police officers and striking miners (now that's something you don't always get in the West End).
It's not all ballet but I guess it is a musical so these things shouldn't be argued about too much. Unlike the film there is even stronger focus on the miner's strike and matters of class warfare. I sat next to an American who loved the show but wasn't so sure about how the union struggle would translate to the US. But I wondered more about how the Geordie accents would translate outside of London. Actually I could have done with surtitles at times as who knows what they were saying, but that's probably just me.
Given the full house (interesting for a Monday night) this show looks like it will be destined to run for some time. The punters tonight loved it. And for three hours it was a great story that transported you back to the heady days of 1984...
Monday, July 11, 2005
you will fail
Originally uploaded by dario.agosta.
Dario Agosta's Flickr site took inspiration from the Statement by London Mayor Ken Livingsone.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
At a Covent Garden ball last night:
Speaker: Ladies and Gentlemen, given the events of Thursday we had contemplated canceling tonight... But given the prevailing mood in London... (the room erupts into cheers).
I went with A to the ball which had a burlesque theme. That basically meant there were lots of tits with tassels, which anybody I think can enjoy. After a vodka and orange and a bottle of cheap white wine (that wasn't so cheap) good times were ensued. During the course of the evening a photograph was taken of me involving two ladies, a whip, a paddle and A. It was nothing like it suggests however... There were also boys in period costume selling bamboo folding fans so I bought one of those. One lady commented that it appeared only the men were using these frilly little fans. Well, it was one of those sort of evenings.
As I was wearing some rough denim and A was wearing leather trousers I did suggest that we could spend the rest of the night in some interesting bars around town, but we decided against this in the end. Besides, neither of us had the moustache (real or otherwise) to carry that look...
After the ball I was going to catch up with M1 and M2 for a drink, but they cancelled. They live near Manor House tube on the Piccadilly line which is now indefinitely closed. A 20 minute journey into central London would now take almost an hour if they caught the bus. I guess the city isn't as easy (or as convenient) to get around as it used to be.
Speaker: Ladies and Gentlemen, given the events of Thursday we had contemplated canceling tonight... But given the prevailing mood in London... (the room erupts into cheers).
I went with A to the ball which had a burlesque theme. That basically meant there were lots of tits with tassels, which anybody I think can enjoy. After a vodka and orange and a bottle of cheap white wine (that wasn't so cheap) good times were ensued. During the course of the evening a photograph was taken of me involving two ladies, a whip, a paddle and A. It was nothing like it suggests however... There were also boys in period costume selling bamboo folding fans so I bought one of those. One lady commented that it appeared only the men were using these frilly little fans. Well, it was one of those sort of evenings.
As I was wearing some rough denim and A was wearing leather trousers I did suggest that we could spend the rest of the night in some interesting bars around town, but we decided against this in the end. Besides, neither of us had the moustache (real or otherwise) to carry that look...
After the ball I was going to catch up with M1 and M2 for a drink, but they cancelled. They live near Manor House tube on the Piccadilly line which is now indefinitely closed. A 20 minute journey into central London would now take almost an hour if they caught the bus. I guess the city isn't as easy (or as convenient) to get around as it used to be.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Scenes from Russell Square Saturday 13:42. Tube emergency tunnel support trucks parked closeby. It is unclear the extent of the damage to the Picadilly Line at this section but given the reported damage the line is not expected to be restored anytime in the forseeable future.
Scenes from Euston Station - northern end of sealed off area. The media film the covered scaffolding as a statement in itself. Scientologists en masse in orange jackets on the left (to give the impression no doubt they have some sort of legitimate status) try to flog their personality testing. They have been swarming around the Bloomsbury area since Thursday.
Theatre: Aristocrats
Life does go on. On Friday evening I caught the Brian Friel play Aristocrats at the National Theatre which turned out to be an interesting evening of Theatre. Friel wrote this play in 1979 and it tells the tale of a rich land-owning Irish Catholic family that gathers for a wedding and secrets begin to unravel. There is a hint of Chekhov to the goings on as well.
But the first two acts I found heavy going. A lot of exposition (and Irish history to absorb). And after observing a minutes silence for those killed in the bombings prior to the first act commencing, I found it all too hard to focus on the intricate story. But somehow after the interval it just felt like the story all came together, and I don't think it was the interval drinks that did it. It was just the story then began to move.
The most enjoyable part of it was actor Andrew Scott. He played the twit son who perhaps was not so stupid as everyone believed him to be... The rest of the cast were just as good (and included a couple of well regarded Irish actors) but I particularly took a liking to this character. All told it became a very enjoyable evening - once one got past all the exposition.
Life does go on. On Friday evening I caught the Brian Friel play Aristocrats at the National Theatre which turned out to be an interesting evening of Theatre. Friel wrote this play in 1979 and it tells the tale of a rich land-owning Irish Catholic family that gathers for a wedding and secrets begin to unravel. There is a hint of Chekhov to the goings on as well.
But the first two acts I found heavy going. A lot of exposition (and Irish history to absorb). And after observing a minutes silence for those killed in the bombings prior to the first act commencing, I found it all too hard to focus on the intricate story. But somehow after the interval it just felt like the story all came together, and I don't think it was the interval drinks that did it. It was just the story then began to move.
The most enjoyable part of it was actor Andrew Scott. He played the twit son who perhaps was not so stupid as everyone believed him to be... The rest of the cast were just as good (and included a couple of well regarded Irish actors) but I particularly took a liking to this character. All told it became a very enjoyable evening - once one got past all the exposition.
Conversation at the Cloakroom of the National Theatre
The day after July 7, things are a little different. I was staying overnight in Streatham so I had a larger rucksack than usual...
Security: You will have to open your bag for inspection before you can leave it at the cloakroom.
Paul: Ok I just have a change of clothes in here...
Security: You will have to open up your bag and show me what's inside.
Paul: Ok well there is a polo shirt...
Security: And what's under your shirt?
Paul: That is just my jeans and a pair of shoes...
Security: Ok now open up the front zipper section.
Paul: Ok well in there are just my toiletries...
Security (also seeing several packets of Lemsip and Syndol): ... Hmm and medications...
A (walks over to Paul after observing this dialogue from a distance): Darling just tell them its your slag bag and so we can all be done with it...
The day after July 7, things are a little different. I was staying overnight in Streatham so I had a larger rucksack than usual...
Security: You will have to open your bag for inspection before you can leave it at the cloakroom.
Paul: Ok I just have a change of clothes in here...
Security: You will have to open up your bag and show me what's inside.
Paul: Ok well there is a polo shirt...
Security: And what's under your shirt?
Paul: That is just my jeans and a pair of shoes...
Security: Ok now open up the front zipper section.
Paul: Ok well in there are just my toiletries...
Security (also seeing several packets of Lemsip and Syndol): ... Hmm and medications...
A (walks over to Paul after observing this dialogue from a distance): Darling just tell them its your slag bag and so we can all be done with it...
Scenes from Stockwell Tube Friday 17:57. I had no hesitation about catching the tube on Friday to work. It was a silent statement of defiance against the amateur mass murderers with timers. Although in the morning there was a film crew at Goodge St tube station filming people, just to remind you that on the day after, things weren't going to be the same...
Friday, July 08, 2005
News: Emerging Technology
Everyone became a journalist yesterday as mobile phones captured the blast aftermath. You may not have got a signal to make a call, but mobile phone cameras and videos captured it all...
Everyone became a journalist yesterday as mobile phones captured the blast aftermath. You may not have got a signal to make a call, but mobile phone cameras and videos captured it all...
Reflections on a Thursday in London
As the search begins for lost loved ones I recall going through my work yesterday. There was enough to do to not think about the events as they were unfolding. Taking calls, placing calls, locating people, background research, typing messages. It all filled time.
But the scale of it all hit me around lunchtime. That was when I first saw the bomb damage at Tavistock Square on the CNN webiste, which is just a couple of blocks from where I live. I recognised the street by the trees overhanging the road as they are so leafy and bright green. I walk down that street on the weekends on my roundabout way into Covent Garden. It isn't the most attractive part of London. The area is not really anything remarkable about this area at all, but because I live there it is familiar. I had this strong feeling of "That's my neighborhood!". Suddenly the atrocity has a very very localised feel to it.
Then to see the wreck of the red bus, its bright coloured seats and orange grab rails it is again familiar. I recall what it is like to be crammed in on a peak hour bus in central London. It is a typical London experience. And then you see that its frame is twisted and the grab rails are flailing about. You can imagine what it must have been like, but then you can't.
It is interesting however as you think well I never travel THAT way to work as if to reassure yourself that you were never in harms way. It is always entirely possible that you could be doing anything on a morning on your way to work, but you weren't.
As the search begins for lost loved ones I recall going through my work yesterday. There was enough to do to not think about the events as they were unfolding. Taking calls, placing calls, locating people, background research, typing messages. It all filled time.
But the scale of it all hit me around lunchtime. That was when I first saw the bomb damage at Tavistock Square on the CNN webiste, which is just a couple of blocks from where I live. I recognised the street by the trees overhanging the road as they are so leafy and bright green. I walk down that street on the weekends on my roundabout way into Covent Garden. It isn't the most attractive part of London. The area is not really anything remarkable about this area at all, but because I live there it is familiar. I had this strong feeling of "That's my neighborhood!". Suddenly the atrocity has a very very localised feel to it.
Then to see the wreck of the red bus, its bright coloured seats and orange grab rails it is again familiar. I recall what it is like to be crammed in on a peak hour bus in central London. It is a typical London experience. And then you see that its frame is twisted and the grab rails are flailing about. You can imagine what it must have been like, but then you can't.
It is interesting however as you think well I never travel THAT way to work as if to reassure yourself that you were never in harms way. It is always entirely possible that you could be doing anything on a morning on your way to work, but you weren't.
News: Blog Links
Among the many blogs on London, London Underground Tube Diary and
gia's blog are worth taking a look at in the ongoing commentary about the situation that took place yesterday...
Among the many blogs on London, London Underground Tube Diary and
gia's blog are worth taking a look at in the ongoing commentary about the situation that took place yesterday...
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Scenes at the end of my street Thursday 20:17. A roadblock and a crime scene investigation is underway. Just a couple of blocks over is Tavistock Place.
The bus bombing outside the British Medical Association building was timed as the tube network was shutting down (the explosions were initially attributed to power surges) and people were turning to busses to complete the journey. Only two people have been confirmed killed on the bus, but unofficial reports suggest that the death toll will be much higher when they identify the remains in the surrounding area.
This evening the streets were quiet. All theatres were closed. The supermarkets near where I live were all shut due to staff shortages. Thankfully Planet Organic was still open. I ran in and got an organic chicken salad, an organic elderflower drink, organic crisps and an organic white wine for the evening and to watch the day's events on the BBC...
Professional Conversation overheard in the office at lunchtime
F: I have been trying to contact Robert for the past hour and his mobile is engaged...
Officer (just walking in to the office): I have just spoken to him...
F: Ah how can you do that?
Officer: I have an emergency override phone...
F: Oooooh!
At several key points during the day the mobile phone network disappeared. As part of the plans for dealing with civil emergencies emergency and government services get priority on the mobile phone network to ensure that their calls get through. It also meant that at 7pm tonight I got a whole stream of texts that had been sent during the course of the day...
Aftermath.
This afternoon I had (in no particular order) a chocolate éclair, a packet of pretzels, two bananas, a thai chicken curry, half a tin of liquorice allsorts, a herbal tea, a coffee and a berocca. My colleague F had the same plus a trifle. Another colleague commented at one stage during the afternoon that at times of crisis her comfort food is pizza. For me, I take allsorts...
As the day has come to a close, it has been a tragedy but it also has been a day marked by quiet resolve. Emergency Plans swung into action, emergency services were on the scene of the major incidents within minutes and there was a determination to get on with it. My flatmate was at Liverpool St and helped take people to hospital. Construction workers near where I live offered to give blood at UCL Hospital.While there were no tube trains tonight, people left work throughout the afternoon in an orderly manner, and busses were back up by 4pm.
Something just broke
The timeline to an unfolding day of anxiety
0851 Seven people die in a blast on a train 100 yards from Liverpool Street station
0856 21 people die in a blast on a train between Russell Square and King's Cross stations
0917 Seven people die in blast on a train at Edgware Road station
0947 Two people die in a blast on a number 30 bus at Tavistock Place
It happened within an hour but for the rest of the day the news trickled in... And suddenly suspect packages were everywhere...
0955 First newsflash email that a loud bang near Liverpool Street station may be due to power surge
1031 Email newsflash confirming multiple explosions' in London
1150 First confirmed deaths
1217 PM Flies to London
1533 33 Deaths confirmed
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Scenes from Trafalgar Square Wednesday 19:30 - All quiet after a day of euphoria of London winning the 2012 Olympics. The big regeneration project for the east end will now commence...
There is a sense this result puts it up the French, who after Chirac's comments on British cuisine, are perceived as the obstacle to ending world poverty (while they insist on the EU common agricultural policy).
After Live 8 - for Britain at least - ending world poverty is a prime concern, even if it isn't such a priority elsewhere. The French shouldn't complain too much. With the new Eurostar links in place by 2012 travel to London from Paris will be even quicker than it is now...
Monday, July 04, 2005
Scenes from Hammersmith and City Line Monday 21:41 - Listening to iPOD between Farringdon and Kings Cross St Pancras. Have just downloaded Ute Lemper's latest album Blood and Feathers. Its recorded live and is what some people I know would describe as her "head up her arse album" given the self-indulgent asides into screeching and germanic-jazz-scat that sounds like scheisse. Ute is a bit like that though. I'll keep buying her albums anyway as listening to Ute is always an experience...
Office Lunchtime Banter
Paul (to AB eating lunch at her desk): Hmm what's that you're eating?
AB: It's snapper...
Paul: Well... You are what you eat...
Theatre: Bye Bye Birdie
I actually saw this in October 2003 upstairs at a pub in Clapham North. Tonight I saw it at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. And I actually liked the pub version better. Sure there were better looking actors in this one... And there were production values... But singing, acting or having a decent audio obviously were not priorities for this production. A pity really. And I think I have seen this show enough now... To last me at least a decade...
On the topic of musical theatre (what else?) Sondheim is purportedly back in town for the premiere of his TV Musical Evening Primrose at the as part of the Lost Musicals series. This show has sold out so completely that reportedly the press had to attend one of the dress rehearsals if they wished to review it. Now that sounds like a popular show...
Paul (to AB eating lunch at her desk): Hmm what's that you're eating?
AB: It's snapper...
Paul: Well... You are what you eat...
Theatre: Bye Bye Birdie
I actually saw this in October 2003 upstairs at a pub in Clapham North. Tonight I saw it at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. And I actually liked the pub version better. Sure there were better looking actors in this one... And there were production values... But singing, acting or having a decent audio obviously were not priorities for this production. A pity really. And I think I have seen this show enough now... To last me at least a decade...
On the topic of musical theatre (what else?) Sondheim is purportedly back in town for the premiere of his TV Musical Evening Primrose at the as part of the Lost Musicals series. This show has sold out so completely that reportedly the press had to attend one of the dress rehearsals if they wished to review it. Now that sounds like a popular show...
Sunday, July 03, 2005
News: Leave the chavs alone
An MP (whose constituency is full of em) said this week to leave chavs alone as they are unnecessary vilified. The general reaction from the public to this story seems to be that while chavs are predominantly from the working classes, if they are going to wear track suits and oversize gold jewellry, not work and throw kebab wrappers all over the street then they deserve the name...
An MP (whose constituency is full of em) said this week to leave chavs alone as they are unnecessary vilified. The general reaction from the public to this story seems to be that while chavs are predominantly from the working classes, if they are going to wear track suits and oversize gold jewellry, not work and throw kebab wrappers all over the street then they deserve the name...
Just another Summer Saturday in London
Today was one of those days when you could have:
There was an interesting part near Pall Mall as well where anti-gay protestors had placards saying something about sodomites. A and his friends asked what we should be doing at this point and I said we should just do what everybody else was doing: make impolite gestures with our middle finger and shout "motherfuckers". We did. And it was such fun. It was probably the most sensible debate to have with these people.
I didn't really spot any celebrities unless you count rights campaigner Peter Tatchell as one. He has to be admired for his passion on issues and his attempt to make a citizens arrest on despot Mugabe, even though he is a tad left on the political spectrum...
Today was one of those days when you could have:
- Seen the women's final at Wimbledon (assuming that you had tickets)
- Gone to Live 8 at Hyde Park (assuming you won tickets on the mobile phone lottery)
- Participated in the London Pride (assuming you were a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person)
There was an interesting part near Pall Mall as well where anti-gay protestors had placards saying something about sodomites. A and his friends asked what we should be doing at this point and I said we should just do what everybody else was doing: make impolite gestures with our middle finger and shout "motherfuckers". We did. And it was such fun. It was probably the most sensible debate to have with these people.
I didn't really spot any celebrities unless you count rights campaigner Peter Tatchell as one. He has to be admired for his passion on issues and his attempt to make a citizens arrest on despot Mugabe, even though he is a tad left on the political spectrum...
Friday, July 01, 2005
Office situations
A colleague at work returned today to say goodbye to everyone. She left work in March to go to hospital, but has now left work completely. I suggested to F that her departure in March may have been to have a face lift. Today I can confirm that this was not the case. But I couldn't rule out botox...
A colleague at work returned today to say goodbye to everyone. She left work in March to go to hospital, but has now left work completely. I suggested to F that her departure in March may have been to have a face lift. Today I can confirm that this was not the case. But I couldn't rule out botox...
News: Farewell to the cracked leather
Today the Royal Festival Hall bid farewell to the dusty tapestry, cracked leather seats and general shabbiness as it embarks on an upgrade which will see better facilities and acoustics in 2007 when it reopens.
Central London will be a bit interesting on Saturday as there is the Live 8 in Hyde Park, plus the Pride Festivities in Trafalgar Square and elsewhere. So combined with the sales and a few other events it could be possible that every man and his dog will be out and about on the weekend. Possibly a good place to be seen...
Today the Royal Festival Hall bid farewell to the dusty tapestry, cracked leather seats and general shabbiness as it embarks on an upgrade which will see better facilities and acoustics in 2007 when it reopens.
Central London will be a bit interesting on Saturday as there is the Live 8 in Hyde Park, plus the Pride Festivities in Trafalgar Square and elsewhere. So combined with the sales and a few other events it could be possible that every man and his dog will be out and about on the weekend. Possibly a good place to be seen...
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Theatre: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Tonight caught Hedwig and the Angry Inch featuring David Bedella at Heaven Nightclub.
Sitting in second row on the aisle made one a little anxious knowing that there is a bit of audience participation involved in the show, but fortunately the "car wash" of a member of the audience took place a few rows further back.
The show was the basis for the cult movie (well an emerging cult movie since it was only released in 2001), and is such a great show full of tributes to 70s glam rock and punk music and cheap gags. Bedella was terrific as the blonde drag diva with the "angry inch".
There was something good about seeing it under the arches at Heaven. It is the sort of show that seems to work best in a shabby venue. As the show progressed and as the temperature rose, the seats were uncomfortable and you could hear the clinking of beer bottles. None of this mattered, it just added to the flavour of it all.
Tonight caught Hedwig and the Angry Inch featuring David Bedella at Heaven Nightclub.
Sitting in second row on the aisle made one a little anxious knowing that there is a bit of audience participation involved in the show, but fortunately the "car wash" of a member of the audience took place a few rows further back.
The show was the basis for the cult movie (well an emerging cult movie since it was only released in 2001), and is such a great show full of tributes to 70s glam rock and punk music and cheap gags. Bedella was terrific as the blonde drag diva with the "angry inch".
There was something good about seeing it under the arches at Heaven. It is the sort of show that seems to work best in a shabby venue. As the show progressed and as the temperature rose, the seats were uncomfortable and you could hear the clinking of beer bottles. None of this mattered, it just added to the flavour of it all.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Window Shopping at Heals Saturday 20:13.
The sales have started here and the punters have slowly been getting out and spending. Nothing lures Londoners out of a spending slump than a sale. Here are some of the lovely things on offer at Heal's. Note the stainless steel bins on sale.
No self-respecting kitchen in London is complete without a stainless steel bin. It gives garbage and peelings so much more class to put them in a sleek bin with a special liner that you have to purchase separately. Saw many people carrying stainless steel bins home to make their kitchens complete this weekend. And with prices under £100, who could blame them?
Theatre: Happy End
Managed to do at least one thing cultural this weekend and this was to see the Royal Academy of Music's, music theatre production of Kurt Weill's Happy End (1929). It was fantastic. The show was well made and acted. The singers were all great. Weill and Brecht's anti-capitalist message is quaint by today's standards, but while the message is irrelevant the music is sublime. It was nice to hear singers sing the music (including Surabaya-Johnny) as if they didn't have laryngitis either. Tonight's show was proof it could be sung musically.
Managed to do at least one thing cultural this weekend and this was to see the Royal Academy of Music's, music theatre production of Kurt Weill's Happy End (1929). It was fantastic. The show was well made and acted. The singers were all great. Weill and Brecht's anti-capitalist message is quaint by today's standards, but while the message is irrelevant the music is sublime. It was nice to hear singers sing the music (including Surabaya-Johnny) as if they didn't have laryngitis either. Tonight's show was proof it could be sung musically.
Food South Indian Fare just across the divide
Among shopping and other things today, ventured with A across the great divide (no not the Thames but Euston Road which is such a wide and confronting road just north of where I live and I haven't faced it before) to a South Indian restaurant.
The food was great and one course was served with a flattened rice flour pancake that was propped up and looked like some sort of hat with little pots of tasty things underneath.
A (seeing arrival of the food): Oh our hats are here to eat...
Paul: Yes they are fancy hats...
A: You could almost wear them at the races in Ascot...
Paul: Oh so is that how you distinguish the Southern Indians at the races? They are the ones eating their hats??
Silly perhaps, but great food, and so close to Warren Street Tube...
Among shopping and other things today, ventured with A across the great divide (no not the Thames but Euston Road which is such a wide and confronting road just north of where I live and I haven't faced it before) to a South Indian restaurant.
The food was great and one course was served with a flattened rice flour pancake that was propped up and looked like some sort of hat with little pots of tasty things underneath.
A (seeing arrival of the food): Oh our hats are here to eat...
Paul: Yes they are fancy hats...
A: You could almost wear them at the races in Ascot...
Paul: Oh so is that how you distinguish the Southern Indians at the races? They are the ones eating their hats??
Silly perhaps, but great food, and so close to Warren Street Tube...
Saturday, June 25, 2005
News: Hot in the City
The heatwave caused a full scale emergency on Thursday evening as a train for Newcastle out of Kings Cross got stuck between Peterborough and Stevenage. Temperatures reached the high forties in the cars and as water and drinks ran out, panic and dehydration set in. Elsewhere trains were delayed as the heat led to cracked rails.
Also yesterday a tube train malfunction on the Central Line led to 800 passengers being stuck underground for two hours in 30 deg heat...
The weather has finally returned to more sensible temperatures today...
The heatwave caused a full scale emergency on Thursday evening as a train for Newcastle out of Kings Cross got stuck between Peterborough and Stevenage. Temperatures reached the high forties in the cars and as water and drinks ran out, panic and dehydration set in. Elsewhere trains were delayed as the heat led to cracked rails.
Also yesterday a tube train malfunction on the Central Line led to 800 passengers being stuck underground for two hours in 30 deg heat...
The weather has finally returned to more sensible temperatures today...
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
News: The ties have it
Outgoing cabinet secretary suggested yesterday civil servants could ditch their neck ties. Is it the beginning of the end of the stereotypical civil servant? No mention was made about umbrellas. Of course, on a day like today where temperatures soared into the thirties and with air conditioning non-existent or not working... ties were strictly optional where I work...
Outgoing cabinet secretary suggested yesterday civil servants could ditch their neck ties. Is it the beginning of the end of the stereotypical civil servant? No mention was made about umbrellas. Of course, on a day like today where temperatures soared into the thirties and with air conditioning non-existent or not working... ties were strictly optional where I work...
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Monday, June 20, 2005
News: Cruise Control
All the talk today was around the short squirt (of water) to the short squirt (that's Tom). It turns out the stunt was for a Channel 4 show which will most likely never see airtime but the clip of the stunt is here. Channel 4 is going to miss out on Tom's future press junkets, but Tom should take heart. He is the only movie star to spend so much time meeting fans and giving interviews in Leicester Square, and he still looked good while being embarrassed. And that's really all that matters surely?
All the talk today was around the short squirt (of water) to the short squirt (that's Tom). It turns out the stunt was for a Channel 4 show which will most likely never see airtime but the clip of the stunt is here. Channel 4 is going to miss out on Tom's future press junkets, but Tom should take heart. He is the only movie star to spend so much time meeting fans and giving interviews in Leicester Square, and he still looked good while being embarrassed. And that's really all that matters surely?
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Scenes from Fitzrovia Saturday 15:34 - If there was one thing consistent about the weekend, it was that it was hot and bright. With the hottest June temperatures since the 1970s it meant that thousands flocked to the outdoors and to the beach... Sunday evening at 23:00 the temperature is still 26 deg...
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