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Belters and bohemians: Opera Locos @Sadlers_wells

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At the start of the Opera Locos performance, the announcement says that they really are singing. You could be forgiven for wondering that, given the amplification turns up the backing track and the voices so loud that you can't always tell what's real. But this is a mostly harmless and slightly eccentric blend of opera classics fused with the occasional pop classic. However, recognising the pop tunes would help if you were over a certain age. The most recent of them dates back twenty years. It's currently playing at the Peacock Theatre .  Five performers play out a variety of archetype opera characters. There's the worn-out tenor (Jesús Álvarez), the macho baritone (Enrique Sánchez-Ramos), the eccentric counter-tenor (Michaël Kone), the dreamy soprano (María Rey-Joly) and the wild mezzo-soprano (Mayca Teba). Since my singing days, I haven't recognised these types of performers. However, once, I recall a conductor saying he wanted no mezzo-sopranos singing with the s

Overheard at the gym Thursday

Young boy 1 : Oh why does every man you look at thinks you are checking him out? Young boy 2: Yeah especially that one (pointing to an older guy) … Young boy 1 : Like yeah as if… Young boy 2: Aw man I have taken too many drugs this week…

Scenes from Soho Thursday 22:59

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Scenes from Soho Thursday 22:59 Originally uploaded by Pauly_ . Late night drinking outside Ronnie Scotts (currently closed for refurbishment)...

Politics: Hot in the city

Today was the first day that felt like summer was on the way as temperatures hovered around 25degrees (even now after 1am it is 16 degrees). By late this evening thousands of people were out on the streets drinking and having fun. They were also out voting. Projected figures suggest that turnout could be around 40% which compared to 30% four years ago is an interesting figure. It also means that it will be a long night for the vote counters, and a long day tomorrow one suspects as well… Some of my best friends are vote counters. Silly bastards.

Housekeeping: back in the room

After over four months I finally have broadband at home, thanks to Be Internet . Wanadoo have still to send me the prepaid returns pouch so I can send back their wireless router to them, so I am using the box to rest my laptop against while I update the blog in my room. At least it has some use…

Scenes from Soho Thursday 22.15

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Scenes from Soho Thursday 22.15 Originally uploaded by Pauly_ . Warm weather makes the place heave...

Scenes from SW4 Monday 19:29

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Scenes from SW4 Monday 19:29 Originally uploaded by Pauly_ . Spring is here at last... And there are blue skies... Even if the temperature is still hovering around 10degrees...

Conversation in WC1

Paul and Ad are walking down Charlotte Street WC1. Man in white (to Ad in very low voice as he walks into him coming out of a shop) : Oh sorry darling… Ad : Oh that's ok… Darling… Paul (to Ad) : Darling?

Scenes from Covent Garden Monday 14:43

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Scenes from Covent Garden Monday 14:43 Originally uploaded by Pauly_ . Bank Holiday Monday had all the punters out at the usual places. There weren't any bargains to be had but people seemed glad to just be out of the 'ouse...