Where are you going tonight?

[Bruce Rioja]

Loving it thanks, Soze

GtE - I think it was when we switched from caning the wine to caning the Long Island Iced Teas that the balloon went up.

Dinner this evening at Mercia Hotel, famed for being the hotel in which Russell Crowe hit a member of the concierge with a telephone.

[bobo the clown]

↑↑↑

Aahh ... 'The Concierge'. They never quite made it past that difficult second album did they !!

[Gary the Enfield]

↑↑↑

Aahh ... 'The Concierge'. They never quite made it past that difficult second album did they !!

Was that 'Pucker Up' Bobo?

[William the White]

Opera North, The Girl from the Golden West, Puccini. At the Lowry Centre. The first live and in the flesh opera I've seen for well over a year.

So looking forward to this.

[LeverEnd]

Off to see Twelfth Night at The Octagon Weds eve. Looking forward to it very much, as I've never been let down by anything I've seen there.

[Bruce Rioja]

Off to see Twelfth Night at The Octagon Weds eve. Looking forward to it very much, as I've never been let down by anything I've seen there.

How did it go, LeverEndy? Going to try and get there next week.

Off to the Little Theatre tonight to see something called Mindgame. I don't think I've been to the Little Theatre since primary school.

[LeverEnd]

Off to see Twelfth Night at The Octagon Weds eve. Looking forward to it very much, as I've never been let down by anything I've seen there.

How did it go, LeverEndy? Going to try and get there next week.

Off to the Little Theatre tonight to see something called Mindgame. I don't think I've been to the Little Theatre since primary school.

Didn't really warm to it. It's one I've never read and knew nothing about, so can't really comment on the effectiveness of the more modern setting. Enjoyed it much more post-interval. It was well acted and the musical interludes were good. Didn't help that I was knackered and sleepy.
I wish I'd watched it in a better mood really, let me know what you think.

[clapton is god]

Octagon tonight for me.

[William the White]

Octagon tonight for me.

I'm there next Wednesday.

Going to give us a preview? Lever End not ecstatic exactly!

But I'm going the 'Investigate' day tomorrow morn before the match - the theatre does this with every production - a morning of discussions about the themes of the play, or whatever. Often with some of the cast there, always with the director. Lunch then a matinee performance, followed, usually with a Q&A with director and cast. A really good way of getting deeper insights into the play, and, indeed, to how theatre works.

[LeverEnd]

Octagon tonight for me.

I'm there next Wednesday.

Going to give us a preview? Lever End not ecstatic exactly!

But I'm going the 'Investigate' day tomorrow morn before the match - the theatre does this with every production - a morning of discussions about the themes of the play, or whatever. Often with some of the cast there, always with the director. Lunch then a matinee performance, followed, usually with a Q&A with director and cast. A really good way of getting deeper insights into the play, and, indeed, to how theatre works.

I didn't know about that Will, would be interested but I'll be running round Heaton park. Next time perhaps.
Not ecstatic is quite accurate, critical no. I'm a moody viewer!
Off to a play at Affleck's in Manchester on Weds, a friend of mine is directing (a Thornleigh old boy, like many on here). It's by The Manchester Shakespeare Company, an alternative version of Romeo and Juliet. Hope I like it, so I don't have to be rude or overdiplomatic.
http://www.manchestershakespearecompany.com/

[William the White]

Octagon tonight for me.

I'm there next Wednesday.

Going to give us a preview? Lever End not ecstatic exactly!

But I'm going the 'Investigate' day tomorrow morn before the match - the theatre does this with every production - a morning of discussions about the themes of the play, or whatever. Often with some of the cast there, always with the director. Lunch then a matinee performance, followed, usually with a Q&A with director and cast. A really good way of getting deeper insights into the play, and, indeed, to how theatre works.

I didn't know about that Will, would be interested but I'll be running round Heaton park. Next time perhaps.
Not ecstatic is quite accurate, critical no. I'm a moody viewer!
Off to a play at Affleck's in Manchester on Weds, a friend of mine is directing (a Thornleigh old boy, like many on here). It's by The Manchester Shakespeare Company, an alternative version of Romeo and Juliet. Hope I like it, so I don't have to be rude or overdiplomatic.
http://www.manchestershakespearecompany.com/

I love stuff like that. I might try and catch it - give us a report. And Affleck's is a great venue - has exactly the right kind of grot a theatre fringe venue should have!

[clapton is god]

Octagon tonight for me.

I'm there next Wednesday.

Going to give us a preview? Lever End not ecstatic exactly!

But I'm going the 'Investigate' day tomorrow morn before the match - the theatre does this with every production - a morning of discussions about the themes of the play, or whatever. Often with some of the cast there, always with the director. Lunch then a matinee performance, followed, usually with a Q&A with director and cast. A really good way of getting deeper insights into the play, and, indeed, to how theatre works.

Yeah, it was good. Not entirely convinced about Thacker setting it in the 1920's. I'm not sure what it adds to the feel of it all. Tremendous acting though from the same company as Hobsons Choice, and in particular look out for the troubadour/fool character Feste, Malvolio, and Aguecheek, a very comical fop. I could fall for Rosie Jones if I see her again too.

A full house. Different seats for us than our usual plot close to the action and from the back row at the rear of the round, close to the piano, we saw just what a magnificent venue the Octagon really is. Lots of laughter from a very appreciative audience, particularly as Lever points out in the second half. Oh, and a very familiar plot which has been copied many times since. And Sinbad from Brookie was there giving it large in the foyer as we were leaving.

You'll love it. Bill.

[clapton is god]

And Mrs CIG replies: "It's a good thing I look just like Rosie Jones..."

[Annoyed Grunt]

And Mrs CIG replies: "It's a good thing I look just like Rosie Jones..."

Your Mrs looks like this..........?

[William the White]

Octagon tonight for me.

I'm there next Wednesday.

Going to give us a preview? Lever End not ecstatic exactly!

But I'm going the 'Investigate' day tomorrow morn before the match - the theatre does this with every production - a morning of discussions about the themes of the play, or whatever. Often with some of the cast there, always with the director. Lunch then a matinee performance, followed, usually with a Q&A with director and cast. A really good way of getting deeper insights into the play, and, indeed, to how theatre works.

Yeah, it was good. Not entirely convinced about Thacker setting it in the 1920's. I'm not sure what it adds to the feel of it all. Tremendous acting though from the same company as Hobsons Choice, and in particular look out for the troubadour/fool character Feste, Malvolio, and Aguecheek, a very comical fop. I could fall for Rosie Jones if I see her again too.

A full house. Different seats for us than our usual plot close to the action and from the back row at the rear of the round, close to the piano, we saw just what a magnificent venue the Octagon really is. Lots of laughter from a very appreciative audience, particularly as Lever points out in the second half. Oh, and a very familiar plot which has been copied many times since. And Sinbad from Brookie was there giving it large in the foyer as we were leaving.

You'll love it. Bill.

Thanks CiG. I'm really looking forward to it. The Investigate morning session was tremendous with Thacker and the entire cast - given roles they don't play in the production - going through the first two scenes of the play, seeking out ways o making it clear, making cuts for the sake of clarity and communication, arguing about the text etc. Then followed by an hours discussion with David T talking about his approaches to directing Shakespeare - and thrown open for a Q & A with the audience there - about 70-80 in the studio theatre at the back.

[bobo the clown]

Noooo. THIS Rosie Jones ....

[Annoyed Grunt]

Noooo. THIS Rosie Jones ....

Jesus!!! I'll take mine any day....

[General Mannerheim]

went to see Frank Skinner's Radio 4 recording of 'The rest is history' at Saddlers Wells. bit of a random evening, wasnt sure what we were turning up for. was good tho. basically Frank, two guests and his resident Dr of history having a chat about certain historical people. two guests were comedians ive seen on mock the ten cats etc but not sure their names. will look out for podcasts of other episodes.

[Raven]

Not tonight but Sat, sad fanboy time, or sad oldmanfan

http://www.memorabilia.co.uk/birmingham/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[William the White]

You'll love it. Bill.

I wnt last night.

And did, indeed, love it.

I thought the women were stronger than the men. But there was lots of laughter and a very appreciative - though not packed - house.