Thursday was back to the Everyman to see 'The Brothers Size' about 2 brothers called Size, by Tarell Alvin McCraney.
There are two brothers Size: Ogun has worked hard to get his own auto-repair shop; Oshoosi always takes the wrong track. Fresh out of prison, Oshoosi dreams of faraway places. When his ex cell mate Elegba offers him the gift of a clapped-out car, freedom seems to be just around the corner. A young American writer mingles Nigerian Yoruba myth with the earthily poetic life of present day Louisiana to create a playful and deeply original drama.
Quite good overall but no interval and therefore no ice cream! The Queen concert on Friday was good - Mel had booked excellent seats near the front and we sang and clapped and waved our arms as only some one's Mum and Dad can. J nearly didn't make it due to a 6 mile queue on the M6 on his journey home! We saw a fine barn owl on the way home! This morning we had a visit from the Antiques Roadshow man!! They are recording at St George's Hall next Sunday and I sent in a photo (taken by my personal photographer) of the dough chest. They were visiting 40 different pieces of furniture today and will let me know mid week if they are interested in having it there. If not we have a priority ticket so can get in without queuing and can just take a photo to find out about it! I don't think it is worth a lot but it could be old and interesting (like me!!).
I have just been to the gym and before that we went to find out about the new wheelie bins system that is coming to a street near us in early December!! They will only collect non-recyclable waste every other week but that will be no problem for us as we are very good at recycling. Not sure where Mel is going to put her wheelie bin!
We are going to the Tate this afternoon to view the entries for the Turner Prize - I am not expecting to be impressed....
Saturday 27 October 2007
Wednesday 24 October 2007
Busy bears!
A very busy week! Monday was off to the Playhouse to see Rough Crossings - another play based on true life stories about the slave trade. We have a lot to answer for and J now knows why Sierra Leone used to be British. A good thought provoking play.
As the American War of Independence reaches its climax, a plantation slave and a British Naval Officer embark on an epic journey in search of freedom. Divided by barriers of race but united in their ambitions for equality, their convictions will change attitudes towards slavery forever. Headlong Theatre’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold directs a new adaptation of Simon Schama’s provocative bestseller by award-winning writer Caryl Phillips. Sweeping from the deep south of America to the scorched earth of West Africa, Rough Crossings is a compelling true story that marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.
Tuesday was Julius Caesar at the Everyman performed by the Youth Theatre. Not bad - some awful Scouse accents but also some budding talent. Lots of loud music, mock fighting [very well done] and pretend blood!
“Cry ‘havoc’ and let slip the dogs of war.” I am looking for the opportunity to get this into the conversation! No luck so far.
Over forty young people from all over Merseyside are coming together to produce this passionate, exciting and vivid retelling of what happens in the aftermath of an act of terrorism. Young people have taken over society, they control the media and they decide who leads the country. But they can’t stop history repeating itself.
Tonight we have been to Morrison's and then to the Stanley Arms in Aughton. Macaroni with cheese and leek, steak pie and chips - I wonder who had which meal?? Not bad at all and change from £20 including 3 drinks! Tomorrow it is off to the Everyman gin then J& I are off to a Queen tribute band courtesy of Mel's birthday present. I shall be glad to get to the weekend for a rest.
As the American War of Independence reaches its climax, a plantation slave and a British Naval Officer embark on an epic journey in search of freedom. Divided by barriers of race but united in their ambitions for equality, their convictions will change attitudes towards slavery forever. Headlong Theatre’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold directs a new adaptation of Simon Schama’s provocative bestseller by award-winning writer Caryl Phillips. Sweeping from the deep south of America to the scorched earth of West Africa, Rough Crossings is a compelling true story that marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.
Tuesday was Julius Caesar at the Everyman performed by the Youth Theatre. Not bad - some awful Scouse accents but also some budding talent. Lots of loud music, mock fighting [very well done] and pretend blood!
“Cry ‘havoc’ and let slip the dogs of war.” I am looking for the opportunity to get this into the conversation! No luck so far.
Over forty young people from all over Merseyside are coming together to produce this passionate, exciting and vivid retelling of what happens in the aftermath of an act of terrorism. Young people have taken over society, they control the media and they decide who leads the country. But they can’t stop history repeating itself.
Tonight we have been to Morrison's and then to the Stanley Arms in Aughton. Macaroni with cheese and leek, steak pie and chips - I wonder who had which meal?? Not bad at all and change from £20 including 3 drinks! Tomorrow it is off to the Everyman gin then J& I are off to a Queen tribute band courtesy of Mel's birthday present. I shall be glad to get to the weekend for a rest.
Sunday 21 October 2007
Celebration!
Ben phoned on Wednesday morning to tell us that he had proposed to Madeline!! Wonderful news, they sound so happy and excited and are now puzzling over the date. Possibly August which would be beautiful and sunny in southern California.
Last Saturday I spent the morning helping with a promotion for the Southport Comedy Week – the tag line was ‘Laugh your socks off’ so we had a washing line covered in donated Primark socks and were giving out leaflets, some of which had free tickets for the various shows. They didn’t all go so I got some free tickets for Punt & Dennis which Mel and I went to last night – not bad and of course J had to watch the final last night so was unavailable!
On Wednesday I picked J from the train after his visit to Birmingham and we went to the Packet Steamer for a meal prior to tackling Asda. I had a chicken and pasta dish which should have chorizo sausage in it but didn’t. I mentioned it to the waitress and we got free deserts! J had venison sausages and chips which was very nice but would have benefited from peas or salad! I had cheese and biscuits and J a sundae of some sort.
On Friday we went to see Roger McGough and Brian Patten - two of the Mersey Sound poets of the 1960s. The third poet was Adrian Henri who is no longer with us but the stage had 3 chairs on it in his memory. Roger was also a member of the Scaffold along with John Gorman and Mike McCartney (brother of Paul, no less). In the following year The Scaffold's anthem, Lily the Pink, reached No. 1 in the charts. Both poets were very entertaining and I thought that the younger generation would appreciate the poem below! I have to say that poetry is so much better when read aloud, particularly by the person who wrote it.
PAY-BACK TIME
O Lord, let me be a burden on my children
For long they've been a burden upon me.
May they fetch and carry, clean and scrub
And do so cheerfully.
Let them take it in turns at putting me up
Nice sunny rooms at the top of the stairs
With a walk-in bath and lift installed
At great expense.....Theirs.
Insurance against the body-blows of time
Isn't that what having children's all about?
To bring them up knowing that they owe you
And can't contract out?
What is money for but to spend on their schooling?
Designer clothes, mindless hobbies, usual stuff.
Then as soon as they're earning, off they go
Well, enough's enough.
It's been a blessing watching them develop
The parental pride we felt as each one grew.
But Lord, let me be a burden on my children
And on my children's children too.
© Roger McGough Selected Poems Penguin, Feb'06
I have forgotten to mention that Mel and I went to see ‘The song of an emigrant’ on Tuesday. I have copied the extract form the website below
An economic migrant returns after many years spent in America, but the reality of the return does not resemble that of his dreams. His daughter does not recognise him, his wife avoids him, and former friends shun him. Though he has returned, he cannot really come back. He will always be an emigrant.
Winner of a Fringe First and a Herald Angel Award at last year’s Edinburgh Festival, The Song of an Emigrant is drawn from the old Ukrainian songs of eastern Slovakia, the letters of Slovak emigrants, and Josef Capel’s Horduba, this depiction of the ‘bare life’ of an emigrant is that of a life reduced to material needs. Created by a company of artists of Czech, Slovak, Polish, Ukrainian and Serbian nationality, it realizes the reality of Slavs in Europe today – a life soulless without friends, family and community.
‘Occupies a heartland that is universal and timeless… a deeply affecting whirligig of songs, dance and fleeting encounters’ Glasgow Herald
Mel and I had absolutely no ideas whatsoever what it was about!! It was all in Czech and a mixture of dance, music, and song. It started at 7.45 and we were walking back to the car by 8.45. Very strange but obviously from the accolades above we obviously missed something!!
Yesterday I went to the gym , the hairdressers then a quick wander around Liverpool but didn’t buy much. J & Mel had the Derby to watch –Liverpool won 2 -1 with Everton scoring an own goal! Today we have been strolling in the sunshine near Breatherton and Bank Hall Next week we have 3 plays to see and J & I are also going to see a Queen tribute band thanks to Mel’s birthday present to J in February!
Last Saturday I spent the morning helping with a promotion for the Southport Comedy Week – the tag line was ‘Laugh your socks off’ so we had a washing line covered in donated Primark socks and were giving out leaflets, some of which had free tickets for the various shows. They didn’t all go so I got some free tickets for Punt & Dennis which Mel and I went to last night – not bad and of course J had to watch the final last night so was unavailable!
On Wednesday I picked J from the train after his visit to Birmingham and we went to the Packet Steamer for a meal prior to tackling Asda. I had a chicken and pasta dish which should have chorizo sausage in it but didn’t. I mentioned it to the waitress and we got free deserts! J had venison sausages and chips which was very nice but would have benefited from peas or salad! I had cheese and biscuits and J a sundae of some sort.
On Friday we went to see Roger McGough and Brian Patten - two of the Mersey Sound poets of the 1960s. The third poet was Adrian Henri who is no longer with us but the stage had 3 chairs on it in his memory. Roger was also a member of the Scaffold along with John Gorman and Mike McCartney (brother of Paul, no less). In the following year The Scaffold's anthem, Lily the Pink, reached No. 1 in the charts. Both poets were very entertaining and I thought that the younger generation would appreciate the poem below! I have to say that poetry is so much better when read aloud, particularly by the person who wrote it.
PAY-BACK TIME
O Lord, let me be a burden on my children
For long they've been a burden upon me.
May they fetch and carry, clean and scrub
And do so cheerfully.
Let them take it in turns at putting me up
Nice sunny rooms at the top of the stairs
With a walk-in bath and lift installed
At great expense.....Theirs.
Insurance against the body-blows of time
Isn't that what having children's all about?
To bring them up knowing that they owe you
And can't contract out?
What is money for but to spend on their schooling?
Designer clothes, mindless hobbies, usual stuff.
Then as soon as they're earning, off they go
Well, enough's enough.
It's been a blessing watching them develop
The parental pride we felt as each one grew.
But Lord, let me be a burden on my children
And on my children's children too.
© Roger McGough Selected Poems Penguin, Feb'06
I have forgotten to mention that Mel and I went to see ‘The song of an emigrant’ on Tuesday. I have copied the extract form the website below
An economic migrant returns after many years spent in America, but the reality of the return does not resemble that of his dreams. His daughter does not recognise him, his wife avoids him, and former friends shun him. Though he has returned, he cannot really come back. He will always be an emigrant.
Winner of a Fringe First and a Herald Angel Award at last year’s Edinburgh Festival, The Song of an Emigrant is drawn from the old Ukrainian songs of eastern Slovakia, the letters of Slovak emigrants, and Josef Capel’s Horduba, this depiction of the ‘bare life’ of an emigrant is that of a life reduced to material needs. Created by a company of artists of Czech, Slovak, Polish, Ukrainian and Serbian nationality, it realizes the reality of Slavs in Europe today – a life soulless without friends, family and community.
‘Occupies a heartland that is universal and timeless… a deeply affecting whirligig of songs, dance and fleeting encounters’ Glasgow Herald
Mel and I had absolutely no ideas whatsoever what it was about!! It was all in Czech and a mixture of dance, music, and song. It started at 7.45 and we were walking back to the car by 8.45. Very strange but obviously from the accolades above we obviously missed something!!
Yesterday I went to the gym , the hairdressers then a quick wander around Liverpool but didn’t buy much. J & Mel had the Derby to watch –Liverpool won 2 -1 with Everton scoring an own goal! Today we have been strolling in the sunshine near Breatherton and Bank Hall Next week we have 3 plays to see and J & I are also going to see a Queen tribute band thanks to Mel’s birthday present to J in February!
Friday 12 October 2007
Theatre and badgers....
Tuesday was 'I am Shakespeare' at the Playhouse written by Mark Rylance and John Dove. The plot was as follows ...
Webcam daytime chat room show
A dark and stormy night. In his garage in Kent, Frank Charlton – a schoolteacher –prepares for his daily broadcast. Through his subversive internet show, Frank continues to explore the obsession that cost him a promising academic career – daring to question the authorship of the Shakespeare plays. When, that is, he can dodge the ‘helpful’ attentions of his ex pop-star neighbour Barry. Today, however, via the dramatic interaction of a lightning storm and the collective unconscious of the world-wide-web, Frank finds himself confronted with the real William Shakespeare… and the real Francis Bacon… then Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford… and finally the real Mary Sidney… Mayhem ensues as the Police arrive investigating a mysterious body whilst Frank desperately tries to interview each of the four characters from the past to discover who is the real author. Can Frank take advantage of this historic opportunity...without getting arrested or murdering Barry first? Needless to say I have copied this off the website! It ended up like the film of Spartacus, which probably means nothing to my readers, where instead of everyone standing up and shouting ''I'm Spartacus,' 'No, I'm Spartacus' it was 'I'm Shakespeare' etc etc. Quite entertaining and amusing and obviously penned by someone who had done a thesis at sometime on who really wrote Shakespeare's plays.
Wednesday was shopping as usual but home for salad as I had brought fish & chips the night before and J had made a lovely salad so we had that on Wed instead. You will be delighted to know I have bought a Christmas pudding!
Thursday was gym night - they have had lots of new exciting equipment!! Today we went on our first badger hunt!! It was in a wood near Shevington where a factory site (explosives!!!) is being investigated as a possible housing site. I could be first on the list if it ever comes to fruition as lots of the wood will remain with little groups of houses dotted amongst the trees. A survey had been done last year and had identified some badger activity so we were there with 6 others to look at the holes found last time and to assess any activity. We got there early and spoke to the man on duty at the gate who told us that he has seen a badger run over opposite the factory and that there were lots of foxes and rabbits as well as deer. He had a very nice tabby cat (without a name) that he had rescued when found tied to a tree as a kitten. It lived in his hut at night and he fed it - they both looked well fed! We saw 2 other cats during the morning so I think there may be quite a few feral ones around the site. It is very secure so I don't think they get many visitors. J & I were teamed up with Craig and sent to investigate 3 previously identified holes. We managed to find all 3 and took photos and made notes. Unfortunately these were not badger holes and probably just left from the collapsed underground bunkers. We did see the main badger sett but no animals. Not terribly exciting but good to be involved - Ben was so lucky in Durham with his nocturnal friends!!
Tomorrow is the promotion for the Festival of Comedy in Southport so I will be out for part of the day just giving out leaflets and generally telling people about the festival. They also have the opportunity to win tickets for some of the events if they take a lucky programme. Bye for now xx
Webcam daytime chat room show
A dark and stormy night. In his garage in Kent, Frank Charlton – a schoolteacher –prepares for his daily broadcast. Through his subversive internet show, Frank continues to explore the obsession that cost him a promising academic career – daring to question the authorship of the Shakespeare plays. When, that is, he can dodge the ‘helpful’ attentions of his ex pop-star neighbour Barry. Today, however, via the dramatic interaction of a lightning storm and the collective unconscious of the world-wide-web, Frank finds himself confronted with the real William Shakespeare… and the real Francis Bacon… then Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford… and finally the real Mary Sidney… Mayhem ensues as the Police arrive investigating a mysterious body whilst Frank desperately tries to interview each of the four characters from the past to discover who is the real author. Can Frank take advantage of this historic opportunity...without getting arrested or murdering Barry first? Needless to say I have copied this off the website! It ended up like the film of Spartacus, which probably means nothing to my readers, where instead of everyone standing up and shouting ''I'm Spartacus,' 'No, I'm Spartacus' it was 'I'm Shakespeare' etc etc. Quite entertaining and amusing and obviously penned by someone who had done a thesis at sometime on who really wrote Shakespeare's plays.
Wednesday was shopping as usual but home for salad as I had brought fish & chips the night before and J had made a lovely salad so we had that on Wed instead. You will be delighted to know I have bought a Christmas pudding!
Thursday was gym night - they have had lots of new exciting equipment!! Today we went on our first badger hunt!! It was in a wood near Shevington where a factory site (explosives!!!) is being investigated as a possible housing site. I could be first on the list if it ever comes to fruition as lots of the wood will remain with little groups of houses dotted amongst the trees. A survey had been done last year and had identified some badger activity so we were there with 6 others to look at the holes found last time and to assess any activity. We got there early and spoke to the man on duty at the gate who told us that he has seen a badger run over opposite the factory and that there were lots of foxes and rabbits as well as deer. He had a very nice tabby cat (without a name) that he had rescued when found tied to a tree as a kitten. It lived in his hut at night and he fed it - they both looked well fed! We saw 2 other cats during the morning so I think there may be quite a few feral ones around the site. It is very secure so I don't think they get many visitors. J & I were teamed up with Craig and sent to investigate 3 previously identified holes. We managed to find all 3 and took photos and made notes. Unfortunately these were not badger holes and probably just left from the collapsed underground bunkers. We did see the main badger sett but no animals. Not terribly exciting but good to be involved - Ben was so lucky in Durham with his nocturnal friends!!
Tomorrow is the promotion for the Festival of Comedy in Southport so I will be out for part of the day just giving out leaflets and generally telling people about the festival. They also have the opportunity to win tickets for some of the events if they take a lucky programme. Bye for now xx
Tuesday 2 October 2007
Life as a volunteer
On Saturday I helped out at Spouthport Arts Centre as part of the Literary Festival. People had booked half hour appointments with the visiting author (Ann Milton) or poet (Alison Chisholm) so it was a case of getting the people to the right venue at the right time and generally welcoming people and chatting. I was commended for my cheery smile (sickly grin according to J!) and have been asked back to help with the promotion for the Festival of Comedy later this month. I am aslo helping out at the Firework Extravaganza on Friday night. So far, so good!
Sunday was walk day as usual and as already reported by J. J has a new jumper and a new name - smooth grey!!
Monday night was a play called Intemperence at the Everyman. It was by Lizzie Nunnery who is a local writer and one of the 4 who wrote Unprotected about Liverpool prostitutes. That was excellent but this one was a bit dull and dreary. It was about an Irish family living in a Liverpool cellar in the mid 1800s at the time when St George's Hall was being built. Some thought provoking moments but not one of the best.
Friday was the British Firework Festival near the Marine Lake in Southport. This consisted of the Lake of Dreams, which was a pretty ordinary display to music but reflections in the lake were very pretty. There were then 2 displays to music by national companies. Last year's winner went first but was definitely outshone by the second contender who chose the 1812 Overture and Bjork's song to name but 2. I was teamed up with a sixth former from Formby and we gave out leaflets and directed people, mainly to the toilet. Not a bad evening all in all. The competition has 2 more nights to run until the winner is announced but I think you could have too much of fireworks!
Sunday was walk day as usual and as already reported by J. J has a new jumper and a new name - smooth grey!!
Monday night was a play called Intemperence at the Everyman. It was by Lizzie Nunnery who is a local writer and one of the 4 who wrote Unprotected about Liverpool prostitutes. That was excellent but this one was a bit dull and dreary. It was about an Irish family living in a Liverpool cellar in the mid 1800s at the time when St George's Hall was being built. Some thought provoking moments but not one of the best.
Friday was the British Firework Festival near the Marine Lake in Southport. This consisted of the Lake of Dreams, which was a pretty ordinary display to music but reflections in the lake were very pretty. There were then 2 displays to music by national companies. Last year's winner went first but was definitely outshone by the second contender who chose the 1812 Overture and Bjork's song to name but 2. I was teamed up with a sixth former from Formby and we gave out leaflets and directed people, mainly to the toilet. Not a bad evening all in all. The competition has 2 more nights to run until the winner is announced but I think you could have too much of fireworks!
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