The Doubtful Guest

This started at 7 pm so was bound to be for the younger element in society! However, undeterred we went, saw and enjoyed. I thought it was acted extremely well and very funny, other people obviously didn’t agree and 3 couples walked out part way through it – how rude! It was based on a book by Edward Gorey which I haven’t heard of but from the play I suspect it is a children’s book written in rhyme. A bit like ‘Old friend Toad’ for those who remember him ‘walking down the road’.

When an uninvited and strangely fantastical creature finds its way into a very normal household, its pure existence wreaks havoc. As it challenges their strict routines and descends the family into chaos, they search desperately for ways of dealing with the peculiar behaviour of their doubtful guest. A humorous and sinister tale of adolescence and mayhem; this is a conveniently curious comedy for anyone who is (or knows!) a mischievous misfit. I think I will look out for it and others by him in second hand bookshops. He wrote around 70 books, not all for children, and died in 1999. His house is open to the public in Cape Cod.

As J and I are on holiday this week we went to the Owld Barn (no, Mandy it is not a spelling mistake) for lunch. Toasted ham & cheese for J and home made mushroom & onion soup for me. Followed by date and walnut loaf (homemade) and hot chocolate with cream/coffee for afters! We felt so full that we didn’t have tea until we returned from the theatre!

The Side Door...

Firday was, of course, Mel's birthday (33!!!) so as we were already booked for the Everyman on Thursday we decided to try The Side Door restaurant ,which is just a few doors away from the theatre, as a birthday treat. We had tried to get in before but it had always been full - this time I booked.
We got there at 6 pm and Mel and I ordered a bottle of Rose with Raisin beer for J . This is Cain's official Capital of Culture beer which J thought was good but it didn't taste of raisins. The early doors menu was quite limited - only 3 starters and 3 main courses but what they lacked in quantity they made up for in quality. J & M had mince Moroccan lamb with hummus and pita bread for starters whilst I stuck to fish with Welsh rarebit on smoked haddock - delicious! We all opted for the lamb steak with couscous and yoghurt for the main course and I had cheese and biscuits (well mainly cheese and fruit, I passed on the biscuits) and J & M had a tarty thing with ice cream. All in all a very nice meal, good service and a pleasant experience. One to go back to!
It was then off to see John Shuttleworth who is a Sheffield comedian who talks, sings and plays the organ. The only song of note that I had heard before was about his Austin Ambassador Y reg! It was OK with the second half much better than the first but nowhere near as good as John Hegley. Finished about 9.30 but a good night and a pleasant way to spend someone else's birthday!